Fabrication of 1D-Nanofiber/Fe2O3 Composites with Tailored Magnetic Properties.

A novel flexible electrospun nanofiber/γ-Fe2O3 composite has been obtained from suspension of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles in polyvinylpyrolidone solution in dimethylformamide. The impedance spectroscopy of the synthesized nanofiber/γ-Fe2O3 composite was carried out. Negative magnetoresistance and giant magnetocapacitance effects, as well as phenomenon of a "negative capacitance" at room temperature were observed in magnetic field (2.75 κOe) in infra-low frequency range. The polarization properties and volt-ampere characteristics of the nanocomposite in the applied magnetic field indicate the increase in the dielectric permittivity ɛ and the emergence of spin electromotive force, which enables us to accumulate of electric energy at quantum level. A quantum-mechanical model, which explained the non-monotonous behaviour of the volt-ampere characteristic of the novel nanofiber based composite, has been suggested.

International amphibian micronucleus standardized procedure (ISO 21427-1) for in vivo evaluation of double-walled carbon nanotubes toxicity and genotoxicity in water.

Considering the important production of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), it is likely that some of them will contaminate the environment during each step of their life cycle. Nevertheless, there is little known about their potential ecotoxicity. Consequently, the impact of CNTs on the environment must be taken into consideration. This work evaluates the potential impact of well characterized double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWNTs) in the amphibian larvae Xenopus laevis under normalized laboratory conditions according to the International Standard micronucleus assay ISO 21427-1:2006 for 12 days of half-static exposure to 0.1-1-10 and 50 mg L(-1) of DWNTs in water. Two different endpoints were carried out: (i) toxicity (mortality and growth of larvae) and (ii) genotoxicity (induction of micronucleated erythrocytes). Moreover, intestine of larvae were analyzed using Raman spectroscopy. The DWNTs synthetized by catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) were used as produce (experiment I) and the addition of Gum Arabic (GA) was investigated to improve the stability of the aqueous suspensions (experiment II). The results show growth inhibition in larvae exposed to 10 and 50 mg L(-1) of DWNTs with or without GA. No genotoxicity was evidenced in erythrocytes of larvae exposed to DWNTs, except to 1 mg L(-1) of DWNTs with GA suggesting its potential effect in association with DWNTs at the first nonacutely toxic concentration. The Raman analysis confirmed the presence of DWNTs into the lumen of intestine but not in intestinal tissues and cells, nor in the circulating blood of exposed larvae.

Mechanical, Electrical, and Thermal Properties of Carbon Nanotube Buckypapers/Epoxy Nanocomposites Produced by Oxidized and Epoxidized Nanotubes.

High volume fraction carbon nanotube (CNT) composites (7.5-16% vol.) were fabricated by the impregnation of CNT buckypapers into epoxy resin. To enhance the interfacial reaction with the epoxy resin, the CNTs were modified by two different treatments, namely, an epoxidation treatment and a chemical oxidation. The chemical treatment was found to result in CNT length severance and to affect the porosity of the buckypapers, having an important impact on the physico-mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. Overall, the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of the impregnated buckypapers were found to be superior of the neat epoxy resin, offering an attractive combination of mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties for multifunctional composites.