The authors present a method of producing Cu2CdSnSe4 quaternary nanocrystals using a colloidal synthesis route that could be used for future industrial synthesis. The nanocrystals prepared showed great potential for use as a thermoelectric material due to their high thermoelectric figure of merit (up to 0.71) resulting from a high electrical conductivity and low thermal conductivity. The authors believed that these properties could be further tuned in order to increase ...
The authors present the synthesis of hollow silica nanospheres (HSNSs) by a template-assisted approach using polystyrene nanospheres as templates. These nanospheres could potentially be used as nano insulation materials due to their low thermal conductivity ~0.02 W/m K. The authors also examined the environmental footprint of these nanospheres by life cycle assessment, and it was found that they possess a high embodied energy. It was thus suggested that new synthetic ...
Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/poly (methyl methacrylate) composites were prepared and their mechanical and physical properties were examined. An amphiphilic copolymer was used to aid in dispersing the MWCNTs throughout the composite. It was found that the use of this copolymer resulted in a good dispersal of the MWCNTs without drastically affecting the molecular weights of the composites, so it was concluded that the observed improvements in mechanical properties of ...
The authors have dispersed mesoporous silica (MPSiO2) nanoparticles in water and determined the thermal conductivity for each of the resulting nanofluids. It was determined that the thermal conductivity of the nanofluid was greater than that of water, so these nanofluids have potential for use in heat exchanger applications....
The authors present a method of preparation of TiO2 nanotubes by alkaline treatment (with NaOH) of TiO2 particles followed by acid-washing and annealing treatment. Theoretical and experimental studies on the thermal conductivity of TiO2 nanotubes is also presented. The thermal conductivity values determined experimentally matched well with theoretical values obtained. It was found that TiO2 nanotubes had a lower thermal conductivity than the original TiO2 particles. This phenomenon was attributed ...
