Open Access

Review

Article ID: 1879

Energy systems and green sourced nanomaterials—A today’s outlook

by Ayesha Kausar

Materials Technology Reports, Vol.2, No.2, 2024; 0 Views, 0 PDF Downloads

Owing to current growing demands of environmental friendly energy devices, innumerable green materials/nanomaterials have been applied to design the desired high tech devices. Amongst energy devices, supercapacitors have been ranked distinctively for efficient energy storage competence. Principally, green nanocomposites derived from green or ecological polymers and green nanoparticles have been scrutinized for supercapacitor components. Concerning this, current review has been planned to sketch the energy storage application of green nanocomposites, predominantly for supercapacitors. In this concern, mostly synthetic green polymers (such as polyaniline, polypyrrole, etc.) and their blends with natural polymers (like chitosan) having fine biodegradability, non-toxicity, low cost, and superior device end performance have been found as the noteworthy materials. Additionally, green nanofillers like carbon nanoparticles (carbon nanotube, graphene, etc.) and metal nanoparticles have been processed with green polymers via ecological techniques, like in situ, solution, sonication, mixing, hydrothermal, exfoliation, reduction, etc., to form the anticipated energy device components. In consequence, the designed ecological nanocomposites expectedly had the advantages of low price/weight, superior mechanical/heat resilience, electron transference, capacitance, power/charge density, charge-discharge, sustainability as well as environmentally friendliness for energy related methodological systems. Incidentally, the design and performance challenges towards the application of ecological nanocomposites in energy storage devices have been conversed.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 1630

Microwave absorption properties and mechanism of novel apatite-type materials Mn₂Gd₇.₅Ce₀.₅(SiO₄)₆O₂

by Haikun Liu, Xiaoming Liu, Ning Liu, Lefu Mei

Materials Technology Reports, Vol.2, No.2, 2024; 0 Views, 0 PDF Downloads

Manganese minerals possess a high intrinsic magnetic moment, making them excellent materials for microwave absorption. Rare earth elements, with their unique electronic structures and interactions between spin electrons and orbitals, can further enhance the performance of absorbing materials. In this study, we designed a novel microwave absorbing material by incorporating manganese into an apatite structure with adjustable chemical composition. The material Mn₂Gd₇.₅Ce₀.₅(SiO₄)₆O₂, exhibiting specific microwave absorption properties, was synthesized using a high-temperature solid-phase method. The results indicate that at a sample thickness of 5 mm, the absorption frequency bandwidth below −10 dB within the 2–12 GHz range reaches 1.2 GHz, with a peak absorption of −21.78 dB. Additionally, smaller particles were prepared using the sol-gel method, achieving a peak absorption of −39.75 dB. The primary absorption mechanism for both particle types is attributed to magnetic loss. This work presents a new approach to designing microwave absorbing materials and significantly contributes to expanding the range of apatite-type materials.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 1721

Evaluating eggshells as sustainable weighting agents in water-based drilling muds: A novel approach for enhanced efficiency and environmental consciousness

by Anas Elhederi, Mansoor Zoveidavianpoor

Materials Technology Reports, Vol.2, No.2, 2024; 6 Views, 1 PDF Downloads

This study investigates the utilization of eggshells, a renewable material, as a weighting additive in water-based drilling muds with different exploring concentrations. The primary objectives were to assess the impact of eggshells on the rheological properties of drilling muds and to determine the optimal concentration of eggshells for achieving desired density and stability, drawing comparisons with calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ). Both eggshell powder (ESP) and CaCO 3 effectively increase mud weight to the target density of 8.75 ppg at 30 g. Notably, ESP exhibits favorable rheological properties at 20 g, maintaining low plastic viscosity 2.7, consistent yield points 1.1, and gel strength comparable to CaCO 3 . Conversely, CaCO 3 shows signs of potential deterioration at 30 g indicated by increased viscosity to 3.5 and decreased yield point to 0.5. ESP demonstrates superior filtration performance, displaying a progressive increase in cake thickness with increasing weight 1.32 mm to 3.12 mm compared to the slower cake build-up of CaCO 3 0.92 mm to 2.9 mm. Both additives slightly elevate mud pH, potentially enhancing overall stability.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 1654

Comparative study of fibers extracted from the stems and roots of the Cameroonian pennissetum purpureum for their applications in compressed earth brick reinforcement and textile engineering

by Fabien Kenmogne, Roger Eno, Adoum Danao Adile, Blaise Ngwem Bayiha, Gilbert Tchemou, Martial Nde Ngnihamye, Olivier Lekeufack Tiokeng, Steven Kevin Donfang Nobisse, Emmanuel Yamb Bell

Materials Technology Reports, Vol.2, No.1, 2024; 26 Views, 13 PDF Downloads

This work focuses on the extraction and experimental characterization of pennisetum purpureum fibers extracted from stems and roots, harvested in the Batié Kingdom, in the West Region of Cameroon. After extracting fibers using the boiling water technique, they are chemically treated to improve their properties and performance and to facilitate their incorporation into various composite materials. For the physical characterizations, it is measured: the absolute and apparent densities, the linear mass, the water absorption rate, and the diameter via the microscope. The mean values of the diameters and the measure of their frequency distributions are calculated, followed by the statistical analysis using the maximum entropy principle, in order to find the most probable diameter necessary for technological applications. For the mechanical properties, only the tensile tests are performed, with the determination of the young modulus of both the stems and roots. The results thus obtained showed that the fibers of the stems have an absolute density of (1.35 g/cm 3 ), a linear mass of (54.6 tex), an apparent density of (0.45 g/cm 3 ), a water content of (12.73%), an absorption rate of (142.46%), a porosity of (65.91%), a mean diameter of (7 mm), an elastic modulus of (3.98 GPa), a tensile strength of value of (1186.59 MPa) and an elongation of 16.17%, while the root fibers have an absolute density of (1.34 g/cm 3 ), a linear mass (16.76 tex), an apparent density of (0.37845 g/cm 3 ), a water content of (12.25%), an absorption rate of (193.16%), a porosity of (71.92%), a diameter of (4 mm), an elastic modulus of (1.55 GPa), a tensile strength of a value of (1960.35 MPa) and an elongation of 60.6%. Thus, the fibers of the stems have good mechanical properties, which make them an appropriate material in several applications, such as the reinforcement of composite materials.

Open Access

Review

Article ID: 1518

Current research status of high-performance UHMWPE fiber: A review

by Lei Li, Fanmin Kong, Ang Xiao, Hao Su, Xiaolian Wu, Ziling Zhang, Yutian Duan

Materials Technology Reports, Vol.2, No.1, 2024; 120 Views, 38 PDF Downloads

In the relentless evolution of technological innovation, the incorporation of engineered materials across numerous sectors is becoming increasingly widespread. Among them, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber, as a novel type of engineered material, has emerged as a critical hot topic in industries such as aerospace, national defense, and new energy due to its exceptional physical and chemical properties. This article attempts to introduce the characteristics of UHMWPE fibers, including their advantages and areas for enhancement, to provide researchers with a comprehensive overview and research trajectory of UHMWPE. Moreover, this article succinctly elucidates the preparation methodologies and advances of UHMWPE fibers, encompassing mainstream dry and wet spinning methods, revealing their research trajectories, pivotal positions, and practical significance in the realm of engineered materials. In summary, this review briefly discusses the research overview and recent advances in UHMWPE fibers, which contribute to accelerating comprehensive and sustainable progress in this field.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 1650

Physico-mechanical characterization of compressed earth blocks reinforced with waste fibers from calamus rotang: Case of the elastic soil of western region of Cameroon

by Fabien Kenmogne, Emmanuel Foadieng, Olivier Lekeufack Tiokeng, Roger Eno, Martial Nde Ngnihamye, Alphonse Tchoukouabe, Sorel Holsen Wafo Wafo, Moussa Sali, Emmanuel Yamb Bell, Sévérin Nguiya

Materials Technology Reports, Vol.2, No.1, 2024; 47 Views, 20 PDF Downloads

In order to enhance the value of local materials and contribute to reducing construction costs in Cameroon, rattan waste is used to reinforce compressed earth blocks (CEB). This main work’s objective is the study of the effect of rattan waste on the physical and mechanical properties of CEB. For this, a soil sample taken in the western region of Cameroon, more precisely in Bangangté, was analyzed, the analysis includes the granulometric analysis, the Atterberg limits, and the Proctor test. Then the CEB samples with different rattan waste contents, that is 0%, 2%, 4% and 6%, were developed for a compaction stress of 7.5 MPa. These different samples were characterized through mechanical and physical tests carried out in the laboratory. It appears that the blocks reinforced with 2% of rattan waste have better mechanical characteristics, respectively 0.70 MPa in three-point bending and 3.04 MPa in compression. On the other hand, the presence of rattan wastes has a positive effect on the mechanical behavior of the composite, by increasing its ductility compared to the fragile behavior of the control block, which is observed during crushing. Thus the mechanical properties of CEB improve with the incorporation of rattan waste, which is optimal for a content of 2%. But they increase the material's porosity, and then its sensitivity to water unlike the control CEB.