فصلنامه مواد پیشرفته در مهندسی
سال سی و نهم شماره 2 (تابستان 1399)

In this research, using phenolic resin as the precursor of carbon and various amounts of ethylene glycol as a pore former, porous samples of hard carbon were synthesized. Samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and N2 adsorption-desorption methods. Broad diffraction peaks represent the amorphous structure of samples. Moreover, the gas adsorption-desorption curves showed that the adsorption isotherms of samples were of type IV and all samples had meso-micro porous structure. Charge-discharge tests were performed on samples to obtain their capacities. The sample with higher capacity, broader XRD pattern and appropriate porosity, was selected for silicon incorporation. Silicon nanoparticles were obtained by mechanical milling of its micro particles. According to XRD patterns, silicon nanoparticles had a crystalline structure. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images approved uniform distribution of nanoparticles. XRD patterns of nanocomposites evidenced the existence of hard carbon and silicon. The electrochemical test results showed that the capacity, coulombic efficiency and cycle life of nanocomposites were improved by increasing the amount of silicon.

For many years, dexamethasone has been used as an anti-inflammatory drug and is still one of the safest glucocorticoids for treating various diseases. Due to the wide range of the side effects of this drug, it is essential to find a suitable delivering system for reduction in dosage with increased effectiveness. Electrospinning is one of the fiber fabrication methods which is widely used to develop drug carriers due to its ability to load various drugs and biological components and control their release. In this research, neat poly (lactic acid) electrospun fibers and dexamethasone loaded fibers were prepared. To evaluate the effect of polymer concentration on morphology, mechanical properties and drug release profile of the resulting fibers, three polymer concentrations of 10%, 14% and 18% w/v were processed. Thereafter, 5% w/v dexamethasone was added to solutions. The scanning electron microscopy images were investigated to obtain the average diameter of fibers and the average area of pores in each sample. In neat samples, by moving from 10% to 18% composition, the average diameter of the fibers increased by 63.21%. However, in drug loaded samples this increased by 51/19%. After evaluating mechanical properties, an increase of 81/34% in Elastic modulus by moving from 10% to 18% composition was observed. Moreover, the ultimate strength increased by 68/021% when increasing the polymer concentration from 10 to 18%. Drug release from the electrospun samples was continued up to 7 days. Linear release was observed in 10% and 14% compositions. The drug release pattern of these samples was of zero order. Considering the importance of zero order release in different applications of dexamethasone, these delivering systems could be useful. The maximum drug release rate belonged to 14% composition (0.044 1/h).

Zinc/zinc oxide nanoparticles are used in an increasing number of medical and industrial applications due to their attractive physical, chemical and antibacterial properties. Therefore, achieving a simple and beneficial way to produce them is an important aspect. In this study, zinc/zinc oxide nanopowders were synthesized by fast electric discharges between two electrodes of (a) a spark device in distilled water medium and (b) a handmade high-voltage ignition machine in argon gas medium. The resulting powders were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and field emission electron microscopy (FESEM). Using the spark device in distilled water, a mixture of zinc crystals with an average diameter of 11.28 nm and zinc oxide crystals with an average diameter of 22.22 nm was produced. However, using the handmade device in argon, zinc crystals with an average diameter of 7.5 nm were obtained and subsequently oxidized due to their extremely high activity. The production rate of the high voltage discharge method was lower than other conventional methods. On the other hand, its ability in reducing the size and increasing the particle activity was higher than other methods.

This work is focused on the effect of amorphous SiO2 addition on the phase transformation and microstructural evolution of ZrO2 particles. Considering the structural similarities between the amorphous ZrO2 and its tetragonal structure, XRD results showed initial nucleation of metastable tetragonal ZrO2 from its amorphous matrix upon heat treatment. This metastable phase is unstable in pure ZrO2 sample and transforms to a stable monoclinic phase at around 600 oC. However, addition of amorphous SiO2 to ZrO2 structure causes metastable tetragonal phase to remain stable up to around 1100 oC. The temperature range for stability of metastable tetragonal ZrO2 structure increased from about 150 oC in pure ZrO2 particles to around 500 oC in ZrO2-10 mol.% SiO2 composite powders. A further increase in SiO2 content up to 30 mol.% did not change the stabilization temperature range but the average particle size reduced around 1.6 times compared to pure ZrO2 particles. Stabilization of metastable tetragonal ZrO2 explained by constrained effect of SiO2 layer surrounding zirconia nuclei. The thickness of this SiO2 layer enhanced by increasing SiO2 content which limited the growth of ZrO2 nuclei resulting in finer particle sizes.

In this research, the effect of temperature and time on the properties of AISI420/SAF2507 dissimilar joint produced by transient liquid phase bonding process was investigated. A BNi-2 interlayer with 25 μm thickness was inserted between two dissimilar steel samples. The bonding process was performed at 1050 oC and 1100 oC for different bonding times. The microstructures of the joints were studied using optical microscope, scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Microhardness and tensile shear strength of bonded samples were investigated. Isothermal solidification was completed for the joints bonded at 1050 oC and 1100 oC for 45 min and 30 min, respectively. ASZ and ISZ areas of the bonding zone at the bonding temperature of 1050 oC indicated the highest (520 HV) and the lowest (300 HV) microhardness values, respectively. Sample bonded at 1050 oC for 1 min indicated the lowest tensile strength (196 MPa) and sample bonded at 1100 oC for 60 min indicated the highest tensile strength (517 MPa).

In this research the synthesis of [Co(Salen)(PPh3)(H2O)]4[Fe(CN)6] and [Co(Salophen)(PPh3)(H2O)]4[Fe(CN)6] schiff base complexes was reported. Co3O4/CoFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by calcination of these complexes at 500, 550 and 600°C. Precursor complexes were identified by FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy and their thermal behavior was studied via TG/DTA. Nanomagnetic samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). Magnetic properties of the synthesized nanoparticles were studied by using Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). Magnetic parameters such as saturation magnetization (Ms), remanent magnetization (Mr), coercive field (Hc) and squareness ratio (SQ = Mr/Ms) were determined at room temperature. Stoichiometry and approximate composition of the prepared samples were studied by Electron Diffraction X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The prepared nanocomposites could be useful in some practical applications due to their high magnetization, good chemical stability and dispersion.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of temperature and time of homogenization treatment on the microstructure, distribution of alloying elements and hardness of the novel Co-based superalloy Co-7Al-7W-4Ti-2Ta. For this purpose, the specimens were first homogenized at 1250 and 1300 °C for 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours and then water-cooled. Subsequently, the specimens were subjected to hardness testing and microstructural examinations by optical and electron microscopy. The results showed that by increasing the homogenization temperature to 1300 °C, the porosity created by Ti oxidation and local melting of the Co-Al-Ti eutectic compounds lead to a decrease in hardness to 90 Vickers. This phenomenon is due to high segregation of alloying elements in the cast structure. The intensity and destructive effects of this segregation were reduced by remelting of alloy. However, by homogenization at 1250 °C, no local melting of eutectic zones or porosity were observed in the specimens and a more uniform structure was obtained with increasing time. Minimum and maximum hardness values after homogenization at 1250°C were 348 and 406 Vickers, respectively. Moreover, the microstructure became more homogenous by increasing the homogenization treatment time at this temperature.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate phase changes and magnetic properties of neodymium doped Ni0.7Zn0.3NdxFe2-xO4 (x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07, 0.10) nanoparticles synthesized by complexing sol-gel method. In this method, triethanolamine (TEA) acted as both a gelling agent and a chelating agent. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). XRD patterns of all synthesized samples revealed the formation of a spinel ferrite phase. Magnetic evaluation of the specimens showed that the Nd0.01 doped sample with a quasi-spherical morphology and particle size of about 60 nm has the highest saturation magnetization of 50 emu/g and coercive force of 103 Oe.