Page 69 - 00. Complete Version - Progress Report IPEN 2014-2016

Application of Ionizing Radiations | Progress Report 69

Figure 36. Sample composting under natural
environment at Michigan State University. radation process, promoting the migration of
the metal ion to the medium without affecting
the final quality of the organic compost/soil.

Synthesis of metal/graphene based
composites using electron beam
for electrochemical applications

Graphene is an allotrope of carbo obtained in
a monolayer form from graphite. This nano-
material has exceptional chemical, electrical
and mechanical properties: a precise surface
area of 2,630 m2/g per monolayer, excellent
electrical and thermal conductivities and high
then exposed to accelerate aging chamber, mechanical resistance and chemical stability.
The existence of metallic nano-particles aug-
ments the surface through which the electric
current passes, thus increasing the electrical

Figure 38a. Micrograph
of graphene oxide
prepared by the modified
Hummers method.

Figure 37. Plant grow test using organic compost/soil
after biodegradation process of cured coatings.

type “QUV”, and composting in natural envi-
Figure 38b. Image by electron microscopy transmission
ronment. In order to assess the effects of the coupled to an energy dispersive spectrometer shows silver
polymer coatings on the degradation process nanoparticles (dark spots) incorporated to graphene oxide.
of the specimens, only the yellow and black
samples were exposed to a controlled com-
posting environment via respirometry, reduc-
ing to 16 the number of samples. The organic
compound generated by the biodegradation
process was analyzed by the ecotoxicity tests.
It was observed that the coating layer acted as
a barrier that inhibits degradation of the plas-
tic when exposed to weathering. The addition Figure 38c. Image by electron microscopy scan coupled
to an energy dispersive spectrometer shows nickel
of pro-degrading agents accelerated the deg- nanoparticles incorporated to graphene oxide.