The purpose of this study was to improve the wettability of silicon carbide (SiC) nanowires, in order for them to be used as thermoconductive fluids. Multiple experiments were conducted by exposing the SiC nanowires to hydrofluoric acid, tetraethyl orthosillicate, polyvinylpyrolidone and sodium hydroxide. Various tests, including x-ray diffraction, Fourier transformation-infrared, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, were performed on these various materials to identify ...
A one step polymer-incorporation sol-gel process coupled with a surface modification and ambient pressure drying process was developed to synthesize silica-poly(vinylpyrrolidone) composites aerogels. The properties that were investigated were: hydrophobicity, mechanical strength and thermal conductivity at high temperatures. The authors envisioned the use of these polymer composites in energy saving areas with large scale production....
