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At least 919 records · Page 51

Single Particle Combustion of Pre-Stressed Aluminum

An approach for optimizing fuel particle reactivity involves the metallurgical process of pre-stressing. This study examined the effects of pre-stressing on aluminum (Al) particle ignition delay and burn times upon thermal ignition by laser heating. Pre-stressing was by annealing Al powder at 573 K and quenching ranged from slow (i.e., 200 K/min) identified as pre-stressed (PS) Al to fast (i.e., 900 K/min) identified as super quenched (SQ) Al. Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis quantified an order of magnitude which increased dilatational strain that resulted from PS Al and SQ Al compared to untreated (UN) Al powder. The results show PS Al particles exhibit reduced ignition delay times resulting from elevated strain that relaxes upon laser heating. SQ Al particles exhibit faster burn times resulting from delamination at the particle core-shell interface that reduces dilatational strain and promotes accelerated diffusion reactions. These results link the mechanical property of strain to reaction mechanisms associated with shell mechanics that explain ignition and burning behavior, and show pre-stressing has the potential to improve particle reactivity.

Hill, Kevin J. (ORCID:0000000202822345)↗

Effects of Interactions Between Produced Formation Fluid and Rock Matrix on Pore Structure of Caney Shale, Southern Oklahoma

ABSTRACT: Rock-fluid interactions change properties of shales during exploitation. To investigate effects of rock-fluid interactions on pore structure of shales matrix after hydraulic fracturing, powder samples from two late Mississippian Caney Shale cores in the Ardmore Basin, southern Oklahoma, were used to react with formation produced fluid from the field in the batch reactor analysis. X-ray diffraction for mineralogy and Low-pressure nitrogen adsorption isotherms for pore structure were measured for original, after-7days, and after-30days samples. Results show that the samples consist mainly of quartz, followed by clay minerals, carbonates, and feldspar. The pore sizes of micropore (<2 nm) and mesopore (2-50 nm) increase 14%-233% due to dissolution of pyrite, feldspar, and carbonates after 7 days. Due to the transformation from smectite to illite and the increase of pore size, the specific surface area (SSA) decreases after 7-days interactions. After 30-days interactions, the micropore volume slightly increases and the mesopore and macropore volume decreases. Due to the decrease of pore size, the SSA of 30-days reacted samples increases correspondingly and is lower (for the clay-rich sample) or higher (for the calcareous sample) than that of the unreacted samples. Findings improve our understanding of dynamic alteration of shale properties during production. 1. INTRODUCTION Energy demand will continuously grow owing to the increasing global population as well as energy consumption (EIA, 2023). On the other hand, shale gas and oil reshaped the energy market in the United States, enabling the United States to become a net-export of natural gas country in 2017 (EIA, 2023). However, shale reservoirs are challenging tight formations that are still poorly understood in the extraction and production of hydrocarbons (Ross and Bustin, 2009; Curtis et al., 2012; Xiong et al., 2015, 2021a; Li Y. et al., 2016; Gong et al., 2019a; Benge et al., 2021; Awejori et al., 2022; Huang et al., 2022). One of the most challenging topics is the rock-fluid interactions post hydraulic fracturing and its subsequent impacts on the pore structures of fractured formation matrix.

Xiong, Fengyang↗

Electrodeposition of a High Magnetostriction CoFe Film.

The development of an electrodeposition process for cobalt/iron (CoFe) alloys with minimal oxygen concentration and controlled stoichiometry is necessary for the advancement of magnetostrictive device functionalities. CoFe alloy films were electrodeposited out of a novel chemistry onto copper test structures enabling magnetic displacement testing for magnetostriction calculations. Using a combination of additives that served as oxygen scavengers, grain refiners, and complexing agents in conjunction with a pulsed plating technique, CoFe films were synthesized at thicknesses as high as 10μm with less than 8 at% oxygen at a stoichiometry of 70-75% Co and 25-30% Fe. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed that these films had a crystal structure consistent with 70% Co 30% Fe Wairuaite with a slight lattice contraction due to Co doping in the film. A novel characterization technique was used to measure the displacement of the CoFe films electrodeposited, as a function of applied magnetic bias, in order to determine the saturation magnetostriction (λS) of the material. With this chemistry and a tailored pulse plating regime, λS values as high as 172 ± 25ppm have been achieved. This is believed by the authors to be the highest reported value of magnetostriction for an electrodeposited CoFe film.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effect of Dy-substitution on the structural, vibrational, and multiferroic properties of BiFeO{sub 3} nanoparticles

Dysprosium (Dy) modified BiFeO{sub 3} [Bi{sub 1−x}Dy{sub x}FeO{sub 3} (x = 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15)] nanoparticles have been synthesized by a low temperature co-precipitation method. Rietveld analysis of X-ray diffraction data reveals a transformation from rhombohedral structure to orthorhombic structure with increase in the Dy concentration. From the transmission electron microscopy analysis, it is observed that the particle sizes of Bi{sub 1−x}Dy{sub x}FeO{sub 3} (x = 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15) nanoparticles range between 50–70, 40–50, and 30–50 nm, respectively. Raman spectra of Bi{sub 1−x}Dy{sub x}FeO{sub 3} (x = 0.05) belonging to rhombohedral (R3c) structure show 4A{sub 1} and 7E fundamental Raman modes in the range of 100–650 cm{sup −1} and two-phonon scattering modes such as 2A{sub 4} (longitudinal optical), 2E8 (transverse optical (TO)), and 2E{sub 9} (TO) in the range of 950–1270 cm{sup −1}. Suppression, broadening, and shifting of Raman modes have been observed with further increase in Dy concentration. The fundamental Raman modes of Bi{sub 1−x}Dy{sub x}FeO{sub 3} (x = 0.15) are assigned under orthorhombic (pnma) rather than rhombohedral (R3c) as the Rietveld analysis of X-ray diffraction data predicts a structural transformation for this particular composition. A complete suppression of two phonon modes has been noticed for this composition. An anomaly in the temperature dependent dielectric studies has been observed in all the samples at the vicinity of Neel temperature indicating a magnetic ordering, and an increase in magnetization with increase of Dy concentration in BiFeO{sub 3} is noticed from the room temperature magnetic studies. P–E hysteresis loop studies show a decrease of remnant polarization (P{sub r}) with the increase in Dy concentration and disappearance of hysteresis loop occurs for Bi{sub 1−x}Dy{sub x}FeO{sub 3} (x = 0.15) depicting a transformation from non-centrosymmetric (R3c) to centrosymmetric (Pnma) system.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Compositional control of radionuclide retention in hollandite-based ceramic waste forms for Cs-immobilization

Hollandite materials, as a class of crystalline nuclear waste forms, are promising candidates for the immobilization of radioactive elements, such as Cs, Ba, as well as a variety of lanthanide and transition-metal fission products. In this study, three Ga-doped titanate hollandite-type phases, Ba 1.33 Ga 2.67 Ti 5.33 O 16 , Ba 0.667 Cs 0.667 Ga 2 Ti 6 O 16 , and Cs 1.33 Ga 1.33 Ti 6.67 O 16 , were synthesized using a solid-state reaction route. All synthesized phases adopted a single phase tetragonal structure, as determined by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and elemental analysis confirmed the measured stoichiometries were close to targeted compositions. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS) was used to determine the local structural features for the framework of octahedrally coordinated cations. EXAFS data indicated that Cs 1.33 Ga 1.33 Ti 6.67 O 16 possessed the most disordered local structure centered around the Ga dopant. The enthalpies of formation of all three hollandite phases measured using high-temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry were found to be negative, indicating enthalpies of formation of these hollandites from oxides are thermodynamically stable with respect to their constituent oxides. Furthermore, the formation enthalpies were more negative and hence more favorable with increased Cs content. Finally, aqueous leaching tests revealed that high Cs content hollandite phases exhibited greater Cs retention as compared to low Cs content hollandite. While preliminary in nature, this work draws attention to the links between the capacity for radionuclide retention, atomistic level structural features and bulk thermodynamic properties of materials.

nuclear (including radiation effects), materials a↗

Hydrochloric Acid Hydrolysis of Pulps from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches to Produce Cellulose Nanocrystals

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were successfully isolated by hydrochloric acid hydrolysis followed by ultrasonic homogenization of oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB), which are a major form of agricultural waste in Southeast Asia. Currently sulfuric acid is mainly used in CNC preparation to achieve high dispersibility; however, we demonstrated that CNC suspensions prepared from OPEFB by hydrochloric acid hydrolysis remained stable without any sedimentation over 6 months. The obtained CNCs were fully characterized by elemental analysis, electron microscopic observation, X-ray diffraction measurement, and thermal analysis. The OPEFB-derived CNCs exhibited higher aspect ratios of 23–29 and higher thermal stability of 347–359 °C as maximum degradation temperature, as compared with those of woody CNCs prepared by sulfuric acid hydrolysis (15 and 311 °C, respectively). Although as-prepared CNCs showed comparable morphological and physicochemical properties to those prepared from oil palm biomass by other methods including sulfuric acid hydrolysis, use of hydrochloric acid and ultrasonication for hydrolysis of OPEFB was effective to yield crystalline CNCs with long-term nanodispersibility showing clear birefringence. Graphical Abstract: .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Synthesis and crystal chemistry of microporous titanates K{sub x}(Ti,M){sub 8}O{sub 16} where M=Sc–Ni

Through salt-flux methods, single crystals of eight novel hollandite-type titanates have been grown with the stoichiometry K{sub x}(Ti{sub 8−y}M{sub y}){sub 8}O{sub 16} for x=y≈1.5 where M{sup 3+}=Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, and Fe, and for x/2=y≈0.75 where M{sup 2+}=Co and Ni. Single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction reveals phase pure crystals with tetragonal space group I4/m. These titanates are microporous oxides with 1-dimensional channels where the non-framework cation, K, resides. In addition to diffraction, spectroscopic methods were used to characterize the chemical composition of both the bulk and surface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy affords the oxidation states of the substituted transition metals M on the surface and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy the metal ratios, including that of potassium, for an overall accurate description of the chemical composition of both the bulk and surface. Magnetization versus temperature measurements indicate that all phases are Curie paramagnets with effective magnetic moments consistent with the d-electron count given by combined X-ray diffraction and elemental analysis techniques. - Highlights: • Single crystal growth of K{sub x}(Ti,M){sub 8}O{sub 16} for M=Sc–Ni via molten salt flux. • Single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction utilized for structure of all compounds. • Oxidation states for all metals determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. • Cation stoichiometry confirmed by energy dispersive spectroscopy. • Effective moments from magnetization coincide with spectroscopy results.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Ternary CuInS{sub 2} photoelectrodes created using the sulfurization of Cu–In metal precursors for photoelectrochemical applications

Graphical abstract: At an irradiation of 100 mW/cm{sup 2} from a Xe lamp, the highest photo-enhancement current density of sample (f) obtained in this study was 5.81 mA/cm{sup 2} at an external potential of +0.4 V vs. an Ag/AgCl electrode in Na{sub 2}S (0.35 M) + K{sub 2}SO{sub 3} (0.25 M) solution. These results show that the physical properties of CuInS{sub 2} can be controlled by changing the [In]/[In + Cu] molar ratio in the metal precursors using the reactive sulfurization process with the sputtering of Cu–In metal precursors. - Highlights: • CuInS{sub 2} is deposited on substrates using sulfurization of Cu–In precursors. • Samples with [In]/[Cu + In] ratio of below 0.49 are p-type semiconductors. • Samples with [In]/[Cu + In] ratio of above 0.51 are n-type semiconductors. • Sample with [In]/[Cu + In] ratio of 0.53 has a maximum PEC response. - Abstract: Copper indium disulfide semiconductor layers are deposited onto glass substrates or fluorine-doped tin oxide-coated glass substrates with the reactive sulfurization and the sputtering of Cu–In metal precursors. X-ray diffraction patterns and energy dispersive analysis of X-ray results reveal that the samples change from the Cu-rich tetragonal CuInS{sub 2} to the In-rich CuInS{sub 2} phase with an increase in the [In]/[In + Cu] molar ratio in the metal precursors. The thicknesses and direct band gaps of the samples, determined from surface profile measurements and transmittance and reflectance spectra, are in the ranges of 0.82–1.29 μm and 1.39–1.53 eV, respectively. The carrier density and mobility of samples are in the ranges of 3.29 × 10{sup 14}–1.9 × 10{sup 20} cm{sup −3} and 0.58–17.41 cm{sup 2}/V s, respectively. A sample with an [In]/[In + Cu] molar ratio of 0.53 has a maximum photo enhancement current density of 5.81 mA/cm{sup 2} at an applied bias of 0.4 V vs. an Ag/AgCl electrode in aqueous Na{sub 2}S (0.35 M) + K{sub 2}SO{sub 3} (0.25 M) solution.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Rheological and structural studies of carboxymethyl derivatives of chitosan

The degrees of substitution of chitosan derivatives were varied and the viscoelastic behavior of these biopolymer solutions was studied using rheology. Chitosan is a cationic copolymer of glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine obtained by alkaline deacetylation of chitin. Due to its inherent non-toxicity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, chitosan has gained much interest. However, the poor solubility of the biopolymer in water and most common organic solvents limits its applications. Therefore, the focus of this work is the chemical modification of chitosan via carboxymethylation as well as studying the viscoelastic behavior of these polymer solutions. Varying degrees of substitution (DS) of carboxymethyl chitosan derivatives were synthesized by treating chitosan with monochloroacetic acid under alkylated medium varying the reaction time and temperature. The effect of degree of substitution on the rheology of these polymer solutions was studied as a function of concentration. The viscosity of chitosan derivatives sharply increased with increase in degree of substitution. G' and G' dependence on strain and angular frequency were studied and were found to exhibit predominantly viscous behavior. Additional characterization of the derivatized products were further studied using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), {sup 1}H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ({sup 1}H NMR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermal gravimetric analysis as well as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Degree of substitution (DS) was calculated by titrimetric method.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Four coordination polymers based on 5-tert-butyl isophthalic acid and rigid bis(imidazol-1yl)benzene linkers: Synthesis, luminescence detection of acetone and optical properties

Four coordination polymers including, [Co(µ-Htbip){sub 2}(µ-dib)]{sub n} (1), [Co(µ-tbip)(µ-dmib){sub 0.5}]{sub n} (2), [Zn{sub 2}(µ-tbip)(µ{sub 3}-tbip)(µ-dmib){sub 1.5}]{sub n} (3) and [Cd(µ{sub 3}-tbip)(µ-dib){sub 0.5} (H{sub 2}O)]{sub n} (4) (tbip: 5-tert-butylisophthalate, dib: 1,4-bis(imidazol-1yl)benzene, dmib: 1,4-bis(imidazol-1yl)-2,5-dimethylbenzene), were hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis (TG/DTA). The structural diversity is observed depending on ligands and coordination number of metal centers in the synthesized complexes. The tbip ligand displayed five different coordination modes in its complexes. In 1 and 2, complex 1 is 3D framework with the dia topology while complex 2 has 2D structure with the sql topology depending on coordination geometries of Co ions. Complex 3 is 3D framework with the fsh 4,6-conn topology and complex 4 has 2D 4-connected sql topology. Photoluminescent properties of complex 3 dispersed in various organic solvents were investigated and the results showed that 3 dispersed in methanol could be used as a fluorescent sensor for the detection of acetone. Moreover, thermal and optical properties of the complexes were also studied. - Graphical abstract: Four coordination polymers were hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by various techniques. The complexes showed the structural diversity depending on ligands and coordination number of metal centers. The tbip ligand displayed four different coordination modes in its complexes. In 1 and 2, complexes 1 and 2 are 3D and 2D structures with the dia and sql topologies depending on coordination geometries of Co ions, respectively. Complexes 3 and 4 are 3D and 2D structures with the fsh 4,6-conn and sql topology, respectively. Photoluminescent properties of complex 3 dispersed in various organic solvents were investigated and the results showed that 3 dispersed in methanol could be used as a fluorescent sensor for the detection of acetone. Moreover, thermal and optical properties of the complexes were also studied. - Highlights: • Four new 2D and 3D coordination polymers with 5-tert-butyl isophthalic acid and rigid bis(imidazol-1yl)benzene linkers. • The structural diversity depending on ligands and coordination number of metal centers. • Fluorescent sensor for the detection of acetone.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Use of kaolinite clays in development of a low carbon MgO-clay binder system

Magnesium oxide based cements may provide a promising alternative to the conventional Portland cement in many applications. This study investigates the feasibility of using calcined kaolinitic clay to produce an MgO binder. The MgO-based binder were prepared using a low kaolinite content clay and metakaolin and were compared with a silica fume system. Implications of the addition of magnesium carbonate in the binder were also investigated. Isothermal calorimetry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to study the hydration characteristics of the binder system whereas compressive strength and porosity were measured to determine mechanical and durability attributes. The economic and environmental aspects of the binder system is also discussed. Hydrotalcite like phases were clearly produced on hydration in the clay mixes containing carbonate additions. The compressive strength of clay mixes was at par or better compared to systems containing silica fume, and the clay systems had significantly lower porosity levels. The presence of magnesium carbonate further enhanced the physical properties of the clay mixes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Structural, Thermal and Luminescence Properties of AlN:Tm Thin Films Deposited on Silicon Substrate and Optical Fiber

Thin films of AlN:Tm are deposited on a Si(111) and Si(100) substrates and optical fiber by rf magnetron sputtering method. 200–400 nm thick films are deposited at various temperatures to observe the effect of temperature on their structure and morphology. Liquid nitrogen is used to deposit films at low temperature of –196°C. An electric heater is used to grow films at 250–700°C range. The deposited films are analyzed for their structure and thermal stability using X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. Films deposited at liquid nitrogen temperature are amorphous and those deposited at high temperature are crystalline. Average grain size, strain and interatomic distance of the crystalline films are calculated. The grain size and inter-atomic distance increase from 36.54 to 45.12 nm and from 0.2368 to 0.25 nm respectively. Photoluminescence of the films excited by 783 nm crystal laser shows an intense infrared emission from Tm{sup +3} at 802 nm as a result of {sup 3}H{sub 4} → {sup 3}H{sub 6} transition.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Changes in microstructure characteristics of cement paste on carbonation

This study investigates the influence of carbonation on the microstructure of cement paste cast with Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), fly ash based Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) and Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC{sup 3}) using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and mercury intrusion porosimeter (MIP). A comparison is made between samples exposed to 3% carbon dioxide concentration and those exposed to natural CO{sub 2} concentrations. It is observed that the products formed on carbonation are similar in both the exposure conditions. Distinct rims corresponding to decalcified C-S-H are observed around clinker grains in the carbonated samples. Coarsening of pore structure is observed on carbonation in all the cements and an increase in the total porosity is observed in blended cements. Thermodynamic modeling indicates irrespective of the type of cement the total solid volume is reduced on complete carbonation. The volume change occurring on carbonation obtained from experimental results and thermodynamic modeling are compared.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Microwave assisted combustion synthesis of nanocrystalline CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} for LPG sensing

A microwave-assisted citrate precursor method has been utilized for synthesis of nanocrystalline powders of CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}. The process takes only a few minutes to obtain as-synthesized CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}. Structural properties of the synthesized material were investigated by X-ray diffraction; scanning electron microscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The gas sensing properties of thick film of CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} prepared by screen printing towards Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) revealed that CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} thick films are sensitive and shows maximum sensitivity at 350°C for 2500 ppm of LPG.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Two new Co(II)-MOFs based on polymeric chain building units: Crystal structures, and magnetic properties

Two new Co(II) metal-organic frameworks, namely [Co{sub 2}(bpm)(H{sub 2}O){sub 3}(L)]{sub n} (1) and ([Co(bpe)(H{sub 2}O)(H{sub 2}L)]·(bpe){sub 0.5}·(H{sub 2}O)){sub n} (2), (H{sub 4}L=1,1′:2′,1″-terphenyl-3,3″,4′,5′-tetracarboxylic acid, bpm=bis(4-pyridyl)amine, bpe=1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethene), have been obtained under hydrothermal conditions. Both complexes 1 and 2 have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Complexes 1 and 2 consist of 1D Co(II) chains bridging by carboxylate groups in syn-anti fashion. 1 shows a novel 3D tri-nodal (4,6,10)-connected net with a (3.4{sup 3}.5{sup 2}){sub 2}(3{sup 2}.4{sup 14}.5{sup 12}.6{sup 12}.7{sup 4}.8)(3{sup 2}.4{sup 2}.5{sup 5}.6{sup 4}.7{sup 2}) topology. While 2 exhibits a 2D sql layer. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that both 1 and 2 show weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the adjacent Co(II) ions in 300–8 K for 1 and 300–16 K for 2, respectively, and then 2 also displays ferromagnetic coupling at lower temperatures. - Graphical abstract: Two Co(II) coordination polymers with similar metal chain bridging by carboxylates in syn-anti fashion have been synthesized. Both 1 and 2 show weak antiferromagnetic interactions in high temperature, and then 2 also displays ferromagnetic coupling at lower temperatures. - Highlights: • Two Co(II) coordination polymers with similar metal chain bridging by carboxylates. • A novel 3D (4,6,10)-connected net and a 2D sql layers. • A antiferromagnetic coupling at high temperature for 1 and 2. • A ferromagnetic coupling at lower temperature for 2.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Synthesis, structural characterization and antitumor activity of a Ca(II) coordination polymer based on 4-formyl-1,3-benzenedisulfonate-2-furoic acid hydrazide ligands

A new Ca(II) coordination polymer, ([CaL(H{sub 2}O){sub 4}] · (H{sub 2}O){sub 4}){sub n} (L = 4-formyl-1,3-benzenedisulfonate-2-furoic acid hydrazide) has been prepared by one-pot synthesis method. And it was characterized by elemental analysis, IR and thermal analysis. The result of X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis shows that the Ca(II) complex molecules form one-dimensional chain structure by the bridging oxygen atoms. The anti-tumor activity of L ligand and the Ca(II) coordination polymer has also been studied.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Activators generated by electron transfer for atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene in the presence of mesoporous silica nanoparticles

Graphical abstract: Effect of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MCM-41) on the activator generated by electron transfer for atom transfer radical polymerization (AGET ATRP) is investigated. Decrement of conversion and number average molecular weight and also increment of polydispersity index (PDI) values are three main results of addition of MCM-41 nanoparticles. Incorporation of MCM-41 nanoparticles in the polystyrene matrix can clearly increase thermal stability and decrease glass transition temperature of the nanocomposites. - Highlights: • Spherical morphology, hexagonal structure, and high surface area with regular pore diameters of the synthesized MCM-41 nanoparticles are examined. • AGET ATRP of styrene in the presence of MCM-41 nanoparticles is performed. • Effect of MCM-41 nanoparticles addition on the polymerization rate, conversion and molecular weights of the products are discussed. • Improvement in thermal stability of the nanocomposites and decreasing T{sub g} values was also observed by incorporation of MCM-41 nanoparticles. - Abstract: Activator generated by electron transfer for atom transfer radical polymerization was employed to synthesize well-defined mesoporous silica nanoparticles/polystyrene composites. Inherent features of spherical mesoporous silica nanoparticles were evaluated by nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analysis techniques. Conversion and molecular weight evaluations were carried out using gas and size exclusion chromatography respectively. By the addition of only 3 wt% mesoporous silica nanoparticles, conversion decreases from 81 to 58%. Similarly, number average molecular weight decreases from 17,116 to 12,798 g mol{sup −1}. However, polydispersity index (PDI) values increases from 1.24 to 1.58. A peak around 4.1–4.2 ppm at proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy results clearly confirms the living nature of the polymerization. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that thermal stability of the nanocomposites increases by adding nanoparticles content. Decrease of glass transition temperature is also demonstrated by the addition of 3 wt% of silica nanoparticles according to the differential scanning calorimetry results.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗