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Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) functionalization was carried out with radio frequency plasma in different working gas Ar/O2 and Ar/O2/N2 at different plasma powers to synthesize epoxy nanocomposites. After the CNT's had been treated, the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed an additional peak at 1,740 cm−1, attributed to carboxylic groups, corroborating the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy that shows attachment of oxygen groups, which indicates CNTs' functionalization. Raman shows an increase in the ID/IG ratio, attributed to an increased number of defects, in agreement with transmission electron microscope images that show a nanocoating on CNTs' surfaces. Functionalization carried out with low power plasma makes also some C‐N bonds possible, preserving the aromatic carbons of the CNTs' structure. Nanocomposites showed better dispersion and distribution for samples with CNTs treated by Ar/O2/N2 plasma. Furthermore, there was a decrease in Tg when compared with neat epoxy, especially for samples with more nitrogen atoms attached to the CNTs. Mechanical properties presented an improvement, which is specially related to a better phase interaction led by the nitrogen presence on the CNTs' surface. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E1162–E1171, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers

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Coating nuclear fuel cladding alloys with hard thin films has been considered as an innovative solution to increase the safety of nuclear reactors, in particular during a of loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA). In this context, and due to its suitable mechanical properties and high corrosion resistance, titanium nitride thin films have been proposed as candidate coatings for zirconium alloys in new accident tolerant fuels for light water reactors. Although the properties of TiN hard coatings are known to be adequate for such applications, the understanding of how the exposure to energetic particle irradiation changes the microstructure and properties of these thin films is still not fully understood. Herein, we report on heavy ion irradiation in situ within a Transmission Electron Microscopy of magnetronsputtered TiN thin films. The coatings were irradiated with 134 keV Xe + ions at 473K to a fluence of 6.7×10 15 ions•cm −2 corresponding to 6.2 displacements-per-atom where significative microstructural alterations have been observed. Post-irradiation analytic characterisation with Energy Filtered TEM and Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy carried out in a Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope indicates that TiN thin films are subjected to Radiation Induced Segregation. Additionally, the nucleation and growth of Xe bubbles appears to play a major role in the dissociation of the TiN thin film.