Alan K. T.  Lau

Debes Bhattacharyya

Carrie H. Y. Ling

Nanocomposites for Engineering Applications

The impact fracture behavior of a vapor grown carbon nanofiber (VGCNF) reinforced high-density polyethylene (PE) composite was evaluated. The samples consisting of pure PE and composites with 10&#x2009;wt&#37; and 20&#x2009;wt&#37; of VGCNFs were prepared by a combination of hot-pressing and extrusion methods. Extrusion was used to produce samples with substantially different shear histories. The fracture behavior of these samples was analyzed using the essential work of fracture (EWF) approach. The results showed an increase of 292&#37; in the essential work of fracture for the loading of 10&#x2009;wt&#37;. Further increasing fiber loading to 20&#x2009;wt&#37; caused the essential work of fracture to increase only 193&#37; with respect to the unmodified material. Evaluation of the fracture surface morphology indicated that the fibril frequency and microvoid size within the various fiber loadings depended strongly on processing conditions.

A. R. Adhikari

E. Partida

T. W. Petty

R. Jones

K. Lozano

C. Guerrero

Fracture Toughness of Vapor Grown Carbon Nanofiber-Reinforced Polyethylene Composites

In the current research work, a top-down approach was employed for the refinement of a micron scale AA2124 alloy powder 40&#x2009;<svg     style="vertical-align:-3.56265pt;width:9.5625px;" id="M1" height="12.175" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 9.5625 12.175" width="9.5625"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
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</svg>m in average size using high-energy ball milling up to 60 hours. The produced nanopowders were investigated compared to the micron gas atomized powder both in the monolithic and the reinforced composite states. 1&#x2009;<svg     style="vertical-align:-3.56265pt;width:9.5625px;" id="M2" height="12.175" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 9.5625 12.175" width="9.5625"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
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</svg>m powder of TiC with internal structure &#x3C;100&#x2009;nm was used for the reinforcement of the 2124-Al matrices. Milling time of 36 hours produced a &#x3C;100&#x2009;nm nanopowders with internal structure size &#x3C;20&#x2009;nm. The nanopowder monolithic consolidates exhibited compressive strength of 388&#x2009;MPa compared to 313&#x2009;MPa for micronpowder one. Addition of TiC nanostructured powder to the nanopowder consolidated matrix resulted in increase of 130&#x25; in compressive strength compared to that produced for the microscale one. Nanopowder of Alalloys produced by mechanical milling reinforced with 10&#x2009;wt&#x25; TiC is recommended for products suitable for high wear and erosion resistance applications. Peak aging increased the hardness and compressive strength of the  as  compacted micronpowder matrices by an average of 188&#x25; and 123&#x25;, while increased that of the nanopowder matrices by an average of 110&#x25; and 117&#x25;, respectively.

Hanadi G. Salem

Sherif El-Eskandarany

Amr Kandil

Hassan Abdul Fattah

Bulk Behavior of Ball Milled AA2124 Nanostructured Powders Reinforced with TiC

Nanosilver has been studied as a valuable material for it strong antibacterial effects. In this study, we investigated the antibacterial properties of nano silver Poly-L-Lactic acid (Ag/PLLA) composite fibrous membranes. Ag/PLLA fibrous membranes were prepared with silver nanoparticles having weight ratio of silver nanoparticles to PLLA at 5% (w/w). In vitro antibacterial tests were performed using <i>Escherichia coli</i> (E. coli) and 
                  <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (Staph.) to determine the antibacterial capability of the Ag/PLLA fibrous membranes. As the results suggested, Ag/PLLA fibrous membranes showed strong antibacterial properties. Thus, Ag/PLLA fibrous membrane can be used as an antibacterial scaffold for tissue engineering.

Lin Li

Yi Li

Jiashen Li

Lei Yao

Arthur F. T. Mak

Frank Ko

Ling Qin

Antibacterial Properties of Nanosilver PLLA Fibrous Membranes

Sensing of ethanol with iron doped ZnO (Fe-ZnO) thin films has been studied in this work. By X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, it is found that ZnO is the main compound in the low-iron
                   (&#x3C;10&#x25;) doped ZnO thin films. <svg     style="vertical-align:-3.27605pt;width:61.174999px;" id="M1" height="15.675" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 61.174999 15.675" width="61.174999"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
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</svg> is also found as 20&#x2013;50&#x25; of iron are doped on the thin films. The 5&#x25; Fe-ZnO thin film has a very high sensitivity 
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</svg>) to 1000&#x2009;ppm of ethanol at 300&#x2009;K. It seems that iron can promote the sensivity of the ZnO thin film. The thin film doped with a greater amount (20&#x2013;50&#x25;) of iron has, however, a much less sensitivity (&#x3C;15) to ethanol. The chemical interactions between oxygen of ethanol and zinc on the Fe-ZnO thin film cause changes of the bond distances of Zn&#x2013;O and Fe&#x2013;O in the thin films to 1.90 and 1.98&#x2009;&#xC5; which can be restored to 1.91 and 1.97&#x2009;&#xC5;, respectively, in the absence of ethanol.

G.-H. Kuo

H. Paul Wang

H. H. Hsu

James Wang

Y. M. Chiu

C.-J. G. Jou

T. F. Hsu

F.-L. Chen

Sensing of Ethanol with Nanosize Fe-ZnO Thin Films

We present the fabrication and transport properties of a series of composites made of <svg     style="vertical-align:-4.8335pt;width:108.5px;" id="M1" height="17.450001" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 108.5 17.450001" width="108.5"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
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</svg> and acrylamide-based copolymers. The most important result is the very narrow transition, of only 27&#x2009;K, displayed by the peak that appears around the metal-insulator transition of the composites made with poly(acrylamide-vinylacetate). Although the amount of polymer is rather low, 
different copolymers change drastically the electric transport characteristics.

Viorel Sandu

Stelian Popa

Ion Ivan

Carmen Plapcianu

Elena Sandu

Camelia Mihailescu

Florica Doroftei

Fabrication and Transport Properties of Manganite-Polyacrylamide-Based Composites

A unique concept of making nanocomposites from carbon nanofiber paper was explored in this study. The essential element of this method was to design and manufacture carbon nanofiber paper with well-controlled and optimized network structure of carbon nanofibers. In this study, carbon nanofiber paper was prepared under various processing conditions, including different types of carbon nanofibers, solvents, dispersants, and acid treatment. The morphologies of carbon nanofibers within the nanofiber paper were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, the bulk densities of carbon nanofiber papers were measured. It was found that the densities and network structures of carbon nanofiber paper correlated to the dispersion quality of carbon nanofibers within the paper, which was significantly affected by papermaking process conditions.

Zhongfu Zhao

Jihua Gou

Aurangzeb Khan

Processing and Structure of Carbon Nanofiber Paper

To enhance the efficiency of a newly developing dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), the Cu@C (Cu <svg     style="vertical-align:-0.1638pt;width:52.862499px;" id="M1" height="11.1875" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 52.862499 11.1875" width="52.862499"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,10.925)"><path id="x73" d="M319 325l-25 -7q-33 99 -103 99q-29 0 -47 -19.5t-18 -49.5t22 -49.5t62 -36.5q63 -26 95 -57t32 -79q0 -64 -50 -101t-115 -37q-35 0 -67.5 10.5t-46.5 23.5q-5 11 -11 51t-6 67l27 5q14 -53 46.5 -88.5t75.5 -35.5q29 0 50 19.5t21 50.5t-19.5 51.5t-59.5 39.5&#xA;q-28 12 -46 22.5t-38.5 27t-30.5 38.5t-10 49q0 54 42.5 92t109.5 38q48 0 88 -18q6 -15 13 -50.5t9 -55.5z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,6.301,10.925)"><path id="x69" d="M135 536q-20 0 -35 15.5t-15 35.5q0 22 15 37t36 15t35.5 -15t14.5 -37q0 -21 -15 -36t-36 -15zM252 0h-220v26q48 5 59 17t11 63v206q0 47 -9 58t-54 18v24q78 12 142 39v-345q0 -51 11.5 -63t59.5 -17v-26z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,10.857,10.925)"><path id="x7A" d="M387 138l26 -13l-46 -125h-329l-7 15q109 161 249 388h-89q-52 0 -71.5 -13.5t-41.5 -57.5l-14 -27l-25 9q20 70 34 144h21q8 -21 55 -21h230l6 -14l-244 -390h99q54 0 78.5 16.5t55.5 64.5z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,17.996,10.925)"><path id="x65" d="M380 106l15 -22q-42 -52 -87 -74t-76 -22q-89 0 -142 62t-53 151q0 103 66 175q67 73 146 73h1q61 0 105.5 -46.5t44.5 -105.5q0 -16 -4.5 -22.5t-18.5 -9.5q-54 -10 -262 -17q1 -95 46 -143.5t104 -48.5q61 0 115 50zM225 412q-35 0 -64.5 -32.5t-40.5 -90.5q83 0 170 3&#xA;q14 0 19 4.5t5 15.5q1 41 -23.5 70.5t-65.5 29.5z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,29.929,10.925)"><path id="x3D" d="M535 323h-483v50h483v-50zM535 138h-483v50h483v-50z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,44.633,10.925)"><path id="x37" d="M447 623l8 -12l-283 -613l-74 -10l-7 11q174 283 297 551h-216q-48 0 -62.5 -12t-33.5 -63h-29q10 60 18 148h382z" /></g>

		
	
</svg> and 20&#x2009;nm) core-shell nanoparticles-dispersed molten salt-conjugated electrolyte has been studied.  Experimentally, the efficiencies (<svg     style="vertical-align:-3.56265pt;width:8.5249996px;" id="M2" height="12.175" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 8.5249996 12.175" width="8.5249996"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,7.675)"><path id="x1D702" d="M471 401q0 -32 -14 -91l-83 -376q-30 -146 -21 -180l-7 -15q-22 0 -47.5 23.5t-25.5 40.5q0 49 53 271l53 224q4 18 6.5 31t3.5 22.5t1 15t-2 9t-4.5 4.5t-6.5 1q-31 0 -100.5 -63.5t-126.5 -145.5q-16 -53 -40 -163q-48 -11 -74 -21l-7 8l82 341q9 36 -4 36&#xA;q-8 0 -28.5 -14t-38.5 -32l-17 22q41 43 85 71t66 28q23 0 23 -39q0 -19 -10 -64l-24 -103h2q77 101 201 182q37 24 74 24q31 0 31 -47z" /></g>

		
	
</svg>) of the DSSC are in the range of 2.70&#x2013;4.09&#x25; with a short-circuit photocurrent density (<svg     style="vertical-align:-3.41936pt;width:22.0625px;" id="M3" height="15.4375" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 22.0625 15.4375" width="22.0625"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,11.112)"><path id="x1D43D" d="M434 650l-5 -28q-60 -8 -75 -20.5t-25 -69.5l-71 -395q-20 -107 -57.5 -168t-106.5 -94q-40 -18 -61 -20l-10 32q77 23 113 108q21 50 41 160l68 377q10 57 -1.5 69.5t-76.5 20.5l6 28h261z" /></g>

			<g transform="matrix(.012,-0,0,-.012,7.825,15.187)"><path id="x53" d="M409 504l-29 -5q-16 60 -44.5 96t-86.5 36q-54 0 -82.5 -32t-28.5 -77q0 -51 30.5 -82.5t96.5 -65.5l35.5 -18t33 -19.5t33.5 -23.5l27 -25.5t24.5 -32t13.5 -36.5t6 -45q0 -80 -62 -134.5t-160 -54.5q-47 0 -98 15q-22 7 -50 21q-8 23 -27 155l30 7q7 -27 18 -52&#xA;t30 -51.5t49 -42.5t67 -16q56 0 88 32.5t32 87.5q0 51 -31.5 82t-98.5 67q-80 44 -110 73q-55 53 -55 124q0 75 56 126.5t150 51.5q53 0 126 -23z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.012,-0,0,-.012,13.465,15.187)"><path id="x43" d="M614 175l29 -10q-33 -109 -57 -154q-121 -26 -184 -26q-90 0 -160.5 29t-112.5 77t-63.5 105.5t-21.5 119.5q0 157 108 253t277 96q36 0 71.5 -5t69 -13.5t36.5 -8.5q15 -102 20 -150l-29 -8q-20 79 -66.5 114t-128.5 35q-119 0 -187.5 -86t-68.5 -207&#xA;q0 -140 73.5 -227.5t188.5 -87.5q73 0 119.5 37.5t86.5 116.5z" /></g>

		
	
</svg>) of 5.775&#x2013;9.910&#x2009;mA/<svg     style="vertical-align:-0.16379pt;width:27.575001px;" id="M4" height="16.049999" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 27.575001 16.049999" width="27.575001"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,15.775)"><path id="x63" d="M390 111l17 -21q-34 -45 -80 -73.5t-89 -28.5q-91 0 -146 62t-55 147q0 118 101 195q74 57 149 57h1q59 0 90 -27q16 -14 16 -30q0 -15 -12 -29t-21 -14q-8 0 -19 11q-44 41 -101 41q-52 0 -87.5 -42.5t-35.5 -117.5q0 -49 15 -87t39 -58t49 -30t48 -10q33 0 60.5 12&#xA;t60.5 43z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,7.253,15.775)"><path id="x6D" d="M797 0h-214v26q46 5 58 17.5t12 63.5v167q0 116 -88 116q-48 0 -112 -52q3 -18 3 -42v-195q0 -46 11 -58t53 -17v-26h-214v26q48 5 59.5 17t11.5 60v172q0 115 -88 115q-47 0 -109 -52v-235q0 -47 10 -59.5t48 -17.5v-26h-211v26q50 5 62.5 17t12.5 60v207q0 48 -9 59.5&#xA;t-52 18.5v23q79 14 139 41v-81q3 2 29 20.5t44 29.5q45 28 81 28t66 -22t46 -61q25 20 83 57q39 26 76 26q59 0 93 -40t34 -113v-193q0 -49 10.5 -60.5t54.5 -16.5v-26z" /></g>

			<g transform="matrix(.012,-0,0,-.012,21.175,7.613)"><path id="x32" d="M412 140l28 -9q0 -2 -35 -131h-373v23q112 112 161 170q59 70 92 127t33 115q0 63 -31 98t-86 35q-75 0 -137 -93l-22 20l57 81q55 59 135 59q69 0 118.5 -46.5t49.5 -122.5q0 -62 -29.5 -114t-102.5 -130l-141 -149h186q42 0 58.5 10.5t38.5 56.5z" /></g>

		
	
</svg>. Interestingly, it is found that dispersion of 1&#x25; of the Cu@C (Cu <svg     style="vertical-align:-0.1638pt;width:52.862499px;" id="M5" height="11.1875" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 52.862499 11.1875" width="52.862499"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,10.925)"><use xlink:href="#x73"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,6.301,10.925)"><use xlink:href="#x69"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,10.857,10.925)"><use xlink:href="#x7A"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,17.996,10.925)"><use xlink:href="#x65"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,29.929,10.925)"><use xlink:href="#x3D"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,44.633,10.925)"><use xlink:href="#x37"/></g>

		
	
</svg>&#x2009;nm) nanoparticles in the molten salt-(1,2-dimethyl-3-propylimidazolium iodide (DMPII)) conjugated electrolyte results in an enhancement (about 11&#x25;) of the <svg     style="vertical-align:-3.56265pt;width:8.5249996px;" id="M6" height="12.175" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 8.5249996 12.175" width="8.5249996"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,7.675)"><use xlink:href="#x1D702"/></g>

		
	
</svg> (4.06&#x25;). Greater fractions (3&#x2013;10&#x25;) of the Cu@C nanoparticles dispersed in the molten salt cause a poor performance (lower <svg     style="vertical-align:-3.41936pt;width:22.0625px;" id="M7" height="15.4375" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 22.0625 15.4375" width="22.0625"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x1D43D"/></g>

			<g transform="matrix(.012,-0,0,-.012,7.825,15.187)"><use xlink:href="#x53"/></g><g transform="matrix(.012,-0,0,-.012,13.465,15.187)"><use xlink:href="#x43"/></g>

		
	
</svg> and <svg     style="vertical-align:-3.56265pt;width:8.5249996px;" id="M8" height="12.175" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 8.5249996 12.175" width="8.5249996"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,7.675)"><use xlink:href="#x1D702"/></g>

		
	
</svg>) of the DSSC possibly due to interference of the internal electron transportation routes in the DSSC by oxidation of Cu with <svg     style="vertical-align:-3.27605pt;width:12.25px;" id="M9" height="15.25" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 12.25 15.25" width="12.25"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,11.112)"><path id="x49" d="M303 0h-265v28q62 5 76 19.5t14 77.5v400q0 63 -14 77.5t-76 19.5v28h265v-28q-62 -5 -76 -19.5t-14 -77.5v-400q0 -64 14 -78t76 -19v-28z" /></g>

			<g transform="matrix(.012,-0,0,-.012,5.862,15.187)"><use xlink:href="#x32"/></g>

		
	
</svg> originally in the electrolyte.

Chang-Yu Liao

C.-H. Huang

Y. Fukushima

Applications of Cu@C Nanoparticles in New Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

A  new method for  altered enamel surface remineralization has been proposed. To this aim carbonate-hydroxyapatite  nanocrystals  which mimic for composition, structure, nanodimensions, and morphology dentine apatite crystals and resemble closely natural apatite chemical-physical properties have been used. The results underline the differences induced by the use of fluoride ions and hydroxyapatite nanocrystals in contrasting the mechanical abrasions and acid attacks to which tooth enamel is exposed. Fluoride ions generate a surface modification of the natural enamel apatite crystals increasing their crystallinity degree and relative mechanical and acid resistance. On the other hand, the remineralization produced by carbonate-hydroxyapatite consists in a deposition of a new apatitic mineral into the eroded enamel surface scratches. A new  biomimetic mineral coating, which progressively fills and shadows surface scratches, covers and safeguards the enamel structure by contrasting the acid and bacteria attacks.

Norberto Roveri

Elisa Battistella

Claudia Letizia Bianchi

Ismaela Foltran

Elisabetta Foresti

Michele Iafisco

Marco Lelli

Alberto Naldoni

Barbara Palazzo

Lia Rimondini

Surface Enamel Remineralization: Biomimetic Apatite Nanocrystals and Fluoride Ions Different Effects

To enhance the electrical conductivity of the electrolyte for a newly developed 
                  dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), metallic copper (Cu) encapsulated within the carbon shell 
                  (Cu@C) nanoparticles dispersed in a room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) 
                  (e.g., [<svg     style="vertical-align:-0.16379pt;width:48.5625px;" id="M1" height="14.3125" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 48.5625 14.3125" width="48.5625"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,14.05)"><path id="x62" d="M152 404l81 35q23 10 41 10q81 0 139 -61.5t58 -149.5q0 -107 -74.5 -178.5t-176.5 -71.5q-71 0 -147 36v555q0 48 -9.5 59.5t-56.5 15.5v23q79 10 145 35v-308zM152 374v-258q0 -20 6 -35q7 -19 30 -37t58 -18q63 0 99.5 50t36.5 137q0 82 -43.5 131t-108.5 49&#xA;q-44 0 -78 -19z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,8.494,14.05)"><path id="x6D" d="M797 0h-214v26q46 5 58 17.5t12 63.5v167q0 116 -88 116q-48 0 -112 -52q3 -18 3 -42v-195q0 -46 11 -58t53 -17v-26h-214v26q48 5 59.5 17t11.5 60v172q0 115 -88 115q-47 0 -109 -52v-235q0 -47 10 -59.5t48 -17.5v-26h-211v26q50 5 62.5 17t12.5 60v207q0 48 -9 59.5&#xA;t-52 18.5v23q79 14 139 41v-81q3 2 29 20.5t44 29.5q45 28 81 28t66 -22t46 -61q25 20 83 57q39 26 76 26q59 0 93 -40t34 -113v-193q0 -49 10.5 -60.5t54.5 -16.5v-26z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,22.416,14.05)"><path id="x69" d="M135 536q-20 0 -35 15.5t-15 35.5q0 22 15 37t36 15t35.5 -15t14.5 -37q0 -21 -15 -36t-36 -15zM252 0h-220v26q48 5 59 17t11 63v206q0 47 -9 58t-54 18v24q78 12 142 39v-345q0 -51 11.5 -63t59.5 -17v-26z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,26.972,14.05)"><use xlink:href="#x6D"/></g>

			<g transform="matrix(.012,-0,0,-.012,40.888,5.887)"><path id="x2B" d="M535 230h-212v-233h-58v233h-213v50h213v210h58v-210h212v-50z" /></g>

		
	
</svg>][<svg     style="vertical-align:-3.3907pt;width:32.549999px;" id="M2" height="15.8375" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 32.549999 15.8375" width="32.549999"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,11.55)"><path id="x50" d="M46 650h247q112 0 169 -41q64 -49 64 -141q0 -91 -56.5 -143t-138.5 -62q-23 -3 -45 -1l-74 19v-157q0 -63 15.5 -77t83.5 -19v-28h-271v28q60 5 74 20t14 77v400q0 65 -12.5 79t-69.5 18v28zM212 559v-245q31 -12 73 -12q59 0 102 38t43 124q0 77 -42.5 115.5&#xA;t-108.5 38.5q-44 0 -56 -12q-11 -8 -11 -47z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,9.548,11.55)"><path id="x46" d="M493 503l-29 -4q-13 56 -28 80q-13 22 -35.5 29.5t-78.5 7.5h-76q-22 0 -27.5 -5t-5.5 -27v-238h103q66 0 82.5 12t25.5 62h29v-193h-29q-9 54 -25.5 67t-82.5 13h-103v-181q0 -64 15 -78.5t84 -19.5v-28h-272v28q61 5 74.5 19.5t13.5 78.5v399q0 64 -13 78t-72 19v28&#xA;h440q1 -40 10 -147z" /></g>

			<g transform="matrix(.012,-0,0,-.012,18.537,15.637)"><path id="x36" d="M137 343l67 33q37 17 63 17q79 0 129.5 -53t50.5 -131q0 -92 -58 -156.5t-147 -64.5t-147 68t-58 182q0 63 17 119t43 95.5t61.5 72t69 52t67.5 31.5q62 22 128 33l6 -32q-56 -11 -108 -35q-149 -71 -184 -231zM227 337q-47 0 -95 -27q-6 -23 -6 -70q0 -93 36 -155.5&#xA;t96 -62.5q53 0 78 45.5t25 105.5q0 68 -35 116t-99 48z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.012,-0,0,-.012,24.875,3.4)"><path id="x2212" d="M535 230h-483v50h483v-50z" /></g>

		
	
</svg>]) has been studied in the present work. By the pulsed-field gradient spin-echo NMR method, the self-diffusion coefficients of cations and anions of the RTIL have been determined. The self-diffusion coefficient of the [<svg     style="vertical-align:-0.16379pt;width:48.5625px;" id="M3" height="14.3125" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 48.5625 14.3125" width="48.5625"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,14.05)"><use xlink:href="#x62"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,8.494,14.05)"><use xlink:href="#x6D"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,22.416,14.05)"><use xlink:href="#x69"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,26.972,14.05)"><use xlink:href="#x6D"/></g>

			<g transform="matrix(.012,-0,0,-.012,40.888,5.887)"><use xlink:href="#x2B"/></g>

		
	
</svg>] cations in the RTIL dispersed with 0.08&#x25; of Cu@C nanoparticles is increased by 35&#x25;. The electrical conductivity of the Cu@C dispersed RTIL is also increased by 65&#x25; (1.0 <svg     style="vertical-align:-0.0pt;width:22.012501px;" id="M4" height="7.6374998" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 22.012501 7.6374998" width="22.012501"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,2.9,7.575)"><path id="x2192" d="M901 255q-71 -62 -185 -187l-22 15l102 147h-727v50h727l-102 147l22 15q114 -125 185 -187z" /></g>

		
	
</svg> 2.3&#x2009;ms/cm). It is very clear the nanosize Cu@C dispersed RTIL with a relatively greater diffusion coefficient and electrical conductivity can be a very effective electrolyte especially utilized in DSSCs.

Fu-Lin Chen

I.-Wen Sun

Nanosize Copper Dispersed Ionic Liquids As an Electrolyte of New Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

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