Synthesis of urchin-like Sn–ZnO–C composite and its enhanced electrochemical performance for lithium-ion batteries

Urchin-like Sn–ZnO–C composite have been successfully prepared by thermal annealing of ZnSn(OH)6precursor in acetylene/argon gas(1/9;v/v).The phase of the urchin-like Sn–ZnO–C has been characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD)and Raman spectrum.The images of scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and transmission electron microscope(TEM)demonstrate that the Sn–ZnO–C composite with an average of 3 lm in diameter is composed of many core–shell nanowires and carbon nanotubes emanated from the center.The thermal annealing temperature and time have crucial effects on the formation of urchin-like structure and carbon content of the Sn–ZnO–C composites.As an anode for lithium-ion batteries,the urchin-like Sn–ZnO–C composite delivers a discharge capacity of 1,034.5 mAh/g in initial cycle and 571.9 mAh/g reversible discharge capacity after 25 cycles at a current density of 50 mA/g.The superior energy storage properties highlight the urchin-like Sn–ZnO–C composite as a potential alternative anode material in lithium-ion batteries.     

皮秒Nd:YAG激光对生物金属纯Ti和Ti–13Nb–13Zr合金的表面改性

The effects of picosecond Nd:YAG laser irradiation on chemical and morphological surface characteristics of the commercially pure titanium and Ti–13Nb–13Zr alloy in air and argon atmospheres were studied under different laser output energy values. During the interaction of laser irradiation with the investigated materials, a part of the energy was absorbed on the target surface, influencing surface modifications. Laser beam interaction with the target surface resulted in various morphological alterations, resulting in crater formation and the presence of microcracks and hydrodynamic structures. Moreover, different chemical changes were induced on the target materials’ surfaces, resulting in the titanium oxide formation in the irradiation-affected area and consequently increasing the irradiation energy absorption. Given the high energy absorption at the site of interaction, the dimensions of the surface damaged area increased. Consequently, surface roughness increased. The appearance of surface oxides also led to the increased material hardness in the surface-modified area. Observed chemical and morphological changes were pronounced after laser irradiation of the Ti–13Nb–13Zr alloy surface.     

Effects of heavy metal on dielectric properties of E. coli revealed by dielectric spectroscopy

Dielectric spectroscopy of E. coli cell before and after exposure to heavy metals Cd^2＋ , Cu^2＋ , Zn^2＋ and Ca^2＋ was investigated. The results indicate that changes in dielectric spectra reflect effects of heavy metal on the structure and function of E. coli cells. Heavy metal can change membrane capacitance as well as pennittivity and conductivity of the cytoplasm. Changes in volume fraction suggested that dielectric measurement could monitor the growth of E. coli cells. These results demonstrated that dielectric spectroscopy was a potential effective technique for studying electric properties of biological cells.     

Surface modifications of biometallic commercially pure Ti and Ti–13Nb–13Zr alloy by picosecond Nd:YAG laser

The effects of picosecond Nd:YAG laser irradiation on chemical and morphological surface characteristics of the commercially pure titanium and Ti–13 Nb–13 Zr alloy in air and argon atmospheres were studied under different laser output energy values. During the interaction of laser irradiation with the investigated materials, a part of the energy was absorbed on the target surface, influencing surface modifications.Laser beam interaction with the target surface resulted in various morphological alterations, resulting in crater formation and the presence of microcracks and hydrodynamic structures. Moreover, different chemical changes were induced on the target materials' surfaces, resulting in the titanium oxide formation in the irradiation-affected area and consequently increasing the irradiation energy absorption. Given the high energy absorption at the site of interaction, the dimensions of the surface damaged area increased. Consequently, surface roughness increased.The appearance of surface oxides also led to the increased material hardness in the surface-modified area. Observed chemical and morphological changes were pronounced after laser irradiation of the Ti–13 Nb–13 Zr alloy surface.     

Influence of chitosan characteristics on the properties of biopolymeric chitosan–montmorillonite

Chitosan–montmorillonite is a modified montmorillonite in which the sodium ions in montmorillonite layers are replaced by biopolymeric chitosan. The effects of characteristics of chitosan (i.e. molecular weight and degree of deacetylation) and the chitosan/montmorillonite mass ratio on the properties of chitosan–montmorillonite were investigated. Thermogravimetric analysis, zeta potential and X-ray diffraction results confirmed intercalation of chitosan into montmorillonite layers. An interaction between chitosan and montmorillonite was revealed by FTIR and the zeta potential. The amount of chitosan intercalated into the montmorillonite layers depended on the characteristics of chitosan, with the largest amounts of intercalated chitosan achieved by addition of chitosan with a molecular weight of 71,000 g/mol or a degree of deacetylation of 80% at a fixed chitosan/montmorillonite mass ratio of 2:1. The resulting chitosan–montmorilllonite had good adsorbent properties, especially for adsorption of cationic dyes, and also inhibited E. coli by almost 100%. The chitosan–montmorillonite may be useful as a functional material for dye adsorption and antibacterial applications.     

Cavitation erosion behavior of WC coatings on CrNiMo stainless steel by laser alloying

The WC powder was precoated on the surface of CrNiMo stainless steel and then made into an alloying layer by using the laser alloying technique. Phases in the layers were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and surface morphologies after cavitation erosion were observed with the help of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The cavitation erosion behavior of the CrNiMo stainless steel and WC laser alloying layer in distilled water was tested with the help of ultrasonic vibration cavitation erosion equipment. The results showed that the thickness of the laser alloying layer was about 0.13 mm. The layer had a dense microstructure, metallurgically bonded to the substrate, and no crack had been found. The cavitation erosion mass loss rate of the laser alloying layer was only 2/5 that of the CrNiMo stainless steel. The layer had better cavitation resistance properties because of its metallurgical combination and the strengthening effects of the precipitate phases.     

Preparation of CNT/AlSi10Mg composite powders by high-energy ball milling and their physical properties

This study investigated the effects of carbon nanotube (CNT) concentration on the micro-morphologies and laser absorption properties of CNT/AlSi10Mg composite powders produced by high-energy ball milling. A scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer, laser particle size analyzer, high-temperature synchronous thermal analyzer, and UV/VIS/NIR spectrophotometer were used for the analysis of micrographs, phases, granulometric parameters, thermal properties, and laser absorption properties of the composite powders, respectively. The results showed that the powders gradually changed from flake- to granule-like morphology and the average particle size sharply decreased with increases in milling rotational speed and milling time. Moreover, a uniform dispersion of CNTs in AlSi10Mg powders was achieved only for a CNT content of 1.5wt%. Laser absorption values of the composite powders were also observed to gradually increase with the increase of CNT concentration, and different spectra displayed characteristic absorption peaks at a wavelength of approximately 826 nm.     

Enhancing the surface hardness and roughness of engine blades using the shot peening process

The effects of shot peening on the mechanical properties of steel 1070 were studied to enhance the material's properties and surface characteristics. In this study, pressure and exposure time were the main parameters governing surface hardness and surface roughness. The optimal time duration and pressure were determined after several experimental trials. Changes in hardness and surface roughness were monitored as the pressure of the shot and the exposure time were varied. Furthermore, the microstructure was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the images were enhanced by image processing techniques to evaluate the surface changes. Pareto charts were constructed to estimate the effects of pressure and time on both surface hardness and surface roughness. The novelty of this study is the concentration on engine blades which are frequently used in aircrafts to determine the optimal time-pressure combination for shot peening to achieve suitable mechanical and surface properties. The results show that shot peening pressure (up to 482.6 kPa for 7 min) has positive effect on enhancing the surface and mechanical properties for steel 1070 blades; however, an increase in either pressure or time above that level adversely affected both surface hardness and surface roughness.     

A Cu-Cr alloy with nano and microscale Cr particles produced in a water-cooled copper mold

Microstructures have profound effects on the hardness and strength of Cu-Cr alloys. The microstructures of a Cu-Cr alloy cast in a water-cooled copper mold were studied in the present work. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results show that there are the copper matrix saturated with chromium, spherical precipitates of chromium separated from liquid phase during cooling before the initiation of solidification, and a eutectic phase in grain boundary areas. To investigate the effect of age-hardening treatment on the microstructures and properties of the material, some samples were subsequently age-hardened in a salt bath and investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that coherent precipitates with the diameter of 11 nm are detectable in the samples before and after the age-hardening stage. Of course, the volume fraction of coherent precipitates is higher after the aging process.     

Evolution of insoluble eutectic Si particles in anodic oxidation films during adipic–sulfuric acid anodizing processes of ZL114A aluminum alloys

The effects of insoluble eutectic Si particles on the growth of anodic oxide films on ZL114 A aluminum alloy substrates were investigated by optical microscopy(OM) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM). The anodic oxidation was performed at 25°C and a constant voltage of 15 V in a solution containing 50 g/L sulfuric acid and 10 g/L adipic acid. The thickness of the formed anodic oxidation film was approximately 7.13 μm. The interpore distance and the diameters of the major pores in the porous layer of the film were within the approximate ranges of 10–20 nm and 5–10 nm, respectively. Insoluble eutectic Si particles strongly influenced the morphology of the anodic oxidation films. The anodic oxidation films exhibited minimal defects and a uniform thickness on the ZL114 A substrates; in contrast, when the front of the oxide oxidation films encountered eutectic Si particles, defects such as pits and non-uniform thickness were observed, and pits were observed in the films.     

Effect of Zinc additive on dielectric properties of Cd–Se glassy system

Cd5Se95–xZnx(x=0, 2, 4, 6) glassy alloy has been prepared by a melt-quenching technique. Thin films were deposited by thermal coating unit on ultraclean glass substrate under a vacuum of 10–6Torr. The absence of any sharp peaks in the X-ray diffraction confirms the amorphous nature of thin films. The frequency and temperature dependence of dielectric constant and dielectric loss in the frequency range of 1 kHz to 1 MHz and in the temperature range of 290–370 K were studied. Dielectric dispersion was observed when Zinc(Zn) was incorporated into the Cd–Se system.The increase in dielectric parameter with Zn concentration may be due to increase in defect states. The DC conductivity has been reported to investigate the effect of Zn concentration on DC conduction loss. The results are interpreted in term of dipolar theory for Cd5Se95 and Cd5Se93Zn2samples, while the remaining samples have been explained on the basis of DC conduction loss. It was also observed that the DC conductivity increased with the increase of Zinc concentration, which may be due to the decrease in the band gap near Fermi level.     

Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3-BaTiO3 Complex Perovskite Ferroelectric Ceramics with High Dielectric Constant and Low Firing Temperature

The effects of different firing temperatures on the stability of perovskite phase, grain size, and dielectric properties were investigated by XRD, TEM, SEM and dielectric measurements. The dielectric ceramics of Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-PbTiO₃-BaTiO₃ system were obtained by chemical coprecipitation in water. The ceramics have higher dielectric constant (7003-9714), lower firing temperature(950-1150℃), quite uniform microstructure with grain size less than 2.5 mp, and lower temperature coefficients of capacitance. As a result, it was confirmed that the simple and low cost chemical route used namely coprecipitation in water is a desired method for preparing high property dielectric materials applicable to multilayer capacitors.     

Variation in retained austenite content and mechanical properties of 0.2C–7Mn steel after intercritical annealing

The effects of annealing time and temperature on the retained austenite content and mechanical properties of 0.2C–7Mn steel were studied. The retained austenite content of 0.2C–7Mn steel was compared with that of 0.2C–5Mn steel. It is found that 0.2C–7Mn steel exhibits a similar variation trend of retained austenite content as 0.2C–5Mn steel. However, in detail, these trends are different. 0.2C–7Mn steel contains approximately 7.5vol% retained austenite after austenitization and quenching. The stability of the reversed austenite in 0.2C–7Mn steel is lower than that in 0.2C–5Mn steel; in contrast, the equilibrium reversed austenite fraction of 0.2C–7Mn steel is substantially greater than that of 0.2C–5Mn steel. Therefore, the retained austenite content in 0.2C–7Mn steel reaches 53.1vol%. The tensile results show that long annealing time and high annealing temperature may not favor the enhancement of mechanical properties of 0.2C–7Mn steel. The effect of retained austenite on the tensile strength of the steel depends on the content of retained austenite; in contrast, the 0.2% yield strength linearly decreases with increasing retained austenite content.     

Effects of laser heat treatment on the fracture morphologies of X80 pipeline steel welded joints by stress corrosion

The surfaces of X80 pipeline steel welded joints were processed with a CO₂ laser, and the effects of laser heat treatment (LHT) on H₂S stress corrosion in the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) solution were analyzed by a slow strain rate test. The fracture morphologies and chemical components of corrosive products before and after LHT were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy, respectively, and the mechanism of LHT on stress corrosion cracking was discussed. Results showed that the fracture for welded joints was brittle in its original state, while it was transformed to a ductile fracture after LHT. The tendencies of hydrogen-induced corrosion were reduced, and the stress corrosion sensitivity index decreased from 35.2% to 25.3%, indicating that the stress corrosion resistance of X80 pipeline steel welded joints has been improved by LHT.     

利用赤泥与烟气脱硫粉煤灰制备道路基材及其耐久性和微观结构的分析

The present study aimed to investigate the durability and microstructure evolution of road base materials (RBM) prepared from red mud and flue gas desulfurization fly ash. The durability testing showed that the strength of RBM with the blast furnace slag addition of 1wt%, 3wt% and 5wt% reached 3.81, 4.87, and 5.84 MPa after 5 freezing–thawing (F–T) cycles and reached 5.21, 5.75, and 6.98 MPa after 20 weting–drying (W–D) cycles, respectively. The results also indicated that hydration products were continuously formed even during W–D and F–T exposures, resulting in an increase of the strength and durability of RBM. The observed increase of macropores (>1 μm) after F–T and W–D exposures suggested that the mechanism of RBM deterioration is pore enlargement due to cracks that develop inside their matrix. Moreover, the F–T exposure showed a greater negative effect on the durability of RBM compared to the W–D exposure. The leaching tests showed that sodium and heavy metals were solidified below the minimum requirement, which indicates that these wastes are suitable for use as a natural material replacement in road base construction.     

孔型轧制对Cu–Nb微复合导线组织和性能的影响

Cu–Nb microcomposite wire was successfully prepared by a groove rolling process. The effects of groove rolling on the diffraction peaks, microstructure, and properties of the Cu–Nb microcomposite were investigated and the microstructure evolutions and strengthening mechanism were discussed. The tensile strength of the Cu–Nb microcomposite wire with a diameter of 2.02 mm was greater than 1 GPa, and its conductivity reached 68% of the International Annealed Copper Standard, demonstrating the Cu–Nb microcomposite wire with high tensile strength and high conductivity after groove rolling. The results show that an appropriate groove rolling method can improve the performance of the Cu–Nb microcomposite wire.     

Predictability of Plastic Parts Behaviour Made from Rapid Manufacturing

One of the most important issues to resolve in parts manufactured from rapid manufacturing (RM) technologies is to know their behavior working under real conditions. Total quality manufacturing (TQM) is only possible if mechanical properties are well known in the design stage depending on the processing parameters. This work is mainly focused on testing of several samples made with different selective laser sintering (SLS) parameters and technologies. This procedure is the starting point to establish a basis for designing for RM and the standardization of RM testing. The experiments and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) analyzed the effects of several factors on mechanical properties. The SLS technologies were 3DSystem and EOS. The results show which factor has a large effect on the variables and the interaction between them. The conclusions are very useful for developing rules for designing (designing for RM) and creating new standard rules (ISO, AISI, and DIN) for RM materials and parts testing. The ANOVA gives a better knowledge of the effects of these factors and eliminates unimportant parameters.     

Effect of groove rolling on the microstructure and properties of Cu–Nb microcomposite wires

Cu–Nb microcomposite wire was successfully prepared by a groove rolling process. The effects of groove rolling on the diffraction peaks, microstructure, and properties of the Cu–Nb microcomposite were investigated and the microstructure evolutions and strengthening mechanism were discussed. The tensile strength of the Cu–Nb microcomposite wire with a diameter of 2.02 mm was greater than 1 GPa, and its conductivity reached 68% of the International Annealed Copper Standard, demonstrating the Cu–Nb microcomposite wire with high tensile strength and high conductivity after groove rolling. The results show that an appropriate groove rolling method can improve the performance of the Cu–Nb microcomposite wire.     

Corrosion behavior of Ni–P/nano-TiC composite coating prepared in electroless baths containing different types of surfactant

In current research, in order to enhance the incorporation of nano-sized TiC particles into electroless Ni–P (EN) coating, different types of surfactant (cationic, anionic, and polymeric) were added to the plating bath. The effects of addition of the surfactants on surface morphology, deposition rate, TiC and P contents of the prepared coatings were investigated. The surface morphology was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was demonstrated that in the presence of the anionic, polymeric and somehow cationic surfactants, TiC nano-particles were embedded in the matrix which influenced the surface morphology. The effect of surfactant types on the corrosion properties of Ni–P/TiC coated steel was also studied. Corrosion behavior of the coated steel was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) which affected by the incorporation of TiC particles into the Ni–P matrix. The level of corrosion resistance improvement depended largely on the phosphorous and TiC concentration of the applied coating.     

Effect of alloying elements and processing parameters on the Portevin–Le Chatelier effect of Al–Mg alloys

The effects of alloying elements and processing parameters on the mechanical properties and Portevin–Le Chatelier effect of Al–Mg alloys developed for inner auto body sheets were investigated in detail. Tensile testing was performed in various Zn and Mg contents under different annealing and cold-rolling conditions. In the results, the stress drop and reloading time of serrations increase with increasing plastic strain and exhibit a common linear relationship. The increase rates of stress drop and reloading time increase with increasing Mg or Zn content. The alloys with a greater intensity of serrated yielding generally exhibit a greater elongation. The stress drop and reloading time of serrations decrease with increasing grain size in the case of the annealed samples. The cold-rolled sample exhibits the most severe serration because it initially contains a large number of grain boundaries and dislocations.