Hydrogenated diamond-like carbon (DLC) films are sought for several technological applications including electronics, optics, mechanics, and tribology. However, conventional hydrogenated DLC films, that commonly deposit at low base pressure (similar to 10(-5) to 10(-8) Torr), have many intrinsic limitations in terms of moderate hardness (15-25 GPa), low electrical conductivity (in insulating regime), and they display amorphous morphology. Here we develop high-performance hydrogenated carbon-based films using a cost-effective and fast deposition approach. We report the room temperature synthesis of nitrogen incorporated nanostructured hydrogenated carbon films (n-C:N:H) at a high base pressure of similar to 5 x 10(-3) Torr, employing a non-conventional radio frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (RF-PECVD) system equipped with only a primary pump. The n-C:N: H films show appealing properties such as wide band gap (2.35-2.9 eV), high optical transparency, high hardness (up to similar to 40 GPa), ultrahigh elasticity (elastic recovery similar to 95%), reasonably good electrical conductivity, and diode-like behavior when examined in n-C:N:H/Si heterojunction device configuration. Interestingly, some of nC:N:H films revealed the multifunctional activities with properties surpassing to those of many low base pressure grown traditional amorphous DLC films. This discovery solves many fundamental concerns of hydrogenated DLC films and opens new paths for their enhanced commercial applications.

The importance and utilization of advanced thermal insulating materials increase due to their broad and irreplaceable energy conservation role. This paper describes the novel way of achieving insulating material. In two waste by-products, namely rice husk ash (RHA), agriculture waste, and marble waste powder (MWP), industrial waste has been utilized to make asbestos-free advanced material for thermal insulation. A novel method for making asbestos-free advanced material for thermal insulation using RHA and marble waste's inherent characteristics has developed mechano-chemical for appropriate physico-chemical consolidation, densification, and ceramic processing route. The Si and Ca sources undergo a series of chemical transformations accompanied by mass transfer and thermal reactions during the synthesis process. The formation of this silicate compound occurs due to the presence of higher contents of CaO in marble waste powder (MWP) and silica in rice husk ash (RHA), resulting in thermal insulating characteristics in the advanced thermal insulation material (ATIM). Raman spectra of ATIM after heating at 1100 degrees C were mainly amorphous, which had a broad peak at 1072 cm(-1). This shows thermal transformation occurs after the heating process, the admixture of tailored powder, and fly ash (FA). The density of the ATIM is found to be 1150 kg/m(3). The phase transformation (glass transition temperature) was found in all the samples between 600 and 800 degrees C. The mechanical properties, namely the compressive strength and impact strength evaluation test, showed that the material meets the standard specifications for ceramic tiles. The thermal conductivity (W/mK) was calculated from different temperature 30, 50, 100,150, and 200 degrees C and found to be 0.571, 0.541, 0.516, 0.498, and 0.477, respectively. According to the test results, it is concluded that ATIM from MWP, RHA, and FA were excellent insulating components. The novel feature of the reported process is the development of non-toxic and asbestos-free thermal insulating low-cost material wherein chemically designed and mineralogically formulating desired phases lead to the homogeneous and effective thermal insulating matrix. The process is feasible, simple, cheap, and highly energy-efficient, increases production efficiency, and is environmentally friendly. The widespread use of advanced material for a broad application spectrum ranges from aerospace, automobile, electronics, transportation, construction, to other industries.

The present work reports a novel process for developing advanced chemically designed materials by utilizing both bamboo stem and fly ash's inherent chemical and complementary properties. The process involves forming unique heterogeneous tailored precursor material using treated bamboo stem and Class F-fly ash to develop advanced chemically designed material in a Panel form. In the process, the bamboo stem plays a dual role by helping in the in-situ formation of chemicals like sodium silicates; sodium lignates etc. which are essential for the formation of geo polymeric moieties during the reaction processing in the developed product. The other is the so formed cellulosic derived fibers are used as natural reinforcement fibres.

The work reported herein, effect of diameter of reinforced (MWCNTs) on shape memory and mechanical properties of shape memory thermoplastic polyurethane (SMTPU) composites. The composites containing 1 wt.% reinforced having three different MWCNTs outer diametre (OD = 10–20 nm, OD = 30–50 nm, and OD= > 50 nm) with the same length (10–30 μm) were prepared through melt mixing route by using micro-compounder followed by Injection moulding. Shape memory and mechanical properties both were significantly improved for composites. Thicker MWCNTs (at same length) leads to a less number of MWCNTs at a given wt.%, result in less percolated network and larger distance between the indivisual MWCNTs which alter the shape memory and mechanical properties. Furthermore, with increasing the diameter of reinforced MWCNTs at a same wt.% in polyurethane matrix the properties were decreased.

Percolative polyurethane composites utilizing surface modified paddy straw particles as filler and exhibiting enhanced dielectric constant and tensile strength, low dissipation and reduced water absorption have been presented. A thin coating of Polypyrrole (PPy) conducting polymer over paddy straw (St) micro particles was accomplished via vapour phase polymerization. Composites were prepared by using a lab scale twin-screw compounder and injection moulding system to mimic the actual industrial processing conditions. At 30 phr, PPy coated particles filled composites exhibited 133 % and 26 % increment in dielectric constant (13.61, 1 KHz) and tensile strength (58.3 MPa) respectively with reduced water absorption by 51.3 % (264 h) at room temperature as compared to their counterparts filled with uncoated particles. The successful preparation of these lightweight composites with improved performance paves the way for low cost, sustainable and eco-friendly materials for high end applications including electronics and sensors.

A special class of smart material was developed using shape memory polyurethane (SMPU) elastomer and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) via melt-blending process using micro-compounder. The shape recovery of the developed composites was studied under microwave irradiation. The nanocomposites were developed having 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 phr GNPs in the SMPU matrix. The effects of GNP reinforcement on morphology, shape memory effects, and viscoelastic properties of the composites were investigated. The recovery stress of virgin SMPU increased with reinforcement and maximized on the incorporation of 0.6 phr GNPs. The deformation-induced shape memory creation process influenced significantly the recovery stress of composites as compared to virgin SMPU. The recovery stresses of SMPU at 50, 75, and 100% strain were 1.5, 1.7, and 1.9 MPa, whereas the values of GNP-SMPU composites were 3.2, 3.4, and 4.1 MPa corresponding to 0.6 phr GNP reinforcement. The value of storage modulus above the glass transition temperature of SMPU increased from 9.2 to 15.1 MPa on the addition of 0.6 phr GNPs. The peak of the damping factor, tan δ shifted toward higher temperatures with the increased GNP content. The morphological study confirms the uniform dispersion of GNPs in the SMPU matrix. The microwave-induced heating of 0.8 phr GNP composite shows 80% shape recovery in 60 s, which is faster than convectional heating.

Shape memory nanocomposites have been synthesized using ether type shape memory polyurethane (SMPU) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs). A twin screw co-rotating microcompounder with a back flow channel has been employed to ensure proper dispersion of GNPs in the polymer matrix. Four compositions of GNPs in SMPU have been prepared. Morphology of fractured nanocomposites reveals uniform dispersion of graphene in SMPU. The dynamic-thermo-mechanical properties of nanocomposites at 0.1 and 10 Hz have been studied. Addition of 1 phr GNPs increases storage modulus of SMPU from 2.8 to 3.73 GPa and the value of tan δ peak has been decreased from 0.81 to 0.53. The GNPs in SMPU matrix influence shape recovery which improves with the addition of GNPs with in experimental range.

Thermo responsive shape memory epoxy based composites are being investigated for their excellent mechanical and thermal properties. In present study the thermosetting epoxy containing different composition of SiO 2 nano particles ranging from 1 to 4 wt. % have been prepared through solvent casting route. Developed composites have been studied for grain analysis, FTIR, shape recovery, impact strength and hardness. Addition of 3 wt. % SiO 2 improves hardness and impact strength significantly. Average grain size of SiO 2 particles increase at higher wt. % of SiO 2 in polymer matrix due to agglomeration of nanoparticles.