Modeling and Testing of the Viscoelastic Properties of a Graphite Nanoplatelet/Epoxy Composite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Odegard, Gregory M.; Gates, Thomas S.

2005-01-01

In order to facilitate the interpretation of experimental data, a micromechanical modeling procedure is developed to predict the viscoelastic properties of a graphite nanoplatelet/epoxy composite as a function of volume fraction and nanoplatelet diameter. The predicted storage and loss moduli for the composite are compared to measured values from the same material using three test methods; Dynamical Mechanical Analysis, nanoindentation, and quasi-static tensile tests. In most cases, the model and experiments indicate that for increasing volume fractions of nanoplatelets, both the storage and loss moduli increase. Also, the results indicate that for nanoplatelet sizes above 15 microns, nanoindentation is capable of measuring properties of individual constituents of a composite system. Comparison of the predicted values to the measured data helps illustrate the relative similarities and differences between the bulk and local measurement techniques.

A correlative study between analysis and experiment on the fracture behavior of graphite/epoxy composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yeow, Y. T.; Morris, D. H.; Brinson, H. F.

1979-01-01

The paper compares the fracture behavior of a composite material by using the analytical models of Waddoups et al. (1971), Whitney and Nuismer (1974, 1975), and Snyder and Cruse (1975) with experimental results from tests performed on center-notched tensile strips. Laminate configurations of (0 deg)8s, (0 deg/90 deg)4s, (+ and -45 deg)4s, and (0 deg/+ and -45 deg/0 deg)2s from T300/934 graphite/epoxy are tested. These particular configurations are used so that the effect of various degrees of anisotropy can be studied. The procedure adopted uses the results from one test for crack size aspect ratio to predict the results of tests of other aspect ratios. For those methods that use a characteristic dimension, predictions are made by assuming the magnitude of this dimension to be constant. The validity of this assumption for a laminate is assessed by comparing predicted and experimental results. Analytical models using a characteristic dimension are compared to the model developed by Cruse (1973).

Determining resin/fiber content of laminates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garrard, G. G.; Houston, D. W.

1979-01-01

Article discusses procedure where hydrazine is used to extract graphite fibers from cured polyimide resin. Method does not attack graphite fibers and is faster than hot-concentrated-acid digestion process.

Evaluation of Selected Chemical Processes for Production of Low-cost Silicon, Phase 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blocher, J. M.; Browning, M. F.

1979-01-01

Refinements of the design of the 50 MT/year Experimental Process System Development Unit were made and competitive bids were received from mechanical, electrical, and structural contractors. Bids on most of the equipment were received and cataloged. Emergency procedures were defined to counter a variety of contingencies disclosed in operations and safety reviews. Experimental work with an electrolytic cell for zinc chloride disclosed no significant increase in power efficiency by steps taken to increase electrolyte circulation. On the basis of materials compatibility and permeability tests, 310 stainless steel was chosen for the shell of the fluidized-bed reactor and SiC-coated graphite for the liner.

Measurement of the cleavage energy of graphite

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Wen; Dai, Shuyang; Li, Xide

Here, the basal plane cleavage energy (CE) of graphite is a key material parameter for understanding many of the unusual properties of graphite, graphene and carbon nanotubes. Nonetheless, a wide range of values for the CE has been reported and no consensus has yet emerged. Here we report the first direct, accurate experimental measurement of the CE of graphite using a novel method based on the self-retraction phenomenon in graphite. The measured value, 0.37±0.01 J m –2 for the incommensurate state of bicrystal graphite, is nearly invariant with respect to temperature (22 °C≤T≤198 °C) and bicrystal twist angle, and insensitivemore » to impurities from the atmosphere. The CE for the ideal ABAB graphite stacking, 0.39±0.02 J m –2, is calculated based on a combination of the measured CE and a theoretical calculation. These experimental measurements are also ideal for use in evaluating the efficacy of competing theoretical approaches.« less

Measurement of the cleavage energy of graphite

DOE PAGES

Wang, Wen; Dai, Shuyang; Li, Xide; ...

2015-08-28

Here, the basal plane cleavage energy (CE) of graphite is a key material parameter for understanding many of the unusual properties of graphite, graphene and carbon nanotubes. Nonetheless, a wide range of values for the CE has been reported and no consensus has yet emerged. Here we report the first direct, accurate experimental measurement of the CE of graphite using a novel method based on the self-retraction phenomenon in graphite. The measured value, 0.37±0.01 J m –2 for the incommensurate state of bicrystal graphite, is nearly invariant with respect to temperature (22 °C≤T≤198 °C) and bicrystal twist angle, and insensitivemore » to impurities from the atmosphere. The CE for the ideal ABAB graphite stacking, 0.39±0.02 J m –2, is calculated based on a combination of the measured CE and a theoretical calculation. These experimental measurements are also ideal for use in evaluating the efficacy of competing theoretical approaches.« less

Fire test method for graphite fiber reinforced plastics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bowles, K. J.

1980-01-01

A potential problem in the use of graphite fiber reinforced resin matrix composites is the dispersal of graphite fibers during accidential fires. Airborne, electrically conductive fibers originating from the burning composites could enter and cause shorting in electrical equipment located in surrounding areas. A test method for assessing the burning characteristics of graphite fiber reinforced composites and the effectiveness of the composites in retaining the graphite fibers has been developed. The method utilizes a modified rate of heat release apparatus. The equipment and the testing procedure are described. The application of the test method to the assessment of composite materials is illustrated for two resin matrix/graphite composite systems.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Inam, A., E-mail: aqil.ceet@pu.edu.pk; Brydson, R., E-mail: mtlrmdb@leeds.ac.uk; Edmonds, D.V., E-mail: d.v.edmonds@leeds.ac.uk

The potential for using graphite particles as an internal lubricant during machining is considered. Graphite particles were found to form during graphitisation of experimental medium-carbon steel alloyed with Si and Al. The graphite nucleation sites were strongly influenced by the starting microstructure, whether ferrite–pearlite, bainite or martensite, as revealed by light and electron microscopy. Favourable nucleation sites in the ferrite–pearlite starting microstructure were, not unexpectedly, found to be located within pearlite colonies, no doubt due to the presence of abundant cementite as a source of carbon. In consequence, the final distribution of graphite nodules in ferrite–pearlite microstructures was less uniformmore » than for the bainite microstructure studied. In the case of martensite, this study found a predominance of nucleation at grain boundaries, again leading to less uniform graphite dispersions. - Highlights: • Metallography of formation of graphite particles in experimental carbon steel. • Potential for using graphite in steel as an internal lubricant during machining. • Microstructure features expected to influence improved machinability studied. • Influence of pre-anneal starting microstructure on graphite nucleation sites. • Influence of pre-anneal starting microstructure on graphite distribution. • Potential benefit is new free-cutting steel compositions without e.g. Pb alloying.« less

Rapid analysis method for the determination of 14C specific activity in irradiated graphite

PubMed Central

Remeikis, Vidmantas; Lagzdina, Elena; Garbaras, Andrius; Gudelis, Arūnas; Garankin, Jevgenij; Juodis, Laurynas; Duškesas, Grigorijus; Lingis, Danielius; Abdulajev, Vladimir; Plukis, Artūras

2018-01-01

14C is one of the limiting radionuclides used in the categorization of radioactive graphite waste; this categorization is crucial in selecting the appropriate graphite treatment/disposal method. We propose a rapid analysis method for 14C specific activity determination in small graphite samples in the 1–100 μg range. The method applies an oxidation procedure to the sample, which extracts 14C from the different carbonaceous matrices in a controlled manner. Because this method enables fast online measurement and 14C specific activity evaluation, it can be especially useful for characterizing 14C in irradiated graphite when dismantling graphite moderator and reflector parts, or when sorting radioactive graphite waste from decommissioned nuclear power plants. The proposed rapid method is based on graphite combustion and the subsequent measurement of both CO2 and 14C, using a commercial elemental analyser and the semiconductor detector, respectively. The method was verified using the liquid scintillation counting (LSC) technique. The uncertainty of this rapid method is within the acceptable range for radioactive waste characterization purposes. The 14C specific activity determination procedure proposed in this study takes approximately ten minutes, comparing favorably to the more complicated and time consuming LSC method. This method can be potentially used to radiologically characterize radioactive waste or used in biomedical applications when dealing with the specific activity determination of 14C in the sample. PMID:29370233

Rapid analysis method for the determination of 14C specific activity in irradiated graphite.

PubMed

Remeikis, Vidmantas; Lagzdina, Elena; Garbaras, Andrius; Gudelis, Arūnas; Garankin, Jevgenij; Plukienė, Rita; Juodis, Laurynas; Duškesas, Grigorijus; Lingis, Danielius; Abdulajev, Vladimir; Plukis, Artūras

2018-01-01

14C is one of the limiting radionuclides used in the categorization of radioactive graphite waste; this categorization is crucial in selecting the appropriate graphite treatment/disposal method. We propose a rapid analysis method for 14C specific activity determination in small graphite samples in the 1-100 μg range. The method applies an oxidation procedure to the sample, which extracts 14C from the different carbonaceous matrices in a controlled manner. Because this method enables fast online measurement and 14C specific activity evaluation, it can be especially useful for characterizing 14C in irradiated graphite when dismantling graphite moderator and reflector parts, or when sorting radioactive graphite waste from decommissioned nuclear power plants. The proposed rapid method is based on graphite combustion and the subsequent measurement of both CO2 and 14C, using a commercial elemental analyser and the semiconductor detector, respectively. The method was verified using the liquid scintillation counting (LSC) technique. The uncertainty of this rapid method is within the acceptable range for radioactive waste characterization purposes. The 14C specific activity determination procedure proposed in this study takes approximately ten minutes, comparing favorably to the more complicated and time consuming LSC method. This method can be potentially used to radiologically characterize radioactive waste or used in biomedical applications when dealing with the specific activity determination of 14C in the sample.

Fluid-deposited graphitic inclusions in quartz: Comparison between KTB (German Continental Deep-Drilling) core samples and artificially reequilibrated natural inclusions

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pasteris, J.D.; Chou, I.-Ming

1998-01-01

We used Raman microsampling spectroscopy (RMS) to determine the degree of crystallinity of minute (2-15 ??m) graphite inclusions in quartz in two sets of samples: experimentally reequilibrated fluid inclusions in a natural quartz grain and biotite-bearing paragneisses from the KTB deep drillhole in SE Germany. Our sequential reequilibration experiments at 725??C on initially pure CO2 inclusions in a quartz wafer and the J. Krautheim (1993) experiments at 900-1100??C on organic compounds heated in gold or platinum capsules suggest that, at a given temperature, (1) fluid-deposited graphite will have a lower crystallinity than metamorphosed organic matter and (2) that the crystallinity of fluid-deposited graphite is affected by the composition of the fluid from which it was deposited. We determined that the precipitation of more-crystalline graphite is favored by lower fH2 (higher fO2), and that the crystallinity of graphite is established by the conditions (including gas fugacities) that pertain as the fluid first reaches graphite saturation. Graphite inclusions within quartz grains in the KTB rocks show a wide range in crystallinity index, reflecting three episodes of carbon entrapment under different metamorphic conditions. Isolated graphite inclusions have the spectral properties of totally ordered, completely crystalline graphite. Such crystallinity suggests that the graphite was incorporated from the surrounding metasedimentary rocks, which underwent metamorphism at upper amphibolite-facies conditions. Much of the fluid-deposited graphite in fluid inclusions, however, shows some spectral disorder. The properties of that graphite resemble those of experimental precipitates at temperatures in excess of 700??C and at elevated pressures, suggesting that the inclusions represent precipitates from C-O-H fluids trapped under conditions near those of peak metamorphism at the KTB site. In contrast, graphite that is intimately associated with chlorite and other (presumably low-temperature) silicates in inclusions is highly disordered and spectrally resembles kerogens. This graphite probably was deposited during later greenschist-facies retrograde metamorphism at about 400-500??C. The degree of crystallinity of fluid-deposited graphite is shown to be a much more complex function of temperature than is the crystallinity of metamorphic graphite. To some extent, experiments can provide temperature-calibration of the crystallinity index. However, the difference in time scales between experimental runs and geologic processes makes it difficult to infer specific temperatures for naturally precipitated graphite. Copyright ?? 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Absorption of Thermal Neutrons in Uranium

DOE R&D Accomplishments Database

Creutz, E. C.; Wilson, R. R.; Wigner, E. P.

1941-09-26

A knowledge of the absorption processes for neutrons in uranium is important for planning a chain reaction experiment. The absorption of thermal neutrons in uranium and uranium oxide has been studied. Neutrons from the cyclotron were slowed down by passage through a graphite block. A uranium or uranium oxide sphere was placed at various positions in the block. The neutron intensity at different points in the sphere and in the graphite was measured by observing the activity induced in detectors or uranium oxide or manganese. It was found that both the fission activity in the uranium oxide and the activity induced in manganese was affected by non-thermal neutrons. An experimental correction for such effects was made by making measurements with the detectors surrounded by cadmium. After such corrections the results from three methods of procedure with the uranium oxide detectors and from the manganese detectors were consistent to within a few per cent.

Fire test method for graphite fiber reinforced plastics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bowles, K. J.

1980-01-01

A potential problem in the use of graphite fiber reinforced resin matrix composites is the dispersal of graphite fibers during accidental fires. Airborne, electrically conductive fibers originating from the burning composites could enter and cause shorting in electrical equipment located in surrounding areas. A test method for assessing the burning characteristics of graphite fiber reinforced composites and the effectiveness of the composites in retaining the graphite fibers has been developed. The method utilizes a modified Ohio State University Rate of Heat Release apparatus. The equipment and the testing procedure are described. The application of the test method to the assessment of composite materials is illustrated for two resin matrix/graphite composite systems.

Quality control developments for graphite/PMR15 polyimide composites materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sheppard, C. H.; Hoggatt, J. T.

1979-01-01

The problem of lot-to-lot and within-lot variability of graphite/PMR-15 prepreg was investigated. The PMR-15 chemical characterization data were evaluated along with the processing conditions controlling the manufacture of PMR-15 resin and monomers. Manufacturing procedures were selected to yield a consistently reproducible graphite prepreg that could be processed into acceptable structural elements.

USE OF GRANULAR GRAPHITE FOR ELECTROLYTIC DECHLORINATION OF TRICHLOROETHYLENE

EPA Science Inventory

Granular graphite is a potential electrode material for the electrochemical remediation of refractory chlorinated organic compounds such as trichloroethylene (TCE). However, the use of granular graphite can complicate the experimental results. On one hand, up to 99% of TCE was re...

Monolithic porous graphitic carbons obtained through catalytic graphitization of carbon xerogels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiciński, Wojciech; Norek, Małgorzata; Bystrzejewski, Michał

2013-01-01

Pyrolysis of organic xerogels accompanied by catalytic graphitization and followed by selective-combustion purification was used to produce porous graphitic carbons. Organic gels impregnated with iron(III) chloride or nickel(II) acetate were obtained through polymerization of resorcinol and furfural. During the pyrolysis stage graphitization of the gel matrix occurs, which in turn develops mesoporosity of the obtained carbons. The evolution of the carbon into graphitic structures is strongly dependent on the concentrations of the transition metal. Pyrolysis leads to monoliths of carbon xerogel characterized by substantially enhanced mesoporosity resulting in specific surface areas up to 400 m2/g. Removal of the amorphous carbon by selective-combustion purification reduces the xerogels' mesoporosity, occasionally causing loss of their mechanical strength. The graphitized carbon xerogels were investigated by means of SEM, XRD, Raman scattering, TG-DTA and N2 physisorption. Through this procedure well graphitized carbonaceous materials can be obtained as bulk pieces.

Characterization of the bending stiffness of large space structure joints

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, K. Chauncey

1989-01-01

A technique for estimating the bending stiffness of large space structure joints is developed and demonstrated for an erectable joint concept. Experimental load-deflection data from a three-point bending test was used as input to solve a closed-form expression for the joint bending stiffness which was derived from linear beam theory. Potential error sources in both the experimental and analytical procedures are identified and discussed. The bending stiffness of a mechanically preloaded erectable joint is studied at three applied moments and seven joint orientations. Using this technique, the joint bending stiffness was bounded between 6 and 17 percent of the bending stiffness of the graphite/epoxy strut member.

INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS OF INVESTIGATION: Experimental investigation of the thermal properties of carbon at high temperatures and moderate pressures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asinovskii, Erik I.; Kirillin, Alexander V.; Kostanovskii, Alexander V.

2002-08-01

A consistent procedure for plotting the carbon melting and boiling coexistence curves based on published data and the authors' experimental results is proposed. The parameters of a triple point are predicted to differ markedly from the currently accepted values: pt approx1 bar and Tt approx 4000 K. Two types of experimental facilities were used, with laser heating of samples in one and direct ohmic heating in the other. The existence of a carbyne region (a stable linear polymer consisting of carbon atoms) in the carbon phase diagram is discussed. Results on the direct solid-phase graphite - carbyne transition are presented, and this is shown to occur under certain conditions in the form of a thermal explosion.

Graphite fiber reinforced thermoplastic resins

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Navak, R. C.

1977-01-01

The results of a program designed to optimize the fabrication procedures for graphite thermoplastic composites are described. The properties of the composites as a function of temperature were measured and graphite thermoplastic fan exit guide vanes were fabricated and tested. Three thermoplastics were included in the investigation: polysulfone, polyethersulfone, and polyarylsulfone. Type HMS graphite was used as the reinforcement. Bending fatigue tests of HMS graphite/polyethersulfone demonstrated a gradual shear failure mode which resulted in a loss of stiffness in the specimens. Preliminary curves were generated to show the loss in stiffness as a function of stress and number of cycles. Fan exit guide vanes of HMS graphite polyethersulfone were satisfactorily fabricated in the final phase of the program. These were found to have stiffness and better fatigue behavior than graphite epoxy vanes which were formerly bill of material.

Thermal charging study of compressed expanded natural graphite/phase change material composites

DOE PAGES

Mallow, Anne; Abdelaziz, Omar; Graham, Jr., Samuel

2016-08-12

The thermal charging performance of paraffin wax combined with compressed expanded natural graphite foam was studied for different graphite bulk densities. Constant heat fluxes between 0.39 W/cm 2 and 1.55 W/cm 2 were applied, as well as a constant boundary temperature of 60 °C. Thermal charging experiments indicate that, in the design of thermal batteries, thermal conductivity of the composite alone is an insufficient metric to determine the influence of the graphite foam on the thermal energy storage. By dividing the latent heat of the composite by the time to end of melt for each applied boundary condition, the energymore » storage performance was calculated to show the effects of composite thermal conductivity, graphite bulk density, and latent heat capacity. For the experimental volume, the addition of graphite beyond a graphite bulk density of 100 kg/m 3 showed limited benefit on the energy storage performance due to the decrease in latent heat storage capacity. These experimental results are used to validate a numerical model to predict the time to melt and for future use in the design of heat exchangers with graphite-foam based phase change material composites. As a result, size scale effects are explored parametrically with the validated model.« less

Development of a Priest interferometer for measurement of the thermal expansion of a graphite epoxy in the temperature range 116-366 K

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Short, J. S.; Hyer, M. W.; Bowles, D. E.; Tompkins, S. S.

1982-01-01

The thermal expansion behavior of graphite epoxy laminates between 116 and 366 degrees Kelvin was investigated using as implementation of the Priest interferometer concept. The design, construction and use of the interferometer along with the experimental results it was used to generate are described. The experimental program consisted of 25 tests on 25.4 mm and 6.35 mm wide, 8 ply pi/4 quasi-isotropic T300-5208 graphite/epoxy specimens and 3 tests on a 25.4 mm wide unidirectional specimen. Experimental results are presented for all tests along with a discussion of the interferometer's limitations and some possible improvements in its design.

Fabrication of graphite/epoxy cases for orbit insertion motors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schmidt, W. W.

1973-01-01

The fabrication procedures are described for filament-wound rocket motor cases, approximately 26.25 inches long by 25.50 inches diameter, utilizing graphite fibers. The process utilized prepreg tape which consists of Fortafil 4-R fibers in the E-759 epoxy resin matrix. This fabrication effect demonstrated an ability to fabricate high quality graphite/epoxy rocket motor cases in the 26.25 inch by 25.50 inch size range.

Effect of graphite particle size and content on the formation mechanism of detonation polycrystalline diamond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tong, Y.; Cao, Y.; Liu, R.; Shang, S. Y.; Huang, F. L.

2018-03-01

The formation mechanism of detonation polycrystalline diamond (DPD) generated from the detonation of a mixed RDX/graphite explosive is investigated. It is found experimentally that the DPD conversion rate decreases with both the content and the particle size of the graphite. Moreover, the particle sizes of the generated DPD powder are analyzed, which shows that, with the decrease in the graphite particle size, the mean number diameter of DPD decreases, but the mean volume diameter increases. In addition, with the help of scanning electron microscopy, it is observed that the in situ phase change occurs in the graphite particles, by which the small particles combine to form numerous large DPD particles. Based on both the experimental data and the classical ZND detonation model, we divide such a DPD synthesis process into two stages: In the first stage, the in situ phase change from graphite to diamond is dominant, supplemented by some coalescence growth at high pressure and temperature, which is affected mainly by the detonation performance of the mixed explosive under consideration. In the second stage, the graphitization of DPD caused by the residual heat is dominant, which is affected mainly by the unloading rate of the particle temperature.

New Experimental Technique for Nodularity and Mg Fading Control in Compacted Graphite Iron Production on Laboratory Scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hernando, Juan Carlos; Domeij, Björn; González, Daniel; Amieva, José Manuel; Diószegi, Attila

2017-11-01

The narrow production window for compacted graphite iron material (CGI) drastically reduces the possibilities to produce it in small batches outside an industrial environment. This fact hinders laboratory-scale investigations on CGI solidification. This work presents a solution to that issue by introducing an experimental technique to produce graphitic cast iron of the main three families. Samples of a base hypereutectic spheroidal graphite iron (SGI) were re-melted in a resistance furnace under Ar atmosphere. Varying the holding time at 1723 K (1450 °C), graphitic irons ranging from spheroidal to lamellar were produced. Characterization of the graphite morphology evolution, in terms of nodularity as a function of holding time, is presented. The nodularity decay for the SGI region suggests a linear correlation with the holding time. In the CGI region, nodularity deterioration shows a slower rate, concluding with the sudden appearance of lamellar graphite. The fading process of magnesium, showing agreement with previous researchers, is described by means of empirical relations as a function of holding time and nodularity. The results on nodularity fade and number of nodules per unit area fade suggest that both phenomena occur simultaneously during the fading process of magnesium.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mallow, Anne; Abdelaziz, Omar; Graham, Jr., Samuel

The thermal charging performance of paraffin wax combined with compressed expanded natural graphite foam was studied for different graphite bulk densities. Constant heat fluxes between 0.39 W/cm 2 and 1.55 W/cm 2 were applied, as well as a constant boundary temperature of 60 °C. Thermal charging experiments indicate that, in the design of thermal batteries, thermal conductivity of the composite alone is an insufficient metric to determine the influence of the graphite foam on the thermal energy storage. By dividing the latent heat of the composite by the time to end of melt for each applied boundary condition, the energymore » storage performance was calculated to show the effects of composite thermal conductivity, graphite bulk density, and latent heat capacity. For the experimental volume, the addition of graphite beyond a graphite bulk density of 100 kg/m 3 showed limited benefit on the energy storage performance due to the decrease in latent heat storage capacity. These experimental results are used to validate a numerical model to predict the time to melt and for future use in the design of heat exchangers with graphite-foam based phase change material composites. As a result, size scale effects are explored parametrically with the validated model.« less

Method 200.12 - Determination of Trace Elements in Marine Waters by StabilizedTemperature Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption

EPA Science Inventory

This method provides procedures for the determination of total recoverable elements by graphite furnace atomic absorption (GFAA) in marine waters, including estuarine, ocean and brines with salinities of up to 35 ppt.

Adsorption energies and prefactor determination for CH3OH adsorption on graphite.

PubMed

Doronin, M; Bertin, M; Michaut, X; Philippe, L; Fillion, J-H

2015-08-28

In this paper, we have studied adsorption and thermal desorption of methanol CH3OH on graphite surface, with the specific aim to derive from experimental data quantitative parameters that govern the desorption, namely, adsorption energy Eads and prefactor ν of the Polanyi-Wigner law. In low coverage regime, these two values are interconnected and usually the experiments can be reproduced with any couple (Eads, ν), which makes intercomparison between studies difficult since the results depend on the extraction method. Here, we use a method for determining independently the average adsorption energy and a prefactor value that works over a large range of incident methanol coverage, from a limited set of desorption curves performed at different heating rates. In the low coverage regime the procedure is based on a first order kinetic law, and considers an adsorption energy distribution which is not expected to vary with the applied heating rate. In the case of CH3OH multilayers, Eads is determined as 430 meV with a prefactor of 5 × 10(14) s(-1). For CH3OH submonolayers on graphite, adsorption energy of 470 ± 30 meV and a prefactor of (8 ± 3) × 10(16) s(-1) have been found. These last values, which do not change between 0.09 ML and 1 ML initial coverage, suggest that the methanol molecules form island-like structure on the graphite even at low coverage.

Arsenic Removal from Water by Adsorption on Iron-Contaminated Cryptocrystalline Graphite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Qiang; Yang, Lang; Song, Shaoxian; Xia, Ling

This work aimed to study the feasibility of using iron-contaminated graphite as an adsorbent for As(V) removal from water. The adsorbent was prepared by grinding graphite concentrate with steel ball. The study was performed through the measurements of adsorption capacity, BET surface area and XPS analysis. The experimental results showed that the iron-contaminated graphite exhibited significantly high adsorption capacity of As(V). The higher the iron contaminated on the graphite surface, the higher the adsorption capacity of As(V) on the material obtained. It was suggested that the ion-contaminated graphite was a good adsorbent for As(V) removal.

Parametric study of graphite foam fins and application in heat exchangers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Collins, Michael

This thesis focuses on the simulation and experimental studies of finned graphite foam extended surfaces to test their heat transfer characteristics and potential applications in condensers. Different fin designs were developed to conduct a parametric study on the thermal effectiveness with respect to thickness, spacing and fin offset angle. Each fin design was computationally simulated to estimate the heat transfer under specific conditions. The simulations showed that this optimal fin configuration could conduct more than 297% the amount of thermal energy as compared to straight aluminum fins. Graphite foam fins were then implemented into a simulation of the condenser system. The condenser was simulated with six different orientations of baffles to examine the incoming vapor and resulting two-phase flow patterns. The simulations showed that using both horizontal and vertical baffling provided the configuration with the highest heat transfer and minimized the bypass regions where the vapor would circumvent the graphite foam. This baffle configuration increased the amount of vapor flow through the inner graphite fins and cold water pipes, which gave this configuration the highest heat transfer. The results from experimental tests using the condenser system confirmed that using three baffles will increase performance consistent with the simulation results. The experimental data showed that the condenser using graphite foam had five times the heat transfer compared to the condenser using only aluminum fins. Incorporating baffles into the condenser using graphite foam enabled this system to conduct nearly ten times more heat transfer than the condenser system which only had aluminum fins without baffles. The results from this research indicate that graphite foam is a far superior material heat transfer enhancement material for heat transfer compared to aluminum used as an extended surface. The longitudinal and horizontal baffles incorporated into the condenser system greatly enhanced the heat transfer because of the increased interaction with the porous graphite foam fins.

A new graphite preparation line for AMS 14C dating in the Zagreb Radiocarbon Laboratory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krajcar Bronić, I.; Horvatinčić, N.; Sironić, A.; Obelić, B.; Barešić, J.; Felja, I.

2010-04-01

The new line for preparation of graphite samples for 14C dating by AMS has been constructed in the Zagreb Radiocarbon Laboratory. The performance of the rig and sample preparation procedure has been validated by preparing graphites from various reference materials of known 14C activity. The yield of the graphitization was good and the measured fraction of modern carbon ( Fm) values have not significantly deviated from the expected ones. Detailed analysis of measured Fm values indicates a slight bias to more positive values and should be carefully investigated.

Basic experiments during loss of vacuum event (LOVE) in fusion experimental reactor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ogawa, Masuro; Kunugi, Tomoaki; Seki, Yasushi

If a loss of vacuum event (LOVE) occurs due to damage of the vacuum vessel of a nuclear fusion experimental reactor, some chemical reactions such as a graphic oxidation and a buoyancy-driven exchange flow take place after equalization of the gas pressure between the inside and outside of the vacuum vessel. The graphite oxidation would generate inflammable carbon monoxide and release tritium retained in the graphite. The exchange flow through the breaches may transport the carbon monoxide and tritium out of the vacuum vessel. To add confidence to the safety evaluations and analyses, it is important to grasp the basicmore » phenomena such as the exchange flow and the graphite oxidation. Experiments of the exchange flow and the graphite oxidation were carried out to obtain the exchange flow rate and the rate constant for the carbon monoxide combustion, respectively. These experimental results were compared with existing correlations. The authors plan a scaled-model test and a full-scale model test for the LOVE.« less

Equation of state and phase diagram of carbon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Averin, A. B.; Dremov, V. V.; Samarin, S. I.; Sapozhnikov, A. T.

1996-05-01

Thermodynamically consistent equation of state (EOS) for graphite and diamond is proposed. The EOS satisfactorily describes experimental data on shock compression, heat capacity, thermal expansion and phase equilibrium and can be used in mathematical models and computer codes for calculation of graphite-diamond phase transition under dynamic loading. Monte-Carlo calculations of diamond thermodynamic properties have been carried out to check correctness of the EOS in the regions of phase diagram where experimental data are absent. On the basis of the EOS and Grover's model of liquid state the EOS of liquid carbon have been constructed and carbon phase diagram (graphite and diamond melting curves and triple point) have been calculated. Comparison of calculated and experimental Hugoniots has stated a question about diamond melting curve.

Theoretical and experimental investigation of the destruction of graphites in a flow of dissociated air

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bovina, T. A.; Zviagin, Y. V.; Markelov, N. V.; Chudetskiy, Y. V.

1986-01-01

A method is presented for calculating the heating and erosion of blunt bodies made of graphite in a high-enthalpy flow of dissociated air, assuming chemical equilibrium on the surface and taking account of the thermal effects of combustion and sublimation of graphite. The analysis involves the use of a finite difference scheme to solve an equation of unsteady heat conduction. Attention is given to the equilibrium vaporization of C, C2 and C3 molecules. The calculations agree well with experimental data for a wide range of temperatures and stagnation pressures.

Forgery at the Snite Museum of Art? Improving AMS Radiocarbon Dating at the University of Notre Dame

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Troyer, Laura; Bagwell, Connor; Anderson, Tyler; Clark, Adam; Nelson, Austin; Skulski, Michael; Collon, Philippe

2017-09-01

The Snite Museum of Art recently obtained several donations of artifacts. Five of the pieces lack sufficient background information to prove authenticity and require further analysis to positively determine the artwork's age. One method to determine the artwork's age is radiocarbon dating via Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) performed at the University of Notre Dame's Nuclear Science Laboratory. Samples are prepared by combustion of a small amount of material and subsequent reduction to carbon into an iron powder matrix (graphitization). The graphitization procedure affects the maximum measurement rate, and a poor graphitization can be detrimental to the AMS measurement of the sample. Previous graphitization procedures resulted in a particle current too low or inconsistent to optimize AMS measurements. Thus, there was a desire to design and refine the graphitization system. The finalized process yielded physically darker samples and increased sample currents by two orders of magnitude. Additionally, the first testing of the samples was successful, yet analysis of the dates proved inconclusive. AMS measurements will be performed again to obtain better sampling statistics in the hopes of narrowing the reported date ranges. NSF and JINA-CEE.

Atomic Layer Deposition of Metal Oxides on sp2-Graphitic Carbon Substrates

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-03-31

supercapacitors . The research explored the ALD nucleation procedure based on NO2 and TMA. Al2O3 ALD films resulting from the nucleation procedure were...TiO2 and ZnO were used for electrodes for Li ion batteries and pseudocapacitance supercapacitors . 15. SUBJECT TERMS F-16 Aircraft, High Power...sp2 Graphitic Carbon Substrates 11 4.4.1 TiO2 ALD as Anode Material for Li Ion Batteries 11 4.4.2 TiO2 ALD for Pseudocapacitance Supercapacitors

Modelling the graphite fracture mechanisms

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jacquemoud, C.; Marie, S.; Nedelec, M.

2012-07-01

In order to define a design criterion for graphite components, it is important to identify the physical phenomena responsible for the graphite fracture, to include them in a more effective modelling. In a first step, a large panel of experiments have been realised in order to build up an important database; results of tensile tests, 3 and 4 point bending tests on smooth and notched specimens have been analysed and have demonstrated an important geometry related effects on the behavior up to fracture. Then, first simulations with an elastic or an elastoplastic bilinear constitutive law have not made it possiblemore » to simulate the experimental fracture stress variations with the specimen geometry, the fracture mechanisms of the graphite being at the microstructural scale. That is the reason why a specific F.E. model of the graphite structure has been developed in which every graphite grain has been meshed independently, the crack initiation along the basal plane of the particles as well as the crack propagation and coalescence have been modelled too. This specific model has been used to test two different approaches for fracture initiation: a critical stress criterion and two criteria of fracture mechanic type. They are all based on crystallographic considerations as a global critical stress criterion gave unsatisfactory results. The criteria of fracture mechanic type being extremely unstable and unable to represent the graphite global behaviour up to the final collapse, the critical stress criterion has been preferred to predict the results of the large range of available experiments, on both smooth and notched specimens. In so doing, the experimental observations have been correctly simulated: the geometry related effects on the experimental fracture stress dispersion, the specimen volume effects on the macroscopic fracture stress and the crack propagation at a constant stress intensity factor. In addition, the parameters of the criterion have been related to experimental observations: the local crack initiation stress of 8 MPa corresponds to the non-linearity apparition on the global behavior observed experimentally and the the maximal critical stress defined for the particle of 30 MPa is equivalent to the fracture stress of notched specimens. This innovative combination of crack modelling and a local crystallographic critical stress criterion made it possible to understand that cleavage initiation and propagation in the graphite microstructure was driven by a mean critical stress criterion. (authors)« less

Accelerated viscoelastic characterization of T300-5208 graphite-epoxy laminates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tuttle, M. E.; Brinson, H. F.

1985-01-01

A viscoelastic response scheme for the accelerated characterization of polymer-based composite laminates in applied to T300/5208 graphite/epoxy. The response of uni-directional specimens is modeled. The transient component of the viscoelastic creep compliance is assumed to follow a power law approximation. A recursive relationship is developed, based upon the Schapery single-integral equation, which allows approximation of a continuous time-varying uniaxial load using discrete steps in stress. The viscoelastic response of T300/5208 to transverse normal and shear stresses is determined unsing 90 deg and 10 deg off-axis tensile specimens. In each case the seven viscoelastic material parameters required in the analysis are determined experimentally using short-term creep and creep recovery tests. It is shown that an accurate measure of the power law exponent is crucial for accurate long-term prediction. A short term test cycle selection procedure is proposed, which should provide useful guidelines for the evaluation of other viscoelastic materials.

Stable Eutectoid Transformation in Nodular Cast Iron: Modeling and Validation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carazo, Fernando D.; Dardati, Patricia M.; Celentano, Diego J.; Godoy, Luis A.

2017-01-01

This paper presents a new microstructural model of the stable eutectoid transformation in a spheroidal cast iron. The model takes into account the nucleation and growth of ferrite grains and the growth of graphite spheroids. Different laws are assumed for the growth of both phases during and below the intercritical stable eutectoid. At a microstructural level, the initial conditions for the phase transformations are obtained from the microstructural simulation of solidification of the material, which considers the divorced eutectic and the subsequent growth of graphite spheroids up to the initiation of the stable eutectoid transformation. The temperature field is obtained by solving the energy equation by means of finite elements. The microstructural (phase change) and macrostructural (energy balance) models are coupled by a sequential multiscale procedure. Experimental validation of the model is achieved by comparison with measured values of fractions and radius of 2D view of ferrite grains. Agreement with such experiments indicates that the present model is capable of predicting ferrite phase fraction and grain size with reasonable accuracy.

Ionic liquids at the surface of graphite: Wettability and structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bordes, Emilie; Douce, Laurent; Quitevis, Edward L.; Pádua, Agílio A. H.; Costa Gomes, Margarida

2018-05-01

The aim of this work is to provide a better understanding of the interface between graphite and different molecular and ionic liquids. Experimental measurements of the liquid surface tension and of the graphite-liquid contact angle for sixteen ionic liquids and three molecular liquids are reported. These experimental values allowed the calculation of the solid/liquid interfacial energy that varies, for the ionic liquids studied, between 14.5 mN m-1 for 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide and 37.8 mN m-1 for 3-dodecyl-1-(naphthalen-1-yl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium tetrafluoroborate. Imidazolium-based ionic liquids with large alkyl side-chains or functionalized with benzyl groups seem to interact more favourably with freshly peeled graphite surfaces. Even if the interfacial energy seems a good descriptor to assess the affinity of a liquid for a carbon-based solid material, we conclude that both the surface tension of the liquid and the contact angle between the liquid and the solid can be significant. Molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate the ordering of the ions near the graphite surface. We conclude that the presence of large alkyl side-chains in the cations increases the ordering of ions at the graphite surface. Benzyl functional groups in the cations lead to a large affinity towards the graphite surface.

Formation of Multilayer Cu Islands Embedded beneath the Surface of Graphite: Characterization and Fundamental Insights

DOE PAGES

Lii-Rosales, Ann; Han, Yong; Evans, James W.; ...

2018-02-06

Here in this paper, we present an extensive experimental study of the conditions under which Cu forms encapsulated islands under the top surface layers of graphite, as a result of physical vapor deposition of Cu on argon-ion-bombarded graphite. When the substrate is held at 800 K during deposition, conditions are optimal for formation of encapsulated multilayer Cu islands. Deposition temperatures below 600 K favor adsorbed Cu clusters, while deposition temperatures above 800 K favor a different type of feature that is probably a single-layer intercalated Cu island. The multilayer Cu islands are characterized with respect to size and shape, thicknessmore » and continuity of the graphitic overlayer, relationship to graphite steps, and stability in air. The experimental techniques are scanning tunneling microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We also present an extensive study using density functional theory to compare stabilities of a wide variety of configurations of Cu atoms, Cu clusters, and Cu layers on/under the graphite surface. The only configuration that is significantly more stable under the graphite surface than on top of it, is a single Cu atom. This analysis leads us to conclude that formation of encapsulated Cu islands is kinetically driven, rather than thermodynamically driven.« less

Graphite and ablative material response to CO2 laser, carbon-arc, and xenon-arc radiation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brewer, W. D.

1976-01-01

The behavior was investigated of graphite and several charring ablators in a variety of high-radiative heat-flux environments. A commercial-grade graphite and nine state-of-the-art charring ablators were subjected to various radiative environments produced by a CO2 laser and a carbon arc. Graphite was also tested in xenon-arc radiation. Heat-flux levels ranged from 10 to 47 MW/sq m. Tests were conducted in air, nitrogen, helium, and a CO2-N2 mixture which simulated the Venus atmosphere. The experimental results were compared with theoretical results obtained with a one-dimensional charring-ablator analysis and a two-dimensional subliming-ablator analysis. Neither the graphite nor the charring ablators showed significant differences in appearance or microstructure after testing in the different radiative environments. The performance of phenolic nylon and graphite was predicted satisfactorily with existing analyses and published material property data. Good agreement between experimental and analytical results was obtained by using sublimation parameters from a chemical nonequilibrium analysis of graphite sublimation. Some charring ablators performed reasonably well and could withstand radiative fluxes of the level encountered in certain planetary entries. Other materials showed excessive surface recession and/or large amounts of cracking and spalling, and appear to be unsuitable for severe radiative environments.

Formation of Multilayer Cu Islands Embedded beneath the Surface of Graphite: Characterization and Fundamental Insights

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lii-Rosales, Ann; Han, Yong; Evans, James W.

Here in this paper, we present an extensive experimental study of the conditions under which Cu forms encapsulated islands under the top surface layers of graphite, as a result of physical vapor deposition of Cu on argon-ion-bombarded graphite. When the substrate is held at 800 K during deposition, conditions are optimal for formation of encapsulated multilayer Cu islands. Deposition temperatures below 600 K favor adsorbed Cu clusters, while deposition temperatures above 800 K favor a different type of feature that is probably a single-layer intercalated Cu island. The multilayer Cu islands are characterized with respect to size and shape, thicknessmore » and continuity of the graphitic overlayer, relationship to graphite steps, and stability in air. The experimental techniques are scanning tunneling microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We also present an extensive study using density functional theory to compare stabilities of a wide variety of configurations of Cu atoms, Cu clusters, and Cu layers on/under the graphite surface. The only configuration that is significantly more stable under the graphite surface than on top of it, is a single Cu atom. This analysis leads us to conclude that formation of encapsulated Cu islands is kinetically driven, rather than thermodynamically driven.« less

Filament-wound graphite/epoxy rocket motor case

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Humphrey, W. D.; Schmidt, W. W.

1972-01-01

The fabrication procedures are described for a filament-wound rocket motor case, approximately 56 cm long x 71 cm diameter, utilizing high tensile strength graphite fibers. The process utilized Fiberite Hy-E-1330B prepreg tape which consists of Courtaulds HTS fibers in a temperature-sensitive epoxy matrix. This fabrication effort, with resultant design, material and process recommendations, substantiates the manufacturing feasibility of graphite/epoxy rocket motor cases in the 56 cm x 71 cm size range.

Technological hurdles to the application of intercalated graphite fibers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaier, James R.

1988-01-01

Before intercalated graphite fibers can be developed as an effective power material, there are several technological hurdles which must be overcome. These include the environmental stability, homogeneity and bulk properties, connection procedures, and costs. Strides were made within the last several years in stability and homogeneity of intercalated graphite fibers. Bulk properties and connection procedures are areas of active research now. Costs are still prohibitive for all but the most demanding applications. None of these problems, however, appear to be unsolvable, and their solution may result in wide spread GOC application. The development of a relatively simple technology application, such as EMI shielding, would stimulate the solution of scale-up problems. Once this technology is developed, then more demanding applications, such as power bus bars, may be possible.

A procedure to find thermodynamic equilibrium constants for CO2 and CH4 adsorption on activated carbon.

PubMed

Trinh, T T; van Erp, T S; Bedeaux, D; Kjelstrup, S; Grande, C A

2015-03-28

Thermodynamic equilibrium for adsorption means that the chemical potential of gas and adsorbed phase are equal. A precise knowledge of the chemical potential is, however, often lacking, because the activity coefficient of the adsorbate is not known. Adsorption isotherms are therefore commonly fitted to ideal models such as the Langmuir, Sips or Henry models. We propose here a new procedure to find the activity coefficient and the equilibrium constant for adsorption which uses the thermodynamic factor. Instead of fitting the data to a model, we calculate the thermodynamic factor and use this to find first the activity coefficient. We show, using published molecular simulation data, how this procedure gives the thermodynamic equilibrium constant and enthalpies of adsorption for CO2(g) on graphite. We also use published experimental data to find similar thermodynamic properties of CO2(g) and of CH4(g) adsorbed on activated carbon. The procedure gives a higher accuracy in the determination of enthalpies of adsorption than ideal models do.

An enhanced hydrogen adsorption enthalpy for fluoride intercalated graphite compounds.

PubMed

Cheng, Hansong; Sha, Xianwei; Chen, Liang; Cooper, Alan C; Foo, Maw-Lin; Lau, Garret C; Bailey, Wade H; Pez, Guido P

2009-12-16

We present a combined theoretical and experimental study on H(2) physisorption in partially fluorinated graphite. This material, first predicted computationally using ab initio molecular dynamics simulation and subsequently synthesized and characterized experimentally, represents a novel class of "acceptor type" graphite intercalated compounds that exhibit significantly higher isosteric heat of adsorption for H(2) at near ambient temperatures than previously demonstrated for commonly available porous carbon-based materials. The unusually strong interaction arises from the semi-ionic nature of the C-F bonds. Although a high H(2) storage capacity (>4 wt %) at room temperature is predicted not to be feasible due to the low heat of adsorption, enhanced storage properties can be envisaged by doping the graphitic host with appropriate species to promote higher levels of charge transfer from graphene to F(-) anions.

Properties of two composite materials made of toughened epoxy resin and high-strain graphite fiber

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dow, Marvin B.; Smith, Donald L.

1988-01-01

Results are presented from an experimental evaluation of IM7/8551-7 and IM6/18081, two new toughened epoxy resin, high strain graphite fiber composite materials. Data include ply-level strengths and moduli, notched tension and compression strengths and compression-after-impact assessments. The measured properties are compared with those of other graphite-epoxy materials.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mohanty, Subhasish; Majumdar, Saurindranath

Irradiation creep plays a major role in the structural integrity of the graphite components in high temperature gas cooled reactors. Finite element procedures combined with a suitable irradiation creep model can be used to simulate the time-integrated structural integrity of complex shapes, such as the reactor core graphite reflector and fuel bricks. In the present work a comparative study was undertaken to understand the effect of linear and nonlinear irradiation creep on results of finite element based stress analysis. Numerical results were generated through finite element simulations of a typical graphite reflector.

Electronic and total energy properties of ternary and quaternary semiconductor compounds, alloys, and superlattices: Theoretical study of Cu/graphite bonding

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lambrecht, Walter R. L.

1992-01-01

The goals of the research were to provide a fundamental science basis for why the bonding of Cu to graphite is weak, to critically evaluate the previous analysis of the wetting studies with particular regard to the values used for the surface energies of Cu and graphite, and to make recommendations for future experiments or other studies which could advance the understanding and solution of this technological problem. First principles electronic structure calculations were used to study the problem. These are based on density functional theory in the local density approximation and the use of the linear muffin-tin orbital band structure method. Calculations were performed for graphite monolayers, single crystal graphite with the hexagonal AB stacking, bulk Cu, Cu(111) surface, and Cu/graphite superlattices. The study is limited to the basal plane of graphite because this is the graphite plane exposed to Cu and graphite surface energies and combined with the measured contact angles to evaluate the experimental adhesion energy.

Erosion of graphite surface exposed to hot supersonic hydrogen gas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sharma, O. P.

1972-01-01

A theoretical model based on laminar boundary layer flow equations was developed to predict the erosion rate of a graphite (AGCarb-101) surface exposed to a hot supersonic stream of hydrogen gas. The supersonic flow in the nozzle outside the boundary layer formed over the surface of the specimen was determined by assuming one-dimensional isentropic conditions. An overall surface reaction rate expression based on experimental studies was used to describe the interaction of hydrogen with graphite. A satisfactory agreement was found between the results of the computation, and the available experimental data. Some shortcomings of the model and further possible improvements are discussed.

Erosion of graphite surface exposed to hot supersonic hydrogen gas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sharma, O. P.

1972-01-01

A theoretical model based on laminar boundary layer flow equations is developed to predict the erosion rate of a graphite (AGCarb-101) surface exposed to a hot supersonic stream of hydrogen gas. The supersonic flow in the nozzle outside the boundary layer formed over the surface of the specimen is determined by assuming one-dimensional isentropic conditions. An overall surface reaction rate expression based on the experimental studies by Clarke and Fox is used to describe the interaction of hydrogen with graphite. A satisfactory agreement is found between the results of the computation, and the available experimental data. Some shortcomings of the model, and further possible improvements are discussed.

Modelling deformation and fracture of Gilsocarbon graphite subject to service environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Šavija, Branko; Smith, Gillian E.; Heard, Peter J.; Sarakinou, Eleni; Darnbrough, James E.; Hallam, Keith R.; Schlangen, Erik; Flewitt, Peter E. J.

2018-02-01

Commercial graphites are used for a wide range of applications. For example, Gilsocarbon graphite is used within the reactor core of advanced gas-cooled reactors (AGRs, UK) as a moderator. In service, the mechanical properties of the graphite are changed as a result of neutron irradiation induced defects and porosity arising from radiolytic oxidation. In this paper, we discuss measurements undertaken of mechanical properties at the micro-length-scale for virgin and irradiated graphite. These data provide the necessary inputs to an experimentally-informed model that predicts the deformation and fracture properties of Gilsocarbon graphite at the centimetre length-scale, which is commensurate with laboratory test specimen data. The model predictions provide an improved understanding of how the mechanical properties and fracture characteristics of this type of graphite change as a result of exposure to the reactor service environment.

Interstellar grains within interstellar grains

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bernatowicz, Thomas J.; Amari, Sachiko; Zinner, Ernst K.; Lewis, Roy S.

1991-01-01

Five interstellar graphite spherules extracted from the Murchison carbonaceous meteorite are studied. The isotopic and elemental compositions of individual particles are investigated with the help of an ion microprobe, and this analysis is augmented with structural studies of ultrathin sections of the grain interiors by transmission electron microscopy. As a result, the following procedure for the formation of the interstellar graphite spherule bearing TiC crystals is inferred: (1) high-temperature nucleation and rapid growth of the graphitic carbon spherule in the atmosphere of a carbon-rich star, (2) nucleation and growth of TiC crystals during continued growth of the graphitic spherule and the accretion of TiC onto the spherule, (3) quenching of the graphite growth process by depletion of C or by isolation of the spherule before other grain types could condense.

Mechanical Degradation of Graphite/PVDF Composite Electrodes: A Model-Experimental Study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Takahashi, Kenji; Higa, Kenneth; Mair, Sunil

2015-12-11

Mechanical failure modes of a graphite/polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) composite electrode for lithium-ion batteries were investigated by combining realistic stress-stain tests and mathematical model predictions. Samples of PVDF mixed with conductive additive were prepared in a similar way to graphite electrodes and tested while submerged in electrolyte solution. Young's modulus and tensile strength values of wet samples were found to be approximately one-fifth and one-half of those measured for dry samples. Simulations of graphite particles surrounded by binder layers given the measured material property values suggest that the particles are unlikely to experience mechanical damage during cycling, but that the fatemore » of the surrounding composite of PVDF and conductive additive depends completely upon the conditions under which its mechanical properties were obtained. Simulations using realistic property values produced results that were consistent with earlier experimental observations.« less

Irradiation Creep in Graphite

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ubic, Rick; Butt, Darryl; Windes, William

2014-03-13

An understanding of the underlying mechanisms of irradiation creep in graphite material is required to correctly interpret experimental data, explain micromechanical modeling results, and predict whole-core behavior. This project will focus on experimental microscopic data to demonstrate the mechanism of irradiation creep. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy should be able to image both the dislocations in graphite and the irradiation-induced interstitial clusters that pin those dislocations. The team will first prepare and characterize nanoscale samples of virgin nuclear graphite in a transmission electron microscope. Additional samples will be irradiated to varying degrees at the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) facility and similarlymore » characterized. Researchers will record microstructures and crystal defects and suggest a mechanism for irradiation creep based on the results. In addition, the purchase of a tensile holder for a transmission electron microscope will allow, for the first time, in situ observation of creep behavior on the microstructure and crystallographic defects.« less

Delaminations in composite plates under transverse static loads - Experimental results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Finn, Scott R.; He, Yi-Fei; Springer, George S.

1992-01-01

Tests were performed measuring the damage initiation loads and the locations, shapes, and sizes of delaminations in Fiberite T300/976 graphite/epoxy, Fiberite IM7/977-2 graphite-toughened epoxy, and ICI APC-2 graphite-PEEK plates subjected to transverse static loads. The data were compared to the results of the Finn-Springer model, and good agreements were found between the measured and calculated delamination lengths and widths.

INFLUENCES OF PH AND CURRENT ON ELECTROLYTIC DECHLORINATION OF TRICHLOROETHYLENE AT A GRANULAR-GRAPHITE PACKED ELECTRODE

EPA Science Inventory

Electrolytic dechlorination using a granular-graphite packed cathode is an alternative method for the remediation of chlorinated organic compounds. Its effectiveness under various conditions needs experimental investigation. Dechlorination of trichloroethylene (TCE) was conducted...

Flame speed enhancement of solid nitrocellulose monopropellant coupled with graphite at microscales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jain, S.; Yehia, O.; Qiao, L.

2016-03-01

The flame-speed-enhancement phenomenon of a solid monopropellant (nitrocellulose) using a highly conductive thermal base (graphite sheet) was demonstrated and studied both experimentally and theoretically. A propellant layer ranging from 20 μm to 170 μm was deposited on the top of a 20-μm thick graphite sheet. Self-propagating oscillatory combustion waves were observed, with average flame speed enhancements up to 14 times the bulk value. The ratio of the fuel-to-graphite layer thickness affects not only the average reaction front velocities but also the period and the amplitude of the combustion wave oscillations. To better understand the flame-speed enhancement and the oscillatory nature of the combustion waves, the coupled nitrocellulose-graphite system was modeled using one-dimensional energy conservation equations along with simple one-step chemistry. The period and the amplitude of the oscillatory combustion waves were predicted as a function of the ratio of the fuel-to-graphite thickness (R), the ratio of the graphite-to-fuel thermal diffusivity (α0), and the non-dimensional inverse adiabatic temperature rise (β). The predicted flame speeds and the characteristics of the oscillations agree well with the experimental data. The new concept of using a highly conductive thermal base such as carbon-based nano- and microstructures to enhance flame propagation speed or burning rate of propellants and fuels could lead to improved performance of solid and liquid rocket motors, as well as of the alternative energy conversion microelectromechanical devices.

Thermodynamic approach to the paradox of diamond formation with simultaneous graphite etching in the low pressure synthesis of diamond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hwang, Nong M.; Yoon, Duk Y.

1996-03-01

In spite of the critical handicap from the thermodynamic point of view, the atomic hydrogen hypothesis is strongly supported by experimental observations of diamond deposition with simultaneous graphite etching. Thermodynamic analysis of the CH system showed that at ˜ 1500 K, carbon solubility in the gas phase is minimal and thus, the equilibrium fraction of solid carbon is maximal. Depending on whether gas phase nucleation takes place or not, the driving force is for deposition or for etching of solid carbon below ˜ 1500 K for the input gas of the typical mixture of 1% CH 499% H 2. The previous observation of etching of the graphite substrate is not expected unless solid carbon precipitated in the gas phase. By rigorous thermodynamic analysis of the previous experimental observations of diamond deposition with simultaneous graphite etching, we suggested that the previous implicit assumption that diamond deposits by an atomic unit should be the weakest point leading to the thermodynamic paradox. The experimental observations could be successfully explained without violating thermodynamics by assuming that the diamond phase had nucleated in the gas phase as fine clusters.

Wearable strain sensors based on thin graphite films for human activity monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saito, Takanari; Kihara, Yusuke; Shirakashi, Jun-ichi

2017-12-01

Wearable health-monitoring devices have attracted increasing attention in disease diagnosis and health assessment. In many cases, such devices have been prepared by complicated multistep procedures which result in the waste of materials and require expensive facilities. In this study, we focused on pyrolytic graphite sheet (PGS), which is a low-cost, simple, and flexible material, used as wearable devices for monitoring human activity. We investigated wearable devices based on PGSs for the observation of elbow and finger motions. The thin graphite films were fabricated by cutting small films from PGSs. The wearable devices were then made from the thin graphite films assembled on a commercially available rubber glove. The human motions could be observed using the wearable devices. Therefore, these results suggested that the wearable devices based on thin graphite films may broaden their application in cost-effective wearable electronics for the observation of human activity.

Differential pulse voltammetric determination of acyclovir in pharmaceutical preparations using a pencil graphite electrode.

PubMed

Dilgin, Didem Giray; Karakaya, Serkan

2016-06-01

In this study, a new selective and sensitive voltammetric procedure for determination of acyclovir (ACV) was proposed using a disposable electrode, pencil graphite electrode (PGE). Cyclic and differential pulse voltammograms of ACV were recorded in Britton-Robinson buffer solution containing 0.10 M KCl with pH of 4.0 at PGE. The PGE displayed a very good electrochemical behavior with significant enhancement of the peak current compared to a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Under experimental conditions, the PGE had a linear response range from 1.0 μM to 100.0 μM ACV with a detection limit of 0.3 μM (based on 3 Sb). Relative standard deviations of 4.8 and 3.6% were obtained for five successive determinations of 10.0 and 50.0 μM ACV, respectively, which indicate acceptable repeatability. This voltammetric method was successfully applied to the direct determination of ACV in real pharmaceutical samples. The effect of various interfering compounds on the ACV peak current was studied. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Experimental Determination of Carbon Isotope Fractionation in C-O-H-Fluids and the Carbonate-melt - Graphite System at High Temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kueter, N.; Schmidt, M. W.; Lilley, M. D.; Bernasconi, S. M.

2017-12-01

The understanding of deep-earth carbon fluxes depends greatly on the investigation of carbon isotope systematics in C-O-H-fluids and carbon minerals, such as graphite and diamond (C0). The isotope fractionation factors between the different C-phases and species (in e.g. a fluid) thus govern the observed isotope fractionation patterns. C-isotope fractionation factors relevant for high temperatures are mainly derived from theoretical calculations [e.g. 1,2,3] and, with few exceptions, lack experimental determinations [e.g. 4]. Hundreds of own experiments aimed at equilibrating elemental carbon (C0, graphite/diamond) with C-O-H-fluids demonstrate that kinetics reigns as no system would be closed for H on time scales and temperatures allowing for graphite to equilibrate. To overcome this problem, we performed two studies to determine the C-isotope fractionation in 1) the CO2-CO-CH4 system and 2) the carbonate-melt - graphite system. Equilibrium C-isotope fractionation factors were obtained for CO2 - CO and CH4 - CO pairs (600 - 1200°C) and graphite - Na2CO3/CaCO3melt (900 - 1500°C). Combined with the already available fractionation data for the CaCO3-CO2 pair (400-950°C) from Chacko et al. [4], we determined experimentally based C-isotope fractionation factors for C0 - CH4 and CO2 - C0 pairs by 1) Δ13CCO2-graphite = Δ13CCO2-carbonate + Δ13CCarbonate-graphite and 2) Δ13Cgraphite-CH4 = Δ13CCO2-CH4 - Δ13CCO2-graphite . Current calculated fractionation factors relevant for mantle temperatures (1100 - 1500°C) suggest C-isotope partitioning in the CO2 - C0 pair on the order of 4.2 to 2.4‰, about 2‰ less than predicted by theoretically derived factors [3]. In contrast, our calculations suggest fractionation of about 1.4 to 1.1‰ for the C0 - CH4 pair, about 1‰ higher than expected by theory [3]. [1] Richet et al. (1977) Ann. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci.; [2] Polyakov & Kharlashina (1995) GCA; [3] Bottinga (1969) GCA; [4] Chacko et al. (2001) Rev Mineral Geochem

Cooperative program for design, fabrication, and testing of graphite/epoxy composite helicopter shafting

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wright, C. C.; Baker, D. J.; Corvelli, N.; Thurston, L.; Clary, R.; Illg, W.

1971-01-01

The fabrication of UH-1 helicopter tail rotor drive shafts from graphite/epoxy composite materials is discussed. Procedures for eliminating wrinkles caused by lack of precure compaction are described. The development of the adhesive bond between aluminum end couplings and the composite tube is analyzed. Performance tests to validate the superiority of the composite materials are reported.

Significance of Graphitic Surfaces in Aurodicyanide Adsorption by Activated Carbon: Experimental and Computational Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhattacharyya, Dhiman; Depci, Tolga; Prisbrey, Keith; Miller, Jan D.

Despite tremendous developments in industrial use of activated carbon (AC) for gold adsorption, specific aurodicyanide [Au(CN)2-] adsorption sites on the carbon have intrigued researchers. The graphitic structure of AC has been well established. Previously radiochemical and now, XPS and Raman characterizations have demonstrated higher site-specific gold adsorption on graphitic edges. Morphological characterizations have revealed the presence of slit-pores (5-10 Å). Molecular-dynamics-simulation (MDS) performed on graphitic slit-pores illustrated gold-cyanide ion-pair preferentially adsorbs on edges. Ab-initio simulations predicted lower barrier for electron sharing in pores with aurodic yanide, indicating tighter bonding than graphitic surface and was well supported by Gibbs energy calculations too. Interaction energy as function of the separation distance indicated tighter bonding of gold cyanide to the graphite edges than water molecules. Selective adsorption of aurodicyanide ion-pair seems to be related to low polarity of gold complex and its accommodation at graphitic edges.

Structure and functionality of bromine doped graphite.

PubMed

Hamdan, Rashid; Kemper, A F; Cao, Chao; Cheng, H P

2013-04-28

First-principles calculations are used to study the enhanced in-plane conductivity observed experimentally in Br-doped graphite, and to study the effect of external stress on the structure and functionality of such systems. The model used in the numerical calculations is that of stage two doped graphite. The band structure near the Fermi surface of the doped systems with different bromine concentrations is compared to that of pure graphite, and the charge transfer between carbon and bromine atoms is analyzed to understand the conductivity change along different high symmetry directions. Our calculations show that, for large interlayer separation between doped graphite layers, bromine is stable in the molecular form (Br2). However, with increased compression (decreased layer-layer separation) Br2 molecules tend to dissociate. While in both forms, bromine is an electron acceptor. The charge exchange between the graphite layers and Br atoms is higher than that with Br2 molecules. Electron transfer to the Br atoms increases the number of hole carriers in the graphite sheets, resulting in an increase of conductivity.

Lamination residual stresses in fiber composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daniel, I. M.; Liber, T.

1975-01-01

An experimental investigation was conducted to determine the magnitude of lamination residual stresses in angle-ply composites and to evaluate their effects on composite structural integrity. The materials investigated were boron/epoxy, boron/polyimide, graphite/low modulus epoxy, graphite/high modulus epoxy, graphite/polyimide and s-glass/epoxy. These materials were fully characterized. Static properties of laminates were also determined. Experimental techniques using embedded strain gages were developed and used to measure residual strains during curing. The extent of relaxation of lamination residual stresses was investigated. It was concluded that the degree of such relaxation is low. The behavior of angle-ply laminates subjected to thermal cycling, tensile load cycling, and combined thermal cycling with tensile load was investigated. In most cases these cycling programs did not have any measurable influence on residual strength and stiffness of the laminates. In the tensile load cycling tests, the graphite/polyimide shows the highest endurance with 10 million cycle runouts at loads up to 90 percent of the static strength.

Enhancement of oxidation resistance of graphite foams by polymer derived-silicon carbide coating for concentrated solar power applications

DOE PAGES

Kim, T.; Singh, D.; Singh, M.

2015-05-01

Graphite foam with extremely high thermal conductivity has been investigated to enhance heat transfer of latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) systems. However, the use of graphite foam for elevated temperature applications (>600 °C) is limited due to poor oxidation resistance of graphite. In the present study, oxidation resistance of graphite foam coated with silicon carbide (SiC) was investigated. A pre-ceramic polymer derived coating (PDC) method was used to form a SiC coating on the graphite foams. Post coating deposition, the samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The oxidation resistance of PDC-SiC coating was quantifiedmore » by measuring the weight of the samples at several measuring points. The experiments were conducted under static argon atmosphere in a furnace. After the experiments, oxidation rates (%/hour) were calculated to predict the lifetime of the graphite foams. The experimental results showed that the PDC-SiC coating could prevent the oxidation of graphite foam under static argon atmosphere up to 900 °C.« less

Exit Presentation: Infrared Thermography on Graphite/Epoxy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Comeaux, Kayla

2010-01-01

This slide presentation reports on the internship project that was accomplished during the summer of 2010. The objectives of the project were to: (1) Simulate Flash Thermography on Graphite/Epoxy Flat Bottom hole Specimen and thin void specimens, (2) Obtain Flash Thermography data on Graphite/Epoxy flat bottom hole specimens, (3) Compare experimental results with simulation results, Compare Flat Bottom Hole Simulation with Thin Void Simulation to create a graph to determine size of IR Thermography detected defects

Interlayer interactions in graphites.

PubMed

Chen, Xiaobin; Tian, Fuyang; Persson, Clas; Duan, Wenhui; Chen, Nan-xian

2013-11-06

Based on ab initio calculations of both the ABC- and AB-stacked graphites, interlayer potentials (i.e., graphene-graphene interaction) are obtained as a function of the interlayer spacing using a modified Möbius inversion method, and are used to calculate basic physical properties of graphite. Excellent consistency is observed between the calculated and experimental phonon dispersions of AB-stacked graphite, showing the validity of the interlayer potentials. More importantly, layer-related properties for nonideal structures (e.g., the exfoliation energy, cleave energy, stacking fault energy, surface energy, etc.) can be easily predicted from the interlayer potentials, which promise to be extremely efficient and helpful in studying van der Waals structures.

Characterization of PMR polyimide resin and prepreg

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lindenmeyer, P. H.; Sheppard, C. H.

1984-01-01

Procedures for the chemical characterization of PMR-15 resin solutions and graphite-reinforced prepregs were developed, and a chemical data base was established. In addition, a basic understanding of PMR-15 resin chemistry was gained; this was translated into effective processing procedures for the production of high quality graphite composites. During the program the PMR monomers and selected model compounds representative of postulated PMR-15 solution chemistry were acquired and characterized. Based on these data, a baseline PMR-15 resin was formulated and evaluated for processing characteristics and composite properties. Commercially available PMR-15 resins were then obtained and chemically characterized. Composite panels were fabricated and evaluated.

High-temperature annealing of graphite: A molecular dynamics study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petersen, Andrew; Gillette, Victor

2018-05-01

A modified AIREBO potential was developed to simulate the effects of thermal annealing on the structure and physical properties of damaged graphite. AIREBO parameter modifications were made to reproduce Density Functional Theory interstitial results. These changes to the potential resulted in high-temperature annealing of the model, as measured by stored-energy reduction. These results show some resemblance to experimental high-temperature annealing results, and show promise that annealing effects in graphite are accessible with molecular dynamics and reactive potentials.

Structure and Properties of Intercalated Graphite Fiber-Polymer Composites.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-07-07

resistivities of all com- nal graphite. Experimental evidence (1,2) in- plexes were determined both before and after dicated that the electrophilic N02...others show promise as fluorinating agents in chemical synthesisI21. At this point, however, so little is Known of processing parameters and long-term

Development and prototype testing of MgCl 2 /graphite foam latent heat thermal energy storage system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Singh, Dileep; Yu, Wenhua; Zhao, Weihuan

Composites of graphite foam infiltrated with a magnesium chloride phase-change material have been developed as high-temperature thermal energy storage media for concentrated solar power applications. This storage medium provides a high thermal energy storage density, a narrow operating temperature range, and excellent heat transfer characteristics. In this study, experimental investigations were conducted on laboratory-scale prototypes with magnesium chloride/graphite foam composite as the latent heat thermal energy storage system. Prototypes were designed and built to monitor the melt front movement during the charging/discharging tests. A test loop was built to ensure the charging/discharging of the prototypes at temperatures > 700 degreesmore » C. Repeated thermal cycling experiments were carried out on the fabricated prototypes, and the experimental temperature profiles were compared to the predicted results from numerical simulations using COMSOL Multiphysics software. Experimental results were found to be in good agreement with the simulations to validate the thermal models.« less

Phonon-assisted indirect transitions in angle-resolved photoemission spectra of graphite and graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ayria, Pourya; Tanaka, Shin-ichiro; Nugraha, Ahmad R. T.; Dresselhaus, Mildred S.; Saito, Riichiro

2016-08-01

Indirect transitions of electrons in graphene and graphite are investigated by means of angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) with several different incident photon energies and light polarizations. The theoretical calculations of the indirect transition for graphene and for a single crystal of graphite are compared with the experimental measurements for highly-oriented pyrolytic graphite and a single crystal of graphite. The dispersion relations for the transverse optical (TO) and the out-of-plane longitudinal acoustic (ZA) phonon modes of graphite and the TO phonon mode of graphene can be extracted from the inelastic ARPES intensity. We find that the TO phonon mode for k points along the Γ -K and K -M -K' directions in the Brillouin zone can be observed in the ARPES spectra of graphite and graphene by using a photon energy ≈11.1 eV. The relevant mechanism in the ARPES process for this case is the resonant indirect transition. On the other hand, the ZA phonon mode of graphite can be observed by using a photon energy ≈6.3 eV through a nonresonant indirect transition, while the ZA phonon mode of graphene within the same mechanism should not be observed.

Lifetime experimental study of graphite cathode for relativistic backward wave oscillator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wu, Ping; Science and Technology on High Power Microwave Laboratory, Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology, Xi'an 710024; Sun, Jun

2016-07-21

Graphite cathodes are widely used due to their good emission properties, especially their long lifetime. Some previous papers have researched their lifetime under certain conditions and uncovered some important phenomena. This paper is dedicated to research the lifetime of the graphite cathode under higher power. In the lifetime test, the voltage and current amplitudes are about 970 kV and 9.7 kA, respectively. The repetition rate is 20 Hz. An X-band relativistic backward wave oscillator is used to generate high power microwave by utilizing the electron beam energy. The experimental results demonstrate that the emission property of the graphite cathode remains quite stable duringmore » 10{sup 5} pulses, despite some slight deteriorations regarding the beam and microwave parameters. The macroscopic morphology change of the cathode blade due to material evaporation is observed by a laser microscope. The mass loss of the graphite cathode is about 60 μg/C. Meanwhile, the observation by a scanning electron microscope uncovers that the original numerous flaky micro-structures are totally replaced by a relatively smooth surface at the mid region of the cathode blade and a large number of new micro-protrusions at the blade edges during the lifetime test.« less

A Simple Transmission Electron Microscopy Method for Fast Thickness Characterization of Suspended Graphene and Graphite Flakes.

PubMed

Rubino, Stefano; Akhtar, Sultan; Leifer, Klaus

2016-02-01

We present a simple, fast method for thickness characterization of suspended graphene/graphite flakes that is based on transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We derive an analytical expression for the intensity of the transmitted electron beam I 0(t), as a function of the specimen thickness t (t<λ; where λ is the absorption constant for graphite). We show that in thin graphite crystals the transmitted intensity is a linear function of t. Furthermore, high-resolution (HR) TEM simulations are performed to obtain λ for a 001 zone axis orientation, in a two-beam case and in a low symmetry orientation. Subsequently, HR (used to determine t) and bright-field (to measure I 0(0) and I 0(t)) images were acquired to experimentally determine λ. The experimental value measured in low symmetry orientation matches the calculated value (i.e., λ=225±9 nm). The simulations also show that the linear approximation is valid up to a sample thickness of 3-4 nm regardless of the orientation and up to several ten nanometers for a low symmetry orientation. When compared with standard techniques for thickness determination of graphene/graphite, the method we propose has the advantage of being simple and fast, requiring only the acquisition of bright-field images.

Measurement of leakage neutron spectra from graphite cylinders irradiated with D-T neutrons for validation of evaluated nuclear data.

PubMed

Luo, F; Han, R; Chen, Z; Nie, Y; Shi, F; Zhang, S; Lin, W; Ren, P; Tian, G; Sun, Q; Gou, B; Ruan, X; Ren, J; Ye, M

2016-10-01

A benchmark experiment for validation of graphite data evaluated from nuclear data libraries was conducted for 14MeV neutrons irradiated on graphite cylinder samples. The experiments were performed using the benchmark experimental facility at the China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE). The leakage neutron spectra from the surface of graphite (Φ13cm×20cm) at 60° and 120° and graphite (Φ13cm×2cm) at 60° were measured by the time-of-flight (TOF) method. The obtained results were compared with the measurements made by the Monte Carlo neutron transport code MCNP-4C with the ENDF/B-VII.1, CENDL-3.1 and JENDL-4.0 libraries. The results obtained from a 20cm-thick sample revealed that the calculation results with CENDL-3.1 and JENDL-4.0 libraries showed good agreements with the experiments conducted in the whole energy region. However, a large discrepancy of approximately 40% was observed below the 3MeV energy region with the ENDF/B-VII.1 library. For the 2cm-thick sample, the calculated results obtained from the abovementioned three libraries could not reproduce the experimental data in the energy range of 5-7MeV. The graphite data in CENDL-3.1 were verified for the first time and were proved to be reliable. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterization of the Intrinsic Water Wettability of Graphite Using Contact Angle Measurements: Effect of Defects on Static and Dynamic Contact Angles.

PubMed

Kozbial, Andrew; Trouba, Charlie; Liu, Haitao; Li, Lei

2017-01-31

Elucidating the intrinsic water wettability of the graphitic surface has increasingly attracted research interests, triggered by the recent finding that the well-established hydrophobicity of graphitic surfaces actually results from airborne hydrocarbon contamination. Currently, static water contact angle (WCA) is often used to characterize the intrinsic water wettability of graphitic surfaces. In the current paper, we show that because of the existence of defects, static WCA does not necessarily characterize the intrinsic water wettability. Freshly exfoliated graphite of varying qualities, characterized using atomic force microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, was studied using static, advancing, and receding WCA measurements. The results showed that graphite of different qualities (i.e., defect density) always has a similar advancing WCA, but it could have very different static and receding WCAs. This finding indicates that defects play an important role in contact angle measurements, and the static contact angle does not always represent the intrinsic water wettability of pristine graphite. On the basis of the experimental results, a qualitative model is proposed to explain the effect of defects on static, advancing, and receding contact angles. The model suggests that the advancing WCA reflects the intrinsic water wettability of pristine (defect-free) graphite. Our results showed that the advancing WCA for pristine graphite is 68.6°, which indicates that graphitic carbon is intrinsically mildly hydrophilic.

Direct growth of nano-crystalline graphite films using pulsed laser deposition with in-situ monitoring based on reflection high-energy electron diffraction technique

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kwak, Jeong Hun; Lee, Sung Su; Lee, Hyeon Jun

2016-03-21

We report an experimental method to overcome the long processing time required for fabricating graphite films by a transfer process from a catalytic layer to a substrate, as well as our study of the growth process of graphite films using a pulsed laser deposition combined with in-situ monitoring based on reflection high-energy electron diffraction technique. We monitored the structural evolution of nano-crystalline graphite films directly grown on AlN-coated Si substrates without any catalytic layer. We found that the carbon films grown for less than 600 s cannot manifest the graphite structure due to a high defect density arising from grain boundaries;more » however, the carbon film can gradually become a nano-crystalline graphite film with a thickness of approximately up to 5 nm. The Raman spectra and electrical properties of carbon films indicate that the nano-crystalline graphite films can be fabricated, even at the growth temperature as low as 850 °C within 600 s.« less

Process development and fabrication of space station type aluminum-clad graphite epoxy struts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ring, L. R.

1990-01-01

The manufacture of aluminum-clad graphite epoxy struts, designed for application to the Space Station truss structure, is described. The strut requirements are identified, and the strut material selection rationale is discussed. The manufacturing procedure is described, and shop documents describing the details are included. Dry graphite fiber, Pitch-75, is pulled between two concentric aluminum tubes. Epoxy resin is then injected and cured. After reduction of the aluminum wall thickness by chemical milling the end fittings are bonded on the tubes. A discussion of the characteristics of the manufactured struts, i.e., geometry, weight, and any anomalies of the individual struts is included.

Development of Space Station strut design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, R. R.; Bluck, R. M.; Holmes, A. M. C.; Kural, M. H.

1986-01-01

Candidate Space Station struts exhibiting high stiffness (38-40 msi modulus of elasticity) were manufactured and experimentally evaluated. One and two inch diameter aluminum-clad evaluation specimens were manufactured using a unique dry fiber resin injection process. Preliminary tests were performed on strut elements having 80 percent high-modulus graphite epoxy and 20 percent aluminum. Performed tests included modulus of elasticity, thermal cycling, and coefficient of thermal expansion. The paper describes the design approach, including an analytical assessment of strut thermal deformation behavior. The major thrust of this paper is the manufacturing process which produces aluminum-clad struts with precisely controlled properties which can be fine-tuned after fabrication. An impact test and evaluation procedure for evaluating toughness is described.

SU-E-T-146: Reference Dosimetry for Protons and Light-Ion Beams Based on Graphite Calorimetry.

PubMed

Rossomme, S; Palmans, H; Thomas, R; Lee, N; Bailey, M; Shipley, D; Al-Sulaiti, L; Cirrone, P; Romano, F; Kacperek, A; Bertrand, D; Vynckier, S

2012-06-01

The IAEA TRS-398 code of practice can be applied for the measurement of absorbed dose to water under reference conditions with an ionization chamber. For protons, the combined relative standard uncertainty on those measurements is less than 2% while for light-ion beams, it is considerably larger, i.e. 3.2%, mainly due to the higher uncertainty contributions for the water to air stopping power ration and the W air-value on the beam quality correction factors kQ,Q 0 . To decrease this uncertainty, a quantification of kQ,Q 0 is proposed using a primary standard level graphite calorimeter. This work includes numerical and experimental determinations of dose conversion factors to derive dose to water from graphite calorimetry. It also reports on the first experimental data obtained with the graphite calorimeter in proton, alpha and carbon ion beams. Firstly, the dose conversion has been calculated with by Geant4 Monte-Carlo simulations through the determination of the water to graphite stopping power ratio and the fluence correction factor. The latter factor was also derived by comparison of measured ionization curves in graphite and water. Secondly, kQ,Q 0 was obtained by comparison of the dose response of ionization chambers with that of the calorimeter. Stopping power ratios are found to vary by no more than 0.35% up to the Bragg peak, while fluence correction factors are shown to increase slightly above unity close to the Bragg peak. The comparison of the calorimeter with ionization chambers is currently under analysis. For the modulated proton beam, preliminary results on W air confirm the value recommended in TRS-398. Data in both the non-modulated proton and light-ion beams indicate higher values but further investigation of heat loss corrections is needed. The application of graphite calorimetry to proton, alpha and carbon ion beams has been demonstrated successfully. Other experimental campaigns will be held in 2012. This work is supported by the BioWin program of the Wallon Government. © 2012 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

The fatigue growth of internal delaminations under compressive loading of cross-ply composite plates

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pelegri, A.A.; Kardomateas, G.A.; Malik, B.U.

1997-12-31

This study focuses on the mode dependence of delamination growth under cyclic compressive loads in cross-ply composite plates. The model proposed makes use of an initial postbuckling solution derived from a perturbation procedure. A mode-dependent crack growth criterion is introduced. Expressions describing the fatigue crack growth are derived in terms of the distribution of the mode adjusted energy release rate. The resulting crack growth laws are numerically integrated to produce delamination growth versus number of cycles diagrams. The model does not impose any restrictive assumptions on the relative thickness of the delaminated and the base plates, although transverse shear stressmore » effects are not considered. Experimental results are presented for cross-ply graphite/epoxy specimens, and the results are compared with experimental results for unidirectional specimens. The test data are obtained for different delamination locations and for different values of applied compressive strain.« less

Polymeric Additives For Graphite/Epoxy Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kourtides, D. A.; Nir, Z.

1990-01-01

Report describes experimental studies of properties of several graphite/epoxy composites containing polymeric additives as flexibilizing or toughening agents. Emphasizes effects of brominated polymeric additives (BPA's) with or without carboxy-terminated butadiene acrylonitrile rubber. Reviews effects of individual and combined additives on fracture toughnesses, environmental stabilities, hot/wet strengths, thermomechanical behaviors, and other mechanical properties of composites.

Critical Heat Flux in Pool Boiling on Metal-Graphite Composite Surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhang, Nengli; Yang, Wen-Jei; Chao, David F.; Chao, David F. (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

A study is conducted on high heat-flux pool boiling of pentane on micro-configured composite surfaces. The boiling surfaces are copper-graphite (Cu-Gr) and aluminum-graphite (Al-Gr) composites with a fiber volume concentration of 50%. The micro-graphite fibers embedded in the matrix contribute to a substantial enhancement in boiling heat-transfer performance. Correlation equations are obtained for both the isolated and coalesced bubble regimes, utilizing a mathematical model based on a metal-graphite, two-tier configuration with the aid of experimental data. A new model to predict the critical heat flux (CHF) on the composites is proposed to explain the fundamental aspects of the boiling phenomena. Three different factors affecting the CHF are considered in the model. Two of them are expected to become the main agents driving vapor volume detachment under microgravity conditions, using the metal-graphite composite surfaces as the heating surface and using liquids with an unusual Marangoni effect as the working fluid.

Controllable Self-Assembly of Micro-Nanostructured Si-Embedded Graphite/Graphene Composite Anode for High-Performance Li-Ion Batteries.

PubMed

Lin, Ning; Xu, Tianjun; Li, Tieqiang; Han, Ying; Qian, Yitai

2017-11-15

Si-containing graphite-based composites are considered as promising high-capacity anodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Here, a controllable and scalable self-assembly strategy is developed to produce micro-nanostructured graphite/Si/reduced graphene oxides composite (SGG). The self-assembly procedure is realized by the hydrogen bond interaction between acylamino-modified graphite and graphene oxides (GO); Si nanoparticles are in situ embedded between graphite and GO sheets uniformly. This architecture is able to overcome the incompatibility between Si nanoparticles and microsized graphite. Accordingly, the as-prepared SGG anode (Si 8 wt %) delivers a reversible Li-storage capacity of 572 mAh g -1 at 0.2 C, 502.2 mAh g -1 after 600 cycles at 0.8 C with a retention of 92%, and a capacity retention of 64% even at 10 C. The impressive electrochemical properties are ascribed to the stable architecture and three-dimensional conductive network constructed by graphite and graphene sheets, which can accommodate the huge volume change of Si, keep the conductive contact and structural integrity, and suppress side reactions with electrolyte. Additionally, the full-cell (LiFePO 4 cathode/SGG anode) delivers a specific capacity of 550 mAh g -1 with a working potential beyond 3.0 V.

Reduction and Smelting of Vanadium Titanomagnetite Metallized Pellets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Shuai; Chen, Mao; Guo, Yufeng; Jiang, Tao; Zhao, Baojun

2018-04-01

Reduction and smelting of the vanadium titanomagnetite metallized pellets have been experimentally investigated in this study. By using the high-temperature smelting, rapid quenching, and electron probe x-ray microanalysis (EPMA) technique, the effects of basicity, reaction time, and graphite reductant amount were investigated. The vanadium contents in iron alloys increase with increasing basicity, reaction time, and graphite amount, whereas the FeO and V2O3 concentrations in the liquid phase decrease with the increase of graphite amount and reaction time. Increasing the reaction time and reductant content promotes the reduction of titanium oxide, whereas the reduction of titanium oxides can be suppressed with increasing the slag basicity. Titanium carbide (TiC) was not observed in all the quenched samples under the present conditions. The experimental results and the FactSage calculations are also compared in the present study.

Heat Transfer Performances of Pool Boiling on Metal-Graphite Composite Surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhang, Nengli; Chao, David F.; Yang, Wen-Jei

2000-01-01

Nucleate boiling, especially near the critical heat flux (CHF), can provide excellent economy along with high efficiency of heat transfer. However, the performance of nucleate boiling may deteriorate in a reduced gravity environment and the nucleate boiling usually has a potentially dangerous characteristic in CHF regime. That is, any slight overload can result in burnout of the boiling surface because the heat transfer will suddenly move into the film-boiling regime. Therefore, enhancement of nucleate boiling heat transfer becomes more important in reduced gravity environments. Enhancing nucleate boiling and critical heat flux can be reached using micro-configured metal-graphite composites as the boiling surface. Thermocapillary force induced by temperature difference between the graphite-fiber tips and the metal matrix, which is independent of gravity, will play an important role in bubble detachment. Thus boiling heat transfer performance does not deteriorate in a reduced-gravity environment. Based on the existing experimental data, and a two-tier theoretical model, correlation formulas are derived for nucleate boiling on the copper-graphite and aluminum-graphite composite surfaces, in both the isolated and coalesced bubble regimes. Experimental studies were performed on nucleate pool boiling of pentane on cooper-graphite (Cu-Gr) and aluminum-graphite (Al-Gr) composite surfaces with various fiber volume concentrations for heat fluxes up to 35 W per square centimeter. It is revealed that a significant enhancement in boiling heat transfer performance on the composite surfaces is achieved, due to the presence of micro-graphite fibers embedded in the matrix. The onset of nucleate boiling (the isolated bubble regime) occurs at wall superheat of about 10 C for the Cu-Gr surface and 15 C for the Al-Gr surface, much lower than their respective pure metal surfaces. Transition from an isolated bubble regime to a coalesced bubble regime in boiling occurs at a superheat of about 14 C on Cu-Gr surface and 19 C on Al-Gr surface.

Burn/Blast Tests of Miscellaneous Graphite Composite Parts.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-11-01

accommodate the size of the test fixture sample holder. The QCSEE fan blade consisted of various layers of KEVLAR (polyaramid fiber), S-glass, AS graphite...panel tested was a 14-ply laminate of W-134 graphite and MXG 6070 modified phenolic resin. This was an experimental formulation pro- posed as an...166/X-130 T-Section T-300/5209 epoxy 17 x 26 20 1122 skin-to-spar ST-163/X-127 QCSEE Kevlar /AS/Glass/B/PR 24 x 29 20 1204 fan blade BT-164/X-128 Le1C

Delaminations in composite plates under transverse impact loads - Experimental results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Finn, Scott R.; He, Ye-Fei; Springer, George S.

1993-01-01

Tests were performed measuring the locations and geometries of delaminations in Fiberite T300/976 graphite/epoxy, Fiberite IM7/977-2 graphite-toughened epoxy, and ICI APC-2 graphite/PEEK plates subjected to transverse impact loads. The data provide specific information on the effects of impactor velocity, impactor mass, material, thickness of back ply group, difference in fiber orientation between adjacent ply groups, plate thickness, and impactor nose radius. The data were compared to the results of the Finn-Springer model. The model was found to describe the data with reasonable accuracy.

Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of the initial stages of solid-electrolyte interphase formation on lithium ion battery graphitic anodes.

PubMed

Leung, Kevin; Budzien, Joanne L

2010-07-07

The decomposition of ethylene carbonate (EC) during the initial growth of solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) films at the solvent-graphitic anode interface is critical to lithium ion battery operations. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of explicit liquid EC/graphite interfaces are conducted to study these electrochemical reactions. We show that carbon edge terminations are crucial at this stage, and that achievable experimental conditions can lead to surprisingly fast EC breakdown mechanisms, yielding decomposition products seen in experiments but not previously predicted.

Rapid reduction of MORB glass in piston cylinder experiments with graphite capsule - a XANES study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ni, P.; Zhang, Y.; Fiege, A.; Newville, M.; Lanzirotti, A.

2017-12-01

Graphite capsules have been widely used in high-pressure, high-temperature experiments to prevent iron loss from iron-bearing samples. One common uncertainty with this experimental setup is the oxygen fugacity (fO2) inside the capsule imposed by the presence of graphite. As Holloway et al. (1992) pointed out, the use of graphite capsule places an upper limit on the fO2 in the experiment to be below CCO (graphite-CO-CO2 buffer). More recently, Medard et al. (2015) estimated the fO2 for their experiments using Pt-graphite or graphite-only capsules to be CCO-0.8. Despite the improved understanding on the fO2 using graphite capsule, the mechanism and kinetics of fO2 control in graphite capsule is still poorly understood. Such knowledge is especially important to understand whether equilibrium fO2 is reached in the sample when short experiment durations are needed (e.g. for kinetic experiments). In this study, MORB glasses after olivine dissolution (Chen and Zhang 2008) and plagioclase dissolution (Yu et al. 2016) experiments at 0.5 GPa and 1300 ºC with durations ranging from 10 s to 30 min are analyzed by XANES to obtain Fe3+/Fetotal profiles from their contact with the graphite capsule. The results show rapid Fe reduction away from the graphite-melt interface, causing a decrease of Fe3+/Fetotal from 12% to 3%. In a duration of 30 min, the 1200-µm-thick and 2000-µm-diameter basaltic glass reached near equilibrium in its iron oxidation state, with Fe3+/Fetotal ranging from 3% to 4% throughout the run product. The equilibrium Fe3+/Fetotal ratio corresponds to an fO2 of CCO-1.4, which is within error compared to the result in Medard et al. (2015). Even in the shortest experiment with an effective duration of only 10 s, a 60 µm long reduction profile was detected. Such a rapid fO2 change can be explained by rapid H2 diffusion in melt and its reaction with ferric iron: H2+Fe2O3=2FeO+H2O, which is also supported by the H2O concentration profiles measured along the reduction profile. Our results indicate rapid fO2 equilibration in MORB-glass-composition samples during nominally anhydrous graphite capsule experiments at 1300°C, and can be used to guide experimental designs.

Computational investigation of spin-polarization in cobalt/graphite superlattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goto, Kim F.; Hill, Nicola A.; Sanvito, Stefano

2003-03-01

We present results of a computational investigation of the magnetic properties of cobalt/ graphite superlattices. This work was motivated by experimental data showing spin injection into carbon nanotubes via cobalt contacts [1] as well as the discovery of a magnetic meteorite made from graphite and magnetic particles, in which part of the magnetization is on the carbon atoms [2]. Using density functional theory within the local spin-density approximation (the SIESTA implementation), we show that cobalt induces both n-doping and a magnetic moment in the graphite layers adjacent to the cobalt-carbon interface. We also show that the magnetic properties are strongly affected by the orientation of the graphite. Finally, implications for spin injection and spin-polarized transport are discussed. [1] K. Tsukagoshi, B.W. Alphenaar, and H. Ago, Nature (London) 401, 572 (1999) [2] J.M.D. Coey, M. Venkatesan, C.B. Fitzgerald, A.P. Douvalis and I.S. Sanders, Nature (London) 420, 156 (2002)

Research and development of plasma sprayed tungsten coating on graphite and copper substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xiang; Zhang, Fu; Tao, Shunyan; Cao, Yunzhen; Xu, Zengyu; Liu, Yong; Noda, N.

2007-06-01

Vacuum plasma sprayed tungsten coating on graphite and copper substrates has been prepared. VPS-W coated graphite has multilayered silicon and tungsten interface pre-deposited by physical vapor deposition (PVD) and VPS-W coated copper has graded transition interlayer. VPS-W coating was characterized, and then the high heat flux properties of the coating were examined. Experimental results indicated that both VPS-W coated graphite and VPS-W coated copper could endure 1000 cycles without visible failure under a heat flux of approximately 5 MW/m2 absorbed power density and 5 s pulse duration. A comparison between the present VPS-W coated graphite and VPS-W coated carbon fiber composite (CX-2002U) with Re interface made by Plansee Aktiengesllshaft was carried out. Results show that both Re and Si are suitable as intermediate layer for tungsten coating on carbon substrates.

Mechanism and modulation of terahertz generation from a semimetal - graphite

PubMed Central

Ye, Tong; Meng, Sheng; Zhang, Jin; E, Yiwen; Yang, Yuping; Liu, Wuming; Yin, Yan; Wang, Li

2016-01-01

Semi-metals might offer a stronger interaction and a better confinement for terahertz wave than semiconductors, while preserve tunability. Particularly, graphene-based materials are envisioned as terahertz modulators, filters and ultra-broadband sources. However, the understanding of terahertz generation from those materials is still not clear, thus limits us recognizing the potential and improving device performances. Graphite, the mother material of graphene and a typical bulk semi-metal, is a good system to study semi-metals and graphene-based materials. Here we experimentally modulate and maximize the terahertz signal from graphite surface, thus reveal the mechanism - surface field driving photon induced carriers into transient current to radiate terahertz wave. We also discuss the differences between graphite and semiconductors; particularly graphite shows very weak temperature dependency from room temperature to 80 °C. Above knowledge will help us understand terahertz generations, achieve maximum output and electric modulation, in semi-metal or graphene based devices. PMID:26972818

Mechanism and modulation of terahertz generation from a semimetal--graphite.

PubMed

Ye, Tong; Meng, Sheng; Zhang, Jin; E, Yiwen; Yang, Yuping; Liu, Wuming; Yin, Yan; Wang, Li

2016-03-14

Semi-metals might offer a stronger interaction and a better confinement for terahertz wave than semiconductors, while preserve tunability. Particularly, graphene-based materials are envisioned as terahertz modulators, filters and ultra-broadband sources. However, the understanding of terahertz generation from those materials is still not clear, thus limits us recognizing the potential and improving device performances. Graphite, the mother material of graphene and a typical bulk semi-metal, is a good system to study semi-metals and graphene-based materials. Here we experimentally modulate and maximize the terahertz signal from graphite surface, thus reveal the mechanism--surface field driving photon induced carriers into transient current to radiate terahertz wave. We also discuss the differences between graphite and semiconductors; particularly graphite shows very weak temperature dependency from room temperature to 80 °C. Above knowledge will help us understand terahertz generations, achieve maximum output and electric modulation, in semi-metal or graphene based devices.

Interaction of graphite and ablative materials with CO2-laser, carbon-arc, and xenon-arc radiation. M.S. Thesis - George Washington Univ., Washington, D. C.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brewer, W. D.

1975-01-01

The behavior of graphite and several charring ablators in a variety of high radiative heat flux environments was studied in various radiative environments produced by a CO2 laser and a carbon arc facility. Graphite was also tested in xenon arc radiation. Tests were conducted in air nitrogen, helium, and a mixture of CO2 and nitrogen, simulating the Venus atmosphere. The experimental results are compared with theoretical results obtained with a one dimensional charring ablator analysis and a two dimensional subliming ablator analysis. Photomicroscopy showed no significant differences in appearance or microstructure of the charring ablators or graphite after testing in the three different facilities, indicating that the materials respond fundamentally the same to the radiation of different frequencies. The performance of phenolic nylon and graphite was satisfactorily predicted with existing analyses and published material property data.

Theoretical investigation of magnetic properties in interfaces of magnetic nanoparticles and amorphous carbons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Shih-Jye; Hsu, Hua-Shu; Ovchinnikov, Sergei; Chen, Guan-Long

2017-06-01

Based on the experimental finding of the exchange bias in amorphous carbon samples with embedded Co nanoparticles and on the graphited character of the amorphous carbon interface confirmed by molecular dynamics simulations we have proposed the interface of graphited carbon to be antiferromagnetic. A theoretical model, which comprises the Kondo interactions in the interfaces of Co nanoparticles and the induced antiferromagnetic interactions in the graphited carbons, is employed to evaluate the ferromagnetism of the interfaces of Co nanoparticles. We have shown that the ferromagnetism of interfaces of Co nanoparticles will be enhanced by the increase of antiferromagnetic interaction as well as the increase of electron density in the graphited carbons. In particular, we found that the antiferromagnetic interactions in graphited carbons will change the spin-wave excitation in interfaces of Co nanoparticles from the quasiacoustic mode to the quasioptical one.

Comparison of hand laid-up tape and filament wound composite cylinders and panels with and without impact damage

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jegley, Dawn C.; Lopez, Osvaldo F.

1991-01-01

Experimentally determined axial compressive failure loads, strains and failure modes of composite flat panels and cylinders are presented. A comparison of two types of filament wound flat graphite-epoxy panels indicates that the winding pattern can influence structural response. A comparison of hand laid-up tape and filament wound composite cylinders indicates that fabrication method may not significantly influence the failure mode or average failure strain of thick-walled (radius-to-thickness ratio less than 15) graphite-epoxy cylinders. The interaction of manufacturing-induced features (fiber cross-overs) and low-speed impact damage for graphite-epoxy specimens is also presented. Filament would flat panels with many fiber cross-overs exhibited lower failure strains than filament wound panels without fiber cross-overs for all impact speeds examined. Graphite-thermoplastic cylinders exhibited a significantly different failure mode from the graphite-epoxy cylinders.

Electronic structure and bonding properties of potassium (K) on graphite under external electric field.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tapia, Alejandro; Canto, Gabriel

2005-03-01

The effect of an external electric field on the potassium (K) adsorption on the graphite surface, are studied by means of first-principles total-energy calculations. The results were obtained with the pseudopotentials LCAO method (SIESTA code) and the Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA) for the exchange-correlation potential. The structural parameters, bonding properties, and electronic structure of the K-graphite system are studied in the triangular (2x2) overlayer phase as a function of the external electric field magnitude. We find an important change in the K-graphite bonding as a consequence of the charge transfer from the adatom towards the substrate induced by the electric field. The results are discussed in the light of the experimental observed difussion of K into graphite induced by external electric fields. This work was supported by Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnolog'ia (CONACYT, M'exico) under Grants No. 43830-F and No. 44831-F.

Purification Procedures for Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gorelik, Olga P.; Nikolaev, Pavel; Arepalli, Sivaram

2001-01-01

This report summarizes the comparison of a variety of procedures used to purify carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotube material is produced by the arc process and laser oven process. Most of the procedures are tested using laser-grown, single-wall nanotube (SWNT) material. The material is characterized at each step of the purification procedures by using different techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman, X-ray diffractometry (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The identified impurities are amorphous and graphitic carbon, catalyst particle aggregates, fullerenes, and hydrocarbons. Solvent extraction and low-temperature annealing are used to reduce the amount of volatile hydrocarbons and dissolve fullerenes. Metal catalysts and amorphous as well as graphitic carbon are oxidized by reflux in acids including HCl, HNO3 and HF and other oxidizers such as H2O2. High-temperature annealing in vacuum and in inert atmosphere helps to improve the quality of SWNTs by increasing crystallinity and reducing intercalation.

Validation of NHB 8060.1C, Test 18 Arc Tracking, September 30, 1991

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Linley, Larry

2005-01-01

A test project was conducted to validate Test 18 of NASA Handbook (NHB) 8060.1C and, if necessary, identify and recommend improvements in the procedures or criteria of the test. The NHB 8060.1C, Test 18 test system was modified to produce better discrimination of test results. Changes, and their effects on test results, in the graphite immersion-depth, test timing sequence, and atmospheric conditions were investigated for the wire-insulation constructions tested. Based on the test results, the graphite immersion-depths (between 0.8 mm and 1.6 mm), the timing sequence, and the change in the test conditions from ambient to three environments common in manned spaceflight did not significantly affect test results. The criteria used in Test 18 of NHB 8060.1C was found to be appropriate for qualifying arc-tracking and arc-propagation characteristics of wire-insulation materials, Using the Test 18 criteria, Kapton and ETFE were considered inappropriate for use, while PTFE was considered appropriate. Recommendations from this test project for Test 18 of NHB 8060.1C include changing the experimental setup and configurational tests and performing qualification testing in air rather than in the three environments common in manned spaceflight.

NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTION OF METALS FROM SOIL, DUST, AIR FILTER, AND SURFACE AND DERMAL SAMPLES FOR AA (GRAPHITE FURNACE OR FLAME) OR ICP-AES ANALYSIS (BCO-L-3.1)

EPA Science Inventory

The purpose of this SOP is to describe the acid digestion of soil, house dust, air filter, and surface or dermal wipe samples for analysis using inductively coupled plasma atomic emissions spectrometry (ICP-AES) and/or graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) or fl...

Calibration of the fine-structure constant of graphene by time-dependent density-functional theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sindona, A.; Pisarra, M.; Vacacela Gomez, C.; Riccardi, P.; Falcone, G.; Bellucci, S.

2017-11-01

One of the amazing properties of graphene is the ultrarelativistic behavior of its loosely bound electrons, mimicking massless fermions that move with a constant velocity, inversely proportional to a fine-structure constant αg of the order of unity. The effective interaction between these quasiparticles is, however, better controlled by the coupling parameter αg*=αg/ɛ , which accounts for the dynamic screening due to the complex permittivity ɛ of the many-valence electron system. This concept was introduced in a couple of previous studies [Reed et al., Science 330, 805 (2010) and Gan et al., Phys. Rev. B 93, 195150 (2016)], where inelastic x-ray scattering measurements on crystal graphite were converted into an experimentally derived form of αg* for graphene, over an energy-momentum region on the eV Å -1 scale. Here, an accurate theoretical framework is provided for αg*, using time-dependent density-functional theory in the random-phase approximation, with a cutoff in the interaction between excited electrons in graphene, which translates to an effective interlayer interaction in graphite. The predictions of the approach are in excellent agreement with the above-mentioned measurements, suggesting a calibration method to substantially improve the experimental derivation of αg*, which tends to a static limiting value of ˜0.14 . Thus, the ab initio calibration procedure outlined demonstrates the accuracy of perturbation expansion treatments for the two-dimensional gas of massless Dirac fermions in graphene, in parallel with quantum electrodynamics.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ganesh, Panchapakesan; Kent, Paul R; Mochalin, Vadym N

We simulate the experimentally observed graphitization of nanodiamonds into multi-shell onion-like carbon nanostructures, also called carbon onions, at different temperatures, using reactive force fields. The simulations include long-range Coulomb and van der Waals interactions. Our results suggest that long-range interactions play a crucial role in the phase-stability and the graphitization process. Graphitization is both enthalpically and entropically driven and can hence be controlled with temperature. The outer layers of the nanodiamond have a lower kinetic barrier toward graphitization irrespective of the size of the nanodiamond and graphitize within a few-hundred picoseconds, with a large volume increase. The inner core ofmore » the nanodiamonds displays a large size-dependent kinetic barrier, and graphitizes much more slowly with abrupt jumps in the internal energy. It eventually graphitizes by releasing pressure and expands once the outer shells have graphitized. The degree of transformation at a particular temperature is thereby determined by a delicate balance between the thermal energy, long-range interactions, and the entropic/enthalpic free energy gained by graphitization. Upon full graphitization, a multi-shell carbon nanostructure appears, with a shell-shell spacing of about {approx}3.4 {angstrom} for all sizes. The shells are highly defective with predominantly five- and seven-membered rings to curve space. Larger nanodiamonds with a diameter of 4 nm can graphitize into spiral structures with a large ({approx}29-atom carbon ring) pore opening on the outermost shell. Such a large one-way channel is most attractive for a controlled insertion of molecules/ions such as Li ions, water, or ionic liquids, for increased electrochemical capacitor or battery electrode applications.« less

Graphite to diamond transformation during sediment-peridotite interaction at 7.5 and 10.5 GPa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Girnis, A. V.; Brey, G. P.; Bulatov, V. K.; Höfer, H. E.; Woodland, A. B.

2018-06-01

Diamond nucleation and growth were investigated experimentally at 7.5 and 10.5 GPa and temperatures up to 1500 °C. Samples consisted of two layers: i) H2O- and CO2-bearing model sediment and ii) graphite-bearing garnet harzburgite comprising natural minerals. Two experimental series were conducted, one under a controlled temperature gradient with the sedimentary layer usually in the cold zone and the other under isothermal conditions. In the latter case, diamond seeds were added to the sedimentary mixture. During the experiments, the sedimentary layer partially or completely melted, with the melt percolating and interacting with the adjacent harzburgite. The graphite-to-diamond transition in the peridotite was observed above 1300 °C at 7.5 GPa and 1200 °C at 10.5 GPa in the temperature-gradient experiments, and at temperatures 100 °C lower in the isothermal experiments with diamond seeds. Newly formed diamond occurs mostly as individual grains up to 10 μm in size and is separate from graphite aggregates. In some cases, an association of diamond with magnesite was observed. Diamond nucleation occurs in hydrous and CO2-bearing silicate melt following graphite dissolution and recrystallization. In the case of the diamond-magnesite association, diamond was probably formed through carbonate reduction coupled with graphite oxidation. The composition of the melts ranged from "carbonatitic" with 10 wt% SiO2 and >50 wt% volatiles to hydrous silicate with 40 wt% SiO2 and <10 wt% volatiles. This variation has no strong effect on diamond nucleation or growth.

Status of Initial Assessment of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Graphite Grades for NGNP Appkications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Strizak, Joe P; Burchell, Timothy D; Windes, Will

2011-12-01

Current candidate graphite grades for the core structures of NGNP include grades NBG-17, NBG-18, PCEA and IG-430. Both NBG-17 and NBG-18 are manufactured using pitch coke, and are vibrationally molded. These medium grain products are produced by SGL Carbon SAS (France). Tayo Tanso (Japan) produces IG-430 which is a petroleum coke, isostatically molded, nuclear grade graphite. And PCEA is a medium grain, extruded graphite produced by UCAR Carbon Co. (USA) from petroleum coke. An experimental program has been initiated to develop physical and mechanical properties data for these current candidate graphites. The results will be judged against the requirements formore » nuclear grade graphites set forth in ASTM standard D 7219-05 "Standard Specification for Isotropic and Near-isotropic Nuclear Graphites". Physical properties data including thermal conductivity and coefficient of thermal expansion, and mechanical properties data including tensile, compressive and flexural strengths will be obtained using the established test methods covered in D-7219 and ASTM C 781-02 "Standard Practice for Testing Graphite and Boronated Graphite Components for High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Nuclear Reactors". Various factors known to effect the properties of graphites will be investigated. These include specimen size, spatial location within a graphite billet, specimen orientation (ag and wg) within a billet, and billet-to-billet variations. The current status of the materials characterization program is reported herein. To date billets of the four graphite grades have been procured, and detailed cut up plans for obtaining the various specimens have been prepared. Particular attention has been given to the traceability of each specimen to its spatial location and orientation within a billet.« less

Molecular dynamics simulations of shock compressed heterogeneous materials. II. The graphite/diamond transition case for astrophysics applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pineau, N.; Soulard, L.; Colombet, L.; Carrard, T.; Pellé, A.; Gillet, Ph.; Clérouin, J.

2015-03-01

We present a series of molecular dynamics simulations of the shock compression of copper matrices containing a single graphite inclusion: these model systems can be related to some specific carbon-rich rocks which, after a meteoritic impact, are found to contain small fractions of nanodiamonds embedded in graphite in the vicinity of high impedance minerals. We show that the graphite to diamond transformation occurs readily for nanometer-sized graphite inclusions, via a shock accumulation process, provided the pressure threshold of the bulk graphite/diamond transition is overcome, independently of the shape or size of the inclusion. Although high diamond yields (˜80%) are found after a few picoseconds in all cases, the transition is non-isotropic and depends substantially on the relative orientation of the graphite stack with respect to the shock propagation, leading to distinct nucleation processes and size-distributions of the diamond grains. A substantial regraphitization process occurs upon release and only inclusions with favorable orientations likely lead to the preservation of a fraction of this diamond phase. These results agree qualitatively well with the recent experimental observations of meteoritic impact samples.

The effect of carbon crystal structure on treat reactor physics calculations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Swanson, R.W.; Harrison, L.J.

1988-01-01

The Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) at Argonne National Laboratory-West (ANL-W) is fueled with urania in a graphite and carbon mixture. This fuel was fabricated from a mixture of graphite flour, thermax (a thermatomic carbon produced by ''cracking'' natural gas), coal-tar resin and U/sub 3/O/sub 8/. During the fabrication process, the fuel was baked to dissociate the resin, but the high temperature necessary to graphitize the carbon in the thermax and in the resin was avoided. Therefore, the carbon crystal structure is a complex mixture of graphite particles in a nongraphitized elemental carbon matrix. Results of calculations using macroscopic carbonmore » cross sections obtained by mixing bound-kernel graphite cross sections for the graphitized carbon and free-gas carbon cross sections for the remainder of the carbon and calculations using only bound-kernel graphite cross sections are compared to experimental data. It is shown that the use of the hybridized cross sections which reflect the allotropic mixture of the carbon in the TREAT fuel results in a significant improvement in the accuracy of calculated neutronics parameters for the TREAT reactor. 6 refs., 2 figs., 3 tabs.« less

Postbuckling behavior of axially compressed graphite-epoxy cylindrical panels with circular holes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Knight, N. F., Jr.; Starnes, J. H., Jr.

1984-01-01

The results of an experimental and analytical study of the effects of circular holes on the postbuckling behavior of graphite-epoxy cylindrical panels loaded in axial compression are presented. The STAGSC-1 general shell analysis computer code is used to determine the buckling and postbuckling response of the panels. The loaded, curved ends of the specimens were clamped by fixtures and the unloaded, straight edges were simply supported by knife-edge restraints. The panels are loaded by uniform end shortening to several times the end shortening at buckling. The unstable equilibrium path of the postbuckling response is obtained analytically by using a method based on controlling an equilibrium-path-arc-length parameter instead of the traditional load parameter. The effects of hole diameter, panel radius, and panel thickness on postbuckling response are considered in the study. Experimental results are compared with the analytical results and the failure characteristics of the graphite-epoxy panels are described.

Ultra high vacuum adhesion testing of NERVA engine materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1970-01-01

The primary objective of this research program was to determine the effects of surface cleaning and deliberate gaseous contamination on the adhesion behavior of selected candidate materials for use in the NERVA nuclear rocket engine program. Using a torsion balance technique, the relationship between the normal compressive load applied to crossed rod samples and the resultant contact resistance was used to ascertain the extent of adhesion under each set of experimental conditions. In addition to an evaluation of the static adhesion behavior of selected materials combinations, the experimental apparatus was modified to permit a similar investigation relating to the effects of specific tangential displacements of the sample wires, i.e., their sliding friction behavior. During the course of this subcontract, the materials combinations 440 C vs. 440 C. pyrographite vs ZTA graphite, Nbc (graphite) vs. Nbc (graphite), and Electrolize Inconel 718 vs. Au electroplated 302 S/S were evaluated.

Enhancement of a dynamic porous model considering compression-release hysteresis behavior: application to graphite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jodar, B.; Seisson, G.; Hébert, D.; Bertron, I.; Boustie, M.; Berthe, L.

2016-08-01

Because of their shock wave attenuation properties, porous materials and foams are increasingly used for various applications such as graphite in the aerospace industry and polyurethane (PU) foams in biomedical engineering. For these two materials, the absence of residual compaction after compression and release cycles limits the efficiency of the usual numerical dynamic porous models such as P-α and POREQST. In this paper, we suggest a simple enhancement of the latter in order to take into account the compression-release hysteresis behavior experimentally observed for the considered materials. The new model, named H-POREQST, was implemented into a Lagrangian hydrocode and tested for simulating plate impact experiments at moderate pressure onto a commercial grade of porous graphite (EDM3). It proved to be in far better agreement with experimental data than the original model which encourages us to pursue numerical tests and developments.

Physicochemical characterization, and relaxometry studies of micro-graphite oxide, graphene nanoplatelets, and nanoribbons.

PubMed

Paratala, Bhavna S; Jacobson, Barry D; Kanakia, Shruti; Francis, Leonard Deepak; Sitharaman, Balaji

2012-01-01

The chemistry of high-performance magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents remains an active area of research. In this work, we demonstrate that the potassium permanganate-based oxidative chemical procedures used to synthesize graphite oxide or graphene nanoparticles leads to the confinement (intercalation) of trace amounts of Mn(2+) ions between the graphene sheets, and that these manganese intercalated graphitic and graphene structures show disparate structural, chemical and magnetic properties, and high relaxivity (up to 2 order) and distinctly different nuclear magnetic resonance dispersion profiles compared to paramagnetic chelate compounds. The results taken together with other published reports on confinement of paramagnetic metal ions within single-walled carbon nanotubes (a rolled up graphene sheet) show that confinement (encapsulation or intercalation) of paramagnetic metal ions within graphene sheets, and not the size, shape or architecture of the graphitic carbon particles is the key determinant for increasing relaxivity, and thus, identifies nano confinement of paramagnetic ions as novel general strategy to develop paramagnetic metal-ion graphitic-carbon complexes as high relaxivity MRI contrast agents.

Physicochemical Characterization, and Relaxometry Studies of Micro-Graphite Oxide, Graphene Nanoplatelets, and Nanoribbons

PubMed Central

Paratala, Bhavna S.; Jacobson, Barry D.; Kanakia, Shruti; Francis, Leonard Deepak; Sitharaman, Balaji

2012-01-01

The chemistry of high-performance magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents remains an active area of research. In this work, we demonstrate that the potassium permanganate-based oxidative chemical procedures used to synthesize graphite oxide or graphene nanoparticles leads to the confinement (intercalation) of trace amounts of Mn2+ ions between the graphene sheets, and that these manganese intercalated graphitic and graphene structures show disparate structural, chemical and magnetic properties, and high relaxivity (up to 2 order) and distinctly different nuclear magnetic resonance dispersion profiles compared to paramagnetic chelate compounds. The results taken together with other published reports on confinement of paramagnetic metal ions within single-walled carbon nanotubes (a rolled up graphene sheet) show that confinement (encapsulation or intercalation) of paramagnetic metal ions within graphene sheets, and not the size, shape or architecture of the graphitic carbon particles is the key determinant for increasing relaxivity, and thus, identifies nano confinement of paramagnetic ions as novel general strategy to develop paramagnetic metal-ion graphitic-carbon complexes as high relaxivity MRI contrast agents. PMID:22685555

U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTION OF METALS FROM SOIL, DUST, AIR FILTER, AND SURFACE AND DERMAL WIPE SAMPLES FOR AA (GRAPHITE FURNACE OR FLAME) OR ICP-AES ANALYSIS (BCO-L-3.1)

EPA Science Inventory

The purpose of this SOP is to describe the acid digestion of soil, house dust, air filter, and surface or dermal wipe samples for analysis using inductively coupled plasma atomic emissions spectrometry (ICP-AES) and/or graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) or fl...

Design and Optimization of Composite Gyroscope Momentum Wheel Rings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bednarcyk, Brett A.; Arnold, Steven M.

2007-01-01

Stress analysis and preliminary design/optimization procedures are presented for gyroscope momentum wheel rings composed of metallic, metal matrix composite, and polymer matrix composite materials. The design of these components involves simultaneously minimizing both true part volume and mass, while maximizing angular momentum. The stress analysis results are combined with an anisotropic failure criterion to formulate a new sizing procedure that provides considerable insight into the design of gyroscope momentum wheel ring components. Results compare the performance of two optimized metallic designs, an optimized SiC/Ti composite design, and an optimized graphite/epoxy composite design. The graphite/epoxy design appears to be far superior to the competitors considered unless a much greater premium is placed on volume efficiency compared to mass efficiency.

PT-IP-759, channel caulking tests: C Reactor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cooke, J.P.; Russell, A.

1965-03-19

The graphite movement which has occurred at the various reactors has been characterized by two problems: (1) Crooked channels and (2) cracks and miscellaneous voids where pieces of blocks are missing. Of these problems, the cracks and voids have been the most serious in the case of ball drops. Alleviation of the crooked channels can sometimes be accomplished by graphite removal methods such as broaching, but unless some method is found to prevent the balls from entering cracks, the total effect of a ball drop would still be intolerable. Of the two methods of closing the cracks, a paste caulkingmore » procedure is anticipated to be less expensive than sleeving, both in terms of cost of the operation and the number of process tube channels which might be lost. If the VSR channel does not require drastic straightening or entry of large tooling, satisfactory caulking can be done without removal of the step plug. ``Poison`` chain may be considered as an alternative to caulking or sleeving for those outer VSR channels where the sole use of balls is for ``total control`` rather than ``speed of control.`` The objectives of this test are (1) to authorize the experimental crack filling of one or two of the VSR channels at C Reactor with a wet mixture of graphite and sugar, (2) to demonstrate the durability of this mixture in subsequent normal reactor operation, and (3) to demonstrate by testing (actual or simulated ball drops) and borescoping, that the channels are or are not again acceptable for use with the normal charge of balls.« less

Synthesis of soluble graphite and graphene.

PubMed

Kelly, K F; Billups, W E

2013-01-15

Because of graphene's anticipated applications in electronics and its thermal, mechanical, and optical properties, many scientists and engineers are interested in this material. Graphene is an isolated layer of the π-stacked hexagonal allotrope of carbon known as graphite. The interlayer cohesive energy of graphite, or exfoliation energy, that results from van der Waals attractions over the interlayer spacing distance of 3.34 Å (61 meV/C atom) is many times weaker than the intralayer covalent bonding. Since graphene itself does not occur naturally, scientists and engineers are still learning how to isolate and manipulate individual layers of graphene. Some researchers have relied on the physical separation of the sheets, a process that can sometimes be as simple as peeling of sheets from crystalline graphite using Scotch tape. Other researchers have taken an ensemble approach, where they exploit the chemical conversion of graphite to the individual layers. The typical intermediary state is graphite oxide, which is often produced using strong oxidants under acidic conditions. Structurally, researchers hypothesize that acidic functional groups functionalize the oxidized material at the edges and a network of epoxy groups cover the sp(2)-bonded carbon network. The exfoliated material formed under these conditions can be used to form dispersions that are usually unstable. However, more importantly, irreversible defects form in the basal plane during oxidation and remain even after reduction of graphite oxide back to graphene-like material. As part of our interest in the dissolution of carbon nanomaterials, we have explored the derivatization of graphite following the same procedures that preserve the sp(2) bonding and the associated unique physical and electronic properties in the chemical processing of single-walled carbon nanotubes. In this Account, we describe efficient routes to exfoliate graphite either into graphitic nanoparticles or into graphene without resorting to oxidation. Our exfoliation process involves the intercalation of lithium into bulk graphite to yield graphene sheets reduced by the lithium. We can alkylate the resulting graphite salt reductively using solubilizing dodecyl groups. By probe microscopy, we show that these groups are attached covalently only at the graphitic edges.

Ultrafast transformation of graphite to diamond: an ab initio study of graphite under shock compression.

PubMed

Mundy, Christopher J; Curioni, Alessandro; Goldman, Nir; Will Kuo, I-F; Reed, Evan J; Fried, Laurence E; Ianuzzi, Marcella

2008-05-14

We report herein ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of graphite under shock compression in conjunction with the multiscale shock technique. Our simulations reveal that a novel short-lived layered diamond intermediate is formed within a few hundred of femtoseconds upon shock loading at a shock velocity of 12 kms (longitudinal stress>130 GPa), followed by formation of cubic diamond. The layered diamond state differs from the experimentally observed hexagonal diamond intermediate found at lower pressures and previous hydrostatic calculations in that a rapid buckling of the graphitic planes produces a mixture of hexagonal and cubic diamond (layered diamond). Direct calculation of the x-ray absorption spectra in our simulations reveals that the electronic structure of the final state closely resembles that of compressed cubic diamond.

Ab Initio Theory of Dynamical Core-Hole Screening in Graphite from X-Ray Absorption Spectra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wessely, O.; Katsnelson, M. I.; Eriksson, O.

2005-04-01

We have implemented the effect of dynamical core-hole screening, as given by Mahan, Nozières, and De Dominicis, in a first-principles based method and applied the theory to the x-ray absorption (XA) spectrum of graphite. It turns out that two of the conspicuous peaks of graphite are well described, both regarding the position, shape, and relative intensity, whereas one peak is absent in the theory. Only by incorporation of both excitonic and delocalized processes can a full account of the experimental spectrum be obtained theoretically, and we interpret the XA spectrum in graphite to be the result of a well screened and a poor screened process, much in the same way as is done for core level x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

On the damping capacity of cast irons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Golovin, S. A.

2012-07-01

The treatment of experimental data on the amplitude-dependent internal friction (ADIF) in terms of various theoretical models has revealed a staged character and the main mechanisms of the processes of energy dissipation in graphite with increasing amplitude of vibrations upon cyclic loading. It is shown that the level of the damping capacity of lamellar cast iron depends on the relationship between the elastic and strength characteristics of graphite and the matrix phase. In cast irons with a rigid matrix structure (pearlite, martensite), the energy dissipation is determined by the volume fraction and morphology of the initial graphite phase. In cast irons with a softer metallic phase (ferrite), the contact interaction of graphite inclusions with the matrix and the properties of the matrix introduce additional sources of high damping.

First-principles determination of the Raman fingerprint of rhombohedral graphite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Torche, Abderrezak; Mauri, Francesco; Charlier, Jean-Christophe; Calandra, Matteo

2017-09-01

Multilayer graphene with rhombohedral stacking is a promising carbon phase possibly displaying correlated states like magnetism or superconductivity due to the occurrence of a flat surface band at the Fermi level. Recently, flakes of thickness up to 17 layers were tentatively attributed to ABC sequences although the Raman fingerprint of rhombohedral multilayer graphene is currently unknown and the 2D resonant Raman spectrum of Bernal graphite is not understood. We provide a first principles description of the 2D Raman peak in three and four layers graphene (all stackings) as well as in Bernal, rhombohedral, and an alternation of Bernal and rhombohedral graphite. We give practical prescriptions to identify long range sequences of ABC multilayer graphene. Our work is a prerequisite to experimental nondestructive identification and synthesis of rhombohedral graphite.

Environmental exposure effects on composite materials for commercial aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gibbons, M. N.

1982-01-01

The data base for composite materials' properties as they are affected by the environments encountered in operating conditions, both in flight and at ground terminals is expanded. Absorbed moisture degrades the mechanical properties of graphite/epoxy laminates at elevated temperatures. Since airplane components are frequently exposed to atmospheric moisture, rain, and accumulated water, quantitative data are required to evaluate the amount of fluids absorbed under various environmental conditions and the subsequent effects on material properties. In addition, accelerated laboratory test techniques are developed are reliably capable of predicting long term behavior. An accelerated environmental exposure testing procedure is developed, and experimental results are correlated and compared with analytical results to establish the level of confidence for predicting composite material properties.

Formation, characterization, and dynamics of onion-like carbon structures for electrical energy storage from nanodiamonds using reactive force fields

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ganesh, P.; Kent, P. R. C.; Mochalin, V.

We simulate the experimentally observed graphitization of nanodiamonds into multi-shell onion-like carbonnanostructures, also called carbon onions, at different temperatures, using reactive force fields. The simulations include long-range Coulomb and van der Waals interactions. Our results suggest that long-range interactions play a crucial role in the phase-stability and the graphitization process. Graphitization is both enthalpically and entropically driven and can hence be controlled with temperature. The outer layers of the nanodiamond have a lower kinetic barrier toward graphitization irrespective of the size of the nanodiamond and graphitize within a few-hundred picoseconds, with a large volume increase. The inner core of themore » nanodiamonds displays a large size-dependent kinetic barrier, and graphitizes much more slowly with abrupt jumps in the internal energy. It eventually graphitizes by releasing pressure and expands once the outer shells have graphitized. The degree of transformation at a particular temperature is thereby determined by a delicate balance between the thermal energy, long-range interactions, and the entropic/enthalpic free energy gained by graphitization. Upon full graphitization, a multi-shell carbonnanostructure appears, with a shell-shell spacing of about ~3.4 Å for all sizes. The shells are highly defective with predominantly five- and seven-membered rings to curve space. Larger nanodiamonds with a diameter of 4 nm can graphitize into spiral structures with a large (~29-atom carbon ring) pore opening on the outermost shell. Such a large one-way channel is most attractive for a controlled insertion of molecules/ions such as Li ions, water, or ionic liquids, for increased electrochemical capacitor or battery electrode applications.« less

Formation, characterization and dynamics of onion like carbon structures from nanodiamonds using reactive force-fields for electrical energy storage

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kent, Paul R

We simulate the experimentally observed graphitization of nanodiamonds into multi-shell onion-like carbon nanostructures, also called carbon onions, at different temperatures, using reactive force fields. The simulations include long-range Coulomb and van der Waals interactions. Our results suggest that long-range interactions play a crucial role in the phase-stability and the graphitization process. Graphitization is both enthalpically and entropically driven and can hence be controlled with temperature. The outer layers of the nanodiamond have a lower kinetic barrier toward graphitization irrespective of the size of the nanodiamond and graphitize within a few-hundred picoseconds, with a large volume increase. The inner core ofmore » the nanodiamonds displays a large size-dependent kinetic barrier, and graphitizes much more slowly with abrupt jumps in the internal energy. It eventually graphitizes by releasing pressure and expands once the outer shells have graphitized. The degree of transformation at a particular temperature is thereby determined by a delicate balance between the thermal energy, long-range interactions, and the entropic/enthalpic free energy gained by graphitization. Upon full graphitization, a multi-shell carbon nanostructure appears, with a shell-shell spacing of about {approx}3.4 {angstrom} for all sizes. The shells are highly defective with predominantly five- and seven-membered rings to curve space. Larger nanodiamonds with a diameter of 4 nm can graphitize into spiral structures with a large ({approx}29-atom carbon ring) pore opening on the outermost shell. Such a large one-way channel is most attractive for a controlled insertion of molecules/ions such as Li ions, water, or ionic liquids, for increased electrochemical capacitor or battery electrode applications.« less

Balanced improvement of high performance concrete material properties with modified graphite nanomaterials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peyvandi, Amirpasha

Graphite nanomaterials offer distinct features for effective reinforcement of cementitious matrices in the pre-crack and post-crack ranges of behavior. Thoroughly dispersed and well-bonded nanomaterials provide for effective control of the size and propagation of defects (microcracks) in matrix, and also act as closely spaced barriers against diffusion of moisture and aggressive solutions into concrete. Modified graphite nanomaterials can play multi-faceted roles towards enhancing the mechanical, physical and functional attributes of concrete materials. Graphite nanoplatelets (GP) and carbon nanofibers (CNF) were chosen for use in cementitious materials. Experimental results highlighted the balanced gains in diverse engineering properties of high-performance concrete realized by introduction of graphite nanomaterials. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used in order to gain further insight into the effects of nanomaterials on the hydration process and structure of cement hydrates. NMR exploits the magnetic properties of certain atomic nuclei, and the sensitivity of these properties to local environments to generate data which enables determination of the internal structure, reaction state, and chemical environment of molecules and bulk materials. 27 Al and 29Si NMR spectroscopy techniques were employed in order to evaluate the effects of graphite nanoplatelets on the structure of cement hydrates, and their resistance to alkali-silica reaction (ASR), chloride ion diffusion, and sulfate attack. Results of 29Si NMR spectroscopy indicated that the percent condensation of C-S-H in cementitious paste was lowered in the presence of nanoplatelets at the same age. The extent of chloride diffusion was assessed indirectly by detecting Friedel's salt as a reaction product of chloride ions with aluminum-bearing cement hydrates. Graphite nanoplatelets were found to significantly reduce the concentration of Friedel's salt at different depths after various periods of exposure to chloride solutions, pointing at the benefits of nanoplatelets towards enhancement of concrete resistance to chloride ion diffusion. It was also found that the intensity of Thaumasite, a key species marking sulfate attack on cement hydrates, was lowered with the addition of graphite nanoplatelets in concrete exposed to sulfate solutions. Experimental evaluations were conducted on scaled-up production of concrete nanocomposite in precast concrete plants. Full-scale reinforced concrete pipes and beams were produced using concrete nanocomposites. Durability and structural tests indicated that the use of graphite nanoplatelets, alone or in combination with synthetic (PVA) fibers, produced significant gains in the durability characteristics, and also benefited the structural performance of precast reinforced concrete products. The material and scaled-up structural investigations conducted in the project concluded that lower-cost graphite nanomaterials (e.g., graphite nanoplatelets) offer significant potentials as multi-functional additives capable of enhancing the barrier, durability and mechanical performance of concrete materials. The benefits of graphite nanomaterials tend to be more pronounced in higher-performance concrete materials.

Is Water at the Graphite Interface Vapor-like or Ice-like?

PubMed

Qiu, Yuqing; Lupi, Laura; Molinero, Valeria

2018-04-05

Graphitic surfaces are the main component of soot, a major constituent of atmospheric aerosols. Experiments indicate that soots of different origins display a wide range of abilities to heterogeneously nucleate ice. The ability of pure graphite to nucleate ice in experiments, however, seems to be almost negligible. Nevertheless, molecular simulations with the monatomic water model mW with water-carbon interactions parameterized to reproduce the experimental contact angle of water on graphite predict that pure graphite nucleates ice. According to classical nucleation theory, the ability of a surface to nucleate ice is controlled by the binding free energy between ice immersed in liquid water and the surface. To establish whether the discrepancy in freezing efficiencies of graphite in mW simulations and experiments arises from the coarse resolution of the model or can be fixed by reparameterization, it is important to elucidate the contributions of the water-graphite, water-ice, and ice-water interfaces to the free energy, enthalpy, and entropy of binding for both water and the model. Here we use thermodynamic analysis and free energy calculations to determine these interfacial properties. We demonstrate that liquid water at the graphite interface is not ice-like or vapor-like: it has similar free energy, entropy, and enthalpy as water in the bulk. The thermodynamics of the water-graphite interface is well reproduced by the mW model. We find that the entropy of binding between graphite and ice is positive and dominated, in both experiments and simulations, by the favorable entropy of reducing the ice-water interface. Our analysis indicates that the discrepancy in freezing efficiencies of graphite in experiments and the simulations with mW arises from the inability of the model to simultaneously reproduce the contact angle of liquid water on graphite and the free energy of the ice-graphite interface. This transferability issue is intrinsic to the resolution of the model, and arises from its lack of rotational degrees of freedom.

Analytical techniques and instrumentation, a compilation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1974-01-01

Procedures for conducting materials tests and structural analyses of aerospace components are presented as a part of the NASA technology utilization program. Some of the subjects discussed are as follows: (1) failures in cryogenic tank insulation, (2) friction characteristics of graphite and graphite-metal combinations, (3) evaluation of polymeric products in thermal-vacuum environment, (4) erosion of metals by multiple impacts with water, (5) mass loading effects on vibrated ring and shell structures, (6) nonlinear damping in structures, and (7) method for estimating reliability of randomly excited structures.

Beam impingement angle effects on secondary electron emission characteristics of textured pyrolytic graphite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Curren, A. N.; Jensen, K. A.

1984-01-01

Experimentally determined values of true secondary electron emission and relative values of reflected primary electron yield for untreated and ion-textured pyrolytic graphite over a range of primary electron energy levels and electron beam impingement angles are presented. Information required to develop high efficiency multistage depressed collectors (MDC's) for microwave amplifier traveling-wave tubes for space communication and aircraft applications is provided. To attain the highest possible MDC efficiencies, the electrode surfaces must have low secondary electron emission characteristics. Pyrolytic graphite, a chemically vapor-deposited material, is a particularly promising candidate for this application. The pyrolytic graphite surfaces studied were tested over a range of primary electron beam energies and beam impingement angles from 200 to 2000 eV and direct (0 deg) to near-grazing angles (85 deg), respectively. Surfaces both parallel to and normal to the planes of material deposition were examined. The true secondary electron emission and reflected primary electron yield characteristics of the pyrolytic graphite surfaces are compared to those of sooted control surfaces.

Lamination residual stresses in hybrid composites, part 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daniel, I. M.; Liber, T.

1976-01-01

An experimental investigation was conducted to study lamination residual stresses for various material and loading parameters. The effects of hybridization on residual stresses and residual properties after thermal cycling under load were determined in angle-ply graphite/Kevlar/epoxy and graphite/S-glass/epoxy laminates. Residual strains in the graphite plies are not appreciably affected by the type and number of hybridizing plies. Computed residual stresses at room temperature in the S-glass plies reach values up to seventy-five percent of the transverse strength of the material. Computed residual stresses in the graphite plies exceed the static strength by approximately ten percent. In the case of Kevlar plies, computed residual stresses far exceed the static strength indicating possible early failure of these plies. Static testing of the hybrids above indicates that failure is governed by the ultimate strain of the graphite plies. In thermally cycled hybrids, in general, residual moduli were somewhat lower and residual strengths were higher than initial values.

Atomic resolution images of graphite in air

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Grigg, D.A.; Shedd, G.M.; Griffis, D.

One sample used for proof of operation for atomic resolution in STM is highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). This sample has been imaged with many different STM`s obtaining similar results. Atomic resolution images of HOPG have now been obtained using an STM designed and built at the Precision Engineering Center. This paper discusses the theoretical predictions and experimental results obtained in imaging of HOPG.

Reliability Assessment of Graphite Specimens under Multiaxial Stresses

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sookdeo, Steven; Nemeth, Noel N.; Bratton, Robert L.

2008-01-01

An investigation was conducted to predict the failure strength response of IG-100 nuclear grade graphite exposed to multiaxial stresses. As part of this effort, a review of failure criteria accounting for the stochastic strength response is provided. The experimental work was performed in the early 1990s at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) on hollow graphite tubes under the action of axial tensile loading and internal pressurization. As part of the investigation, finite-element analysis (FEA) was performed and compared with results of FEA from the original ORNL report. The new analysis generally compared well with the original analysis, although some discrepancies in the location of peak stresses was noted. The Ceramics Analysis and Reliability Evaluation of Structures Life prediction code (CARES/Life) was used with the FEA results to predict the quadrants I (tensile-tensile) and quadrant IV (compression-tension) strength response of the graphite tubes for the principle of independent action (PIA), the Weibull normal stress averaging (NSA), and the Batdorf multiaxial failure theories. The CARES/Life reliability analysis showed that all three failure theories gave similar results in quadrant I but that in quadrant IV, the PIA and Weibull normal stress-averaging theories were not conservative, whereas the Batdorf theory was able to correlate well with experimental results. The conclusion of the study was that the Batdorf theory should generally be used to predict the reliability response of graphite and brittle materials in multiaxial loading situations.

Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric determination of arsenic in essential lavender and rose oils.

PubMed

Karadjova, Irina B; Lampugnani, Leonardo; Tsalev, Dimiter L

2005-02-28

Analytical procedures for electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric (ETAAS) determination of arsenic in essential oils from lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) and rose (Rosa damascena) are described. For direct ETAAS analysis, oil samples are diluted with ethanol or i-propanol for lavender and rose oil, respectively. Leveling off responses of four different arsenic species (arsenite, arsenate, monomethylarsonate and dimethylarsinate) is achieved by using a composite chemical modifier: l-cysteine (0.05gl(-1)) in combination with palladium (2.5mug) and citric acid (100mug). Transverse-heated graphite atomizer (THGA) with longitudinal Zeeman-effect background correction and 'end-capped' graphite tubes with integrated pyrolytic graphite platforms, pre-treated with Zr-Ir for permanent modification are employed as most appropriate atomizer. Calibration with solvent-matched standard solutions of As(III) is used for four- and five-fold diluted samples of lavender and rose oil, respectively. Lower dilution factors required standard addition calibration by using aqueous (for lavender oil) or i-propanol (for rose oil) solutions of As(III). The limits of detection (LOD) for the whole analytical procedure are 4.4 and 4.7ngg(-1) As in levender and rose oil, respectively. The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) for As at 6-30ngg(-1) levels is between 8 and 17% for both oils. As an alternative, procedure based on low temperature plasma ashing in oxygen with ETAAS, providing LODs of 2.5 and 2.7ngg(-1) As in levender and rose oil, respectively, and R.S.D. within 8-12% for both oils has been elaborated. Results obtained by both procedures are in good agreement.

A comparison of the bromination dynamics of various carbon and graphite fibers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaier, James R.

1987-01-01

The electrical resistance of four grades of pitch-based graphite fibers and three experimental organic vapor-derived fibers was determined in situ during bromination and subsequent exposure to ambient laboratory air. The results show that the least graphitic pitch-based fiber does not brominate significantly, and that bromination and debrominaton reactions proceed much slower for vapor-derived fibers than for pitch-based ones. It is suggested that this decreased reacton rate is primarily due to the differences in graphene plane orientation between the fiber types. The results also imply that the vapor-derived and pitch-based fibers produce true intercalation compounds.

Preparation of graphene by electrical explosion of graphite sticks.

PubMed

Gao, Xin; Xu, Chunxiao; Yin, Hao; Wang, Xiaoguang; Song, Qiuzhi; Chen, Pengwan

2017-08-03

Graphene nanosheets were produced by electrical explosion of high-purity graphite sticks in distilled water at room temperature. The as-prepared samples were characterized by various techniques to find different forms of carbon phases, including graphite nanosheets, few-layer graphene, and especially, mono-layer graphene with good crystallinity. Delicate control of energy injection is critical for graphene nanosheet formation, whereas mono-layer graphene was produced under the charging voltage of 22.5-23.5 kV. On the basis of electrical wire explosion and our experimental results, the underlying mechanism that governs the graphene generation was carefully illustrated. This work provides a simple but innovative route for producing graphene nanosheets.

A MODEL FOR FISSION-GAS RELEASE FROM POROUS FUELS IN LOW-PERMEABILITY CONTAINERS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Prados, J.W.

1961-08-25

A simple mathematical model was developed to describe the steady-state release rate of gaseous fission products from porous ceramic fuels in low- permeability containers. The resulting equations are used to analyze experimental release rate results obtained from a UC/sub 2/-fueled graphite fuel body enclosed in a low-permeability impregnated graphite container. The relative release rates of the fission-product species Kr/sup 85m/, Kr/sup 88/, and Xe/sup 133/ were predicted with reasonable success. Absolute-rate predictions were not possible due to lack of information on true permeability and porosity profiles in the graphite container. (auth)

Diffusion of cesium and iodine in compressed IG-110 graphite compacts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carter, L. M.; Brockman, J. D.; Robertson, J. D.; Loyalka, S. K.

2016-08-01

Nuclear graphite grade IG-110 is currently used in the High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR) in Japan for certain permanent and replaceable core components, and is a material of interest in general. Therefore, transport parameters for fission products in this material are needed. Measurement of diffusion through pressed compacts of IG-110 graphite is experimentally attractive because they are easy to prepare with homogeneous distributions of fission product surrogates. In this work, we measured diffusion coefficients for Cs and I in pressed compacts made from IG-110 powder in the 1079-1290 K temperature range, and compared them to those obtained in as-received IG-110.

Friction and wear behaviors and mechanisms of ZnO and graphite in Cu-based friction materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Tianhua

2018-03-01

Based on powder metallurgy method, nanometer graphite reinforced copper matrix friction materials were prepared. The nanometer zinc oxide were obtained by the hydro-thermal synthesis. Nanoparticles on friction performances of copper-based materials was studied. The wear morphology were investigated by metallographic microscopes. Tribological performance were use the inertia friction and wear testing machine. Experimental results show that the friction factor of the friction material added by nanometer zinc oxide and nano graphite are high and stable, which has no obvious recession phenomenon with the increase of number of joint compared with not add nanoparticles of friction materials.

Modeling irradiation creep of graphite using rate theory

DOE PAGES

Sarkar, Apu; Eapen, Jacob; Raj, Anant; ...

2016-02-20

In this work we examined irradiation induced creep of graphite in the framework of transition state rate theory. Experimental data for two grades of nuclear graphite (H-337 and AGOT) were analyzed to determine the stress exponent (n) and activation energy (Q) for plastic flow under irradiation. Here we show that the mean activation energy lies between 0.14 and 0.32 eV with a mean stress-exponent of 1.0 ± 0.2. A stress exponent of unity and the unusually low activation energies strongly indicate a diffusive defect transport mechanism for neutron doses in the range of 3-4 x 10 22 n/cm 2.

Reinforced Carbon Carbon (RCC) oxidation resistant material samples - Baseline coated, and baseline coated with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) impregnation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gantz, E. E.

1977-01-01

Reinforced carbon-carbon material specimens were machined from 19 and 33 ply flat panels which were fabricated and processed in accordance with the specifications and procedures accepted for the fabrication and processing of the leading edge structural subsystem (LESS) elements for the space shuttle orbiter. The specimens were then baseline coated and tetraethyl orthosilicate impregnated, as applicable, in accordance with the procedures and requirements of the appropriate LESS production specifications. Three heater bars were ATJ graphite silicon carbide coated with the Vought 'pack cementation' coating process, and three were stackpole grade 2020 graphite silicon carbide coated with the chemical vapor deposition process utilized by Vought in coating the LESS shell development program entry heater elements. Nondestructive test results are reported.

A study of graphite-epoxy laminate failures due to high transverse shear strains using the multi-span-beam shear test procedure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jegley, Dawn C.

1989-01-01

The multi-span-beam shear test procedure is used to study failure mechanisms in graphite-epoxy laminates due to high transverse shear strains induced by severe local bending deformations in test specimens. Results of a series of tests on specimens with a variety of stacking sequences, including some with adhesive interleaving, are presented. These results indicate that laminates with stacking sequences with several + or - 45 and 90 deg plies next to each other are more susceptible to failures due to high transverse shear strains than laminates with + or - 45 and 0 deg plies next to each other or with + or - 45 deg plies next to layers of adhesive interleaving. Results of these tests are compared with analytical results based on finite elements.

Graphite fluoride fibers and their applications in the space industry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hung, Ching-Chen; Long, Martin; Dever, Therese

1990-01-01

Characterization and potential space applications of graphite fluoride fibers from commercially available graphitized carbon fibers are presented. Graphite fluoride fibers with fluorine to carbon ratios of 0.65 and 0.68 were found to have electrical resistivity values of 10(exp 4) and 10(exp 11) Ohms-cm, respectively, and thermal conductivity values of 24 and 5 W/m-K, respectively. At this fluorine content range, the fibers have tensile strength of 0.25 + or - 0.10 GPa (36 + or - 14 ksi), Young's modulus of 170 + or - 30 GPa (25 + or - 5 Msi). The coefficient of thermal expansion value of a sample with fluorine to carbon ratio of 0.61 was found to be 7 ppm/C. These properties change and approach the graphite value as the fluorine content approach 0. Electrically insulative graphite fluoride fiber is at least five times more thermally conductive than fiberglass. Therefore, it can be used as a heat sinking printed circuit board material for low temperature, long life power electronics in spacecraft. Also, partially fluorinated fiber with tailor-made physical properties to meet the requirements of certain engineering design can be produced. For example, a partially fluorinated fiber could have a predetermined CTE value in -1.5 to 7 ppm/C range and would be suitable for use in solar concentrators in solar dynamic power systems. It could also have a predetermined electrical resistivity value suitable for use as a low observable material. Experimental data indicate that slightly fluorinated graphite fibers are more durable in the atomic oxygen environment than pristine graphite. Therefore, fluorination of graphite used in the construction of spacecraft that would be exposed to the low Earth orbit atomic oxygen may protect defect sites in atomic oxygen protective coatings and therefore decrease the rate of degradation of graphite.

Image Analysis of a Negatively Curved Graphitic Sheet Model for Amorphous Carbon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bursill, L. A.; Bourgeois, Laure N.

High-resolution electron micrographs are presented which show essentially curved single sheets of graphitic carbon. Image calculations are then presented for the random surface schwarzite-related model of Townsend et al. (Phys. Rev. Lett. 69, 921-924, 1992). Comparison with experimental images does not rule out the contention that such models, containing surfaces of negative curvature, may be useful for predicting some physical properties of specific forms of nanoporous carbon. Some difficulties of the model predictions, when compared with the experimental images, are pointed out. The range of application of this model, as well as competing models, is discussed briefly.

Experimental Study and Computational Simulations of Key Pebble Bed Thermo-mechanics Issues for Design and Safety

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tokuhiro, Akira; Potirniche, Gabriel; Cogliati, Joshua

2014-07-08

An experimental and computational study, consisting of modeling and simulation (M&S), of key thermal-mechanical issues affecting the design and safety of pebble-bed (PB) reactors was conducted. The objective was to broaden understanding and experimentally validate thermal-mechanic phenomena of nuclear grade graphite, specifically, spheres in frictional contact as anticipated in the bed under reactor relevant pressures and temperatures. The contact generates graphite dust particulates that can subsequently be transported into the flowing gaseous coolent. Under postulated depressurization transients and with the potential for leaked fission products to be adsorbed onto graphite 'dust', there is the potential for fission products to escapemore » from the primary volume. This is a design safety concern. Furthermore, earlier safety assessment identified the distinct possibility for the dispersed dust to combust in contact with air if sufficient conditions are met. Both of these phenomena were noted as important to design review and containing uncertainty to warrant study. The team designed and conducted two separate effects tests to study and benchmark the potential dust-generation rate, as well as study the conditions under which a dust explosion may occure in a standardized, instrumented explosion chamber.« less

Improved electrochemical properties of amorphous Mg 65Ni 27La 8 electrodes: Surface modification using graphite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, D. C.; Li, Lu; Liang, G. Y.; Guo, Y. L.; Wu, H. B.

Amorphous Mg 65Ni 27La 8 alloy is prepared by melt-spinning. The alloy surface is modified using different contents of graphite to improve the performances of the Mg 65Ni 27La 8 electrodes. In detail, the electrochemical properties of (Mg 65Ni 27La 8) + xC (x = 0-0.4) electrodes are studied systematically, where x is the mass ratio of graphite to alloy. Experimental results reveal that the discharge capacity, cycle life, discharge potential characteristics and electrochemical kinetics of the electrodes are all improved. The surface modification enhances the electrocatalytic activity of the alloy, reduces the contact resistance of the electrodes and obstructs the formation of Mg(OH) 2 on the alloy surface. An optimal content of graphite has been obtained. The (Mg 65Ni 27La 8) + 0.25 C electrode has the largest discharge capacity of 827 mA h g -1, which is 1.47 times as large as that of the electrode without graphite, and the best electrochemical kinetics. Further increasing of graphite content will lead to the increase of contact resistance and activation energy for charge-transfer reaction of the electrode, resulting in the degradation of electrode performance.

Composite electrochemical biosensors: a comparison of three different electrode matrices for the construction of amperometric tyrosinase biosensors.

PubMed

Serra, B; Jiménez, S; Mena, M L; Reviejo, A J; Pingarrón, J M

2002-03-01

A comparison of the behaviour of three different rigid composite matrices for the construction of amperometric tyrosinase biosensors, which are widely used for the detection of phenolic compounds, is reported. The composite electrode matrices were, graphite-Teflon; reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC)-epoxy resin; and graphite-ethylene/propylene/diene (EPD) terpolymer. After optimization of the experimental conditions, different aspects regarding the stability of the three composite tyrosinase electrode designs were considered and compared. A better reproducibility of the amperometric responses was found with the graphite-EPD electrodes, whereas a longer useful lifetime was observed for the graphite-Teflon electrodes. The kinetic parameters of the tyrosinase reaction were calculated for eight different phenolic compounds, as well as their corresponding calibration plots. The general trend in sensitivity was graphite-EPD>graphite-Teflon>RVC-epoxy resin. A correlation between sensitivity and the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme reaction for each phenolic substrate was found. Furthermore, differences in the sensitivity order for the phenolic compounds were observed among the three biocomposite electrodes, which suggests that the nature of the electrode matrix influences the interactions in the tyrosinase catalytic cycle.

Benchmarking of HEU Mental Annuli Critical Assemblies with Internally Reflected Graphite Cylinder

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xiaobo, Liu; Bess, John D.; Marshall, Margaret A.

Three experimental configurations of critical assemblies, performed in 1963 at the Oak Ridge Critical Experiment Facility, which are assembled using three different diameter HEU annuli (15-9 inches, 15-7 inches and 13-7 inches) metal annuli with internally reflected graphite cylinder are evaluated and benchmarked. The experimental uncertainties which are 0.00055, 0.00055 and 0.00055 respectively, and biases to the detailed benchmark models which are -0.00179, -0.00189 and -0.00114 respectively, were determined, and the experimental benchmark keff results were obtained for both detailed and simplified model. The calculation results for both detailed and simplified models using MCNP6-1.0 and ENDF VII.1 agree well tomore » the benchmark experimental results with a difference of less than 0.2%. These are acceptable benchmark experiments for inclusion in the ICSBEP Handbook.« less

Thermally induced transverse cracking in graphite-epoxy cross-ply laminates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adams, D. S.; Bowles, D. E.; Herakovich, C. T.

1986-01-01

Thermally induced transverse cracking in T300/5208 graphite-epoxy cross-ply laminates was investigated experimentally and theoretically. The six laminate configurations studied were: 0/90(3)s, 0(2)/90(2)s, 0(3)/90s, 90/0(3)s, 90(2)/0(2)s, and 90(3)/0s. The thermal load required to initiate transverse cracking was determined experimentally and compared to a theoretical prediction. Experimental results for the accumulation of transverse cracks under cyclic thermal loading between - 250 and 250 F for up to 500 thermal cycles are presented. The calculated in situ transverse-lamina strength was determined to be at least 1.9 times the unidirectional-lamina transverse tensile strength. All laminate configurations exhibited an increase in crack density with increasing thermal cycles.

Cost-effective single-step carbon nanotube synthesis using microwave oven

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Algadri, Natheer A.; Ibrahim, K.; Hassan, Z.; Bououdina, M.

2017-08-01

This paper reports the characterization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) synthesised using a conventional microwave oven method, offering several advantages including fast, simple, low cost, and solvent free growth process. The procedure involves flattening of graphite/ferrocene mixture catalyst inside the microwave oven under ambient conditions for a very short duration of 5 s, which inhibits the loss factor of graphite and ferrocene. The effect of graphite/ferrocene mixture ratio for the synthesis of CNTs is investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and UV-NIR-Vis measurements. The samples produced using the different ratios contain nanotubes with an average diameter in the range 44-79 nm. The highest yield of CNTs is attained with graphite/ferrocene mixture ratio of 70:30. The lowest I D/I G ratio intensity as identified by Raman spectroscopy for 70:30 ratio indicates the improved crystallinity of CNTs. Due to the capillary effect of CNTs, Fe nanoparticles are found to be encapsulated inside the tubes at different positions along the tube length. The obtained results showed that the smaller the diameter of graphite and ferrocene favors the synthesis of graphene oxide upon microwave radiation.

A phase-field approach to model multi-axial and microstructure dependent fracture in nuclear grade graphite

DOE PAGES

Chakraborty, Pritam; Sabharwall, Piyush; Carroll, Mark C.

2016-04-07

The fracture behavior of nuclear grade graphites is strongly influenced by underlying microstructural features such as the character of filler particles, and the distribution of pores and voids. These microstructural features influence the crack nucleation and propagation behavior, resulting in quasi-brittle fracture with a tortuous crack path and significant scatter in measured bulk strength. This paper uses a phase-field method to model the microstructural and multi-axial fracture in H-451, a historic variant of nuclear graphite that provides the basis for an idealized study on a legacy grade. The representative volume elements are constructed from randomly located pores with random sizemore » obtained from experimentally determined log-normal distribution. The representative volume elements are then subjected to simulated multi-axial loading, and a reasonable agreement of the resulting fracture stress with experiments is obtained. Finally, quasi-brittle stress-strain evolution with a tortuous crack path is also observed from the simulations and is consistent with experimental results.« less

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ON ADVANCED GRAPHITE MATERIALS. Final Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

1962-04-01

A review is given of activities over the period October 15, 1960 to October 15, 1961 on a three year program for the research and development of materials, experimental techniques, and equipment for development of premium quality, reproducible graphite-base materials suitable for missile and astronautic applications. Progress is reported on research and development in the study areas of raw materials, fabrication, and material characterization and evaluation. (auth)

Investigation of the effect of resin material on impact damage to graphite/epoxy composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Palmer, R. J.

1981-01-01

The results of an experimental program are described which establishes the feasibility and guide lines for resin development. The objective was to identify the basic epoxy neat resin properties that improve low velocity impact resistance and toughness to graphite-epoxy laminates and at the same time maintain useful structural laminate mechanical properties. Materials tests from twenty-three toughened epoxy resin matrix systems are included.

Predictions for partial and monolayer coverages of O2 on graphite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pan, R. P.; Etters, R. D.; Kobashi, K.; Chandrasekharan, V.

1982-01-01

Monolayer properties of O2 on graphite are calculated using a pattern recognition, optimization scheme. Equilibrium monolayers are predicted at two different densities with properties in agreement with recent X-ray diffraction, specific heat, and neutron scattering data. Properties of the extremely low density regime are calculated using a model based upon a distribution of two-dimensional O2 clusters. The results are consistent with experimental evidence.

Rapid prototyping of carbon-based chemiresistive gas sensors on paper

PubMed Central

Mirica, Katherine A.; Azzarelli, Joseph M.; Weis, Jonathan G.; Schnorr, Jan M.; Swager, Timothy M.

2013-01-01

Chemically functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are promising materials for sensing of gases and volatile organic compounds. However, the poor solubility of carbon nanotubes hinders their chemical functionalization and the subsequent integration of these materials into devices. This manuscript describes a solvent-free procedure for rapid prototyping of selective chemiresistors from CNTs and graphite on the surface of paper. This procedure enables fabrication of functional gas sensors from commercially available starting materials in less than 15 min. The first step of this procedure involves the generation of solid composites of CNTs or graphite with small molecule selectors—designed to interact with specific classes of gaseous analytes—by solvent-free mechanical mixing in a ball mill and subsequent compression. The second step involves deposition of chemiresistive sensors by mechanical abrasion of these solid composites onto the surface of paper. Parallel fabrication of multiple chemiresistors from diverse composites rapidly generates cross-reactive arrays capable of sensing and differentiating gases and volatile organic compounds at part-per-million and part-per-thousand concentrations. PMID:23942132

Post impact compressive strength in composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Demuts, Edvins; Sandhu, Raghbir S.; Daniels, John A.

1992-01-01

Presented in this paper are the plan, equipment, procedures, and findings of an experimental investigation of the tolerance to low velocity impact of a graphite epoxy (AS4/3501-6) and graphite bismaleimide (M6/CYCOM3100) advanced composites. The applied impacts were governed by the Air Force Guide Specification 87221. Specimens of each material system having a common nominal layup (10% 0 deg; 80% +/-45 deg; 10% 90 deg), a common 7 inch (17.78 cm) by 10 inch (25.40 cm) size, five different thicknesses (9, 26, 48, 74, and 96 plies), and ambient moisture content were impacted and strength tested at room temperature. Damaged areas and post impact compression strengths (PICS) were among the most significant findings obtained. While the undamaged per ply compression strength of both materials is a strong function of laminate thickness, the per ply PICS is not. The average difference in per ply PICS between the two material systems is about seven percent. Although a smaller percentage of the applied kinetic energy was absorbed by the Gr/BMI than by the Gr/Epoxy composites, larger damaged areas were produced in the Gr/BMI than in Gr/Epoxy. Within the limitations of this investigation, the Gr/BMI system seems to offer no advantage in damage tolerance over the Gr/Epoxy system examined.

Integrated System of Thermal/Dimensional Analysis for Quality Control of Metallic Melt and Ductile Iron Casting Solidification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stan, Stelian; Chisamera, Mihai; Riposan, Iulian; Neacsu, Loredana; Cojocaru, Ana Maria; Stan, Iuliana

2018-03-01

The main objective of the present work is to introduce a specific experimental instrument and technique for simultaneously evaluating cooling curves and expansion or contraction of cast metals during solidification. Contraction/expansion analysis illustrates the solidification parameters progression, according to the molten cast iron characteristics, which are dependent on the melting procedure and applied metallurgical treatments, mold media rigidity and thermal behavior [heat transfer parameters]. The first part of the paper summarizes the performance of this two-mold device. Its function is illustrated by representative shrinkage tendency results in ductile cast iron as affected by mold rigidity (green sand and furan resin sand molds) and inoculant type (FeSi-based alloys), published in part previously. The second part of the paper illustrates an application of this equipment adapted for commercial foundry use. It conducts thermal analysis and volume change measurements in a single ceramic cup so that mold media as well as solidification conditions are constants, with cast iron quality as the variable. Experiments compared gray and ductile cast iron solidification patterns. Gray iron castings are characterized by higher undercooling at the beginning and at the end of solidification and lower graphitic expansion. Typically, ductile cast iron exhibits higher graphitic, initial expansion, conducive for shrinkage formation in soft molds.

Graphite-silicone rubber composite electrode: Preparation and possibilities of analytical application.

PubMed

de Oliveira, Aline Carlos; dos Santos, Sidney Xavier; Cavalheiro, Eder Tadeu Gomes

2008-01-15

Composite electrodes were prepared using graphite powder and silicone rubber in different compositions. The use of such hydrophopic materials interned to diminish the swallowing observed in other cases when the electrodes are used in aqueous solutions for a long time. The composite was characterized for the response reproducibility, ohmic resistance, thermal behavior and active area. The voltammetric response in relation to analytes with known voltammetric behavior was also evaluated, always in comparison with the glassy carbon. The 70% (graphite, w/w) composite electrode was used in the quantitative determination of hydroquinone (HQ) in a DPV procedure in which a detection limit of 5.1x10(-8)molL(-1) was observed. HQ was determined in a photographic developer sample with errors lower then 1% in relation to the label value.

A comparison of simple shear characterization methods for composite laminates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yeow, Y. T.; Brinson, H. F.

1978-01-01

Various methods for the shear stress/strain characterization of composite laminates are examined and their advantages and limitations are briefly discussed. Experimental results and the necessary accompanying analysis are then presented and compared for three simple shear characterization procedures. These are the off-axis tensile test method, the (+/- 45 deg)s tensile test method and the (0/90 deg)s symmetric rail shear test method. It is shown that the first technique indicates the shear properties of the graphite/epoxy laminates investigated are fundamentally brittle in nature while the latter two methods tend to indicate that these laminates are fundamentally ductile in nature. Finally, predictions of incrementally determined tensile stress/strain curves utilizing the various different shear behaviour methods as input information are presented and discussed.

Damage Progression in Bolted Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Minnetyan, Levon; Chamis, Christos C.; Gotsis, Pascal K.

1998-01-01

Structural durability, damage tolerance, and progressive fracture characteristics of bolted graphite/epoxy composite laminates are evaluated via computational simulation. Constituent material properties and stress and strain limits are scaled up to the structure level to evaluate the overall damage and fracture propagation for bolted composites. Single and double bolted composite specimens with various widths and bolt spacings are evaluated. The effect of bolt spacing is investigated with regard to the structural durability of a bolted joint. Damage initiation, growth, accumulation, and propagation to fracture are included in the simulations. Results show the damage progression sequence and structural fracture resistance during different degradation stages. A procedure is outlined for the use of computational simulation data in the assessment of damage tolerance, determination of sensitive parameters affecting fracture, and interpretation of experimental results with insight for design decisions.

Damage Progression in Bolted Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Minnetyan, Levon; Chamis, Christos; Gotsis, Pascal K.

1998-01-01

Structural durability,damage tolerance,and progressive fracture characteristics of bolted graphite/epoxy composite laminates are evaluated via computational simulation. Constituent material properties and stress and strain limits are scaled up to the structure level to evaluate the overall damage and fracture propagation for bolted composites. Single and double bolted composite specimens with various widths and bolt spacings are evaluated. The effect of bolt spacing is investigated with regard to the structural durability of a bolted joint. Damage initiation, growth, accumulation, and propagation to fracture are included in the simulations. Results show the damage progression sequence and structural fracture resistance during different degradation stages. A procedure is outlined for the use of computational simulation data in the assessment of damage tolerance, determination of sensitive parameters affecting fracture, and interpretation of experimental results with insight for design decisions.

Modeling Fission Product Sorption in Graphite Structures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Szlufarska, Izabela; Morgan, Dane; Allen, Todd

2013-04-08

The goal of this project is to determine changes in adsorption and desorption of fission products to/from nuclear-grade graphite in response to a changing chemical environment. First, the project team will employ principle calculations and thermodynamic analysis to predict stability of fission products on graphite in the presence of structural defects commonly observed in very high- temperature reactor (VHTR) graphites. Desorption rates will be determined as a function of partial pressure of oxygen and iodine, relative humidity, and temperature. They will then carry out experimental characterization to determine the statistical distribution of structural features. This structural information will yield distributionsmore » of binding sites to be used as an input for a sorption model. Sorption isotherms calculated under this project will contribute to understanding of the physical bases of the source terms that are used in higher-level codes that model fission product transport and retention in graphite. The project will include the following tasks: Perform structural characterization of the VHTR graphite to determine crystallographic phases, defect structures and their distribution, volume fraction of coke, and amount of sp2 versus sp3 bonding. This information will be used as guidance for ab initio modeling and as input for sorptivity models; Perform ab initio calculations of binding energies to determine stability of fission products on the different sorption sites present in nuclear graphite microstructures. The project will use density functional theory (DFT) methods to calculate binding energies in vacuum and in oxidizing environments. The team will also calculate stability of iodine complexes with fission products on graphite sorption sites; Model graphite sorption isotherms to quantify concentration of fission products in graphite. The binding energies will be combined with a Langmuir isotherm statistical model to predict the sorbed concentration of fission products on each type of graphite site. The model will include multiple simultaneous adsorbing species, which will allow for competitive adsorption effects between different fission product species and O and OH (for modeling accident conditions).« less

Synthesis and characterization of LiFePO4/C cathode materials by sol-gel method.

PubMed

Liu, Shuxin; Yin, Hengbo; Wang, Haibin; Wang, Hong

2014-09-01

The carbon coated LiFePO4 cathode materials (LiFePO4/C) were successfully synthesized by sol-gel method with glucose, citric acid and PEG-4000 as dispersant and carbon source, respectively. The microstructure and grain size of LiFePO4/C composite were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the carbon source and calcination temperature had important effect on the graphitization degree of carbon; the carbon decomposed by citric acid had higher graphitization degree; with calcination temperature rising, the graphitization degree of carbon increased and the particles size increased. The graphitization degree and grain size were very important for improving the electrochemical performance of LiFePO4 cathode materials, according to the experimental results, the sample LFP-700 (LFP-C) which was synthesized with citric acid as dispersant at 700 degree C had lower polarization and larger discharge capacity.

Room temperature stable single molecule rectifiers with graphite electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rungger, Ivan; Kaliginedi, V.; Droghetti, A.; Ozawa, H.; Kuzume, A.; Haga, M.; Broekmann, P.; Rudnev, A. V.

In this combined theoretical and experimental study we present new molecular electronics device characteristics of unprecedented stability at room temperature by using electrodes based on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite with covalently attached molecules. To this aim, we explore the effect of the anchoring group chemistry on the charge transport properties of graphite/molecule contacts by means of the scanning tunneling microscopy break-junction technique and ab initio simulations. The theoretical approach to evaluate the conductance is based on density functional theory calculations combined with the non-equilibrium Greens function technique, as implemented in the Smeagol electron transport code. We also demonstrate a strong bias dependence and rectification of the single molecule conductance induced by the anchoring chemistry in combination with the very low density of states of graphite around the Fermi energy. We show that the direction of tunneling current rectification can be tuned by anchoring group chemistry.

On the thermodynamic path enabling a room-temperature, laser-assisted graphite to nanodiamond transformation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gorrini, F.; Cazzanelli, M.; Bazzanella, N.; Edla, R.; Gemmi, M.; Cappello, V.; David, J.; Dorigoni, C.; Bifone, A.; Miotello, A.

2016-10-01

Nanodiamonds are the subject of active research for their potential applications in nano-magnetometry, quantum optics, bioimaging and water cleaning processes. Here, we present a novel thermodynamic model that describes a graphite-liquid-diamond route for the synthesis of nanodiamonds. Its robustness is proved via the production of nanodiamonds powders at room-temperature and standard atmospheric pressure by pulsed laser ablation of pyrolytic graphite in water. The aqueous environment provides a confinement mechanism that promotes diamond nucleation and growth, and a biologically compatible medium for suspension of nanodiamonds. Moreover, we introduce a facile physico-chemical method that does not require harsh chemical or temperature conditions to remove the graphitic byproducts of the laser ablation process. A full characterization of the nanodiamonds by electron and Raman spectroscopies is reported. Our model is also corroborated by comparison with experimental data from the literature.

CO2 content of andesitic melts at graphite-saturated upper mantle conditions with implications for redox state of oceanic basalt source regions and remobilization of reduced carbon from subducted eclogite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eguchi, James; Dasgupta, Rajdeep

2017-03-01

We have performed experiments to determine the effects of pressure, temperature and oxygen fugacity on the CO2 contents in nominally anhydrous andesitic melts at graphite saturation. The andesite composition was specifically chosen to match a low-degree partial melt composition that is generated from MORB-like eclogite in the convective, oceanic upper mantle. Experiments were performed at 1-3 GPa, 1375-1550 °C, and fO2 of FMQ -3.2 to FMQ -2.3 and the resulting experimental glasses were analyzed for CO2 and H2O contents using FTIR and SIMS. Experimental results were used to develop a thermodynamic model to predict CO2 content of nominally anhydrous andesitic melts at graphite saturation. Fitting of experimental data returned thermodynamic parameters for dissolution of CO2 as molecular CO2: ln( K 0) = -21.79 ± 0.04, Δ V 0 = 32.91 ± 0.65 cm3mol-1, Δ H 0 = 107 ± 21 kJ mol-1, and dissolution of CO2 as CO3 2-: ln (K 0 ) = -21.38 ± 0.08, Δ V 0 = 30.66 ± 1.33 cm3 mol-1, Δ H 0 = 42 ± 37 kJ mol-1, where K 0 is the equilibrium constant at some reference pressure and temperature, Δ V 0 is the volume change of reaction, and Δ H 0 is the enthalpy change of reaction. The thermodynamic model was used along with trace element partition coefficients to calculate the CO2 contents and CO2/Nb ratios resulting from the mixing of a depleted MORB and the partial melt of a graphite-saturated eclogite. Comparison with natural MORB and OIB data suggests that the CO2 contents and CO2/Nb ratios of CO2-enriched oceanic basalts cannot be produced by mixing with partial melts of graphite-saturated eclogite. Instead, they must be produced by melting of a source containing carbonate. This result places a lower bound on the oxygen fugacity for the source region of these CO2-enriched basalts, and suggests that fO2 measurements made on cratonic xenoliths may not be applicable to the convecting upper mantle. CO2-depleted basalts, on the other hand, are consistent with mixing between depleted MORB and partial melts of a graphite-saturated eclogite. Furthermore, calculations suggest that eclogite can remain saturated in graphite in the convecting upper mantle, acting as a reservoir for C.

Conversion from dose-to-graphite to dose-to-water in an 80 MeV/A carbon ion beam.

PubMed

Rossomme, S; Palmans, H; Shipley, D; Thomas, R; Lee, N; Romano, F; Cirrone, P; Cuttone, G; Bertrand, D; Vynckier, S

2013-08-21

Based on experiments and numerical simulations, a study is carried out pertaining to the conversion of dose-to-graphite to dose-to-water in a carbon ion beam. This conversion is needed to establish graphite calorimeters as primary standards of absorbed dose in these beams. It is governed by the water-to-graphite mass collision stopping power ratio and fluence correction factors, which depend on the particle fluence distributions in each of the two media. The paper focuses on the experimental and numerical determination of this fluence correction factor for an 80 MeV/A carbon ion beam. Measurements have been performed in the nuclear physics laboratory INFN-LNS in Catania (Sicily, Italy). The numerical simulations have been made with a Geant4 Monte Carlo code through the GATE simulation platform. The experimental data are in good agreement with the simulated results for the fluence correction factors and are found to be close to unity. The experimental values increase with depth reaching 1.010 before the Bragg peak region. They have been determined with an uncertainty of 0.25%. Different numerical results are obtained depending on the level of approximation made in calculating the fluence correction factors. When considering carbon ions only, the difference between measured and calculated values is maximal just before the Bragg peak, but its value is less than 1.005. The numerical value is close to unity at the surface and increases to 1.005 near the Bragg peak. When the fluence of all charged particles is considered, the fluence correction factors are lower than unity at the surface and increase with depth up to 1.025 before the Bragg peak. Besides carbon ions, secondary particles created due to nuclear interactions have to be included in the analysis: boron ions ((10)B and (11)B), beryllium ions ((7)Be), alpha particles and protons. At the conclusion of this work, we have the conversion of dose-to-graphite to dose-to-water to apply to the response of a graphite calorimeter in an 80 MeV/A carbon ion beam. This conversion consists of the product of two contributions: the water-to-graphite electronic mass collision stopping power ratio, which is equal to 1.115, and the fluence correction factor which varies linearly with depth, as k(fl, all) = 0.9995 + 0.0048(zw-eq). The latter has been determined on the basis of experiments and numerical simulations.

An Investigation of Graphite Peek Composite under Compression with a Centrally Located Circular Discontinuity

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-03-01

as a contact area for the hydraulic mounting grips used by the 4-3 Instron Machine . The tabs also prevented damage to the composite from the grips of... machine , but has been modified so that it can be end loaded. This procedure was done in accordance with the Suppliers of Advanced Composite Materials...AD=A262 549 ".i III l!l ! i lht I l II !f ill 11111 liii-I D .TI ,•"AN INVESTIGATION OF GRAPHITE PEEK Eir’ COMPOSITE UNDER COMPRESSION AP05 1993

Resin/graphite fiber composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cavano, P. J.; Jones, R. J.; Vaughan, R. W.

1972-01-01

High temperature resin matrices suitable for use in advanced graphite fiber composites for jet engine applications were evaluated. A series of planned, sequential screening experiments with resin systems in composite form were performed to reduce the number of candidates to a single A-type polyimide resin that repetitively produced void-free, high strength and modulus composites acceptable for use in the 550 F range for 1000 hours. An optimized processing procedure was established for this system. Extensive mechanical property studies characterized this single system, at room temperature, 500 F, 550 F and 600 F, for various exposure times.

The Formation of Graphite Whiskers in the Primitive Solar Nebula

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nuth, Joseph A., III; Kimura, Yuki; Lucas, Christopher; Ferguson, Frank; Johnson, Natasha M.

2010-01-01

It has been suggested that carbonaceous grains are efficiently destroyed in the interstellar medium and must either reform in situ at very low pressures and temperatures or in an alternative environment more conducive to grain growth. Graphite whiskers have been discovered associated with high-temperature phases in meteorites such as calcium aluminum inclusions and chondrules, and it has been suggested that the expulsion of such material from proto stellar nebulae could significantly affect the optical properties of the average interstellar grain population. We have experimentally studied the potential for Fischer-Tropsch and Haber-Bosch type reactions to produce organic materials in protostellar systems from the abundant H2, CO, and N2 reacting on the surfaces of available silicate grains. When graphite grains are repeatedly exposed to H2, CO, and N2 at 875 K abundant graphite whiskers are observed to form on or from the surfaces of the graphite grains. In a dense, turbulent nebula, such extended whiskers are very likely to be broken off, and fragments could be ejected either in polar jets or by photon pressure after transport to the outer reaches of the nebula.

A Novel Method for Fabricating Wearable, Piezoresistive, and Pressure Sensors Based on Modified-Graphite/Polyurethane Composite Films

PubMed Central

He, Yin; Li, Wei; Yang, Guilin; Liu, Hao; Lu, Junyu; Zheng, Tongtong; Li, Xiaojiu

2017-01-01

A wearable, low-cost, highly repeatable piezoresistive sensor was fabricated by the synthesis of modified-graphite and polyurethane (PU) composites and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Graphite sheets functionalized by using a silane coupling agent (KH550) were distributed in PU/N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution, which were then molded to modified-graphite/PU (MG/PU) composite films. Experimental results show that with increasing modified-graphite content, the tensile strength of the MG/PU films first increased and then decreased, and the elongation at break of the composite films showed a decreasing trend. The electrical conductivity of the composite films can be influenced by filler modification and concentration, and the percolation threshold of MG/PU was 28.03 wt %. Under liner uniaxial compression, the 30 wt % MG/PU composite films exhibited 0.274 kPa−1 piezoresistive sensitivity within the range of low pressure, and possessed better stability and hysteresis. The flexible MG/PU composite piezoresistive sensors have great potential for body motion, wearable devices for human healthcare, and garment pressure testing. PMID:28773047

Monitoring Fiber Stress During Curing of Single Fiber Glass- and Graphite-Epoxy Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Madhukar, Madhu S.; Kosuri, Ranga P.; Bowles, Kenneth J.

1994-01-01

The difference in thermal expansion characteristics of epoxy matrices and graphite fibers can produce significant residual stresses in the fibers during curing of composite materials. Tests on single fiber glass-epoxy and graphite-epoxy composite specimens were conducted in which the glass and graphite fibers were preloaded in tension, and the epoxy matrix was cast around the fibers. The fiber tension was monitored while the matrix was placed around the fiber and subjected to the temperature-time curing cycle. Two mechanisms responsible for producing stress in embedded fibers were identified as matrix thermal expansion and contraction and matrix cure shrinkage. A simple analysis based on the change in fiber tension during the curing cycle was conducted to estimate the produced stresses. Experimental results on single fiber glass- and graphite-epoxy composites show that the fiber was subjected to significant tensile stresses when the temperature was raised from the first to the second dwell period. When initial fiber pretension is about 60 percent of the fiber failure load, these curing-induced stresses can cause tensile fracture of the embedded fiber.

Femtosecond laser induced nanostructuring of graphite for the fabrication of quasi-periodic nanogratings and novel carbon nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saikiran, V.; Dar, Mudasir H.; Rao, D. Narayana

2018-01-01

Here we have experimentally studied ultrafast femtosecond laser ablation of graphite in air and water environments for the fabrication of promising nanostructures on the graphite surface and also nanographite flakes, graphene quantum dots in water. After the fs laser irradiation in air quasi-periodic nanogratings were found on the graphite surface and when the irradiation is done in water we observed graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and graphitic flakes dispersed in the solution. The sheets consist of few layers of spongy kind of porous graphene, which form an irregular 3D porous structure. The field emission scanning electron microscopy reveals the formation of fluence dependent quasi-periodic deep-subwavelength nanogratings (Ʌ = 130-230 nm) on the surface. Several characterization methods have confirmed the formation of layered graphene and quantum dots. The studies on the solution confirmed the presence of GQDs with dimensions ranging about 2-4 nm. It is found that the formation of subwavelength structures and GQDs depends on the fs-laser energy and vary with different laser parameters such as fluence, energy, laser polarization.

Recovery of Retained Tritium from Graphite Tile of JT-60U

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Takeishi, Toshiharu; Katayama, Kazunari; Nishikawa, Masabumi

Tritium thermal release and full combustion with oxygen were performed on isotropic graphite tiles used for plasma facing material of JT-60U. Approximately 50-80 % of tritium was released by dry argon gas purge and 20-50 % of tritium was released by humid argon gas purge up to 800-1200 deg. C within one day, respectively. Further several percent of tritium was released by full combustion with oxygen. It was experimentally confirmed that all retained tritium is not released by thermal dry gas purge and by use of isotope exchange reaction at high temperature in such a short period. In the fullmore » combustion operation, isotropic graphite begins to combust at higher temperature than 650 deg. C, but effective combustion temperature was higher than 700 deg. C. Since it is very difficult to heat the graphite tile attached on the wall of vacuum vessel at higher than 700 deg. C, it is considered to be not easy to recover all the tritium retained in the graphite while in the vacuum vessel.« less

CHEMICAL METHODS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF BORON IN REACTOR MATERIALS. PART I. ION-EXCHANGE SEPARATION OF BORON FROM COKES, PITCHES AND GRAPHITES AND ITS COLORIMETRIC DETERMINATION BY THE CURCUMIN-TRI-CHLORACETIC ACID METHOD

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Desai, H.B.; Desai, S.R.; Nadkarni, M.N.

1961-01-01

A procedure has been standardized for the determination of boron in cokes, pitches, and graphites. The method consists of fixing the boron present in the sample as calcium borate, ion-exchange separation of boric acid from the associated cations, and the colorimetric determination of boron using the curcumin-trichloracetic acid method. Sulfur which is usually present in pitches and cokes is expected to be oxidized to sulfate during the fixation of boron and hence its effect on the colorimetry has been studied. Application of the procedure to the determination of 0.50 and 1.00 microgram amounts of boron, has given coefficients of variationmore » of l0.0 and 6.7% respectively. (auth)« less

Field-Emission Staggered Structure Based on Diamond-Graphite Clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davidovich, M. V.; Yafarov, R. K.

2018-02-01

We have proposed and designed a vacuum field-emission triode structure with high-resistivity semiconducting or insulating micrometer-size right parallelepipeds deposited in the staggered order on the conducting substrate (cathode), as well as a structure with a nanofilm on the cathode, which is formed by evaporated diamond-graphite clusters. It has been shown theoretically and experimentally that the emissivity of these structures is much higher than that of an uncoated cathode.

Research on Lessening of Bonding Effects Between the Metallic and Non-Metallic Surfaces Through the Graphite Films Deposited with Pulsed Electrical Discharges Process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marin, L.; Topala, P.

2017-06-01

The paper presents the results of experimental research on the physics of natural graphite film formation, the establishment of chemical composition and functional properties of the graphite films, formed on metal surfaces, as a result of the action of plasma in the air environment, at a normal pressure, under the electrical discharge in impulse conditions (EDI). The researchings were performed in the frame of doctoral thesis “Research on lessening of the bonding effects between the metallic and nonmetallic surfaces through the graphite films” and aimed to identify the phenomena that occur at the interface metal/ film of graphite, and to identify also the technological applications that it may have the surface treatment for submitting the films of graphite on metallic surfaces achieved through an innovative process of electrical pulsed discharges. After the research works from the PhD theme above mentioned, a number of interesting properties of graphite pellicle have been identified ie reducing of metal surface polarity. This led to drastic decreases for the values of adhesion when bonding of metal surfaces was performed using a structural polyurethane adhesive designed by ICECHIM. Following the thermo-gravimetric analysis, performed of the graphite film obtained by process of electrical pulsed discharges, have been also discovered other interesting properties for this, ie reversible mass additions at specific values of the working temperature Chemical and scanning electron microscopy analysis have revealed that on the metallic surface subjected to electrical pulsed discharges process, outside the graphite film, it is also obtained a series of spatial formation composed of carbon atoms fullerenes type which are responsible for the phenomenon of addition of mass.

Elastic properties and fracture strength of quasi-isotropic graphite/epoxy composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sullivan, T. L.

1977-01-01

A research program is described which was devised to determine experimentally the elastic properties in tension and bending of quasi-isotropic laminates made from high-modulus graphite fiber and epoxy. Four laminate configurations were investigated, and determinations were made of the tensile modulus, Poisson's ratio, bending stiffness, fracture strength, and fracture strain. The measured properties are compared with those predicted by laminate theory, reasons for scatter in the experimental data are discussed, and the effect of fiber misalignment on predicted elastic tensile properties is examined. The results strongly suggest that fiber misalignment in combination with variation in fiber volume content is responsible for the scatter in both elastic constants and fracture strength.

Simulation of router action on a lathe to test the cutting tool performance in edge-trimming of graphite/epoxy composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramulu, M.; Rogers, E.

1994-04-01

The predominant machining application with graphite/epoxy composite materials in aerospace industry is peripheral trimming. The computer numerically controlled (CNC) high speed routers required to do edge trimming work are generally scheduled for production work in industry and are not available for extensive cutter testing. Therefore, an experimental method of simulating the conditions of periphery trim using a lathe is developed in this paper. The validity of the test technique will be demonstrated by conducting carbide tool wear tests under dry cutting conditions. The experimental results will be analyzed to characterize the wear behavior of carbide cutting tools in machining the composite materials.

Beyond the classical kinetic model for chronic graphite oxidation by moisture in high temperature gas-cooled reactors

DOE PAGES

Contescu, Cristian I.; Mee, Robert W.; Lee, Yoonjo; ...

2017-11-03

Four grades of nuclear graphite with various microstructures were subjected to accelerated oxidation tests in helium with traces of moisture and hydrogen in order to evaluate the effects of chronic oxidation on graphite components in high temperature gas cooled reactors. Kinetic analysis showed that the Langmuir-Hinshelwood (LH) model cannot consistently reproduce all results. In particular, at high temperatures and water partial pressures oxidation was always faster than the LH model predicts, with stronger deviations for superfine grain graphite than for medium grain grades. It was also found empirically that the apparent reaction order for water has a sigmoid-type variation withmore » temperature which follows the integral Boltzmann distribution function. This suggests that the apparent activation with temperature of graphite reactive sites that causes deviations from the LH model is rooted in specific structural and electronic properties of surface sites on graphite. A semi-global kinetic model was proposed, whereby the classical LH model was modified with a temperature-dependent reaction order for water. The new Boltzmann-enhanced model (BLH) was shown to consistently predict experimental oxidation rates over large ranges of temperature (800-1100 oC) and partial pressures of water (3-1200 Pa) and hydrogen (0-300 Pa), not only for the four grades of graphite but also for the historic grade H-451. The BLH model offers as more reliable input for modeling the chemical environment effects during the life-time operation of new grades of graphite in advanced nuclear reactors operating at high and very high temperatures.« less

Beyond the classical kinetic model for chronic graphite oxidation by moisture in high temperature gas-cooled reactors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Contescu, Cristian I.; Mee, Robert W.; Lee, Yoonjo

Four grades of nuclear graphite with various microstructures were subjected to accelerated oxidation tests in helium with traces of moisture and hydrogen in order to evaluate the effects of chronic oxidation on graphite components in high temperature gas cooled reactors. Kinetic analysis showed that the Langmuir-Hinshelwood (LH) model cannot consistently reproduce all results. In particular, at high temperatures and water partial pressures oxidation was always faster than the LH model predicts, with stronger deviations for superfine grain graphite than for medium grain grades. It was also found empirically that the apparent reaction order for water has a sigmoid-type variation withmore » temperature which follows the integral Boltzmann distribution function. This suggests that the apparent activation with temperature of graphite reactive sites that causes deviations from the LH model is rooted in specific structural and electronic properties of surface sites on graphite. A semi-global kinetic model was proposed, whereby the classical LH model was modified with a temperature-dependent reaction order for water. The new Boltzmann-enhanced model (BLH) was shown to consistently predict experimental oxidation rates over large ranges of temperature (800-1100 oC) and partial pressures of water (3-1200 Pa) and hydrogen (0-300 Pa), not only for the four grades of graphite but also for the historic grade H-451. The BLH model offers as more reliable input for modeling the chemical environment effects during the life-time operation of new grades of graphite in advanced nuclear reactors operating at high and very high temperatures.« less

Production of graphene quantum dots by ultrasound-assisted exfoliation in supercritical CO2/H2O medium.

PubMed

Gao, Hanyang; Xue, Chen; Hu, Guoxin; Zhu, Kunxu

2017-07-01

In this research, three kinds of graphene quantum dots (GQDs)-pristine graphene quantum dots (PGQDs), expanded graphene quantum dots (EGQDs) and graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs)-were produced from natural graphite, expanded graphite, and oxide graphite respectively in an ultrasound-assisted supercritical CO 2 (scCO 2 )/H 2 O system. The effects of aqueous solution content ratio, system pressure, and ultrasonic power on the yields of different kinds of GQDs were investigated. According to these experiment results, the combination of the intense knocking force generated from high-pressure acoustic cavitation in a scCO 2 /H 2 O system and the superior penetration ability of scCO 2 was considered to be the key to the successful exfoliation of such tiny pieces from bulk graphite. An interesting result was found that, contrary to common experience, the yield of PGQDs from natural graphite was much higher than that of GOQDs from graphite oxide. Based on the experimental analysis, the larger interlayer resistance of natural graphite, which hindered the insertion of scCO 2 molecules, and the hydrophobic property of natural graphite surface, which made the planar more susceptible to the attack of ultrasonic collapsing bubbles, were deduced to be the two main reasons for this result. The differences in characteristics among the three kinds of GQDs were also studied and compared in this research. In our opinion, this low-cost and time-saving method may provide an alternative green route for the production of various kinds of GQDs, especially PGQDs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The staging mechanism of AlCl4 intercalation in a graphite electrode for an aluminium-ion battery.

PubMed

Bhauriyal, Preeti; Mahata, Arup; Pathak, Biswarup

2017-03-15

Identifying a suitable electrode material with desirable electrochemical properties remains a primary challenge for rechargeable Al-ion batteries. Recently an ultrafast rechargeable Al-ion battery was reported with high charge/discharge rate, (relatively) high discharge voltage and high capacity that uses a graphite-based cathode. Using calculations from first-principles, we have investigated the staging mechanism of AlCl 4 intercalation into bulk graphite and evaluated the stability, specific capacity and voltage profile of AlCl 4 intercalated compounds. Ab initio molecular dynamics is performed to investigate the thermal stability of AlCl 4 intercalated graphite structures. Our voltage profiles show that the first AlCl 4 intercalation step could be a more sluggish step than the successive intercalation steps. However, the diffusion of AlCl 4 is very fast in the expanded graphite host layers with a diffusion barrier of ∼0.01 eV, which justifies the ultrafast charging rate of a graphite based Al-ion battery. And such an AlCl 4 intercalated battery provides an average voltage of 2.01-2.3 V with a maximum specific capacity of 69.62 mA h g -1 , which is excellent for anion intercalated batteries. Our density of states and Bader charge analysis shows that the AlCl 4 intercalation into the bulk graphite is a charging process. Hence, we believe that our present study will be helpful in understanding the staging mechanism of AlCl 4 intercalation into graphite-like layered electrodes for Al-ion batteries, thus encouraging further experimental work.

Microwave limb sounder, graphite epoxy support structure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pynchon, G.

1980-01-01

The manufacturing and processing procedures which were used to fabricate a precision graphite/epoxy support structure for a spherical microwave reflecting surface are described. The structure was made fromm GY-70/930 ultra high modulus graphite prepreg, laminated to achieve an isotropic in plane thermal expansion of less than + or - 0.1 PPM/F. The structure was hand assembled to match the interface of the reflective surface, which was an array of 18 flexure supported, aluminum, spherically contoured tiles. Structural adhesives were used in the final assembly to bond the elements into their final configuration. A eutectic metal coating was applied to the composite surface to reduce dimensional instabilities arising from changes in the composite epoxy moisture content due to environmental effects. Basic materials properties data are reported and the results of a finite element structural analysis are referenced.

Raman spectra of carbonaceous materials in a fault zone in the Longmenshan thrust belt, China; comparisons with those of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kouketsu, Yui; Shimizu, Ichiko; Wang, Yu; Yao, Lu; Ma, Shengli; Shimamoto, Toshihiko

2017-03-01

We analyzed micro-Raman spectra of carbonaceous materials (CM) in natural and experimentally deformed fault rocks from Longmenshan fault zone that caused the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, to characterize degree of disordering of CM in a fault zone. Raman spectral parameters for 12 samples from a fault zone in Shenxigou, Sichuan, China, all show low-grade structures with no graphite. Low crystallinity and δ13C values (-24‰ to -25‰) suggest that CM in fault zone originated from host rocks (Late Triassic Xujiahe Formation). Full width at half maximum values of main spectral bands (D1 and D2), and relative intensities of two subbands (D3 and D4) of CM were variable with sample locations. However, Raman parameters of measured fault rocks fall on established trends of graphitization in sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. An empirical geothermometer gives temperatures of 160-230 °C for fault rocks in Shenxigou, and these temperatures were lower for highly sheared gouge than those for less deformed fault breccia at inner parts of the fault zone. The lower temperature and less crystallinity of CM in gouge might have been caused by the mechanical destruction of CM by severe shearing deformation, or may be due to mixing of host rocks on the footwall. CM in gouge deformed in high-velocity experiments exhibits slight changes towards graphitization characterized by reduction of D3 and D4 intensities. Thus low crystallinity of CM in natural gouge cannot be explained by our experimental results. Graphite formation during seismic fault motion is extremely local or did not occur in the study area, and the CM crystallinity from shallow to deep fault zones may be predicted as a first approximation from the graphitization trend in sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. If that case, graphite may lower the friction of shear zones at temperatures above 300 °C, deeper than the lower part of seismogenic zone.

NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION, CALIBRATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PERKIN-ELMER ZEEMAN/5000 SYSTEM ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETER (BCO-L-6.0)

EPA Science Inventory

The purpose of this SOP is to outline the start-up, calibration, operation, and maintenance procedures for the Perkin-Elmer 5000 atomic absorption spectrophotometer (PE 5000 AA), and the Perkin Elmer 5000 Zeeman graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer (PE 5000Z GFAA)...

Thermal Output of WK-Type Strain Gauges on Various Materials at Cryogenic and Elevated Temperatures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kowalkowski, Matthew K.; Rivers, H. Kevin; Smith, Russell W.

1998-01-01

Strain gage apparent strain (thermal output) is one of the largest sources of error associated with the measurement of strain when temperatures and mechanical loads are varied. In this paper, experimentally determined apparent strains of WK-type strain gages, installed on both metallic and composite-laminate materials of various lay-ups and resin systems for temperatures ranging from -450 F to 230 F are presented. For the composite materials apparent strain in both the 0 ply orientation angle and the 90 ply orientation angle were measured. Metal specimens tested included: aluminum-lithium alloy (Al-LI 2195-T87), aluminum alloy (Al 2219-T87), and titanium alloy. Composite materials tested include: graphite-toughened-epoxy (IM7/997- 2), graphite-bismaleimide (IM7/5260), and graphite-K3 (IM7/K3B). The experimentally determined apparent strain data are curve fit with a fourth-order polynomial for each of the materials studied. The apparent strain data and the polynomials that are fit to the data are compared with those produced by the strain gage manufacturer, and the results and comparisons are presented. Unacceptably high errors between the manufacture's data and the experimentally determined data were observed (especially at temperatures below - 270-F).

Graphite pellicles, methods of formation and properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Topala, P.; Marin, L.; Besliu, V.; Stoicev, P.; Ojegov, A.; Cosovschii, P.

2015-11-01

The paper presents the results of experimental investigations aimed at the establishing the composition and the functional properties of the graphite pellicles formed on the metal surfaces by the action of plasma in the air media at normal pressure applying electrical discharges in impulse (EDI). It shows that they have the same behavior characteristics as fullerene, avoiding the stick effect between metal surfaces and between metal and liquid glass at temperatures of the order of 400-1200 °C.

Study Methods to Standardize Thermography NDE

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walker, James L.; Workman, Gary L.

1998-01-01

The purpose of this work is to develop thermographic inspection methods and standards for use in evaluating structural composites and aerospace hardware. Qualification techniques and calibration methods are investigated to standardize the thermographic method for use in the field. Along with the inspections of test standards structural hardware, support hardware is designed and fabricated to aid in the thermographic process. Also, a standard operating procedure is developed for performing inspections with the Bales Thermal Image Processor (TIP). Inspections are performed on a broad range of structural composites. These materials include various graphite/epoxies, graphite/cyanide-ester, graphite/silicon-carbide, graphite phenolic and Keviar/epoxy. Also metal honeycomb (titanium and aluminum faceplates over an aluminum honeycomb core) structures are investigated. Various structural shapes are investigated and the thickness of the structures vary from as few as 3 plies to as many as 80 plies. Special emphasis is placed on characterizing defects in attachment holes and bondlines, in addition to those resulting from impact damage and the inclusion of foreign matter. Image processing through statistical analysis and digital filtering is investigated to enhance the quality and quantify the NDE thermal images when necessary.

Study Methods to Standardize Thermography NDE

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walker, James L.; Workman, Gary L.

1998-01-01

The purpose of this work is to develop thermographic inspection methods and standards for use in evaluating structural composites and aerospace hardware. Qualification techniques and calibration methods are investigated to standardize the thermographic method for use in the field. Along with the inspections of test standards structural hardware, support hardware is designed and fabricated to aid in the thermographic process. Also, a standard operating procedure is developed for performing inspections with the Bales Thermal Image Processor (TIP). Inspections are performed on a broad range of structural composites. These materials include graphite/epoxies, graphite/cyanide-ester, graphite/silicon-carbide, graphite phenolic and Kevlar/epoxy. Also metal honeycomb (titanium and aluminum faceplates over an aluminum honeycomb core) structures are investigated. Various structural shapes are investigated and the thickness of the structures vary from as few as 3 plies to as many as 80 plies. Special emphasis is placed on characterizing defects in attachment holes and bondlines, in addition to those resulting from impact damage and the inclusion of foreign matter. Image processing through statistical analysis and digital filtering is investigated to enhance the quality and quantify the NDE thermal images when necessary.

Nonlinear effects on composite laminate thermal expansion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hashin, Z.; Rosen, B. W.; Pipes, R. B.

1979-01-01

Analyses of Graphite/Polyimide laminates shown that the thermomechanical strains cannot be separated into mechanical strain and free thermal expansion strain. Elastic properties and thermal expansion coefficients of unidirectional Graphite/Polyimide specimens were measured as a function of temperature to provide inputs for the analysis. The + or - 45 degrees symmetric Graphite/Polyimide laminates were tested to obtain free thermal expansion coefficients and thermal expansion coefficients under various uniaxial loads. The experimental results demonstrated the effects predicted by the analysis, namely dependence of thermal expansion coefficients on load, and anisotropy of thermal expansion under load. The significance of time dependence on thermal expansion was demonstrated by comparison of measured laminate free expansion coefficients with and without 15 day delay at intermediate temperature.

Intercalated graphite fiber composites as EMI shields in aerospace structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaier, James R.

1990-01-01

The requirements for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding in aerospace structures are complicated over that of ground structures by their weight limitations. As a result, the best EMI shielding materials must blend low density, high strength, and high elastic modulus with high shielding ability. In addition, fabrication considerations including penetrations and joints play a major role. The EMI shielding properties are calculated for shields formed from pristine and intercalated graphite fiber/epoxy composites and compared to preliminary experimental results and to shields made from aluminum. Calculations indicate that EMI shields could be fabricated from intercalated graphite composites which would have less than 12 percent of the mass of conventional aluminum shields, based on mechanical properties and shielding properties alone.

Spear-anvil point-contact spectroscopy in pulsed magnetic fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arnold, F.; Yager, B.; Kampert, E.; Putzke, C.; Nyéki, J.; Saunders, J.

2013-11-01

We describe a new design and experimental technique for point-contact spectroscopy in non-destructive pulsed magnetic fields up to 70 {T}. Point-contact spectroscopy uses a quasi-dc four-point measurement of the current and voltage across a spear-anvil point-contact. The contact resistance could be adjusted over three orders of magnitude by a built-in fine pitch threaded screw. The first measurements using this set-up were performed on both single-crystalline and exfoliated graphite samples in a 150 {ms}, pulse length 70 {T} coil at 4.2 {K} and reproduced the well known point-contact spectrum of graphite and showed evidence for a developing high field excitation above 35 T, the onset field of the charge-density wave instability in graphite.

Intense Electrochemical Oxidation on Graphitized Carbon Electrodes in the Presence of Ozone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klochikhin, V. L.; Potapova, G. F.; Putilov, A. V.

2018-06-01

A new intense oxidation process for water treatment in which oxidation with ozone is coupled to electrochemical processes is described, and the results from its application to water purification are presented along with the discussion of its practical implementation. The use of graphitized carbon materials for this process is explained and tested experimentally. The use of glassy carbon for the anode enables us to achieve very high (up to 25 vol %) concentrations of ozone in the generated ozone-oxygen mixture. The material used for the cathode—graphitized carbon cloth (GCC) reinforced with Ni allows different electrocatalytic processes to proceed on its developed surface, and combines the high sorption capacity of this cathode and potentialcontrolled selectivity of cathodic electrochemical processes.

Experimental high temperature carbon isotope fractionation involving graphite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kueter, N.; Schmidt, M. W.; Lilley, M. D.; Bernasconi, S. M.

2016-12-01

Graphite/carbonate carbon isotope fractionation was mainly investigated at 400- 800°C and is based on empirical calibrations, theoretical calculations and few experiments [1,2]. Own work on COH-fluid/graphite isotope fractionation shows that in experiments up to 1000oC a fluid phase is always enriched in 13C compared to coexisting graphitic carbon. The eventual kinetic isotope effect in these experiments is best displayed by the graphitic carbon being at least 3 ‰ lighter than methane. Only few experiments done in the graphite/carbonate pair dealt with higher temperatures reaching 1400°C, indicating a fractionation of up to 2 ‰ at temperatures of the Earth's mantle [2-4]. To better understand carbon isotope fractionation in crustal systems and still overcome kinetic effects, we study the graphite/carbonatite pair with piston cylinder experiments in the Na2CO3-CaCO3-CaO-COH system. Tartaric acid (C4H6O6) supplies reduced carbon, time series are performed at 10 kbar, 1300-1800°C. Initial experiments at 1300°C produce well-ordered, micron-sized graphite flakes growing attached to the capsule walls while the Na-Ca-carbonatite-melt quenches to dendritic textures. No gaseous phase was observed. Conditions well above the liquidus of the Na2CO3-CaCO3-binary lead to dissolution of the H2O from tartaric acid decomposition in the melt, any CO2-component is bound by the excess CaO to CaCO3melt while in the relatively oxidizing capsule environment any CH4-component reacts with CO2 to carbon and H2O. The graphite and the carbonatite quench are measured for their δ13C composition using a GasBench II (carbonate-dissolution in phosphoric acid) and TC/EA (residual graphite combusted in oxygen atmosphere) system coupled to a Thermo Fischer IRMS. Our results expand from the graphite-carbonate system to graphite-fluid system when adding available fluid-carbonate fractionation factors, but are also directly applicable to diamond synthesis as graphite is often found as a precursor phase in diamond-growth experiments in carbonatite systems and natural diamonds. [1] Chacko et al. (2001) Rev Min Geochem; Deines & Eggler (2009) GCA; [3] Scheele & Hoefs (1992) CMP; [4] Chacko et al. (1991) GCA

Damage detection in composite materials using Lamb wave methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kessler, Seth S.; Spearing, S. Mark; Soutis, Constantinos

2002-04-01

Cost-effective and reliable damage detection is critical for the utilization of composite materials. This paper presents part of an experimental and analytical survey of candidate methods for in situ damage detection of composite materials. Experimental results are presented for the application of Lamb wave techniques to quasi-isotropic graphite/epoxy test specimens containing representative damage modes, including delamination, transverse ply cracks and through-holes. Linear wave scans were performed on narrow laminated specimens and sandwich beams with various cores by monitoring the transmitted waves with piezoceramic sensors. Optimal actuator and sensor configurations were devised through experimentation, and various types of driving signal were explored. These experiments provided a procedure capable of easily and accurately determining the time of flight of a Lamb wave pulse between an actuator and sensor. Lamb wave techniques provide more information about damage presence and severity than previously tested methods (frequency response techniques), and provide the possibility of determining damage location due to their local response nature. These methods may prove suitable for structural health monitoring applications since they travel long distances and can be applied with conformable piezoelectric actuators and sensors that require little power.

Experimental and Monte Carlo studies of fluence corrections for graphite calorimetry in low- and high-energy clinical proton beams.

PubMed

Lourenço, Ana; Thomas, Russell; Bouchard, Hugo; Kacperek, Andrzej; Vondracek, Vladimir; Royle, Gary; Palmans, Hugo

2016-07-01

The aim of this study was to determine fluence corrections necessary to convert absorbed dose to graphite, measured by graphite calorimetry, to absorbed dose to water. Fluence corrections were obtained from experiments and Monte Carlo simulations in low- and high-energy proton beams. Fluence corrections were calculated to account for the difference in fluence between water and graphite at equivalent depths. Measurements were performed with narrow proton beams. Plane-parallel-plate ionization chambers with a large collecting area compared to the beam diameter were used to intercept the whole beam. High- and low-energy proton beams were provided by a scanning and double scattering delivery system, respectively. A mathematical formalism was established to relate fluence corrections derived from Monte Carlo simulations, using the fluka code [A. Ferrari et al., "fluka: A multi-particle transport code," in CERN 2005-10, INFN/TC 05/11, SLAC-R-773 (2005) and T. T. Böhlen et al., "The fluka Code: Developments and challenges for high energy and medical applications," Nucl. Data Sheets 120, 211-214 (2014)], to partial fluence corrections measured experimentally. A good agreement was found between the partial fluence corrections derived by Monte Carlo simulations and those determined experimentally. For a high-energy beam of 180 MeV, the fluence corrections from Monte Carlo simulations were found to increase from 0.99 to 1.04 with depth. In the case of a low-energy beam of 60 MeV, the magnitude of fluence corrections was approximately 0.99 at all depths when calculated in the sensitive area of the chamber used in the experiments. Fluence correction calculations were also performed for a larger area and found to increase from 0.99 at the surface to 1.01 at greater depths. Fluence corrections obtained experimentally are partial fluence corrections because they account for differences in the primary and part of the secondary particle fluence. A correction factor, F(d), has been established to relate fluence corrections defined theoretically to partial fluence corrections derived experimentally. The findings presented here are also relevant to water and tissue-equivalent-plastic materials given their carbon content.

Chemometric study of Maya Blue from the voltammetry of microparticles approach.

PubMed

Doménech, Antonio; Doménech-Carbó, María Teresa; de Agredos Pascual, María Luisa Vazquez

2007-04-01

The use of the voltammetry of microparticles at paraffin-impregnated graphite electrodes allows for the characterization of different types of Maya Blue (MB) used in wall paintings from different archaeological sites of Campeche and YucatAn (Mexico). Using voltammetric signals for electron-transfer processes involving palygorskite-associated indigo and quinone functionalities generated by scratching the graphite surface, voltammograms provide information on the composition and texture of MB samples. Application of hierarchical cluster analysis and other chemometric methods allows us to characterize samples from different archaeological sites and to distinguish between samples proceeding from different chronological periods. Comparison between microscopic, spectroscopic, and electrochemical examination of genuine MB samples and synthetic specimens indicated that the preparation procedure of the pigment evolved in time via successive steps anticipating modern synthetic procedures, namely, hybrid organic-inorganic synthesis, temperature control of chemical reactivity, and template-like synthesis.

Hierarchical Model for the Analysis of Scattering Data of Complex Materials

DOE PAGES

Oyedele, Akinola; Mcnutt, Nicholas W.; Rios, Orlando; ...

2016-05-16

Interpreting the results of scattering data for complex materials with a hierarchical structure in which at least one phase is amorphous presents a significant challenge. Often the interpretation relies on the use of large-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, in which a structure is hypothesized and from which a radial distribution function (RDF) can be extracted and directly compared against an experimental RDF. This computationally intensive approach presents a bottleneck in the efficient characterization of the atomic structure of new materials. Here, we propose and demonstrate an approach for a hierarchical decomposition of the RDF in which MD simulations are replacedmore » by a combination of tractable models and theory at the atomic scale and the mesoscale, which when combined yield the RDF. We apply the procedure to a carbon composite, in which graphitic nanocrystallites are distributed in an amorphous domain. We compare the model with the RDF from both MD simulation and neutron scattering data. Ultimately, this procedure is applicable for understanding the fundamental processing-structure-property relationships in complex magnetic materials.« less

Modeling and Characterization of a Graphite Nanoplatelet/Epoxy Composite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Odegard, Gregory M.; Chasiotis, I.; Chen, Q.; Gates, T. S.

2004-01-01

A micromechanical modeling procedure is developed to predict the viscoelastic properties of a graphite nanoplatelet/epoxy composite as a function of volume fraction and nanoplatelet diameter. The predicted storage and loss moduli from the model are compared to measured values from the same material using Dynamical Mechanical Analysis, nanoindentation, and tensile tests. In most cases, the model and experiments indicate that for increasing volume fractions of nanoplatelets, both the storage and loss moduli increase. Also, in most cases, the model and experiments indicate that as the nanoplatelet diameter is increased, the storage and loss moduli decrease and increase, respectively.

Interfacial Chemical Interactions in the (Alumina/Graphite/Al Alloys) System: Thermodynamic Modeling and Experimental Results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gelbstein, M.; Edry, I.; Froumin, N.; Frage, N.

2009-04-01

The stability of alumina-coated graphite couples in liquid Al is investigated in the 1373 to 1573 K temperature range. A thermodynamic model was carried out to determine the mechanisms controlling the couple stability and the effect of alloying Al with high melting point element for instance U (up to 3 at. pct). It was established that the dissolved uranium dose not play any role in the interfacial interactions and that the couple stability is governed by the interactions with Al resulting in the release of gaseous products. The experiments focused on wetting kinetics under conditions allowing for an in-situ reduction of the alumina coating by the liquid Al. The experimental results confirm the predictions of the thermodynamic analysis.

Image contrast mechanisms in dynamic friction force microscopy: Antimony particles on graphite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mertens, Felix; Göddenhenrich, Thomas; Dietzel, Dirk; Schirmeisen, Andre

2017-01-01

Dynamic Friction Force Microscopy (DFFM) is a technique based on Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) where resonance oscillations of the cantilever are excited by lateral actuation of the sample. During this process, the AFM tip in contact with the sample undergoes a complex movement which consists of alternating periods of sticking and sliding. Therefore, DFFM can give access to dynamic transition effects in friction that are not accessible by alternative techniques. Using antimony nanoparticles on graphite as a model system, we analyzed how combined influences of friction and topography can effect different experimental configurations of DFFM. Based on the experimental results, for example, contrast inversion between fractional resonance and band excitation imaging strategies to extract reliable tribological information from DFFM images are devised.

U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION, CALIBRATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PERKIN-ELMER ZEEMAN/5000 SYSTEM ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROPHOTOMETER (BCO-L-6.0)

EPA Science Inventory

The purpose of this SOP is to outline the start-up, calibration, operation, and maintenance procedures for the Perkin-Elmer 5000 atomic absorption spectrophotometer (PE 5000 AA), and the Perkin Elmer 5000 Zeeman graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer (PE 5000Z GFAA)...

Textile Dye Removal from Aqueous Solution using Modified Graphite Waste/Lanthanum/Chitosan Composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kusrini, E.; Wicaksono, B.; Yulizar, Y.; Prasetyanto, EA; Gunawan, C.

2018-03-01

We investigated various pre-treatment processes of graphite waste using thermal, mechanical and chemical methods. The aim of this work is to study the performance of modified graphite waste/lanthanum/chitosan composite (MG) as adsorbent for textile dye removal from aqueous solution. Effect of graphite waste resources, adsorbent size and lanthanum concentration on the dye removal were studied in batch experiments. Selectivity of MG was also investigated. Pre-heated graphite waste (NMG) was conducted at 80°C for 1 h, followed by mechanical crushing of the resultant graphite to 75 μm particle size, giving adsorption performance of ˜58%, ˜67%, ˜93% and ˜98% of the model dye rhodamine B (concentration determined by UV-vis spectroscopy at 554 nm), methyl orange (464 nm), methylene blue (664 nm) and methyl violet (580 nm), respectively from aqueous solution. For this process, the system required less than ˜5 min for adsorbent material to be completely saturated with the adsorbate. Further chemical modification of the pre-treated graphite waste (MG) with lanthanum (0.01 – V 0.03 M) and chitosan (0.5% w/w) did not improve the performance of dye adsorption. Under comparable experimental conditions, as those of the ‘thermal-mechanical-pre-treated-only’ (NMG), modification of graphite waste (MG) with 0.03 M lanthanum and 0.5% w/w chitosan resulted in ˜14%, ˜47%, ˜72% and ˜85% adsorption of rhodamine B, methyl orange, methylene blue and methyl violet, respectively. Selective adsorption of methylene blue at most to ˜79%, followed by methyl orange, methyl violet and rhodamine B with adsorption efficiency ˜67, ˜38, and ˜9% sequentially using MG with 0.03 M lanthanum and 0.5% w/w chitosan.

Neutron irradiation damage of nuclear graphite studied by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krishna, R.; Jones, A. N.; McDermott, L.; Marsden, B. J.

2015-12-01

Nuclear graphite components are produced from polycrystalline artificial graphite manufacture from a binder and filler coke with approximately 20% porosity. During the operational lifetime, nuclear graphite moderator components are subjected to fast neutron irradiation which contributes to the change of material and physical properties such as thermal expansion co-efficient, young's modulus and dimensional change. These changes are directly driven by irradiation-induced changes to the crystal structure as reflected through the bulk microstructure. It is therefore of critical importance that these irradiation changes and there implication on component property changes are fully understood. This work examines a range of irradiated graphite samples removed from the British Experimental Pile Zero (BEPO) reactor; a low temperature, low fluence, air-cooled Materials Test Reactor which operated in the UK. Raman spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) have been employed to characterise the effect of increased irradiation fluence on graphite microstructure and understand low temperature irradiation damage processes. HRTEM confirms the structural damage of the crystal lattice caused by irradiation attributed to a high number of defects generation with the accumulation of dislocation interactions at nano-scale range. Irradiation-induced crystal defects, lattice parameters and crystallite size compared to virgin nuclear graphite are characterised using selected area diffraction (SAD) patterns in TEM and Raman Spectroscopy. The consolidated 'D'peak in the Raman spectra confirms the formation of in-plane point defects and reflected as disordered regions in the lattice. The reduced intensity and broadened peaks of 'G' and 'D' in the Raman and HRTEM results confirm the appearance of turbulence and disordering of the basal planes whilst maintaining their coherent layered graphite structure.

SIKA—the multiplexing cold-neutron triple-axis spectrometer at ANSTO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, C.-M.; Deng, G.; Gardner, J. S.; Vorderwisch, P.; Li, W.-H.; Yano, S.; Peng, J.-C.; Imamovic, E.

2016-10-01

SIKA is a new cold-neutron triple-axis spectrometer receiving neutrons from the cold source CG4 of the 20MW Open Pool Australian Light-water reactor. As a state-of-the-art triple-axis spectrometer, SIKA is equipped with a large double-focusing pyrolytic graphite monochromator, a multiblade pyrolytic graphite analyser and a multi-detector system. In this paper, we present the design, functions, and capabilities of SIKA, and discuss commissioning experimental results from powder and single-crystal samples to demonstrate its performance.

Effects of imbalanced currents on large-format LiFePO4/graphite batteries systems connected in parallel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Wei; Hu, Xiaosong; Jin, Chao; Jiang, Jiuchun; Zhang, Yanru; Yip, Tony

2016-05-01

With the development and popularization of electric vehicles, it is urgent and necessary to develop effective management and diagnosis technology for battery systems. In this work, we design a parallel battery model, according to equivalent circuits of parallel voltage and branch current, to study effects of imbalanced currents on parallel large-format LiFePO4/graphite battery systems. Taking a 60 Ah LiFePO4/graphite battery system manufactured by ATL (Amperex Technology Limited, China) as an example, causes of imbalanced currents in the parallel connection are analyzed using our model, and the associated effect mechanisms on long-term stability of each single battery are examined. Theoretical and experimental results show that continuously increasing imbalanced currents during cycling are mainly responsible for the capacity fade of LiFePO4/graphite parallel batteries. It is thus a good way to avoid fast performance fade of parallel battery systems by suppressing variations of branch currents.

How to get between the sheets: a review of recent works on the electrochemical exfoliation of graphene materials from bulk graphite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdelkader, A. M.; Cooper, A. J.; Dryfe, R. A. W.; Kinloch, I. A.

2015-04-01

Since the beginning of the `graphene era' post-2004, there has been significant interest in developing a high purity, high yield, and scalable fabrication route toward graphene materials for both primary research purposes and industrial production. One suitable approach to graphene production lies in the realm of electrochemical exfoliation, in which a potential difference is applied between a graphite anode/cathode in the presence of an electrolyte-containing medium. Herein we review various works on the electrochemical fabrication of graphene materials specifically through the use of electrochemical intercalation and exfoliation of a graphite source electrode, focusing on the quality and purity of products formed. We categorise the most significant works in terms of anodic and cathodic control, highlighting the merits of the respective approaches, as well as indicating the challenges associated with both procedures.

Calibrated work function mapping by Kelvin probe force microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernández Garrillo, Pablo A.; Grévin, Benjamin; Chevalier, Nicolas; Borowik, Łukasz

2018-04-01

We propose and demonstrate the implementation of an alternative work function tip calibration procedure for Kelvin probe force microscopy under ultrahigh vacuum, using monocrystalline metallic materials with known crystallographic orientation as reference samples, instead of the often used highly oriented pyrolytic graphite calibration sample. The implementation of this protocol allows the acquisition of absolute and reproducible work function values, with an improved uncertainty with respect to unprepared highly oriented pyrolytic graphite-based protocols. The developed protocol allows the local investigation of absolute work function values over nanostructured samples and can be implemented in electronic structures and devices characterization as demonstrated over a nanostructured semiconductor sample presenting Al0.7Ga0.3As and GaAs layers with variable thickness. Additionally, using our protocol we find that the work function of annealed highly oriented pyrolytic graphite is equal to 4.6 ± 0.03 eV.

Speciation of cadmium and zinc with application to soil solutions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Holm, P.E.; Christensen, T.H.; Tjell, J.C.

1995-01-01

A two-part method has been developed for determination of Cd and Zn species in 50-mL soil solution samples containing low concentrations of Cd and Zn (1-10 {mu}g Cd L{sup -1} and 50-1000 {mu}g Zn L{sup -1}). The method uses two cation exchange resins (Amberlite CG 120 and Chelex 100) in a batch-column-batch procedure and relies on analytical determinations of Cd and Zn by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The first part (batch) of the method allows determination of free divalent Cd{sup 2+} and Zn{sup 2+}. This part is experimentally sensitive to cation concentrations and ionic strength and these parameters shouldmore » be controlled during the experimental procedures. However, it is shown that Cd and Zn concentrations and pH do not influence the method. Speciations performed on samples containing chloride and sulfate were in accordance with theoretical calculations. The second part (column-batch) of the method operationally separates the complexed fraction into labile complexes, slowly labile complexes, and stable complexes. Chloro complexes were identified as labile complexes, while EDTA complexes were identified as stable complexes. The method works well with relatively small volumes of sample solutions and at low metal concentrations and may be useful in characterization of Cd and Zn in soil solutions. 12 refs., 6 figs., 3 tabs.« less

Structural superlubricity of platinum on graphite under ambient conditions: The effects of chemistry and geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Özoǧul, Alper; Ipek, Semran; Durgun, Engin; Baykara, Mehmet Z.

2017-11-01

An investigation of the frictional behavior of platinum nanoparticles laterally manipulated on graphite has been conducted to answer the question of whether the recent observation of structural superlubricity under ambient conditions [E. Cihan, S. İpek, E. Durgun, and M. Z. Baykara, Nat. Commun. 7, 12055 (2016)] is exclusively limited to the gold-graphite interface. Platinum nanoparticles have been prepared by e-beam evaporation of a thin film of platinum on graphite, followed by post-deposition annealing. Morphological and structural characterization of the nanoparticles has been performed via scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, revealing a crystalline structure with no evidence of oxidation under ambient conditions. Lateral manipulation experiments have been performed via atomic force microscopy under ambient conditions, whereby results indicate the occurrence of structural superlubricity at mesoscopic interfaces of 4000-75 000 nm2, with a noticeably higher magnitude of friction forces when compared with gold nanoparticles of similar contact areas situated on graphite. Ab initio simulations of sliding involving platinum and gold slabs on graphite confirm the experimental observations, whereby the higher magnitude of friction forces is attributed to stronger energy barriers encountered by platinum atoms sliding on graphite, when compared with gold. On the other hand, as predicted by theory, the scaling power between friction force and contact size is found to be independent of the chemical identity of the sliding atoms, but to be determined by the geometric qualities of the interface, as characterized by an average "sharpness score" assigned to the nanoparticles.

Exploratory Environmental Tests of Several Heat Shields

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goodman, George P.; Betts, John, Jr.

1961-01-01

Exploratory tests have been conducted with several conceptual radiative heat shields of composite construction. Measured transient temperature distributions were obtained for a graphite heat shield without insulation and with three types of insulating materials, and for a metal multipost heat shield, at surface temperatures of approximately 2,000 F and 1,450 F, respectively, by use of a radiant-heat facility. The graphite configurations suffered loss of surface material under repeated irradiation. Temperature distribution calculated for the metal heat shield by a numerical procedure was in good agreement with measured data. Environmental survival tests of the graphite heat shield without insulation, an insulated multipost heat shield, and a stainless-steel-tile heat shield were made at temperatures of 2,000 F and dynamic pressures of approximately 6,000 lb/sq ft, provided by an ethylene-heated jet operating at a Mach number of 2.0 and sea-level conditions. The graphite heat shield survived the simulated aerodynamic heating and pressure loading. A problem area exists in the design and materials for heat-resistant fasteners between the graphite shield and the base structure. The insulated multipost heat shield was found to be superior to the stainless-steel-tile heat shield in retarding heat flow. Over-lapped face-plate joints and surface smoothness of the insulated multi- post heat shield were not adversely affected by the test environment. The graphite heat shield without insulation survived tests made in the acoustic environment of a large air jet. This acoustic environment is random in frequency and has an overall noise level of 160 decibels.

Determination of Young's modulus of epoxy coated polyethylene micro-cantilever using phase-shift shadow moiré method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lim, J. H.; Ratnam, M. M.; Azid, I. A.; Mutharasu, D.

2011-11-01

Young's moduli of various epoxy coated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) micro-cantilevers were determined from the deflection results obtained using the phase-shift shadow moiré (PSSM) method. The filler materials for epoxy coatings were aluminum and graphite powders that were mixed with epoxy at various percentages. Young's moduli were calculated from theory based on the deflection results. The PET micro-cantilever coated with aluminum-epoxy coating showed increasing value of Young's modulus when the ratios of the aluminum-epoxy were increased. The graphite-epoxy coating on the PET micro-cantilever also showed the same trend. The experimental results also show that Young's modulus of the graphite-epoxy coating is higher than aluminum-epoxy coating in comparison at the same mixing ratio.

Effects of Casting Size on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Spheroidal and Compacted Graphite Cast Irons: Experimental Results and Comparison with International Standards

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ceschini, L.; Morri, Alessandro; Morri, Andrea

2017-05-01

The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of casting size (10-210 mm) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of spheroidal (SGI) and compacted (CGI) graphite cast irons. A comparison of the experimental mechanical data with those specified by ISO standards is presented and discussed. The study highlighted that the microstructure and mechanical properties of SGI (also known as ductile or nodular cast iron) are more sensitive to casting size than CGI (also known as vermicular graphite cast irons). In particular, in both types of cast iron, hardness, yield strength and ultimate tensile strength decreased, with increasing casting size, by 27% in SGI and 17% in CGI. Elongation to failure showed, instead, an opposite trend, decreasing from 5 to 3% in CGI, while increasing from 5 to 11% in SGI. These results were related to different microstructures, the ferritic fraction being more sensitive to the casting size in SGI than CGI. Degeneration of spheroidal graphite was observed at casting size above 120 mm. The microstructural similarities between degenerated SGI and CGI suggested the proposal of a unified empirical constitutional law relating the most important microstructural parameters to the ultimate tensile strength. An outstanding result was also the finding that standard specifications underestimated the mechanical properties of both cast irons (in particular SGI) and, moreover, did not take into account their variation with casting size, at thicknesses over 60 mm.

Fabrication and Testing of Carbon Fiber, Graphite-Epoxy Panels for Submillimeter Telescope Use

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rieger, H.; Helwig, G.; Parks, R. E.; Ulich, B. L.

1983-12-01

An experimental carbon-fiber, graphite-epoxy, aluminum Flexcore sandwich panel roughly 1-m square was made by Dornier System, Friedrichshafen, West Germany. The panel was a pre-prototype of the panels to be used in the dish of the 10-m diameter Sub-Millimeter Telescope, a joint project of the Max-Planck-Institute fur Radioastronomie, Bonn, West Germany, and Steward Observatory, the University of Arizona in Tucson. This paper outlines the fabrication process for the panel and indicates the surface accuracy of the panel replication process. To predict the behavior of the panel under various environmental loads, the panel was modeled structurally using anisotropic elements for the core material. Results of this analysis along with experimental verification of these predictions are also given.

Investigation of non-linear contact for a clearance-fit bolt in a graphite/epoxy laminate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prabhakaran, R.; Naik, R. A.

1986-01-01

Numerous analytical studies have been published for the nonlinear load-contact variations in clearance-fit bolted joints. In these studies, stress distributions have been obtained and failure predictions have been made. However, very little experimental work has been reported regarding the contact or the stresses. This paper describes a fiber-optic technique for measuring the angle of contact in a clearance-fit bolt-loaded hole. Measurements of the contact angle have been made in a quasi-isotropic graphite-epoxy laminate by the optical as well as an electrical technique, and the results have been compared with those obtained from a finite-element analysis. The results from the two experimental techniques show excellent agreement; the finite-element results show some discrepancy, probably due to the interfacial frictions.

A Comparison of Materials Issues for Cermet and Graphite-Based NTP Fuels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stewart, Mark E.; Schnitzler, Bruce G.

2013-01-01

This paper compares material issues for cermet and graphite fuel elements. In particular, two issues in NTP fuel element performance are considered here: ductile to brittle transition in relation to crack propagation, and orificing individual coolant channels in fuel elements. Their relevance to fuel element performance is supported by considering material properties, experimental data, and results from multidisciplinary fluid/thermal/structural simulations. Ductile to brittle transition results in a fuel element region prone to brittle fracture under stress, while outside this region, stresses lead to deformation and resilience under stress. Poor coolant distribution between fuel element channels can increase stresses in certain channels. NERVA fuel element experimental results are consistent with this interpretation. An understanding of these mechanisms will help interpret fuel element testing results.

Experimental Studies of Carbon Nanotube Materials for Space Radiators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

SanSoucie, MIchael P.; Rogers, Jan R.; Craven, Paul D.; Hyers, Robert W.

2012-01-01

Game ]changing propulsion systems are often enabled by novel designs using advanced materials. Radiator performance dictates power output for nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) systems. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) and carbon fiber materials have the potential to offer significant improvements in thermal conductivity and mass properties. A test apparatus was developed to test advanced radiator designs. This test apparatus uses a resistance heater inside a graphite tube. Metallic tubes can be slipped over the graphite tube to simulate a heat pipe. Several sub ]scale test articles were fabricated using CNT cloth and pitch ]based carbon fibers, which were bonded to a metallic tube using an active braze material. The test articles were heated up to 600 C and an infrared (IR) camera captured the results. The test apparatus and experimental results are presented here.

Status of Chronic Oxidation Studies of Graphite

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Contescu, Cristian I.; Mee, Robert W.

Graphite will undergo extremely slow, but continuous oxidation by traces of moisture that will be present, albeit at very low levels, in the helium coolant of HTGR. This chronic oxidation may cause degradation of mechanical strength and thermal properties of graphite components if a porous oxidation layer penetrates deep enough in the bulk of graphite components during the lifetime of the reactor. The current research on graphite chronic oxidation is motivated by the acute need to understand the behavior of each graphite grade during prolonged exposure to high temperature chemical attack by moisture. The goal is to provide the elementsmore » needed to develop predictive models for long-time oxidation behavior of graphite components in the cooling helium of HTGR. The tasks derived from this goal are: (1) Oxidation rate measurements in order to determine and validate a comprehensive kinetic model suitable for prediction of intrinsic oxidation rates as a function of temperature and oxidant gas composition; (2) Characterization of effective diffusivity of water vapor in the graphite pore system in order to account for the in-pore transport of moisture; and (3) Development and validation of a predictive model for the penetration depth of the oxidized layer, in order to assess the risk of oxidation caused damage of particular graphite grades after prolonged exposure to the environment of helium coolant in HTGR. The most important and most time consuming of these tasks is the measurement of oxidation rates in accelerated oxidation tests (but still under kinetic control) and the development of a reliable kinetic model. This report summarizes the status of chronic oxidation studies on graphite, and then focuses on model development activities, progress of kinetic measurements, validation of results, and improvement of the kinetic models. Analysis of current and past results obtained with three grades of showed that the classical Langmuir-Hinshelwood model cannot reproduce all data collected so far. Starting from here we propose a modification of the LH model to include temperature activation of graphite surface as a Boltzmann activation function. The enhanced Boltzmann-Langmuir-Hinshelwood model (BLH) was tested successfully on three grades of graphite. The model is a robust, comprehensive mathematical function that allows better fitting of experimental results spanning a wide range of temperature and partial pressures of water vapor and hydrogen. However, the model did not fit satisfactorily the data extracted from the old report on graphite H-451 oxidation by water.« less

Aqueous Dispersions of Graphene from Electrochemically Exfoliated Graphite.

PubMed

Sevilla, Marta; Ferrero, Guillermo A; Fuertes, Antonio B

2016-11-21

A facile and environmentally friendly synthetic strategy for the production of stable and easily processable dispersions of graphene in water is presented. This strategy represents an alternative to classical chemical exfoliation methods (for example the Hummers method) that are more complex, harmful, and dangerous. The process is based on the electrochemical exfoliation of graphite and includes three simple steps: 1) the anodic exfoliation of graphite in (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 , 2) sonication to separate the oxidized graphene sheets, and 3) reduction of oxidized graphene to graphene. The procedure makes it possible to convert around 30 wt % of the initial graphite into graphene with short processing times and high yields. The graphene sheets are well dispersed in water, have a carbon/oxygen atomic ratio of 11.7, a lateral size of about 0.5-1 μm, and contain only a few graphene layers, most of which are bilayer sheets. The processability of this type of aqueous dispersion has been demonstrated in the fabrication of macroscopic graphene structures, such as graphene aerogels and graphene films, which have been successfully employed as absorbents or as electrodes in supercapacitors, respectively. © 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Surface and Bulk Nanostructuring of Insulators by Ultrashort Laser Pulses

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-04-05

investigating the non-perturbative scaling of the generated harmonics with the laser field and their bandstructure dependence since recent experimental and...the experimental pro- cedure used to write graphitic electrodes inside diamond bulk by laser irradiation [2–4] for the fabrication of three-dimensional...their bandstructure dependence since recent experimental and theoretical investigations in the literature show that high harmonic generation HHG in wide

Research on graphite reinforced glass matrix composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prewo, K. M.; Thompson, E. R.

1981-01-01

A broad group of fibers and matrices were combined to create a wide range of composite properties. Primary material fabrication procedures were developed which readily permit the fabrication of flat plate and shaped composites. Composite mechanical properties were measured under a wide range of test conditions. Tensile, flexure mechanical fatigue, thermal fatigue, fracture toughness, and fatigue crack growth resistance were evaluated. Selected fiber-matrix combinations were shown to maintain their strength at up to 1300 K when tested in an inert atmosphere. Composite high temperature mechanical properties were shown to be limited primarily by the oxidation resistance of the graphite fibers. Composite thermal dimensional stability was measured and found to be excellent.

Mode II Interlaminar Fracture Toughness and Fatigue Characterization of a Graphite Epoxy Composite Material

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

O'Brien, T. Kevin; Johnston, William M.; Toland, Gregory J.

2010-01-01

Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness and delamination onset and growth characterization data were generated for IM7/8552 graphite epoxy composite materials from two suppliers for use in fracture mechanics analyses. Both the fracture toughness testing and the fatigue testing were conducted using the End-notched Flexure (ENF) test. The ENF test for mode II fracture toughness is currently under review by ASTM as a potential standard test method. This current draft ASTM protocol was used as a guide to conduct the tests on the IM7/8552 material. This report summarizes the test approach, methods, procedures and results of this characterization effort.

Unraveling the formation mechanism of graphitic nitrogen-doping in thermally treated graphene with ammonia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xiao-Fei; Lian, Ke-Yan; Liu, Lingling; Wu, Yingchao; Qiu, Qi; Jiang, Jun; Deng, Mingsen; Luo, Yi

2016-03-01

Nitrogen-doped graphene (N-graphene) has attractive properties that has been widely studied over the years. However, its possible formation process still remains unclear. Here, we propose a highly feasible formation mechanism of the graphitic-N doing in thermally treated graphene with ammonia by performing ab initio molecular dynamic simulations at experimental conditions. Results show that among the commonly native point defects in graphene, only the single vacancy 5-9 and divacancy 555-777 have the desirable electronic structures to trap N-containing groups and to mediate the subsequent dehydrogenation processes. The local structure of the defective graphene in combining with the thermodynamic and kinetic effect plays a crucial role in dominating the complex atomic rearrangement to form graphitic-N which heals the corresponding defect perfectly. The importance of the symmetry, the localized force field, the interaction of multiple trapped N-containing groups, as well as the catalytic effect of the temporarily formed bridge-N are emphasized, and the predicted doping configuration agrees well with the experimental observation. Hence, the revealed mechanism will be helpful for realizing the targeted synthesis of N-graphene with reduced defects and desired properties.

Proposal of simple and novel method of capacity fading analysis using pseudo-reference electrode in lithium ion cells: Application to solvent-free lithium ion polymer batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shono, Kumi; Kobayashi, Takeshi; Tabuchi, Masato; Ohno, Yasutaka; Miyashiro, Hajime; Kobayashi, Yo

2014-02-01

We propose a simple procedure for introducing a pseudo-reference electrode (PRE) to lithium ion batteries using isometric lithium metal placed between the cathode and anode, and we successfully obtained the cathode and anode voltage profiles, individual interfacial impedances, and the misalignment of the operation range between the cathode and anode after cycle operation. The proposed procedure is applicable to lithium ion battery systems using a solid electrolyte to prepare two cells with a lithium counter electrode. We determined the capacity decrease of a solvent-free lithium ion polymer battery consisting of a LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 (NMC), a polyether-based solid polymer electrolyte (SPE), and a graphite (Gr) with the proposed PRE over 1000 cycles. The capacity retention of the [Gr|SPE|NMC] cell reached 50% at the 1000th cycle upon the optimization of cell preparation, and we found that the main factor of the capacity decrease was the continuous irreversible loss of active lithium at the graphite anode, not the oxidation of the SPE. Our findings suggest that we should reconsider combining a polyether-based SPE with a conventionally used 4 V class cathode and a graphite anode to develop an innovative, safe, and low-cost battery for the expected large lithium ion battery systems for stationary use.

Passive Nosetip Technology (PANT) Program. Volume X. Summary of Experimental and Analytical Results

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-01-01

Scallop Calorimeter Data with Sandgrain Type Calorimeter Data 3-22 4-1 Geometry for 1.5-Inch Nose Radius Camphor Model 4-3 4-2 Shape Profile History for... camphor model tested at Re. - 5.104/ft and t - 5 in the NOL hypersonic wind Tunnel Number S. (a) Run 007, Sting 2 -Graphite (b) PANT Run 204 - Camphor ...Laminar region (a) Run 006, Sting 2 -Graphite (b) PANT Run 216 - Camphor low temperature ablator Figure 2-2. Comparison of Transitional Shapes The

Oxidation resistance of selected mechanical carbons at 650 deg C in dry flowing air

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, G. P.; Wisander, D. W.

1973-01-01

Oxidation experiments were conducted with several experimental mechanical carbons at 650 C in air flowing at 28 cu cm/sec (STP). Experiments indicate that boron carbide addition and zinc phosphate treatment definitely improved oxidation resistance. Impregnation with coal tar pitch before final graphitization had some beneficial effect on oxidation resistance and it markedly improved flexure strength and hardness. Graphitization temperature alone did not affect oxidation resistance, but with enough added boron carbide the oxidation resistance was increased although the hardness greatly decreased.

Research on laser-removal of a deuterium deposit from a graphite sample

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kubkowska, M.; Skladnik-Sadowska, E.; Malinowski, K.; Sadowski, M. J.; Rosinski, M.; Gasior, P.

2014-04-01

The paper presents experimental results of investigation of a removal of deuterium deposits from a graphite target by means of pulsed laser beams. The sample was a part of the TEXTOR limiter with a deuterium-deposited layer. That target was located in the vacuum chamber, pumped out to 5×10-5 Torr, and it was irradiated with a Nd:YAG laser, which generated 3.5-ns pulses of energy of 0.5 J at λ1 = 1063 nm, or 0.1 J at λ3 = 355 nm.

EXPERIMENTAL LIQUID METAL FUEL REACTOR

DOEpatents

Happell, J.J.; Thomas, G.R.; Denise, R.P.; Bunts, J.L. Jr.

1962-01-23

A liquid metal fuel nuclear fission reactor is designed in which the fissionable material is dissolved or suspended in a liquid metal moderator and coolant. The liquid suspension flows into a chamber in which a critical amount of fissionable material is obtained. The fluid leaves the chamber and the heat of fission is extracted for power or other utilization. The improvement is in the support arrangement for a segrnented graphite core to permit dif ferential thermal expansion, effective sealing between main and blanket liquid metal flows, and avoidance of excessive stress development in the graphite segments. (AEC)

An analytical and experimental investigation of edge delamination in laminates subjected to tension, bending, and torsion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chan, Wen S.

1989-01-01

An integrated two-dimensional finite element was developed to calculate interlaminar stresses and strain energy release rates for the study of delamination in composite laminates subjected to uniaxial tension, bending, and torsion loads. Addressed are the formulation, implementation, and verification of the model. Parametric studies were conducted on the effect of Poisson's ratio mismatch between plies and the stacking sequence on interlaminar stress, and on the effect of delamination opening height and delamination length, due to bending, on strain energy release rate for various laminates. A comparison of strain energy release rates in all-graphite and graphite/glass hybrid laminates is included. The preliminary results of laminates subjected to torsion are also included. Fatigue tension tests were conducted on Mode 1 and mixed mode edge-delamination coupons to establish the relationship between fatigue load vs. onset of delamination cycle. The effect on the fatigue delamination onset of different frequencies (1 and 5 Hz) was investigated for glass, graphite,and their hybrid laminates. Although a 20 percent increase in the static onset-of-delamination strength and a 10 percent increase in ultimate strength resulted from hybridizing the all-graphite laminate with a 90 deg glass ply, the fatigue onset is lower in the hybrid laminate than in the all-graphite laminate.

Fischer-Tropsch-Type Production of Organic Materials in the Solar Nebula: Studies Using Graphite Catalysts and Measuring the Trapping of Noble Gases

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nuth, Joseph A., III; Ferguson, Frank T.; Lucas, Christopher; Kimura, Yuki; Hohenberg, Charles

2009-01-01

The formation of abundant carbonaceous material in meteorites is a long standing problem and an important factor in the debate on the potential for the origin of life in other stellar systems. The Fischer-Tropsch-type (FTT) catalytic reduction of CO by hydrogen was once the preferred model for production of organic materials in the primitive solar nebula. We have demonstrated that many grain surfaces can catalyze both FTT and HB-type reactions, including amorphous iron and magnesium silicates, pure silica smokes as well as several minerals. Graphite is not a particularly good FTT catalyst, especially compared to iron powder or to amorphous iron silicate. However, like other silicates that we have studied, it gets better with exposure to CO. N2 and H2 over time: e.g., after formation of a macromolecular carbonaceous layer on the surfaces of the underlying gains. While amorphous iron silicates required only 1 or 2 experimental runs to achieve steady state reaction rates, graphite only achieved steady state after 6 or more experiments. We will present results showing the catalytic action of graphite grains increasing with increasing number of experiments and will also discuss the nature of the final "graphite" grains aster completion of our experiments.

Plasma carburizing with surface micro-melting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balanovsky, A. E.; Grechneva, M. V.; Van Huy, Vu; Ponomarev, B. B.

2018-03-01

This paper presents carburizing the surface of 20 low carbon steel using electric arc and graphite prior. A carbon black solution was prepared with graphite powder and sodium silicate in water. A detailed analysis of the phase structure and the distribution profile of the sample hardness after plasma treatment were given. The hardened layer consists of three different zones: 1 – the cemented layer (thin white zone) on the surface, 2 – heat-affected zone (darkly etching structure), 3 – the base metal. The experimental result shows that the various microstructures and micro-hardness profiles were produced depending on the type of graphite coating (percentage of liquid glass) and processing parameters. The experiment proved that the optimum content of liquid glass in graphite coating is 50–87.5%. If the amount of liquid glass is less than 50%, adhesion to metal is insufficient. If liquid glass content is more than 87.5%, carburization of a metal surface does not occur. A mixture of the eutectic lamellar structure, martensite and austenite was obtained by using graphite prior with 67% sodium silicate and the levels of the hardness layer increased to around 1000 HV. The thickness of the cemented layer formed on the surface was around 200 μm. It is hoped that this plasma surface carburizing treatment could improve the tribological resistance properties.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mallow, Anne M; Abdelaziz, Omar; Graham, Samuel

The thermal charging performance of phase change materials, specifically paraffin wax, combined with compressed expanded natural graphite foam is studied under constant heat flux and constant temperature conditions. By varying the heat flux between 0.39 W/cm2 and 1.55 W/cm2 or maintaining a boundary temperature of 60 C for four graphite foam bulk densities, the impact on the rate of thermal energy storage is discussed. Thermal charging experiments indicate that thermal conductivity of the composite is an insufficient metric to compare the influence of graphite foam on the rate of thermal energy storage of the PCM composite. By dividing the latentmore » heat of the composite by the time to melt for various boundary conditions and graphite foam bulk densities, it is determined that bulk density selection is dependent on the applied boundary condition. A greater bulk density is advantageous for samples exposed to a constant temperature near the melting temperature as compared to constant heat flux conditions where a lower bulk density is adequate. Furthermore, the anisotropic nature of graphite foam bulk densities greater than 50 kg/m3 is shown to have an insignificant impact on the rate of thermal charging. These experimental results are used to validate a computational model for future use in the design of thermal batteries for waste heat recovery.« less

Effect of reactor radiation on the thermal conductivity of TREAT fuel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mo, Kun; Miao, Yinbin; Kontogeorgakos, Dimitrios C.; Connaway, Heather M.; Wright, Arthur E.; Yacout, Abdellatif M.

2017-04-01

The Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) at the Idaho National Laboratory is resuming operations after more than 20 years in latency in order to produce high-neutron-flux transients for investigating transient-induced behavior of reactor fuels and their interactions with other materials and structures. A parallel program is ongoing to develop a replacement core in which the fuel, historically containing highly-enriched uranium (HEU), is replaced by low-enriched uranium (LEU). Both the HEU and prospective LEU fuels are in the form of UO2 particles dispersed in a graphite matrix, but the LEU fuel will contain a much higher volume of UO2 particles, which may create a larger area of interphase boundaries between the particles and the graphite. This may lead to a higher volume fraction of graphite exposed to the fission fragments escaping from the UO2 particles, and thus may induce a higher volume of fission-fragment damage on the fuel graphite. In this work, we analyzed the reactor-radiation induced thermal conductivity degradation of graphite-based dispersion fuel. A semi-empirical method to model the relative thermal conductivity with reactor radiation was proposed and validated based on the available experimental data. Prediction of thermal conductivity degradation of LEU TREAT fuel during a long-term operation was performed, with a focus on the effect of UO2 particle size on fission-fragment damage. The proposed method can be further adjusted to evaluate the degradation of other properties of graphite-based dispersion fuel.

From Graphite to Graphene via Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qi, Dejun

The primary objective of this dissertation is to study both graphene on graphite and pristine freestanding grapheme using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and density functional theory (DFT) simulation technique. In the experiment part, good quality tungsten metalic tips for experiment were fabricated using our newly developed tip making setup. Then a series of measurements using a technique called electrostatic-manipulation scanning tunneling microscopy (EM-STM) of our own development were performed on a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surface. The electrostatic interaction between the STM tip and the sample can be tuned to produce both reversible and irreversible large-scale movement of the graphite surface. Under this influence, atomic-resolution STM images reveal that a continuous electronic transition between two distinct patterns can be systematically controlled. DFT calculations reveal that this transition can be related to vertical displacements of the top layer of graphite relative to the bulk. Evidence for horizontal shifts in the top layer of graphite is also presented. Excellent agreement is found between experimental STM images and those simulated using DFT. In addition, the EM-STM technique was also used to controllably and reversibly pull freestanding graphene membranes up to 35 nm from their equilibrium height. Atomic-scale corrugation amplitudes 20 times larger than the STM electronic corrugation for graphene on a substrate were observed. The freestanding graphene membrane responds to a local attractive force created at the STM tip as a highly conductive yet flexible grounding plane with an elastic restoring force.

Coaxial carbon plasma gun deposition of amorphous carbon films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sater, D. M.; Gulino, D. A.; Rutledge, S. K.

1984-01-01

A unique plasma gun employing coaxial carbon electrodes was used in an attempt to deposit thin films of amorphous diamond-like carbon. A number of different structural, compositional, and electrical characterization techniques were used to characterize these films. These included scanning electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, X ray diffraction and absorption, spectrographic analysis, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and selected area electron diffraction. Optical absorption and electrical resistivity measurements were also performed. The films were determined to be primarily amorphous, with poor adhesion to fused silica substrates. Many inclusions of particulates were found to be present as well. Analysis of these particulates revealed the presence of trace impurities, such as Fe and Cu, which were also found in the graphite electrode material. The electrodes were the source of these impurities. No evidence of diamond-like crystallite structure was found in any of the film samples. Details of the apparatus, experimental procedure, and film characteristics are presented.

Quantized edge modes in atomic-scale point contacts in graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kinikar, Amogh; Phanindra Sai, T.; Bhattacharyya, Semonti; Agarwala, Adhip; Biswas, Tathagata; Sarker, Sanjoy K.; Krishnamurthy, H. R.; Jain, Manish; Shenoy, Vijay B.; Ghosh, Arindam

2017-07-01

The zigzag edges of single- or few-layer graphene are perfect one-dimensional conductors owing to a set of gapless states that are topologically protected against backscattering. Direct experimental evidence of these states has been limited so far to their local thermodynamic and magnetic properties, determined by the competing effects of edge topology and electron-electron interaction. However, experimental signatures of edge-bound electrical conduction have remained elusive, primarily due to the lack of graphitic nanostructures with low structural and/or chemical edge disorder. Here, we report the experimental detection of edge-mode electrical transport in suspended atomic-scale constrictions of single and multilayer graphene created during nanomechanical exfoliation of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. The edge-mode transport leads to the observed quantization of conductance close to multiples of G0 = 2e2/h. At the same time, conductance plateaux at G0/2 and a split zero-bias anomaly in non-equilibrium transport suggest conduction via spin-polarized states in the presence of an electron-electron interaction.

Experimental Spin Testing of Integrally Damped Composite Plates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kosmatka, John

1998-01-01

The experimental behavior of spinning laminated composite pretwisted plates (turbo-fan blade-like) with small (less than 10% by volume) integral viscoelastic damping patches was investigated at NASA-Lewis Research Center. Ten different plate sets were experimentally spin tested and the resulting data was analyzed. The first-four plate sets investigated tailoring patch locations and definitions to damp specific modes on spinning flat graphite/epoxy plates as a function of rotational speed. The remaining six plate sets investigated damping patch size and location on specific modes of pretwisted (30 degrees) graphite/epoxy plates. The results reveal that: (1) significant amount of damping can be added using a small amount of damping material, (2) the damped plates experienced no failures up to the tested 28,000 g's and 750,000 cycles, (3) centrifugal loads caused an increase in bending frequencies and corresponding reductions in bending damping levels that are proportional to the bending stiffness increase, and (4) the centrifugal loads caused a decrease in torsion natural frequency and increase in damping levels of pretwisted composite plates.

Quantized edge modes in atomic-scale point contacts in graphene.

PubMed

Kinikar, Amogh; Phanindra Sai, T; Bhattacharyya, Semonti; Agarwala, Adhip; Biswas, Tathagata; Sarker, Sanjoy K; Krishnamurthy, H R; Jain, Manish; Shenoy, Vijay B; Ghosh, Arindam

2017-07-01

The zigzag edges of single- or few-layer graphene are perfect one-dimensional conductors owing to a set of gapless states that are topologically protected against backscattering. Direct experimental evidence of these states has been limited so far to their local thermodynamic and magnetic properties, determined by the competing effects of edge topology and electron-electron interaction. However, experimental signatures of edge-bound electrical conduction have remained elusive, primarily due to the lack of graphitic nanostructures with low structural and/or chemical edge disorder. Here, we report the experimental detection of edge-mode electrical transport in suspended atomic-scale constrictions of single and multilayer graphene created during nanomechanical exfoliation of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. The edge-mode transport leads to the observed quantization of conductance close to multiples of G 0  = 2e 2 /h. At the same time, conductance plateaux at G 0 /2 and a split zero-bias anomaly in non-equilibrium transport suggest conduction via spin-polarized states in the presence of an electron-electron interaction.

Atomistic simulations of contact area and conductance at nanoscale interfaces.

PubMed

Hu, Xiaoli; Martini, Ashlie

2017-11-09

Atomistic simulations were used to study conductance across the interface between a nanoscale gold probe and a graphite surface with a step edge. Conductance on the graphite terrace was observed to increase with load and be approximately proportional to contact area calculated from the positions of atoms in the interface. The relationship between area and conductance was further explored by varying the position of the contact relative to the location of the graphite step edge. These simulations reproduced a previously-reported current dip at step edges measured experimentally and the trend was explained by changes in both contact area and the distribution of distances between atoms in the interface. The novel approach reported here provides a foundation for future studies of the fundamental relationships between conductance, load and surface topography at the atomic scale.

Compression failure mechanisms of composite structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hahn, H. T.; Sohi, M.; Moon, S.

1986-01-01

An experimental and analytical study was conducted to delineate the compression failure mechanisms of composite structures. The present report summarizes further results on kink band formation in unidirectional composites. In order to assess the compressive strengths and failure modes of fibers them selves, a fiber bundle was embedded in epoxy casting and tested in compression. A total of six different fibers were used together with two resins of different stiffnesses. The failure of highly anisotropic fibers such as Kevlar 49 and P-75 graphite was due to kinking of fibrils. However, the remaining fibers--T300 and T700 graphite, E-glass, and alumina--failed by localized microbuckling. Compressive strengths of the latter group of fibers were not fully utilized in their respective composite. In addition, acoustic emission monitoring revealed that fiber-matrix debonding did not occur gradually but suddenly at final failure. The kink band formation in unidirectional composites under compression was studied analytically and through microscopy. The material combinations selected include seven graphite/epoxy composites, two graphite/thermoplastic resin composites, one Kevlar 49/epoxy composite and one S-glass/epoxy composite.

Formation of the Fe,Mg-Silicates, Fe0, and Graphite (Diamond) Assemblage as a Result of Cohenite Oxidation under Lithospheric Mantle Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bataleva, Yu. V.; Palyanov, Yu. N.; Borzdov, Yu. M.; Zdrokov, E. V.; Novoselov, I. D.; Sobolev, N. V.

2018-03-01

Experimental studies in the Fe3C-SiO2-MgO system ( P = 6.3 GPa, T = 1100-1500°C, t = 20-40 h) have been carried out. It has been established that carbide-oxide interaction resulted in the formation of Fe-orthopyroxene, graphite, wustite, and cohenite (1100 and 1200°C), as well as a Fe-C-O melt (1300-1500°C). The main processes occurring in the system at 1100 and 1200°C are the oxidation of cohenite, the extraction of carbon from carbide, and the crystallization of metastable graphite, as well as the formation of ferrosilicates. At T ≥ 1300°C, graphite crystallization and diamond growth occur as a result of the redox interaction of a predominantly metallic melt (Fe-C-O) with oxides and silicates. The carbide-oxide interaction studied can be considered as the basis for modeling a number of carbon-producing processes in the lithospheric mantle at fO2 values near the iron-wustite buffer.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nuth, Joseph A.; Kimura, Yuki; Lucas, Christopher

It has been suggested that carbonaceous grains are efficiently destroyed in the interstellar medium and must either reform in situ at very low pressures and temperatures or in an alternative environment more conducive to grain growth. Graphite whiskers have been discovered associated with high-temperature phases in meteorites such as calcium aluminum inclusions and chondrules, and it has been suggested that the expulsion of such material from protostellar nebulae could significantly affect the optical properties of the average interstellar grain population. We have experimentally studied the potential for Fischer-Tropsch and Haber-Bosch type reactions to produce organic materials in protostellar systems frommore » the abundant H{sub 2}, CO, and N{sub 2} reacting on the surfaces of available silicate grains. When graphite grains are repeatedly exposed to H{sub 2}, CO, and N{sub 2} at 875 K abundant graphite whiskers are observed to form on or from the surfaces of the graphite grains. In a dense, turbulent nebula, such extended whiskers are very likely to be broken off, and fragments could be ejected either in polar jets or by photon pressure after transport to the outer reaches of the nebula.« less

Three-dimensional local residual stress and orientation gradients near graphite nodules in ductile cast iron [3D local residual stress and orientation gradients near graphite nodules in ductile cast iron

DOE PAGES

Zhang, Y. B.; Andriollo, T.; Faester, S.; ...

2016-09-14

A synchrotron technique, differential aperture X-ray microscopy (DAXM), has been applied to characterize the microstructure and analyze the local mesoscale residual elastic strain fields around graphite nodules embedded in ferrite matrix grains in ductile cast iron. Compressive residual elastic strains are measured with a maximum strain of ~6.5–8 × 10 –4 near the graphite nodules extending into the matrix about 20 μm, where the elastic strain is near zero. The experimental data are compared with a strain gradient calculated by a finite element model, and good accord has been found but with a significant overprediction of the maximum strain. Thismore » is discussed in terms of stress relaxation during cooling or during storage by plastic deformation of the nodule, the matrix or both. Furthermore, relaxation by plastic deformation of the ferrite is demonstrated by the formation of low energy dislocation cell structure also quantified by the DAXM technique.« less

Formation and Growth of Micro and Macro Bubbles on Copper-Graphite Composite Surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chao, David F.; Sankovic, John M.; Motil, Brian J.; Zhang, Nengli

2007-01-01

Micro scale boiling behavior in the vicinity of graphite micro-fiber tips on the coppergraphite composite boiling surfaces is investigated. It is discovered that a large number of micro bubbles are formed first at the micro scratches and cavities on the copper matrix in pool boiling. In virtue of the non-wetting property of graphite, once the growing micro bubbles touch the graphite tips, the micro bubbles are sucked by the tips and merged into larger micro bubbles sitting on the tips. The micro bubbles grow rapidly and coalesce to form macro bubbles, each of which sitting on several tips. The growth processes of the micro and macro bubbles are analyzed and formulated followed by an analysis of bubble departure on the composite surfaces. Based on these analyses, the enhancement mechanism of the pool boiling heat transfer on the composite surfaces is clearly revealed. Experimental results of pool boiling heat transfer both for water and Freon-113 on the composite surfaces convincingly demonstrate the enhancement effects of the unique structure of Cu-Gr composite surfaces on boiling heat transfer.

Characteristics of Pool Boiling on Graphite-Copper Composite Surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhang, Nengli; Chao, David F.; Yang, Wen-Jei

2002-01-01

Nucleate pool boiling performance of different liquids on graphite-copper composite (Gr-Cu) surfaces has been experimentally studied and modeled. Both highly wetting fluids, such as freon-113 and pentane, and a moderately wetting fluid (water) were tested on the Gr-Cu surfaces with different graphite-fiber volume fractions to reveal the enhancement effects of the composite surfaces on the nucleate pool boiling. Results of the experiments show that the graphite-fiber volume fraction has an optimum value. The Gr-Cu composite surface with 25 percent graphite-fiber volume (f=0.25) has a maximum enhancement effect on the nucleate boiling heat transfer comparing to the pure copper surface. For the highly wetting fluid, the nucleate boiling heat transfer is generally enhanced on the Gr- Cu composite surfaces by 3 to 6 times shown. In the low heat flux region, the enhancement is over 6 times, but in the high heat flux region, the enhancement is reduced to about 40%. For the moderately wetting fluid (water), stronger enhancement of nucleate boiling heat transfer is achieved on the composite surface. It shown the experimental results in which one observes the nucleate boiling heat transfer enhancement of 5 to 10 times in the low heat flux region and an enhancement of 3 to 5 times in the high heat flux region. Photographs of bubble departure during the initial stage of nucleate boiling indicate that the bubbles detached from the composite surface are much smaller in diameter than those detached from the pure copper surface. Typical photographs are presented.It shows that the bubbles departed from the composite surface have diameters of only O(0.1) mm, while those departed from the pure copper surface have diameters of O(1) mm. It is also found that the bubbles depart from the composite surface at a much higher frequency, thus forming vapor columns. These two phenomena combined with high thermal conductivity of the graphite fiber are considered the mechanisms for such a significant augmentation in nucleate boiling heat transfer on the composite surfaces. A physical model is developed to describe the phenomenon of bubble departure from the composite surface: The preferred site of bubble nucleation is the fiber tip because of higher tip temperature than the surrounding copper base and poor wettability of the graphite tip compared with that of the base material (copper). The high evaporation rate near the contact line produces the vapor cutback due to the vapor recoil pushing the three-phase line outwards from the fiber tip, and so a neck of the bubble is formed near the bubble bottom. Evaporation and surface tension accelerate the necking process and finally result in the bubble departure while a new small bubble is formed at the tip when the surface tension pushes the three-phase line back to the tip. The process is schematically shown. The proposed model is based on and confirmed by experimental results.

Boron-doped few-walled carbon nanotubes: novel synthesis and properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Preston, Colin; Song, Da; Taillon, Josh; Cumings, John; Hu, Liangbing

2016-11-01

Few-walled carbon nanotubes offer a unique marriage of graphitic quality and robustness to ink-processing; however, doping procedures that may alter the band structure of these few-walled nanotubes are still lacking. This report introduces a novel solution-injected chemical vapor deposition growth process to fabricate the first boron-doped few-walled carbon nanotubes (B-FWNTs) reported in literature, which may have extensive applications in battery devices. A comprehensive characterization of the as-grown B-FWNTs confirms successful boron substitution in the graphitic lattice, and reveals varying growth parameters impact the structural properties of B-FWNT yield. An investigation into the optimal growth purification parameters and ink-making procedures was also conducted. This study introduces the first process technique to successfully grow intrinsically p-doped FWNTs, and provides the first investigation into the impact factors of the growth parameters, purification steps, and ink-making processes on the structural properties of the B-FWNTs and the electrical properties of the resulting spray-coated thin-film electrodes.

Resistivity Correction Factor for the Four-Probe Method: Experiment I

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamashita, Masato; Yamaguchi, Shoji; Enjoji, Hideo

1988-05-01

Experimental verification of the theoretically derived resistivity correction factor (RCF) is presented. Resistivity and sheet resistance measurements by the four-probe method are made on three samples: isotropic graphite, ITO film and Au film. It is indicated that the RCF can correct the apparent variations of experimental data to yield reasonable resistivities and sheet resistances.

Exploring electrolyte preference of vanadium nitride supercapacitor electrodes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Bo; Chen, Zhaohui; Lu, Gang

Highlights: • Hierarchical VN nanostructures were prepared on graphite foam. • Electrolyte preference of VN supercapacitor electrodes was explored. • VN showed better capacitive property in organic and alkaline electrolytes than LiCl. - Abstract: Vanadium nitride hierarchical nanostructures were prepared through an ammonia annealing procedure utilizing vanadium pentoxide nanostructures grown on graphite foam. The electrochemical properties of hierarchical vanadium nitride was tested in aqueous and organic electrolytes. As a result, the vanadium nitride showed better capacitive energy storage property in organic and alkaline electrolytes. This work provides insight into the charge storage process of vanadium nitride and our findings canmore » shed light on other transition metal nitride-based electrochemical energy storage systems.« less

The vulnerability of commercial aircraft avionics to carbon fibers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meyers, J. A.; Salmirs, S.

1980-01-01

Avionics components commonly used in commercial aircraft were tested for vulnerability to failure when operated in an environment with a high density of graphite fibers. The components were subjected to a series of exposures to graphite fibers of different lengths. Lengths used for the tests were (in order) 1 mm, 3 mm, and 10 mm. The test procedure included subjecting the equipment to characteristic noise and shock environments. Most of the equipment was invulnerable or did not fail until extremely high average exposures were reached. The single exception was an air traffic control transponder produced in the early 1960's. It had the largest case open area through which fibers could enter and it had no coated boards.

Trapped rubber processing for advanced composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marra, P. J.

1976-01-01

Trapped rubber processing is a molding technique for composites in which precast silicone rubber is placed within a closed cavity where it thermally expands against the composite's surface supported by the vessel walls. The method has been applied by the Douglas Aircraft Company, under contract to NASA-Langley, to the design and fabrication of 10 DC-10 graphite/epoxy upper aft rudder assemblies. A three-bay development tool form mold die has been designed and manufactured, and tooling parameters have been established. Fabrication procedures include graphite layup, assembly of details in the tool, and a cure cycle. The technique has made it possible for the cocured fabrication of complex primary box structures otherwise impracticable via standard composite material processes.

Preliminary design procedure for insulated structures subjected to transient heating

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adelman, H. M.

1979-01-01

Minimum-mass designs were obtained for insulated structural panels loaded by a general set of inplane forces and a time dependent temperature. Temperature and stress histories in the structure are given by closed-form solutions, and optimization of the insulation and structural thicknesses is performed by nonlinear mathematical programming techniques. Design calculations are described to evaluate the structural efficiency of eight materials under combined heating and mechanical loads: graphite/polyimide, graphite/epoxy, boron/aluminum, titanium, aluminum, Rene 41, carbon/carbon, and Lockalloy. The effect on design mass of intensity and duration of heating were assessed. Results indicate that an optimum structure may have a temperature response well below the recommended allowable temperature for the material.

Polyimide resin composites via in situ polymerization of monomeric reactants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cavano, P. J.

1974-01-01

Thermo-oxidatively stable polyimide/graphite-fiber composites were prepared using a unique in situ polymerization of monomeric reactants directly on reinforcing fibers. This was accomplished by using an aromatic diamine and two ester-acids in a methyl alcohol solvent, rather than a previously synthesized prepolymer varnish, as with other A-type polyimides. A die molding procedure was developed and a composite property characterization conducted with high modulus graphite fiber tow. Flexure, tensile, compressive, and shear tests were conducted at temperatures from 72 to 650 F on laminates before and after exposures at the given temperatures in an air environment for times up to 1000 hours. The composite material was determined to be oxidatively, thermally, and hydrolytically stable.

Effect of reactor radiation on the thermal conductivity of TREAT fuel

DOE PAGES

Mo, Kun; Miao, Yinbin; Kontogeorgakos, Dimitrios C.; ...

2017-02-04

The Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) at the Idaho National Laboratory is resuming operations after more than 20 years in latency in order to produce high-neutron-flux transients for investigating transient-induced behavior of reactor fuels and their interactions with other materials and structures. A parallel program is ongoing to develop a replacement core in which the fuel, historically containing highly-enriched uranium (HEU), is replaced by low-enriched uranium (LEU). Both the HEU and prospective LEU fuels are in the form of UO 2 particles dispersed in a graphite matrix, but the LEU fuel will contain a much higher volume of UO 2more » particles, which may create a larger area of interphase boundaries between the particles and the graphite. This may lead to a higher volume fraction of graphite exposed to the fission fragments escaping from the UO 2 particles, and thus may induce a higher volume of fission-fragment damage on the fuel graphite. In this work, we analyzed the reactor-radiation induced thermal conductivity degradation of graphite-based dispersion fuel. A semi-empirical method to model the relative thermal conductivity with reactor radiation was proposed and validated based on the available experimental data. Prediction of thermal conductivity degradation of LEU TREAT fuel during a long-term operation was performed, with a focus on the effect of UO 2 particle size on fission-fragment damage. Lastly, the proposed method can be further adjusted to evaluate the degradation of other properties of graphite-based dispersion fuel.« less

Effect of reactor radiation on the thermal conductivity of TREAT fuel

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mo, Kun; Miao, Yinbin; Kontogeorgakos, Dimitrios C.

The Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) at the Idaho National Laboratory is resuming operations after more than 20 years in latency in order to produce high-neutron-flux transients for investigating transient-induced behavior of reactor fuels and their interactions with other materials and structures. A parallel program is ongoing to develop a replacement core in which the fuel, historically containing highly-enriched uranium (HEU), is replaced by low-enriched uranium (LEU). Both the HEU and prospective LEU fuels are in the form of UO 2 particles dispersed in a graphite matrix, but the LEU fuel will contain a much higher volume of UO 2more » particles, which may create a larger area of interphase boundaries between the particles and the graphite. This may lead to a higher volume fraction of graphite exposed to the fission fragments escaping from the UO 2 particles, and thus may induce a higher volume of fission-fragment damage on the fuel graphite. In this work, we analyzed the reactor-radiation induced thermal conductivity degradation of graphite-based dispersion fuel. A semi-empirical method to model the relative thermal conductivity with reactor radiation was proposed and validated based on the available experimental data. Prediction of thermal conductivity degradation of LEU TREAT fuel during a long-term operation was performed, with a focus on the effect of UO 2 particle size on fission-fragment damage. Lastly, the proposed method can be further adjusted to evaluate the degradation of other properties of graphite-based dispersion fuel.« less

Synthesis of Graphene Oxide by Oxidation of Graphite with Ferrate(VI) Compounds: Myth or Reality?

PubMed

Sofer, Zdeněk; Luxa, Jan; Jankovský, Ondřej; Sedmidubský, David; Bystroň, Tomáš; Pumera, Martin

2016-09-19

It is well established that graphene oxide can be prepared by the oxidation of graphite using permanganate or chlorate in an acidic environment. Recently, however, the synthesis of graphene oxide using potassium ferrate(VI) ions has been reported. Herein, we critically replicate and evaluate this new ferrate(VI) oxidation method. In addition, we test the use of potassium ferrate(VI) for the synthesis of graphene oxide under various experimental routes. The synthesized materials are analyzed by a number of analytical methods in order to confirm or disprove the possibility of synthesizing graphene oxide by the ferrate(VI) oxidation route. Our results confirm the unsuitability of using ferrate(VI) for the oxidation of graphite on graphene oxide because of its high instability in an acidic environment and low oxidation power in neutral and alkaline environments. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Low temperature simulation of subliming boundary layer flow in Jupiter atmosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, C. J.

1976-01-01

A low-temperature approximate simulation for the sublimation of a graphite heat shield under Jovian entry conditions is studied. A set of algebraic equations is derived to approximate the governing equation and boundary conditions, based on order-of-magnitude analysis. Characteristic quantities such as the wall temperature and the subliming velocity are predicted. Similarity parameters that are needed to simulate the most dominant phenomena of the Jovian entry flow are also given. An approximate simulation of the sublimation of the graphite heat shield is performed with an air-dry-ice model. The simulation with the air-dry-ice model may be carried out experimentally at a lower temperature of 3000 to 6000 K instead of the entry temperature of 14,000 K. The rate of graphite sublimation predicted by the present algebraic approximation agrees to the order of magnitude with extrapolated data. The limitations of the simulation method and its utility are discussed.

Mechanism of chemical sputtering of graphite under high flux deuterium bombardment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ueda, Y.; Sugai, T.; Ohtsuka, Y.; Nishikawa, M.

2000-12-01

Chemical sputtering of graphite materials (isotropic graphite and carbon fiber composite) was studied by irradiation of 5 keV D 3+ beam with a flux up to 4×10 21 m-2 s-1, which is more than one order magnitude higher than previous low flux beam experiments (< 10 20 m-2 s-1) . The chemical sputtering yield was obtained from measurements of the released methane signal with a quadrupole mass analyser. It was found that the methane yield at peak temperatures is almost independent of flux from 5×10 20 to 4×10 21 m-2 s-1. Peak temperatures range between 900 and 1000 K, which is higher than those of the previous low flux experiments (<900 K, <10 20 m-2 s-1) . By comparing our experimental results with calculation results based on Roth's model, the annealing effect of radiation damage to prevent methyl group formation appears to be unimportant.

Graphite, graphene and the flat band superconductivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Volovik, G. E.

2018-04-01

Superconductivity has been observed in bilayer graphene [1,2]. The main factor, which determines the mechanism of the formation of this superconductivity is the "magic angle" of twist of two graphene layers, at which the electronic band structure becomes nearly flat. The specific role played by twist and by the band flattening, has been earlier suggested for explanations of the signatures of room-temperature superconductivity observed in the highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), when the quasi two-dimensional interfaces between the twisted domains are present. The interface contains the periodic array of misfit dislocations (analogs of the boundaries of the unit cell of the Moire superlattice in bilayer graphene), which provide the possible source of the flat band. This demonstrates that it is high time for combination of the theoretical and experimental efforts in order to reach the reproducible room-temperature superconductivity in graphite or in similar real or artificial materials.

Strain rate, temperature, and humidity on strength and moduli of a graphite/epoxy composite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lifshitz, J. M.

1981-01-01

Results of an experimental study of the influence of strain rate, temperature and humidity on the mechanical behavior of a graphite/epoxy fiber composite are presented. Three principal strengths (longitudinal, transverse and shear) and four basic moduli (E1, E2, G12 and U12) of a unidirectional graphite/epoxy composite were followed as a function of strain rate, temperature and humidity. Each test was performed at a constant tensile strain rate in an environmental chamber providing simultaneous temperature and humidity control. Prior to testing, specimens were given a moisture preconditioning treatment at 60 C. Values for the matrix dominated moduli and strength were significantly influenced by both environmental and rate parameters, whereas the fiber dominated moduli were not. However, the longitudinal strength was significantly influenced by temperature and moisture content. A qualitative explanation for these observations is presented.

High Thermal Conductivity of Copper Matrix Composite Coatings with Highly-Aligned Graphite Nanoplatelets

PubMed Central

Tagliaferri, Vincenzo; Ucciardello, Nadia

2017-01-01

Nanocomposite coatings with highly-aligned graphite nanoplatelets in a copper matrix were successfully fabricated by electrodeposition. For the first time, the disposition and thermal conductivity of the nanofiller has been evaluated. The degree of alignment and inclination of the filling materials has been quantitatively evaluated by polarized micro-Raman spectroscopy. The room temperature values of the thermal conductivity were extracted for the graphite nanoplatelets by the dependence of the Raman G-peak frequency on the laser power excitation. Temperature dependency of the G-peak shift has been also measured. Most remarkable is the global thermal conductivity of 640 ± 20 W·m−1·K−1 (+57% of copper) obtained for the composite coating by the flash method. Our experimental results are accounted for by an effective medium approximation (EMA) model that considers the influence of filler geometry, orientation, and thermal conductivity inside a copper matrix. PMID:29068424

Phase diagram of carbon and the factors limiting the quantity and size of natural diamonds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blank, Vladimir D.; Churkin, Valentin D.; Kulnitskiy, Boris A.; Perezhogin, Igor A.; Kirichenko, Alexey N.; Denisov, Viktor N.; Erohin, Sergey V.; Sorokin, Pavel B.; Popov, Mikhail Yu

2018-03-01

Phase diagrams of carbon, and those focusing on the graphite-to-diamond transitional conditions in particular, are of great interest for fundamental and applied research. The present study introduces a number of experiments carried out to convert graphite under high-pressure conditions, showing a formation of stable phase of fullerene-type onions cross-linked by sp3-bonds in the 55-115 GPa pressure range instead of diamonds formation (even at temperature 2000-3000 K) and the already formed diamonds turn into carbon onions. Our results refute the widespread idea that diamonds can form at any pressure from 2.2 to 1000 GPa. The phase diagram built within this study allows us not only to explain the existing numerous experimental data on the formation of diamond from graphite, but also to make assumptions about the conditions of its growth in Earth’s crust.

Manufacture of fiber-epoxy test specimens: Including associated jigs and instrumentation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mathur, S. B.; Felbeck, D. K.

1980-01-01

Experimental work on the manufacture and strength of graphite-epoxy composites is considered. The correct data and thus a true assessment of the strength properties based on a proper and scientifically modeled test specimen with engineered design, construction, and manufacture has led to claims of a very broad spread in optimized values. Such behavior is in the main due to inadequate control during manufacture of test specimen, improper curing, and uneven scatter in the fiber orientation. The graphite fibers are strong but brittle. Even with various epoxy matrices and volume fraction, the fracture toughness is still relatively low. Graphite-epoxy prepreg tape was investigated as a sandwich construction with intermittent interlaminar bonding between the laminates in order to produce high strength, high fracture toughness composites. The quality and control of manufacture of the multilaminate test specimen blanks was emphasized. The dimensions, orientation and cure must be meticulous in order to produce the desired mix.

Geometrical aspects of the tribological properties of graphite fiber reinforced polymide composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fusaro, R. L.

1982-01-01

A latin square statistical experimental test design was used to evaluate the effect of temperature, load and sliding speed on the tribological properties of graphite fiber reinforced polymide (GFRPI) composite specimens. Hemispherically tipped composite riders were slid against 440 C HT stainless steel disks. comparisons were made to previous studies in which hemispherically tipped 440 C HT stainless steel riders were slid against GFRPI composite disks and to studies in which GFRPI was used as a liner in plain spherical bearings. The results indicate that sliding surface geometry is especially important, in that different geometries can give completely different friction and wear results. Load, temperature, and sliding distance were found to influence the friction and wear results but sliding speed was found to have little effect. Experiments on GFRPI riders with 10 weight percent additions of graphite fluoride showed that this addition has no effect on friction and wear.

Effect of specimen size and grain orientation on the mechanical and physical properties of NBG-18 nuclear graphite

DOE PAGES

Vasudevamurthy, G.; Byun, T. S.; Pappano, Pete; ...

2015-03-13

Here we present a comparison of the measured baseline mechanical and physical properties of with grain (WG) and against grain (AG) non-ASTM size NBG-18 graphite. The objectives of the experiments were twofold: (1) assess the variation in properties with grain orientation; (2) establish a correlation between specimen tensile strength and size. The tensile strength of the smallest sized (4 mm diameter) specimens were about 5% higher than the standard specimens (12 mm diameter) but still within one standard deviation of the ASTM specimen size indicating no significant dependence of strength on specimen size. The thermal expansion coefficient and elastic constantsmore » did not show significant dependence on specimen size. Lastly, experimental data indicated that the variation of thermal expansion coefficient and elastic constants were still within 5% between the different grain orientations, confirming the isotropic nature of NBG-18 graphite in physical properties.« less

Ureilite smelting

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walker, David; Grove, Tim

1993-01-01

Ureilites containing homogeneous Fo76 olivine cores in intimate co-existence with graphite must have recrystallized at pressures of at least approximately 100 bars to suppress smelting of the fayalite component of the olivine to Fe metal. Smelting of olivine and pyroxene-saturated magmatic liquids produces orthopyroxene-without-olivine crystalline derivatives unlike those in ureilites. Thus the Mg# compositional variation within the ureilite suite, which is commonly attributed to partial smelting, cannot plausibly be produced by assemblages rich in liquid. In situ smelting of graphitic olivine + pigeonite crystal mushes can produce the correct crystal assemblage, but fails to provide a plausible account for the removal of metal from ureilites or for the correlation of Mg# with Delta O-17. Even if Mg# and Delta O-17 variations are established in the nebula, ureilite recrystallization with graphite must have occurred at pressures greater than the minima we have experimentally established, corresponding to parent objects not less than approximately 100 km in radius.

Experimental evaluation of two 36 inch by 47 inch graphite/epoxy sandwich shear webs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bush, H. G.

1975-01-01

The design is described and test of two large (36 in. x 47 in.) graphite/epoxy sandwich shear webs. One sandwich web was designed to exhibit strength failure of the facings at a shear load of 7638 lbs/in., which is a characteristic loading for the space shuttle orbiter main engine thrust beam structure. The second sandwich web was designed to exhibit general instability failure at a shear load of 5000 lbs/in., to identify problem areas of stability critical sandwich webs and to assess the adequacy of contemporary analysis techniques.

Strain rate effects on mechanical properties of fiber composites, part 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daniel, I. M.; Liber, T.

1976-01-01

An experimental investigation was conducted to determine the strain rate effects in fiber composites. Unidirectional composite specimens of boron/epoxy, graphite/epoxy, S-glass/epoxy and Kevlar/epoxy were tested to determine longitudinal, transverse and intralaminar (in-plane) shear properties. In the Longitudinal direction the Kevlar/epoxy shows a definite increase in both modulus and strength with strain rate. In the transverse direction, a general trend toward higher strength with strain rate is noticed. The intralaminar shear moduli and strengths of boron/epoxy and graphite/epoxy show a definite rise with strain rate.

A new experimental method for the accelerated characterization of composite materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brinson, H. F.; Morris, D. H.; Yeow, Y. T.

1978-01-01

A method which permits the prediction of long-term properties of graphite/epoxy laminates on the basis of short-term (15 min) laboratory tests is described. Demonstration of delayed viscoelastic fracture in one laminate configuration, and data on the time and temperature response of a matrix-dominated unidirectional laminate contributed to a characterization of the viscoelastic process in the graphite/epoxy composites. Master curves from short-term tests of certain laminate configurations can be employed to generate long-term master curves. In addition, analytical predictions from short-term results can be used to predict long-term (25-hour) laminate properties.

The 13C nuclear magnetic resonance in graphite intercalation compounds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tsang, T.; Resing, H. A.

1985-01-01

The (13)C NMR chemical shifts of graphite intercalation compounds were calculated. For acceptor types, the shifts come mainly from the paramagnetic (Ramsey) intra-atomic terms. They are related to the gross features of the two-dimensional band structures. The calculated anisotropy is about -140 ppm and is independent of the finer details such as charge transfer. For donor types, the carbon 2p pi orbitals are spin-polarized because of mixing with metal conduction electrons, thus there is an additional dipolar contribution which may be correlated with the electronic specific heat. The general agreement with experimental data is satisfactory.

Hydrogen recycling in graphite at higher fluxes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Larsson, D.; Bergsåker, H.; Hedqvist, A.

Understanding hydrogen recycling is essential for particle control in fusion devices with a graphite wall. At Extrap T2 three different models have been used. A zero-dimensional (0D) recycling model reproduces the density behavior in plasma discharges as well as in helium glow discharge. A more sophisticated one-dimensional (1D) model is used along with a simple mixing model to explain the results in isotopic exchange experiments. Due to high fluxes some changes in the models were needed. In the paper, the three models are discussed and the results are compared with experimental data.

C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance in graphite intercalation compounds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tsang, T.; Resing, H. A.

1985-01-01

The C-13 NMR chemical shifts of graphite intercalation compounds have been calculated. For acceptor types, the shifts come mainly from the paramagnetic (Ramsey) intra-atomic terms. They are related to the gross features of the two-dimensional band structures. The calculated anisotropy is about - 140 ppm and is independent of the finer details such as charge transfer. For donor types, the carbon 2p pi orbitals are spin-polarized because of mixing with metal-conduction electrons, thus there is an additional dipolar contribution which may be correlated with the electronic specific heat. The general agreement with experimental data is satisfactory.

Frictional Characteristics of graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Changgu; Carpick, Robert; Hone, James

2009-03-01

The frictional characteristics of graphene were characterized using friction force microscopy (FFM). The frictional force for monolayer graphene is more than twice that of bulk graphite, with 2,3, and 4 layer samples showing a monotonic decrease in friction with increasing sample thickness. Measurements on suspended graphene membranes show identical results, ruling out substrate effects as the cause of the observed variation. Likewise, the adhesion force is identical for all samples. The frictional force is independent of load within experimental uncertainty, consistent with previous measurements on graphite. We consider several possible explanations for the origin of the observed thickness dependence.

Quinoxaline polymers and copolymers derived from 1,4-bis(1'-naphthalenyloxalyl)benzene and their graphite composites. [polymer chemistry and polymer physics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Port, W. S.

1976-01-01

Experimental studies were performed with new polyquinoxalines and their graphite composites. Four polymers were synthesized, and then were characterized with respect to their inherent viscosity, elemental chemical analysis, mechanical, and thermodynamic properties. Structural formulas of the polymers and their precursors are given; methods of synthesis are described; and specifically examined was the preparation of polymers from 3,3' diamino-benzidine from 1,4- and 1,3- bis ((1'-napthalenyl) oxalyl) benzene respectively. Also considered was the preparation of polyquinoxalines from poly (p-benzil), and 1,2- aryldiamines.

Hygrothermal effects on the mechanical behaviour of graphite fibre-reinforced epoxy laminates beyond initial failure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ishai, O.; Garg, A.; Nelson, H. G.

1986-01-01

The critical load levels and associated cracking beyond which a multidirectional laminate can be considered as structurally failed has been determined by loading graphite fiber-reinforced epoxy laminates to different strain levels up to ultimate failure. Transverse matrix cracking was monitored by acoustic and optical methods. The residual stiffness and strength parallel and perpendicular to the cracks were determined and related to the environmental/loading history. Within the range of experimental conditions studied, it is concluded that the transverse cracking process does not have a crucial effect on the structural performance of multidirectional composite laminates.

Fractography of modern engineering materials: composites and metals

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Masters, J.E.; Au, J.J.

1987-01-01

The fractographic analysis of fracture surfaces in composites and metals is discussed in reviews and reports of recent theoretical and experimental investigations. Topics addressed include fracture-surface micromorphology in engineering solids, SEM fractography of pure and mixed-mode interlaminar fractures in graphite/epoxy composites, determination of crack propagation directions in graphite/epoxy structures, and the fracture surfaces of irradiated composites. Consideration is given to fractographic feature identification and characterization by digital imaging analysis, fractography of pressure-vessel steel weldments, the micromechanisms of major/minor cycle fatigue crack growth in Inconel 718, and fractographic analysis of hydrogen-assisted cracking in alpha-beta Ti alloys.

Modelling of pulsed electron beam induced graphite ablation: Sublimation versus melting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ali, Muddassir; Henda, Redhouane

2017-12-01

Pulsed electron beam ablation (PEBA) has recently emerged as a very promising technique for the deposition of thin films with superior properties. Interaction of the pulsed electron beam with the target material is a complex process, which consists of heating, phase transition, and erosion of a small portion from the target surface. Ablation can be significantly affected by the nature of thermal phenomena taking place at the target surface, with subsequent bearing on the properties, stoichiometry and structure of deposited thin films. A two stage, one-dimensional heat conduction model is presented to describe two different thermal phenomena accounting for interaction of a graphite target with a polyenergetic electron beam. In the first instance, the thermal phenomena are comprised of heating, melting and vaporization of the target surface, while in the second instance the thermal phenomena are described in terms of heating and sublimation of the graphite surface. In this work, the electron beam delivers intense electron pulses of ∼100 ns with energies up to 16 keV and an electric current of ∼400 A to a graphite target. The temperature distribution, surface recession velocity, ablated mass per unit area, and ablation depth for the graphite target are numerically simulated by the finite element method for each case. Based on calculation findings and available experimental data, ablation appears to occur mainly in the regime of melting and vaporization from the surface.

A comparative evaluation of in-plane shear test methods for laminated graphite-epoxy composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morton, John; Ho, Henjen

1992-01-01

The objectives were to evaluate popular shear test methods for various forms of graphite-epoxy composite materials and to determine the shear response of graphite-epoxy composites with various forms of fiber architecture. Numerical and full-field experimental stress analyses were performed on four shear test configurations for unidirectional and bidirectional graphite-epoxy laminates to assess the uniformity and purity of the shear stress (strain) fields produced in the specimen test section and to determine the material in-plane shear modulus and shear response. The test methods were the 10 deg off-axis, the +/- 45 deg tension, the Iosipescu V-notch, and a compact U-notch specimen. Specimens were prepared from AS4/3501-6 graphite-epoxy panels, instrumented with conventional strain gage rosettes and with a cross-line moire grating, and loaded in a convenient testing machine. The shear responses obtained for each test method and the two methods of specimen instrumentation were compared. In a second phase of the program the shear responses obtained from Iosipescu V-notch beam specimens were determined for woven fabric geometries of different weave and fiber architectures. Again the responses of specimens obtained from strain gage rosettes and moire interferometry were compared. Additional experiments were performed on a bidirectional cruciform specimen which was also instrumented with strain gages and a moire grating.

Effects of bolt-hole contact on bearing-bypass damage-onset strength

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crews, John H., Jr.; Naik, Rajiv A.

1991-01-01

A combined experimental and analytical study was conducted to investigate the effects of bolt-hole contact on the bearing bypass strength of a graphite-epoxy laminate. Tests were conducted on specimens consisting of 16-ply quasi-isotropic T300/5208 laminates with a centrally located hole. Bearing loads were applied through a clearance-fit steel bolt. Damage onset strength and damage mode were determined for each test case. A finite element procedure was used to calculate the bolt-hole stresses and bolt contact for each test case. A finite element procedure was used to calculate the bolt-hole stresses and bolt contact for each measured damage-onset strength. For the tension bearing-bypass cases tested, the bolt contact half-angle was approximately 60 degrees at damage onset. For compression, the contact angle was 20 degrees as the bypass load increased. A corresponding decrease in the bearing damage onset strength was attributed to the decrease in contact angle which made the bearing loads more severe. Hole boundary stresses were also computed by superimposing stresses for separate bearing and bypass loading. Stresses at the specimen net section were accurately approximated by the superposition procedure. However, the peak bearing stresses had large errors because the bolt contact angles were not represented correctly. For compression, peak bearing stress errors of nearly 50 percent were calculated.

Resistivity Correction Factor for the Four-Probe Method: Experiment III

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamashita, Masato; Nishii, Toshifumi; Kurihara, Hiroshi; Enjoji, Hideo; Iwata, Atsushi

1990-04-01

Experimental verification of the theoretically derived resistivity correction factor F is presented. Factor F is applied to a system consisting of a rectangular parallelepiped sample and a square four-probe array. Resistivity and sheet resistance measurements are made on isotropic graphites and crystalline ITO films. Factor F corrects experimental data and leads to reasonable resistivity and sheet resistance.

Dynamic responses of graphite/epoxy laminated beam to impact of elastic spheres

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sun, C. T.; Wang, T.

1982-01-01

Wave propagation in 90/45/90/-45/902s and 0/45/0/-45/02s laminates of a graphite/epoxy composite due to impact of a steel ball was investigated experimentally and also by using a high order beam finite element. Dynamic strain responses at several locations were obtained using strain gages. The finite element program which incorporated statically determined contact laws was employed to calculate the contact force history as well as the target beam dynamic deformation. The comparison of the finite element solutions with the experimental data indicated that the static contact laws for loading and unloading (developed under this grant) are adequate for the dynamic impact analysis. It was found that for the 0/45/0/-45/02s laminate which has a much larger longitudinal bending rigidity, the use of beam finite elements is not suitable and plate finite element should be used instead.

Measurement of Thick Target Neutron Yields at 0-Degree Bombarded With 140-MeV, 250-MeV And 350-MeV Protons

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Iwamoto, Yosuke; /JAERI, Kyoto; Taniguchi, Shingo

Neutron energy spectra at 0{sup o} produced from stopping-length graphite, aluminum, iron and lead targets bombarded with 140, 250 and 350 MeV protons were measured at the neutron TOF course in RCNP of Osaka University. The neutron energy spectra were obtained by using the time-of-flight technique in the energy range from 10 MeV to incident proton energy. To compare the experimental results, Monte Carlo calculations with the PHITS and MCNPX codes were performed using the JENDL-HE and the LA150 evaluated nuclear data files, the ISOBAR model implemented in PHITS, and the LAHET code in MCNPX. It was found that thesemore » calculated results at 0{sup o} generally agreed with the experimental results in the energy range above 20 MeV except for graphite at 250 and 350 MeV.« less

Experimental Identification of Ultrafast Reverse Hole Transfer at the Interface of the Photoexcited Methanol/Graphitic Carbon Nitride System.

PubMed

Chen, Zongwei; Zhang, Qun; Luo, Yi

2018-05-04

An experimental scrutiny of the photoexcited hole dynamics in a prototypical system is presented in which hole-scavenging methanol molecules are chemisorbed on a graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) substrate. A set of comparison and control experiments by means of femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption (fs-TA) spectroscopy were conducted. The elusive reverse hole transfer (RHT) process was identified, which occurs on a timescale of a few hundred picoseconds. The critical role of interfacially chemisorbed methoxy (instead of methanol) as the dominant species responsible for hole scavenging was confirmed by a control experiment using protonated g-C 3 N 4 as the substrate. A hot-hole transfer effect was revealed by implementing different interband photoexcitation scenarios. The RHT rate is the key factor governing the hole-scavenging ability of different hole scavengers. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Structural Response and Failure of a Full-Scale Stitched Graphite-Epoxy Wing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jegley, Dawn C.; Lovejoy, Andrew E.; Bush, Harold G.

2001-01-01

Analytical and experimental results of the test for an all-composite full-scale wing box are presented. The wing box is representative of a section of a 220-passenger commercial transport aircraft wing box and was designed and constructed by The Boeing Company as part of the NASA Advanced Subsonics Technology (AST) program. The semi-span wing was fabricated from a graphite-epoxy material system with cover panels and spars held together using Kevlar stitches through the thickness. No mechanical fasteners were used to hold the stiffeners to the skin of the cover panels. Tests were conducted with and without low-speed impact damage, discrete source damage and repairs. Up-bending down-bending and brake roll loading conditions were applied. The structure with nonvisible impact damage carried 97% of Design Ultimate Load prior to failure through a lower cover panel access hole. Finite element and experimental results agree for the global response of the structure.

Terahertz absorption in graphite nanoplatelets/polylactic acid composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bychanok, D.; Angelova, P.; Paddubskaya, A.; Meisak, D.; Shashkova, L.; Demidenko, M.; Plyushch, A.; Ivanov, E.; Krastev, R.; Kotsilkova, R.; Ogrin, F. Y.; Kuzhir, P.

2018-04-01

The electromagnetic properties of composite materials based on poly(lactic) acid (PLA) filled with graphite nanoplatelets (GNP) were investigated in the microwave (26–37 GHz) and terahertz (0.2–1 THz) frequency ranges. The maximum of the imaginary part of the dielectric permittivity was observed close to 0.6 THz for composites with 1.5 and 3 wt.% of GNP. The experimental data of complex dielectric permittivity of GNP/PLA composites was modelled using the Maxwell-Garnett theory. The effects of fine dispersion, agglomeration, and percolation in GNP-based composites on its electromagnetic constitutive parameters, presence, and position of THz absorption peak are discussed on the basis of the modeling results and experimental data. The unique combination of conductive and geometrical parameters of GNP embedded into the PLA matrix below the percolation threshold allow us to obtain the THz-absorptive material, which may be effectively used as a 3D-printing filament.

Raman spectroscopy of magneto-phonon resonances in graphene and graphite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goler, Sarah; Yan, Jun; Pellegrini, Vittorio; Pinczuk, Aron

2012-08-01

The magneto-phonon resonance or MPR occurs in semiconductor materials when the energy spacing between Landau levels is continuously tuned to cross the energy of an optical phonon mode. MPRs have been largely explored in bulk semiconductors, in two-dimensional systems and in quantum dots. Recently there has been significant interest in the MPR interactions of the Dirac fermion magneto-excitons in graphene, and a rich splitting and anti-crossing phenomena of the even parity E2g long wavelength optical phonon mode have been theoretically proposed and experimentally observed. The MPR has been found to crucially depend on disorder in the graphene layer. This is a feature that creates new venues for the study of interplays between disorder and interactions in the atomic layers. We review here the fundamentals of MRP in graphene and the experimental Raman scattering works that have led to the observation of these phenomena in graphene and graphite.

Evaluation of the Structural Response and Failure of a Full-Scale Stitched Graphite-Epoxy Wing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jegley, Dawn C.; Bush, Harold G.; Lovejoy, Andrew E.

2001-01-01

Analytical and experimental results for an all-composite full-scale wing box are presented. The wing box is representative of a section of a 220-passenger commercial transport aircraft wing box and was designed and constructed by The Boeing Company as part of the NASA Advanced Subsonics Technology (AST) program. The semi-span wing was fabricated from a graphite-epoxy material system with cover panels and spars held together using Kevlar stitches through the thickness. No mechanical fasteners were used to hold the stiffeners to the skin of the cover panels. Tests were conducted with and without low-speed impact damage, discrete source damage and repairs. Upbending, down-bending and brake roll loading conditions were applied. The structure with nonvisible impact damage carried 97% of Design Ultimate Load prior to failure through a lower cover panel access hole. Finite element and experimental results agree for the global response of the structure.

Master plot analysis of microcracking in graphite/epoxy and graphite/PEEK laminates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nairn, John A.; Hu, Shoufeng; Bark, Jong Song

1993-01-01

We used a variational stress analysis and an energy release rate failure criterion to construct a master plot analysis of matrix microcracking. In the master plot, the results for all laminates of a single material are predicted to fall on a single line whose slope gives the microcracking toughness of the material. Experimental results from 18 different layups of AS4/3501-6 laminates show that the master plot analysis can explain all observations. In particular, it can explain the differences between microcracking of central 90 deg plies and of free-surface 90 deg plies. Experimental results from two different AS4/PEEK laminates tested at different temperatures can be explained by a modified master plot that accounts for changes in the residual thermal stresses. Finally, we constructed similar master plot analyses for previous literature microcracking models. All microcracking theories that ignore the thickness dependence of the stresses gave poor results.

Carbon contents in reduced basalts at graphite saturation: Implications for the degassing of Mars, Mercury, and the Moon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yuan; Dasgupta, Rajdeep; Tsuno, Kyusei

2017-06-01

Carbon contents in reduced Martian basalts at graphite saturation were experimentally studied at 1400-1550°C, 1-2 GPa, and logfO2 of IW - 0.4 to IW + 1.5 (IW denotes the Fe-FeO buffer). The results show that carbon solubility in Martian basalts, determined by secondary ion mass spectrometry, is 20 to 1400 ppm, increasing with increasing fO2. Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic measurements on the quenched silicate glasses show that the dominant carbon species in Martian basalts is carbonate (CO32-). The experimental data generated here were combined with literature data on similar graphite-saturated carbon solubility for mafic-ultramafic compositions to develop an empirical model that can be used to predict carbon content of graphite-saturated reduced basalts at vapor-absent conditions: At IW+1.7 ≥logfO2 ≥ IW-1: (Cppm)=-3702(±534)/T-194(±49)P/T-0.0034(±0.043) logXH2O +0.61(±0.07)NBO/T+0.55(±0.02) ΔIW +3.5(±0.3)R2=0.89 At IW-5.3 ≤ logfO2 ≤ IW-1: (Cppm)=0.96(±0.19) logXH2O-0.25(±0.04)ΔIW+2.83(±0.34)R2=0.6) in which T is temperature in K, P is pressure in GPa, XH2O is mole fraction of water in basalts, ΔIW is the oxygen fugacity relative to the IW buffer, and NBO/T = 2 total O/T - 4 (T = Si + Ti + Al + Cr + P). This model was applied to predict carbon content in graphite-saturated mantle melts of the Mercury, Mars, and the Moon. The results show that graphite may be consumed during the production and extraction of some Martian basalts, and CO2 released by volcanism on Mars cannot be an efficient greenhouse gas in the early Mars. The lunar mantle carbon may be one of the main propellant driving the fire-fountain eruption on the Moon; however, the Mercurian mantle carbon may not be an important propellant for the explosive eruption on Mercury.

Enhancements of Nucleate Boiling Under Microgravity Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhang, Nengli; Chao, David F.; Yang, W. J.

2000-01-01

This paper presents two means for enhancing nucleate boiling and critical heat flux under microgravity conditions: using micro-configured metal-graphite composites as the boiling surface and dilute aqueous solutions of long-chain alcohols as the working fluid. In the former, thermocapillary force induced by temperature difference between the graphite-fiber tips and the metal matrix plays an important role in bubble detachment. Thus boiling-heat transfer performance does not deteriorate in a reduced-gravity environment. In the latter cases, the surface tension-temperature gradient of the long-chain alcohol solutions turns positive as the temperature exceeds a certain value. Consequently, the Marangoni effect does not impede, but rather aids in bubble departure from the heating surface. This feature is most favorable in microgravity. As a result, the bubble size of departure is substantially reduced at higher frequencies. Based on the existing experimental data, and a two-tier theoretical model, correlation formulas are derived for nucleate boiling on the copper-graphite and aluminum-graphite composite surfaces, in both the isolated and coalesced bubble regimes. In addition, performance equations for nucleate boiling and critical heat flux in dilute aqueous solutions of long-chain alcohols are obtained.

Theoretical Limits of Energy Density in Silicon-Carbon Composite Anode Based Lithium Ion Batteries.

PubMed

Dash, Ranjan; Pannala, Sreekanth

2016-06-17

Silicon (Si) is under consideration as a potential next-generation anode material for the lithium ion battery (LIB). Experimental reports of up to 40% increase in energy density of Si anode based LIBs (Si-LIBs) have been reported in literature. However, this increase in energy density is achieved when the Si-LIB is allowed to swell (volumetrically expand) more than graphite based LIB (graphite-LIB) and beyond practical limits. The volume expansion of LIB electrodes should be negligible for applications such as automotive or mobile devices. We determine the theoretical bounds of Si composition in a Si-carbon composite (SCC) based anode to maximize the volumetric energy density of a LIB by constraining the external dimensions of the anode during charging. The porosity of the SCC anode is adjusted to accommodate the volume expansion during lithiation. The calculated threshold value of Si was then used to determine the possible volumetric energy densities of LIBs with SCC anode (SCC-LIBs) and the potential improvement over graphite-LIBs. The level of improvement in volumetric and gravimetric energy density of SCC-LIBs with constrained volume is predicted to be less than 10% to ensure the battery has similar power characteristics of graphite-LIBs.

Development of polyphenylquinoxaline graphite composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoggatt, J. T.; Hergenrother, P. M.; Shdo, J. G.

1973-01-01

The potential of polyphenylquinoxaline (PPQ)/graphite composites to serve as structural material at 316 C (600 F)has been demonstrated using a block copolymer, BlCo(13), PPQ derivative. Initially, thirteen polyphenylquinoxalines were evaluated. From this work, four candidate polymers were selected for preliminary evaluation as matrices for HMS graphite fiber reinforced composites. The preliminary composite evaluation enabled selection of one of the four polymers for advanced composite preparation and testing. Using an experimentally established cure schedule for each of the four polymers, preliminary laminates of 50% resin volume content, prepared without postcure, were tested for flexure strength and modulus, interlaminar shear strength (short beam), and tensile strength and modulus at ambient temperature. A block copolymer (Bl Co 13) derived from one mole p-bis (phenylglyoxalyl) benzene, one fourth mole 3,3'-diaminobenzidine and three-fourths mole 3,3', 4,4'-tetraminobenzophenone was selected for extensive study. Tensile, flexural, and interlaminar shear values were obtained after aging and testing postcured BlCo(13) laminates at 316 C (600 F). The potential of PPQ/graphite laminates to serve as short term structural materials at temperatures up to 371 C (700 F) was demonstrated through weight loss experiments.

Fission Product Sorptivity in Graphite

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tompson, Jr., Robert V.; Loyalka, Sudarshan; Ghosh, Tushar

Both adsorption and absorption (sorption) of fission product (FP) gases on/into graphite are issues of interest in very high temperature reactors (VHTRs). In the original proposal, we proposed to use packed beds of graphite particles to measure sorption at a variety of temperatures and to use an electrodynamic balance (EDB) to measure sorption onto single graphite particles (a few μm in diameter) at room temperature. The use of packed beds at elevated temperature is not an issue. However, the TPOC requested revision of this initial proposal to included single particle measurements at elevated temperatures up to 1100 °C. To accommodatemore » the desire of NEUP to extend the single particle EDB measurements to elevated temperatures it was necessary to significantly revise the plan and the budget. These revisions were approved. In the EDB method, we levitate a single graphite particle (the size, surface characteristics, morphology, purity, and composition of the particle can be varied) or agglomerate in the balance and measure the sorption of species by observing the changes in mass. This process involves the use of an electron stepping technique to measure the total charge on a particle which, in conjunction with the measured suspension voltages for the particle, allows for determinations of mass and, hence, of mass changes which then correspond to measurements of sorption. Accommodating elevated temperatures with this type of system required a significant system redesign and required additional time that ultimately was not available. These constraints also meant that the grant had to focus on fewer species as a result. Overall, the extension of the original proposed single particle work to elevated temperatures added greatly to the complexity of the proposed project and added greatly to the time that would eventually be required as well. This means that the bulk of the experimental progress was made using the packed bed sorption systems. Only being able to recruit one graduate student meant that data acquisition with the packed bed systems ended up competing for the graduate student’s available time with the electrodynamic balance redesign and assembly portions of the project. This competition for available time was eventually mitigated to some extent by the later recruitment of an undergraduate student to help with data collection using the packed bed system. It was only the recruitment of the second student that allowed the single particle balance design and construction efforts to proceed as far as they did during the project period. It should be added that some significant time was also spent by the graduate student cataloging previous work involving graphite. This eventually resulted in a review paper being submitted and accepted (“Adsorption of Iodine on Graphite in High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor Systems: A Review,” Kyle L. Walton, Tushar K. Ghosh, Dabir S. Viswanath, Sudarshan K. Loyalka, Robert V. Tompson). Our specific revised objectives in this project were as follows: Experimentally obtain isotherms of Iodine for reactor grade IG-110 samples of graphite particles over a range of temperatures and pressures using an EDB and a temperature controlled EDB; Experimentally obtain isotherms of Iodine for reactor grade IG-110 samples of graphite particles over a range of temperatures and pressures using a packed column bed apparatus; Explore the effect that charge has on the adsorption isotherms of iodine by varying the charges on and the voltages used to suspend the microscopic particles in the EDB; and To interpret these results in terms of the existing models (Langmuir, BET, Freundlich, and others) which we will modify as necessary to include charge related effects.« less

Performance analysis of cutting graphite-epoxy composite using a 90,000psi abrasive waterjet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choppali, Aiswarya

Graphite-epoxy composites are being widely used in many aerospace and structural applications because of their properties: which include lighter weight, higher strength to weight ratio and a greater flexibility in design. However, the inherent anisotropy of these composites makes it difficult to machine them using conventional methods. To overcome the major issues that develop with conventional machining such as fiber pull out, delamination, heat generation and high tooling costs, an effort is herein made to study abrasive waterjet machining of composites. An abrasive waterjet is used to cut 1" thick graphite epoxy composites based on baseline data obtained from the cutting of ¼" thick material. The objective of this project is to study the surface roughness of the cut surface with a focus on demonstrating the benefits of using higher pressures for cutting composites. The effects of major cutting parameters: jet pressure, traverse speed, abrasive feed rate and cutting head size are studied at different levels. Statistical analysis of the experimental data provides an understanding of the effect of the process parameters on surface roughness. Additionally, the effect of these parameters on the taper angle of the cut is studied. The data is analyzed to obtain a set of process parameters that optimize the cutting of 1" thick graphite-epoxy composite. The statistical analysis is used to validate the experimental data. Costs involved in the cutting process are investigated in term of abrasive consumed to better understand and illustrate the practical benefits of using higher pressures. It is demonstrated that, as pressure increased, ultra-high pressure waterjets produced a better surface quality at a faster traverse rate with lower costs.

Experimental Measurement and Numerical Modeling of the Effective Thermal Conductivity of TRISO Fuel Compacts

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Folsom, Charles; Xing, Changhu; Jensen, Colby

2015-03-01

Accurate modeling capability of thermal conductivity of tristructural-isotropic (TRISO) fuel compacts is important to fuel performance modeling and safety of Generation IV reactors. To date, the effective thermal conductivity (ETC) of tristructural-isotropic (TRISO) fuel compacts has not been measured directly. The composite fuel is a complicated structure comprised of layered particles in a graphite matrix. In this work, finite element modeling is used to validate an analytic ETC model for application to the composite fuel material for particle-volume fractions up to 40%. The effect of each individual layer of a TRISO particle is analyzed showing that the overall ETC ofmore » the compact is most sensitive to the outer layer constituent. In conjunction with the modeling results, the thermal conductivity of matrix-graphite compacts and the ETC of surrogate TRISO fuel compacts have been successfully measured using a previously developed measurement system. The ETC of the surrogate fuel compacts varies between 50 and 30 W m -1 K -1 over a temperature range of 50-600°C. As a result of the numerical modeling and experimental measurements of the fuel compacts, a new model and approach for analyzing the effect of compact constituent materials on ETC is proposed that can estimate the fuel compact ETC with approximately 15-20% more accuracy than the old method. Using the ETC model with measured thermal conductivity of the graphite matrix-only material indicate that, in the composite form, the matrix material has a much greater thermal conductivity, which is attributed to the high anisotropy of graphite thermal conductivity. Therefore, simpler measurements of individual TRISO compact constituents combined with an analytic ETC model, will not provide accurate predictions of overall ETC of the compacts emphasizing the need for measurements of composite, surrogate compacts.« less

Quantitative Analysis of Heavy Metals in Water Based on LIBS with an Automatic Device for Sample Preparation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Li; Zhao, Nanjing; Liu, Wenqing; Meng, Deshuo; Fang, Li; Wang, Yin; Yu, Yang; Ma, Mingjun

2015-08-01

Heavy metals in water can be deposited on graphite flakes, which can be used as an enrichment method for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and is studied in this paper. The graphite samples were prepared with an automatic device, which was composed of a loading and unloading module, a quantitatively adding solution module, a rapid heating and drying module and a precise rotating module. The experimental results showed that the sample preparation methods had no significant effect on sample distribution and the LIBS signal accumulated in 20 pulses was stable and repeatable. With an increasing amount of the sample solution on the graphite flake, the peak intensity at Cu I 324.75 nm accorded with the exponential function with a correlation coefficient of 0.9963 and the background intensity remained unchanged. The limit of detection (LOD) was calculated through linear fitting of the peak intensity versus the concentration. The LOD decreased rapidly with an increasing amount of sample solution until the amount exceeded 20 mL and the correlation coefficient of exponential function fitting was 0.991. The LOD of Pb, Ni, Cd, Cr and Zn after evaporating different amounts of sample solution on the graphite flakes was measured and the variation tendency of their LOD with sample solution amounts was similar to the tendency for Cu. The experimental data and conclusions could provide a reference for automatic sample preparation and heavy metal in situ detection. supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 60908018), National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (No. 2013AA065502) and Anhui Province Outstanding Youth Science Fund of China (No. 1108085J19)

Electrochemical oxidation of textile industry wastewater by graphite electrodes.

PubMed

Bhatnagar, Rajendra; Joshi, Himanshu; Mall, Indra D; Srivastava, Vimal C

2014-01-01

In the present article, studies have been performed on the electrochemical (EC) oxidation of actual textile industry wastewater by graphite electrodes. Multi-response optimization of four independent parameters namely initial pH (pHo): 4-10, current density (j): 27.78-138.89 A/m(2), NaCl concentration (w): 0-2 g/L and electrolysis time (t): 10-130 min have been performed using Box-Behnken (BB) experimental design. It was aimed to simultaneously maximize the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and color removal efficiencies and minimize specific energy consumption using desirability function approach. Pareto analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a high coefficient of determination value for COD (R(2) = 0.8418), color (R(2) = 0.7010) and specific energy (R(2) = 0.9125) between the experimental values and the predicted values by a second-order regression model. Maximum COD and color removal and minimum specific energy consumed was 90.78%, 96.27% and 23.58 kWh/kg COD removed, respectively, were observed at optimum conditions. The wastewater, sludge and scum obtained after treatment at optimum condition have been characterized by various techniques. UV-visible study showed that all azo bonds of the dyes present in the wastewater were totally broken and most of the aromatic rings were mineralized during EC oxidation with graphite electrode. Carbon balance showed that out of the total carbon eroded from the graphite electrodes, 27-29.2% goes to the scum, 71.1-73.3% goes into the sludge and rest goes to the treated wastewater. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the generated sludge and scum can be dried and used as a fuel in the boilers/incinerators.

Imaging Fourier Transform Spectroscopy of the Boundary Layer Plume from Laser Irradiated Polymers and Carbon Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-06-16

with surface desorption of the monomer. For laser-irradiated porous graphite targets, experimental results indicated a dominant CO2 production at...global models [78, 79, 87-89]. For simplicity, established global kinetics are considered and compare with experimental results obtained from IFTS...investigated up to 3 mm away from the surface into the boundary layer. At 0.72 mm from the surface, experimental results indicated a dominant production of

The Statistical Analysis Techniques to Support the NGNP Fuel Performance Experiments

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bihn T. Pham; Jeffrey J. Einerson

2010-06-01

This paper describes the development and application of statistical analysis techniques to support the AGR experimental program on NGNP fuel performance. The experiments conducted in the Idaho National Laboratory’s Advanced Test Reactor employ fuel compacts placed in a graphite cylinder shrouded by a steel capsule. The tests are instrumented with thermocouples embedded in graphite blocks and the target quantity (fuel/graphite temperature) is regulated by the He-Ne gas mixture that fills the gap volume. Three techniques for statistical analysis, namely control charting, correlation analysis, and regression analysis, are implemented in the SAS-based NGNP Data Management and Analysis System (NDMAS) for automatedmore » processing and qualification of the AGR measured data. The NDMAS also stores daily neutronic (power) and thermal (heat transfer) code simulation results along with the measurement data, allowing for their combined use and comparative scrutiny. The ultimate objective of this work includes (a) a multi-faceted system for data monitoring and data accuracy testing, (b) identification of possible modes of diagnostics deterioration and changes in experimental conditions, (c) qualification of data for use in code validation, and (d) identification and use of data trends to support effective control of test conditions with respect to the test target. Analysis results and examples given in the paper show the three statistical analysis techniques providing a complementary capability to warn of thermocouple failures. It also suggests that the regression analysis models relating calculated fuel temperatures and thermocouple readings can enable online regulation of experimental parameters (i.e. gas mixture content), to effectively maintain the target quantity (fuel temperature) within a given range.« less

Experimental Plan for EDF Energy Creep Rabbit Graphite Irradiations- Rev. 2 (replaces Rev. 0 ORNL/TM/2013/49).

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Burchell, Timothy D

2014-07-01

The experimental results obtained here will assist in the development and validation of future models of irradiation induced creep of graphite by providing the following data: Inert creep stain data from low to lifetime AGR fluence Inert creep-property data (especially CTE) from low to lifetime AGR fluence Effect of oxidation on creep modulus (by indirect comparison with experiment 1 and direct comparison with experiment 3 NB. Experiment 1 and 3 are not covered here) Data to develop a mechanistic understanding, including oAppropriate creep modulus (including pinning and high dose effects on structure) oInvestigation of CTE-creep strain behavior under inert conditionsmore » oInformation on the effect of applied stress/creep strain on crystallite orientation (requires XRD) oEffect of creep strain on micro-porosity (requires tomography & microscopy) This document describes the experimental work planned to meet the requirements of project technical specification [1] and EDF Energy requests for additional Pre-IE work. The PIE work is described in detail in this revision (Section 8 and 9).« less

Route 130 bridge snowfree installation electrical analysis and recommendations.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1998-02-01

Results of an experimental investigation on the properties of a snowfree installation for a bridge deck : are reported. The New Jersey Department of Transportation has contracted the Superior Graphite : Company to provide a heated pavement system for...

Making Diamond in the Laboratory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Strong, Herbert

1975-01-01

Discusses the graphite to diamond transformation and a phase diagram for carbon. Describes high temperature-higher pressure experimental apparatus and growth of diamonds from seed crystals. Reviews properties of the diamond which suggest uses for the synthetic product. Illustrations with text. (GH)

Experimental determination of magnesia and silica solubilities in graphite-saturated and redox-buffered high-pressure COH fluids in equilibrium with forsterite + enstatite and magnesite + enstatite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiraboschi, Carla; Tumiati, Simone; Sverjensky, Dimitri; Pettke, Thomas; Ulmer, Peter; Poli, Stefano

2018-01-01

We experimentally investigated the dissolution of forsterite, enstatite and magnesite in graphite-saturated COH fluids, synthesized using a rocking piston cylinder apparatus at pressures from 1.0 to 2.1 GPa and temperatures from 700 to 1200 °C. Synthetic forsterite, enstatite, and nearly pure natural magnesite were used as starting materials. Redox conditions were buffered by Ni-NiO-H2O (ΔFMQ = - 0.21 to - 1.01), employing a double-capsule setting. Fluids, binary H2O-CO2 mixtures at the P, T, and fO2 conditions investigated, were generated from graphite, oxalic acid anhydrous (H2C2O4) and water. Their dissolved solute loads were analyzed through an improved version of the cryogenic technique, which takes into account the complexities associated with the presence of CO2-bearing fluids. The experimental data show that forsterite + enstatite solubility in H2O-CO2 fluids is higher compared to pure water, both in terms of dissolved silica ( mSiO2 = 1.24 mol/kgH2O versus mSiO2 = 0.22 mol/kgH2O at P = 1 GPa, T = 800 °C) and magnesia ( mMgO = 1.08 mol/kgH2O versus mMgO = 0.28 mol/kgH2O) probably due to the formation of organic C-Mg-Si complexes. Our experimental results show that at low temperature conditions, a graphite-saturated H2O-CO2 fluid interacting with a simplified model mantle composition, characterized by low MgO/SiO2 ratios, would lead to the formation of significant amounts of enstatite if solute concentrations are equal, while at higher temperatures these fluid, characterized by MgO/SiO2 ratios comparable with that of olivine, would be less effective in metasomatizing the surrounding rocks. However, the molality of COH fluids increases with pressure and temperature, and quintuplicates with respect to the carbon-free aqueous fluids. Therefore, the amount of fluid required to metasomatize the mantle decreases in the presence of carbon at high P- T conditions. COH fluids are thus effective carriers of C, Mg and Si in the mantle wedge up to the shallowest level of the upper mantle.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Paul Demkowicz; Lance Cole; Scott Ploger

The AGR-1 irradiation experiment ended on November 6, 2009, after 620 effective full power days in the Advanced Test Reactor, achieving a peak burnup of 19.6% FIMA. The test train was shipped to the Materials and Fuels Complex in March 2010 for post-irradiation examination. The first PIE activities included non-destructive examination of the test train, followed by disassembly of the test train and individual capsules and detailed inspection of the capsule contents, including the fuel compacts and the graphite fuel holders. Dimensional measurements of the compacts, graphite holders, and steel capsules shells were performed using a custom vision measurement systemmore » (for outer diameters and lengths) and conventional bore gauges (for inner diameters). Gamma spectrometry of the intact test train gave a preliminary look at the condition of the interior components. No evidence of damage to compacts or graphite components was evident from the isotopic and gross gamma scans. Neutron radiography of the intact Capsule 2 showed a high degree of detail of interior components and confirmed the observation that there was no major damage to the capsule. Disassembly of the capsules was initiated using procedures qualified during out-of-cell mockup testing. Difficulties were encountered during capsule disassembly due to irradiation-induced changes in some of the capsule components’ properties, including embrittled niobium and molybdenum parts that were susceptible to fracture and swelling of the graphite fuel holders that affected their removal from the capsule shells. This required various improvised modifications to the disassembly procedure to avoid damage to the fuel compacts. Ultimately the capsule disassembly was successful and only one compact from Capsule 4 (out of 72 total in the test train) sustained damage during the disassembly process, along with the associated graphite holder. The compacts were generally in very good condition upon removal. Only relatively minor damage or markings were visible using high resolution photographic inspection. Compact dimensional measurements indicated diametrical shrinkage of 0.9 to 1. 4%, and length shrinkage of 0.2 to 1.1%. The shrinkage was somewhat dependent on compact location within each capsule and within the test train. Compacts exhibited a maximum diametrical shrinkage at a fast neutron fluence of approximately 3×1021 n/cm2. A multivariate statistical analysis indicates that fast neutron fluence as well as compact position in the test train influence compact shrinkage.« less

Evaluation of flawed composite structural components under static and cyclic loading. [fatigue life of graphite-epoxy composite materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Porter, T. R.

1979-01-01

The effects of initial defects on the fatigue and fracture response of graphite-epoxy composite laminates are presented. The structural laminates investigated were a typical angle ply laminate, a polar/hoop wound pressure vessel laminate, and a typical engine fan blade laminate. Defects investigated were full and half penetration circular holes, full and half penetration slits, and countersink holes. The effects of the defect size and type on the static fracture strength, fatigue performance, and residual static strength are shown as well as the results of loadings on damage propagation in composite laminates. The data obtained were used to define proof test levels as a qualification procedure in composite structure subjected to cyclic loading.

Uncovering the local inelastic interactions during manufacture of ductile cast iron: How the substructure of the graphite particles can induce residual stress concentrations in the matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andriollo, Tito; Hellström, Kristina; Sonne, Mads Rostgaard; Thorborg, Jesper; Tiedje, Niels; Hattel, Jesper

2018-02-01

Recent X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements have revealed that plastic deformation and a residual elastic strain field can be present around the graphite particles in ductile cast iron after manufacturing, probably due to some local mismatch in thermal contraction. However, as only one component of the elastic strain tensor could be obtained from the XRD data, the shape and magnitude of the associated residual stress field have remained unknown. To compensate for this and to provide theoretical insight into this unexplored topic, a combined experimental-numerical approach is presented in this paper. First, a material equivalent to the ductile cast iron matrix is manufactured and subjected to dilatometric and high-temperature tensile tests. Subsequently, a two-scale hierarchical top-down model is devised, calibrated on the basis of the collected data and used to simulate the interaction between the graphite particles and the matrix during manufacturing of the industrial part considered in the XRD study. The model indicates that, besides the viscoplastic deformation of the matrix, the effect of the inelastic deformation of the graphite has to be considered to explain the magnitude of the XRD strain. Moreover, the model shows that the large elastic strain perturbations recorded with XRD close to the graphite-matrix interface are not artifacts due to e.g. sharp gradients in chemical composition, but correspond to residual stress concentrations induced by the conical sectors forming the internal structure of the graphite particles. In contrast to common belief, these results thus suggest that ductile cast iron parts cannot be considered, in general, as stress-free at the microstructural scale.

A Green Alternative to Aluminum Chloride Alkylation of Xylene

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sereda, Grigoriy A.; Rajpara, Vikul B.

2007-01-01

An acutely less toxic 2-bromobutane is used to develop a simple graphite-promoted procedure of alkylation of p-xylene. It is further demonstrated that aluminum chloride is not required, the need for aqueous workup is eliminated, waste solutions are not produced and the multiple use of the catalyst is allowed.

Carbon paste electrode with covalently immobilized thionine for electrochemical sensing of hydrogen peroxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thenmozhi, K.; Sriman Narayanan, S.

2017-11-01

A water-soluble redox mediator, thionin was covalently immobilized to the functionalized graphite powder and a carbon paste electrode was fabricated from this modified graphite powder. The immobilization procedure proved to be effective in anchoring the thionin mediator in the graphite electrode setup without any leakage problem during the electrochemical studies. The covalent immobilization of the thionin mediator was studied with FT-IR and the electrochemical response of the thionin carbon paste electrode was optimized on varying the supporting electrolyte, pH and scan rate. The modified electrode exhibited well-defined electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of H2O2 at a lower potential of -0.266 V with good sensitivity. The developed amperometric sensor was efficient towards H2O2 in the linear range from 2.46 × 10-5 M to 4.76 × 10-3 M, with a detection limit of 1.47 × 10-5 M respectively. Important advantages of this sensor are its excellent electrochemical performance, simple fabrication, easy renewability, reproducible analytical results, acceptable accuracy and good operational and long-term stability.

Specific and Reversible Immobilization of Proteins Tagged to the Affinity Polypeptide C-LytA on Functionalized Graphite Electrodes

PubMed Central

Bello-Gil, Daniel; Maestro, Beatriz; Fonseca, Jennifer; Feliu, Juan M.; Climent, Víctor; Sanz, Jesús M.

2014-01-01

We have developed a general method for the specific and reversible immobilization of proteins fused to the choline-binding module C-LytA on functionalized graphite electrodes. Graphite electrode surfaces were modified by diazonium chemistry to introduce carboxylic groups that were subsequently used to anchor mixed self-assembled monolayers consisting of N,N-diethylethylenediamine groups, acting as choline analogs, and ethanolamine groups as spacers. The ability of the prepared electrodes to specifically bind C-LytA-tagged recombinant proteins was tested with a C-LytA-β-galactosidase fusion protein. The binding, activity and stability of the immobilized protein was evaluated by electrochemically monitoring the formation of an electroactive product in the enzymatic hydrolysis of the synthetic substrate 4-aminophenyl β-D-galactopyranoside. The hybrid protein was immobilized in an specific and reversible way, while retaining the catalytic activity. Moreover, these functionalized electrodes were shown to be highly stable and reusable. The method developed here can be envisaged as a general, immobilization procedure on the protein biosensor field. PMID:24498237

Specific and reversible immobilization of proteins tagged to the affinity polypeptide C-LytA on functionalized graphite electrodes.

PubMed

Bello-Gil, Daniel; Maestro, Beatriz; Fonseca, Jennifer; Feliu, Juan M; Climent, Víctor; Sanz, Jesús M

2014-01-01

We have developed a general method for the specific and reversible immobilization of proteins fused to the choline-binding module C-LytA on functionalized graphite electrodes. Graphite electrode surfaces were modified by diazonium chemistry to introduce carboxylic groups that were subsequently used to anchor mixed self-assembled monolayers consisting of N,N-diethylethylenediamine groups, acting as choline analogs, and ethanolamine groups as spacers. The ability of the prepared electrodes to specifically bind C-LytA-tagged recombinant proteins was tested with a C-LytA-β-galactosidase fusion protein. The binding, activity and stability of the immobilized protein was evaluated by electrochemically monitoring the formation of an electroactive product in the enzymatic hydrolysis of the synthetic substrate 4-aminophenyl β-D-galactopyranoside. The hybrid protein was immobilized in an specific and reversible way, while retaining the catalytic activity. Moreover, these functionalized electrodes were shown to be highly stable and reusable. The method developed here can be envisaged as a general, immobilization procedure on the protein biosensor field.

Synthesis of Carboxylated-Graphenes by the Kolbe-Schmitt Process.

PubMed

Eng, Alex Yong Sheng; Sofer, Zdeněk; Sedmidubský, David; Pumera, Martin

2017-02-28

Graphene oxide is an oxidized form of graphene containing a large variety of oxygen groups. Although past models have suggested carboxylic acids to be present in significant amounts, recent evidence has shown otherwise. Toward the production of carboxyl-graphene, a synthetic method is presented herein based on the Kolbe-Schmitt process. A modified procedure of heating graphite oxide in the presence of a KOH/CaO mixture results in up to 11 atom % of carboxylic groups. The graphite oxide starting material and reaction temperature were investigated as two important factors, where a crumpled morphology of graphite oxide flakes and a lower 220 °C temperature preferentially led to greater carboxyl functionalization. Successful carboxylation caused a band gap opening of ∼2.5 eV in the smallest carboxyl-graphene particles, which also demonstrated a yellow fluorescence under UV light unseen in its counterpart produced at 500 °C. These results are in good agreement with theoretical calculations showing band gap opening and spin polarization of impurity states. This demonstrates the current synthetic process as yet another approach toward tuning the physical properties of graphene.

Drawing Sensors with Ball-Milled Blends of Metal-Organic Frameworks and Graphite

PubMed Central

Ko, Michael; Aykanat, Aylin; Smith, Merry K.

2017-01-01

The synthetically tunable properties and intrinsic porosity of conductive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) make them promising materials for transducing selective interactions with gaseous analytes in an electrically addressable platform. Consequently, conductive MOFs are valuable functional materials with high potential utility in chemical detection. The implementation of these materials, however, is limited by the available methods for device incorporation due to their poor solubility and moderate electrical conductivity. This manuscript describes a straightforward method for the integration of moderately conductive MOFs into chemiresistive sensors by mechanical abrasion. To improve electrical contacts, blends of MOFs with graphite were generated using a solvent-free ball-milling procedure. While most bulk powders of pure conductive MOFs were difficult to integrate into devices directly via mechanical abrasion, the compressed solid-state MOF/graphite blends were easily abraded onto the surface of paper substrates equipped with gold electrodes to generate functional sensors. This method was used to prepare an array of chemiresistors, from four conductive MOFs, capable of detecting and differentiating NH3, H2S and NO at parts-per-million concentrations. PMID:28946624

Plasma-induced damage of tungsten coatings on graphite limiters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fortuna, E.; Rubel, M. J.; Psoda, M.; Andrzejczuk, M.; Kurzydowski, K. J.; Miskiewicz, M.; Philipps, V.; Pospieszczyk, A.; Sergienko, G.; Spychalski, M.; Zielinski, W.

2007-03-01

Vaccum plasma sprayed tungsten coatings with an evaporated sandwich Re-W interlayer on graphite limiter blocks were studied after the experimental campaign in the TEXTOR tokamak. The coating morphology was modified by high-heat loads and co-deposition of species from the plasma. Co-deposits contained fuel species, carbon, boron and silicon. X-ray diffractometer phase analysis indicated the coexistence of metallic tungsten and its carbides (WC and W2C) and boride (W2B). In the Re-W layer the presence of carbon was detected in a several micrometres thick zone. In the overheated part of the limiter, the Re-W layer was transformed into a sigma phase.

Analytical and experimental studies of graphite-epoxy and boron-epoxy angle ply laminates in compression

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weller, T.

1977-01-01

The applicability and adequacy of several computer techniques in predicting satisfactorily the nonlinear/inelastic response of angle ply laminates were evaluated. The analytical predictions were correlated with the results of a test program on the inelastic response under axial compression of a large variety of graphite-epoxy and boron-epoxy angle ply laminates. These comparison studies indicate that neither of the abovementioned analyses can satisfactorily predict either the mode of response or the ultimate stress value corresponding to a particular angle ply laminate configuration. Consequently, also the simple failure mechanisms assumed in the analytical models were not verified.

Hypervelocity impacts into graphite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Latunde-Dada, S.; Cheesman, C.; Day, D.; Harrison, W.; Price, S.

2011-03-01

Studies have been conducted into the characterisation of the behaviour of commercial graphite (brittle) when subjected to hypervelocity impacts by a range of projectiles. The experiments were conducted with a two-stage gas gun capable of launching projectiles of differing density and strength to speeds of about 6kms-1 at right angles into target plates. The damage caused is quantified by measurements of the crater depth and diameters. From the experimental data collected, scaling laws were derived which correlate the crater dimensions to the velocity and the density of the projectile. It was found that for moderate projectile densities the crater dimensions obey the '2/3 power law' which applies to ductile materials.

Multi-Fiber Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Novak, R. C.

1976-01-01

Resin matrix composites having improved resistance to foreign object damage in gas turbine engine fan blade applications were developed. Materials evaluated include epoxy matrix graphite/glass and boron/glass hybrids, thermoplastic matrix boron/glass hybrids, and superhybrids consisting of graphite/epoxy, boron/aluminum, and titanium alloy sheets. Static, pendulum impact, and ballistic impact test results are reported for all materials. Superhybrid blade like specimens are shown to be capable of withstanding relatively severe ballistic impacts from gelatin spheres without fracture. The effects of ply configuration and projectile angle of incidence on impact behavior are described. Predictions of surface strains during ballistic impact are presented and shown to be in reasonable agreement with experimental measurements.

A Study on Field Emission Characteristics of Planar Graphene Layers Obtained from a Highly Oriented Pyrolyzed Graphite Block

PubMed Central

2009-01-01

This paper describes an experimental study on field emission characteristics of individual graphene layers for vacuum nanoelectronics. Graphene layers were prepared by mechanical exfoliation from a highly oriented pyrolyzed graphite block and placed on an insulating substrate, with the resulting field emission behavior investigated using a nanomanipulator operating inside a scanning electron microscope. A pair of tungsten tips controlled by the nanomanipulator enabled electric connection with the graphene layers without postfabrication. The maximum emitted current from the graphene layers was 170 nA and the turn-on voltage was 12.1 V. PMID:20596315

Characterization of laser-induced plasmas as a complement to high-explosive large-scale detonations

DOE PAGES

Kimblin, Clare; Trainham, Rusty; Capelle, Gene A.; ...

2017-09-12

Experimental investigations into the characteristics of laser-induced plasmas indicate that LIBS provides a relatively inexpensive and easily replicable laboratory technique to isolate and measure reactions germane to understanding aspects of high-explosive detonations under controlled conditions. Furthermore, we examine spectral signatures and derived physical parameters following laser ablation of aluminum, graphite and laser-sparked air as they relate to those observed following detonation of high explosives and as they relate to shocked air. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) reliably correlates reactions involving atomic Al and aluminum monoxide (AlO) with respect to both emission spectra and temperatures, as compared to small- and large-scale high-explosivemore » detonations. Atomic Al and AlO resulting from laser ablation and a cited small-scale study, decay within ~10 -5 s, roughly 100 times faster than the Al and AlO decay rates (~10 -3 s) observed following the large-scale detonation of an Al-encased explosive. Temperatures and species produced in laser-sparked air are compared to those produced with laser ablated graphite in air. With graphite present, CN is dominant relative to N 2 + . Thus, in studies where the height of the ablating laser's focus was altered relative to the surface of the graphite substrate, CN concentration was found to decrease with laser focus below the graphite surface, indicating that laser intensity is a critical factor in the production of CN, via reactive nitrogen.« less

Secondary electron emission characteristics of ion-textured copper and high-purity isotropic graphite surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Curren, A. N.; Jensen, K. A.

1984-01-01

Experimentally determined values of true secondary electron emission and relative values of reflected primary electron yield for untreated and ion textured oxygen free high conductivity copper and untreated and ion textured high purity isotropic graphite surfaces are presented for a range of primary electron beam energies and beam impingement angles. This investigation was conducted to provide information that would improve the efficiency of multistage depressed collectors (MDC's) for microwave amplifier traveling wave tubes in space communications and aircraft applications. For high efficiency, MDC electrode surfaces must have low secondary electron emission characteristics. Although copper is a commonly used material for MDC electrodes, it exhibits relatively high levels of secondary electron emission if its surface is not treated for emission control. Recent studies demonstrated that high purity isotropic graphite is a promising material for MDC electrodes, particularly with ion textured surfaces. The materials were tested at primary electron beam energies of 200 to 2000 eV and at direct (0 deg) to near grazing (85 deg) beam impingement angles. True secondary electron emission and relative reflected primary electron yield characteristics of the ion textured surfaces were compared with each other and with those of untreated surfaces of the same materials. Both the untreated and ion textured graphite surfaces and the ion treated copper surface exhibited sharply reduced secondary electron emission characteristics relative to those of untreated copper. The ion treated graphite surface yielded the lowest emission levels.

Characterization of laser-induced plasmas as a complement to high-explosive large-scale detonations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kimblin, Clare; Trainham, Rusty; Capelle, Gene A.

Experimental investigations into the characteristics of laser-induced plasmas indicate that LIBS provides a relatively inexpensive and easily replicable laboratory technique to isolate and measure reactions germane to understanding aspects of high-explosive detonations under controlled conditions. Furthermore, we examine spectral signatures and derived physical parameters following laser ablation of aluminum, graphite and laser-sparked air as they relate to those observed following detonation of high explosives and as they relate to shocked air. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) reliably correlates reactions involving atomic Al and aluminum monoxide (AlO) with respect to both emission spectra and temperatures, as compared to small- and large-scale high-explosivemore » detonations. Atomic Al and AlO resulting from laser ablation and a cited small-scale study, decay within ~10 -5 s, roughly 100 times faster than the Al and AlO decay rates (~10 -3 s) observed following the large-scale detonation of an Al-encased explosive. Temperatures and species produced in laser-sparked air are compared to those produced with laser ablated graphite in air. With graphite present, CN is dominant relative to N 2 + . Thus, in studies where the height of the ablating laser's focus was altered relative to the surface of the graphite substrate, CN concentration was found to decrease with laser focus below the graphite surface, indicating that laser intensity is a critical factor in the production of CN, via reactive nitrogen.« less

Determination of calibration constants for the hole-drilling residual stress measurement technique applied to orthotropic composites. II - Experimental evaluations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prasad, C. B.; Prabhakaran, R.; Tompkins, S.

1987-01-01

The first step in the extension of the semidestructive hole-drilling technique for residual stress measurement to orthotropic composite materials is the determination of the three calibration constants. Attention is presently given to an experimental determination of these calibration constants for a highly orthotropic, unidirectionally-reinforced graphite fiber-reinforced polyimide composite. A comparison of the measured values with theoretically obtained ones shows agreement to be good, in view of the many possible sources of experimental variation.

Modeling to study the role of catalyst in the formation of graphitic shells during carbon nanofiber growth subjected to reactive plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gupta, Ravi; Gupta, Neha; Sharma, Suresh C.

2018-04-01

An analytical model to study the role of a metal catalyst nanofilm in the nucleation, growth, and resulting structure of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) in low-temperature hydrogen diluted acetylene plasma has been developed. The model incorporates the nanostructuring of thin catalyst films, growth of CNF, restructuring of catalyst nanoparticles during growth, and its repercussion on the resulting structure (alignment of rolled graphene sheets around catalyst nanoparticles) by taking into account the plasma sheath formalization, kinetics of neutrals and positively charged species in the reactive plasma, flux of plasma species onto the catalyst front surface, and numerous surface reactions for carbon generation. In order to examine the influence of the catalyst film on the growth of CNFs, the numerical solutions of the model equations have been obtained for experimentally determined initial conditions and glow discharge plasma parameters. From the solutions obtained, we found that nanostructuring of thin films leads to the formation of small nanoparticles with high surface number density. The CNF nucleates over these small-sized nanoparticles grow faster and attain early saturation because of the quick poisoning of small-sized catalyst particles, and contain only a few graphitic shells. However, thick nanofilms result in shorter CNFs with large diameters composed of many graphitic shells. Moreover, we found that the inclination of graphitic shells also depends on the extent up to which the catalyst can reconstruct itself during the growth. The small nanoparticles show much greater elongation along the growth axis and also show a very small difference between their tip and base diameter during the growth due to which graphitic shells align at very small angles as compared to the larger nanoparticles. The present study is useful to synthesize the thin and more extended CNFs/CNTs having a smaller opening angle (inclination angle of graphene layers) as the opening angle has a significant influence on their field emission properties. The comparisons of these theoretical findings to the experimental observations confirm the adequacy of the proposed model.

Aligned carbon nanotube, graphene and graphite oxide thin films via substrate-directed rapid interfacial deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Arcy, Julio M.; Tran, Henry D.; Stieg, Adam Z.; Gimzewski, James K.; Kaner, Richard B.

2012-05-01

A procedure for depositing thin films of carbon nanostructures is described that overcomes the limitations typically associated with solution based methods. Transparent and conductively continuous carbon coatings can be grown on virtually any type of substrate within seconds. Interfacial surface tension gradients result in directional fluid flow and film spreading at the water/oil interface. Transparent films of carbon nanostructures are produced including aligned ropes of single-walled carbon nanotubes and assemblies of single sheets of chemically converted graphene and graphite oxide. Process scale-up, layer-by-layer deposition, and a simple method for coating non-activated hydrophobic surfaces are demonstrated.A procedure for depositing thin films of carbon nanostructures is described that overcomes the limitations typically associated with solution based methods. Transparent and conductively continuous carbon coatings can be grown on virtually any type of substrate within seconds. Interfacial surface tension gradients result in directional fluid flow and film spreading at the water/oil interface. Transparent films of carbon nanostructures are produced including aligned ropes of single-walled carbon nanotubes and assemblies of single sheets of chemically converted graphene and graphite oxide. Process scale-up, layer-by-layer deposition, and a simple method for coating non-activated hydrophobic surfaces are demonstrated. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Droplet coalescence, catenoid formation, mechanism of film growth, scanning electron micrographs showing carbon nanotube alignment, flexible transparent films of SWCNTs, AFM images of a chemically converted graphene film, and SEM images of SWCNT free-standing thin films. See DOI: 10.1039/c2nr00010e

Nickel-Tin Electrode Materials for Nonaqueous Li-Ion Cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ehrlich, Grant M.; Durand, Christopher

2005-01-01

Experimental materials made from mixtures of nickel and tin powders have shown promise for use as the negative electrodes of rechargeable lithium-ion electrochemical power cells. During charging (or discharging) of a lithium-ion cell, lithium ions are absorbed into (or desorbed from, respectively) the negative electrode, typically through an intercalation or alloying process. The negative electrodes (for this purpose, designated as anodes) in state-of-the-art Li-ion cells are made of graphite, in which intercalation occurs. Alternatively, the anodes can be made from metals, in which alloying can occur. For reasons having to do with the electrochemical potential of intercalated lithium, metallic anode materials (especially materials containing tin) are regarded as safer than graphite ones; in addition, such metallic anode materials have been investigated in the hope of obtaining reversible charge/discharge capacities greater than those of graphite anodes. However, until now, each of the tin-containing metallic anode formulations tested has been found to be inadequate in some respect.

Global transport of light elements boron and carbon in the full-W ASDEX Upgrade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

ASDEX Upgrade Team; Hakola, A.; Likonen, J.; Koivuranta, S.; Krieger, K.; Mayer, M.; Neu, R.; Rohde, V.; Sugiyama, K.

2011-08-01

Transport of carbon and boron has been investigated in the full-W ASDEX Upgrade after experimental campaigns with (2008) and without (2007) boronizations. For this purpose, poloidal deposition profiles of the two elements on tungsten and graphite regions of lower-divertor tiles have been determined. Carbon is mainly deposited in the inner divertor - 80-90% of the determined 12C and 13C inventories on W - while boron shows a much more symmetric deposition profile. In the unboronized machine, the boron inventories are a factor of 10 smaller than in the boronized case and result from residual boron atoms left in the torus prior to the 2007 campaign. Both carbon and boron are deposited more efficiently and/or show less erosion on graphite than on tungsten, particularly in the outer divertor. For 13C, the difference is 10-100 in favor of graphite. This is most probably caused by a higher re-erosion from tungsten surfaces.

Orientation of surfactant self-assembled aggregates on graphite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sammalkorpi, Maria; Hynninen, Antti-Pekka; Panagiotopoulos, Athanassios Z.; Haataja, Mikko

2007-03-01

Micellar aggregates on surfaces can provide a self-healing corrosion protection or lubrication layer. It has been observed experimentally that on a single crystal surface this layer often consists of oriented hemi-cylindrical micelles which are aligned with the underlying crystal lattice (``orientation effect''). A key feature of this self-assembly process is the interplay between detergent--detergent and detergent--surface interactions. Since the dimensions of the detergent molecules and the unit cell of the surface are typically quite different, the origins of this orientation effect remain unclear. Here we address the question and present the results of Molecular Dynamics simulations of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) self-aggregation on graphite. We employ both single-molecule and multi-molecule simulations of SDS to unravel the origins of the orientation effect. We report that the underlying graphite surface is sufficient to impose orientational bias on individual SDS molecules diffusing on the surface. This produces collective effects that give rise to the oriented hemi-micelles.

Radiation and temperature effects on the time-dependent response of T300/934 graphite/epoxy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yancey, Robert N.; Pindera, Marek-Jerzy

1988-01-01

A time-dependent characterization study was performed on T300/934 graphite/epoxy in a simulated space environment. Creep tests on irradiated and nonirradiated graphite/epoxy and bulk resin specimens were carried out at temperatures of 72 and 250 F. Irradiated specimens were exposed to dosages of penetrating electron radiation equal to 30 years exposure at GEO-synchronous orbit. Radiation was shown to have little effect on the creep response of both the composite and bulk resin specimens at 72 F while radiation had a significant effect at 250 F. A healing process was shown to be present in the irradiated specimens where broken bonds in the epoxy due to radiation recombined over time to form cross-links in the 934 resin structure. An analytical micromechanical model was also developed to predict the viscoelastic response of fiber reinforced composite materials. The model was shown to correlate well with experimental results for linearly viscoelastic materials with relatively small creep strains.

Assessing the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon anisotropic potential with application to the exfoliation energy of graphite.

PubMed

Totton, Tim S; Misquitta, Alston J; Kraft, Markus

2011-11-24

In this work we assess a recently published anisotropic potential for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules (J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2010, 6, 683-695). Comparison to recent high-level symmetry-adapted perturbation theory based on density functional theory (SAPT(DFT)) results for coronene (C(24)H(12)) demonstrate the transferability of the potential while highlighting some limitations with simple point charge descriptions of the electrostatic interaction. The potential is also shown to reproduce second virial coefficients of benzene (C(6)H(6)) with high accuracy, and this is enhanced by using a distributed multipole model for the electrostatic interaction. The graphene dimer interaction energy and the exfoliation energy of graphite have been estimated by extrapolation of PAH interaction energies. The contribution of nonlocal fluctuations in the π electron density in graphite have also been estimated which increases the exfoliation energy by 3.0 meV atom(-1) to 47.6 meV atom(-1), which compares well to recent theoretical and experimental results.

Analytical and experimental performance of a dual-mode traveling wave tube and multistage depressed collector

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ramins, Peter; Force, Dale A.; Kosmahl, Henry G.

1987-01-01

A computational procedure for the design of traveling-wave-tube(TWT)/refocuser/multistage depressed collector (MDC) systems was used to design a short, permanent-magnet refocusing system and a highly efficient MDC for a medium-power, dual-mode, 4.8- to 9.6-GHz TWT. The computations were carried out with advanced, multidimensional computer programs which model the electron beam and follow the trajectories of representative charges from the radiofrequency (RF) input of the TWT, through the slow-wave structure and refocusing section, to their points of impact in the depressed collector. Secondary emission losses in the MDC were treated semiquantitatively by injecting representative secondary-electron-emission current into the MDA analysis at the point of impact of each primary beam. A comparison of computed and measured TWT and MDC performance showed very good agreement. The electrodes of the MDC were fabricated from a particluar form of isptropic graphite that was selected for its low secondary electron yield, ease of machinability, and vacuum properties.

A fiber-optic technique for the measurement of contact angle in a clearance-fit pin-loaded hole

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prabhakaran, R.; Naik, R. A.

1987-01-01

A fiber-optic technique for measuring contact angle during pin loading of a specimen is proposed. The experimental design and procedures for loading a 49.8-mm-diameter instrumented pin into an quasi-isotropic graphite-epoxy specimen are described. The optical fiber was located just above the surface of the pin outer diameter in order to obtain accurate pin-hole contact-angle measurements at increasing load levels. The movement of the optical fiber through the no-contact, contact, and no-contact regions is discussed; the photodiode output decreased monotonically as the fiber moved from the no-contact to the contact region and then decreased monotonically as the fiber moved from the contact region to the no-contact region. Variations in the contact angle measurements are examined as function of applied load level. The measurements are compared to contact angle values obtained using a finite element analysis and an electrical technique; it is determined that the data correlate well.

Statistical Analyses of Raw Material Data for MTM45-1/CF7442A-36% RW: CMH Cure Cycle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coroneos, Rula; Pai, Shantaram, S.; Murthy, Pappu

2013-01-01

This report describes statistical characterization of physical properties of the composite material system MTM45-1/CF7442A, which has been tested and is currently being considered for use on spacecraft structures. This composite system is made of 6K plain weave graphite fibers in a highly toughened resin system. This report summarizes the distribution types and statistical details of the tests and the conditions for the experimental data generated. These distributions will be used in multivariate regression analyses to help determine material and design allowables for similar material systems and to establish a procedure for other material systems. Additionally, these distributions will be used in future probabilistic analyses of spacecraft structures. The specific properties that are characterized are the ultimate strength, modulus, and Poisson??s ratio by using a commercially available statistical package. Results are displayed using graphical and semigraphical methods and are included in the accompanying appendixes.

Thermo-viscoelastic analysis of composite materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, Kuen Y.; Hwang, I. H.

1989-01-01

The thermo-viscoelastic boundary value problem for anisotropic materials is formulated and a numerical procedure is developed for the efficient analysis of stress and deformation histories in composites. The procedure is based on the finite element method and therefore it is applicable to composite laminates containing geometric discontinuities and complicated boundary conditions. Using the present formulation, the time-dependent stress and strain distributions in both notched and unnotched graphite/epoxy composites have been obtained. The effect of temperature and ply orientation on the creep and relaxation response is also studied.

Probabilistic composite micromechanics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stock, T. A.; Bellini, P. X.; Murthy, P. L. N.; Chamis, C. C.

1988-01-01

Probabilistic composite micromechanics methods are developed that simulate expected uncertainties in unidirectional fiber composite properties. These methods are in the form of computational procedures using Monte Carlo simulation. A graphite/epoxy unidirectional composite (ply) is studied to demonstrate fiber composite material properties at the micro level. Regression results are presented to show the relative correlation between predicted and response variables in the study.

NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS OF 2-PHASE MULTISORBENT SAMPLERS FOR VOCS (BCO-L-31.0)

EPA Science Inventory

The purpose of this SOP is to describe the methodology for the analysis of certain trace volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air that are captured on two-phase carbon-based multisorbent tubes packed with Carbotrap (graphitized carbon blacks) and Carbosieve S-III (a carbon molecu...

NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS OF 3-PHASE MULTISORBENT SAMPLERS FOR VOCS (BCO-L-22.1)

EPA Science Inventory

The purpose of this SOP is to describe the methodology for the analysis of certain trace volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air that are captured on carbon-based multisorbent tubes packed with Carbotrap C, Carbotrap (graphitized carbon blacks), and Carbosieve S-III (a carbon mo...

Multilayer adsorption of C2H4 and CF4 on graphite: Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdelatif, H.; Drir, M.

2016-11-01

We study the phase transitions in adsorbed multilayers by Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations (GCMC) of the lattice-gas model. The focus will be on ethylene (C2H4) and tetrafluoromethane (CF4) on a homogeneous graphite surface. Earlier simulations of these systems investigated structural properties, dynamical behaviors of adsorbed films and thermodynamic quantities such as isosteric heat. The main purpose of this study is to consider the adsorbed multilayers by the evaluation of the layering behavior, the wetting phenomena and the critical temperatures. The isotherms obtained for temperature from 50 K to 170 K reproduce a number of interesting features observed experimentally: (i) we observe an important number of layers in contrast with previous simulations, (ii) a finite number of layers at saturated pressure for low temperatures are found, (iii) the isotherms present vertical steps typical of layer-by-layer growth, at higher temperatures these distinct layers tend to disappear signifying that the film thickness increases continuously, (iv) a thin film to thick film transition near the triple point temperature is noticed. In addition to this qualitative description, quantitative information are determined including temperatures and relative pressures of layers formation, layer-critical-point temperatures and phase diagrams. Comparing the two systems, ethylene/graphite and tetrafluoromethane/graphite, we observe a qualitatively similar behavior.

Evaporation of sessile droplets affected by graphite nanoparticles and binary base fluids.

PubMed

Zhong, Xin; Duan, Fei

2014-11-26

The effects of ethanol component and nanoparticle concentration on evaporation dynamics of graphite-water nanofluid droplets have been studied experimentally. The results show that the formed deposition patterns vary greatly with an increase in ethanol concentration from 0 to 50 vol %. Nanoparticles have been observed to be carried to the droplet surface and form a large piece of aggregate. The volume evaporation rate on average increases as the ethanol concentration increases from 0 to 50 vol % in the binary mixture nanofluid droplets. The evaporation rate at the initial stage is more rapid than that at the late stage to dry, revealing a deviation from a linear fitting line, standing for a constant evaporation rate. The deviation is more intense with a higher ethanol concentration. The ethanol-induced smaller liquid-vapor surface tension leads to higher wettability of the nanofluid droplets. The graphite nanoparticles in ethanol-water droplets reinforce the pinning effect in the drying process, and the droplets with more ethanol demonstrate the depinning behavior only at the late stage. The addition of graphite nanoparticles in water enhances a droplet baseline spreading at the beginning of evaporation, a pinning effect during evaporation, and the evaporation rate. However, with a relatively high nanoparticle concentration, the enhancement is attenuated.

Theoretical Limits of Energy Density in Silicon-Carbon Composite Anode Based Lithium Ion Batteries

PubMed Central

Dash, Ranjan; Pannala, Sreekanth

2016-01-01

Silicon (Si) is under consideration as a potential next-generation anode material for the lithium ion battery (LIB). Experimental reports of up to 40% increase in energy density of Si anode based LIBs (Si-LIBs) have been reported in literature. However, this increase in energy density is achieved when the Si-LIB is allowed to swell (volumetrically expand) more than graphite based LIB (graphite-LIB) and beyond practical limits. The volume expansion of LIB electrodes should be negligible for applications such as automotive or mobile devices. We determine the theoretical bounds of Si composition in a Si–carbon composite (SCC) based anode to maximize the volumetric energy density of a LIB by constraining the external dimensions of the anode during charging. The porosity of the SCC anode is adjusted to accommodate the volume expansion during lithiation. The calculated threshold value of Si was then used to determine the possible volumetric energy densities of LIBs with SCC anode (SCC-LIBs) and the potential improvement over graphite-LIBs. The level of improvement in volumetric and gravimetric energy density of SCC-LIBs with constrained volume is predicted to be less than 10% to ensure the battery has similar power characteristics of graphite-LIBs. PMID:27311811

The optimization of CMC concentration as graphite binder on the anode of LiFePO4 battery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hidayat, S.; Cahyono, T.; Mindara, J. Y.; Riveli, N.; Alamsyah, W.; Rahayu, I.

2017-05-01

Recently, the most dominating power supply on the mobile electronics market are rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries. This is because of a higher energy density and a longer lifetime compared to similar rechargeable battery systems. Graphite is commonly used as anode material in the Lithium-ion batteries, because of its excellent electrochemical characteristics and low cost fabrication. In this paper, we reported the optimization of the concentration of the CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose), that acts as the binder for graphite anode. Based on our experimental results, the best composition of graphite : C : CMC is 90 : 8 : 2 in weight %. Anode with such composition has, based on SEM measurement, a relatively good surface morphology, while it also has relatively high conductivity, about 2.68 S/cm. The result of cyclic voltammogram with a scan rate of 10 mV/s in the voltage range of 0 to 1 Volt, shows the peak of reduction voltage at 0.85 Volts and the peak voltage of oxidation is at -1.5 Volt. The performance of the battery system with LiFePO4 set as the cathode, shows that the working voltage is about 2.67 Volts at 1 mA current-loading, with the efficiency around 47%.

Adhesive properties and adhesive joints strength of graphite/epoxy composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rudawska, Anna; Stančeková, Dana; Cubonova, Nadezda; Vitenko, Tetiana; Müller, Miroslav; Valášek, Petr

2017-05-01

The article presents the results of experimental research of the adhesive joints strength of graphite/epoxy composites and the results of the surface free energy of the composite surfaces. Two types of graphite/epoxy composites with different thickness were tested which are used to aircraft structure. The single-lap adhesive joints of epoxy composites were considered. Adhesive properties were described by surface free energy. Owens-Wendt method was used to determine surface free energy. The epoxy two-component adhesive was used to preparing the adhesive joints. Zwick/Roell 100 strength device were used to determination the shear strength of adhesive joints of epoxy composites. The strength test results showed that the highest value was obtained for adhesive joints of graphite-epoxy composite of smaller material thickness (0.48 mm). Statistical analysis of the results obtained, the study showed statistically significant differences between the values of the strength of the confidence level of 0.95. The statistical analysis of the results also showed that there are no statistical significant differences in average values of surface free energy (0.95 confidence level). It was noted that in each of the results the dispersion component of surface free energy was much greater than polar component of surface free energy.

Crystallization and precipitation of phosphate from swine wastewater by magnesium metal corrosion.

PubMed

Huang, Haiming; Liu, Jiahui; Jiang, Yang

2015-11-12

This paper presents a unique approach for magnesium dosage in struvite precipitation by Mg metal corrosion. The experimental results showed that using an air bubbling column filled with Mg metal and graphite pellets for the magnesium dosage was the optimal operation mode, which could significantly accelerate the corrosion of the Mg metal pellets due to the presence of graphite granules. The reaction mechanism experiments revealed that the solution pH could be used as the indicator for struvite crystallization by the process. Increases in the Mg metal dosage, mass ratio of graphite and magnesium metal (G:M) and airflow rate could rapidly increase the solution pH. When all three conditions were at 10 g L(-1), 1:1 and 1 L min(-1), respectively, the phosphate recovery efficiency reached 97.5%. To achieve a high level of automation for the phosphate recovery process, a continuous-flow reactor immersed with the graphite-magnesium air bubbling column was designed to harvest the phosphate from actual swine wastewater. Under conditions of intermittently supplementing small amounts of Mg metal pellets, approximately 95% of the phosphate could be stably recovered as struvite of 95.8% (±0.5) purity. An economic analysis indicated that the process proposed was technically simple and economically feasible.

Crystallization and precipitation of phosphate from swine wastewater by magnesium metal corrosion

PubMed Central

Huang, Haiming; Liu, Jiahui; Jiang, Yang

2015-01-01

This paper presents a unique approach for magnesium dosage in struvite precipitation by Mg metal corrosion. The experimental results showed that using an air bubbling column filled with Mg metal and graphite pellets for the magnesium dosage was the optimal operation mode, which could significantly accelerate the corrosion of the Mg metal pellets due to the presence of graphite granules. The reaction mechanism experiments revealed that the solution pH could be used as the indicator for struvite crystallization by the process. Increases in the Mg metal dosage, mass ratio of graphite and magnesium metal (G:M) and airflow rate could rapidly increase the solution pH. When all three conditions were at 10 g L–1, 1:1 and 1 L min–1, respectively, the phosphate recovery efficiency reached 97.5%. To achieve a high level of automation for the phosphate recovery process, a continuous-flow reactor immersed with the graphite-magnesium air bubbling column was designed to harvest the phosphate from actual swine wastewater. Under conditions of intermittently supplementing small amounts of Mg metal pellets, approximately 95% of the phosphate could be stably recovered as struvite of 95.8% (±0.5) purity. An economic analysis indicated that the process proposed was technically simple and economically feasible. PMID:26558521

Multi-Physics Simulation of TREAT Kinetics using MAMMOTH

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

DeHart, Mark; Gleicher, Frederick; Ortensi, Javier

With the advent of next generation reactor systems and new fuel designs, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has identified the need for the resumption of transient testing of nuclear fuels. DOE has decided that the Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is best suited for future testing. TREAT is a thermal neutron spectrum nuclear test facility that is designed to test nuclear fuels in transient scenarios. These specific fuels transient tests range from simple temperature transients to full fuel melt accidents. The current TREAT core is driven by highly enriched uranium (HEU) dispersed in amore » graphite matrix (1:10000 U-235/C atom ratio). At the center of the core, fuel is removed allowing for the insertion of an experimental test vehicle. TREAT’s design provides experimental flexibility and inherent safety during neutron pulsing. This safety stems from the graphite in the driver fuel having a strong negative temperature coefficient of reactivity resulting from a thermal Maxwellian shift with increased leakage, as well as graphite acting as a temperature sink. Air cooling is available, but is generally used post-transient for heat removal. DOE and INL have expressed a desire to develop a simulation capability that will accurately model the experiments before they are irradiated at the facility, with an emphasis on effective and safe operation while minimizing experimental time and cost. At INL, the Multi-physics Object Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE) has been selected as the model development framework for this work. This paper describes the results of preliminary simulations of a TREAT fuel element under transient conditions using the MOOSE-based MAMMOTH reactor physics tool.« less

A new and simple resonance Rayleigh scattering method for human serum albumin using graphite oxide as probe.

PubMed

Wang, Shengmian; Xu, Lili; Wang, Lisheng; Liang, Aihui; Jiang, Zhiliang

2013-01-01

Graphite oxide (GO) was prepared by the Hummer procedure, and can be dispersed to stable colloid solution by ultrasonic wave. The GO exhibited an absorption peak at 313 nm, and a resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) peak at 490 nm. In pH 4.6 HAc-NaAc buffer solution, human serum albumin (HSA) combined with GO probe to form large HSA-GO particles that caused the RRS peak increasing at 490 nm. The increased RRS intensity was linear to HSA concentration in the range 0.50-200 µg/mL. Thus, a new and simple RRS method was proposed for the determination of HSA in samples, with a recovery of 98.1-104%. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Experimental determination of dissolved CO2 content in nominally anhydrous andesitic melts at graphite/diamond saturation - Remobilization of deeply subducted reduced carbon via partial melts of MORB-like eclogite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eguchi, J.; Dasgupta, R.

2015-12-01

Experimental phase relations of carbonated lithologies [1] and geochemistry of deep diamonds [2] suggest that deep recycling of carbon has likely been efficient for a significant portion of Earth's history. Both carbonates and organic carbon subduct into the mantle, but with gradual decrease of fO2 with depth [3] most carbon in deep mantle rocks including eclogite could be diamond/graphite [4]. Previous studies investigated the transfer of CO2 from subducted eclogite to the ambient mantle by partial melting in the presence of carbonates, i.e., by generation of carbonate-rich melts [5]. However, the transfer of carbon from subducted eclogite to the mantle can also happen, perhaps more commonly, by extraction of silicate partial melt in the presence of reduced carbon; yet, CO2 solubility in eclogite-derived andesitic melt at graphite/diamond saturation remains unconstrained. CO2content of eclogite melts is also critical as geochemistry of many ocean island basalts suggest the presence of C and eclogite in their source regions [6]. In the present study we determine CO2 concentration in a model andesitic melt [7] at graphite/diamond saturation at conditions relevant for partial melting of eclogite in the convecting upper mantle. Piston cylinder and multi anvil experiments were conducted at 1-6 GPa and 1375-1550 °C using Pt/Gr double capsules. Oxygen fugacity was monitored with Pt-Fe sensors in the starting mix. Completed experiments at 1-3 GPa show that CO2 concentration increases with increasing P, T, and fO2 up to ~0.3 wt%. Results were used to develop empirical and thermodynamic models to predict CO2 concentration in partial melts of graphite saturated eclogite. This allowed us to quantify the extent to which CO2 can mobilize from eclogitic heterogeneities at graphite/diamond saturated conditions. With estimates of eclogite contribution to erupted basaltic lavas, the models developed here allow us to put constraints on the flux of CO2 to mantle source regions coming from subducted crust and investigate the possible role this process may play in the deep carbon cycle. [1] Dasgupta (2013) RiMG. [2] Shirey, et al. (2013) RiMG. [3] Frost & McCammon (2008) Ann Rev Earth Plan Sci. [4] Stagno, et al. (2015) CMP. [5] Kiseeva, et al. (2012) JPet. [6] Mallik & Dasgupta (2014) G3. [7] Spandler, et al. (2008) JPet.

ELECTROCHEMICAL DECHLORINATION OF TRICHLOROETHYLENE USING GRANULAR-GRAPHITE ELECTRODES: IDENTIFICATION AND QUANTIFICATION OF DECHLORINATION PRODUCTS

EPA Science Inventory

Electrochemical degradation (ECD) utilizes high redox potential at the anode and low redox potential at the cathode to oxidize and/or reduce organic and inorganic contaminants. ECD of Trichloroethylene (TCE), although theoretically possible, has not been experimentally proven. Th...

Scaling effects in the impact response of graphite-epoxy composite beams

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jackson, Karen E.; Fasanella, Edwin L.

1989-01-01

In support of crashworthiness studies on composite airframes and substructure, an experimental and analytical study was conducted to characterize size effects in the large deflection response of scale model graphite-epoxy beams subjected to impact. Scale model beams of 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6, and full scale were constructed of four different laminate stacking sequences including unidirectional, angle ply, cross ply, and quasi-isotropic. The beam specimens were subjected to eccentric axial impact loads which were scaled to provide homologous beam responses. Comparisons of the load and strain time histories between the scale model beams and the prototype should verify the scale law and demonstrate the use of scale model testing for determining impact behavior of composite structures. The nonlinear structural analysis finite element program DYCAST (DYnamic Crash Analysis of STructures) was used to model the beam response. DYCAST analysis predictions of beam strain response are compared to experimental data and the results are presented.

Experimental research of different plasma cathodes for generation of high-current electron beams

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shafir, G.; Kreif, M.; Gleizer, J. Z.

2015-11-21

The results of experimental studies of different types of cathodes—carbon-epoxy rods, carbon-epoxy capillary, edged graphite, and metal-dielectric—under the application of high-voltage pulses with an amplitude of several hundreds of kV and pulse duration of several nanoseconds are presented. The best diode performance was achieved with the edged graphite and carbon-epoxy-based cathodes characterized by uniform and fast (<1 ns) formation of explosive emission plasma spots and quasi-constant diode impedance. This result was achieved for both annular cathodes in a strong magnetic field and planar cathodes of a similar diameter (∼2 cm) with no external magnetic field. The cathodes based on carbon-epoxy rods andmore » carbon-epoxy capillaries operating with an average current density up to 1 kA/cm{sup 2} showed insignificant erosion along 10{sup 6} pulses of the generator and the generated electron beam current showed excellent reproducibility in terms of the amplitude and waveform.« less

Hydrocarbon deposition in gaps of tungsten and graphite tiles in Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak edge plasma parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Qian; Yang, Zhongshi; Luo, Guang-Nan

2015-09-01

The three-dimensional (3D) Monte Carlo code PIC-EDDY has been utilized to investigate the mechanism of hydrocarbon deposition in gaps of tungsten tiles in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), where the sheath potential is calculated by the 2D in space and 3D in velocity particle-in-cell method. The calculated results for graphite tiles using the same method are also presented for comparison. Calculation results show that the amount of carbon deposited in the gaps of carbon tiles is three times larger than that in the gaps of tungsten tiles when the carbon particles from re-erosion on the top surface of monoblocks are taken into account. However, the deposition amount is found to be larger in the gaps of tungsten tiles at the same CH4 flux. When chemical sputtering becomes significant as carbon coverage on tungsten increases with exposure time, the deposition inside the gaps of tungsten tiles would be considerable.

Experimental investigation of the latent heat of vaporization in aqueous nanofluids

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, Soochan; Phelan, Patrick E., E-mail: phelan@asu.edu; Dai, Lenore

2014-04-14

This paper reports an experimental investigation of the latent heat of vaporization (h{sub fg}) in nanofluids. Two different types of nanoparticles, graphite and silver, suspended in deionized water were exposed to a continuous laser beam (130 mW, 532 nm) to generate boiling. The latent heat of vaporization in the nanofluids was determined by the measured vapor mass generation and the heat input. To ensure that the measured h{sub fg} values are independent of heating method, the experiments were repeated with an electrically heated hot wire as a primary heat input. These experiments show considerable variation in the h{sub fg} of nanofluids.more » That is, graphite nanofluid exhibits an increased h{sub fg} and silver nanofluid shows a decrease in h{sub fg} compared to the value for pure water. As such, these results indicate that relatively low mass fractions of nanoparticles can apparently create large changes in h{sub fg}.« less

Graphite/Polyimide Composites Subjected to Biaxial Loads at Elevated Temperatures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kumosa, Maciej S.; Sutter, J. K.

2007-01-01

First, we will review our most important research accomplishments from a five year study concerned with the prediction of mechanical properties of unidirectional and woven graphite/polyimide composites based on T650-35, M40J and M60J fibers embedded in either PMR-15 or PMR-II-50 polyimide resins. Then, an aging model recently developed for the composites aged in nitrogen will be proposed and experimentally verified on an eight harness satin (8HS) woven T650-35/PMR-15 composite aged in nitrogen at 315 C for up to 1500 hours. The study was supported jointly between 1999 and 2005 by the AFOSR, the NASA Glenn Research Center, and the National Science Foundation.

Ultrafast compression of graphite observed with sub-ps time resolution diffraction on LCLS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Armstrong, Michael; Goncharov, A.; Crowhurst, J.; Zaug, J.; Radousky, H.; Grivickas, P.; Bastea, S.; Goldman, N.; Stavrou, E.; Belof, J.; Gleason, A.; Lee, H. J.; Nagler, R.; Holtgrewe, N.; Walter, P.; Pakaprenka, V.; Nam, I.; Granados, E.; Presher, C.; Koroglu, B.

2017-06-01

We will present ps time resolution pulsed x-ray diffraction measurements of rapidly compressed highly oriented pyrolytic graphite along its basal plane at the Materials under Extreme Conditions (MEC) sector of the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS). These experiments explore the possibility of rapid (<100 ps time scale) material transformations occurring under very highly anisotropic compression conditions. Under such conditions, non-equilibrium mechanisms may play a role in the transformation process. We will present experimental results and simulations which explore this possibility. This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

Dose control in electron beam processing: Comparison of results from a graphite charge collector, routine dosimeters and the ISS alanine-based dosimeter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fuochi, P. G.; Onori, S.; Casali, F.; Chirco, P.

1993-10-01

A 12 MeV linear accelerator is currently used for electron beam processing of power semiconductor devices for lifetime control and, on an experimental basis, for food irradiation, sludge treatment etc. In order to control the irradiation process a simple, quick and reliable method for a direct evaluation of dose and fluence in a broad electron beam has been developed. This paper presents the results obtained using a "charge collector" which measures the charge absorbed in a graphite target exposed in air. Calibration of the system with super-Fricke dosimeter and comparison of absorbed dose results obtained with plastic dosimeters and alanine pellets are discussed.

Impact-damaged graphite-thermoplastic trapezoidal-corrugation sandwich and semi-sandwich panels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jegley, D.

1993-01-01

The results of a study of the effects of impact damage on compression-loaded trapezoidal-corrugation sandwich and semi-sandwich graphite-thermoplastic panels are presented. Sandwich panels with two identical face sheets and a trapezoidal corrugated core between them, and semi-sandwich panels with a corrugation attached to a single skin are considered in this study. Panels were designed, fabricated and tested. The panels were made using the manufacturing process of thermoforming, a less-commonly used technique for fabricating composite parts. Experimental results for unimpacted control panels and panels subjected to impact damage prior to loading are presented. Little work can be found in the literature about these configurations of thermoformed panels.

A method for the compensation of the effects of surface cloth impressions on polar backscatter applied to porous epoxy and biaxial graphite/epoxy composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Madaras, Eric I.; Bridal, S. L.; Holland, Mark R.; Handley, Scott M.; Miller, James G.

1993-01-01

The anisotropy of polar backscatter from graphite/epoxy composites is a potentially useful parameter for the characterization of porosity levels. However, the effects of release-cloth impressions on measured integrated polar backscatter levels are sufficient to inhibit the detection of porosity with this method. Recently, we developed a theoretical model to predict the frequency distribution of the backscattered power along the high-symmetry directions of release-cloth impressions. This study investigates experimentally the usefulness of limiting the bandwidth to regions not dominated by the scattering from the surface impressions, hence increasing the probability of detecting flaws such as porosity.

Molecular dynamics investigations of liquid-vapor interaction and adsorption of formaldehyde, oxocarbons, and water in graphitic slit pores.

PubMed

Huang, Pei-Hsing; Hung, Shang-Chao; Huang, Ming-Yueh

2014-08-07

Formaldehyde exposure has been associated with several human cancers, including leukemia and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, motivating the present investigation on the microscopic adsorption behaviors of formaldehyde in multi-component-mixture-filled micropores. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was used to investigate the liquid-vapor interaction and adsorption of formaldehyde, oxocarbons, and water in graphitic slit pores. The effects of the slit width, system temperature, concentration, and the constituent ratio of the mixture on the diffusion and adsorption properties are studied. As a result of interactions between the components, the z-directional self-diffusivity (D(z)) in the mixture substantially decreased by about one order of magnitude as compared with that of pure (single-constituent) adsorbates. When the concentration exceeds a certain threshold, the D(z) values dramatically decrease due to over-saturation inducing barriers to diffusion. The binding energy between the adsorbate and graphite at the first adsorption monolayer is calculated to be 3.99, 2.01, 3.49, and 2.67 kcal mol(-1) for CO2, CO, CH2O, and H2O, respectively. These values agree well with those calculated using the density functional theory coupled cluster method and experimental results. A low solubility of CO2 in water and water preferring to react with CH2O, forming hydrated methanediol clusters, are observed. Because the cohesion in a hydrated methanediol cluster is much higher than the adhesion between clusters and the graphitic surface, the hydrated methanediol clusters were hydrophobic, exhibiting a large contact angle on graphite.

Kinetics of Graphite Oxidation in Reacting Flow from Imaging Fourier Transform Spectroscopy

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-09-21

where ks i = Ai · e x p (−Ei/T ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 3 Summary of carbon oxidation studies; α, β , and n ...61 7 Summary of carbon oxidation studies; Values of A,B, n correspond to Eq. (116...O2] n exp � − β T � (18) where α, β , and n are determined through fitting of experimental data. A summary of experimental studies is shown in Table

Experimental-theoretical investigation of the vibration characteristics of rotating composite box beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chandra, Ramesh; Chopra, Inderjit

1992-08-01

The objective of the study was to predict the effect of elastic couplings on the free vibration characteristics of thin-walled composite box beams and to correlate the results with experimental data. The free vibration characteristics of coupled thin-walled composite beams under rotation were determined using the Galerkin method. The theoretical results were found to be in satisfactory agreement with experimental data obtained for graphite/epoxy, kevlar/epoxy, and glass/epoxy composite beams in an in-vacuo test facility at different rotational speeds.

Graphitic Nitrogen Triggers Red Fluorescence in Carbon Dots.

PubMed

Holá, Kateřina; Sudolská, Mária; Kalytchuk, Sergii; Nachtigallová, Dana; Rogach, Andrey L; Otyepka, Michal; Zbořil, Radek

2017-12-26

Carbon dots (CDs) are a stable and highly biocompatible fluorescent material offering great application potential in cell labeling, optical imaging, LED diodes, and optoelectronic technologies. Because their emission wavelengths provide the best tissue penetration, red-emitting CDs are of particular interest for applications in biomedical technologies. Current synthetic strategies enabling red-shifted emission include increasing the CD particle size (sp 2 domain) by a proper synthetic strategy and tuning the surface chemistry of CDs with suitable functional groups (e.g., carboxyl). Here we present an elegant route for preparing full-color CDs with well-controllable fluorescence at blue, green, yellow, or red wavelengths. The two-step procedure involves the synthesis of a full-color-emitting mixture of CDs from citric acid and urea in formamide followed by separation of the individual fluorescent fractions by column chromatography based on differences in CD charge. Red-emitting CDs, which had the most negative charge, were separated as the last fraction. The trend in the separation, surface charge, and red-shift of photoluminescence was caused by increasing amount of graphitic nitrogen in the CD structure, as was clearly proved by XPS, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. Importantly, graphitic nitrogen generates midgap states within the HOMO-LUMO gap of the undoped systems, resulting in significantly red-shifted light absorption that in turn gives rise to fluorescence at the low-energy end of the visible spectrum. The presented findings identify graphitic nitrogen as another crucial factor that can red-shift the CD photoluminescence.

A probabilistic approach to composite micromechanics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stock, T. A.; Bellini, P. X.; Murthy, P. L. N.; Chamis, C. C.

1988-01-01

Probabilistic composite micromechanics methods are developed that simulate expected uncertainties in unidirectional fiber composite properties. These methods are in the form of computational procedures using Monte Carlo simulation. A graphite/epoxy unidirectional composite (ply) is studied to demonstrate fiber composite material properties at the micro level. Regression results are presented to show the relative correlation between predicted and response variables in the study.

Interfacial gas nanobubbles or oil nanodroplets?

PubMed

Wang, Xingya; Zhao, Binyu; Hu, Jun; Wang, Shuo; Tai, Renzhong; Gao, Xingyu; Zhang, Lijuan

2017-01-04

The existence of nanobubbles at a solid-liquid interface with high stability has been confirmed by myriad experimental studies, and their gaseous nature has also been extensively verified. However, nanodroplets of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) recently observed in the atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurement of nanobubbles plague the nanobubble community. It may easily lead to wrong interpretations of the AFM results and thus hinders further application of the already widely used AFM in nanobubble studies. Therefore, finding a direct experimental solution to distinguish nanobubbles from nanodroplets in AFM measurements is a matter of great urgency. Herein, we first developed an effective and reproducible method to produce PDMS nanodroplets at the highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG)/water interface. From their size, contact angle, and stiffness, the formed PDMS nanodroplets are not distinguishable from nanobubbles. However, the force curves on these two objects are strikingly different from each other, i.e., a peculiar plateau in both the approach and retraction curves was found on nanobubbles whereas they changed linearly between the jump-in and jump-off point on PDMS nanodroplets. Thus, the present study not only provided a simple and effective procedure to generate PDMS nanodroplets but also paved a simple practical and in situ way to discriminate nanobubbles from the PDMS nanodroplets by direct AFM force measurements.

Lithium dendrite and solid electrolyte interphase investigation using OsO4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zier, Martin; Scheiba, Frieder; Oswald, Steffen; Thomas, Jürgen; Goers, Dietrich; Scherer, Torsten; Klose, Markus; Ehrenberg, Helmut; Eckert, Jürgen

2014-11-01

Osmium tetroxide (OsO4) staining, commonly used to enhance scattering contrast in electron microscopy of biologic tissue and polymer blends, has been adopted for studies of graphite anodes in lithium-ion batteries. OsO4 shows a coordinated reaction with components of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and lithium dendrites, thereby increasing material contrast for scanning electron microscopy investigations. Utilizing the high affinity of lithium metal to react with osmium tetroxide it was possible to localize even small lithium deposits on graphite electrodes. In spite of their reaction with the OsO4 fume, the lithium dendrite morphology remains almost untouched by the staining procedure, offering information on the dendrite growth process. Correlating the quantity of osmium detected with the amount of residual ("dead") lithium of a discharged electrode, it was possible to obtain a practical measure for lithium plating and stripping efficiencies. EDX mappings allowed for a localization of electrochemically stripped lithium dendrites by their residual stained SEI shells. Cross sections, prepared by focused ion beam (FIB) of cycled graphite electrodes treated with OsO4, revealed important information about deposition and distribution of metallic lithium and the electrolyte reduction layer across the electrode.

Cobalt ion-coordinated self-assembly synthesis of nitrogen-doped ordered mesoporous carbon nanosheets for efficiently catalyzing oxygen reduction.

PubMed

Wang, Haitao; Wang, Wei; Asif, Muhammad; Yu, Yang; Wang, Zhengyun; Wang, Junlei; Liu, Hongfang; Xiao, Junwu

2017-10-19

The design and synthesis of a promising porous carbon-based electrocatalyst with an ordered and uninterrupted porous structure for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is still a significant challenge. Herein, an efficient catalyst based on cobalt-embedded nitrogen-doped ordered mesoporous carbon nanosheets (Co/N-OMCNS) is successfully prepared through a two-step procedure (cobalt ion-coordinated self-assembly and carbonization process) using 3-aminophenol as a nitrogen source, cobalt acetate as a cobalt source and Pluronic F127 as a mesoporous template. This work indicates that the formation of a two dimensional nanosheet structure is directly related to the extent of the cobalt ion coordination interaction. Moreover, the critical roles of pyrolysis temperature in nitrogen doping and ORR catalytic activity are also investigated. Benefiting from the high surface area and graphitic degree, high contents of graphitic N and pyridinic N, ordered interconnected mesoporous carbon framework, as well as synergetic interaction between the cobalt nanoparticles and protective nitrogen doped graphitic carbon layer, the resultant optimal catalyst Co/N-OMCNS-800 (pyrolyzed at 800 °C) exhibits comparable ORR catalytic activity to Pt/C, superior tolerance to methanol crossover and stability.

Experimental Constraints on He, Ne, Ar Behavior at Mantle Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jackson, C.; Kelley, S. P.; Parman, S. W.; Cooper, R. F.

2010-12-01

We have experimentally constrained He, Ne and Ar mineral-melt partitioning for olivine, enstatite and spinel under mantle P-T conditions. The experiments were run in a piston cylinder apparatus. Run products were analyzed by UV laser ablation microprobe (UVLAMP). Our data (Ol, Opx, Sp), along with literature data (Cpx), suggest He, Ne and Ar are incompatible during mantle melting. Gem quality crystals of En100, Sp and Fo90 were polished using colloidal silica and loaded along with a MgO rich, synthetic MORB powder into a graphite inner and Pt outer capsule. Within the inner capsule, crystals were faced against graphite, an identical crystal or polished glassy carbon. Equal pressures (40-60 total bars) of He, Ne and Ar were loaded into the outer capsule before it was welded closed. The run conditions were 1450C and 1-2 GPa for 10 hrs (Brown University). Depth profiles of the mineral faces were obtained using a 193 nm excimer laser (Open University). The large crystal area and short wavelength laser allows for measurements with high depth resolution and concentration precision: a 400 um aperture with 150 nm ablation depth can provide a detection limit (3 sigma > blank) of ~500 ppb He, ~1 ppm Ne and ~500 ppb Ar. Three mineral ablation pits were imaged using a white light interferometer at Tufts University and indicate an ablation rate of ~25 nm/pulse. Glass ablation rates are estimated using previous measurements. The melts were generally understaturated with respect to He, Ne and Ar (1-10, 3-200 and 4-1000 PPM, respectively). Concentrations in the minerals were mostly below detection limits. Where detectable, near surface gas concentrations visually correlate with the amount of adhering graphite. This could be due to trapped/adsorbed gas in the graphite or to surface deformation produced by the graphite. The surface with the least adhering graphite and smoothest surface (faced against glassy carbon) shows no observable near surface enrichment of He, Ne or Ar. Given our low detection limits, the data suggest that the high solubility, slow diffusion pathway observed by Watson et al (2007) may not operate at mantle conditions. We assume the areas least affected by graphite (lowest concentrations) place the best constraints on the partitioning values (K= [min]/[melt]). Where concentrations were below detection limits, we used the detection limits as upper bounds on the concentrations to constrain K values: He-KEn100<0.1, KSp<0.01, KFo90<0.005 Ne-KEn100<0.1, KSp<0.01, KFo90<0.005 Ar-KEn100<0.1, KSp<0.01, KFo90<0.0005 These values are consistent with previous studies at low pressure (Heber et al 2007, Parman et al 2005). VS Heber, RA Brooker, SP Kelley, BJ Wood; GCA; 2007 SW Parman, MD Kurz, SH Hart, TL Grove, Nature, 2005 EB Watson, JB Thomas, DJ Cherniak , Nature, 2007

Pre-test CFD Calculations for a Bypass Flow Standard Problem

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rich Johnson

The bypass flow in a prismatic high temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) is the flow that occurs between adjacent graphite blocks. Gaps exist between blocks due to variances in their manufacture and installation and because of the expansion and shrinkage of the blocks from heating and irradiation. Although the temperature of fuel compacts and graphite is sensitive to the presence of bypass flow, there is great uncertainty in the level and effects of the bypass flow. The Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) program at the Idaho National Laboratory has undertaken to produce experimental data of isothermal bypass flow between three adjacentmore » graphite blocks. These data are intended to provide validation for computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analyses of the bypass flow. Such validation data sets are called Standard Problems in the nuclear safety analysis field. Details of the experimental apparatus as well as several pre-test calculations of the bypass flow are provided. Pre-test calculations are useful in examining the nature of the flow and to see if there are any problems associated with the flow and its measurement. The apparatus is designed to be able to provide three different gap widths in the vertical direction (the direction of the normal coolant flow) and two gap widths in the horizontal direction. It is expected that the vertical bypass flow will range from laminar to transitional to turbulent flow for the different gap widths that will be available.« less

High-Temperature Carbon Deposition on Oxide Surfaces by CO Disproportionation

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Carbon deposition due to the inverse Boudouard reaction (2CO → CO2 + C) has been studied on yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), Y2O3, and ZrO2 in comparison to CH4 by a variety of different chemical, structural, and spectroscopic characterization techniques, including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and imaging, Raman spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. Consentaneously, all experimental methods prove the formation of a more or less conducting carbon layer (depending on the used oxide) of disordered nanocrystalline graphite covering the individual grains of the respective pure oxides after treatment in flowing CO at temperatures above ∼1023 K. All measurements show that during carbon deposition, a more or less substantial surface reduction of the oxides takes place. These results, therefore, reveal that the studied pure oxides can act as efficient nonmetallic substrates for CO-induced growth of highly distorted graphitic carbon with possible important technological implications especially with respect to treatment in pure CO or CO-rich syngas mixtures. Compared to CH4, more carbon is generally deposited in CO under otherwise similar experimental conditions. Although Raman and electron microscopy measurements do not show substantial differences in the structure of the deposited carbon layers, in particular, electrochemical impedance measurements reveal major differences in the dynamic growth process of the carbon layer, eventually leading to less percolated islands and suppressed metallic conductivity in comparison to CH4-induced graphite. PMID:26877828

Nanostructural evolution during emission of CsI-coated carbon fiber cathodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drummy, Lawrence F.; Apt, Scott; Shiffler, Don; Golby, Ken; LaCour, Matt; Maruyama, Benji; Vaia, Richard A.

2010-06-01

Carbon-based nanofiber and microfiber cathodes exhibit very low voltages for the onset of electron emission, and thus provide exciting opportunities for applications ranging from high power microwave sources to field emission displays. CsI coatings have been experimentally shown to lower the work function for emission from the fiber tips, although little is known about the microstructure of the fibers themselves in their as-received state, after coating with CsI, or after being subjected to high voltage cycling. Longitudinal cross sections of the original, unused CsI-coated fibers produced by focused ion beam lift-out revealed a nanostructured graphitic core surrounded by an amorphous carbon shell with submicron sized islands of crystalline CsI on the outer surface. Aberration-corrected high resolution electron microscopy (HREM) of the fiber core achieved 0.10 nm resolution, with the graphite (200) clearly visible in digital fast Fourier transformations of the 2-4 nm highly ordered graphitic domains. As the cathode fibers are cycled at high voltage, HREM demonstrates that the graphitic ordering of the core increases with the number of cycles, however the structure and thickness of the amorphous carbon layer remains unchanged. These results are consistent with micro-Raman measurements of the fiber disordered/graphitic (D/G) band ratios. After high voltage cycling, a uniform ˜100 nm film at the fiber tip was evident in both bright field transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high angle annular dark field scanning TEM (STEM). Low-dose electron diffraction techniques confirmed the amorphous nature of this film, and STEM with elemental mapping via x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy indicates this layer is composed of CsIO. The oxidative evolution of tip composition and morphology due to impurities in the chamber, along with increased graphitization of the fiber core, contributes to changes in emission behavior with cycling.

Definition and Modeling of Critical Flaws in Graphite Fiber Reinforced Resin Matrix Composite Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-08-28

11 EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM .......................................*16 SHEAR TESTS ON THICK DISBONDED LAMINATES .... ....... 16 COMPRESSIVE BUCKLING OF...DISBONDED LAMINATES ...... .. 17 MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION FOR MOISTURE CONDITIONING EFFECTS .................................. 19 ULTRASONIC WAVE...SHEAR OF THICK LAMINATED BEAMS . . . ....... 24 PROPAGATION OF DISBOND IN FATIGUE ..... ............ .. 26 BUCKLING OF DISBONDED COMPRESSION SKIN

Experimental Reproduction of Type 1B Chondrules

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lofgren, G. E.; Le, L.

2002-01-01

We have replicated type 1B chondrule textures and compositions with crystallization experiments in which UOC material was melted at 1400 deg.C and cooled at 5-1000 deg.C/hr using graphite crucibles in evacuated silica tubes to provide a reducing environment. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Frequency Response of an Aircraft Wing with Discrete Source Damage Using Equivalent Plate Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krishnamurthy, T.; Eldred, Lloyd B.

2007-01-01

An equivalent plate procedure is developed to provide a computationally efficient means of matching the stiffness and frequencies of flight vehicle wing structures for prescribed loading conditions. Several new approaches are proposed and studied to match the stiffness and first five natural frequencies of the two reference models with and without damage. One approach divides the candidate reference plate into multiple zones in which stiffness and mass can be varied using a variety of materials including aluminum, graphite-epoxy, and foam-core graphite-epoxy sandwiches. Another approach places point masses along the edge of the stiffness-matched plate to tune the natural frequencies. Both approaches are successful at matching the stiffness and natural frequencies of the reference plates and provide useful insight into determination of crucial features in equivalent plate models of aircraft wing structures.

Investigation on the formation of lonsdaleite from graphite

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Greshnyakov, V. A.; Belenkov, E. A., E-mail: belenkov@csu.ru

2017-02-15

Structural stability and the possible pathways to experimental formation of lonsdaleite—a hexagonal 2H polytype of diamond—have been studied in the framework of the density functional theory (DFT). It is established that the structural transformation of orthorhombic Cmmm graphite to 2H polytype of diamond must take place at a pressure of 61 GPa, while the formation of lonsdaleite from hexagonal P6/mmm graphite must take place at 56 GPa. The minimum potential barrier height separating the 2H polytype state from graphite is only 0.003 eV/atom smaller than that for the cubic diamond. The high potential barrier is indicative of the possibility ofmore » stable existence of the hexagonal diamond under normal conditions. In this work, we have also analyzed the X-ray diffraction and electron-microscopic data available for nanodiamonds found in meteorite impact craters in search for the presence of hexagonal diamond. Results of this analysis showed that pure 3C and 2H polytypes are not contained in the carbon materials of impact origin, the structure of nanocrystals found representing diamonds with randomly packed layers. The term “lonsdaleite,” used to denote carbon materials found in meteorite impact craters and diamond crystals with 2H polytype structure, is rather ambiguous, since no pure hexagonal diamond has been identified in carbon phases found at meteorite fall sites.« less

Electron paramagnetic resonance field-modulation eddy-current analysis of silver-plated graphite resonators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mett, Richard R.; Anderson, James R.; Sidabras, Jason W.; Hyde, James S.

2005-09-01

Magnetic field modulation is often introduced into a cylindrical TE011 electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) cavity through silver plating over a nonconductive substrate. The plating thickness must be many times the skin depth of the rf and smaller than the skin depth of the modulation. We derive a parameter that quantifies the modulation field penetration and find that it also depends on resonator dimensions. Design criteria based on this parameter are presented graphically. This parameter is then used to predict the behavior of eddy currents in substrates of moderate conductivity, such as graphite. The conductivity of the graphite permits improved plating uniformity and permits use of electric discharge machining (EDM) techniques to make the resonator. EDM offers precision tolerances of 0.005 mm and is suitable for small, complicated shapes that are difficult to machine by other methods. Analytic predictions of the modulation penetration are compared with the results of finite-element simulations. Simulated magnetic field modulation uniformity and penetration are shown for several elemental coils and structures including the plated graphite TE011 cavity. Fabrication and experimental testing of the structure are discussed. Spatial inhomogeneity of the modulation phase is also investigated by computer simulation. We find that the modulation phase is uniform to within 1% over the TE011 cavity. Structures of lower symmetry have increased phase nonuniformity.

Atomic intercalation to measure adhesion of graphene on graphite

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Jun; Sorescu, Dan C.; Jeon, Seokmin

The interest in mechanical properties of layered and 2D materials has reemerged in light of device concepts that take advantage of flexing, adhesion and friction in such systems. Here we provide an effective measurement of the nanoscale elastic adhesion of a graphene sheet atop highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) based on the analysis of atomic intercalates in graphite. Atomic intercalation is carried out using conventional ion sputtering, creating blisters in the top-most layer of the HOPG surface. Scanning tunneling microscopy coupled with image analysis and density functional theory are used to reconstruct the atomic positions and the strain map withinmore » the deformed graphene sheet, as well as to demonstrate subsurface diffusion of the ions creating such blisters. To estimate the adhesion energy we invoke an analytical model originally devised for macroscopic deformations of graphene. This model yields a value of 0.221 ± 0.011 J/m -2 for the adhesion energy of graphite, which is in surprisingly good agreement with reported experimental and theoretical values. This implies that macroscopic mechanical properties of graphene scale down to at least a few nanometers length. The simplicity of our method, compared to the macroscale characterization, enables analysis of elastic mechanical properties in two-dimensional layered materials and provides a unique opportunity to investigate the local variability of mechanical properties on the nanoscale.« less

Enhancing the oxidation resistance of graphite by applying an SiC coat with crack healing at an elevated temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Jae-Won; Kim, Eung-Seon; Kim, Jae-Un; Kim, Yootaek; Windes, William E.

2016-08-01

The potential of reducing the oxidation of the supporting graphite components during normal and/or accident conditions in the Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR) design has been studied. In this work efforts have been made to slow the oxidation process of the graphite with a thin SiC coating (∼ 10 μm). Upon heating at ≥ 1173 K in air, the spallations and cracks were formed in the dense columnar structured SiC coating layer grown on the graphite with a functionally gradient electron beam physical vapor deposition (EB-PVD. In accordance with the formations of these defects, the sample was vigorously oxidized, leaving only the SiC coating layer. Then, efforts were made to heal the surface defects using additional EB-PVD with ion beam bombardment and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The EB-PVD did not effectively heal the cracks. But, the CVD was more appropriate for crack healing, likely due to its excellent crack line filling capability with a high density and high aspect ratio. It took ∼ 34 min for the 20% weight loss of the CVD crack healed sample in the oxidation test with annealing at 1173 K, while it took ∼ 8 min for the EB-PVD coated sample, which means it took ∼4 times longer at 1173 K for the same weight reduction in this experimental set-up.

Highly active, bi-functional and metal-free B4C-nanoparticle-modified graphite felt electrodes for vanadium redox flow batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, H. R.; Shyy, W.; Wu, M. C.; Wei, L.; Zhao, T. S.

2017-10-01

The potential of B4C as a metal-free catalyst for vanadium redox reactions is investigated by first-principles calculations. Results show that the central carbon atom of B4C can act as a highly active reaction site for redox reactions, due primarily to the abundant unpaired electrons around it. The catalytic effect is then verified experimentally by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests, both of which demonstrate that B4C nanoparticles can enhance the kinetics for both V2+/V3+ and VO2+/VO2+ redox reactions, indicating a bi-functional effect. The B4C-nanoparticle-modified graphite felt electrodes are finally prepared and tested in vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). It is shown that the batteries with the prepared electrodes exhibit energy efficiencies of 88.9% and 80.0% at the current densities of 80 and 160 mA cm-2, which are 16.6% and 18.8% higher than those with the original graphite felt electrodes. With a further increase in current densities to 240 and 320 mA cm-2, the batteries can still maintain energy efficiencies of 72.0% and 63.8%, respectively. All these results show that the B4C-nanoparticle-modified graphite felt electrode outperforms existing metal-free catalyst modified electrodes, and thus can be promising electrodes for VRFBs.

Atomic intercalation to measure adhesion of graphene on graphite

DOE PAGES

Wang, Jun; Sorescu, Dan C.; Jeon, Seokmin; ...

2016-10-31

The interest in mechanical properties of layered and 2D materials has reemerged in light of device concepts that take advantage of flexing, adhesion and friction in such systems. Here we provide an effective measurement of the nanoscale elastic adhesion of a graphene sheet atop highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) based on the analysis of atomic intercalates in graphite. Atomic intercalation is carried out using conventional ion sputtering, creating blisters in the top-most layer of the HOPG surface. Scanning tunneling microscopy coupled with image analysis and density functional theory are used to reconstruct the atomic positions and the strain map withinmore » the deformed graphene sheet, as well as to demonstrate subsurface diffusion of the ions creating such blisters. To estimate the adhesion energy we invoke an analytical model originally devised for macroscopic deformations of graphene. This model yields a value of 0.221 ± 0.011 J/m -2 for the adhesion energy of graphite, which is in surprisingly good agreement with reported experimental and theoretical values. This implies that macroscopic mechanical properties of graphene scale down to at least a few nanometers length. The simplicity of our method, compared to the macroscale characterization, enables analysis of elastic mechanical properties in two-dimensional layered materials and provides a unique opportunity to investigate the local variability of mechanical properties on the nanoscale.« less

Temperature-dependent tensile and shear response of graphite/aluminum

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fujita, T.; Pindera, M. J.; Herakovich, C. T.

1987-01-01

The thermo-mechanical response of unidirectional P100 graphite fiber/6061 aluminum matrix composites was investigated at four temperatures:-150, +75, +250, and +500 F. Two types of tests, off-axis tension and losipescu shear, were used to obtain the desired properties. Good experimental-theoretical correlation was obtained for Exx, vxy, and G12. It is shown that E11 is temperature independent, but E22, v12, and G12 generally decrease with increasing temperature. Compared with rather high longitudinal strength, very low transverse strength was obtained for the graphite/aluminum. The poor transverse strength is believed to be due to the low interfacial bond strength in this material. The strength decrease significantly with increasing temperature. The tensile response at various temperatures is greatly affected by the residual stresses caused by the mismatch in the coefficients of thermal expansion of fibers and matrix. The degradation of the aluminum matrix properties at higher temperatures has a deleterious effect on composite properties. The composite has a very low coefficient of thermal expansion in the fiber direction.

Monolayer Adsorption of Ar and Kr on Graphite: Theoretical Isotherms and Spreading Pressures

PubMed

Mulero; Cuadros

1997-02-01

The validity of analytical equations for two-dimensional fluids in the prediction of monolayer adsorption isotherms and spreading pressures of rare gases on graphite is analyzed. The statistical mechanical theory of Steele is used to relate the properties of the adsorbed and two-dimensional fluids. In such theory the model of graphite is a perfectly flat surface, which means that only the first order contribution of the fluid-solid interactions are taken into account. Two analytical equations for two-dimensional Lennard-Jones fluids are used: one proposed by Reddy-O'Shea, based in the fit on pressure and potential energy computer simulated results, and other proposed by Cuadros-Mulero, based in the fit of the Helmholtz free energy calculated from computer simulated results of the radial distribution function. The theoretical results are compared with experimental results of Constabaris et al. (J. Chem. Phys. 37, 915 (1962)) for Ar and of Putnam and Fort (J. Phys. Chem. 79, 459 (1975)) for Kr. Good agreement is found using both equations in both cases.

Vertical distribution of overpotentials and irreversible charge losses in lithium ion battery electrodes.

PubMed

Klink, Stefan; Schuhmann, Wolfgang; La Mantia, Fabio

2014-08-01

Porous lithium ion battery electrodes are characterized using a vertical distribution of cross-currents. In an appropriate simplification, this distribution can be described by a transmission line model (TLM) consisting of infinitely thin electrode layers. To investigate the vertical distribution of currents, overpotentials, and irreversible charge losses in a porous graphite electrode in situ, a multi-layered working electrode (MWE) was developed as the experimental analogue of a TLM. In this MWE, each layer is in ionic contact but electrically insulated from the other layers by a porous separator. It was found that the negative graphite electrodes get lithiated and delithiated stage-by-stage and layer-by-layer. Several mass-transport- as well as non-mass-transport-limited processes could be identified. Local current densities can reach double the average, especially on the outermost layer at the beginning of each intercalation stage. Furthermore, graphite particles close to the counter electrode act as "electrochemical sieve" reducing the impurities present in the electrolyte such as water. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Determination of Neutron Spectra in a Graphite Sphere for Fusion Reactor Studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bashter, I. B.; Cooper, P. N.

Calculated and experimental results for the neutron spectra at different radii in a graphite sphere irradiated with 14.1 MeV neutrons were shown to be in satisfactory agreement over the energy range 14.1 to 1.8 MeV neutrons. A group of curves were constructed which gives the radius of a graphite sphere shield required to attenuate the neutron intensity to a certain value. The data set used in the present work, with carbon-12 cross section, is shown to be useful for spherical calculations.Translated AbstractDie Bestimmung der Neutronenspektren in einer GraphitkugelDie Übereinstimmung experimentell bestimmter und berechneter Neutronenspektren in Abhängigkeit vom Ort in einer Graphitkugel wird in einem Energiebereich von 14,1 bis 1,8 MeV (bei einer Ausgangsenergie von 14,1 MeV je Neutron) gezeigt. Eine Gruppe von Kurven wird konstruiert, die den für eine bestimmte Dämpfung der Neutronenintensität notwendigen Radius einer Graphitkugel angeben. Es wird nachgewiesen, daß die in der Arbeit benutzte Datenbank für den 12C-Wirkungsquerschnitt in sphärischen Geometrien anwendbar ist.

Heterogeneous nucleation of ice on carbon surfaces.

PubMed

Lupi, Laura; Hudait, Arpa; Molinero, Valeria

2014-02-26

Atmospheric aerosols can promote the heterogeneous nucleation of ice, impacting the radiative properties of clouds and Earth's climate. The experimental investigation of heterogeneous freezing of water droplets by carbonaceous particles reveals widespread ice freezing temperatures. It is not known which structural and chemical characteristics of soot account for the variability in ice nucleation efficiency. Here we use molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the nucleation of ice from liquid water in contact with graphitic surfaces. We find that atomically flat carbon surfaces promote heterogeneous nucleation of ice, while molecularly rough surfaces with the same hydrophobicity do not. Graphitic surfaces and other surfaces that promote ice nucleation induce layering in the interfacial water, suggesting that the order imposed by the surface on liquid water may play an important role in the heterogeneous nucleation mechanism. We investigate a large set of graphitic surfaces of various dimensions and radii of curvature and find that variations in nanostructures alone could account for the spread in the freezing temperatures of ice on soot in experiments. We conclude that a characterization of the nanostructure of soot is needed to predict its ice nucleation efficiency.

Reconstruction of low-index graphite surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thinius, Sascha; Islam, Mazharul M.; Bredow, Thomas

2016-07-01

The low-index graphite surfaces (10 1 -0), (10 1 -1), (11 2 -0) and (11 2 - 1) have been studied by density functional theory (DFT) including van-der-Waals (vdW) corrections. Different from the (0001) surface which has been extensively investigated both experimentally and theoretically, there is no comprehensive study on the (10 1 -0)- (10 1 -1)-, (11 2 -0)- and (11 2 - 1)-surfaces available, although they are of relevance for Li insertion processes, e.g. in Li-ion batteries. In this study the structure and stability of all non-(0001) low-index surfaces were calculated with RPBE-D3 and converged slab models. In all cases reconstruction involving bond formation between unsaturated carbon atoms of two neighboring graphene sheets reduces the surface energy dramatically. Two possible reconstruction patterns have been considered. The first possibility leads to formation of oblong nanotubes. Alternatively, the graphene sheets form bonds to different neighboring sheets at the upper and lower sides and sinusoidal structures are formed. Both structure types have similar stabilities. Based on the calculated surface energies the Gibbs-Wulff theorem was applied to construct the macroscopic shape of graphite single crystals.

Fabrication and electrodynamic properties of all-carbon terahertz planar metamaterials by laser direct-write

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Komlenok, M. S.; Lebedev, S. P.; Komandin, G. A.; Piqué, A.; Konov, V. I.

2018-03-01

A new approach to THz metamaterial structures is proposed and experimentally realized. It is based on metal-less conductive subwavelength structures on diamond surfaces generated by laser direct-write. 200 nm thick graphitized layers with DC conductivity of 730 Ω-1 cm-1 are formed on a chemical vapour deposited polycrystalline diamond surface after irradiation with an excimer KrF laser (τ l  =  20 ns, λ  =  248 nm). The optical properties of such layers are determined and simulated according to the Drude model. A polarizer with a graphitized subwavelength grating is fabricated and tested in the THz range (0.9-1.2 THz), and shows different transmission losses for orthogonal polarizations.

Nucleation of diamond by pure carbon ion bombardment—a transmission electron microscopy study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, Y.; Liao, M. Y.; Wang, Z. G.; Lifshitz, Y.; Lee, S. T.

2005-08-01

A cross-sectional high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) study of a film deposited by a 1 keV mass-selected carbon ion beam onto silicon held at 800 °C is presented. Initially, a graphitic film with its basal planes perpendicular to the substrate is evolving. The precipitation of nanodiamond crystallites in upper layers is confirmed by HRTEM, selected area electron diffraction, and electron energy loss spectroscopy. The nucleation of diamond on graphitic edges as predicted by Lambrecht et al. [W. R. L. Lambrecht, C. H. Lee, B. Segall, J. C. Angus, Z. Li, and M. Sunkara, Nature, 364 607 (1993)] is experimentally confirmed. The results are discussed in terms of our recent subplantation-based diamond nucleation model.

Heterogenous Combustion of Porous Graphite Particles in Normal and Microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chelliah, Harsha K.; Miller, Fletcher J.; Delisle, Andrew J.

2001-01-01

Combustion of solid fuel particles has many important applications, including power generation and space propulsion systems. The current models available for describing the combustion process of these particles, especially porous solid particles, include various simplifying approximations. One of the most limiting approximations is the lumping of the physical properties of the porous fuel with the heterogeneous chemical reaction rate constants. The primary objective of the present work is to develop a rigorous model that could decouple such physical and chemical effects from the global heterogeneous reaction rates. For the purpose of validating this model, experiments with porous graphite particles of varying sizes and porosity are being performed. The details of this experimental and theoretical model development effort are described.

Nonlinear static and dynamic finite element analysis of an eccentrically loaded graphite-epoxy beam

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fasanella, Edwin L.; Jackson, Karen E.; Jones, Lisa E.

1991-01-01

The Dynamic Crash Analysis of Structures (DYCAT) and NIKE3D nonlinear finite element codes were used to model the static and implulsive response of an eccentrically loaded graphite-epoxy beam. A 48-ply unidirectional composite beam was tested under an eccentric axial compressive load until failure. This loading configuration was chosen to highlight the capabilities of two finite element codes for modeling a highly nonlinear, large deflection structural problem which has an exact solution. These codes are currently used to perform dynamic analyses of aircraft structures under impact loads to study crashworthiness and energy absorbing capabilities. Both beam and plate element models were developed to compare with the experimental data using the DYCAST and NIKE3D codes.

Investigation of electrophysical properties of allotropic modifications of carbon in the range of temperatures 140-400 K

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goshev, A. A.; Eseev, M. K.; Volkov, A. S.; Lyah, N. L.

2017-09-01

The paper presents the results of the investigation of allotropic modifications of carbon (coal, graphite, fullerenes, CNTs. Dependences of conductivity on the field frequency in the temperature range 140-400 K are presented. The characteristic features associated with the structure and types of hybridization are revealed. Calculation of the activation energy of carriers was performed. As well article presents experimental study of electrical properties of polymeric composites, reinforced different types of allotropic modifications of carbon (CNTs, graphite, fullerenes, coal) in alternating electrical field in frequency band from 0.01 Hz to 10 MHz. The threshold of percolation of polymer composites with various types of additives and their influence for conduction properties was estimated.

Observation of Persistent Currents in Finely Dispersed Pyrolytic Graphite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saad, M.; Gilmutdinov, I. F.; Kiiamov, A. G.; Tayurskii, D. A.; Nikitin, S. I.; Yusupov, R. V.

2018-01-01

The trapped magnetic flux in the finely ground pyrolytic graphite sample annealed at 670 K in air has been observed. Flux trapping occurs on cooling of the sample from room temperature to 10 K in a magnetic field of 1 T. The magnitude and sign of the induced trapped moment remain unchanged when the applied magnetic field is varied within ±1 T at T K. The trapped magnetic flux is manifested in the displacement of the magnetization curve relative to that of the sample cooled in zero field. Displacement magnitude gradually decreases with the temperature increase up to 350 K, not reaching zero. The set of experimental observations probably reflects the presence in the sample of a granular high-temperature superconducting phase.

A Fundamental Study of the Electromagnetic Properties of Advanced Composite Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-07-01

MKDC), Space and Missile Systems Organization (SAMSO). Aeronautical System Division (ASD), Electronic Systems Division ( ESD ), Air Force Avionics...discussions, the work reported involved only one fiber type--Thornel T300 as used in Narmco 5208 pre-preg tapes . Individual graphite fibers have radii... teflon coated tweezers to separate individual fibers from the bundle. Microscopic observation and a steady hand during this procedure improved the

Structural study of graphite materials prepared by HTT of unburned carbon concentrates from coal combustion fly ashes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Miguel Cabielles; Miguel A. Montes-Moran; Ana B. Garcia

2008-03-15

Unburned carbon concentrates with different mineral matter contents were obtained from coal combustion fly ashes by an oil agglomeration procedure. The concentrates were then heated in the temperature interval 1800-2700{sup o}C for the purpose of exploring their ability to graphitize. The influence of the treatment temperature and mineral matter of the unburned carbon on the structural characteristics of the materials prepared was studied. The interlayer spacing, d{sub 002}, and crystallite sizes along the c-axis, L{sub c}, and the {alpha}-axis, L{sub a}, calculated from X-ray diffractometry (XRD) as well as the relative intensity of the Raman D-band, I{sub D}/I{sub t}, weremore » used to assess the degree of structural order of the materials. Graphite materials with structural characteristics comparable to those of other oil-derived synthetic graphites were prepared from the unburned carbon concentrates at temperatures {>=}2400{sup o}C. It was also observed that more-ordered materials were obtained from the unburned carbon concentrates with higher mineral matter content. The influence of the mineral matter on the graphitization of the unburned carbon concentrates is the result of two countereffects, thus limiting its extent. On the one hand, the lateral coalescence of the crystallites is preferentially promoted. Reasonably good linear correlations were attained between the mineral matter of the unburned carbon concentrate and the XRD parameter L{sub a} of the materials. However, on the other, this coalescence also facilitates the flattening of the pores, thus decreasing the temperature at which their breakage occurs. As a consequence, from this point on, the structural evolution of the materials with increasing mineral matter is only noticeable by the slow vegetative growth of the crystallites along the a-axis. 40 refs., 2 figs., 3 tabs.« less

Cost-effective masks for deep x-ray lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scheunemann, Heinz-Ulrich; Loechel, Bernd; Jian, Linke; Schondelmaier, Daniel; Desta, Yohannes M.; Goettert, Jost

2003-04-01

The production of X-ray masks is one of the key techniques for X-ray lithography and the LIGA process. Different ways for the fabrication of X-ray masks has been established. Very sophisticated, difficult and expensive procedures are required to produce high precision and high quality X-ray masks. In order to minimize the cost of an X-ray mask, the mask blank must be inexpensive and readily available. The steps involved in the fabrication process must also be minimal. In the past, thin membranes made of titanium, silicon carbide, silicon nitride (2-5μm) or thick beryllium substrates (500μm) have been used as mask blanks. Thin titanium and silicon compounds have very high transparency for X-rays; therefore, these materials are predestined for use as mask membrane material. However, the handling and fabrication of thin membranes is very difficult, thus expensive. Beryllium is highly transparent to X-rays, but the processing and use of beryllium is risky due to potential toxicity. During the past few years graphite based X-ray masks have been in use at various research centers, but the sidewall quality of the generated resist patterns is in the range of 200-300 nm Ra. We used polished graphite to improve the sidewall roughness, but polished graphite causes other problems in the fabrication of X-ray masks. This paper describes the advantages associated with the use of polished graphite as mask blank as well as the fabrication process for this low cost X-ray mask. Alternative membrane materials will also be discussed.

Effect of chlorine purification on oxidation resistance of some mechanical carbons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wisander, D. W.; Allen, G. P.

1974-01-01

Oxidation experiments were conducted with some experimental and commercial mechanical carbons at 650 C in dry air flowing at 28 cc/sec (STP). In general, purification of these carbon-graphites with chlorine at 2800 C improved oxidation resistance. Additional improvements in oxidation resistance were obtained from purification followed by an antioxidant (zinc phosphate) treatment. For the commercial materials, purification alone gave greater oxidation resistance than the antioxidant treatment alone. The reverse, however, was the case for the experimental materials.

Advanced electric propulsion research, 1991

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Monheiser, Jeffery M.

1992-01-01

A simple model for the production of ions that impinge on and sputter erode the accelerator grid of an ion thruster is presented. Charge-exchange and electron-impact ion production processes are considered, but initial experimental results suggest the charge-exchange process dominates. Additional experimental results show the effects of changes in thruster operating conditions on the length of the region from which these ions are drawn upstream into the grid. Results which show erosion patterns and indicate molybdenum accelerator grids erode more rapidly than graphite ones are also presented.

Quiet Clean Short-Haul Experimental Engine (QCSEE) Under-The-Wing (UTW) graphite/PMR cowl development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ruggles, C. L.

1978-01-01

The PMR process development, tooling concepts, testing conducted to generate materials properties data, and the fabrication of a subscale model of the inner cowl are presented. It was concluded that the materials, processes, and tooling concepts were satisfactory for making an inner cowl with adequate structural integrity.

Experimental Observations of Microwave Emission from a 35 GHz Cyclotron Autoresonant Maser

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-07-27

available graphite products) with a density of p =1.84 gm/cm 3 . The electron beam in the diode is generated through the process of explosive field emission...introduction to the physics of intense charge particle beams. Plenum Press, 1982. [331 D. Prosnitz %... .. T. Scharlemann. Beam quality definitions

Plate mode velocities in graphite/epoxy plates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prosser, W. H.; Gorman, M. R.

1994-01-01

Measurements of the velocities of the extensional and flexural plate modes were made along three directions of propagation in four graphite/epoxy composite plates. The acoustic signals were generated by simulated acoustic emission events (pencil lead breaks or Hsu-Neilson sources) and detected by by broadband ultrasonic transducers. The first arrival of the extensional plate mode, which is nondispersive at low frequencies, was measured at a number of different distances from the source along the propagation direction of interest. The velocity was determined by plotting the distance versus arrival time and computing its slope. Because of the large dispersion of the flexural mode, a Fourier phase velocity technique was used to characterize this mode. The velocity was measured up to a frequency of 160 kHz. Theoretical predictions of the velocities of these modes were also made and compared with experimental observations. Classical plate theory yields good agreement with the measured extensional velocities. For predictions of the dispersion of the flexural mode, Mindlin plates theory, which includes the effects of shear deformation and rotatory inertia was shown to give better agreement with the experimental measurements.

Better VPS Fabrication of Crucibles and Furnace Cartridges

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holmes, Richard R.; Zimmerman, Frank R.; O'Dell, J. Scott; McKechnie, Timothy N.

2003-01-01

An experimental investigation has shown that by (1) vacuum plasma spraying (VPS) of suitable refractory metal alloys on graphite mandrels, and then (2) heat-treating the VPS alloy deposits under suitable conditions, it is possible to fabricate improved crucibles and furnace cartridges that could be used at maximum temperatures between 1,400 and 1,600 C and that could withstand chemical attack by the materials to be heated in the crucibles and cartridges. Taken by itself, the basic concept of fabricating furnace cartridges by VPS of refractory materials onto graphite mandrels is not new; taken by itself, the basic concept of heat treatment of VPS deposits for use as other than furnace cartridges is also not new; however, prior to this investigation, experimental crucibles and furnace cartridges fabricated by VPS had not been heat treated and had been found to be relatively weak and brittle. Accordingly, the investigation was directed toward determining whether certain combinations of (1) refractory alloy compositions, (2) VPS parameters, and (3) heat-treatment parameters could result in VPS-fabricated components with increased ductility.

Cohesion energetics of carbon allotropes: Quantum Monte Carlo study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shin, Hyeondeok; Kang, Sinabro; Koo, Jahyun

2014-03-21

We have performed quantum Monte Carlo calculations to study the cohesion energetics of carbon allotropes, including sp{sup 3}-bonded diamond, sp{sup 2}-bonded graphene, sp–sp{sup 2} hybridized graphynes, and sp-bonded carbyne. The computed cohesive energies of diamond and graphene are found to be in excellent agreement with the corresponding values determined experimentally for diamond and graphite, respectively, when the zero-point energies, along with the interlayer binding in the case of graphite, are included. We have also found that the cohesive energy of graphyne decreases systematically as the ratio of sp-bonded carbon atoms increases. The cohesive energy of γ-graphyne, the most energetically stablemore » graphyne, turns out to be 6.766(6) eV/atom, which is smaller than that of graphene by 0.698(12) eV/atom. Experimental difficulty in synthesizing graphynes could be explained by their significantly smaller cohesive energies. Finally, we conclude that the cohesive energy of a newly proposed graphyne can be accurately estimated with the carbon–carbon bond energies determined from the cohesive energies of graphene and three different graphynes considered here.« less

Lunar and Planetary Science XXXV: Effects of Impacts: Shock and Awe

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kyte, F. T.; Koeberl, C.

2004-01-01

This document discusses the following topics: Zircon as a Shock Indicator in Impactites of Drill Core Yaxcopoil-1, Chicxulub Impact Structure, Mexico; Experimental Investigation of Shock Effects in a Metapelitic Granulite; Experimental Reproduction of Shock Veins in Single-Crystal Minerals; Post-Shock Crystal-Plastic Processes in Quartz from Crystalline Target Rocks of the Charlevoix Impact Structure; Shock Reequilibration of Fluid Inclusions; How Does Tektite Glass Lose Its Water?; Assessing the Role of Anhydrite in the KT Mass Extinction: Hints from Shock-loading Experiments; A Mineralogical and Geochemical Study of the Nonmarine Permian/Triassic Boundary in the Southern Karoo Basin, South Africa; Extraterrestrial Chromium in the Permian-Triassic Boundary at Graphite Peak, Antarctica; Magnetic Fe,Si,Al-rich Impact Spherules from the P-T Boundary Layer at Graphite Peak, Antarctica; A Newly Recognized Late Archean Impact Spherule Layer in the Reivilo Formation, Griqualand West Basin, South Africa; Initial Cr-Isotopic and Iridium Measurements of Concentrates from Late Eocene Cpx-Spherule Deposits; An Ordinary Chondrite Impactor Composition for the Bosumtwi Impact Structure, Ghana, West Africa: Discussion of Siderophile Element Contents and Os and Cr Isotope Data.

Ply-level failure analysis of a graphite/epoxy laminate under bearing-bypass loading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Naik, R. A.; Crews, J. H., Jr.

1988-01-01

A combined experimental and analytical study was conducted to investigate and predict the failure modes of a graphite/epoxy laminate subjected to combined bearing and bypass loading. Tests were conducted in a test machine that allowed the bearing-bypass load ratio to be controlled while a single-fastener coupon was loaded to failure in either tension or compression. Onset and ultimate failure modes and strengths were determined for each test case. The damage-onset modes were studied in detail by sectioning and micrographing the damaged specimens. A two-dimensional, finite-element analysis was conducted to determine lamina strains around the bolt hole. Damage onset consisted of matrix cracks, delamination, and fiber failures. Stiffness loss appeared to be caused by fiber failures rather than by matrix cracking and delamination. An unusual offset-compression mode was observed for compressive bearing-bypass laoding in which the specimen failed across its width along a line offset from the hole. The computed lamina strains in the fiber direction were used in a combined analytical and experimental approach to predict bearing-bypass diagrams for damage onset from a few simple tests.

Ply-level failure analysis of a graphite/epoxy laminate under bearing-bypass loading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Naik, R. A.; Crews, J. H., Jr.

1990-01-01

A combined experimental and analytical study was conducted to investigate and predict the failure modes of a graphite/epoxy laminate subjected to combined bearing and bypass loading. Tests were conducted in a test machine that allowed the bearing-bypass load ratio to be controlled while a single-fastener coupon was loaded to failure in either tension or compression. Onset and ultimate failure modes and strengths were determined for each test case. The damage-onset modes were studied in detail by sectioning and micrographing the damaged specimens. A two-dimensional, finite-element analysis was conducted to determine lamina strains around the bolt hole. Damage onset consisted of matrix cracks, delamination, and fiber failures. Stiffness loss appeared to be caused by fiber failures rather than by matrix cracking and delamination. An unusual offset-compression mode was observed for compressive bearing-bypass loading in which the specimen failed across its width along a line offset from the hole. The computed lamina strains in the fiber direction were used in a combined analytical and experimental approach to predict bearing-bypass diagrams for damage onset from a few simple tests.

Study of 232Th(n, γ) and 232Th(n,f) reaction rates in a graphite moderated spallation neutron field produced by 1.6 GeV deuterons on lead target

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asquith, N. L.; Hashemi-Nezhad, S. R.; Westmeier, W.; Zhuk, I.; Tyutyunnikov, S.; Adam, J.

2015-02-01

The Gamma-3 assembly of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), Dubna, Russia is designed to emulate the neutron spectrum of a thermal Accelerator Driven System (ADS). It consists of a lead spallation target surrounded by reactor grade graphite. The target was irradiated with 1.6 GeV deuterons from the Nuclotron accelerator and the neutron capture and fission rate of 232Th in several locations within the assembly were experimentally measured. 232Th is a proposed fuel for envisaged Accelerator Driven Systems and these two reactions are fundamental to the performance and feasibility of 232Th in an ADS. The irradiation of the Gamma-3 assembly was also simulated using MCNPX 2.7 with the INCL4 intra-nuclear cascade and ABLA fission/evaporation models. Good agreement between the experimentally measured and calculated reaction rates was found. This serves as a good validation for the computational models and cross section data used to simulate neutron production and transport of spallation neutrons within a thermal ADS.

The structural behavior of a graphite-polymide honeycomb sandwich panel with quasi-isotropic face sheets and an orthotropic core

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hyer, M. W.; Hagaman, J. A.

1979-01-01

The results of a series of tests of graphite-polyimide honeycomb sandwich panels are presented. The panels were 1.22 m long, 0.508 m wide, and approximately 13.3 m thick. The face sheets were a T-300/PMR-15 fabric in a quasi-isotropic layup and were 0.279 mm thick. The core was Hexcel HRH 327-3/16 - 4.0 glass reinforced polyimide honeycomb, 12.7 mm thick. Three panels were used in the test: one was cut into smaller pieces for testing as beam, compression, and shear specimens; a second panel was used for plate bending tests; the third panel was used for in-plane stability tests. Presented are the experimental results of four point bending tests, short block compression tests, core transverse shear modulus, three point bending tests, vibration tests, plate bending tests, and panel stability tests. The results of the first three tests are used to predict the results of some of the other tests. The predictions and experimental results are compared, and the agreement is quite good.

Method for producing dustless graphite spheres from waste graphite fines

DOEpatents

Pappano, Peter J [Oak Ridge, TN; Rogers, Michael R [Clinton, TN

2012-05-08

A method for producing graphite spheres from graphite fines by charging a quantity of spherical media into a rotatable cylindrical overcoater, charging a quantity of graphite fines into the overcoater thereby forming a first mixture of spherical media and graphite fines, rotating the overcoater at a speed such that the first mixture climbs the wall of the overcoater before rolling back down to the bottom thereby forming a second mixture of spherical media, graphite fines, and graphite spheres, removing the second mixture from the overcoater, sieving the second mixture to separate graphite spheres, charging the first mixture back into the overcoater, charging an additional quantity of graphite fines into the overcoater, adjusting processing parameters like overcoater dimensions, graphite fines charge, overcoater rotation speed, overcoater angle of rotation, and overcoater time of rotation, before repeating the steps until graphite fines are converted to graphite spheres.

Fluorescent carbon and graphene oxide nanoparticles synthesized by the laser ablation in liquid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Małolepszy, A.; Błonski, S.; Chrzanowska-Giżyńska, J.; Wojasiński, M.; Płocinski, T.; Stobinski, L.; Szymanski, Z.

2018-04-01

The results of synthesis of the fluorescent carbon dots (CDots) from graphite target and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanoparticles performed by the nanosecond laser ablation in polyethylene glycol 200 (PEG200) are shown. Two-step laser irradiation (first graphite target, next achieved suspension) revealed a very effective production of CDots. However, the ablation in PEG appeared to be effective with 1064 nm laser pulse in contrast to the ablation with 355 nm laser pulse. In the case of rGO nanoparticles similar laser irradiation procedure was less efficient. In both cases, received nanoparticles exhibited strong, broadband photoluminescence with a maximum dependent on the excitation wavelength. The size distribution for obtained CDots was evaluated using the DLS technique and HRTEM images. The results from both methods show quite good agreement in nanoparticle size estimation although the DLS method slightly overestimates nanoparticle's diameter.

Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric determination of vanadium after cloud point extraction in the presence of graphene oxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

López-García, Ignacio; Marín-Hernández, Juan José; Hernández-Córdoba, Manuel

2018-05-01

Vanadium (V) and vanadium (IV) in the presence of a small concentration of graphene oxide (0.05 mg mL-1) are quantitatively transferred to the coacervate obtained with Triton X-114 in a cloud point microextraction process. The surfactant-rich phase is directly injected into the graphite atomizer of an atomic absorption spectrometer. Using a 10-mL aliquot sample and 150 μL of a 15% Triton X-114 solution, the enrichment factor for the analyte is 103, which results in a detection limit of 0.02 μg L-1 vanadium. The separation of V(V) and V(IV) using an ion-exchanger allows speciation of the element at low concentrations. Data for seven reference water samples with certified vanadium contents confirm the reliability of the procedure. Several beer samples are also analyzed, those supplied as canned drinks showing low levels of tetravalent vanadium.

Hygrothermal properties of composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arsenovic, Petar

1996-01-01

The testing procedure and acceptance criteria for outgassing selection of materials to be used in spacecraft has been reviewed. Outgassing testing should be conducted according to ASTM Standard E 595-90. In general, materials with CVCM less than or equal to 0.10% and TML less than or equal to 1.00% are acceptable for space applications. Next, test data on several types of graphite-epoxy composite materials are presented over time at various relative humidity levels at room temperature for moisture absorption, and under vacuum at several temperatures for moisture desorption (outgassing). The data can be accurately represented by simple equations which are useful for materials characterization. Finally, a laser dilatometer systems of extremely high sensitivity and accuracy was assembled and used to measure the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of several types of graphite-epoxy structures, culminating in the ability to perform loading and thermal expansion tests on a prototype optical bench.

Visible-light-driven chemoselective hydrogenation of nitroarenes to anilines in water via graphitic carbon nitride metal-free photocatalysis.

PubMed

Xiao, Gang; Li, Peifeng; Zhao, Yilin; Xu, Shengnan; Su, Haijia

2018-05-20

Green and efficient procedures are highly required for the chemoselective hydrogenation of functionalized nitroarenes to industrially important anilines. Here, we show that visible-light-driven, chemoselective hydrogenation of functionalized nitroarenes bearing the sensitive groups to anilines can be achieved in good to excellent yields (82-100%) in water under relatively mild conditions, catalyzed by low-cost and recyclable graphitic carbon nitride. It is also applicable in gram-scale reaction with 86% yield of aniline. Mechanism study reveals that visible light induced electrons are responsible for the hydrogenation reactions and thermal energy can also promote the photocatalytic activity. Kinetics study shows that this reaction possibly occurs via one-step hydrogenation or stepwise condensation route. Wide applications can be expected using this green, efficient, and highly selective photocatalysis system in reduction reactions for fine chemical synthesis. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Developpement d'un modele thermodynamique pour les cristallites de coke: Application aux systems carbone-hydrogene et carbone-soufre

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ouzilleau, Philippe

Carbon materials are essential components of multiple key industrial processes. One example of such a process is the production of aluminum using the Hall-Heroult process. It is well known that important quantities of carbon materials are regularily consumed by the operation of the Hall-Heroult process. In recent years, the increased impurity content of industrial carbon materials motivated the development of a better understanding for the high temperature behavior of these specific materials. The most common forms of carbon materials used in the industry are cokes. Cokes are carbon materials which, following heat treatment, present a crystalline structure similar to that observed in graphite. However, the observed crystallite size of cokes is usually much smaller than the one observed in graphite. For this reason, the chemical and thermodynamic properties of the ordered phase of cokes (i.e. coke crystallites) are very different than those of graphite (although coke crystallites of infinite size would possess properties almost identical to graphite). Coke crystallites consist of hexagonal planes of carbon atoms stacked one above the other. This particular aspect causes strong anisotropic properties in coke crystallites. No thermodynamic model was found for the production of a reliable correlation between the effect of crystallite size and chemical composition for the predictive calculations of the thermodynamic properties (and phase equilibriums) of coke crystallites. It is also difficult to produce predictive calculations that can be compared to experimental results using such a thermodynamic model. The goal of the present work is to propose a thermodynamic model designed to solve this problem. The present model is based on the well-defined geometrical properties of coke cristallites. This geometry allows the development of mathematical equations for the calculation of the mass balances of the crystallite (using a simplified geometry) using only the commonly used cristallite size parameters La (diameter of the crystallite) and Lc (height of the crystallite). The use of the Compound Energy Formalism is necessary to establish the methodology of the present model. Globally, the planar structure of the crystallites is divided into three sublattices on which individual chemical species are assumed to mix randomly. Appropriate thermodynamic paths are used to define the relative enthalpies and absolute entropies of these chemical species. The relative enthalpy and absolute entropy of the coke crystallites are derived for various values of La in the carbon/hydrogen and carbon/sulfur chemical systems. For the carbon/hydrogen system, the model parameters are based on the known values for the entropy of formation of simple hydrogenous organic compounds in the gaseous phase and known carbon/hydrogen bond enthalpies. Also, additional enthalpic properties of coke crystallites and graphitic structures are required for the definition of the thermodynamic paths (for example, the enthalpy associated with the delocalization of one electron in graphitic structures). Results for the carbon/hydrogen system are compared to experiments concerning the dehydrogenation of various cokes. A very satisfying agreement is obtained between the dehydrogenation curves predictively calculated by the model and the reported experimental results (obtained using slow heating rates). Most of the hydrogen content of coke crystallites (this content does not inclue the hydrogen in the condensed volatile matter phase) is predicted to leave the crystalline structure for temperatures between 1100 and 1300 K. Also, experimental measurements of the Gibbs energy of coke relative to graphite are reported. These measurements were obtained using a solid state electrochemical technique. A stabiliy of approximately 900 J g-1, relative to graphite, is reported for temperatures between 950 and 1250 K and for a crystallite size La of ˜10 nm. This value is in excellent agreement with the present thermodynamic model. Finally, an open discussion is made on the possible existance of a degraphitization behavior for coke crystallites heat treated above 2585 K. For the carbon/sulfur system, a modeling approach similar to the one developed for the carbon/hydrogen system is used. Approximately 75% of the model parameters of the carbon/hydrogen and carbon/sulfur systems are common to the two models. Predictive desulfurization curves using the current thermodynamic model are presented for temperatures above 1500 K. A very good agreement is obtained between the model calculations and the reported experimental data. Most of the sulfur content of coke crystallites is predicted to leave the crystallites for temperatures between 1600 and 1850 K. This temperature range is very similar to the puffing temperatures typically found during the desulfurization of petrochemical cokes. The good precision of the model for both studied systems (carbon/sulfur and carbon/hydrogen) combined with the transferability of the model parameters between the carbon/hydrogen and carbon/sulfur systems tend to validate the global approach developed so far.

FennoFlakes: a project for identifying flake graphite ores in the Fennoscandian shield and utilizing graphite in different applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palosaari, Jenny; Eklund, O.; Raunio, S.; Lindfors, T.; Latonen, R.-M.; Peltonen, J.; Smått, J.-H.; Kauppila, J.; Lund, S.; Sjöberg-Eerola, P.; Blomqvist, R.; Marmo, J.

2016-04-01

Natural graphite is a strategic mineral, since the European Commission stated (Report on critical raw materials for the EU (2014)) that graphite is one of the 20 most critical materials for the European Union. The EU consumed 13% of all flake graphite in the world but produced only 3%, which stresses the demand of the material. Flake graphite, which is a flaky version of graphite, forms under high metamorphic conditions. Flake graphite is important in different applications like batteries, carbon brushes, heat sinks etc. Graphene (a single layer of graphite) can be produced from graphite and is commonly used in many nanotechnological applications, e.g. in electronics and sensors. The steps to obtain pure graphene from graphite ore include fragmentation, flotation and exfoliation, which can be cumbersome and resulting in damaging the graphene layers. We have started a project named FennoFlakes, which is a co-operation between geologists and chemists to fill the whole value chain from graphite to graphene: 1. Exploration of graphite ores (geological and geophysical methods). 2. Petrological and geochemical analyses on the ores. 3. Development of fragmentation methods for graphite ores. 4. Chemical exfoliation of the enriched flake graphite to separate flake graphite into single and multilayer graphene. 5. Test the quality of the produced material in several high-end applications with totally environmental friendly and disposable material combinations. Preliminary results show that flake graphite in high metamorphic areas has better qualities compared to synthetic graphite produced in laboratories.

In-situ pre-concentration through repeated sampling and pyrolysis for ultrasensitive determination of thallium in drinking water by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.

PubMed

Liu, Liwei; Zheng, Huaili; Xu, Bincheng; Xiao, Lang; Chigan, Yong; Zhangluo, Yilan

2018-03-01

In this paper, a procedure for in-situ pre-concentration in graphite furnace by repeated sampling and pyrolysis is proposed for the determination of ultra-trace thallium in drinking water by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS). Without any other laborious enrichment processes that routinely result in analyte loss and contamination, thallium was directly concentrated in the graphite furnace automatically and subsequently subject to analysis. The effects of several key factors, such as the temperature for pyrolysis and atomization, the chemical modifier, and the repeated sampling times were investigated. Under the optimized conditions, a limit of detection of 0.01µgL -1 was obtained, which fulfilled thallium determination in drinking water by GB 5749-2006 regulated by China. Successful analysis of thallium in certified water samples and drinking water samples was demonstrated, with analytical results in good agreement with the certified values and those by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), respectively. Routine spike-recovery tests with randomly selected drinking water samples showed satisfactory results of 80-96%. The proposed method is simple and sensitive for screening of ultra-trace thallium in drinking water samples. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

A graphite oxide (GO)-based remote readable tamper evident seal

DOE PAGES

Cattaneo, Alessandro; Bossert, Jason Andrew; Guzman, Christian; ...

2016-09-08

Here, this paper presents a prototype of a remotely readable graphite oxide (GO) paper-based tamper evident seal. The proposed device combines the tunable electrical properties offered by reduced graphite oxide (RGO) with a compressive sampling scheme. The benefit of using RGO as a tamper evident seal material is the sensitivity of its electrical properties to the common mechanisms adopted to defeat tamper-evident seals. RGO’s electrical properties vary upon local stress or cracks induced by mechanical action (e.g., produced by shimming or lifting attacks). Further, modification of the seal’s electrical properties can result from the incidence of other defeat mechanisms, suchmore » as temperature changes, solvent treatment and steam application. The electrical tunability of RGO enables the engraving of a circuit on the area of the tamper evident seal intended to be exposed to malicious attacks. The operation of the tamper evident seal, as well as its remote communication functionality, is supervised by a microcontroller unit (MCU). The MCU uses the RGO-engraved circuitry to physically implement a compressive sampling acquisition procedure. The compressive sampling scheme provides the seal with self-authentication and self-state-of-health awareness capabilities. Finally, the prototype shows potential for use in low-power, embedded, remote-operation nonproliferation security related applications.« less

Application of Chitosan-Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Lead Extraction From Water Samples by Combining Ant Colony Optimization with Artificial Neural Network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khajeh, M.; Pourkarami, A.; Arefnejad, E.; Bohlooli, M.; Khatibi, A.; Ghaffari-Moghaddam, M.; Zareian-Jahromi, S.

2017-09-01

Chitosan-zinc oxide nanoparticles (CZPs) were developed for solid-phase extraction. Combined artificial neural network-ant colony optimization (ANN-ACO) was used for the simultaneous preconcentration and determination of lead (Pb2+) ions in water samples prior to graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF AAS). The solution pH, mass of adsorbent CZPs, amount of 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN), which was used as a complexing agent, eluent volume, eluent concentration, and flow rates of sample and eluent were used as input parameters of the ANN model, and the percentage of extracted Pb2+ ions was used as the output variable of the model. A multilayer perception network with a back-propagation learning algorithm was used to fit the experimental data. The optimum conditions were obtained based on the ACO. Under the optimized conditions, the limit of detection for Pb2+ ions was found to be 0.078 μg/L. This procedure was also successfully used to determine the amounts of Pb2+ ions in various natural water samples.

Graphite Fiber Textile Preform/Cooper Matrix Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Filatovs, George J.

1998-01-01

The purpose of this research was to produce a finned tube constructed of a highly conductive braided graphite fiber preform infiltrated with a copper matrix. In addition, the tube was to be fabricated with an integral geometry. The preform was integral in the sense that the tube and the fin could be braided to yield one continuous part. This composite component is a candidate for situations with high heat transmitting and radiation requirements. A proof-of-concept finned tube was braided and infiltrated with a copper matrix proving that a viable process was developed to fabricate the desired component. Braiding of high conductivity carbon fibers required much trial-and-error and development of special procedures. There are many tradeoffs between braidability and fiber conductivity. To understand the properties and structure of the braided finned tube, an geometric model of the braid structure was derived. This derivation set the basis for the research because knowing the tow orientations helped decipher the thermal as well as the mechanical and conduction tendencies. Infiltration of the fibers into a copper matrix was a complex procedure, and was performed by TRA, of Salt Lake City, Utah, using a proprietary process. Several batches were fabricated with a final, high quality batch serving as a confirming proof-of-concept.

Displacement-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic drop of trace amounts of palladium in water and road dust samples prior to graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry determination.

PubMed

Ghanbarian, Maryam; Afzali, Daryoush; Mostafavi, Ali; Fathirad, Fariba

2013-01-01

A new displacement-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method based on the solidification of floating organic drop was developed for separation and preconcentration of Pd(ll) in road dust and aqueous samples. This method involves two steps of dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification. In Step 1, Cu ions react with diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) to form Cu-DDTC complex, which is extracted by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on a solidification procedure using 1-undecanol (extraction solvent) and ethanol (dispersive solvent). In Step 2, the extracted complex is first dispersed using ethanol in a sample solution containing Pd ions, then a dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on a solidification procedure is performed creating an organic drop. In this step, Pd(ll) replaces Cu(ll) from the pre-extracted Cu-DDTC complex and goes into the extraction solvent phase. Finally, the Pd(ll)-containing drop is introduced into a graphite furnace using a microsyringe, and Pd(ll) is determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. Several factors that influence the extraction efficiency of Pd and its subsequent determination, such as extraction and dispersive solvent type and volume, pH of sample solution, centrifugation time, and concentration of DDTC, are optimized.

Development of glucose biosensor based on reconstitution of glucose oxidase onto polymeric redox mediator coated pencil graphite electrodes.

PubMed

Dervisevic, Muamer; Cevik, Emre; Senel, Mehmet

2015-01-01

In this study, a novel glucose biosensor was fabricated by reconstitutional immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOx) onto a poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-vinylferrocene) (poly(GMA-co-VFc)) film coated pencil graphite electrode (PGE). The amperometric current response of poly(GMA-co-VFc)-GOx to glucose is linear in the concentration range between 1 and 16mM (correlation coefficient of 0.9998) with a detection limit of 2.7μM (S/N=3). Experimental parameters were studied in detail and optimized, including the pH and temperature governing the analytical performance of the biosensor. The stability and reusability of the biosensor as well as its kinetic parameters have also been studied. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Composite Materials for Thermal Energy Storage: Enhancing Performance through Microstructures

PubMed Central

Ge, Zhiwei; Ye, Feng; Ding, Yulong

2014-01-01

Chemical incompatibility and low thermal conductivity issues of molten-salt-based thermal energy storage materials can be addressed by using microstructured composites. Using a eutectic mixture of lithium and sodium carbonates as molten salt, magnesium oxide as supporting material, and graphite as thermal conductivity enhancer, the microstructural development, chemical compatibility, thermal stability, thermal conductivity, and thermal energy storage performance of composite materials are investigated. The ceramic supporting material is essential for preventing salt leakage and hence provides a solution to the chemical incompatibility issue. The use of graphite gives a significant enhancement on the thermal conductivity of the composite. Analyses suggest that the experimentally observed microstructural development of the composite is associated with the wettability of the salt on the ceramic substrate and that on the thermal conduction enhancer. PMID:24591286

Hydrogen Recombination and Dimer Formation on Graphite from Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

PubMed

Casolo, S; Tantardini, G F; Martinazzo, R

2016-07-14

We studied Eley-Rideal molecular hydrogen formation on graphite using ab initio molecular dynamics, in the energy range relevant for the chemistry of the interstellar medium and for terrestrial experiments employing cold plasma (0.02-1 eV). We found substantial projectile steering effects that prevent dimer formation at low energies, thereby ruling out any catalytic synthetic pathways that form hydrogen molecules. Ortho and para dimers do form efficiently thanks to preferential sticking, but only at energies that are too high to be relevant for the chemistry of the interstellar medium. Computed reaction cross sections and ro-vibrational product populations are in good agreement with available experimental data and capable of generating adsorbate configurations similar to those observed with scanning tunneling microscopy techniques.

Polyfunctional epoxies - Different molecular weights of brominated polymeric additives as flame retardants in graphite composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nir, Z.; Gilwee, W. J.; Kourtides, D. A.; Parker, J. A.

1983-01-01

The imparting of flame retardancy to graphite-reinforced composites without incurring mechanical property deterioration is investigated for the case of an experimental, trifunctional epoxy resin incorporating brominated polymeric additives (BPAs) of the diglycidyl type. Such mechanical properties as flexural strength and modulus, and short beam shear strength, were measured in dry and in hot/wet conditions, and the glass transition temperature, flammability, and water absorption were measured and compared with nonbromilated systems. Another comparison was made with a tetrafunctional epoxy system. The results obtained are explained in terms of differences in the polymeric backbone length of the bromine carrier polymer. BPAs are found to be a reliable bromine source for fire inhibition in carbon-reinforced composites without compromise of mechanical properties.

Experimental studies of graphite-epoxy and boron-epoxy angle ply laminates in compression

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weller, T.

1977-01-01

A test program aimed at studying the nonlinear/inelastic response under axial compression across a wide range of angle ply was graphite-epoxy and boron-epoxy laminates was presented and described. The strength allowables corresponding to the various laminate configurations were defined and the failure mechanisms which dictate their mode of failure were detected. The program involved two types of specimens for each laminate configuration: compression sandwich coupons and compression tubes. The test results indicate that the coupons perform better than the tubes displaying considerably high stress-strain allowables and mechanical properties relative to the tubes. Also, it is observed that depending on their dimensions the coupons are susceptible to very pronounced edge effects. This sensitivity results in assigning to the laminate conservative mechanical properties rather than the actual ones.

Fracture characteristics of angleplied laminates fabricated from overaged graphite/epoxy prepreg

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ginty, C. A.; Chamis, C. C.

1985-01-01

A series of angleplied graphite/epoxy laminates was fabricated from overaged prepreg and tested in tension to investigate the effects of overaged or advanced cure material on the degradation of laminate strength. Results, which include fracture stresses, indicate a severe degradation in strength. In addition, the fracture surfaces and microstructural characteristics are distinctly unlike any features observed in previous tests of this prepreg and laminate configuration. Photographs of the surfaces and microstructures reveal flat morphologies consisting of alternate rows of fibers and hackles. These fracture surface characteristics are independent of the laminate configurations. The photomicrographs are presented and compared with data from similar studies to show the unique characteristics produced by the overage prepreg. Analytical studies produced results which agreed with those from the experimental investigations.

Fracture characteristics of angleplied laminates fabricated from overaged graphite/epoxy prepreg

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ginty, Carol A.; Chamis, Christos C.

1987-01-01

A series of angleplied graphite/epoxy laminates was fabricated from overaged prepreg and tested in tension to investigate the effects of overaged or advanced cure material on the degradation of laminate strength. Results, which include fracture stresses, indicate a severe degradation in strength. In addition, the fracture surfaces and microstructural characteristics are distinctly unlike any features observed in previous tests of this prepreg and laminate configuration. Photographs of the surfaces and microstructures reveal flat morphologies consisting of alternate rows of fibers and hackles. These fracture surface characteristics are independent of the laminate configurations. The photomicrographs are presented and compared with data from similar studies to show the unique characteristics produced by the overage prepreg. Analytical studies produced results which agreed with those from the experimental investigations.

Hygrothermal damage mechanisms in graphite-epoxy composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crossman, F. W.; Mauri, R. E.; Warren, W. J.

1979-01-01

T300/5209 and T300/5208 graphite epoxy laminates were studied experimentally and analytically in order to: (1) determine the coupling between applied stress, internal residual stress, and moisture sorption kinetics; (2) examine the microscopic damage mechanisms due to hygrothermal cycling; (3) evaluate the effect of absorbed moisture and hygrothermal cycling on inplane shear response; (4) determine the permanent loss of interfacial bond strength after moisture absorption and drying; and (5) evaluate the three dimensional stress state in laminates under a combination of hygroscopic, thermal, and mechanical loads. Specimens were conditioned to equilibrium moisture content under steady exposure to 55% or 95% RH at 70 C or 93 C. Some specimens were tested subsequent to moisture conditioning and 100 cycles between -54 C and either 70 C or 93 C.

Probabilistic simulation of uncertainties in composite uniaxial strengths

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chamis, C. C.; Stock, T. A.

1990-01-01

Probabilistic composite micromechanics methods are developed that simulate uncertainties in unidirectional fiber composite strengths. These methods are in the form of computational procedures using composite mechanics with Monte Carlo simulation. The variables for which uncertainties are accounted include constituent strengths and their respective scatter. A graphite/epoxy unidirectional composite (ply) is studied to illustrate the procedure and its effectiveness to formally estimate the probable scatter in the composite uniaxial strengths. The results show that ply longitudinal tensile and compressive, transverse compressive and intralaminar shear strengths are not sensitive to single fiber anomalies (breaks, intergacial disbonds, matrix microcracks); however, the ply transverse tensile strength is.

Temperature and flow fields in samples heated in monoellipsoidal mirror furnaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rivas, D.; Haya, R.

The temperature field in samples heated in monoellipsoidal mirror furnaces will be analyzed. The radiation heat exchange between the sample and the mirror is formulated analytically, taking into account multiple reflections at the mirror. It will be shown that the effect of these multiple reflections in the heating process is quite important, and, as a consequence, the effect of the mirror reflectance in the temperature field is quite strong. The conduction-radiation model will be used to simulate the heating process in the floating-zone technique in microgravity conditions; important parameters like the Marangoni number (that drives the thermocapillary flow in the melt), and the temperature gradient at the melt-crystal interface will be estimated. The model will be validated comparing with experimental data. The case of samples mounted in a wall-free configuration (as in the MAXUS-4 programme) will be also considered. Application to the case of compound samples (graphite-silicon-graphite) will be made; the melting of the silicon part and the surface temperature distribution in the melt will be analyzed. Of special interest is the temperature difference between the two graphite rods that hold the silicon part, since it drives the thermocapillary flow in the melt. This thermocapillary flow will be studied, after coupling the previous model with the convective effects. The possibility of counterbalancing this flow by the controlled vibration of the graphite rods will be studied as well. Numerical results show that suppressing the thermocapillary flow can be accomplished quite effectively.

Voronoi-Tessellated Graphite Produced by Low-Temperature Catalytic Graphitization from Renewable Resources.

PubMed

Zhao, Leyi; Zhao, Xiuyun; Burke, Luke T; Bennett, J Craig; Dunlap, Richard A; Obrovac, Mark N

2017-09-11

A highly crystalline graphite powder was prepared from the low temperature (800-1000 °C) graphitization of renewable hard carbon precursors using a magnesium catalyst. The resulting graphite particles are composed of Voronoi-tessellated regions comprising irregular sheets; each Voronoi-tessellated region having a small "seed" particle located near their centroid on the surface. This suggests nucleated outward growth of graphitic carbon, which has not been previously observed. Each seed particle consists of a spheroidal graphite shell on the inside of which hexagonal graphite platelets are perpendicularly affixed. This results in a unique high surface area graphite with a high degree of graphitization that is made with renewable feedstocks at temperatures far below that conventionally used for artificial graphites. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Influence of Metal-Coated Graphite Powders on Microstructure and Properties of the Bronze-Matrix/Graphite Composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Jian-hua; Li, Pu; Tang, Qi; Zhang, Yan-qing; He, Jian-sheng; He, Ke

2017-02-01

In this study, the bronze-matrix/x-graphite (x = 0, 1, 3 and 5%) composites were fabricated by powder metallurgy route by using Cu-coated graphite, Ni-coated graphite and pure graphite, respectively. The microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosive behaviors of bronze/Cu-coated-graphite (BCG), bronze/Ni-coated-graphite (BNG) and bronze/pure-graphite (BPG) were characterized and investigated. Results show that the Cu-coated and Ni-coated graphite could definitely increase the bonding quality between the bronze matrix and graphite. In general, with the increase in graphite content in bronze-matrix/graphite composites, the friction coefficients, ultimate density and wear rates of BPG, BCG and BNG composites all went down. However, the Vickers microhardness of the BNG composite would increase as the graphite content increased, which was contrary to the BPG and BCG composites. When the graphite content was 3%, the friction coefficient of BNG composite was more stable than that of BCG and BPG composites, indicating that BNG composite had a better tribological performance than the others. Under all the values of applied loads (10, 20, 40 and 60N), the BCG and BNG composites exhibited a lower wear rate than BPG composite. What is more, the existence of nickel in graphite powders could effectively improve the corrosion resistance of the BNG composite.

Comparison of inert-gas-fusion and modified Kjeldahl techniques for determination of nitrogen in niobium alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Merkle, E. J.; Graab, J. W.; Davis, W. F.

1974-01-01

This report compares results obtained for the determination of nitrogen in a selected group of niobium-base alloys by the inert-gas-fusion and the Kjeldahl procedures. In the inert-gas-fusion procedure the sample is heated to approximately 2700 C in a helium atmosphere in a single-use graphite crucible. A platinum flux is used to facilitate melting of the sample. The Kjeldahl method consisted of a rapid decomposition with a mixture of hydrofluoric acid, phosphoric acid, and potassium chromate; distillation in the presence of sodium hydroxide; and highly sensitive spectrophotometry with nitroprusside-catalyzed indophenol. In the 30- to 80-ppm range, the relative standard deviation was 5 to 7 percent for the inert-gas-fusion procedure and 2 to 8 percent for the Kjeldahl procedure. The agreement of the nitrogen results obtained by the two techniques is considered satisfactory.

Producing graphite with desired properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dickinson, J. M.; Imprescia, R. J.; Reiswig, R. D.; Smith, M. C.

1971-01-01

Isotropic or anisotropic graphite is synthesized with precise control of particle size, distribution, and shape. The isotropic graphites are nearly perfectly isotropic, with thermal expansion coefficients two or three times those of ordinary graphites. The anisotropic graphites approach the anisotropy of pyrolytic graphite.

Brazing graphite to graphite

DOEpatents

Peterson, George R.

1976-01-01

Graphite is joined to graphite by employing both fine molybdenum powder as the brazing material and an annealing step that together produce a virtually metal-free joint exhibiting properties similar to those found in the parent graphite. Molybdenum powder is placed between the faying surfaces of two graphite parts and melted to form molybdenum carbide. The joint area is thereafter subjected to an annealing operation which diffuses the carbide away from the joint and into the graphite parts. Graphite dissolved by the dispersed molybdenum carbide precipitates into the joint area, replacing the molybdenum carbide to provide a joint of virtually graphite.

Method of Joining Graphite Fibers to a Substrate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beringer, Durwood M. (Inventor); Caron, Mark E. (Inventor); Taddey, Edmund P. (Inventor); Gleason, Brian P. (Inventor)

2014-01-01

A method of assembling a metallic-graphite structure includes forming a wetted graphite subassembly by arranging one or more layers of graphite fiber material including a plurality of graphite fibers and applying a layer of metallization material to ends of the plurality of graphite fibers. At least one metallic substrate is secured to the wetted graphite subassembly via the layer of metallization material.

Effects Of Rapid Crushing On Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Farley, Gary L.

1990-01-01

Experimental study described in NASA technical memorandum performed to determine whether crash energy-absorption capabilities of graphite/epoxy and Kevlar/epoxy composite materials are functions of speed of crushing. Additional objective to develop understanding of mechanisms of crushing. Technology applied to enhancement of safety and crashworthiness of automobiles, design of energy-absorbing devices in machinery, and problems involving explosions and impacts.

A systematic methodology for creep master curve construction using the stepped isostress method (SSM): a numerical assessment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miranda Guedes, Rui

2018-02-01

Long-term creep of viscoelastic materials is experimentally inferred through accelerating techniques based on the time-temperature superposition principle (TTSP) or on the time-stress superposition principle (TSSP). According to these principles, a given property measured for short times at a higher temperature or higher stress level remains the same as that obtained for longer times at a lower temperature or lower stress level, except that the curves are shifted parallel to the horizontal axis, matching a master curve. These procedures enable the construction of creep master curves with short-term experimental tests. The Stepped Isostress Method (SSM) is an evolution of the classical TSSP method. Higher reduction of the required number of test specimens to obtain the master curve is achieved by the SSM technique, since only one specimen is necessary. The classical approach, using creep tests, demands at least one specimen per each stress level to produce a set of creep curves upon which TSSP is applied to obtain the master curve. This work proposes an analytical method to process the SSM raw data. The method is validated using numerical simulations to reproduce the SSM tests based on two different viscoelastic models. One model represents the viscoelastic behavior of a graphite/epoxy laminate and the other represents an adhesive based on epoxy resin.

Finite-Element Vibration Analysis and Modal Testing of Graphite Epoxy Tubes and Correlation Between the Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Taleghani, Barmac K.; Pappa, Richard S.

1996-01-01

Structural materials in the form of graphite epoxy composites with embedded rubber layers are being used to reduce vibrations in rocket motor tubes. Four filament-wound, graphite epoxy tubes were studied to evaluate the effects of the rubber layer on the modal parameters (natural vibration frequencies, damping, and mode shapes). Tube 1 contained six alternating layers of 30-degree helical wraps and 90-degree hoop wraps. Tube 2 was identical to tube 1 with the addition of an embedded 0.030-inch-thick rubber layer. Tubes 3 and 4 were identical to tubes 1 and 2, respectively, with the addition of a Textron Kelpoxy elastomer. This report compares experimental modal parameters obtained by impact testing with analytical modal parameters obtained by NASTRAN finite-element analysis. Four test modes of tube 1 and five test modes of tube 3 correlate highly with corresponding analytical predictions. Unsatisfactory correlation of test and analysis results occurred for tubes 2 and 4 and these comparisons are not shown. Work is underway to improve the analytical models of these tubes. Test results clearly show that the embedded rubber layers significantly increase structural modal damping as well as decrease natural vibration frequencies.

The influence of buoyant forces and volume fraction of particles on the particle pushing/entrapment transition during directional solidification of Al/SiC and Al/graphite composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stefanescu, Doru M.; Moitra, Avijit; Kacar, A. Sedat; Dhindaw, Brij K.

1990-01-01

Directional solidification experiments in a Bridgman-type furnace were used to study particle behavior at the liquid/solid interface in aluminum metal matrix composites. Graphite or silicon-carbide particles were first dispersed in aluminum-base alloys via a mechanically stirred vortex. Then, 100-mm-diameter and 120-mm-long samples were cast in steel dies and used for directional solidification. The processing variables controlled were the direction and velocity of solidification and the temperature gradient at the interface. The material variables monitored were the interface energy, the liquid/particle density difference, the particle/liquid thermal conductivity ratio, and the volume fraction of particles. These properties were changed by selecting combinations of particles (graphite or silicon carbide) and alloys (Al-Cu, Al-Mg, Al-Ni). A model which consideres process thermodynamics, process kinetics (including the role of buoyant forces), and thermophysical properties was developed. Based on solidification direction and velocity, and on materials properties, four types of behavior were predicted. Sessile drop experiments were also used to determine some of the interface energies required in calculation with the proposed model. Experimental results compared favorably with model predictions.

Calculated criticality for sup 235 U/graphite systems using the VIM Monte Carlo code

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Collins, P.J.; Grasseschi, G.L.; Olsen, D.N.

1992-01-01

Calculations for highly enriched uranium and graphite systems gained renewed interest recently for the new production modular high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (MHTGR). Experiments to validate the physics calculations for these systems are being prepared for the Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) reactor at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL-West) and in the Compact Nuclear Power Source facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The continuous-energy Monte Carlo code VIM, or equivalently the MCNP code, can utilize fully detailed models of the MHTGR and serve as benchmarks for the approximate multigroup methods necessary in full reactor calculations. Validation of these codes and their associated nuclearmore » data did not exist for highly enriched {sup 235}U/graphite systems. Experimental data, used in development of more approximate methods, dates back to the 1960s. The authors have selected two independent sets of experiments for calculation with the VIM code. The carbon-to-uranium (C/U) ratios encompass the range of 2,000, representative of the new production MHTGR, to the ratio of 10,000 in the fuel of TREAT. Calculations used the ENDF/B-V data.« less

The influence of buoyant forces and volume fraction of particles on the particle pushing/entrapment transition during directional solidification of Al/SiC and Al/graphite composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stefanescu, Doru M.; Moitra, Avijit; Kacar, A. Sedat; Dhindaw, Brij K.

1990-01-01

Directional solidification experiments in a Bridgman-type furnace were used to study particle behavior at the liquid/solid interface in aluminum metal matrix composites. Graphite or siliconcarbide particles were first dispersed in aluminum-base alloys via a mechanically stirred vortex. Then, 100-mm-diameter and 120-mm-long samples were cast in steel dies and used for directional solidification. The processing variables controlled were the direction and velocity of solidification and the temperature gradient at the interface. The material variables monitored were the interface energy, the liquid/particle density difference, the particle/liquid thermal conductivity ratio, and the volume fraction of particles. These properties were changed by selecting combinations of particles (graphite or silicon carbide) and alloys (Al-Cu, Al-Mg, Al-Ni). A model which considers process thermodynamics, process kinetics (including the role of buoyant forces), and thermophysical properties was developed. Based on solidification direction and velocity, and on materials properties, four types of behavior were predicted. Sessile drop experiments were also used to determine some of the interface energies required in calculation with the proposed model. Experimental results compared favorably with model predictions.

Natural occurrence of pure nano-polycrystalline diamond from impact crater

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohfuji, Hiroaki; Irifune, Tetsuo; Litasov, Konstantin D.; Yamashita, Tomoharu; Isobe, Futoshi; Afanasiev, Valentin P.; Pokhilenko, Nikolai P.

2015-10-01

Consolidated bodies of polycrystalline diamond with grain sizes less than 100 nm, nano-polycrystalline diamond (NPD), has been experimentally produced by direct conversion of graphite at high pressure and high temperature. NPD has superior hardness, toughness and wear resistance to single-crystalline diamonds because of its peculiar nano-textures, and has been successfully used for industrial and scientific applications. Such sintered nanodiamonds have, however, not been found in natural mantle diamonds. Here we identified natural pure NPD, which was produced by a large meteoritic impact about 35 Ma ago in Russia. The impact diamonds consist of well-sintered equigranular nanocrystals (5-50 nm), similar to synthetic NPD, but with distinct [111] preferred orientation. They formed through the martensitic transformation from single-crystal graphite. Stress-induced local fragmentation of the source graphite and subsequent rapid transformation to diamond in the limited time scale result in multiple diamond nucleation and suppression of the overall grain growth, producing the unique nanocrystalline texture of natural NPD. A huge amount of natural NPD is expected to be present in the Popigai crater, which is potentially important for applications as novel ultra-hard material.

Stability of buckminsterfullerene and related carbon clusters

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Newton, M.D.; Stanton, R.E.

1986-04-30

Under appropriate collisional conditions the mass spectrum of carbon fragments produced by laser vaporization of graphite is dominated by C/sub 60/ and (to a lesser extent) C/sub 70/ clusters. The discoverers of this phenomenon have noted that the carbon valence requirements can be satisfied in closed, hollow structures. For C/sub 60/ they suggest an icosahedral soccer ball network, which they call buckminsterfullerene and we abbreviate as BF. Experimental support has come from studies with lanthanum-impregnated graphite. The resulting mass spectra show intense C/sub 60/La peaks, but no C/sub n/La/sub 2/ or C/sub n/La/sub 3/ peaks. Subsequent experiments have demonstrated themore » inertness of C/sub 60/ and, indeed, other large C/sub 2n/ clusters under NO attack. We report here the results of quantum calculations which were prompted by the experiments cited above and other earlier work. Our purpose has been to test the intrinsic stability of BF and related polyhedral species and to compare their stability with that of planar graphite fragments. The latter have the advantage of being strain free, but suffer from dangling valences on their perimeters. We also make comparisons with linear carbon chains.« less

Molecular modeling of the microstructure evolution during carbon fiber processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Desai, Saaketh; Li, Chunyu; Shen, Tongtong; Strachan, Alejandro

2017-12-01

The rational design of carbon fibers with desired properties requires quantitative relationships between the processing conditions, microstructure, and resulting properties. We developed a molecular model that combines kinetic Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics techniques to predict the microstructure evolution during the processes of carbonization and graphitization of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fibers. The model accurately predicts the cross-sectional microstructure of the fibers with the molecular structure of the stabilized PAN fibers and physics-based chemical reaction rates as the only inputs. The resulting structures exhibit key features observed in electron microcopy studies such as curved graphitic sheets and hairpin structures. In addition, computed X-ray diffraction patterns are in good agreement with experiments. We predict the transverse moduli of the resulting fibers between 1 GPa and 5 GPa, in good agreement with experimental results for high modulus fibers and slightly lower than those of high-strength fibers. The transverse modulus is governed by sliding between graphitic sheets, and the relatively low value for the predicted microstructures can be attributed to their perfect longitudinal texture. Finally, the simulations provide insight into the relationships between chemical kinetics and the final microstructure; we observe that high reaction rates result in porous structures with lower moduli.

Atomistic modeling of phonon transport in turbostratic graphitic structures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mao, Rui; Chen, Yifeng; Kim, Ki Wook, E-mail: kwk@ncsu.edu

2016-05-28

Thermal transport in turbostratic graphitic systems is investigated by using an atomistic analytical model based on the 4th-nearest-neighbor force constant approximation and a registry-dependent interlayer potential. The developed model is shown to produce an excellent agreement with the experimental data and ab initio results in the calculation of bulk properties. Subsequent analysis of phonon transport in combination with the Green's function method illustrates the significant dependence of key characteristics on the misorientation angle, clearly indicating the importance of this degree of freedom in multi-stacked structures. Selecting three angles with the smallest commensurate unit cells, the thermal resistance is evaluated atmore » the twisted interface between two AB stacked graphite. The resulting values in the range of 35 × 10{sup −10} K m{sup 2}/W to 116 × 10{sup −10} K m{sup 2}/W are as large as those between two dissimilar material systems such as a metal and graphene. The strong rotational effect on the cross-plane thermal transport may offer an effective means of phonon engineering for applications such as thermoelectric materials.« less

Natural occurrence of pure nano-polycrystalline diamond from impact crater

PubMed Central

Ohfuji, Hiroaki; Irifune, Tetsuo; Litasov, Konstantin D.; Yamashita, Tomoharu; Isobe, Futoshi; Afanasiev, Valentin P.; Pokhilenko, Nikolai P.

2015-01-01

Consolidated bodies of polycrystalline diamond with grain sizes less than 100 nm, nano-polycrystalline diamond (NPD), has been experimentally produced by direct conversion of graphite at high pressure and high temperature. NPD has superior hardness, toughness and wear resistance to single-crystalline diamonds because of its peculiar nano-textures, and has been successfully used for industrial and scientific applications. Such sintered nanodiamonds have, however, not been found in natural mantle diamonds. Here we identified natural pure NPD, which was produced by a large meteoritic impact about 35 Ma ago in Russia. The impact diamonds consist of well-sintered equigranular nanocrystals (5–50 nm), similar to synthetic NPD, but with distinct [111] preferred orientation. They formed through the martensitic transformation from single-crystal graphite. Stress-induced local fragmentation of the source graphite and subsequent rapid transformation to diamond in the limited time scale result in multiple diamond nucleation and suppression of the overall grain growth, producing the unique nanocrystalline texture of natural NPD. A huge amount of natural NPD is expected to be present in the Popigai crater, which is potentially important for applications as novel ultra-hard material. PMID:26424384

Interfacial Effects on the Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Graphite/Copper Composites. Final Contractor Report Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Devincent, Sandra Marie

1995-01-01

Graphite surfaces are not wet by pure copper. This lack of wetting has been responsible for a debonding phenomenon that has been found in continuous graphite fiber reinforced copper matrix composites subjected to elevated temperatures. By suitably alloying copper, its ability to wet graphite surfaces can be enhanced. Information obtained during sessile drop testing has led to the development of a copper-chromium alloy that suitably wets graphite. Unidirectionally reinforced graphite/copper composites have been fabricated using a pressure infiltration casting procedure. P100 pitch-based fibers have been used to reinforce copper and copper-chromium alloys. X-ray radiography and optical microscopy have been used to assess the fiber distribution in the cast composites. Scanning electron microscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy analyses were conducted to study the distribution and continuity of the chromium carbide reaction phase that forms at the fiber/matrix interface in the alloyed matrix composites. The effects of the chromium in the copper matrix on the mechanical and thermal properties of P100Gr/Cu composites have been evaluated through tensile testing, three-point bend testing, thermal cycling and thermal conductivity calculations. The addition of chromium has resulted in an increased shear modulus and essentially zero thermal expansion in the P100Gr/Cu-xCr composites through enhanced fiber/matrix bonding. The composites have longitudinal tensile strengths in excess of 700 MPa with elastic moduli of 393 GPa. After 100 hr at 760 deg C 84 percent of the as-cast strength is retained in the alloyed matrix composites. The elastic moduli are unchanged by the thermal exposure. It has been found that problems with spreading of the fiber tows strongly affect the long transverse tensile properties and the short transverse thermal conductivity of the P100Gr/Cu-xCr composites. The long transverse tensile strength is limited by rows of touching fibers which are paths of easy crack propagation under low tensile loads. The short transverse thermal conductivity is dictated by the fiber/matrix interface. Conduction across this interface has been estimated to be two orders of magnitude lower than that across the composite. This is due to the mechanical, and not chemical, nature of Gr/Cu bond.

Hybrid carbon-glass fiber/toughened epoxy thick composites subject to drop-weight and ballistic impacts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sevkat, Ercan

The goals of this study are to investigate the low velocity and ballistic impact response of thick-section hybrid fiber composites at room temperature. Plain-woven S2-Glass and IM7 Graphite fabrics are chosen as fiber materials reinforcing the SC-79 epoxy. Four different types of composites consisting of alternating layers of glass and graphite woven fabric sheets are considered. Tensile tests are conducted using 98 KN (22 kip) MTS testing machine equipped with environmental chamber. Low-velocity impact tests are conducted using an Instron-Dynatup 8250 impact test machine equipped with an environmental chamber. Ballistic impact tests are performed using helium pressured high-speed gas-gun. Tensile tests results were used to define the material behavior of the hybrid and non-hybrid composites in Finite Element modeling. The low velocity and ballistic impact tests showed that hybrid composites performance was somewhere between non-hybrid woven composites. Using woven glass fabrics as outer skin improved the impact performance of woven graphite composite. However hybrid composites are prone to delamination especially between dissimilar layers. The ballistic limit velocity V50 hybrid composites were higher that of woven graphite composite and lower than that of woven glass composite. Both destructive cross-sectional micrographs and nondestructive ultrasonic techniques are used to evaluate the damage created by impact. The Finite Element code LS-DYNA is chosen to perform numerical simulations of low velocity and ballistic impact on thick-section hybrid composites. The damage progression in these composites shows anisotropic nonlinearity. The material model to describe this behavior is not available in LS-DYNA material library. Initially, linear orthotropic material with damage (Chan-Chan Model) is employed to simulate some of the experimental results. Then, user-defined material subroutine is incorporated into LS-DYNA to simulate the nonlinear behavior. The experimentally obtained force-time histories, strain-time histories and damage patterns of impacted composites are compared with Finite element results. The results indicate that LS-DYNA could simulate the impact responses with sufficient accuracy once proper material models and boundary conditions are defined.

Thermally exfoliated graphite oxide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prud'Homme, Robert K. (Inventor); Aksay, Ilhan A. (Inventor); Abdala, Ahmed (Inventor)

2011-01-01

A modified graphite oxide material contains a thermally exfoliated graphite oxide with a surface area of from about 300 sq m/g to 2600 sq m/g, wherein the thermally exfoliated graphite oxide displays no signature of the original graphite and/or graphite oxide, as determined by X-ray diffraction.

The action of macrosounds on graphite ore and derived products

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bradeteanu, C.; Dragan, O.

1974-01-01

A suspension of graphite ore, floated graphite, and the gangue left over from flotation were subjected to the action of macrosounds under determinant conditions. The following was found: (1) The graphite ore undergoes an efficient settling action. (2) The floated graphite is strongly crushed down to the dimensions of colloidal graphite. (3) The gangue left over from flotation can be further processed to recuperate graphite from its nuclei.

Graphene prepared by thermal reduction–exfoliation of graphite oxide: Effect of raw graphite particle size on the properties of graphite oxide and graphene

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dao, Trung Dung; Jeong, Han Mo, E-mail: hmjeong@mail.ulsan.ac.kr

Highlights: • Effect of raw graphite particle size on properties of GO and graphene is reported. • Size of raw graphite affects oxidation degree and chemical structure of GO. • Highly oxidized GO results in small-sized but well-exfoliated graphene. • GO properties affect reduction degree, structure, and conductivity of graphene. - Abstract: We report the effect of raw graphite size on the properties of graphite oxide and graphene prepared by thermal reduction–exfoliation of graphite oxide. Transmission electron microscope analysis shows that the lateral size of graphene becomes smaller when smaller size graphite is used. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms that graphitemore » with smaller size is more effectively oxidized, resulting in a more effective subsequent exfoliation of the obtained graphite oxide toward graphene. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrates that reduction of the graphite oxide derived from smaller size graphite into graphene is more efficient. However, Raman analysis suggests that the average size of the in-plane sp{sup 2}-carbon domains on graphene is smaller when smaller size graphite is used. The enhanced reduction degree and the reduced size of sp{sup 2}-carbon domains contribute contradictively to the electrical conductivity of graphene when the particle size of raw graphite reduces.« less

Enhanced performance of graphite anode materials by AlF3 coating for lithium-ion batteries

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ding, Fei; Xu, Wu; Choi, Daiwon

2012-04-27

In order to form the stable surface film and to further enhance the long-term cycling stability of the graphite anodes of lithium-ion batteries, the surface of graphite powders has been modified by AlF3 coating through chemical precipitation method. The AlF3-coated graphite shows no evident changes in the bulk structure and a thin AlF3-coating layer of about 2 nm thick is found to uniformly cover the graphite particles with 2 wt% AlF3 content. However, it delivers a higher initial discharge capacity and largely improved rate performances compared to the pristine graphite. Remarkably, AlF3 coated graphite demonstrated a much better cycle life.more » After 300 cycles, AlF3 coated graphite and uncoated graphite show capacity retention of 92% and 81%, respectively. XPS measurement shows that a more conductive solid electrode interface (SEI) layer was formed on AlF3 coated graphite as compared to uncoated graphite. SEM monograph also reveals that the AlF3-coated graphite particles have a much more stable surface morphology after long-term cycling. Therefore, the improved electrochemical performance of AlF3 coated graphite can be attributed to a more stable and conductive SEI formed on coated graphite anode during cycling process.« less

Graphite

USGS Publications Warehouse

Robinson, Gilpin R.; Hammarstrom, Jane M.; Olson, Donald W.; Schulz, Klaus J.; DeYoung,, John H.; Seal, Robert R.; Bradley, Dwight C.

2017-12-19

Graphite is a form of pure carbon that normally occurs as black crystal flakes and masses. It has important properties, such as chemical inertness, thermal stability, high electrical conductivity, and lubricity (slipperiness) that make it suitable for many industrial applications, including electronics, lubricants, metallurgy, and steelmaking. For some of these uses, no suitable substitutes are available. Steelmaking and refractory applications in metallurgy use the largest amount of produced graphite; however, emerging technology uses in large-scale fuel cell, battery, and lightweight high-strength composite applications could substantially increase world demand for graphite.Graphite ores are classified as “amorphous” (microcrystalline), and “crystalline” (“flake” or “lump or chip”) based on the ore’s crystallinity, grain-size, and morphology. All graphite deposits mined today formed from metamorphism of carbonaceous sedimentary rocks, and the ore type is determined by the geologic setting. Thermally metamorphosed coal is the usual source of amorphous graphite. Disseminated crystalline flake graphite is mined from carbonaceous metamorphic rocks, and lump or chip graphite is mined from veins in high-grade metamorphic regions. Because graphite is chemically inert and nontoxic, the main environmental concerns associated with graphite mining are inhalation of fine-grained dusts, including silicate and sulfide mineral particles, and hydrocarbon vapors produced during the mining and processing of ore. Synthetic graphite is manufactured from hydrocarbon sources using high-temperature heat treatment, and it is more expensive to produce than natural graphite.Production of natural graphite is dominated by China, India, and Brazil, which export graphite worldwide. China provides approximately 67 percent of worldwide output of natural graphite, and, as the dominant exporter, has the ability to set world prices. China has significant graphite reserves, and China’s graphite production is expected to increase, although rising labor costs and some mine production problems are developing. China is expected to continue to be the dominant exporter for the near future. Mexico and Canada export graphite mainly to the United States, which has not had domestic production of natural graphite since the 1950s. Most graphite deposits in the United States are too small, low-grade, or remote to be of commercial value in the near future, and the likelihood of discovering larger, higher-grade, or favorably located domestic deposits is unlikely. The United States is a major producer of synthetic graphite.

Halo current diagnostic system of experimental advanced superconducting tokamak

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, D. L.; Shen, B.; Sun, Y.

2015-10-15

The design, calibration, and installation of disruption halo current sensors for the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak are described in this article. All the sensors are Rogowski coils that surround conducting structures, and all the signals are analog integrated. Coils with two different cross-section sizes have been fabricated, and their mutual inductances are calibrated. Sensors have been installed to measure halo currents in several different parts of both the upper divertor (tungsten) and lower divertor (graphite) at several toroidal locations. Initial measurements from disruptions show that the halo current diagnostics are working well.

Theory of ultrasonic diffraction by damage developed in thin laminated composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hayford, D. T.; Henneke, E. G.

1977-01-01

The apparent attenuation which would result if certain damage states (transverse cracks and delaminations) are introduced into a graphite/epoxy laminate through which an ultrasonic wave passes is investigated. Experimental data for two different laminates are presented which shows changes in the apparent attenuation of about one db. These changes generally occur at loads which correspond to the range predicted for the formation of the damage. The predicted changes in the attenuation for several simple and common damage states are well within the range of experimental values.

Strategic graphite, a survey

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cameron, Eugene N.; Weis, Paul L.

1960-01-01

Strategic graphite consists of certain grades of lump and flake graphite for which the United States is largely or entirely dependent on sources abroad. Lump graphite of high purity, necessary in the manufacture of carbon brushes, is imported from Ceylon, where it occurs in vein deposits. Flake graphite, obtained from deposits consisting of graphite disseminated in schists and other metamorphic rocks, is an essential ingredient of crucibles used in the nonferrous metal industries and in the manufacture of lubricants and packings. High-quality flake graphite for these uses has been obtained mostly from Madagascar since World War I. Some flake graphite of strategic grade has been produced, however, from deposits in Texas, Alabama, and Pennsylvania. The development of the carbon-bonded crucible, which does not require coarse flake, should lessen the competitive advantage of the Madagascar producers of crucible flake. Graphite of various grades has been produced intermittently in the United States since 1644. The principal domestic deposits of flake graphite are in Texas, Alabama, Pennsylvania, and New York. Reserves of flake graphite in these four States are very large, but production has been sporadic and on the whole unprofitable since World War I, owing principally to competition from producers in Madagascar. Deposits in Madagascar are large and relatively high in content of flake graphite. Production costs are low and the flake produced is of high quality. Coarseness of flake and uniformity of the graphite products marketed are cited as major advantages of Madagascar flake. In addition, the usability of Madagascar flake for various purposes has been thoroughly demonstrated, whereas the usability of domestic flake for strategic purposes is still in question. Domestic graphite deposits are of five kinds: deposits consisting of graphite disseminated in metamorphosed siliceous sediments, deposits consisting of graphite disseminated in marble, deposits formed by thermal or dynamothermal metamorphism of coal beds or other highly carbonaceous sediments, vein deposits, and contact metasomatic deposits in marble. Only the first kind comprises deposits sufficiently large and rich in flake graphite to be significant potential sources of strategic grades of graphite. Vein deposits in several localities are known, but none is known to contain substantial reserves of graphite of strategic quality.Large resources of flake graphite exist in central Texas, in northeastern Alabama, in eastern Pennsylvania, and in the eastern Adirondack Mountains of New York. Tonnages available, compared with the tonnages of flake graphite consumed annually in the United States, are very large. There have been indications that flake graphite from Texas, Alabama, and Pennsylvania can be used in clay-graphite crucibles as a substitute for Madagascar flake, and one producer has made progress in establishing markets for his flake products as ingredients of lubricants. The tonnages of various commercial grades of graphite recoverable from various domestic deposits, however, have not been established; hence, the adequacy of domestic resources of graphite in a time of emergency is not known.The only vein deposits from which significant quantities of lump graphite have been produced are those of the Crystal Graphite mine, Beaverhead County, Mont. The deposits are fracture fillings in Precambrian gneiss and pegmatite. Known reserves in the deposits are small. In Texas, numerous flake-graphite deposits occur in the Precambrian Packsaddle schist in Llano and Burnet Counties. Graphite disseminated in certain parts of this formation ranges from extremely fine to medium grained. The principal producer has been the mine of the Southwestern Graphite Co., west of the town of Burnet. Substantial reserves of medium-grained graphite are present in the deposit mined by the company. In northeastern Alabama, flake-graphite deposits occur in the Ashland mica schist in two belts that trend northeastward across Clay, Goosa, and Chilton Counties. The northeastern belt has been the most productive. About 40 mines have been operated at one time or another, but only a few have been active during or since World War I. The deposits consist of flake graphite disseminated in certain zones or "leads" consisting of quartz-mica-feldspar schists and mica quartzite. Most of past production has come from the weathered upper parts of the deposits, but unweathered rock has been mined at several localities. Reserves of weathered rock containing 3 to 5 percent graphite are very large, and reserves of unweathered rock are even greater. Flake graphite deposits in Chester County, Pa., have been worked intermittently since about 1890. The deposits consist of medium- to coarse-grained graphite disseminated in certain belts of the Pickering gneiss. The most promising deposit is one worked in the Benjamin Franklin and the Eynon Just mines. Reserves of weathered rock containing 1.5 percent graphite are of moderate size; reserves of unweathered rock are large. In the eastern Adirondack Mountains in New York there are two principal kinds of flake-graphite deposits: contact-metasomatic deposits and those consisting of flake graphite disseminated in quartz schist. The contact-metasomatic deposits are small, irregular, and very erratic in graphite content. The deposits in quartz schist are very large, persistent, and uniform in grade. There are large reserves of schist containing 3 to 5 percent graphite, but the graphite is relatively fine grained.

CMB-13 research on carbon and graphite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, M. C.

1972-01-01

Preliminary results of the research on carbon and graphite accomplished during this report period are presented. Included are: particle characteristics of Santa Maria fillers, compositions and density data for hot-molded Santa Maria graphites, properties of hot-molded Santa Maria graphites, and properties of hot-molded anisotropic graphites. Ablation-resistant graphites are also discussed.

METHOD OF FABRICATING A GRAPHITE MODERATED REACTOR

DOEpatents

Kratz, H.R.

1963-05-01

S>A nuclear reactor formed of spaced bodies of uranium and graphite blocks is improved by diffusing helium through the graphite blocks in order to replace the air in the pores of the graphite with helium. The helium-impregnated graphite conducts heat better, and absorbs neutrons less, than the original air- impregnated graphite. (AEC)

Static and free-vibrational response of semi-circular graphite-epoxy frames with thin-walled open sections

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Collins, J. Scott; Johnson, Eric R.

1989-01-01

Experiments were conducted to measure the three-dimensional static and free vibrational response of two graphite-epoxy, thin-walled, open section frames. The frames are semi-circular with a radius of three feet, and one specimen has an I cross section and the other has a channel cross section. The flexibility influence coefficients were measured in static tests for loads applied at midspan with the ends of the specimens clamped. Natural frequencies and modes were determined from vibrational tests for free and clamped end conditions. The experimental data is used to evaluate a new finite element which was developed specifically for the analysis of curved, thin-walled structures. The formulation of the element is based on a Vlasov-type, thin-walled, curved beam theory. The predictions from the finite element program generally correlated well with the experimental data for the symmetric I-specimen. Discrepancies in some of the data were found to be due to flexibility in the clamped end conditions. With respect to the data for the channel specimen, the correlation was less satisfactory. The finite element analysis predicted the out-of-plane response of the channel specimen reasonably well, but large discrepancies occurred between the predicted in-plane response and the experimental data. The analysis predicted a much more compliant in-plane response than was observed in the experiments.

AGC-2 Irradiation Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rohrbaugh, David Thomas; Windes, William; Swank, W. David

The Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) will be a helium-cooled, very high temperature reactor (VHTR) with a large graphite core. In past applications, graphite has been used effectively as a structural and moderator material in both research and commercial high temperature gas cooled reactor (HTGR) designs.[ , ] Nuclear graphite H 451, used previously in the United States for nuclear reactor graphite components, is no longer available. New nuclear graphites have been developed and are considered suitable candidates for the new NGNP reactor design. To support the design and licensing of NGNP core components within a commercial reactor, a completemore » properties database must be developed for these current grades of graphite. Quantitative data on in service material performance are required for the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of each graphite grade with a specific emphasis on data related to the life limiting effects of irradiation creep on key physical properties of the NGNP candidate graphites. Based on experience with previous graphite core components, the phenomenon of irradiation induced creep within the graphite has been shown to be critical to the total useful lifetime of graphite components. Irradiation induced creep occurs under the simultaneous application of high temperatures, neutron irradiation, and applied stresses within the graphite components. Significant internal stresses within the graphite components can result from a second phenomenon—irradiation induced dimensional change. In this case, the graphite physically changes i.e., first shrinking and then expanding with increasing neutron dose. This disparity in material volume change can induce significant internal stresses within graphite components. Irradiation induced creep relaxes these large internal stresses, thus reducing the risk of crack formation and component failure. Obviously, higher irradiation creep levels tend to relieve more internal stress, thus allowing the components longer useful lifetimes within the core. Determining the irradiation creep rates of nuclear grade graphites is critical for determining the useful lifetime of graphite components and is a major component of the Advanced Graphite Creep (AGC) experiment.« less

Stable dispersions of polymer-coated graphitic nanoplatelets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nguyen, Sonbinh T. (Inventor); Stankovich, Sasha (Inventor); Ruoff, Rodney S. (Inventor)

2011-01-01

A method of making a dispersion of reduced graphite oxide nanoplatelets involves providing a dispersion of graphite oxide nanoplatelets and reducing the graphite oxide nanoplatelets in the dispersion in the presence of a reducing agent and a polymer. The reduced graphite oxide nanoplatelets are reduced to an extent to provide a higher C/O ratio than graphite oxide. A stable dispersion having polymer-treated reduced graphite oxide nanoplatelets dispersed in a dispersing medium, such as water or organic liquid is provided. The polymer-treated, reduced graphite oxide nanoplatelets can be distributed in a polymer matrix to provide a composite material.

Composite materials for thermal energy storage: enhancing performance through microstructures.

PubMed

Ge, Zhiwei; Ye, Feng; Ding, Yulong

2014-05-01

Chemical incompatibility and low thermal conductivity issues of molten-salt-based thermal energy storage materials can be addressed by using microstructured composites. Using a eutectic mixture of lithium and sodium carbonates as molten salt, magnesium oxide as supporting material, and graphite as thermal conductivity enhancer, the microstructural development, chemical compatibility, thermal stability, thermal conductivity, and thermal energy storage performance of composite materials are investigated. The ceramic supporting material is essential for preventing salt leakage and hence provides a solution to the chemical incompatibility issue. The use of graphite gives a significant enhancement on the thermal conductivity of the composite. Analyses suggest that the experimentally observed microstructural development of the composite is associated with the wettability of the salt on the ceramic substrate and that on the thermal conduction enhancer. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Flaw criticality of circular disbond defects in compressive laminates. M.S. Thesis. Interim Report, 1980 - 1981; [graphite-epoxy laminates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Webster, J. D.

1981-01-01

The compressive behavior of T300/5208 graphite-epoxy laminates containing circular delaminations was studied to determine the flaw criticality of two types of implanted defect, Kapton bag and Teflon film, on several laminate configurations. Defect size was varied. Results, presented in the form of residual strength curves, indicate that the Teflon film defect reduced strength more than the Kapton bad defect in 12-ply samples, but that two laminates (+ or - 45) sub 2s and (90/+ or - 45) sub s were insensitive to any implanted defect. A clear thickness effect was shown to exist for the (o/+ pr 45) sub ns laminate and was attributed to failure mode transition. The analytically predicted buckling loads show excellent agreement with experimental results and are useful in predicting failure mode transition.

Liquid-phase microextraction combined with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry: A review.

PubMed

de la Calle, Inmaculada; Pena-Pereira, Francisco; Lavilla, Isela; Bendicho, Carlos

2016-09-14

An overview of the combination of liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) techniques with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) is reported herein. The high sensitivity of GFAAS is significantly enhanced by its association with a variety of miniaturized solvent extraction approaches. LPME-GFAAS thus represents a powerful combination for determination of metals, metalloids and organometallic compounds at (ultra)trace level. Different LPME modes used with GFAAS are briefly described, and the experimental parameters that show an impact in those microextraction processes are discussed. Special attention is paid to those parameters affecting GFAAS analysis. Main issues found when coupling LPME and GFAAS, as well as those strategies reported in the literature to solve them, are summarized. Relevant applications published on the topic so far are included. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tension fatigue of glass/epoxy and graphite/epoxy tapered laminates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murri, Gretchen B.; Obrien, T. Kevin; Salpekar, Satish A.

1990-01-01

Symmetric tapered laminates with internally dropped plies were tested with two different layups and two materials, S2/SP250 glass/epoxy and IM6/1827I graphite/epoxy. The specimens were loaded in cyclic tension until they delaminated unstably. Each combination of material and layup had a unique failure mode. Calculated values of strain energy release rate, G, from a finite element analysis model of delamination along the taper, and for delamination from a matrix ply crack, were used with mode I fatigue characterization data from tests of the tested materials to calculate expected delamination onset loads. Calculated values were compared to the experimental results. The comparison showed that when the calculated G was chosen according to the observed delamination failures, the agreement between the calculated and measured delamination onset loads was reasonable for each combination of layup and material.

A thermodynamic study of the gaseous thorium carbides, ThC, ThC2, ThC3, ThC4, ThC5, and ThC6

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gupta, Satish K.; Gingerich, Karl A.

1980-02-01

Six gaseous carbides of thorium, ThCn(n=1-6), have been identified in a Knudsen effusion mass spectrometric investigation of the vapor phase above a thorium-uranium-rhodium-graphite system at high temperatures. The partial pressures of the thorium containing species were measured as a function of temperature in the 2300-2700 °K range. Third law enthalpies for the reactions Th(g)+nC(graphite) =ThCn, n=1 to 6, and of various other homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions were evaluated. By combining the experimental enthalpies with appropriate thermodynamic data taken from literature, the following values for the atomization energies ΔH °at,298, and standard heats of formation ΔH °f,298 of thorium carbides have been derived:

Structural disorder of graphite and implications for graphite thermometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirilova, Martina; Toy, Virginia; Rooney, Jeremy S.; Giorgetti, Carolina; Gordon, Keith C.; Collettini, Cristiano; Takeshita, Toru

2018-02-01

Graphitization, or the progressive maturation of carbonaceous material, is considered an irreversible process. Thus, the degree of graphite crystallinity, or its structural order, has been calibrated as an indicator of the peak metamorphic temperatures experienced by the host rocks. However, discrepancies between temperatures indicated by graphite crystallinity versus other thermometers have been documented in deformed rocks. To examine the possibility of mechanical modifications of graphite structure and the potential impacts on graphite thermometry, we performed laboratory deformation experiments. We sheared highly crystalline graphite powder at normal stresses of 5 and 25 megapascal (MPa) and aseismic velocities of 1, 10 and 100 µm s-1. The degree of structural order both in the starting and resulting materials was analyzed by Raman microspectroscopy. Our results demonstrate structural disorder of graphite, manifested as changes in the Raman spectra. Microstructural observations show that brittle processes caused the documented mechanical modifications of the aggregate graphite crystallinity. We conclude that the calibrated graphite thermometer is ambiguous in active tectonic settings.

Fabrication of Iron-Containing Carbon Materials From Graphite Fluoride

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hung, Ching-cheh

1996-01-01

Carbon materials containing iron alloy, iron metal, iron oxide or iron halide were fabricated. Typical samples of these metals were estimated to contain 1 iron atom per 3.5 to 5 carbon atoms. Those carbon materials containing iron alloy, iron metal, and/or Fe3O4 were magnetic. The kinetics of the fabrication process were studied by exposing graphite fluoride (CF(0.68)) to FeCl3 over a 280 to 420 C temperature range. Between 280 and 295 C, FeCl3 quickly entered the structure of CF(0.68), broke the carbon-fluorine bonds, and within 10 to 30 min, completely converted it to carbon made up of graphite planes between which particles of crystalline FeF3 and noncrystalline FeCl3 were located. Longer reaction times (e.g., 28 hr) or higher reaction temperatures (e.g., 420 C) produced materials containing graphite, a FeCl3-graphite intercalation compound, FeCl2(center dot)4H2O, and FeCl2(center dot)2H2O. These products were further heat treated to produce iron-containing carbon materials. When the heating temperature was kept in the 750 to 850 C range, and the oxygen supply was kept at the optimum level, the iron halides in the carbon structure were converted to iron oxides. Raising the heat to temperatures higher than 900 C reduced such iron oxides to iron metal. The kinetics of these reactions were used to suggest processes for fabricating carbon materials containing iron alloy. Such processes were then tested experimentally. In one of the successful trial runs, commercially purchased CF(0.7) powder was used as the reactant, and NiO was added during the final heating to 1200 C as a source of both nickel and oxygen. The product thus obtained was magnetic and was confirmed to be a nickel-iron alloy in carbon.

Femtosecond-laser surface modification and micropatterning of diamond-like nanocomposite films to control friction on the micro and macroscale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pimenov, S. M.; Zavedeev, E. V.; Arutyunyan, N. R.; Zilova, O. S.; Shupegin, M. L.; Jaeggi, B.; Neuenschwander, B.

2017-10-01

Laser surface micropatterning (texturing) of hard materials and coatings is an effective technique to improve tribological systems. In the paper, we have investigated the laser-induced surface modifications and micropatterning of diamond-like nanocomposite (DLN) films (a-C:H,Si:O) using IR and visible femtosecond (fs) lasers, focusing on the improvement of frictional properties of laser-patterned films on the micro and macroscale. The IR and visible fs-lasers, operating at λ = 1030 nm and λ = 515 nm wavelengths (pulse duration 320 fs and pulse repetition rate 101 kHz), are used to fabricate different patterns for subsequent friction tests. The IR fs-laser is applied to produce hill-like micropatterns under conditions of surface graphitization and incipient ablation, and the visible fs-laser is used for making microgroove patterns in DLN films under ablation conditions. Regimes of irradiation with low-energy IR laser pulses are chosen to produce graphitized micropatterns. For these regimes, results of numerical calculations of the temperature and graphitized layer growth are presented to show good correlation with surface relief modifications, and the features of fs-laser graphitization are discussed based on Raman spectroscopy analysis. Using lateral force microscopy, the role of surface modifications (graphitization, nanostructuring) in the improved microfriction properties is investigated. New data of the influence of capillary forces on friction forces, which strongly changes the microscale friction behaviour, are presented for a wide range of loads (from nN to μN) applied to Si tips. In macroscopic ball-on-disk tests, a pair-dependent friction behaviour of laser-patterned films is observed. The first experimental data of the improved friction properties of laser-micropatterned DLN films under boundary lubricated sliding conditions are presented. The obtained results show the DLN films as an interesting coating material suitable for laser patterning applications in tribology.

Spectral Characteristics of Laser-Induced Graphite Plasma in Ambient Air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jinmei; Zheng, Peichao; Liu, Hongdi; Fang, Liang

2016-11-01

An experimental setup of laser-induced graphite plasma was built and the spectral characteristics and properties of graphite plasma were studied. From the temporal behavior of graphite plasma, the duration of CN partials (B2 Σ+ → X2 Σ+) emission was two times longer than that of atomic carbon, and all intensities reached the maximum during the early stage from 0.2 μs to 0.8 μs. The electron temperature decreased from 11807 K to 8755 K, the vibration temperature decreased from 8973 K to 6472 K, and the rotational temperature decreased from 7288 K to 4491 K with the delay time, respectively. The effect of the laser energy was also studied, and it was found that the thresholds and spectral characteristics of CN molecular and C atomic spectroscopy presented great differences. At lower laser energies, the electron excited temperature, the electron density, the vibrational temperature and rotational temperature of CN partials increased rapidly. At higher laser energies, the increasing of electron excited temperature and electron density slow down, and the vibrational temperature and rotational temperature even trend to saturation due to plasma shielding and dissociation of CN molecules. The relationship among the three kinds of temperatures was Telec>Tvib>Trot at the same time. The electron density of the graphite plasma was in the order of 1017 cm-3 and 1018 cm-3. supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 61205149), Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars of State Education Ministry, Science Research Funds of Chongqing Municipal Education Commission (KJ1500436), Scientific and Technological Talents Training Project of Chongqing (CSTC2013kjrc-qnrc40002), Key Project of Foundation and Advanced Technology Research Project of Chongqing (CSTC2015jcyjB0358), Visiting Scholarship of State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment & System Security and New Technology (2007DA10512714409)

A graphite calorimeter for absolute measurements of absorbed dose to water: application in medium-energy x-ray filtered beams.

PubMed

Pinto, M; Pimpinella, M; Quini, M; D'Arienzo, M; Astefanoaei, I; Loreti, S; Guerra, A S

2016-02-21

The Italian National Institute of Ionizing Radiation Metrology (ENEA-INMRI) has designed and built a graphite calorimeter that, in a water phantom, has allowed the determination of the absorbed dose to water in medium-energy x-rays with generating voltages from 180 to 250 kV. The new standard is a miniaturized three-bodies calorimeter, with a disc-shaped core of 21 mm diameter and 2 mm thickness weighing 1.134 g, sealed in a PMMA waterproof envelope with air-evacuated gaps. The measured absorbed dose to graphite is converted into absorbed dose to water by means of an energy-dependent conversion factor obtained from Monte Carlo simulations. Heat-transfer correction factors were determined by FEM calculations. At a source-to-detector distance of 100 cm, a depth in water of 2 g cm(-2), and at a dose rate of about 0.15 Gy min(-1), results of calorimetric measurements of absorbed dose to water, D(w), were compared to experimental determinations, D wK, obtained via an ionization chamber calibrated in terms of air kerma, according to established dosimetry protocols. The combined standard uncertainty of D(w) and D(wK) were estimated as 1.9% and 1.7%, respectively. The two absorbed dose to water determinations were in agreement within 1%, well below the stated measurement uncertainties. Advancements are in progress to extend the measurement capability of the new in-water-phantom graphite calorimeter to other filtered medium-energy x-ray qualities and to reduce the D(w) uncertainty to around 1%. The new calorimeter represents the first implementation of in-water-phantom graphite calorimetry in the kilovoltage range and, allowing independent determinations of D(w), it will contribute to establish a robust system of absorbed dose to water primary standards for medium-energy x-ray beams.

International strategic minerals inventory summary report; natural graphite

USGS Publications Warehouse

Krauss, U.H.; Schmidt, H.W.; Taylor, H.A.; Sutphin, D.M.

1989-01-01

Natural graphite is a crystalline mineral of pure carbon which normally occurs in the form of platelet-shaped crystals. It has important properties, such as chemical inertness, low thermal expansion, and lubricity, that make it almost irreplaceable for certain uses such as refractories and steelmaking. Graphite ore types are crystalline (flake and lump} or 'amorphous' (cryptocrystalline}. Refractory applications use the largest total amount of natural graphite, while the most important use of crystalline graphite is in crucibles for handling molten metals. All graphite deposits being mined today are found in the following metamorphic environments: (1) contact metamorphosed coal generally is a source of amorphous graphite; (2)disseminated crystalline flake graphite comes from syngenetic metasediments; and (3) crystalline lump graphite is found in epigenetic veins in high-grade metamorphic regions. Graphite may also occur as a trace mineral in ultrabasic rocks and pegmatites, but these are economically insignificant. The world's identified economically exploitable resources of crystalline graphite in major deposits are estimated to be about 9.7 million metric tons of concentrate. In-place resources of amorphous graphite are about 11.5 million metric tons. Of these, less than 2 percent of the crystalline ore and less than 1 percent of the amorphous ore are in western industrial countries. World mining production of natural graphite rose from 347,000 metric tons in 1973 to 659,000 metric tons in 1986, while the proportion produced by central economy countries increased from about 50 percent for the period from 1973 to 1978 to more than 64 percent in 1979 to 1986. It is estimated that crystalline flake graphite accounts for at least 180,000 metric tons of total annual world mining production of natural graphite, and amorphous graphite makes up the rest.

Experimental evaluation of foil-supported resilient-pad gas-lubricated thrust bearing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nemeth, Z. N.

1977-01-01

A new type of resilient-pad gas thrust bearing was tested to determine the feasibility of the design. The bearing consists of carbon graphite pads mounted asymmetrically on foil beams. Two bearing configurations were tested at thrust loads from 27 to 80 newtons at speeds to 9000 rpm. The outside diameter of the bearing was 8.9 centimeters.

Review of Aircraft Crash Structural Response Research.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-08-01

structures consisting of conventional built-up metallic construction and those consisting of advanced composite materials were of interest. The latter...increasing importance. Some recent theoretical and experimental studies of the behavior of composite - material structures subjected to severe static...dynamic, and/or impact conditions are noted. Such topics as crashworthiness testing ot composite fuselage structures, the impact resistance of graphite and

Ordered phases of ethylene adsorbed on charged fullerenes and their aggregates☆

PubMed Central

Zöttl, Samuel; Kaiser, Alexander; Daxner, Matthias; Goulart, Marcelo; Mauracher, Andreas; Probst, Michael; Hagelberg, Frank; Denifl, Stephan; Scheier, Paul; Echt, Olof

2014-01-01

In spite of extensive investigations of ethylene adsorbed on graphite, bundles of nanotubes, and crystals of fullerenes, little is known about the existence of commensurate phases; they have escaped detection in almost all previous work. Here we present a combined experimental and theoretical study of ethylene adsorbed on free C60 and its aggregates. The ion yield of (C60)m(C2H4)n+ measured by mass spectrometry reveals a propensity to form a structurally ordered phase on monomers, dimers and trimers of C60 in which all sterically accessible hollow sites over carbon rings are occupied. Presumably the enhancement of the corrugation by the curvature of the fullerene surface favors this phase which is akin to a hypothetical 1 × 1 phase on graphite. Experimental data also reveal the number of molecules in groove sites of the C60 dimer through tetramer. The identity of the sites, adsorption energies and orientations of the adsorbed molecules are determined by molecular dynamics calculations based on quantum chemical potentials, as well as density functional theory. The decrease in orientational order with increasing temperature is also explored in the simulations whereas in the experiment it is impossible to vary the temperature. PMID:25843960

Deformation of a laser beam in the fabrication of graphite microstructures inside a volume of diamond

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kononenko, T V; Zavedeev, E V

2016-03-31

We report a theoretical and experimental study of the energy profile deformation along the laser beam axis during the fabrication of graphite microstructures inside a diamond crystal. The numerical simulation shows that the use of a focusing lens with a numerical aperture NA < 0.1 at a focusing depth of up to 2 mm makes it possible to avoid a noticeable change in the energy profile of the beam due to the spherical aberration that occurs in the case of refraction of the focused laser beam at the air – diamond interface. The calculation results are confirmed by experimental datamore » on the distribution of the laser intensity along the beam axis in front of its focal plane, derived from observations of graphitisation wave propagation in diamond. The effect of radiation self-focusing on laser-induced graphitisation of diamond is analysed. It is shown that if the wavefront distortion due to self-focusing can be neglected at a minimum pulse energy required for the optical breakdown of diamond, then an increase in the beam distortion with increasing pulse energy has no effect on the graphitisation process. (interaction of laser radiation with matter)« less

Buckling and postbuckling behavior of square compression-loaded graphite-epoxy plates with circular cutouts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nemeth, Michael P.

1990-01-01

An experimental study of the postbuckling behavior of square compression-loaded graphite-epoxy plates and isotropic plates with a central circular cutout is presented. Results are presented for unidirectional (0 sub 10)s and (90 sub 10)s plates, (0/90 sub 5)s plates, and for aluminum plates. Results are also presented for (+ or - O sub 6)s angle-ply plates for values of O = 30, 46, and 60 degrees. The experimental results indicate that the change in axial stiffness of a plate at buckling is strongly dependent upon cutout size and plate orthotropy. The presence of a cutout gives rise to an internal load distribution that changes, sometimes dramtically, as a function of cutout size coupled with the plate orthotropy. In the buckled state, the role of orthotropy becomes more significant since bending in addition to membrane orthotropy is present. Most of the plates with cutouts exhibited less postbuckling stiffness than the corresponding plate without a cutout, and the postbuckling stiffness decreased with increasing cutout size. However, some of the highly orthotropic plates with cutouts exhibited more postbuckling stiffness than the corresponding plate without a cutout.

Bonding, elastic and vibrational properties in low and high pressure synthesized diamond-like BCx phases

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zinin, P.; Liu, X. R.; Jia, R.

Recent studies demonstrate that low pressure chemical vapor deposition at 950 K leads to the synthesis of diamond-like boron carbides with high concentrations of boron (0.66 < x < 4) in which the sp 2 fraction depends on the boron concentration [1]. This indicates that the graphitic BC3 (g-BC3) phases obtained by chemical vapor deposition materials are mixtures of diamond-like and graphitic BCx phases. This finding allows us to revise the interpretation of the x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the g-BC3 phases discussed previously [2, 3]. To support the new interpretation, we conducted a laser heating experiment of the g-BC3more » phase. We found that after laser heating at 1100 K and 25 GPa in a diamond anvil cell (DAC) almost all graphitic layers of the g-BC3 transform into a cubic structure. The XRD pattern of the cubic BC3 phase (c-BC3) can be indexed with a cubic unit cell a = 3.619 (0.165) Å. Measurements of the equation of state of the g-BC3 phase demonstrated that boron atoms were incorporated into the graphitic B-C network. The linear compressibility along the c axis can be characterized by the value of the linear modulus Bc = 29.2 ± 1.8 GPa. Linear fitting of the experimental data for the a/a o parameter as a function of pressure gives us the value of the linear elastic modulus along the a axes: Ba = 800 ± 75 GPa.« less

Effects of stitching on fracture toughness of uniweave textile graphite/epoxy laminates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sankar, Bhavani V.; Sharma, Suresh

1995-01-01

The effects of through-the-thickness stitching on impact damage resistance, impact damage tolerance, and Mode 1 and Mode 2 fracture toughness of textile graphite/epoxy laminates were studied experimentally. Graphite/epoxy laminates were fabricated from AS4 graphite uniweave textiles and 3501-6 epoxy using Resin Transfer Molding. The cloths were stitched with Kevlar(tm) and glass yarns before resin infusion. Delamination was implanted during processing to simulate impact damage. Sublaminate buckling tests were performed in a novel fixture to measure Compression After Impact (CAI) strength of stitched laminates. The results show that CAI strength can be improved up to 400% by through-the-thickness stitching. Double Cantilever Beam tests were performed to study the effect of stitching on Mode 1 fracture toughness G(sub 1c). It was found that G(sub 1c) increased 30 times for a low stitching density of 16 stitches/sq in. Mode 2 fracture toughness was measured by testing the stitched beams in End Notch Flexure tests. Unlike in the unstitiched beams, crack propagation in the stitched beams was steady. The current formulas for ENF tests were not found suitable for determining G(sub 2C) for stitched beams. Hence two new methods were developed - one based on crack area measured from ultrasonic C-scanning and the other based on equivalent crack area measured from the residual stiffness of the specimen. The G(sub 2c) was found to be at least 5-15 times higher for the stitched laminates. The mechanisms by which stitching increases the CAI strength and fracture toughness are discussed.

Probabilistic Fiber Composite Micromechanics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stock, Thomas A.

1996-01-01

Probabilistic composite micromechanics methods are developed that simulate expected uncertainties in unidirectional fiber composite properties. These methods are in the form of computational procedures using Monte Carlo simulation. The variables in which uncertainties are accounted for include constituent and void volume ratios, constituent elastic properties and strengths, and fiber misalignment. A graphite/epoxy unidirectional composite (ply) is studied to demonstrate fiber composite material property variations induced by random changes expected at the material micro level. Regression results are presented to show the relative correlation between predictor and response variables in the study. These computational procedures make possible a formal description of anticipated random processes at the intra-ply level, and the related effects of these on composite properties.

Transformation of graphite by tectonic and hydrothermal processes in an active plate boundary fault zone, Alpine Fault, New Zealand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirilova, Matina; Toy, Virginia; Timms, Nicholas; Halfpenny, Angela; Menzies, Catriona; Craw, Dave; Rooney, Jeremy; Giorgetti, Carolina

2017-04-01

Graphite is a material with one of the lowest frictional strengths, with coefficient of friction of 0.1 and thus in natural fault zones it may act as a natural solid lubricant. Graphitization, or the transformation of organic matter (carbonaceous material, or CM) into crystalline graphite, is induced by compositional and structural changes during diagenesis and metamorphism. The supposed irreversible nature of this process has allowed the degree of graphite crystallinity to be calibrated as an indicator of the peak temperatures reached during progressive metamorphism. We examine processes of graphite emplacement and deformation in the Alpine Fault Zone, New Zealand's active continental tectonic plate boundary. Raman spectrometry indicates that graphite in the distal, amphibolite-facies Alpine Schist, which experienced peak metamorphic temperatures up to 640 ◦C, is highly crystalline and occurs mainly along grain boundaries within quartzo-feldspathic domains. The subsequent mylonitisation in the Alpine Fault Zone resulted in progressive reworking of CM under lower temperature conditions (500◦C-600◦C) in a structurally controlled environment, resulting in spatial clustering in lower-strain protomylonites, and further foliation-alignment in higher-strain mylonites. Subsequent brittle deformation of the mylonitised schists resulted in cataclasites that contain over three-fold increase in the abundance of graphite than mylonites. Furthermore, cataclasites contain graphite with two different habits: highly-crystalline, foliated forms that are inherited mylonitic graphite; and lower-crystallinity, less mature patches of finer-grained graphite. The observed graphite enrichment and the occurrence of poorly-organised graphite in the Alpine Fault cataclasites could result from: i) hydrothermal precipitation from carbon-supersaturated fluids; and/or ii) mechanical degradation by structural disordering of mylonitic graphite combined with strain-induced graphite localisation. The lack of published systematic studies of mechanical modification of the structure of graphite inhibits further conclusion to be drawn. Thus, we performed laboratory deformation experiments during which we sheared highly crystalline graphite powder at room temperature, normal stresses of 5 MPa and 25 MPa and sliding velocities of 1 µm/s, 10 µm/s and 100 µm/s. The degree of graphite crystallinity, both in the starting and resulting materials, was analysed by Raman microspectroscopy. Our results demonstrate consistent decrease of graphite crystallinity with increasing shear strain. We conclude that: i) graphite 'thermometers' are unreliable in brittely deformed rocks; ii) a shear strain calibration of graphite 'thermometers' is needed; iii) fault creep is very likely responsible for the observed structural and textural characteristics of graphite in the Alpine Fault cataclasites. Finally, to investigate the possibility of hydrothermal origin for at least some of the graphite in the Alpine Fault cataclasites we will also present synchrotron FTIR and carbon isotope analysis of the Alpine fault rocks.

Evaluation of co-cokes from bituminous coal with vacuum resid or decant oil, and evaluation of anthracites, as precursors to graphite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nyathi, Mhlwazi S.

2011-12-01

Graphite is utilized as a neutron moderator and structural component in some nuclear reactor designs. During the reactor operaction the structure of graphite is damaged by collision with fast neutrons. Graphite's resistance to this damage determines its lifetime in the reactor. On neutron irradiation, isotropic or near-isotropic graphite experiences less structural damage than anisotropic graphite. The degree of anisotropy in a graphite artifact is dependent on the structure of its precursor coke. Currently, there exist concerns over a short supply of traditional precursor coke, primarily due to a steadily increasing price of petroleum. The main goal of this study was to study the anisotropic and isotropic properties of graphitized co-cokes and anthracites as a way of investigating the possibility of synthesizing isotropic or near-isotropic graphite from co-cokes and anthracites. Demonstrating the ability to form isotropic or near-isotropic graphite would mean that co-cokes and anthracites have a potential use as filler material in the synthesis of nuclear graphite. The approach used to control the co-coke structure was to vary the reaction conditions. Co-cokes were produced by coking 4:1 blends of vacuum resid/coal and decant oil/coal at temperatures of 465 and 500 °C for reaction times of 12 and 18 hours under autogenous pressure. Co-cokes obtained were calcined at 1420 °C and graphitized at 3000 °C for 24 hours. Optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, temperature-programmed oxidation and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize the products. It was found that higher reaction temperature (500 °C) or shorter reaction time (12 hours) leads to an increase in co-coke structural disorder and an increase in the amount of mosaic carbon at the expense of textural components that are necessary for the formation of anisotropic structure, namely, domains and flow domains. Characterization of graphitized co-cokes showed that the quality, as expressed by the degree of graphitization and crystallite dimensions, of the final product is dependent on the nature of the precursor co-coke. The methodology for studying anthracites was to select two anthracites on basis of rank, PSOC1515 being semi-anthracite and DECS21 anthracite. The selected anthracites were graphitized, in both native and demineralized states, under the same conditions as co-cokes. Products obtained from DECS21 showed higher degrees of graphitization and larger crystallite dimensions than products obtained from PSOC1515. Demineralization of anthracites served to increase the degree of graphitization, indicating that the minerals contained in these anthracites have no graphitization-enhancing ability. A larger crystallite length for products obtained from native versions, compared to demineralized versions, was attributed to a formation and decomposition of a silicon carbide during graphitization of native versions. In order to examine the anisotropic and isotropic properties, nuclear-grade graphite samples obtained from Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and commercial graphite purchased from Fluka were characterized under similar conditions as graphitized co-cokes and anthracites. These samples served as representatives of "two extremes", with ORNL samples being the isotropic end and commercial graphite being the anisotropic end. Through evaluating relationships between structural parameters, it was observed that graphitized co-cokes are situated, structurally, somewhere between the "two extremes", whereas graphitized anthracites are closer to the anisotropic end. Basically, co-cokes have a better potential than anthracites to transform to isotropic or near-isotropic graphite upon graphitization. By co-coking vacuum resid/coal instead of decant oil/coal or using 500 °C instead of 465 °C, a shift away from commercial graphite towards ORNL samples was attained. Graphitizing a semi-anthracite or demineralizing anthracites before graphitization also caused a shift towards ORNL samples.

EXPLORATORY DEVELOPMENT OF GRAPHITE MATERIALS.

DTIC Science & Technology

COMPOSITE MATERIALS), (* GRAPHITE , (*FIBERS, GRAPHITE ), (*LAMINATED PLASTICS, GRAPHITE ), MOLDINGS, EXTRUSION, VACUUM, EPOXY RESINS, FILAMENTS, STRESSES, TENSILE PROPERTIES, OXIDATION, PHYSICAL PROPERTIES.

Highly hydrogenated graphene through microwave exfoliation of graphite oxide in hydrogen plasma: towards electrochemical applications.

PubMed

Eng, Alex Yong Sheng; Sofer, Zdenek; Šimek, Petr; Kosina, Jiri; Pumera, Martin

2013-11-11

Hydrogenated graphenes exhibit a variety of properties with potential applications in devices, ranging from a tunable band gap to fluorescence, ferromagnetism, and the storage of hydrogen. We utilize a one-step microwave-irradiation process in hydrogen plasma to create highly hydrogenated graphene from graphite oxides. The procedure serves the dual purposes of deoxygenation and concurrent hydrogenation of the carbon backbone. The effectiveness of the hydrogenation process is investigated on three different graphite oxides (GOs), which are synthesized by using the Staudenmaier, Hofmann, and Hummers methods. A systematic characterization of our hydrogenated graphenes is performed using UV/Vis spectroscopy, SEM, AFM, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), combustible elemental analysis, and electrical conductivity measurements. The highest hydrogenation extent is observed in hydrogenated graphene produced from the Hummers-method GO, with a hydrogen content of 19 atomic % in the final product. In terms of the removal of oxygen groups, microwave exfoliation yields graphenes with very similar oxygen contents despite differences in their parent GOs. In addition, we examine the prospective application of hydrogenated graphenes as electrochemical transducers through a cyclic voltammetry (CV) study. The highly hydrogenated graphenes exhibit fast heterogeneous electron-transfer rates, suggestive of their suitability for electrochemical applications in electrodes, supercapacitors, batteries, and sensors. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gao, J.X.; Wei, B.Q.; Li, D.D.

The evolution of microstructure in bainite during graphitization annealing at 680 °C of Jominy-quenched bars of an Al-Si bearing medium carbon (0.4C wt%) steel has been studied and compared with that in martensite by using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that the graphitization process in bainite is different from that in martensite in many aspects such as the initial carbon state, the behavior of cementite, the nucleation-growth feature and kinetics of formation of graphite spheroids during graphitization annealing, and the shape, size and distribution of these graphite spheroids. The fact that the graphitization in bainite canmore » produce more homogeneous graphite spheroids with more spherical shape and finer size in a shorter annealing time without the help of preexisting coring particles implies that bainite should be a better starting structure than martensite for making graphitic steel. - Highlights: • This article presents a microstructural characterization of formation of graphite spheroids in bainite. • Nucleation and growth characteristics of graphite spheroids formed in bainite and martensite are compared. • Bainite should be a better starting structure for making graphitic steel as results show.« less