Development of advanced materials based on multifunctional organic-inorganic hybrids and carbon nanostructures

Abstract

The activities proposed here involve two interrelated research areas that focus on the development and characterization of advanced materials based on organic-inorganic hybrids modified by carbon nanotubes and graphene, and carbon-ceramic nanocomposites in the form of zero and one dimensional carbon nanostructures, grown on mesoporous alumina membranes (anodized aluminum oxide - AAO). The project aims to correlate, as a function of synthesis conditions, the structural characteristics with the optical, electrical, thermal, mechanical, and electrochemical properties of the nanocomposites. The specific research activities include: a) catalytic preparation of carbon nanotubes and nanospheres on alumina membranes (AAO) using the chemical vapor deposition, optimizing the synthesis process and nitrogen doping in feedback with the structural, electronic, optical and morphological properties of the system; b) preparation sol-gel of organic-inorganic hybrids containing functionalized carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide used for mechanical reinforcement of the structure of siloxane-PMMA (methyl polymethacrylate) hybrids applied as coatings to protect metal surfaces against acid and saline corrosion. In this research the applied techniques of X-ray/UV photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, electron and atomic force microscopy, will play a central role in the characterization of structural, electronic and morphological properties of the nanocomposites. The optical, electrical, thermal, mechanical and electrochemical properties will be studied using UV-Vis spectroscopy, conductivity (Van der Pauw), thermogravimetry, compression and adhesion tests and hardness measurements, as well as potentiodynamic polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to evaluate the long-term corrosion resistance of the hybrid coatings. (AU)