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The aim of this work was to study the effect of the applied chemical reaction stimulation method on the morphology and structural properties of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs). Various methods of chemical reaction induction were applied, including microwave, high potential, conventional resistance heater and autoclave-based methods. A novel, high potential-based ZnONPs synthesis method is herein proposed. Structural properties–phase purity, grain size–were examined with XRD methods, the specific surface area was determined using BET techniques and the morphology was examined using SEM. Based on the results, the microwave and autoclave syntheses allowed us to obtain the desired phase within a short period of time. The impulse-induced method is a promising alternative since it offers a non-equilibrium course of the synthesis process in an highly energy-efficient manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrially relevant nanopowder was synthesised by microwave hydrothermal synthesis to obtain well-controlled composition (ZrO2–AlO(OH) system) which was found to determine a number of physical and thermal characteristics. This study reports variation of particle size, density, specific surface area (SSABET), as well as thermal behaviour of nanopowder mixtures of ZrO2–AlO(OH) in the whole range of compositions. It was found that the onset temperature (Ton) of physically and chemically bounded water desorption depends on the Al3+/or AlO(OH) content. The lower content of Al3+ in the ZrO2–AlO(OH) system, the higher Ton of physically bound water desorption. There are three distinct temperature regions for water decomposition for nanomaterials investigated in air (at approximately 50, 250 and 450 °C). These temperature ranges depend on particle size and chemical composition of ZrO2–AlO(OH) nanopowders. Materials were divided into three groups characterised by different properties: (1) ZrO2 with 2–12% of Al3+, where particle sizes are from 4 to 8 nm, (2) ZrO2 with 30–67% of AlO(OH), where particle sizes are from 10 to 13 nm, and (3) ZrO2 with 80–99% of AlO(OH), where particle sizes are from 13 to 23 nm. AlO(OH) content determines thermal and physico-chemical properties of synthesised ZrO2–AlO(OH) nanopowders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrothermal method of obtaining nano zinc oxide doped with different contents of aluminum ions (III) was presented and discussed in this paper. Aqueous solution of Zn(NO3)2*6H2O and Al(NO3)3*9H2O salts mixture were used as the synthesis precursor. In order to reduce the process time all reactions were performed in a microwave reactor. The influence of process parameters and the content of impurity ions on the properties of synthesized nano zinc oxide were analyzed. In addition to zinc oxide doped with Al(III) ions, an additional spinel phase (ZnAl2O4) was obtained. The luminescent properties of nano zinc oxide as a function of the dopant ions were also discussed. Based on the luminescence measurements results, it was found that the luminescence intensity decreases with the increasing dopant content. The obtained materials are aimed to be implemented as luminescent materials in optoelectronic and sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The drawback of the hydrothermal technique is driven by the fact that it is a time-consuming operation, which greatly impedes its commercial application. To overcome this issue, conventional hydrothermal synthesis can be improved by the implementation of microwaves, which should result in enhanced process kinetics and, at the same time, pure-phase and homogeneous products. In this study, nanometric zinc aluminate (ZnAl2O4) with a spinel structure was obtained by a hydrothermal method using microwave reactor. The average ZnAl2O4 crystallite grain size was calculated from the broadening of XRD lines. In addition, BET analysis was performed to further characterize the as-synthesized particles. The synthesized materials were also subjected to microscopic SEM and TEM observations. Based on the obtained results, we concluded that the grain sizes were in the range of 6–8 nm. The surface areas measured for the samples from the microwave reactor were 215 and 278 m2 g−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer nanocomposites have been extensively researched for a variety of applications, including medical osteoregenerative implants. However, no satisfactory solution has yet been found for regeneration of big, and so-called critical, bone losses. The requirement is to create a resorbable material which is characterised by optimum porosity, sufficient strength, and elastic modulus matching that of the bone, thus stimulating tissue regrowth. Inverse nanocomposites, where the ceramic content is larger than the polymer content, are a recent development. Due to their high ceramic content, they may offer the required properties for bone implants, currently not met by polymer nanocomposites with a small number of nanoparticles. This paper presents inverse nanocomposites composed of bioresorbable nano crystalline hydroxyapatite (HAP NPs) and polylactide (PLLA), produced by cryomilling and a warm isostatic pressing method. The following compositions were studied: 25%, 50%, and 75% of HAP NPs by volume. The mechanical properties and structure of these composites were examined. It was discovered that 50% volume content was optimal as far as compressive strength and porosity are concerned. The inverse nanocomposite with 50% nanoceramics volume displayed a compressive strength of 99 ± 4 MPa, a contact angle of 50°, and 25% porosity, which make this material a candidate for further studies as a bioresorbable bone implant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution with particulate matter from transport sources is a serious problem in terms of air quality and its impact on human health. The article attempts to test the emitted particles from piston engines in terms of their physical properties and chemical composition. The research test objects were a diesel engine with Euro 5 emission class and a petrol engine, which was a part of the scooter drive system. The conducted research consisted in the analysis of the number, mass, and volume of particles, as well as chemical analysis, using the methods: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and Evolved gas analysis (EGA). The diesel engine emitted particles in the range of 50–120 nm. With the increase in the engine load, the specific emission of particulate matter increased. In the case of a gasoline engine running without load, the emission of particles smaller than 30 nm was mainly observed. Increasing load of the gasoline engine resulted in an increase in both the concentration of particles and their diameter (average diameter to 90 nm). FTIR analysis showed higher black carbon content in the case of the sample taken from the diesel engine. In order to carry out a more detailed chemical analysis, the EGA and SEM methods were used. On their basis, the chemical composition of particles was presented, and a greater ability to agglomerate of a gasoline engine particles was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the effect of severe plastic deformation obtained using the cold hydrostatic extrusion (HE) method on the mechanical and structural properties of polyamide 6 (PA6). As a result of the plastic strain, a significant increase in ultimate tensile strength and tensile modulus were observed. Tensile strength rose by almost 500%, up to the level of 508 MPa, whereas the tensile modulus rose by about 65%. Flexural modulus increase was also observed to 3230 MPa, i.e., by approx. 160%. As a result of high plastic deformation, the structure of the polyamide 6 changed significantly, as evidenced by its fibrous nature as presented in the results of the scanning electron microscopy inspection (SEM). The surface quality of products investigated was tested using profilometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• New mechanism for the formation of HAP layer using sonocoating method was reported. • It was proved that HAP layer grows laterally, forming dendrite-like patterns. • HAP layer structure depends on nanoparticle size and coating duration. • Sonocoating polymer surface with HAP greatly improved hydrophilicity properties. • Sonocoating takes place in water at 30 °C and process duration is only 8 min. A mechanism is described for coating a polymer surface with nanoparticles (NPs) using high-power ultrasound acting on NPs suspended in liquid. The process is called "sonocoating". Nano-hydroxyapatite (HAP) NPs are used for sonocoating in this study. In the sonocoating process, according to the known "throwing stones" mechanism, liquid microjets created when cavitation bubbles implode randomly throw NPs towards the surface. In our studies, the nano-HAP layer grows laterally, forming dendrite-like patterns. We propose that the liquid streams generated by cavitation bend close to the surface and move the HAP NPs parallel to the surface. The layer nucleates when the NPs gather at surface imperfections. Subsequently, the layer grows laterally by preferential attraction of HAP NPs to the layer edges. The layer structure depends on the size of the HAP NPs and the coating duration. NPs with a mean diameter of 15 nm form a homogeneous layer faster than those with a mean diameter of 45 nm. Sonocoating is an extraordinary method for producing nano-HAP layers, since the coating takes place in water at 30 °C and the process duration is only 8 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]