Zinc silicate (Zn 2 SiO 4 ) nanorods with diameters of 90-100 nm and lengths of up to 600-700 nm have been successfully prepared by a simple hydrothermal route without the assistance of any templates or surfactants. The characterisations of the products were carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy technology. On the basis of XRD and scanning electron microscopy analyses of the products at different reaction time periods, an Ostwald ripening mechanism is proposed to elucidate the formation mechanism of the nanorod structure. The electrochemical performance of the as-prepared Zn 2 SiO 4 nanorods was investigated by a galvanostatic charge-discharge method. The results have shown that the Zn 2 SiO 4 nanorods exhibited a higher discharge capacity and better cyclability than the Zn 2 SiO 4 bulk materials.

A novel technique of surface modification was used to treat nanomodified aluminum trihydrate (nano-CG-ATH). The results of the surface modification were characterized with transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectra. The effects of the surface modification on the properties of high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) composites were studied with limiting oxygen index (LOI) and mechanical tests. The dispersion of nano-CG-ATH in the HIPS matrix and the interfacial adhesion between them were observed with transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The experimental results demonstrate that the surface of nano-CG-ATH was successfully grafted by an organic substance, and the dispersion of treated nano-CG-ATH in ethanol was better than that of untreated nano-CG-ATH. At high loadings, the mechanical properties and LOI values of the HIPS composites with treated nano-CG-ATH were higher than those of the HIPS composites with untreated nano-CG-ATH. The dispersion of treated nano-CG-ATH in the HIPS matrix was better than that of untreated nano-CG-ATH in the HIPS matrix. Also, the interfacial adhesion between the HIPS matrix and treated nano-CG-ATH was better than that between the HIPS matrix and untreated nano-CG-ATH.

SUMMARYFire-retardant high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) was modified by melt blending with varying amounts of three types of tougheners. The effects of the tougheners on the properties of the fire-retardant HIPS were studied by mechanical, combustion tests, and thermogravimetric analysis. The morphologies of fracture surfaces and char layers were characterized through scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the impact properties of styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS)-containing composites were better than those of ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM)-containing or ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)-containing composites. The tensile strength and flexural modulus of the fire-retardant HIPS decreased evidently with the addition of tougheners. It is found that the compatibility between SBS copolymer and HIPS matrix was best among the three types of tougheners. The addition of SBS had little influence on the thermal property, residue, flammability, and morphology of char layer of the fire-retardant HIPS, but the addition of EPDM rubber or EVA brought adverse influence on the residue, flammability, and morphology of char layer of the fire-retardant HIPS, especially for EPDM.