ALBERT

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 804〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Hiral D. Shah, J.A. Bhalodia〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In this communication, we report the structural and electrical transport properties of (1-〈em〉x〈/em〉) La〈sub〉0.7〈/sub〉Sr〈sub〉0.3〈/sub〉Mn〈sub〉0.95〈/sub〉Co〈sub〉0.05〈/sub〉O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 (LSMCO) + (〈em〉x〈/em〉) ZnO (〈em〉x〈/em〉 = 0%, 6%, 9%, 12%, 15% & 18%) composites. For the preparation of (1-〈em〉x〈/em〉) LSMCO + (〈em〉x〈/em〉) ZnO (〈em〉x〈/em〉 = 6%, 9%, 12%, 15% & 18%) composites, sample of LSMCO was prepared by the auto combustion technique/inexpensive modified sol-gel technique. The results of Rietveld refined XRD data show that LSMCO sample possesses a rhombohedral structure with the 〈em〉R-3c〈/em〉 space group whereas ZnO compound remains with hexagonal structure with the 〈em〉P6〈/em〉〈sub〉〈em〉3〈/em〉〈/sub〉〈em〉mc〈/em〉 space group in all the composite samples. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) show that no any extra unwanted phase was observed in each composite excluding the LSMCO and ZnO phases. ZnO is mostly distributed at the grain boundaries and on the surface of the LSMCO grains. Elemental presence and ratio was confirmed through the EDX analysis. The electrical resistivity of LSMCO and each composite was measured in the temperature range of 2 K–320 K at 0 Oe, 10 kOe, 50 kOe & 90 kOe magnetic field. The results indicate that the ZnO addition increases the resistivity of all the composites compare to that of pure LSMCO. The electrical resistivity explored by the theoretical model below 〈em〉T〈/em〉〈sub〉MI〈/sub〉 and fitting enlightenment for the observed behavior is transmitted here in detail.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 804〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Dezhi Yang, Weihua Liu, Dingfu Cheng, Jieshi Chen, Hao Lu, Chun Yu, Jijin Xu〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉(Co, Cr)23C6 type carbide is a typical metallic compound in many cobalt bearing alloys, and it acts as the strengthening phase in the form of bulk eutectic carbides or precipitated carbides. In this work, first-principles calculations were carried out to investigate the electronic structure, phase stability, mechanical and magnetic properties of (Co, Cr)23C6 with different cobalt occupation. Some of the calculated values are compared with previous studies and, they are found to be in a good agreement. The method considering curvature radius is firstly used to describe the degree of anisotropy. The hardness calculated through elastic constants presents an approximate downtrend with the cobalt concentration. Analysis of the density of states (DOS), overlapped population and electron density maps, indicates that the bonds in (Co, Cr)23C6 are the mixture of covalent, ionic and metallic bonds, the interactions of 〈em〉d-d〈/em〉 orbits between metallic atoms contribute most to the hybridization mode. According to the population analysis, the reduction in hardness can attribute to the increase of metallicity and iconicity of the interacted metallic atoms. In addition, the formation of a large quantity of antibonding also plays a negative role in intrinsic hardness of (Co, Cr)23C6 when massive substitution of cobalt atom.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 804〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Morteza Alizadeh, Andisheh Shakery, Erfan Salahinejad〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In this research, the structure and mechanical properties of 1050 aluminum strips reinforced with E-glass fibers, processed by the cross accumulative roll bonding (CARB) process, were investigated from microscopic, hardness, tensile and peeling viewpoints. The results indicated that the incorporation of the glass fibers in the Al matrix increases strength and micro-hardness but decreases elongation. In addition, it was realized that some of these fibers are broken and changed to short fibers during the CARB process. The presence of the glass fibers strongly also reduces the bond efficiency of the Al strips, typically from 50% to 5%. To compensate this deleterious effect, it was found that at least 25% should be increased to the normal thickness reduction used in CRAB.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Materials Letters, Volume 254〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Zhi-Hu Wang, Hong-Wei He, Guo-Sai Liu, Xu Yan, Xin Ning, Yun-Ze Long〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In conventional electrospinning (e-spinning) process, the curing mechanism can be attributed to the volatilization of solvent or the melt cooling of the jets, which were merely physical processes. To develop novel e-spinning curing mechanism, we propose a conjugate e-spinning one, in which the e-spinning precursors, solution A containing some active monomers, oxidant and solution B containing reductant, are loaded into two different syringes connected with opposite high voltage supplier, respectively. The opposite charged jets attract each other and then meet when flying from spinneret tip to collector. The redox reaction occurs when two jets meet and radicals are produced in situ which can initiate polymerization of active monomers. Then the conjugate jets solidify into fibers under reaction curing mechanism. The new method may give a new approach to produce composite functional fibers.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈p〉Two solutions containing oxidant and reductant, respectively are electrospun into fibers via a conjugate electrospinning process under a reaction curing mechanism.〈/p〉 〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0167577X19309954-ga1.jpg" width="271" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 804〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): J.Y. Oh, Tien M. Le, A.T. Pham, D.H. Tran, D.S. Yang, B. Kang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In this work, we investigated a correlation between superconductivity and interlayer coupling of two different alkaline (Na and K)-substituted Bi〈sub〉1·6〈/sub〉Pb〈sub〉0·4〈/sub〉Sr〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Ca〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Cu〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉10+δ〈/sub〉 (BSCCO) polycrystalline samples. The excess conductivity analysis by the Aslamazov-Larkin (AL) and Lawrence-Doniach (LD) theories showed that Na substitution at the Ca site induced a gradual broadening of 3D fluctuation region with increasing interlayer coupling strength, which explains a systematic increase of 〈em〉T〈/em〉〈sub〉〈em〉c〈/em〉〈/sub〉 and a decrease of normal state resistivity. On the other hand, exactly the opposite results were observed in the K-substituted samples in place of Sr. Extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) studies revealed that substitution of Na and K generated completely different effects on the local structure around Cu atoms. It is noticeable that the Cu–O bond distance was found to decrease monotonically with the varying amounts of Na, which indicates that the CuO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 layer is stabilized. On the while, the opposite was observed to occur with the varying amounts of K. Unlike the Cu–Ca bond which was the least affected by the substitution, the Cu–Sr bond distance increased drastically with K substitution. All these findings indicate that Na substitution at the Ca site enhances superconductivity with no loss of interlayer interaction, while K substitution at the Sr site weakens superconductivity due to the diminished interlayer interaction.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 804〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Moara M. Castro, Shima Sabbaghianrad, Pedro Henrique R. Pereira, Eric M. Mazzer, Augusta Isaac, Terence G. Langdon, Roberto B. Figueiredo〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉A magnesium/aluminium composite was produced by room temperature consolidation through high-pressure torsion (HPT) processing. Half-discs of the pure metals were placed side-by-side and subjected to different numbers of turns. The initially reduced interface between the phases gradually increased with increasing rotation. The composite displayed a significant ductility even after 10 turns. The distribution of hardness in the HPT-processed discs was bi-modal in the early stages of processing. As the number of turns increased and the thickness of the phases decreased there was a noticeable increase in hardness. The hardness values of the composite further increased after thermal treatment due to the formation of intermetallics within the interface between the magnesium and aluminium-rich phases.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 804〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Lipeng Xu, Fei Zhou, Jizhou Kong, Haobin Zhou, Qian Zhang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The effects of testing temperature on the electrochemical properties of Li(Ni〈sub〉0.6〈/sub〉Mn〈sub〉0.2〈/sub〉Co〈sub〉0.2〈/sub〉)O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 are investigated in detail. When the testing temperature is 40 °C, the Li(Ni〈sub〉0.6〈/sub〉Mn〈sub〉0.2〈/sub〉Co〈sub〉0.2〈/sub〉)O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 cathode material possesses the highest initial discharge capacity of 162.4 mAh·g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at 0.5C rate, but their cycling stability decreases markedly. When the test temperature rises up to 60 °C, the side reaction between electrolyte and cathode material becomes serious, and the Li(Ni〈sub〉0.6〈/sub〉Mn〈sub〉0.2〈/sub〉Co〈sub〉0.2〈/sub〉)O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 cannot work. When the testing temperature decreases, the electrochemical impedances like R〈sub〉ct〈/sub〉 values increase, and then the discharge capacity at 0 °C, −10 °C and −20 °C is only 80%, 53% and 23% of that at 25 °C. Based on the electrochemical impedance spectra at different temperatures, four kinds of equivalent circuit models are classified. The cycle and rate performance of Li(Ni〈sub〉0.6〈/sub〉Mn〈sub〉0.2〈/sub〉Co〈sub〉0.2〈/sub〉)O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 cathode material could be improved obviously through Ti〈sub〉3〈/sub〉C〈sub〉2〈/sub〉(OH)〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 modification in an extreme environment, and especially in sub-zero environment.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 804〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Kenji Yoshii, Naoshi Ikeda〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Dielectric and magnetocaloric measurements are carried out for the chromite TmCrO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉. This oxide was reported to be multiferroic below the Néel temperature (〈em〉T〈/em〉〈sub〉N〈/sub〉) of ∼125 K, likely due to a structural transformation. The dielectric response shows large dielectric constants below 300 K. However, from the analyses of loss tangent, AC conductivity and dielectric modulus, this behavior is rooted in hopping of charge carriers rather than electric dipoles, as proposed for some other chromites. No dielectric anomaly is found at 〈em〉T〈/em〉〈sub〉N〈/sub〉. The magnetocaloric effect shows that the magnetic transitions at 〈em〉T〈/em〉〈sub〉N〈/sub〉 as well as the spin reorientation temperature are of a second order. This result strongly suggests the absence of magnetostructural transition at 〈em〉T〈/em〉〈sub〉N〈/sub〉 in accord with no observation of ferroelectric transition at this temperature.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 804〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Rattiya Hongtong, Panya Thanwisai, Rattakarn Yensano, Jeffrey Nash, Sutham Srilomsak, Nonglak Meethong〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Core-shell olivine-type electrospun and doped LiFePO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉/FeS/C composite fibers were synthesized via a single-step process employing an electrospinning method using LiOH·H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O, metal sul phates, H〈sub〉3〈/sub〉PO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉, citric acid, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as the starting materials. Electron microscopy studies showed that the mean diameter of the core-shell composite fibers was about 280 ± 20 nm with a LiFePO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 phase forming a core with a diameter of about 100 ± 20 nm and a carbon shell with a thickness of 80 ± 20 nm. An FeS phase was formed by a direct reduction of iron (II) sulfate (FeSO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉) that was evenly distributed within the core region of the composite fibers and further improved the electronic conductivity of the fibers. Na〈sup〉1+〈/sup〉, Mg〈sup〉2+〈/sup〉, and Al〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 doping ions affected fiber morphology and electrochemical performance. All composite fibers showed excellent electrochemical performance. However, Al〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 ions improved the electrochemical performance of the composite fibers to a significantly greater degree than Na〈sup〉1+〈/sup〉 and Mg〈sup〉2+〈/sup〉 doping ions, increasing the electronic and ionic conductivities of the material while maintaining their core-shell composite fiber characteristics.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Electrospun LiFePO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉/FeS/C and 5% doped 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si1.svg"〉〈mrow〉〈mi〉L〈/mi〉〈mi〉i〈/mi〉〈mi〉F〈/mi〉〈msubsup〉〈mrow〉〈mi〉e〈/mi〉〈/mrow〉〈mrow〉〈mn〉1〈/mn〉〈mo linebreak="badbreak"〉−〈/mo〉〈mrow〉〈mo stretchy="false"〉(〈/mo〉〈mi〉n〈/mi〉〈mi〉x〈/mi〉〈mo linebreak="badbreak"〉/〈/mo〉〈mn〉2〈/mn〉〈mo stretchy="false"〉)〈/mo〉〈/mrow〉〈/mrow〉〈mrow〉〈mn〉2〈/mn〉〈mo linebreak="badbreak"〉+〈/mo〉〈/mrow〉〈/msubsup〉〈msubsup〉〈mrow〉〈mi〉M〈/mi〉〈/mrow〉〈mrow〉〈mi〉x〈/mi〉〈/mrow〉〈mrow〉〈mi〉n〈/mi〉〈mo linebreak="badbreak"〉+〈/mo〉〈/mrow〉〈/msubsup〉〈mi〉P〈/mi〉〈msub〉〈mrow〉〈mi〉O〈/mi〉〈/mrow〉〈mrow〉〈mn〉4〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈/msub〉〈/mrow〉〈/math〉/FeS/C (M = Na〈sup〉1+〈/sup〉, Mg〈sup〉2+〈/sup〉, Al〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉) composites with a unique core-shell structure were synthesized via a simple single-step process to improved electrochemical properties for high performance and low cost Li-ion batteries.〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0925838819324946-fx1.jpg" width="287" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 804〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): L.V.B. Diop, O. Isnard〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The effects of Fe substitution on the structural and magnetic properties of the HoCo〈sub〉12-〈em〉x〈/em〉〈/sub〉Fe〈sub〉〈em〉x〈/em〉〈/sub〉B〈sub〉6〈/sub〉 (0 ≤ 〈em〉x〈/em〉 ≤ 2) series of intermetallic compounds have been studied. All of the compounds form in the rhombohedral SrNi〈sub〉12〈/sub〉B〈sub〉6〈/sub〉-type structure, the lattice constants increasing linearly with 〈em〉x〈/em〉. These compounds are ferrimagnets with a small transition metal magnetic moment and exhibit a spin reorientation transition. The Curie temperature decreases from 147 K for 〈em〉x〈/em〉 = 0–105 K for 〈em〉x〈/em〉 = 2. The Fe for Co substitution leads also to a progressive decrease of the spontaneous magnetization. The spin reorientation transition temperature is significantly reduced upon Fe for Co substitution whereas the compensation temperature is much less sensitive to the Fe composition.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 804〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Maxim S. Likhanov, Vladislav O. Zhupanov, Valeriy Yu Verchenko, Andrei A. Gippius, Sergei V. Zhurenko, Alexey V. Tkachev, Dina I. Fazlizhanova, David Berthebaud, Andrei V. Shevelkov〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉We present a new Fe〈sub〉1–〈em〉x〈/em〉〈/sub〉Re〈sub〉〈em〉x〈/em〉〈/sub〉Ga〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 solid solution, in which a 5〈em〉d〈/em〉-metal––rhenium––partially substitutes for iron to the limiting composition of 〈em〉x〈/em〉 = 0.10. The crystal structure refined for the composition Fe〈sub〉0.91〈/sub〉Re〈sub〉0.09〈/sub〉Ga〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 shows the expected increase in the unit cell parameters compared to the parent FeGa〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 compound, however the M–M (M = Fe, Re) distance decreases within the M–M dumbbell, indicating an increased M–M bonding density. Therein, investigation of the local structure by means of 〈sup〉69,71〈/sup〉Ga NQR spectroscopy revealed the formation of homonuclear Fe–Fe and Re–Re dumbbells. Transport and thermoelectric properties have been investigated for the Re-substituted FeGa〈sub〉3〈/sub〉. Electrical transport measurements showed preservation of the nonmetallic conductivity of Fe〈sub〉1–〈em〉x〈/em〉〈/sub〉Re〈sub〉〈em〉x〈/em〉〈/sub〉Ga〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 despite the decrease of the valence electron concentration from 17 to 16.9 electrons per formula. At low temperatures, Fe〈sub〉1–〈em〉x〈/em〉〈/sub〉Re〈sub〉〈em〉x〈/em〉〈/sub〉Ga〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 is a 〈em〉p〈/em〉-type semiconductor with the band gap of 0.4 eV, but with increasing temperature the sign of the dominant charge carriers changes. Owing to the alloying effect, Fe〈sub〉1–〈em〉x〈/em〉〈/sub〉Re〈sub〉〈em〉x〈/em〉〈/sub〉Ga〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 displays 1.5 times lower thermal conductivity than FeGa〈sub〉3〈/sub〉, which increases at high temperatures because of the growing contribution of the electronic term.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0925838819325198-fx1.jpg" width="454" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 804〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Jiashu Zhang, Weiyao Zhao, Zhenjie Feng, Jun-Yi Ge, Jincang Zhang, Shixun Cao〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉We report the crystal growth, structure analysis and magnetic phase transitions in the single crystal Sm〈sub〉0.15〈/sub〉Dy〈sub〉0.85〈/sub〉FeO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉. The high-quality of the crystal is verified by X-ray diffraction technique. Our research reveals that: 1) the iron sublattice spin reorientation (SR) transition emerges at 25 K, and ends at 10 K; 2) the rare earth antiferromagnetic (AF) order transition happens at 2.6 K; 3) there is a special wasp-waist hysteresis loop at low temperatures. Knowledge of such phase transitions in rare earth orthoferrite system is of potential importance for applications and theoretical studies.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Materials Letters, Volume 253〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Ji Soo Yu, Sung Hun Kim, Minh Tan Man, Hong Seok Lee〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉We have successfully demonstrated the colloidal hot-injection process to easily obtain the Mn-doped ZnSe quantum dots (QDs) with a size of about 4–5 nm, and 〈em〉d〈/em〉-spacing is 0.31 nm, corresponding to the (1 1 1) lattice plane of ZnSe. Experimental results show that UV–vis absorption and fluorescence spectra were recorded to elucidate the role of Mn〈sup〉2+〈/sup〉 ions substituted into ZnSe, which resulted in the carrier transfer of luminescent sites by a small amount of Mn〈sup〉2+〈/sup〉 dopant. The small size of the Mn-doped ZnSe QDs offers intriguing opportunities for their application in photonic, bioimaging, and spintronics devices.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0167577X19309905-ga1.jpg" width="298" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Materials Letters, Volume 254〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Mohamad Fahrul Radzi Hanifah, Juhana Jaafar, M.H.D. Othman, A.F. Ismail, M.A. Rahman, Norhaniza Yusof, Farhana Aziz〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Nanocluster-like Pt nanoparticles/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite catalyst (NC-PtNPs/RGO) was synthesized through a novel one-step process of chemical reduction-assisted hydrothermal reaction by using formic acid as reducing agent. The crystallinity, morphology and composition of the NC-PtNPs/RGO catalysts were extensively characterized. The as-prepared NC-PtNPs/RGO catalysts exhibited higher electro-catalytic activity towards methanol oxidation than carbon black (CB)/PtNPs catalyst and could be ascribed to the high dispersion of NC-Pt NPs with large electrochemical surface area, release more exposure of active sites by NC-PtNPs structure and synergy effect of RGO.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Materials Letters, Volume 253〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Zhenhua Wang, Yi Liu〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Σ3 boundaries improve the intergranular corrosion resistance of high nitrogen austenitic stainless steels. However, the regeneration of these boundaries is, unfortunately, accompanied by significant grain coarsening. 18Mn18Cr0.5N and 18Mn18Cr0.6N steels were thermo-mechanically processed and the corresponding microstructures were evaluated. Formation mechanisms were proposed for Σ1 boundaries in different R-Σ3-Σ1-type junctions. These boundaries formed during grain growth accompanying Σ3 formation and reaction. After 30% cold tension and cyclic heating between 500 °C and 1100 °C, numerous Σ1 boundaries were formed and disrupted the high angle grain boundary network efficiently. Moreover, a small grain size was maintained. Σ1 boundaries have significant application potential in grain boundary engineering.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Materials Letters, Volume 254〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Rui Wang, Dongdong Gu, Lixia Xi, Kaijie Lin, Meng Guo, Hongmei Zhang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Selective laser melting (SLM), as a rapidly developed layer-by-layer 3D printing technology, has been demonstrated that it can be used for additive manufacturing of multi-materials. In this work, TiB〈sub〉2〈/sub〉/Ti6Al4V multi-materials were manufactured by SLM. The results showed that interfacial microstructures consisting of un-melted TiB〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 powders, columnar TiB crystals, and acicular TiB crystals were formed in the molten pool. Meanwhile, a variation nanohardness was developed with chemical compositions at the interfacial regions, owing to an in-situ reaction of Ti and TiB〈sub〉2〈/sub〉. The first-principle calculations were used to reveal the axial growth of TiB crystals as well as the different hardness of this system.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0167577X19310006-ga1.jpg" width="346" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Materials Letters, Volume 253〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Siyao Xie, Ruidi Li, Linjun Tang, Tiechui Yuan〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The diffusion behavior of Al in FeCoCrNiMo〈sub〉x〈/sub〉 high-entropy alloys (HEAs) at temperatures ranging from 773 to 873 K with and without pulse current was studied in this paper. The diffusion coefficients 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si2.svg"〉〈mi〉D〈/mi〉〈/math〉 was determined based on the Fick’s law and corresponding pre-exponential factor 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si3.svg"〉〈msub〉〈mi〉D〈/mi〉〈mn〉0〈/mn〉〈/msub〉〈/math〉, as well as activation energy 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si4.svg"〉〈msub〉〈mi〉Q〈/mi〉〈mi〉D〈/mi〉〈/msub〉〈/math〉. It was found that the 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si2.svg"〉〈mi〉D〈/mi〉〈/math〉 under pulse current dramatically increased about hundreds of times in contrast with that without current. In addition, the 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si3.svg"〉〈msub〉〈mi〉D〈/mi〉〈mn〉0〈/mn〉〈/msub〉〈/math〉 and 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si4.svg"〉〈msub〉〈mi〉Q〈/mi〉〈mi〉D〈/mi〉〈/msub〉〈/math〉 were determined to reduce from 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si5.svg"〉〈mrow〉〈msubsup〉〈mrow〉〈mn〉1.369〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈mrow〉〈mo〉-〈/mo〉〈mn〉0.324〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈mrow〉〈mo〉+〈/mo〉〈mn〉0.424〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈/msubsup〉〈mo〉×〈/mo〉〈msup〉〈mrow〉〈mn〉10〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈mrow〉〈mo〉-〈/mo〉〈mn〉13〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈/msup〉〈/mrow〉〈/math〉 to 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si17.svg"〉〈mrow〉〈msubsup〉〈mrow〉〈mn〉5.016〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈mrow〉〈mo〉-〈/mo〉〈mn〉1.984〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈mrow〉〈mo〉+〈/mo〉〈mn〉3.284〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈/msubsup〉〈mo〉×〈/mo〉〈msup〉〈mrow〉〈mn〉10〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈mrow〉〈mo〉-〈/mo〉〈mn〉15〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈/msup〉〈/mrow〉〈/math〉 m〈sup〉2〈/sup〉/s, and from 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si6.svg"〉〈mrow〉〈mn〉39.7〈/mn〉〈mo〉±〈/mo〉〈mn〉1.8〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈/math〉 to 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si18.svg"〉〈mrow〉〈mn〉21.6〈/mn〉〈mo〉±〈/mo〉〈mn〉3.4〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈/math〉 kJ/mol respectively with the Mo contents increasing from Mo〈sub〉0〈/sub〉 to Mo〈sub〉0.2〈/sub〉 without pulse current. The introduction of pulse current into the diffusion couples dramatically promoted the 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si3.svg"〉〈msub〉〈mi〉D〈/mi〉〈mn〉0〈/mn〉〈/msub〉〈/math〉 at all the diffusion couples. However, the pulse current was ascertained to obviously increase the 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si4.svg"〉〈msub〉〈mi〉Q〈/mi〉〈mi〉D〈/mi〉〈/msub〉〈/math〉 in contrast to that of diffusion couples without pulse current.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0167577X19309899-ga1.jpg" width="271" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 804〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Yuliang Jiang, Xueyan Fu, Zidong Zhang, Wei Du, Peitao Xie, Chuanbing Cheng, Runhua Fan〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Carbon nanofibers embedded with magnetic Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉C nanoparticles have been synthesized using electrospinning technique, followed by one-step carbonization. By using Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉C/C nanofibers as filler with 10% content, the sample can achieve a minimum reflection loss (RL) of −54.94 dB with a thickness of 1.36 mm, as well as the broad effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) can reach to 4.5 GHz (13.3–17.8 GHz) at the thickness of 1.55 mm. The superior properties might be due to the synergistic effects of dielectric loss, magnetic loss, multiple scattering and reflection. This work presents a facile and promising method to produce high performance microwave absorption materials with thin thickness, light weight and strong absorption.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 804〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): E.J. Pickering, K.A. Christofidou, H.J. Stone, N.G. Jones〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In order to reduce the environmental impact of air travel, it is desirable that the efficiencies of gas turbine engines are increased. One way to achieve this goal is to increase the operating temperatures of the engine cores. Unfortunately for aero-engine manufacturers, the temperature capability limits of the Ni-base superalloys used currently have been reached. Hence, new alloys need to be developed that are capable of operating at significantly higher temperatures. In this article, the potential of tantalum-base superalloys is discussed and explored. A suite of alloys based on the Ta-Al-Co system was investigated. It was found that an array of fine carbide precipitates was formed in the Ta-rich matrix in a subset of the alloys, which is promising in terms of developing a strong and damage-tolerant microstructure, but that the elemental partitioning of Al out of the matrix accompanying precipitation is likely to degrade environmental resistance. Nevertheless, it is believed that the design principles described have the potential to facilitate the development of the next generation of high-temperature alloys based on systems of this type.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 804〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): C.Q. Zhou, Q.A. Zhang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In order to understand the effect of Pr〈sub〉3〈/sub〉Al〈sub〉11〈/sub〉 nanoparticles on crystallite growth kinetics of nanocrystalline Mg, the crystallite growth characteristics in a Mg−Pr〈sub〉3〈/sub〉Al〈sub〉11〈/sub〉 composite and a pure Mg sample were comparatively investigated in this work. The crystallite growth exponents of nanocrystalline Mg in the Mg−Pr〈sub〉3〈/sub〉Al〈sub〉11〈/sub〉 composite and pure Mg were determined as 〈em〉n〈/em〉 = 5 and 〈em〉n〈/em〉 = 4, respectively. Meanwhile, the activation energy for crystallite growth in Mg−Pr〈sub〉3〈/sub〉Al〈sub〉11〈/sub〉 composite was calculated to be 118.8 kJ/mol, which is higher than 97.1 kJ/mol in pure nanocrystalline Mg. Further studies reveal that the rise of crystallite growth exponent and increase of activation energy in the Mg−Pr〈sub〉3〈/sub〉Al〈sub〉11〈/sub〉 composite are primarily attributed to the pinning effect of Pr〈sub〉3〈/sub〉Al〈sub〉11〈/sub〉 nanoparticles at crystallite boundaries of Mg.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 804〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Liming Tan, Yunping Li, Wenkai Deng, Yong Liu, Feng Liu, Yan Nie, Liang Jiang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Three Ni-base powder metallurgy superalloys have been developed recently, and tensile tests at temperatures ranging from room temperature (RT) to 815 °C were conducted on them. The results conformed their excellent tensile properties, in comparison with several other existed polycrystalline superalloys. In this work, by means of microstructure characterization, thermal dynamic calculations, and theoretical modeling, different strengthening mechanisms including precipitation strengthening, grain boundary strengthening, solid solution strengthening, and Orowan strengthening, were found to contribute to the yield strength in different degrees, which would help to further enhance the tensile properties of these alloys through composition design and processing optimization thereafter.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0925838819324892-fx1.jpg" width="459" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Materials Letters, Volume 254〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): C.Q. Zhang, W. Liu〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The Al〈sub〉3〈/sub〉Ti intermetallic compound (IMC) layer growth kinetics at Al-Ti interface was investigated. Surprisingly an abnormal effect of temperature was observed with a thicker IMC layer formed at lower annealing temperature due to the much faster Al〈sub〉3〈/sub〉Ti grain coarsening at a higher temperature, the IMC layer growth at 630 °C became slower than that at 600 °C after a certain annealing time. The quantitative influence of grain size on effective diffusion coefficient was analysed. Calculations showed that the lattice diffusion makes little contribution to the effective diffusion coefficient. Grain boundary diffusion, therefore, dominates for all the annealing conditions studied.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Biomaterials, Volume 218〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Yuwei Liu, Biao Kuang, Benjamin B. Rothrauff, Rocky S. Tuan, Hang Lin〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) embedded in their secreted extracellular matrix (mECM) constitute an exogenous scaffold-free construct capable of generating different types of tissues. Whether MSC-mECM constructs can recapitulate endochondral ossification (ECO), a developmental process during 〈em〉in vivo〈/em〉 skeletogenesis, remains unknown. In this study, MSC-mECM constructs are shown to result in robust bone formation both 〈em〉in vitro〈/em〉 and 〈em〉in vivo〈/em〉 through the process of endochondral ossification when sequentially exposed to chondrogenic and osteogenic cues. Of interest, a novel trypsin pre-treatment was introduced to change cell morphology, which allowed MSC-mECM constructs to undergo the N-cadherin-mediated developmental condensation process and subsequent chondrogenesis. Furthermore, bone formation by MSC-mECM constructs were significantly enhanced by the ECO protocol, as compared to conventional 〈em〉in vitro〈/em〉 culture in osteogenic medium alone. This was designed to promote direct bone formation as seen in intramembranous ossification (IMO). The developmentally informed method reported in this study represents a robust and efficacious approach for stem-cell based bone generation, which is superior to the conventional osteogenic induction procedure.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Materials Letters, Volume 253〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Camila Machado de Oliveira, Thuani Gesser Müller, Rafael Alves André, Elen Machado de Oliveira, Elis Machado de Oliveira, Michael Peterson, Fabiano Raupp-Pereira〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Pyrite is part of the tailings from coal mining and presents a great valorization potential technological, economic and environmental in the production of nanoparticles. In this work, pyrite from coal mining was subjected to high-energy milling and the particle size reduction, electrical and optical properties were evaluated. With the milling parameters used, the apparent size of the crystallites was reduced from 34.7 nm to 23.8 nm, resulting in highly unstable particles and charge carriers with low mobility. Due to this instability, submicron particles were observed, in the range of 300–500 nm, with a hydrodynamic diameter of 1257 ± 36 nm. The processed pyrite showed good visible light absorption and an indirect band gap of 1.51 eV.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Materials Letters, Volume 253〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Zunyu Ke, Changbo Yi, Lei Zhang, ZhengYuan He, Jun Tan, YeHua Jiang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The Ti-13Nb-13Zr-10Cu alloy as new biomedical material was prepared by Ar-arc melting. The microstructure characteristics, mechanical properties and antibacterial properties of Ti-13Nb-13Zr-10Cu alloy after heat treatment were studied. Results show that the Ti-13Nb-13Zr-10Cu alloy is mainly composed of 〈em〉β〈/em〉-Ti, 〈em〉α〈/em〉-Ti, and some Cu-containing phases, 〈em〉e.g.〈/em〉 CuZr, Ti〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Cu, and Cu〈sub〉10〈/sub〉Zr〈sub〉7〈/sub〉. With the addition of Cu, the 〈em〉α〈/em〉-Ti phase significantly decreased, and some Cu-containing phases appeared in the form of reticular structure, which was mainly consisted of Cu, Zr and Ti elements. The CuZr and Ti〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Cu phases in the reticular structure were identified by TEM. Compared with CP-Ti and Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy, the elastic modulus of Ti-13Nb-13Zr-10Cu alloy was significantly reduced to 66 GPa, but its yield strength and compressive strength still retained at high levels. The Ti-13Nb-13Zr-10Cu alloy after 24 h of culture with 〈em〉S. aureus〈/em〉 exhibits an enhanced antibacterial activity.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Materials Letters, Volume 253〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Liman Zhao, Zechuan Yang, Yanchun Li, Tongfei Shi, Danfeng Pei, Fan Li〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Biomimetic glycopolymers poly(dopamine methacrylamide-〈em〉co〈/em〉-lactobionamidoethyl methacrylate) (PDMA〈em〉-co-〈/em〉PLAMA) based ligand was synthesized, used to effectively reduce the gold ions and anchored on the surface of gold nanoparticles to prepare the glycopolymers modified gold nanoparticles (Gly@AuNPs). The Gly@AuNPs were prepared and stabilized in one step, which did not require classical thiol-containing polymer to stabilize AuNPs. The Gly@AuNPs were found to be highly stable at high salt concentrations (500 mM NaCl) and different pH conditions over a long time. These stable Gly@AuNPs could provide useful information in applications of targeted cancer imaging and photothermal therapy.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0167577X1930970X-ga1.jpg" width="500" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 804〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Christopher S. Daniel, Peter D. Honniball, Luke Bradley, Michael Preuss, João Quinta da Fonseca〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The properties and performance of Zr-2.5 Nb alloys are strongly influenced by their crystallographic texture. As in similar Ti alloys, the texture evolution during hot-processing depends on the complex interactions between the α and β phases and involves deformation, annealing and phase transformation. Although the effect of temperature and deformation has been studied for extruded tube in this alloy, there is no data for texture development during rolling. There is some rolling data for Ti-64 (Ti–6Al–4V), but it is usually for just one of the phases and for a limited set of temperatures. We carried out hot-rolling trials from 700 °C–900 °C to reductions of 50%, 75% and 87.5% and found that the texture in both phases strengthens sharply before the β-transus and when both phases are present in similar amounts. At this point, the texture in α is a strong 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si1.svg"〉〈mrow〉〈mn〉0002〈/mn〉〈mo〉|〈/mo〉〈mo〉|〈/mo〉〈mtext〉TD〈/mtext〉〈/mrow〉〈/math〉 and the texture in β a strong 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si2.svg"〉〈mrow〉〈mrow〉〈mo stretchy="true"〉{〈/mo〉〈mrow〉〈mn〉001〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈mo stretchy="true"〉}〈/mo〉〈/mrow〉〈mrow〉〈mo〉〈〈/mo〉〈mrow〉〈mn〉110〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈mo〉〉〈/mo〉〈/mrow〉〈/mrow〉〈/math〉 rotated cube component. The results suggest there might be a synergistic effect between the two components, which includes dynamic phase transformation. The texture evolution towards stable α 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si3.svg"〉〈mrow〉〈mrow〉〈mo stretchy="true"〉{〈/mo〉〈mrow〉〈mn〉11〈/mn〉〈mrow〉〈mover accent="true"〉〈mn〉2〈/mn〉〈mo〉¯〈/mo〉〈/mover〉〈/mrow〉〈mn〉0〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈mo stretchy="true"〉}〈/mo〉〈/mrow〉〈mrow〉〈mo〉〈〈/mo〉〈mrow〉〈mn〉10〈/mn〉〈mrow〉〈mover accent="true"〉〈mn〉1〈/mn〉〈mo〉¯〈/mo〉〈/mover〉〈/mrow〉〈mn〉0〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈mo〉〉〈/mo〉〈/mrow〉〈/mrow〉〈/math〉 or 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si4.svg"〉〈mrow〉〈mrow〉〈mo stretchy="true"〉{〈/mo〉〈mrow〉〈mn〉11〈/mn〉〈mrow〉〈mover accent="true"〉〈mn〉2〈/mn〉〈mo〉¯〈/mo〉〈/mover〉〈/mrow〉〈mn〉1〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈mo stretchy="true"〉}〈/mo〉〈/mrow〉〈mrow〉〈mo〉〈〈/mo〉〈mrow〉〈mn〉10〈/mn〉〈mrow〉〈mover accent="true"〉〈mn〉1〈/mn〉〈mo〉¯〈/mo〉〈/mover〉〈/mrow〉〈mn〉0〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈mo〉〉〈/mo〉〈/mrow〉〈/mrow〉〈/math〉 crystallographic components and their final intensity depend on the starting texture. Texture was measured using electron-backscatter diffraction (EBSD) over large areas, with a β reconstruction software used to determine the high temperature β orientations. The texture development in Zr-2.5Nb appears similar to that reported for rolled Ti-64 at temperatures with equivalent phase fractions, although it is difficult to compare the two because of the lack of a titanium dataset as detailed as the one presented here.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0925838819324351-fx1.jpg" width="248" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 804〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): E.M.M. Ibrahim, M.A.A. Mohamed, H.M. Ali, Vyacheslav O. Khavrus, Silke Hampel, M.M. Wakkad〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Hydrothermal synthesis as a commonly bottom-up growth method has considerable advantages for manufacturing thermoelectric nanomaterials with advanced thermoelectric properties. However, the hydrothermally synthesized thermoelectric nanostructures often show a low thermoelectric performance due to their low power factor. In this work, we report on using a hydrothermal method for the growth of n-type Bi〈sub〉2-x〈/sub〉Sb〈sub〉x〈/sub〉Se〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 nanoflakes with a fixed thickness of ∼16 quintuple-layers. The controlling of the stoichiometric composition, phase purity and crystallinity of the Bi〈sub〉2-x〈/sub〉Sb〈sub〉x〈/sub〉Se〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 nanoflakes are demonstrated by the X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. We further prove that adding of antimony into Bi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Se〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 compound mostly influences the in-plane vibration mode. The optical energy gap is sharply increased as the Sb content increases. The effect of the antimony incorporation on the electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient and power factor of Bi〈sub〉2-x〈/sub〉Sb〈sub〉x〈/sub〉Se〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 nanoflakes is systematically investigated. The Bi〈sub〉1.92〈/sub〉Sb〈sub〉0.08〈/sub〉Se〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 sample is found to have the highest power factor ∼13.17 μW/cm.K〈sup〉2〈/sup〉 at 470 K which is much higher than those published for other various nanostructured or bulk Bi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Se〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 compounds. The results propose a great prospect for further enhancing the thermoelectric power factor of the Bi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Se〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 nanostructures synthesized by this hydrothermal method. Taking into consideration the progress in Bi–Se compounds, the results of this work advocate the promise of Bi–Se nanostructures towards producing high performance thermoelectric devices.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 804〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Javed Rehman, Roshan Ali, Nisar Ahmad, Xiaodong Lv, Chunlei Guo〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉It poses a great challenge to design anode materials with large capacity, excellent cyclic stability and high rate performance. In this paper, through first principle calculations, we computed electronic properties of monolayer WSe〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 with and without strain effects. Our results show that the electronic band gap decreases with strain percent. At 0% tensile strain the value of the band gap is 1.4 eV while at 10% tensile strain the band gap decreases to 0.7 eV. Therefore, the strain effect enhances the electronic conductivity and leads to an increase in the charge carrier transport. In addition, our predictions show that the adsorption energy increases with the strain. Finally, we computed the diffusion barrier for the migration of Li on the surface of a strain engineered WSe〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 monolayer. The lower barrier energy (0.24 eV) reveals that Li can easily overcome this barrier. Our results show that the strain-engineered WSe〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 monolayers are promising anode material for Li-ion battery.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 805〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Seyedeh Marjan Bararpour, Hamed Jamshidi Aval, Roohollah Jamaati〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉AA5083 and AA5052 alloys were utilized as consumable rod and substrate, respectively, in Friction Surfacing (FS) process and a three-dimensional finite element software known as ABAQUS was employed to anticipate the materials thermo-mechanical behavior over this procedure. At that point, in order to investigate the mechanical and microstructures characteristics of the coated samples, the experimental observations and model predictions have been implemented. The results clarified that the strain rate and temperature values are not high at the interface of the substrate and coating layer, also, we observed their maximum values in a layer nearby the upper surface of the coating in the advancing side (AS). Regardless of the irregular strain rate and temperature profiles, there are no important differences in the microstructure of the materials detected in the center of the cross-sections in the direction of advancing and retreating sides (RS). It should be noted that the grain structure is not influenced by the strain energy effect which is kept in the coating layer all through the FS procedure. Moreover, we can consider the grain structure recrystallization as a contributing factor in improving the material strength of the coating which is anticipated to be proportional to the grain size in reverse.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 804〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Aref Alqahtani, Shahid Husain, Anand Somvanshi, Wasi Khan〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Perovskite-type GdCr〈sub〉1-〈em〉x〈/em〉〈/sub〉Mn〈sub〉〈em〉x〈/em〉〈/sub〉O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 (0.0 ≤ 〈em〉x〈/em〉 ≤ 0.4) nano-crystalline samples are synthesized using sol-gel auto combustion process. The effect of Mn-doping in GdCrO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉is investigated in term of structural, morphological, optical and thermal properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirm orthorhombic crystal structure of all the samples. The lattice parameters bond lengths and bond angles as obtained from Rietveld refinement analysis are found to vary systematically with Mn concentration. The crystallite sizes as calculated from the Scherrer's equation are found to decrease with Mn content. The Williamson-Hall (W–H) analysis reveals that the crystallite sizes decrease whereas lattice strain, stress, and energy density become more with the increase in Mn doping except for 〈em〉x〈/em〉 = 0.3.The particle size estimated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are consistent with that obtained through W–H analysis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images with energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis exhibit significant change in the surface morphology with Mn doping and ensure the elemental compositions of the samples. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of these samples confirm the formation of desired crystal structure with two main characteristic bands at 476 and 586 cm〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉. The optical band gap is found to reduce whereas Urbach energy increases with the increase in Mn concentration. The values of refractive index decrease in the ultraviolet region as a function of wavelength for all the samples and minimizes at the main absorption peak position as observed in the UV/Vis. spectra. The value of heat capacity at constant pressure (〈em〉C〈/em〉〈sub〉〈em〉p〈/em〉〈/sub〉) decreases with Mn doping except for 30% Mn concentration. Therefore, the present investigation suggests that the properties of GdCrO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 system can be tuned with the appropriate doping of Mn for the potential applications.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 805〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Xinghua Zhu, Qingshuang Xie, Haibo Tian, Ming Zhang, Zongyan Gou, Shuai He, Peng Gu, Haihua Wu, Jitao Li, Dingyu Yang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Usually, ZnO thin films used in ultraviolet photodetector exhibit good photoresponse property when ultraviolet signal is strong enough. However, due to the high dark current, pure ZnO is insusceptible to weak ultraviolet signal. To address this problem, lithium-doped ZnO (LZO) thin films were prepared using the sol-gel method in this study. Results revealed that the LZO thin film doped with low concentration (2 at.%) had a dark current about 10 times lower than the pure ZnO. In addition, the ultraviolet with a low irradiance of 90 μW/cm〈sup〉2〈/sup〉 was used. According to the results of the investigations on the external quantum efficiency and responsivity, the inherent photocurrent generation ability of ZnO was not deteriorated through low concentration lithium doping. LZO thin film doped with 2 at.% exhibited a high sensitivity to weak ultraviolet signal --- the signal-to-noise ratio was enhanced by approximately 10 times compared with that of pure ZnO. This study indicates that LZO thin films with low doping concentration are promising application on weak ultraviolet signal photodetector.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 805〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Jian Lan, Weidong Xuan, Yu Han, Yongshun Li, Huaizhou Wu, Wei Shao, Chuanjun Li, Jiang Wang, Zhongming Ren〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The effect of hot isostatic pressing on the tensile property of single crystal superalloys at elevated temperature is studied experimentally. The results show that the high temperature elongation of nickel based single crystal superalloys is obviously enhanced by hot isostatic pressing, while the yield strength is unchanged. Besides, it is found that the hot isostatic pressing causes the change of fracture surface. The enhancement of elongation and the change of fracture behavior are discussed.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 805〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Z.M. Li, X.N. Li, C.Y. Wang, Y.H. Zheng, Q.X. Yu, X.T. Cheng, N.J. Li, L.X. Bi, Q. Wang, C. Dong〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The heat resistance of copper alloys is desirable to improve while it services at high temperature as electrically and thermally conductive components. In present paper, the strengthening pattern of nickel-based superalloys is expected to be applied in copper alloys. Here the Cu〈sub〉50〈/sub〉Ni〈sub〉37.5〈/sub〉〈em〉M〈/em〉〈sub〉12.5〈/sub〉 (〈em〉M〈/em〉 = Al, Cr, Mo) alloys were prepared by vacuum arc melting and heat-treated in the corresponding conditions to obtain three different kinds of typical microstructure. The room temperature (RT) properties (hardness and resistivity) and high temperature properties (melting point, softening temperature and variable temperature resistivity) of the three alloys are contrasted and analyzed in detail. The Cu〈sub〉50〈/sub〉Ni〈sub〉37.5〈/sub〉Al〈sub〉12.5〈/sub〉 alloy strengthened through the γ′ phase coherent precipitation shows the best conductivity and highest hardness (5.47 %IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard) and 310.1 HV). The splitting of the γ′ phase is contributing to hardening at high aging temperature. The resistivity-temperature behavior of the three alloys shows that the resistivity with rising temperature consists of the ideal lattice resistivity and the resistivity increment due to the defects. The Cu〈sub〉50〈/sub〉Ni〈sub〉37.5〈/sub〉Al〈sub〉12.5〈/sub〉 alloy has the smallest room temperature resistivity and its resistivity maintains the lowest during the whole heating process (RT-1077K). Therefore, the coherent precipitated γ′ phase is expected to improve the heat resistance of the copper alloys while maintaining its electrical conductivity.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0925838819325708-fx1.jpg" width="282" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 805〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Cui-Ning Feng, Xiao-Ye Zhan, Pan Li, Xiao-Feng Guo, Dan Li, Xiu-Cheng Zheng, Guang-Ping Zheng〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Glucose-derived porous activated carbon materials (AGC-600-4 and AGC-180-〈em〉x〈/em〉) are prepared using ZnCl〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 as the etching agent via impregnation treatment and hydrothermal method followed by the calcination process. The analytic results indicate that the obtained materials exhibit higher specific surface area and superior double-layer capacitive behavior than the corresponding pristine carbon (GC-600 and GC-180) when used as electrode materials for supercapacitors. Moreover, compared with the AGC-600-4 nanosheets, the optimal AGC-180-4 microspheres have a high specific surface area of 1713 m〈sup〉2〈/sup〉 g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 and a maximum specific capacitance of 235.9 F g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at a current density of 1.0 A g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 in the three-electrode system. Meanwhile, AGC-180-4 also exhibits better capacitive properties than AGC-600-4 in the two-electrode system, showing an excellent cyclic stability with a high energy density of 24.63 Wh kg〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at the power density of 949.5 W kg〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉. It is thus demonstrated that AGC-180-4 could be ideal electrode materials for supercapacitor due to its unique etched spherical structure and excellent electrochemical properties.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0925838819325903-fx1.jpg" width="500" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 805〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Ilham Bezza, Erwann Luais, Fouad Ghamouss, Mustapha Zaghrioui, François Tran-van, Joe Sakai〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉An 〈em〉in-situ〈/em〉 temperature-controlled Raman spectroscopy aided unique electrode fabrication technique has been developed for Li-ion battery applications, ensuring superior electrochemical quality of the multi-porous LiCoO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 films with higher stoichiometric purity of high temperature (HT)-LiCoO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 phase, by observing the structural changes during the fabrication process and thus confirming the transformation from the low temperature (LT)-LiCoO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 phase. This much desired simple process is not only free of any sort of binders or carbon additives but also works at atmospheric pressure, leading to a very simple deposition technique using a homemade and inexpensive set-up. Also, the time of depositions were varied and resultant films we investigated for their electrochemical performance. The high-resolution scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation has revealed not only a μm-size porous structure but also three-dimensional cross-link with 10 nm-level pores of the material, which ensured the much-desired porosity for high-performance cathodes.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 805〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): S.C. Ram, K. Chattopadhyay, I. Chakrabarty〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Functionally graded in-situ A356-Mg〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Si composites by centrifugal casting method have been studied with varying percentage of extra Mg additions during synthesis. The coarse primary Mg〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Si particles and the Si morphology in eutectic do not yield appreciable mechanical properties. Solution treatment and artificial ageing (T6) are effective means to improve mechanical properties by refining the as-cast structure with additional formation of very fine precipitates during ageing. The microstructural evolution has been assessed by optical, scanning and transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. Ageing curves are plotted with hardness versus ageing time. High temperature tensile properties are evaluated at room temperature, 150 °C and 300 °C at different layers of the graded composites and are compared between as-cast and T6 conditions. The tensile fracture mechanisms are explained from fractographs. A remarkable improvement in high temperature tensile strength at 150 °C with adequate ductility is observed in T6 condition with respect to as-cast condition.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0925838819325721-fx1.jpg" width="264" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 805〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Taiqian Mo, Zejun Chen, Boxin Li, Hongtao Huang, Weijun He, Qing Liu〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The impact of strain path on microstructure and mechanical properties in AA1100/AA7075 laminated metal composite was investigated in present work. The results indicate that the plastic instabilities occurred in the hard layer can be inhibited effectively and the mechanical properties of the composite were improved obviously after the cross rolling (CR) process. The formation of continuous and straight interface was attributed to the difference in flow properties between the constituent layers was decreased after CR process. It is found that the strain path change during CR results in the typical rolling texture is shifted from the ideal Brass (110)〈112〉 along the 〈em〉α〈/em〉-fiber to the near ND-rotated Brass (011)〈755〉 component, promoting a better mechanical isotropy of the AA1100/AA7075 laminated metal composite. In addition, the Al/Al alloy laminated metal composite with continuous layer structure exhibits better load-bearing capacity in hard layers than the wave layer structure during deformation, which is a main reason for increasing of the strength.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 804〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): N. Patra, C.L. Prajapat, P.D. Babu, S. Rai, S. Kumar, S.N. Jha, D. Bhattacharyya〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Heusler alloy of Co〈sub〉2〈/sub〉FeSi (CFS) is a promising candidate for spintronics applications due to its high magnetic moment and high spin polarization. In this report two series of CFS thin films of approximate thickness of 1000 Å were prepared using Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) technique by two separate routes, viz., (i) by depositing at elevated substrate temperature and (ii) by depositing at room temperature followed by post-deposition annealing under vacuum. The effects of these two thermal growth processes on the structural and magnetic properties of the films have been studied in detail here. X-ray diffraction study suggests that similar to the bulk target cubic Heusler phase is maintained in the thin films prepared by both the processes, however, X-ray reflectivity study shows that the films deposited at elevated substrate temperatures have higher density and surface roughness than the other set. Co/Fe atomic ratio in the films was found to remain near stoichiometry up to high temperature in both the series of samples though atomic percentage of Si is found to be higher in the samples. Synchrotron based Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements indicate higher 〈em〉3d-3p〈/em〉 (Co-Si) hybridization for the series of samples prepared at elevated temperature while stronger 3〈em〉d-3d〈/em〉 (Co-Fe) hybridization for the samples prepared with post deposition annealing. EXAFS study also indicated presence of Co/Fe type antisite disorder which increases with increase in the substrate temperature. Finally from detail magnetic measurements it was observed that the films prepared by post-deposition annealing process have lesser crystallinity, magnetic ordering and magneto crystalline anisotropy in comparison to the films grown with elevated substrate heating.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 805〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Hao Guo, Taotao Sun, Liguo Yue, Ning Wu, Qi Li, Wenqing Yao, Wenhu Yang, Wu Yang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉As a kind of energy storage device, supercapacitors have attracted the attention of researchers, and the development of high-performance electrode materials is also the focus of attention. In this paper, template synthesis and pyrolysis were combined to prepare high performance porous carbon electrode materials. The carbonized electrode material effectively increased the capacitance storage capacity and charge transfer rate. The results revealed that the derivative had a relatively low charge-transfer resistance and high specific capacitance of 1059 F·g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at a current density of 1.0 A·g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 in a three-electrode system. To further exploring practical application, a device based on the derivative and hemp-activated carbon asymmetric supercapacitor was assembled in 0.1 M Na〈sub〉2〈/sub〉SO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 neutral electrolyte, which exhibited an energy density of 20.35 Wh·kg〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at a power density of 400 W·kg〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉. Interestingly, it showed capability retention of nearly of 91.7% and columbic efficiency of 100% even after 10000 charging/discharging cycles in the neutral electrolyte.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0925838819325691-fx1.jpg" width="365" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Biomaterials, Volume 217〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Jun Yang, Shaodong Zhai, Huan Qin, He Yan, Da Xing, Xianglong Hu〈/p〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Materials Letters, Volume 253〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Yuhua Chen, Huaibo Deng, Hao Liu, Timing Zhang, Shuhan Li, Shanlin Wang, Chao Chen〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉This study used an unconventional friction melt-bonded spot welding (FMSW) to improve the mechanical performance of dissimilar Ti/Al joints. The temperature, microstructure, and mechanical properties were investigated. Results showed that FMSW was a suitable method to form nanoscale Al〈sub〉3〈/sub〉Ti at Ti/Al interface. The maximum tensile shear load of joints reached 18.2 kN.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Materials Letters, Volume 253〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Ting Zhang, Qing Fan, Xiaoli Ma, Wen Wang, Kuaishe Wang, Pingquan Shen, Junlin Yang, Liqiang Wang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The strengthening effect of laser remelting on Ti-35Nb-2Ta-3Zr alloy was studied in this study. The surface of the material changed from an equiaxed crystal to a needle-like structure after laser remelting. Dislocations and ω phases were observed during the process, and the orientation relationship between ω phase and β matrix was identified as [11 0]β//〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si1.svg"〉〈mrow〉〈mo stretchy="false"〉[〈/mo〉〈mn〉11〈/mn〉〈mover〉〈mn〉2〈/mn〉〈mo〉-〈/mo〉〈/mover〉〈mn〉0〈/mn〉〈mo stretchy="false"〉]〈/mo〉〈mi mathvariant="normal"〉ω〈/mi〉〈/mrow〉〈/math〉. The microhardness of the laser-remelted alloy increased significantly.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 30 September 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 803〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Nejeh Hamdaoui, Yashar Azizian-Kalandaragh, Mouadh Khlifi, Lotfi Beji〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The effect of Cd-doping on physical properties of Ni〈sub〉0.6-〈em〉x〈/em〉〈/sub〉Cd〈sub〉〈em〉x〈/em〉〈/sub〉Mg〈sub〉0.4〈/sub〉Fe〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 spinel ferrite has been investigated. Scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM) confirms the formation of grain and grain boundaries in these samples and the presence of all chemical elements introduced was confirmed by EDS. The X-ray analyses indicate that all the compounds have the cubic structure with 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si1.svg"〉〈mrow〉〈mi〉F〈/mi〉〈mi〉d〈/mi〉〈mrow〉〈mover accent="true"〉〈mrow〉〈mn〉3〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈mo stretchy="true"〉¯〈/mo〉〈/mover〉〈/mrow〉〈mi〉m〈/mi〉〈/mrow〉〈/math〉 space group, cell parameter increase which Cd content. A ferromagnetic state at room temperature for all compounds is detected by a magnetization measurement of hysteresis loops. We note that the saturation magnetization increases with Cd content, however, the remnant magnetization, and the corrective field decreases. DC electrical conductivity analysis shows a semiconductor behavior for all sample. In addition, non-overlapping small polaron tunneling (NSPT) and the overlapping large polaron tunneling (OLPT) are the dominants conductions mechanisms in our samples.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 30 September 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 803〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Beiyue Ma, Chang Su, Xinming Ren, Zhi Gao, Fan Qian, Wengang Yang, Guoqi Liu, Hongxia Li, Jingkun Yu, Qiang Zhu〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Fly ash is a typical industrial solid waste that seriously affects human health and ecological balance. In order to recycle the fly ash, in this work, porous mullite ceramics were successfully fabricated with fly ash and bauxite via reaction synthesis process. Effects of firing temperature (1450–1550 °C), silicon carbide addition amount (0–15 wt%), and potash feldspar addition amount (0–16 wt%) on the mullite porous ceramics were systematically investigated. It was found that increasing the silicon carbide addition amount or raising firing temperature was favourable for improving the cold compressive strength and thermal shock resistance of the porous ceramics. Consequently, the porous ceramics with 10 wt% silicon carbide, 4–12 wt% potash feldspar had optimal overall performances. The closed porosity and cold compressive strength ranges were 14.79%–18.57% and 217.18–236.67 MPa, respectively. The thermal cycles were 7–9 times, and the thermal conductivity was reached to 2.19–2.52 W m〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 K〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at 800 °C. This work provides a convenient and promising method for the utilization of fly ash.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S092583881932362X-fx1.jpg" width="496" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 30 September 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 803〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Daria N. Vtyurina, Irina A. Kaurova, Galina M. Kuz'micheva, Victor B. Rybakov, Dmitry Yu. Chernyshov, Evgeny V. Khramov, Sergey V. Firstov, Vladimir N. Korchak〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Promising luminescent CsCd〈em〉X〈/em〉〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 (〈em〉X〈/em〉 = Cl, Br) single crystals, both nominally-pure and doped with bismuth, have been studied comprehensively by X-ray diffraction, X-ray synchrotron radiation, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Crystal structure refinement shows vacancies in the Cs crystallographic site and partial substitution of Cd〈sup〉2+〈/sup〉 ions by Bi〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 ones in both CsCdCl〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 and CsCdBr〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 (point defects Bi〈sub〉Cd〈/sub〉〈sup〉•〈/sup〉), which is consistent with the results of X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The assumed presence of Bi〈sup〉1+〈/sup〉 ions in the Cs〈sup〉1+〈/sup〉 sites of doped CsCd〈em〉X〈/em〉〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 (〈em〉X〈/em〉 = Cl, Br) crystals is not confirmed. In the photoluminescence spectra of Bi-doped CsCdCl〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 and CsCdBr〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 crystals, a single band in the near-IR spectral range with a maximum around 1000 nm is caused by point defects Bi〈sub〉Cd〈/sub〉〈sup〉•〈/sup〉. Photoluminescence spectra and decay kinetics of Bi-doped CsCd〈em〉X〈/em〉〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 (〈em〉X〈/em〉 = Cl, Br) indicate their promising use as luminescent materials.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 30 September 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 803〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Sung-Hsiu Huang, Cheng-Yi Tong, Tsung-Eong Hsieh, Jyh-Wei Lee〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉For the development of advanced nanoscale multilayer protective coatings, proper design of microstructure and chemical composition of carbon containing sequential transition metal nitride nanolayers is an important issue. In this work, five different nanostructured CrCN/ZrCN multilayer coatings were deposited periodically by cathodic arc evaporation. The bilayer period of the CrCN/ZrCN multilayer coatings was kept at 20 nm. The C〈sub〉2〈/sub〉H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 gas flow ratio was adjusted from 6.3 to 20.0% for achieving CrCN/ZrCN multilayer coatings with 2.3–4.2 at.% carbon content. Nanolaminated CrCN and ZrCN nitride layers and thin amorphous carbon nitride mixed nanolayers ∼5 nm thick were obtained as the carbon content reached 4.2 at.%. It was found that the hardness and adhesion quality were strongly improved by the carbon addition to the CrCN/ZrCN multilayer coatings. An increase of 2.6–4.6 GPa in hardness was found for the CrCN/ZrCN multilayer coatings due to the balance of solution hardening effect of carbon atoms and the softening by the amorphous mixed nanolayer. An optimal combination of high hardness, 28.9 GPa, and good adhesion, 41 N of upper critical load were achieved when the carbon content was 4.2 at.% for the CrCN/ZrCN multilayer coatings.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 30 September 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 803〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Hanfei Zhu, Yuyao Zhao, Yingying Wang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Epitaxial BiFeO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 thin films with (100), (110) and (111) orientations were grown on the SrRuO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉-buffered SrTiO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 substrates by using an off-axis magnetron sputtering. Unlike the BiFeO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉(110) and BiFeO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉(111) thin films that exhibited a single rhombohedral phase structure, a dominant rhombohedral phase accompanying with a small amount of tetragonal phase was identified in the BiFeO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉(100) thin film. In particular, the leakage currents and ferroelectric polarizations of sputtered BiFeO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 thin films were focused on and these films showed utterly different current density-electric field (〈em〉J〈/em〉-〈em〉E〈/em〉) behaviors whether in the positive or negative electric field. Among the three films, the ferroelectric polarization of the BiFeO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉(100) thin film presented a good frequency stability and had the maximum remnant polarization of 〈em〉P〈/em〉〈sub〉r〈/sub〉 ∼ 78 μC/cm〈sup〉2〈/sup〉 @ 10 kHz, which could be further demonstrated by pulsed polarizations of films. The distinct differences in electrical properties of orientation-engineered BiFeO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 thin films in present case can be attributed to their different crystallographic orientations and microstructures.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0925838819324405-fx1.jpg" width="329" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 30 September 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 803〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Lihong Wang, Hongtao Guan, Jianqiao Hu, Qiang Huang, Chengjun Dong, Wei Qian, Yude Wang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Porous jute biomass carbon (PJBC) composited by Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 nanoparticles were successfully prepared by a chemical coprecipitation method at a low temperature of 60 °C, which is very simple to prepare a high degree of purity of Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 nanoparticles. The structure, morphology, and microwave absorption performances of the Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉/PJBC composites were investigated in detail. Due to the porous structure and large interfaces between Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 and PJBC, the Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉/PJBC composites show excellent microwave absorption performances. The minimum reflection loss (RL) value of −39.5 dB is obtained for the Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉/PJBC composites at the frequency of 6.4 GHz. When the thickness is only 1.6 mm, an effective absorption bandwidth (RL ≤ −10 dB) for 5 GHz is achieved from 13.8 to 17.8 GHz. The excellent microwave absorption performances for the Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉/PJBC composites are rooted in enhanced impedance matching, large interfaces, ionic polarization, eddy loss, natural resonance, and multiple reflection and scattering. Consequently, considering market applications and the cost, the Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉/PJBC composite in this work can be a promising candidate for microwave absorber.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉/PJBC composites prepared by a chemical coprecipitation method at a low temperature of 60 °C exhibit the microwave absorbing performance.〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S092583881932448X-fx1.jpg" width="476" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 30 September 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 803〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): N.E. Dubinin〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The concentration dependencies of the self-diffusion coefficients in liquid Na–K and K–Cs alloys at 〈em〉T〈/em〉 = 373 K are calculated in the framework of the linear trajectory approximation in conjunction with the square-well (SW) model treated by the mean spherical approximation in the semi-analytical representation. It is shown that this approach allows to achieve a good description of diffusion properties for liquid binary metal alloys at the same values of the SW parameters that lead to a good description of the structure and entropy for alloys under consideration.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 30 September 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 803〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Xiang Wu, Richu Wang, Chaoqun Peng, Yan Feng, Zhiyong Cai〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Gas atomized Cu-3Ag-0.5Zr and Cu-3Ag-0.5Zr-0.4Cr-0.35Nb (wt.%) powders were compacted by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) and followed by forging. The microstructures and tensile properties at room and elevated temperatures (400 °C, 450 °C and 500 °C) were investigated. The continuous Ag precipitates (5–25 nm) and Cu〈sub〉4〈/sub〉AgZr (200–500 nm) particles are the main strengthening phases in the Cu-3Ag-0.5Zr alloy. The yield strength and ultimate tensile strength at room temperature are enhanced by 104 MPa and 83 MPa, respectively, due to the introduction of Cr〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Nb (50–80 nm) particles. Besides, the strength at elevated temperatures is also improved. For both the alloys, the discontinuous Ag precipitates near the grain boundaries result in a weak grain boundary cohesion when tested at 450 °C, leading to the lowest elongation. The Cr〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Nb and Cu〈sub〉4〈/sub〉AgZr particles are extremely stable when tested at 500 °C, which benefits to the performance enhancements at elevated temperatures.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 30 September 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 803〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Wenjing Zhang, Huihong Liu, Hua Ding, Hidetoshi Fujii〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The rolled Ti–15V–3Cr–3Sn–3Al (Ti-15-3) alloy (metastable 〈em〉β〈/em〉 titanium alloy) sheet with an average grain size of 44.0 μm was subjected to friction stir processing (FSP) at a tool rotation speed of 250 rpm and a tool traverse speed of 100 mm/min (250–100). Thereafter, a fine-grained (∼6.6 μm) and relatively equiaxed microstructure with a high angle grain boundary (HAGB) ratio of 74.5% was observed in the stir zone (SZ). Superplastic tensile tests were then conducted on this microstructure at the temperatures ranging from 600 °C to 800 °C and strain rates range of 1 × 10〈sup〉−4〈/sup〉-1 × 10〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉 s〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉, and an excellent low-temperature superplasticity (LTSP) with the elongation of 463% was obtained at 650 °C and 1 × 10〈sup〉−4〈/sup〉 s〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉. In addition, the microstructure in the gauge section of the tensile specimens interrupted at different engineering strains of 20%, 50%, 200%, and 463% (tensile fractured) at the optimal superplastic tensile condition of 650 °C and 1 × 10〈sup〉−4〈/sup〉 s〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 was studied. It was found that the precipitated 〈em〉α〈/em〉 phase increased with the increasing strain, which contributed to the achievement of an enhanced LTSP by inhibiting the grain growth. Moreover, the α grains with a finer grain size of 4.4 μm was observed in the gauge section of the tensile fractured specimen and this was attributed to the occurrence of continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX). Therefore, the superplastic deformation mechanism of the Ti-15-3 alloy is recognized as grain boundaries sliding (GBS) accompanied with dislocation movement and CDRX at 650 °C and 1 × 10〈sup〉−4〈/sup〉 s〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 30 September 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 803〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): G.E. Nikiforova, O.N. Kondrat'eva, A.V. Tyurin, M.A. Ryumin, V.N. Guskov, K.S. Gavrichev〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Lutetium orthotantalate with 〈em〉M′〈/em〉-fergusonite type structure was synthesized using a reverse coprecipitation method. Phase and chemical composition, as well as microstructure of the synthesized sample, were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), μ-X-ray fluorescence and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopies, and scanning electron microscopy. Heat capacity of 〈em〉M′〈/em〉-LuTaO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 was first studied by adiabatic and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in the temperature range from 10 to 1300 K. Using a temperature dependence of heat capacity, the standard thermodynamic functions (entropy 〈em〉S〈/em〉〈sub〉m〈/sub〉〈sup〉o〈/sup〉(〈em〉T〈/em〉), enthalpy change 〈em〉H〈/em〉〈sub〉m〈/sub〉〈sup〉o〈/sup〉(〈em〉T〈/em〉)〈em〉–H〈/em〉〈sub〉m〈/sub〉〈sup〉o〈/sup〉(0) and derived Gibbs energy 〈em〉Ф〈/em〉〈sub〉m〈/sub〉〈sup〉o〈/sup〉(〈em〉T〈/em〉)) were calculated in the range of 〈em〉T〈/em〉→0–1300 K. The standard molar entropy of 〈em〉M′〈/em〉-LuTaO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 at 298.15 K is 123.12 ± 0.50 J K〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 mol〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉. A comparison of the experimental heat capacity values, obtained by DSC, with those calculated using the empirical Neumann-Kopp rule showed a reasonable agreement between the two sets of data only up to ≈1000 K. The high-temperature evolution of the lattice parameters for 〈em〉M′〈/em〉-LuTaO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 was studied by high-temperature XRD (HTXRD). According to the high-temperature heat capacity study and the HTXRD measurements, there were no phase transformations up to 1300 K. Based on the HTXRD data, the linear and volume thermal expansion coefficients were obtained for the first time.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 30 September 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 803〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): V.I. Voronkova, E.P. Kharitonova, E.I. Orlova, N.I. Sorokina, T.A. Sorokin, A.M. Antipin, E.D. Baldin, V.V. Grebenev〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Undoped and Mg-doped Nd〈sub〉2〈/sub〉MoO〈sub〉6〈/sub〉 oxymolybdate single crystals and polycrystalline samples have been prepared by flux growth and solid-state reactions. The materials have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, EDS microanalysis, X-ray structure analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, and impedance spectroscopy. The (MgO)〈sub〉〈em〉x〈/em〉〈/sub〉(Nd〈sub〉2〈/sub〉MoO〈sub〉6〈/sub〉)〈sub〉(1–〈em〉x〈/em〉)/2〈/sub〉 solid solution series has been shown to extend to 〈em〉x〈/em〉 = 0.20. Doping of Nd〈sub〉2〈/sub〉MoO〈sub〉6〈/sub〉 single crystals with Mg leads to splitting of the Mo, Nd1, and O2 sites. A structural model in which the Mg atoms partially substitute for Mo atoms and reside near the Mo site, 0.28 Å from it, ensures the best agreement with the observed diffraction pattern. The conductivity of the undoped and doped polycrystalline samples approaches 10〈sup〉−4〈/sup〉 S/cm at 800 °C and is assumed to have an anionic nature.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0925838819324764-fx1.jpg" width="500" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 30 September 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 803〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Chaocheng Liu, Xucai Kan, Xiansong Liu, Shuangjiu Feng, Jiyu Hu, Wei Wang, Khalid Mehmood Ur Rehman, Mudssir Shezad〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Conventional permanent hexagonal ferrites may prohibit the soft magnetic properties through the effort of doping behavior. A typical case of this magnetic conversion is Co–Ti doped M-type strontium hexaferrites. On the basis of this system, we developed a novel foundation of La doped CoTi-strontium hexaferrites in present work and a promising result were obtained. Polycrystalline Sr〈sub〉1-〈em〉x〈/em〉〈/sub〉La〈sub〉〈em〉x〈/em〉〈/sub〉Fe〈sub〉10〈/sub〉CoTiO〈sub〉19〈/sub〉 (〈em〉x〈/em〉 = 0.00–0.10) hexaferrites present the admirable characteristics as general soft ferrites (high permeability 〈em〉μ〈/em〉, low core loss 〈em〉P〈/em〉〈sub〉cv〈/sub〉), and retain the properties of permanent ferrites simultaneously. This extraordinary performance exhibit more appropriate candidate for multilayer inductors contrast to normal soft magnetic materials. Meanwhile, we presented a series of measurement results to investigate the morphology and texture of the sample, which revealed the internal structural feature systematically.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Magnetoplumbite crystal structure and spin directions of 2〈em〉a〈/em〉 and 4〈em〉f〈/em〉〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 sites for M-type strontium hexaferrites.〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0925838819324235-fx1.jpg" width="278" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Biomaterials, Volume 217〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Xiao-Juan Wang, Gao-Feng Shu, Xiao-Ling Xu, Chen-Han Peng, Chen-Ying Lu, Xing-Yao Cheng, Xiang-Chao Luo, Jie Li, Jing Qi, Xu-Qi Kang, Fei-Yang Jin, Min-Jiang Chen, Xiao-Ying Ying, Jian You, Yong-Zhong Du, Jian-Song Ji〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to immediate disruption of neuronal membranes and loss of neurons, followed by extensive secondary injury process. Treatment of SCI still remains a tremendous challenge clinically. Minocycline could target comprehensive secondary injury via anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. Polyethylene glycol (PEG), a known sealing agent, is able to seal the damaged cell membranes and reduce calcium influx, thereby exerting neuroprotective capacity. Here, an E-selectin-targeting sialic acid - polyethylene glycol – poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (SAPP) copolymer was designed for delivering hydrophobic minocycline to achieve combinational therapy of SCI. The obtained SAPP copolymer could self-assemble into micelles with critical micelle concentration being of 13.40 μg/mL, and effectively encapsulate hydrophobic minocycline. The prepared drug-loaded micelles (SAPPM) displayed sustained drug release over 72 h, which could stop microglia activation and exhibited excellent neuroprotective capacity 〈em〉in vitro〈/em〉. The SAPP micelles were efficiently accumulated in the lesion site of SCI rats via the specific binding between sialic acid and E-selectin. Due to the targeting distribution and combinational effect between PEG and minocycline, SAPPM could obviously reduce the area of lesion cavity, and realize more survival of axons and myelin sheaths from the injury, thus distinctly improving hindlimb functional recovery of SCI rats and conferring superior therapeutic effect in coparison with other groups. Our work presented an effective and safe strategy for SCI targeting therapy. Besides, neuroprotective capacity of PEG deserves further investigation on other central nervous system diseases.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0142961219304259-fx1.jpg" width="312" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Biomaterials, Volume 217〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Dandan Zhang, Liewei Wen, Ru Huang, Huanhuan Wang, Xianglong Hu, Da Xing〈/p〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Biomaterials, Volume 218〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Shao-Kai Sun, Jian-Cheng Wu, Haoyu Wang, Li Zhou, Cai Zhang, Ran Cheng, Di Kan, Xuejun Zhang, Chunshui Yu〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Bioavailable persistent luminescence material is an ideal internal light source for long-term photodynamic therapy, but inevitably suffers from low utilization efficiency and weak persistent luminescence due to corrosion and screening processes. Herein, we show a facile and smart “turning solid into gel” strategy to fabricate persistent luminescence hydrogel for high-efficient persistent luminescence-sensitized photodynamic therapy. The homogeneous persistent luminescence hydrogel was synthesized via dispersing high-temperature calcined persistent luminescence material without corrosion and screening into a biocompatible alginate-Ca〈sup〉2+〈/sup〉 hydrogel. The simple synthesis strategy allows 100% of utilization efficiency and intact persistent luminescence of persistent luminescence material. The persistent luminescence hydrogel possesses favorable biocompatibility, bright persistent luminescence, red light renewability, good syringeability, and strong fixing ability in tumors. The persistent luminescence hydrogel can be easily injected in vivo as a powerful localized light source for superior persistent luminescence-sensitized photodynamic therapy of tumors. The “turning solid into gel” strategy enables taking full advantages of persistent luminescence for biological applications, and shows great potential in utilizing diverse theranostic agents regardless of hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Biomaterials, Volume 218〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Shijie Zhen, Xiaoqing Yi, Zujin Zhao, Xiaoding Lou, Fan Xia, Ben Zhong Tang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The combination of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and chemotherapy (CT) offers a promising approach for the tumor eradication for overcoming multidrug resistance (MDR), which is a major obstacle to effective cancer treatment. However, for PDT, simultaneously achieving near-infrared (NIR) emission and efficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation with low dark toxicity is urgently needed but remains challenging. Herein, a series of novel fluorophores with strong NIR emission, hybridized local and charge transfer characteristics, good two-photon absorption, high photostability, low dark cytotoxicity and excellent ROS generation ability are developed. By encapsulating the NIR fluorophore (DEB-BDTO) as a photosensitizer along with a drug resistance inhibitor tariquidar (TQR) within a polymeric prodrug (PMP), a reduction-sensitive drug co-delivery system (DEB/TQR@PMP micelles) is constructed. The DEB/TQR@PMP micelles exhibit a prominent synergistic lethal effect of PDT and CT on SKOV-3 cells and SKOV-3/MDR cells, and can apparently enhance the inhibition of tumor growth compared with sole PDT or CT in the tumor-bearing mouse model. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments prove that the new NIR fluorophores are excellent photosensitizers and can furnish an efficient combination therapy of image-guided PDT and CT within drug delivery micelles, which is particularly useful for eradicating multidrug resistance cancer.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0142961219304296-fx1.jpg" width="500" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Biomaterials, Volume 217〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Yanlin Feng, Yan Cheng, Yun Chang, Hui Jian, Runxiao Zheng, Xiaqing Wu, Keqiang Xu, Li Wang, Xiaomin Ma, Xi Li, Haiyuan Zhang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Photochemotherapy is currently an effective anticancer therapy. Recently, it has been reported that cancer cells pretreated with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor erlotinib (Erl) can significantly synergize its apoptosis against the DNA damaging agent doxorubicin (Dox). As a result, we designed two gold nanocages (Au NCs) microcontainers covered with different smart polymer shell-PAA (pH responsive) and 〈em〉p〈/em〉 (NIPAM-co-AM) (temperature responsive) containing Erl and Dox respectively. The acidic tumor microenvironment and NIR light irradiation can selectively activate the release of Erl and Dox. Time staggered release of Erl and Dox and photothermal therapy enhance the apoptotic signaling pathways, resulting in improved tumor cell killing in both MCF-7 (low EGFR expression) and A431 (very high EGFR expression) tumor cells, but more efficient in the latter. The photochemotherapy strategy controls the order and duration of drug exposure precisely in spatial and temporal, and significantly improves the therapeutic efficacy against high EGFR expressed tumors.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Biomaterials, Volume 217〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Alexander J. Engler, Micha Sam B. Raredon, Andrew V. Le, Yifan Yuan, Yan A. Oczkowicz, Ellen L. Kan, Pavlina Baevova, Laura E. Niklason〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Microvascular leak is a phenomenon witnessed in multiple disease states. In organ engineering, regaining a functional barrier is the most crucial step towards creating an implantable organ. All previous methods of measuring microvascular permeability were either invasive, lengthy, introduced exogenous macromolecules, or relied on extrapolations from cultured cells. We present here a system that enables real-time measurement of microvascular permeability in intact rat lungs. Our unique system design allows direct, non-invasive measurement of average alveolar and capillary pressures, tracks flow paths within the organ, and enables calculation of lumped internal resistances including microvascular barrier. We first describe the physiology of native and decellularized lungs and the inherent properties of the extracellular matrix as functions of perfusion rate. We next track changing internal resistances and flows in injured native rat lungs, resolving the onset of microvascular leak, quantifying changing vascular resistances, and identifying distinct phases of organ failure. Finally, we measure changes in permeability within engineered lungs seeded with microvascular endothelial cells, quantifying cellular effects on internal vascular and barrier resistances over time. This system marks considerable progress in bioreactor design for intact organs and may be used to monitor and garner physiological insights into native, decellularized, and engineered tissues.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 30 September 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 803〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Min-Su Lee, Yong-Taek Hyun, Tea-Sung Jun〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉We have performed macroscopic tensile and nanoindentation tests to investigate the effect of oxygen content on the global and local strain rate sensitivity of grades 1, 2 and 4 commercially pure titanium (CP–Ti). Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) was used to characterise the crystallographic texture of target samples and orientation of target grains. Slip activities were anticipated by Schmid factor analysis, indicating the relative incidence of 〈a〉 type prismatic and basal slips in the macroscopic region, and similarity of potential local deformation between comparative grain orientations. Further slip trace analysis around the residual impressions showed similar slip activity in equivalent orientations regardless of oxygen content. Global and local strain rate sensitivity were evaluated with respect to the influence of texture and grain orientations, respectively. Significant oxygen-dependent rate sensitivity is observed such that the rate sensitivity is inverse to the oxygen content and this effect is agreed on at both macro- and microscopic levels. These findings are potentially important for understanding the influence of oxygen content on the dwell fatigue of Ti alloys and correlating the intrinsic mechanism at the microscopic level to the macroscopic deformation behaviours.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0925838819324107-fx1.jpg" width="500" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 30 September 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 803〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Y. Al-Hadeethi, S.A. Tijani〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Nuclear medicine makes use of different gamma emitting radioactive sources which necessitates a reliable way of reducing unnecessary exposure of nuclear medicine personnel and the general public in the vicinity of these radioactive sources. Radiation shielding is one of the major ways through which the medical personnel and the public are protected from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. A material that combines transparency, non-toxicity and radiation shielding ability is of high interest presently in the medical environment. This work aims to determine the suitability of lead-free transparent 50BaO-(50-x)borosilicate-xBi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 glass system for radiation shielding purposes at diagnostic nuclear medicine energies and to compare its properties with that of transparent lead glass and ordinary concrete. The results of this work show that while all the glass samples show comparable shielding properties with the lead glass, glass sample G5 is the best lead glass substitute. All the studied glasses are lighter than lead glass and showed better shielding properties than ordinary concrete.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 30 September 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 803〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Liang Zheng, Wenjie Zhang, Qi Wang, Hong Zhang, Zhou Yu, Cuihua Cheng, Yong Zhang, Ming Lei, Yong Zhao〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉MgB〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 bulks with NaCl doping amount ranging from 0–30 at% have been prepared by hot pressed sintering process. With the increase of NaCl doping amount, the 〈em〉c〈/em〉 axis lattice parameter of MgB〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 monotonously increases, indicating the substitution of Mg atoms by larger Na atoms. Meanwhile, the intensity of diffraction peaks of both NaCl and impurity phase of MgO increases. More compact morphology was found in the NaCl doped MgB〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 samples. The critical transition temperature (〈em〉T〈/em〉〈sub〉c〈/sub〉) decreases from 38.2 K to 36.8 K with the increase of NaCl doping amount from 0 to 30 at%, and the corresponding transition width of 〈em〉T〈/em〉〈sub〉〈em〉c〈/em〉〈/sub〉 (Δ〈em〉T〈/em〉〈sub〉c〈/sub〉) increases from 0.5 K to 1.8 K. When the doping amount of NaCl is not exceeding 10 at%, the 〈em〉J〈/em〉〈sub〉c〈/sub〉 value is about 10〈sup〉6〈/sup〉 A/cm〈sup〉2〈/sup〉 at 4.2 K, 3 T, and 5 × 10〈sup〉5〈/sup〉 A/cm〈sup〉2〈/sup〉 at 10 K, 3T. 〈em〉J〈/em〉〈sub〉c〈/sub〉 performance of the 5 at% NaCl doped MgB〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 sample (NC05) reaches 6.8 × 10〈sup〉5〈/sup〉 A/cm〈sup〉2〈/sup〉 at 20 K, 2T, which improves approximately 20% compared to the pure one, attributing to the better grain connectivity of MgB〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 and enhancement of flux pinning force by NaCl doping.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 30 September 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 803〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Yu Wang, Chao Fang, Xiang Li, Zhou Peng Li, Bin Hong Liu〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉LaB〈sub〉6〈/sub〉 is a unique plasmonic material, for which the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorption band intrinsically lies in the near infrared (NIR) region. In this work, we synthesized spherical LaB〈sub〉6〈/sub〉 nanoparticles with a tunable size within 50–200 nm. The optical properties of these LaB〈sub〉6〈/sub〉 nanospheres were found to be sensitive to the thickness of surface oxide layer that was formed during the synthesis, purification and dispersion processes. In order to enhance the stability of LaB〈sub〉6〈/sub〉 nanoparticles in aqueous environment, LaB〈sub〉6〈/sub〉@SiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 with a core-shell structure was successfully prepared. Both LaB〈sub〉6〈/sub〉 and LaB〈sub〉6〈/sub〉@SiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 demonstrated low cytotoxity in biomedical tests when their concentrations were limited to 0.2 mg mL〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉. The in vitro photothermal therapy experiment showed that 4T1 cancer cells were eventually apoptotic after being exposed to a 980 nm laser for 5 min at a considerably low power density of 0.82 W cm〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉 and a low dose of 0.1 mg mL〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 for LaB〈sub〉6〈/sub〉@SiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉. The results suggest that these LaB〈sub〉6〈/sub〉 nanospheres are viable photothermal agents for biomedical applications.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: Available online 30 August 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Biomaterials〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Yan Zhang, Lu Zhang, Zhenzhen Wang, Faming Wang, Lihua Kang, Fangfang Cao, Kai Dong, Jinsong Ren, Xiaogang Qu〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and their derivatives represent an emerging class of crystalline porous materials with broad potential applications. However, the biomedical applications of them were limited by the large size, low dispersivity, poor bioavailability within cells and metabolic problems. Herein, renal-clearable ultrasmall COF nanodots have been synthesized and utilized as efficient cancer therapy agents. A simple liquid exfoliation strategy was used to prepare COF nanodots. After polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugation, the PEG coated COF nanodots (COF nanodots-PEG) showed improved physiological stability and biocompatibility. In addition, the well isolated porphyrin molecules endowed COF nanodots-PEG good light-triggered reactive oxygen species production ability, which showed excellent photodynamic therapy efficiency with good tumor accumulation ability. In particular, due to the ultrasmall size, COF nanodots-PEG could be cleared from the body through the renal filtration with no appreciable in vivo toxicity. Our study highlights the potential of COFs-based nanoparticles for biomedical applications.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Materials Letters, Volume 255〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Hang Yin, Dafeng Hu, Xuemin Geng, Hu Liu, Yanfen Wan, Zhanhu Guo, Peng Yang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉We demonstrate heterogeneous integration of 2D self-assembled films of Au nanoparticles (NPs) and 2D MoS〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 monolayer. The Au NPs film has a compact, long-range-ordered structure, with its particles exhibiting a narrow size distribution. In addition, large-area coverage was achieved between the two components. Photoluminescence (PL) quenching was observed after the attachment of Au NPs film onto MoS〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 monolayer, which was attributed to electron transfer and shielding of light by Au NPs film. This work broadens our understanding of PL properties in such 2D hybrids.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Materials Letters, Volume 255〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Haijuan Zhan, Na Zhang, Dan Wu, Zhiqiang Wu, Shuxian Bi, Baojun Ma, Wanyi Liu〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉β-SiC was synthesized with coal and sodium silicate as the raw materials via a novel microwave sintering method. The uniform heating and short production cycle makes the microwave sintering process more energy efficient. The structure and property of the prepared samples were characterized using XRD, FT-IR, XPS, TEM and HRTEM techniques. The size of nano-scaled β-SiC range from 70 to 300 nm in diameter and can be achieved 75.7% in the silicon carbide products under the condition of 1600 °C × 60 min with microwave controlling.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 30 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 811〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Miqi Wang, Zehua Zhou, Qijie Wang, Zehua Wang, Xin Zhang, Yuying Liu〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉FeCrMoCBY amorphous coating with a high volume fraction of amorphous phase (90%) was prepared on Q235 steel by atmospheric plasma spraying. Influence of passivation potential on the corrosion resistance of passive films on the coating surface was estimated by electrochemical measurements, capacitance analysis, AFM and XPS technique. The results revealed that increasing potential promoted the growth of a more compact and thicker film due to the formation of more bounded water and oxides. Reduction in hydroxides further decreased point defects density significantly in the passive layer when passivated at a higher potential. A low diffusivity (1.67 × 10〈sup〉−15〈/sup〉 cm〈sup〉2〈/sup〉 s〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉) corresponding to point defects could suppress both the growth and degradation processes of passive film in chloride containing electrolyte, and thus enhance the film resistance to local thinning.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Biomaterials, Volume 222〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Eun Young Jeon, Jungho Lee, Bum Ju Kim, Kye Il Joo, Ki Hean Kim, Geunbae Lim, Hyung Joon Cha〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Significant tissue damage, scarring, and an intense inflammatory response remain the greatest concerns for conventional wound closure options, including sutures and staples. In particular, wound closure in internal organs poses major clinical challenges due to air/fluid leakage, local ischemia, and subsequent impairment of healing. Herein, to overcome these limitations, inspired by endoparasites that swell their proboscis to anchor to host's intestines, we developed a hydrogel-forming double-layered adhesive microneedle (MN) patch consisting of a swellable mussel adhesive protein (MAP)-based shell and a non-swellable silk fibroin (SF)-based core. By possessing tissue insertion capability (7-times greater than the force for porcine skin penetration), MAP-derived surface adhesion, and selective swelling-mediated physical entanglement, our hydrogel-forming adhesive MN patch achieved 〈em〉ex vivo〈/em〉 superior wound sealing capacity against luminal leaks (139.7 ± 14.1 mmHg), which was comparable to suture (151.0 ± 23.3 mmHg), as well as 〈em〉in vivo〈/em〉 excellent performance for wet and/or dynamic external and internal tissues. Collectively, our bioinspired adhesive MN patch can be successfully used in diverse practical applications ranging from vascular and gastrointestinal wound healing to transdermal delivery for pro-regenerative or anti-inflammatory agents to target tissues.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Materials Letters, Volume 254〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Tao Tao, Guangyao Li, Yanli He, Pengzheng Duan〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Carbon nanotubes/graphene/nickel (CNT-G-Ni) fluffy spheres were synthesized using renewable carbon sources. Carbon-encapsulated nickel nanoparticles (CENNs) were prepared by hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of potato starch and nickel nitrate, and then followed by catalytic graphitization at 900 °C. The prepared GENNs were cracked at 700 °C in biogas, during which graphene shells over GENNs were peeled off and formed graphene nanoplatelets, and simultaneously multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were formed over nickel particles and in-situ integrated into graphene nanoplatelets to obtain CNT-G-Ni fluffy spheres. The prepared 3D nanocomposite was investigated for the removal of organic solvent from water and its adsorption capacity above 110 g/g.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 25 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 810〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Ahmed Gamal El-Shamy〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Novel conductive PVA/CQDs nanocomposite films were synthesized through the casting technique for the electromagnetic (EM) wave protection at microwave band. The surface morphology, thermal and mechanical properties were briefly studied. The SEM micrograph showed an excellent distribution, dispersion and a high adhesion property of the CQDs in the PVA chains. Also, DSC analysis showed an increase in the〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si1.svg"〉〈mrow〉〈mtext〉glass〈/mtext〉〈mspace width="0.25em"〉〈/mspace〉〈mtext〉temperature〈/mtext〉〈mspace width="0.25em"〉〈/mspace〉〈mrow〉〈mo stretchy="true"〉(〈/mo〉〈msub〉〈mrow〉〈mi〉T〈/mi〉〈/mrow〉〈mrow〉〈mi〉g〈/mi〉〈mi〉l〈/mi〉〈mi〉a〈/mi〉〈mi〉s〈/mi〉〈mi〉s〈/mi〉〈/mrow〉〈/msub〉〈mo stretchy="true"〉)〈/mo〉〈/mrow〉〈/mrow〉〈/math〉 from 83.2 °C for fresh PVA to 95.4 °C for 8 wt% of CQD and the increase in melting temperature from 215 °C for fresh PVA to 227.7 °C for the same CQDs concentration. It was found that Young's modulus is directly proportional to CQD nano-particles concentration in the nano-composites from 0.14 GPa for fresh PVA to 4.48 GPa for 8 wt% of CQDs. It was found that the strength at break increases, but the elongation declines with the increase of CQDs nano-particles. The EM shielding effectiveness (SE) of (PVA/CQDs) nanocomposite is measured in the microwave frequency range, and it is found around 36.8 dB with the CQDs concentration (8 wt%). Finally, the PVA/CQDs nano-composite is of promising potential applications in electronics and microwave devices at an affordable cost.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0925838819331846-fx1.jpg" width="148" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Materials Letters, Volume 255〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Fuxiang Wei, Wei Liu, Xuping Zhang, Xin Liu, Yanwei Sui, Jiqiu Qi〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In this study, due to the large cavity structure of the metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), Au@ZIF-67 was synthesized by loading nanoscale Au nanoparticles (NPs) into Co based zeolite imidazole framework (ZIF-67). Subsequently, Au@ZIF-67 was calcined to produce Au NPs loading Co〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 hollow nanocages (Au@Co〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉). The small size Au NPs were distributed on the wall of Co〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 hollow nanocages. The final product in a polyhedral morphology formed hollow nanocages. The unique structure could provide a high specific surface area. As an electrode material of supercapacitors, the Au@Co〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 electrode with polyhedral morphology showed a specific capacity of 763 F·g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at a current density of 1 A g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 in 2.0 M KOH electrolyte. In addition, the specific capacitance retention rate was 83.7% at a current density of 10 A g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 after 5000 cycles. These results indicate that Au@Co〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 electrodes with polyhedral morphology have very wide application prospects in supercapacitors.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Materials Letters, Volume 255〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Baoe Li, Zhenghao Sun, Yan Zhao, Zisheng Zhang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Lithium-sulfur batteries were considered as a new generation of high energy density batteries, but their commercialization was limited by volume expansion, the low conductivity of sulfur and shuttle effect. To overcome these issues, we developed a three-dimensional carbon nanotube/Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 microspheres via spray drying and calcination as sulfur host materials (S/CNT/Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉). In this three-dimensional microsphere structure, interwoven CNT backbone offers a robust conductive network with sufficient space for loading sulfur, and the polar Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 nanoparticles can enhance chemical adsorption of polysulfide. Benefiting from these advantages, the S/CNT/Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 cathode exhibit high initial discharge capacity (1270 mAh g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at 0.2 C), superior rate performance (602 mAh g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at 3 C), and long cyclic stability (only 0.084% capacity decay per cycle for 300 cycles at 1 C).〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: Available online 20 August 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): A. Rajabi, A.R. Mashreghi, S. Hasani〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In this study, non-isothermal kinetic analysis of high temperature oxidation of Ti–6Al–4V alloy by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) at heating rates of 10, 15, and 20 °C/min up to 1550 °C in air atmosphere was studied. The results revealed that the formed oxide layer consists of several different parts; an inner part of TiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉, an outer part of TiVO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉, and an intermediate part of Al〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉. Also, the thickness of oxide layer increased by an increase in the maximum heating temperature, while its density decreased by formation of the pores and cracks in higher maximum temperature due to the mismatch between the thermal expansion coefficient of the oxide layer and the substrate. This mismatch led to formation of large stresses in the oxide layer at high temperatures (≥1000 °C) and thereby isolation of the oxide layer during cooling. The microhardness profiles shift to higher microhardness values by an increase in the maximum temperature due to the increasing of oxygen solubility in the substrate. On the other hand, the kinetic results performed by isoconversional Starink, KAS, FWO, Tang, and Friedman methods in combination with the invariant kinetic parameters (IKP) method and fitting model estimated the activation energy (〈em〉E〈/em〉) and pre-exponential factor (ln〈em〉A〈/em〉) of the oxidation process equal to 205–235 kJ/mol and 12-13 min〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉, respectively. Furthermore, it was approved that this reaction is controlled by a diffusion control model (D1 model).〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 25 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 810〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Yuejun Chen, Shizhen Zhu, Yanqi Ji, Zhuang Ma, Hengyong Wei〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In order to avoid infrared emissivity deterioration of MoSi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 particles result from its high-temperature oxidation, a satisfactory electrostatic self-assembly process was presented to synthesize MoSi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉@SiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 particles. A thermally stable and transmitting infrared SiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 shell was formed with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as a precursor and tetrabutyl ammonium bromide (TBAB) as an electrostatic adsorbent after heat treatment at 1200 °C. The oxidation resistance, composition, micro-morphology and infrared emissivity of MoSi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉@SiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 were studied using thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, energy disperse spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and ultraviolet–visible near-IR spectrophotometer. The results demonstrated that MoSi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 particle was thoroughly encapsulated by a SiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 glass shell, consequently, it exhibited great oxidation resistance compared with that of unencapsulated. More importantly, the emissivity of MoSi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉@SiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 particles had no obvious recession due to the intact encapsulation with TBAB. In addition, the electrostatic self-assembly mechanism of core-shell (MoSi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉@SiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉) particles was discussed.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 25 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 810〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Jingui Zong, Fei Wang, Guannan Liu, Mingshu Zhao, Sen Yang, Xiaoping Song〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Molybdenum disulfide (MoS〈sub〉2〈/sub〉), has aroused people's much research interest as an anode candidate for next generation of Li-ion batteries because of special layered structure and high theoretical capacity. However, MoS〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 suffers from a poor cycling stability and an inferior rate capability upon charge/discharge processes. So we have successfully synthesized a more stable expanded nanocomposite with superior electrical conductivity by intercalating moderate amorphous carbon between two adjacent S–Mo–S interlayer via a simple method which exhibits excellent lithium storage performance with high capacity (858.9 mA h g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at 1 A g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 for 1000 cycles), and superior rate capability (518 mA h g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at 4 A g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉). This superior electrochemical performance is attributed to the special structure (few layers, 2H phase, expanded interlayer spacing, amorphous carbon between S–Mo–S layers, C–O–Mo bond in the layer), small size and evenly distributed MoS〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 nanosheets. Besides, we study the 2H-1T phase transformation mechanism by controlling the ratio of ethylene glycol to water and O–C〈img src="https://sdfestaticassets-eu-west-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/16/entities/dbnd"〉O bond plays an important role in promoting 2H-1T phase transformation.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 25 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 810〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Qinjiang He, Renli Fu, Xiufeng Song, Haitao Zhu, Xinqing Su, Chaoqun You〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Herein, Ce〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 and Ce〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉/Dy〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 co-doped Ca〈sub〉3〈/sub〉Al〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉6〈/sub〉 phosphors have been designed and synthesized via a facile citrate-based sol-gel technique, and their structural, photoluminescence properties and energy transfer phenomenon were investigated comprehensively. The XRD analysis indicated that pure Ca〈sub〉3〈/sub〉Al〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉6〈/sub〉 phase can be synthesized at low temperature (1000 °C) for merely 2 h. The photoluminescence spectra showed the dominant emission of Ce〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 singly doped phosphors is located in the blue region even at low Ce〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 doping level, which indeed favors the energy transfer from Ce〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 to other luminescent centers. When Dy〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 is co-doped into Ca〈sub〉3〈/sub〉Al〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉6〈/sub〉:Ce〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 phosphors, the remarkable sensitizing effect of Ce〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 on Dy〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 is validated by comparatively analyzing the excitation, emission spectra and average lifetimes of the series of samples. Through the concentration quenching theory, the critical distance between Ce〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 and Dy〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 is calculated to be 13.50 Å. Furthermore, the energy transfer mechanism between them is most likely ascribed to electric dipole-dipole interaction. In virtue of the variation of the emission intensities of Ce〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 and Dy〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉, the emitting colors of Ca〈sub〉3〈/sub〉Al〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉6〈/sub〉:Ce〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉, Dy〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 phosphors can realize tunable luminescence from deep blue to bluish-white region through controlling the Dy〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 content. Based on these analysis, Ca〈sub〉3〈/sub〉Al〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉6〈/sub〉:Ce〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉, Dy〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 phosphors could potentially be applied as a single-phase color-tunable phosphors pumped by near-ultraviolet (n-UV) radiation.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 25 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 810〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Zhaohui Ma, Jiandong Zhang, Guoqing Yan, Hai Liu, Jingcun Huang, Lijun Wang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈p〉Thermodynamic properties of zirconium-oxygen (Zr–O) solid solution and its deoxidation by calcium in CaCl〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 molten salt were studied using a chemical equilibration technique. In the temperature range from 1173 to 1373 K, the equilibrium oxygen contents in Zr were measured experimentally under coexistence of Ca and CaO in CaCl〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 molten salt. The oxygen content in Zr was reduced from about 800 ppm to a minimum of less than 100 ppm. Then 〈em〉a〈/em〉〈sub〉CaO〈/sub〉 sensor — niobium-oxygen (Nb–O) solid solution was employed to equilibrate with Zr–O solid solution to determine the oxygen activity coefficient in Zr–O solid solution. Zr and Nb specimens were submerged in Ca-saturated CaCl〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 molten salt containing different amounts of CaO. CaCl〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 melt was used for a homogeneous reaction and composition. The experimental results shown that Henry's law held and the activity coefficient of oxygen was constant within the concentration range of this study. Based on the result, the standard formation Gibbs free energy of Zr–O solid solution was obtained as a function of temperature:〈span〉〈span〉1/2O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 (g) = O (in Zr)〈/span〉〈/span〉〈span〉〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si17.svg"〉〈mrow〉〈mi〉Δ〈/mi〉〈msubsup〉〈mi〉G〈/mi〉〈mrow〉〈mi〉Z〈/mi〉〈mi〉r〈/mi〉〈mo linebreak="badbreak"〉−〈/mo〉〈mi〉O〈/mi〉〈/mrow〉〈mi〉θ〈/mi〉〈/msubsup〉〈mo linebreak="badbreak"〉=〈/mo〉〈mo linebreak="goodbreak"〉−〈/mo〉〈mn〉543577〈/mn〉〈mo linebreak="goodbreak"〉+〈/mo〉〈mn〉64〈/mn〉〈mtext〉.〈/mtext〉〈mn〉3〈/mn〉〈mi mathvariant="italic"〉T〈/mi〉〈mrow〉〈mo〉(〈/mo〉〈mtext〉1173−1373K〈/mtext〉〈mo〉)〈/mo〉〈/mrow〉〈/mrow〉〈/math〉〈/span〉〈/p〉 〈p〉The 〈em〉p-t-x〈/em〉 relationship of the deoxidation system was obtained simultaneously, which make the deoxidation limit and variation trend of oxygen content in Zr–O solid solution predictable and controllable under different conditions. Oxygen distribution coefficient between Zr–O solid solution and Nb–O solid solution was found in agreement with the theoretical value and independent of oxygen potential of the system.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 25 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 810〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Liang Ma, Shu-Shen Lyu, Yao Dai, Xian-Yinan Pei, Dong-Chuan Mo, Yuan-Xiang Fu〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Transition metal oxide/reduced graphene oxide (TMO/RGO) composites have been explored for development as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs); TMOs have high theoretical capacities, and the oxidation degrees of RGO sheets can directly affect the lithium storage performance of TMO/RGO composites. In this work, several NiO/reduced graphene oxide composites (NiO/RGO) are prepared based on oxidation degrees of graphite oxide sheets (GOs) through an ultrasonic agitation method. These composites are then explored as anodes for LIBs. Results show that the reversible capacity of NiO/RGO composites increases gradually to 1046 mA h/g and then declines to 956 mA h/g after 50 cycles at 100 mA/g. The variation rule of lithium storage properties of NiO/RGO samples can be attributed to the surface functional groups of RGO sheets, which can affect interfacial interaction between NiO and RGO sheets due to the different oxidation degrees of GO. Different RGO sheets also show distinct abilities to hinder NiO pulverisation and promote lithium-ion/electron diffusion during repeated charge and discharge processes.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: Available online 20 August 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Kaixuan Chen, Shiwei Pan, Xiaohua Chen, Zidong Wang, Rolf Sandström〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The microstructure evolution in the as-cast pure Cu and Cu-(1.0–3.0)Fe-0.5Co and Cu-1.5Fe-0.1Sn (wt. %) alloys was characterised in the previous work. Herein, the plastic deformation characteristics were examined by uniaxial tensile tests at room temperature. Along with the microstructure evolution, the yield strength increased with increasing Fe content and reached a peak value at 1.5 wt % Fe, but thereafter decreased with the further addition of Fe in the Cu–Fe–Co alloys. Nevertheless, the tensile strength and elongation synchronously improve with increasing Fe content. In particular, the Cu-1.5Fe-0.1Sn alloy achieved the optimal strength–ductility combination. In terms of the strengthening mechanism, the (Fe, Co)- or (Fe, Sn)-doped copper encouraged impediment, trapping, and storage of dislocations by the iron-rich nanoparticles and grain boundaries, which enhanced the strength and sustained the work hardening and elongation. The evolution of mechanical properties under an alloying effect was quantitatively described by the strengthening models. The results indicate that the optimum balance between strength and ductility was achieved by designing a microstructure containing fine grains, intragranular smaller spherical nanoparticles, and a minor solute element with higher misfit and higher growth restriction effect. The necessities for engineering a microstructure to achieve simultaneously strong and ductile bulk metals were discussed.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0925838819331500-fx1.jpg" width="443" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 25 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 810〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Natalia Pawlik, Barbara Szpikowska-Sroka, Tomasz Goryczka, Wojciech A. Pisarski〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In the present paper, the nanocrystalline transparent oxyfluoride SrF〈sub〉2〈/sub〉:Eu〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 glass-ceramic materials (nGCs) were synthesized via a low-temperature sol-gel method, in which trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) was used as a fluorination reagent. The thermal degradation of precursor xerogels was examined by TG/DSC analysis and the formation of SrF〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 nanocrystals inside silicate xerogel host was proved by XRD measurements. Additionally, to verify the structural changes within silicate network during ceramization process, the IR-ATR measurements were also carried out. The optical properties of Eu〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 ions in precursor xerogels and fabricated nGCs were investigated based on photoluminescence excitation (PLE: λ〈sub〉em〈/sub〉 = 611 nm) and emission (PL: λ〈sub〉exc〈/sub〉 = 393 nm) spectra as well as luminescence decay analysis of the 〈sup〉5〈/sup〉D〈sub〉0〈/sub〉 excited level. It was observed, that for precursor silica xerogels the electric-dipole transition (ED) 〈sup〉5〈/sup〉D〈sub〉0〈/sub〉 → 〈sup〉7〈/sup〉F〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 was dominant, meanwhile the magnetic-dipole transition (MD) 〈sup〉5〈/sup〉D〈sub〉0〈/sub〉 → 〈sup〉7〈/sup〉F〈sub〉1〈/sub〉 had the greatest intensity for SrF〈sub〉2〈/sub〉:Eu〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 nGCs. Thus, the R/O-ratio (R/O = I(〈sup〉5〈/sup〉D〈sub〉0〈/sub〉 → 〈sup〉7〈/sup〉F〈sub〉2〈/sub〉)/I(〈sup〉5〈/sup〉D〈sub〉0〈/sub〉 → 〈sup〉7〈/sup〉F〈sub〉1〈/sub〉)) was calculated to estimate the symmetry in the local framework around Eu〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 ions. Moreover, the reddish-orange photoluminescence is long-lived (about 30-fold longer) for SrF〈sub〉2〈/sub〉:Eu〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 nGCs compared with xerogels. The changes in emission spectra as well as double-exponential character of luminescence decay curves recorded for obtained nGCs indicated the successful migration of optically active Eu〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 ions from amorphous silica framework to low phonon energy SrF〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 nanocrystal phase.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: Available online 21 August 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Ping Song, Wen-bin Li, Yu Zheng, Zhong-wei Guan, Xiao-ming Wang, Wen-xu Xu, Peng Ge〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The compressive and tensile stress–strain relationship and fracture behavior of a new low-cost titanium alloy Ti–5Al–3V–2Cr–2Fe (Ti–5322) at 286–573 K, a strain rate of 0.0001–4300 s〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 and a stress triaxiality of 0.43–1.6 were studied. Based on the experimental data, the flow and fracture behavior of Ti–5322 was established based on the Johnson–Cook (J–C) equation. Ballistic impact tests were used to study the ballistic performance of a 7-mm-thick Ti–5322 target and the accuracy of the constitutive model was verified from the ballistic test results. The experimental results showed that the yield strength and strain rate of the Ti–5322 were related logarithmically. As the strain rate increased, the rate-strengthening behavior of the material weakened gradually. The material had an obvious thermal-softening behavior and the yield strength decreased linearly with an increase in deformation temperature. The stress triaxiality and strain rate had a significant effect on the fracture behavior of Ti–5322. The material fracture strain decreased with the stress triaxiality and an increase in strain rate. The J–C constitutive model was a good predictor for the ultimate penetration velocity of the Ti–5322 target and the velocity decay of fragments during penetration. The ballistic limit velocity of the 10-mm-diameter tungsten-alloy ball to the 7-mm-thick Ti–5322 target at 0° and 30° was 416.0 m/s and 484.8 m/s, respectively.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 25 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 810〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Dongqing Liu, Yimin Yin, Haifeng Cheng〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Transient memristor is highly desirable for secure memory system and secure neuromorphic computing. Here, a transient memristor with the MgO thin film as resistive dielectric material and the Ni as electrode material is reported. The memristor shows reversible and nonvolatile bipolar resistive switching performance, narrow distribution of low resistance state (LRS) and high resistance state (HRS), uniform switching voltages and stable retention at room temperature. It is indicated that the resistive switching mechanism of the memristor is conductive filament in LRS and space charge limiting current in HRS. In addition, the memristor can be failed after immersed in deionized water for 5 min due to the film damage resulting from large frizzle and the dissolution of Ni and MgO film. The prepared memristor has potential for secure memory system application.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 25 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 810〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Lei Zhang, Shan Ji, Rongfang Wang, Dan J.L. Brett, Hui Wang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉A flexible cathode with highly electrochemical performance for bendable supercapacitors have been achieved by electrochemical depositing hierarchical nanostructured Ni〈sub〉3〈/sub〉S〈sub〉2〈/sub〉/Ni(OH)〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 compounds on the surface of commercial conductive textile. The morphology and physical properties of as-prepared electrode are investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Based on its unique nanostructure, the obtained flexible Ni〈sub〉3〈/sub〉S〈sub〉2〈/sub〉/Ni(OH)〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 electrode exhibits a highly electrochemical capacitance of 1800 F g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at 3 mA cm〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉 with good rate capability, excellent stability and bendability. Ni〈sub〉3〈/sub〉S〈sub〉2〈/sub〉/Ni(OH)〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 electrode as cathode is assembled with active carbon as anode and PVA/KOH as electrolyte into an asymmetric capacitor to evaluate its performance in a real supercapacitor. The obtained supercapacitor cell delivers a high energy density of 0.49 mWh cm〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉 at 3.54 mW cm〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉 and maintains the energy density at 0.38 Wh cm〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉 when power density increases to 21.53 mW cm〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉. When the assembled cells are connected in series, these connected cells can work safely and properly at a much higher voltage window due to their good stability and consistency. Considering its low-cost, facile fabrication and highly electrochemical performance, the obtained Ni〈sub〉3〈/sub〉S〈sub〉2〈/sub〉/Ni(OH)〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 electrode is a promising flexible material.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S092583881933110X-fx1.jpg" width="255" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 25 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 810〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Runchen Jia, Weidong Zeng, Shengtong He, Xiongxiong Gao, Jianwei Xu〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Fracture toughness and fracture mechanism of Ti60 alloy with duplex microstructure under different temperature conditions were investigated in the present work. The experimental result shows that the fracture toughness of CT samples increases from the room temperature (40  MPa m〈sup〉1/2〈/sup〉) to 400 °C (71.45  MPa m〈sup〉1/2〈/sup〉) but declines at 600 °C (62.55  MPa m〈sup〉1/2〈/sup〉). It is observed from fracture surface through SEM that the predominant fracture mechanism has changed from quasi-cleavage fracture at room temperature to ductile fracture at higher temperatures. In addition, the tortuosity of crack propagation path has a limited impact on the fracture toughness. Path selections for crack propagation are obtained through SEM observation which can be summarized as: cut through lamellar 〈em〉α〈/em〉, parallel to lamellar 〈em〉α〈/em〉, bypass the equiaxed 〈em〉α〈/em〉〈sub〉〈em〉p〈/em〉〈/sub〉 and cut through the equiaxed 〈em〉α〈/em〉〈sub〉〈em〉p〈/em〉〈/sub〉. Moreover, it is found that the intrinsic contribution is the primary reason leading to the change of the fracture toughness of Ti60 alloy under different temperatures. Meanwhile, it is noteworthy that the area of the crack tip plastic zone increases from RT to 400 °C but decreases at 600 °C, which is seen as the main impact of temperature on fracture toughness. To be exact, the CT sample with a larger area of the plastic zone could provide a higher 〈em〉K〈/em〉〈sub〉〈em〉1C〈/em〉〈/sub〉 value. Furthermore, a prediction model of 〈em〉K〈/em〉〈sub〉〈em〉1C〈/em〉〈/sub〉 based on tensile properties is established, which has a good accuracy with experimental results. The model is useful in predicting the fracture toughness of Ti60 alloy at different test temperatures.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 25 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 810〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Shuying Dong, Longji Xia, Fangyuan Zhang, Fengzi Li, Yuyao Wang, Lingfang Cui, Jinglan Feng, Jianhui Sun〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The ZnSn(OH)〈sub〉6〈/sub〉 nanocubes were prepared under different pH (3–12.4) by liquid precipitation, well characterized and further used for wastewater treatment. The results indicated that the ZnSn(OH)〈sub〉6〈/sub〉 nanocubes prepared at pH = 11.1 possessed of uniform size distribution and excellent photocatalytic activity, the degradation efficiency to MB reaches 76.3% after 5 h natural sunlight irradiation. Subsequently, the prepared ZnSn(OH)〈sub〉6〈/sub〉 nanocubes was further thermal treated (200 °C, 24 h) in four different solvents, containing deionized water, stock solution, mixed solution (V〈sub〉water〈/sub〉: V〈sub〉ethanol〈/sub〉: V〈sub〉glacial acetic acid〈/sub〉 = 3:1:1) and ethanol, named as H-1, H-2, H-3 and H-4, respectively. H-2 and H-3 showed superior photocatalytic performance and the removal efficiency of MB improved to be almost 100%, as well as red-shifted light absorption edge and the band gap energies reduced 0.9 and 0.93 eV, respectively. Moreover, free radical capture experiments showed that the h〈sup〉+〈/sup〉 and ·O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉〈sup〉−〈/sup〉 are the main active species for the ZnSn(OH)〈sub〉6〈/sub〉 nanocubes and H-2, respectively, while all these three ·OH, ·O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉〈sup〉−〈/sup〉 and 〈sup〉1〈/sup〉O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 radicals for H-3. Those results suggested that both pH regulation and thermal treatment could efficiently improve the microscopic morphology, crystal structure and photocatalytic activity of the ZnSn(OH)〈sub〉6〈/sub〉, which might pave the way for the artful design of other high-performance catalysts.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0925838819332013-fx1.jpg" width="312" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 25 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 810〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Dongdong Zhang, Qiang Yang, Kai Guan, Baishun Li, Nan Wang, Pengfei Qin, Bo Jiang, Chi Sun, Xin Qin, Zheng Tian, Zhanyi Cao, Jian Meng〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉A high-strength low-rare-earth-alloyed Mg−3.5Sm−2Yb−0.6Zn−0.4Zr alloy was processed by an ingot metallurgy process with hot-extrusion followed by artificial aging. The peak-aged sample exhibited a higher yield strength of 449 MPa than most of extruded Mg−Gd based alloy containing high RE content, and even is comparable to that of the T8-treated 2024 Al alloy. The studied alloy exhibited a typical bimodal microstructure, consisting of dynamically recrystallized (DRXed) grains with random textures and coarse unrecrystallized regions with strong basal fiber texture. In addition, the fragmented Mg〈sub〉5〈/sub〉RE and Mg〈sub〉41〈/sub〉RE〈sub〉5〈/sub〉 phases distributed at extrusion stringers. Abundant of fine Mg〈sub〉3〈/sub〉RE particles precipitated dynamically in DXRed regions, which restrains DRXed grains growth effectively by grain boundary pinning. Within the unDXRed regions, uniformly dense Mg〈sub〉3〈/sub〉RE and Mg〈sub〉12〈/sub〉RE nano-precipitates were observed. Also there were many basal 〈〈strong〉a〈/strong〉〉 dislocations and a few non-basal 〈〈strong〉c〈/strong〉 + 〈strong〉a〈/strong〉〉 dislocations in unDXRed regions. Subsequent artificial ageing significantly enhanced the alloy's strength by introducing basal precipitates, although decreased the ductility slightly. Finally, the ultrahigh yield strength was revealed to be attributed to the combined effects of a strong basal fiber texture, a bimodal microstructure, and numerous precipitated particles.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: Available online 22 August 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Sunil Chauhan, Manoj Kumar, Himanshu Pandey, Sandeep Chhoker, S.C. Katyal〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Ca and Ca–Li substitution dependent modification in structural, electron density, vibrational, magnetic and optical properties of BiFeO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 nanoparticles synthesized by tartaric acid based sol–gel route are reported. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy techniques revealed the phase purity and nanocrystalline nature of BiFeO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉, Bi〈sub〉0·95〈/sub〉Ca〈sub〉0·05〈/sub〉FeO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉, Bi〈sub〉0·95〈/sub〉Ca〈sub〉0·05〈/sub〉Fe〈sub〉0·95〈/sub〉Li〈sub〉0·05〈/sub〉O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 samples. The electron density plots indicated the displacement of Bi and Fe ions and partial covalency of Bi–O and Fe–O the bonds. The Ca and Ca–Li ions substitution induced distortion in rhombohedral structure resulting in enhanced magnetization of BiFeO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 nanoparticles. The magnetization is highest for Ca–Li substituted BiFeO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 nanoparticles with saturation magnetization of 0.036 emu/g due to the canted spin structure and uncompensated surface spins. The enhanced magnetic properties are also endorsed by the electron spin resonance and Raman studies. The band-gap of BiFeO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 nanoparticles can be tuned by aliovalent ions substitution from 2.26 eV for BiFeO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 to 2.20 and 2.17 eV for Ca, and Ca–Li substituted BiFeO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 nanoparticles respectively.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 25 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 810〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Lifeng Sun, Junjie Shi, Chengjun Liu, Maofa Jiang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉With the purpose of providing fundamental understanding of equilibrium phase relations with the addition of Al〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 to CaO–SiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉-5wt%MgO–Al〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉–TiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 system, the equilibria phase relations were experimental determined from 1300 °C to 1450 °C at constant 〈em〉w〈/em〉(CaO)/〈em〉w〈/em〉(SiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉) ratio of 1.50 using high temperature equilibrium and quenching method followed by XRD (X-Ray diffraction) and SEM-EDX (Scanning Electron Microscope and Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence scope) analysis. The results showed that with the increase of Al〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 content up to 30 wt%, the coexisting equilibria solid phases gradually changed from perovskite of CaO·TiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 and melilite solid solution of (2CaO·Al〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉·SiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉, 2CaO·MgO·2SiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉)〈sub〉ss〈/sub〉 to spinel of MgO·Al〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉. Comparisons with the predictions by Factsage revealed that the simulated results were only well agreed when Al〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 content lower than 20 wt%, while significant discrepancies existed with Al〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 content higher than 30 wt%. Finally, the 1400 °C and 1450 °C isotherms, as well as the predicted primary phase boundary lines were projected on the pseudo-ternary phase diagram of CaO–SiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉-5wt.%MgO–Al〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉–TiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 system within specific composition range.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 25 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 810〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Mustafa A. Ahmed, Liza Coetsee, Walter E. Meyer, Jackie M. Nel〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Schottky diodes based on ZnO nanorods, undoped and co-doped with different concentrations (0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 at.%) of Ce and Sm, were fabricated on glass and on n-Si (111) substrates using chemical bath deposition assisted with the sol-gel spin coating. The ZnO maintained its hexagonal shape up to higher levels of doping (0.8 at.%) with the growth rate being suppressed by Ce and Sm co-doping. The as-synthesized nanorods were found to be highly crystalline and no impurities or peaks related to Ce and Sm or their oxides were observed. Room temperature Raman spectroscopy revealed that the prominent E〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 high peak shifted towards a lower wave number and the intensity decreased upon doping. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies at room temperature showed that the presence of Zn and O in all samples with small amounts of Ce and Sm being detected at doping levels of 0.8 at.%. Photoluminescence studies at room temperature revealed a weak ultraviolet emission and a strong deep level (visible) emission. Deconvolution of the visible emission spectra showed that more than one defect contributed to the visible emission. The 〈em〉I–V〈/em〉 characteristics of the fabricated Schottky diode devices measured at room temperature showed that the Ce and Sm co-doping increased the generation-recombination process in the fabricated Schottky diodes. Furthermore, the current transport mechanism in the fabricated Schottky devices at a lower voltage (0.0–〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si1.svg"〉〈mrow〉〈mo〉∼〈/mo〉〈/mrow〉〈/math〉 0.6 V) was dominated by ohmic conduction mechanism, while at voltages greater than 0.6 V, the space charge limited current and the trap filled limit voltage mechanism dominated.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 25 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 810〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Ling Guo, Liyun Cao, Jianfeng Huang, Yong Wang, Wenbin Li, Hui Qi, Shaoyi Chen, Jiayin Li〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Owing to the high theoretical capacity, Sb〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Se〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 has been regarded as one of the best choices for Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) anode materials. However, Sb〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Se〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 anode suffers from huge volume change with poor electrode structure stability, resulting in limited cycling and rate performance. Herein, inspired by the formation of inclusion complex an effective strategy for improving unstable molecules in biological fields, we encapsulate Sb〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Se〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 in capsular carbon shell via a hydrothermal and calcinations process. Furthermore, by adjusting the thickness of the capsule carbon shell, an ultra-stable Sb〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Se〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 electrode structure is realized. Equipped with this ultra-stable electrode structure, Sb〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Se〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 anode exhibits high capacity of 475 mA h g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at 2 A g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 even after 600 cycles, showing compelling advantage on Na storage performance compared to other reported Sb-based anode materials. The analysis results indicate that the intact capsular carbon shell can effectively remit huge volume change of Sb〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Se〈sub〉3〈/sub〉, and act like a reaction vessel in which the sodiation/desodiation reaction of Sb〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Se〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 is carried out regularly. Therefore, this ultra-stable electrode provides stable redox reactions, easy charge transfer and fast sodium ion diffusion, resulting in excellent Na storage performance of Sb〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Se〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 anode.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Encapsulating Sb〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Se〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 in capsular carbon shell to from inclusion complex can achieve ultra-stable electrode structure with excellent Na storage performance.〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0925838819331706-fx1.jpg" width="466" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: Available online 22 August 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Biomaterials〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Hao Fu, Chongchong Miao, Yuanpeng Rui, Fenglin Hu, Ming Shen, Hong Xu, Chunfu Zhang, Yi Dong, Wenping Wang, Hongchen Gu, Yourong Duan〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Polyelectrolyte modified iron oxide nanoparticles have great potential applications for clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and anemia treatments, however, possible associated heart toxicity is rarely reported. Here, polyacrylic acid (PAA)-coated Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 nanoparticles (PION) were synthesized and lethal reactions appeared when it was applied 〈em〉in vivo〈/em〉. The investigation of underlying mechanism showed that PION could break electrolyte balance and further resulted in serious heart failure, which was observed under color doppler ultrasound and dynamic vector blood flow technique. The results demonstrated that PION had a strong absorption tendency for divalent ions and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was lower than 100 mg/kg. From electrocardiography (ECG), PION presented an obvious impact on CaV〈sub〉1.2〈/sub〉 ion channel, which leading to fatal arrhythmia. An appropriate solution for preventing this deadly effect was pre-adding Ca〈sup〉2+〈/sup〉 (n 〈sub〉(Ca〈/sub〉〈sup〉2+〈/sup〉〈sub〉)〈/sub〉: n 〈sub〉(COOH)〈/sub〉 = 3: 8) to PION (PION-Ca), which displayed much higher cardiac and electrophysiological safety when sealing the binding point of divalent cation ions with PAA. The injection in Beagle dogs further confirmed the safety of PION-Ca. This study explored the mechanism and offered a solution for cardiac toxicity induced by PAA-coated nanoparticles, which guides for enhancing the safety of such polyelectrolyte decorated nanoparticles and provides assurance for clinical applications.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Materials Letters, Volume 255〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Quande Che, Yujie He, Qian Ma, Junpeng Wang, Gang Wang, Yuanna Zhu, Ruixia Shi, Ping Yang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉This paper reports a nanoflakes-assembled 3D flower-like nickel hydroxidenitrate (NiNH) and its application in water oxidation. It is demonstrated for the first time that the NiNH is an efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalyst in alkaline solution. Specifically, it can drive a current density of 10 mA cm〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉 at a fairly low overpotential of 280 mV and a correspondent small Tafel slope of 39.6 mV dec〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉. The impressive OER catalytic activity of the as-prepared NiNH can be ascribed to its favorable 3D hierachical microstructure. The present research not only provide us a prospective and cost-effective electrocatalyst for water splitting but also affords us an inspiration for designing effective transition-metal based electocatalysts through microstructure regulation.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Materials Letters, Volume 255〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Jia Zhou, Qingan Zhang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In this work, the hydrogen absorption and desorption properties of a melt-spun Mg〈sub〉86〈/sub〉Pr〈sub〉3〈/sub〉Al〈sub〉11〈/sub〉 alloy were studied using a Sieverts-type apparatus. It was found that the melt-spun Mg〈sub〉86〈/sub〉Pr〈sub〉3〈/sub〉Al〈sub〉11〈/sub〉 alloy exhibits an enhanced cycle durability of hydrogen absorption and desorption. After fifty hydrogen absorption and desorption cycles at 300 °C, the capacity retention rate is about 97% and the hydrogen sorption kinetics undertakes only a slight degradation, which is related to the existence of PrAl〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 and Pr〈sub〉3〈/sub〉Al〈sub〉11〈/sub〉 phases in the melt-spun Mg〈sub〉86〈/sub〉Pr〈sub〉3〈/sub〉Al〈sub〉11〈/sub〉 alloy.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Materials Letters, Volume 255〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Meihua Fang, Jinpeng Lv〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Passive thermal control coatings (TCCS) have been widely used to tune the thermal equilibrium of spacecraft. However, the performance of such coatings undergoes serious degradation due to the intensive UV absorption and the radiation damage of the pigments. We developed a Zn〈sub〉2〈/sub〉SiO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 pigment with a solar absorptance (α〈sub〉s〈/sub〉) as low as 0.078, which shows a distinctly high reflectance in the whole solar-radiation spectrum, especially in the high energy UV wavebands. Furthermore, after performing proton irradiation, the α〈sub〉s〈/sub〉 of ZnO, ZnTiO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 pigments increase from 0.153 and 0.101 to 0.277 and 0.521, respectively, while Zn〈sub〉2〈/sub〉SiO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 rises to 0.212, which exhibits remarkable radiation resistance. We evidenced that Zn〈sub〉2〈/sub〉SiO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 pigments will not only significantly boost the performance of thermal control coatings but also be beneficial for UV shielding applications.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈p〉The as-developed Zn〈sub〉2〈/sub〉SiO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 pigments show ∼95% reflectivity in solar UV wavebands. The α〈sub〉s〈/sub〉 of ZnSi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 only degrades to 0.212 after performing proton irradiation with a 10-year GEO dose.〈/p〉 〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0167577X1931153X-ga1.jpg" width="272" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Materials Letters, Volume 255〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Ye Tian, Xiangchao Pang, Bin Tang, Xing Cheng〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Nanoimprint, an important nanofabrication technology, is widely adopted to produce the microstructure. In this study, nanoindentation was employed to quantitatively characterize the elastic modulus of nanoimprinted poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) under different conditions, with the purpose to investigate the mechanical property of the nanoimprinted microstructure suffered the ultra-high local stress and temperature. It is indicated that the elastic modulus of samples increases with the increasing the residual stress and the nanoimprint temperature. Moreover, the optical birefringence method was performed to investigate the distribution of residual stress on the microstructure. It was shown that high elastic modulus region also exhibited high residual stress. Therefore, we suggested that the temperature during the embossing process should be rigorously considered in nanoimprint process to obtain a mechanical homogeneity of imprinted structures.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 25 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 810〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): David Sedmidubský, Vít Jakeš, Kateřina Rubešová, Pavla Nekvindová, Tomáš Hlásek, Roman Yatskiv, Pavel Novák〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Using the recently developed method based on a combination of DFT plane wave code applied to extract the crystal field parameters and a local atomic like Hamiltonian involving electron-electron, spin-orbit and Zeeman terms we calculated the energy levels of ground and excited multiplets of Yb〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 and Er〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 ions hosted in ytterbium and yttrium aluminum garnet (YbAG and YAG) including their crystal and magnetic field splitting. The obtained energy levels and derived magnetic properties are compared with the experimental data from magnetometry, photoluminiscence and near-infrared spectroscopy.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0925838819331421-fx1.jpg" width="242" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Materials Letters, Volume 255〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Hairui Huang, Zhijie Zhang, Shaoke Guo, Kun Cheng, Jiayue Xu, Na Zhang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C〈sub〉3〈/sub〉N〈sub〉4〈/sub〉) photocatalyst has a promising application prospect in solving environment problems and energy crisis. In order to improve the photocatalytic activity of g-C〈sub〉3〈/sub〉N〈sub〉4〈/sub〉, a novel TCNAQ/g-C〈sub〉3〈/sub〉N〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 organic hybrid photocatalyst was designed by introducing 11,11,12,12-tetracyanonaphtho-1,4-quinodimethane (TCNAQ) as an electron acceptor. Due to the interfacial charge-transfer transitions between g-C〈sub〉3〈/sub〉N〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 donor and TCNAQ acceptor, separation and migration of photo-induced charge carriers were promoted, while their recombination was prohibited, which led to enhanced photocatalytic performance in pollutant degradation. This work provides a strategy to produce efficient hybrid photocatalysts with high light-to-current conversions due to the interfacial charge-transfer transitions, which have potential applications in light-to-energy conversions.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 30 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 811〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Yan Jia, Si'an Chen, Yong Li, Song Wang, Haifeng Hu〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉C/C–ZrC–SiC–ZrB〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 composites were prepared by a joint process of precursor infiltration and pyrolysis and slurry infiltration. The high-temperature mechanical properties of the composites were reported and the evolution of fracture behavior and microstructure was analyzed. The composites exhibited a tensile strength and flexural strength of 99.3 MPa and 281 MPa, respectively during the test at ambient temperature. The high temperature in-situ tensile properties were higher than those at ambient temperature; the tensile strength was 136 MPa during the tensile test at 1700 °C. This is because the energy absorption mechanisms will occurred during the high-temperature test. The high temperature in-situ flexural strength was 223 MPa during flexural test at 1800 °C. However, the flexural strength of as-prepared composites after heat treat at 1800 °C was maintained at 153 MPa, which was lower than that of the in-situ flexural test at 1800 °C, because the fibers were more seriously eroded after heat treatment at 1800 °C. After heat treatment at 2400 °C, the flexural strength of the composites decreased to 88 MPa. It can be inferred that the high temperature in-situ flexural strength at 2400 °C was higher than 88 MPa, showing outstanding ultra-high temperature mechanical properties. Therefore, the C/C–ZrC–SiC–ZrB〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 composites are promising to be applied as structural material in aerospace, due to their excellent high-temperature mechanial properties at 1500 °C–2400 °C.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉