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Advances in Anisotropic and Smart Materials

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2015) | Viewed by 70305

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Prof. Dr. Qinghua Qin

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Professor and leader of Materials & Manufacturing, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
Interests: biomechanics; biomaterials; nanomaterials; computational mechanics; composite materials;
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the study of anisotropic and functional materials systems, and of their applications to biomedical engineering, has become increasingly popular. A functional material system is typically a composite matrix or hybrid of several distinct, material phases with embedded actuators and sensors, in which each phase performs a different but necessary function (such as structure, transport, logic, energy storage, noise control, damage control/self-healing, etc.) in response to stimuli. Such a system sometimes integrates sensors, actuators, and a control system so as to mimic the biological body in performing many desirable functions. These functions include synchronization with environmental changes, self-repair of damage, etc. More importantly, new state-of-the-art functional and reduced-scale materials will be hybridized into designing materials that can perform dramatic “tailorable” functions in large engineered systems. These performance-tailored structures will have the ability to change or adapt the performance or style of a structure on demand. Because of recent advances in biomaterials and nanotechnology, anisotropic and functional materials are emerging as a new interdisciplinary field that promises to provide a new level of functionality, adaptability, and tailorability for future engineered systems.

Professor Qinghua Qin
Guest Editor

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Keywords

anisotropic materials
multifunctional materials
artificial biomaterials
biological nanomaterials
smart hydrogel system
piezoelectric biomaterials

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

2372 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrothermal Synthesis Au-Bi₂Te₃ Nanocomposite Thermoelectric Film with a Hierarchical Sub-Micron Antireflection Quasi-Periodic Structure

by Junlong Tian, Wang Zhang, Yuan Zhang, Ruiyang Xue, Yuhua Wang, Zhijian Zhang and Di Zhang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2015, 16(6), 12547-12559; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms160612547 - 3 Jun 2015

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 6277

Abstract

In this work, Au-Bi₂Te₃ nanocomposite thermoelectric film with a hierarchical sub-micron antireflection quasi-periodic structure was synthesized via a low-temperature chemical route using Troides helena (Linnaeus) forewing (T_FW) as the biomimetic template. This method combines chemosynthesis with biomimetic techniques, without the requirement of expensive equipment and energy intensive processes. The microstructure and the morphology of the Au-Bi₂Te₃ nanocomposite thermoelectric film was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning-electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Coupled the plasmon resonances of the Au nanoparticles with the hierarchical sub-micron antireflection quasi-periodic structure, the Au-Bi₂Te₃ nanocomposite thermoelectric film possesses an effective infrared absorption and infrared photothermal conversion performance. Based on the finite difference time domain method and the Joule effect, the heat generation and the heat source density distribution of the Au-Bi₂Te₃ nanocomposite thermoelectric film were studied. The heterogeneity of heat source density distribution of the Au-Bi₂Te₃ nanocomposite thermoelectric film opens up a novel promising technique for generating thermoelectric power under illumination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Anisotropic and Smart Materials)

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3123 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Structural, Magnetic and Luminescent Properties of Lanthanide Complexes with N-Salicylideneglycine

by Ján Vančo, Zdeněk Trávníček, Ondřej Kozák and Roman Boča

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2015, 16(5), 9520-9539; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms16059520 - 28 Apr 2015

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 6905

Abstract

A series of anionic heavy lanthanide complexes, involving the N-salicylideneglycinato(2-) Schiff base ligand (salgly) and having the general formula K[Ln(salgly)₂(H₂O)₂]∙H₂O (1–6), where Ln stands for Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Tm, was prepared using the one-pot template synthesis. The complexes were thoroughly characterized by elemental and Thermogravimetric/Differential Thermal Analyses (TG/DTA), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), and photoluminescence spectroscopies, electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry, and their magnetic properties were studied by temperature-dependent dc magnetic measurements using the superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). The X-ray structure of the terbium(III) complex (2), representing the unique structure between the lanthanide complexes of N-salicylideneamino acids, was determined. The results of spectral and structural studies revealed the isostructural nature of the prepared complexes, in which the lanthanide ion is octacoordinated by two O,N,O-donor salgly ligands and two aqua ligands. The analysis of magnetic data confirmed that the complexes behave as paramagnets obeying the Curie law. The results of photoluminescence spectral studies of the complexes showed the different origin in their luminescent properties between the solid state and solution. An antenna effect of the Schiff base ligand was observed in a powder form of the complex only, while it acts as a fluorophore in a solution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Anisotropic and Smart Materials)

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1154 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Carbon Nanotube Modified Cement Paste with Microencapsulated Phase-Change Material for Structural–Functional Integrated Application

by Hongzhi Cui, Shuqing Yang and Shazim Ali Memon

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2015, 16(4), 8027-8039; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms16048027 - 10 Apr 2015

Cited by 70 | Viewed by 7372

Abstract

Microencapsulated phase-change materials (MPCM) can be used to develop a structural–functional integrated cement paste having high heat storage efficiency and suitable mechanical strength. However, the incorporation of MPCM has been found to degrade the mechanical properties of cement based composites. Therefore, in this research, the effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the properties of MPCM cement paste was evaluated. Test results showed that the incorporation of CNTs in MPCM cement paste accelerated the cement hydration reaction. SEM micrograph showed that CNTs were tightly attached to the cement hydration products. At the age of 28 days, the percentage increase in flexural and compressive strength with different dosage of CNTs was found to be up to 41% and 5% respectively. The optimum dosage of CNTs incorporated in MPCM cement paste was found to be 0.5 wt %. From the thermal performance test, it was found that the cement paste panels incorporated with different percentages of MPCM reduced the temperature measured at the center of the room by up to 4.6 °C. Inverse relationship was found between maximum temperature measured at the center of the room and the dosage of MPCM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Anisotropic and Smart Materials)

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885 KiB

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A New Series of Kinked Liquid Crystals: 2-(6-Alkoxynaphthalen-2-yl)-6-methoxyquinolines

by Win-Long Chia and Chih-Wei Liu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2015, 16(4), 7520-7534; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms16047520 - 2 Apr 2015

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5113

Abstract

A new series of 2-(6-alkoxynaphthalen-2-yl)-6-methoxyquinolines (nO-NpQOMe, n = 3–8) liquid crystal compounds, a linear molecular structure with two kinks, were synthesized using a short two-step reaction with overall yields between 43% and 58%. Spectral analyses were in accord with the expected structures. Thermotropic behavior of these liquid crystal compounds were investigated using polarized optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. All compounds exhibited purely enantiotropic nematic phase at the medium–high temperature range of 162.4–234.2 °C. However, short ranges of nematic phase, 20.5–16.6 °C at heating and 46.7–37.0 °C at cooling, were observed in these linear liquid-crystalline compounds with two kinks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Anisotropic and Smart Materials)

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13280 KiB

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Effect of Chemical Treatments on Flax Fibre Reinforced Polypropylene Composites on Tensile and Dome Forming Behaviour

by Wentian Wang, Adrian Lowe and Shankar Kalyanasundaram

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2015, 16(3), 6202-6216; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms16036202 - 17 Mar 2015

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4752

Abstract

Tensile tests were performed on two different natural fibre composites (same constituent material, similar fibre fraction and thickness but different weave structure) to determine changes in mechanical properties caused by various aqueous chemical treatments and whether any permanent changes remain on drying. Scanning electronic microscopic examinations suggested that flax fibres and the flax/polypropylene interface were affected by the treatments resulting in tensile property variations. The ductility of natural fibre composites was improved significantly under wet condition and mechanical properties (elongation-to-failure, stiffness and strength) can almost retain back to pre-treated levels when dried from wet condition. Preheating is usually required to improve the formability of material in rapid forming, and the chemical treatments performed in this study were far more effective than preheating. The major breakthrough in improving the formability of natural fibre composites can aid in rapid forming of this class of material system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Anisotropic and Smart Materials)

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1499 KiB

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Meshless Method with Operator Splitting Technique for Transient Nonlinear Bioheat Transfer in Two-Dimensional Skin Tissues

by Ze-Wei Zhang, Hui Wang and Qing-Hua Qin

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2015, 16(1), 2001-2019; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms16012001 - 16 Jan 2015

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 6466

Abstract

A meshless numerical scheme combining the operator splitting method (OSM), the radial basis function (RBF) interpolation, and the method of fundamental solutions (MFS) is developed for solving transient nonlinear bioheat problems in two-dimensional (2D) skin tissues. In the numerical scheme, the nonlinearity caused by linear and exponential relationships of temperature-dependent blood perfusion rate (TDBPR) is taken into consideration. In the analysis, the OSM is used first to separate the Laplacian operator and the nonlinear source term, and then the second-order time-stepping schemes are employed for approximating two splitting operators to convert the original governing equation into a linear nonhomogeneous Helmholtz-type governing equation (NHGE) at each time step. Subsequently, the RBF interpolation and the MFS involving the fundamental solution of the Laplace equation are respectively employed to obtain approximated particular and homogeneous solutions of the nonhomogeneous Helmholtz-type governing equation. Finally, the full fields consisting of the particular and homogeneous solutions are enforced to fit the NHGE at interpolation points and the boundary conditions at boundary collocations for determining unknowns at each time step. The proposed method is verified by comparison of other methods. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the coefficients in the cases of a linear and an exponential relationship of TDBPR is investigated to reveal their bioheat effect on the skin tissue. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Anisotropic and Smart Materials)

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3767 KiB

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Homogenized Finite Element Analysis on Effective Elastoplastic Mechanical Behaviors of Composite with Imperfect Interfaces

by Wu-Gui Jiang, Ren-Zhi Zhong, Qing H. Qin and Yong-Gang Tong

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2014, 15(12), 23389-23407; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms151223389 - 16 Dec 2014

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 10579

Abstract

A three-dimensional (3D) representative volume element (RVE) model was developed for analyzing effective mechanical behavior of fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites with imperfect interfaces. In the model, the fiber is assumed to be perfectly elastic until its tensile strength, and the ceramic material is modeled by an elasto-plastic Drucker-Prager constitutive law. The RVE model is then used to study the elastic properties and the tensile strength of composites with imperfect interfaces and validated through experiments. The imperfect interfaces between the fiber and the matrix are taken into account by introducing some cohesive contact surfaces. The influences of the interface on the elastic constants and the tensile strengths are examined through these interface models. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Anisotropic and Smart Materials)

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4893 KiB

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MWCNTs-Reinforced Epoxidized Linseed Oil Plasticized Polylactic Acid Nanocomposite and Its Electroactive Shape Memory Behaviour

by Javed Alam, Manawwer Alam, Mohan Raja, Zainularifeen Abduljaleel and Lawrence Arockiasamy Dass

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2014, 15(11), 19924-19937; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms151119924 - 31 Oct 2014

Cited by 58 | Viewed by 8619

Abstract

A novel electroactive shape memory polymer nanocomposite of epoxidized linseed oil plasticized polylactic acid and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was prepared by a combination of solution blending, solvent cast technique, and hydraulic hot press moulding. In this study, polylactic acid (PLA) was first plasticized by epoxidized linseed oil (ELO) in order to overcome the major limitations of PLA, such as high brittleness, low toughness, and low tensile elongation. Then, MWCNTs were incorporated into the ELO plasticized PLA matrix at three different loadings (2, 3 and 5 wt. %), with the aim of making the resulting nanocomposites electrically conductive. The addition of ELO decreased glass transition temperature, and increased the elongation and thermal degradability of PLA, as shown in the results of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile test, and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to observe surface morphology, topography, and the dispersion of MWCNTs in the nanocomposite. Finally, the electroactive-shape memory effect (electroactive-SME) in the resulting nanocomposite was investigated by a fold-deploy “U”-shape bending test. As per the results, the addition of both ELO and MWCNTs to PLA matrix seemed to enhance its overall properties with a great deal of potential in improved shape memory. The 3 wt. % MWCNTs-reinforced nanocomposite system, which showed 95% shape recovery within 45 s at 40 DC voltage, is expected to be used as a preferential polymeric nanocomposite material in various actuators, sensors and deployable devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Anisotropic and Smart Materials)

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801 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis and Thermotropic Studies of Two Novel Series of Kinked Liquid Crystals: 2-(4'-Alkoxybiphen-4-yl)-6-methylquinolines and 2-(6-Alkoxynaphthalen-2-yl)-6-methylquinolines

by Win-Long Chia, Ker-Non Kuo and Shao-Hsun Lin

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2014, 15(5), 7579-7593; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms15057579 - 2 May 2014

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5838

Abstract

Two novel homologous series of kinked (Z-shaped) liquid crystalline compounds were synthesized using a short two-step reaction. Yields of 30%–40% and 51%–57% were obtained for 2-(4'-alkoxybiphen-4-yl)-6-methylquinolines (nO-PPQMe, n = 3–8) and 2-(6-alkoxynaphthalen-2-yl)-6-methylquinolines (iO-NpQMe, i = 3–7), respectively. Spectral analyses agreed with the expected structures. The thermotropic behaviors of these compounds were investigated using polarized optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. An enantiotropic nematic phase appeared to be the main mesophase in these two series of kinked liquid crystalline compounds, and an additional enantiotropic smectic C phase appeared when n = 8. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Anisotropic and Smart Materials)

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640 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Study of Electroless Copper Film on Different Self-Assembled Monolayers Modified ABS Substrate

by Jiushuai Xu, Ruibin Fan, Jiaolong Wang, Mengke Jia, Xuanrui Xiong and Fang Wang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2014, 15(4), 6412-6422; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms15046412 - 15 Apr 2014

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 7675

Abstract

Copper films were grown on (3-Mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTMS), (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and 6-(3-(triethoxysilyl)propylamino)-1,3,5- triazine-2,4-dithiol monosodium (TES) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) modified acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) substrate via electroless copper plating. The copper films were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Their individual deposition rate and contact angle were also investigated to compare the properties of SAMs and electroless copper films. The results indicated that the formation of copper nuclei on the TES-SAMs modified ABS substrate was faster than those on the MPTMS-SAMs and APTES-SAMs modified ABS substrate. SEM images revealed that the copper film on TES-SAM modified ABS substrate was smooth and uniform, and the density of copper nuclei was much higher. Compared with that of TES-SAMs modified resin, the coverage of copper nuclei on MPTMS and APTES modified ABS substrate was very limited and the copper particle size was too big. The adhesion property test demonstrated that all the SAMs enhanced the interfacial interaction between copper plating and ABS substrate. XRD analysis showed that the copper film deposited on SAM-modified ABS substrate had a structure with Cu(111) preferred orientation, and the copper film deposited on TES-SAMs modified ABS substrate is better than that deposited on MPTMS-SAMs or APTES-SAMs modified ABS resins in electromigrtion resistance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Anisotropic and Smart Materials)

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