The photo is sourced from catalysis.ru
The nanofibres consist of graphite-like carbon fibres with a diameter of up to 800 nanometres, which practically never get tangled up. These materials make it possible to increase the strength of polymers (including polytetrafluorethylene, known under the brand name of Teflon) and improve the antifriction (or friction-reducing) properties of engine oils, which reduce component wear in engines several times over.
At the first stage of their study, the authors obtained a catalyst that accelerates hydrocarbon decomposition. “We synthesised a nickel-copper catalyst from metal powders in a planetary mill. After that, we heated up the compound in an inert environment and added ethylene or propane-butane mixture to it. As a result, we obtained carbon nanofibres with unusual properties that improve the quality of polymers and oils,” Sofya Afonnikova, junior researcher at the Department of Materials Science and Functional Materials, is quoted as saying by the Institute of Catalysis at the SB of the RAS. Ms. Afonnikova says that the project participants plan to scale up the new technology and produce a mixture to shape the composition of associated petroleum gas.
At the final stage of the study, the scientists conducted a series of experiments to obtain data on changes in material properties. Nanofibres in various concentrations were added to the polymers, which then underwent strength tests. In its turn, engine oil mixed with nanofibres was fed into a friction machine, which can partially simulate the operation of an engine. The experiments have shown that nanofiber concentration should make up 1% (of the product weight) to improve the properties of polymers and only 0.000001% for engine oils.
