Microstructure and phase composition of hypoeutectic Te–Bi alloy as evaporation source for photoelectric cathode

A hypoeutectic 60Te–40Bi alloy in mass percent was designed as a tellurium atom evaporation source instead of pure tellurium for an ultraviolet detection photocathode. The alloy was prepared by slow solidification at about 10-2 K·s-1. The microstructure, crystal structure, chemical composition, and crystallographic orientation of each phase in the as-prepared alloy were investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, electron backscatter diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The experimental results suggest that the as-prepared 60Te–40Bi alloy consists of primary Bi₂Te₃ and eutectic Bi₂Te₃/Te phases. The primary Bi₂Te₃ phase has the characteristics of faceted growth. The eutectic Bi₂Te₃ phase is encased by the eutectic Te phase in the eutectic structure. The purity of the eutectic Te phase reaches 100wt% owing to the slow solidification. In the eutectic phases, the crystallographic orientation relationship between Bi₂Te₃ and Te is confirmed as [0001]_Bi2Te3//[1213]_Te and the direction of Te phase parallel to [1120]_Bi2Te3 is deviated by 18° from N(2111)_Te.     

A creep technique for monitoring the aging precipitation in Cu-Nb bainitic steels

A creep technique was applied on a Gleeble-1500 thermal simulator for monitoring the aging precipitation in ultra-low carbon steels containing various coppers. The aging hardening curve was obtained by the hardness testing. With the aid of an optical microscope and TEM, the microstructure and the aging precipitates were detected. The results indicate that when the precipitation occurs during the creep a plateau will appear on the creep curve; the left-hand and right-hand endings of the plateau correspond to the precipitation start (P_s) and finish (P_f) times, respectively. The P_f obtained from the creep curve coincides with the peak hardness time (t_p) at the aging hardening curve. A precipitation-time-temperature (PTT) diagram of the steel can be obtained.     

Lead removal from aqueous solution by employing natural brucite

The effect and mechanism of the removal of Pb2+ from an aqueous solution by using brucite as the adsorbent were studied.It was revealed that the increase in pH of brucite suspension, as a result of the release of magnesium hydroxide into the suspension,leads to a sharp rise of the adsorption amount of Pb2+ on brucite. The synergism of buffering and adsorption capacities of brucite is responsible for the removal of Pb2+ from the aqueous solution. The coexistence of Cu2+ with Pb2+ causes a decrease of their adsorption on brucite due to a competition for surface sites and brucite exhibits a higher adsorption capacity for Pb2+ than for Cu2+. The percentage adsorption of Pb2+ on brucite could reach 96.38%, 97.20% and 94.09% respectively with the initial pH of the suspension pH_i = 1.76 (initial Pb2+ concentration [Pb2+]_i = 20 μmol/L), 1.82 ([Pb2+]_i = 100 μmol/L) and 1.84 ([Pb2+]_i = 500 μmol/L). It was concluded that brucite is a very efficient mineral adsorbent for Pb2+ removal from polluted acidic water.     

Characterization of Fe3Si-based coatings on low silicon steel by pulsed Nd:YAG laser cladding

The Fe₃Si based coating was produced on the Fe-1 Si steel surface by a pulsed Nd:YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) laser. Its phase constitution and microstructure were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscope (OM), and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) with associated energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The hyperfine structure of the coating was studied by Mrssbauer spectra (MS) and the magnetic property was also measured at room temperature by a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The obtained coating is pore and crack-free with dense microstructure and high Si content. The metallurgical bonding between the coating and the substrate was realized. The microstructure of the coating is typical fine dendrites. The major phase was confirmed by XRD and TEM to be the ordering D0₃ structured Fe₃Si phase. In addition, there were smaller amounts of the Fe₅Si₃ phase and the γ-Fe phase in the coating. Compared with the substrate, the laser cladding coating has a lower saturation magnetization and a higher coercive force. The poor magnetic property might be because of rapid solidification microstructure and phase constitution in the coating.     

SDBS辅助制备的花状ZnO微结构的生长机理及光催化性能评价

Flower-like ZnO microstructures were successfully produced using a hydrothermal method employing ZnSO₄/(NH₄)₂SO₄ as a raw material. The effect of the operating parameters of the hydrothermal temperature, OH?/Zn2+ molar ratio, time, and amount of dispersant on the phase structure and micromorphology of the ZnO particles were investigated. The synthesis conditions of the flower-like ZnO microstructures were: hydrothermal temperature of 160°C, OH?/Zn2+ molar ratio of 5:1, reaction time of 4 h, and 4 mL of dispersant. The flower-like ZnO microstructures were comprised of hexagon-shaped ZnO rods arranged in a radiatively. Degradation experiments of Rhodamine B with the flower-like ZnO microstructures demonstrated a degradation efficiency of 97.6% after 4 h of exposure to sunshine, indicating excellent photocatalytic capacity. The growth mechanism of the flower-like ZnO microstructures was presented.     

Preparation of Gd_2O_3 :Eu~(3+) downconversion luminescent material and its application in dye-sensitized solar cells

Gd₂O₃ :Eu³⁺ downconversion luminescent powder was prepared using the homogeneous precipitation method. Its optical properties were analyzed and it was introduced into a dye-sensitized solar cell （DSSC）. As a luminescence medium, Gd₂O₃ :Eu³⁺ improved light harvesting via conversion luminescence and increased the photocurrent of the DSSC. As a p-type dopant insulating rare earth oxides form an energy barrier, and the Gd₂O₃ :Eu³⁺ elevated the energy level of the oxide film and increased the photovoltage. The photoelectric conversion efficiency for a DSSC with Gd₂O₃ :Eu³⁺ doping （6 : 100） reached 7.01%, which was 17.4% higher than the photoelectrical conversion efficiency of a DSSC without Gd 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ doping.     

Mass transfer of phosphorus in high-phosphorus hot-metal refining

Mass transfer of phosphorus in high-phosphorus hot-metal refining was investigated using CaO-Fe_tO-SiO₂ slags at 1623 K. Based on a two-film theory kinetic model and experimental results, it was found that the overall mass transfer coefficient, which includes the effects of mass transfer in both the slag phase and metal phase, is in the range of 0.0047 to 0.0240 cm/s. With the addition of a small amount of fluxing agents Al₂O₃ or Na₂O into the slag, the overall mass transfer coefficient has an obvious increase. Silicon content in the hot metal also influences the overall mass transfer coefficient. The overall mass transfer coefficient in the lower[Si] heat is much higher than that in the higher[Si] heat. It is concluded that both fluxing agents and lower[Si] hot metal facilitate mass transfer of phosphorus in liquid phases. Furthermore, the addition of Na₂O could also prevent rephosphorization at the end of the experiment.     

Effects of additives on the phase transformation,occurrence state,and the interface of the Ti component in Ti-bearing blast furnace slag

The influences of additives on the phase transformation, occurrence state, and the interface of the Ti component in Ti-bearing blast furnace slag were investigated. After oxidation, most of the Ti component in the slag was enriched into the perovskite phase, which served as the Ti-rich phase during the crystallization process. The phase transformation, occurrence state, and the interface of the Ti component were observed to be affected by the addition of different types of agents. During the oxidation process, titanaugite and Ti-rich diopside phases gradually transformed into non-Ti phases (anorthite: CaMgSi₂O₆ and CaAl₂Si₂O₈) in the form of dendrites or columns, which were observed to be distributed at the surface of the perovskite phase. Several more cracks appeared along the grain boundaries of the perovskite phase after the addition of P₂O₅, facilitating the liberation of the perovskite phase. Composite additives combining both an acid and a base, such as CaO + CaF₂ or P₂O₅ + CaF₂, were used. We observed that the disadvantages of using single additives were successfully overcome.     

Thermodynamics and phase transformations in the recovery of zinc from willemite

Willemite is a common component of zinc and lead metallurgical slags that, in the absence of effective utilization methods, cause serious environmental problems. To solve this problem and increase zinc recovery, we proposed a novel extraction method of zinc from willemite by calcified roasting followed by leaching in NH₄Cl-NH₃·H₂O solution. The thermodynamics and phase conversion of Zn₂SiO₄ to zinc oxide (ZnO) during calcified roasting with CaO were investigated. The mechanism of mineralogical phase conversion and the effects of the CaO-to-Zn₂SiO₄ mole ratio (n(CaO)/n(Zn₂SiO₄)), roasting temperature, and the roasting time on zinc-bearing phase conversion were experimentally investigated. The results show that Zn₂SiO₄ was first converted to Ca₂ZnSi₂O₇ and then to ZnO. The critical step in extracting zinc from willemite is the conversion of Zn₂SiO₄ to ZnO. The zinc percent leached in the ammonia leaching system rapidly increased because of the gradual complete phase conversion from willemite to ZnO via the calcified roasting process.     

Use of ionic liquid in leaching process of brass wastes for copper and zinc recovery

Brass ash from the industrial brass manufacturer in Turkey was leached using the solutions of ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hydrogen sulfate ([bmim]HSO₄) at ambient pressure in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and potassium peroxymonosulfate (oxone) as the oxidants. Parameters affecting leaching efficiency, such as dissolution time, IL concentration, and oxidizing agent addition, were investigated. The results show that [bmim]HSO₄ is an efficient IL for the brass ash leaching, providing the dissolution efficiencies of 99% for Zn and 24.82% for Cu at a concentration of 50vol% [bmim]HSO₄ in the aqueous solution without any oxidant. However, more than 99% of zinc and 82% of copper are leached by the addition of 50vol% H₂O₂ to the [bmim]HSO₄ solution. Nevertheless, the oxone does not show the promising oxidant behavior in leaching using [bmim]HSO₄.     

Effects of aging on the microstructure of a Cu-Al-Ni-Mn shape memory alloy

The influence of aging on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Cu-11.6wt%Al-3.9wt%Ni-2.5wt%Mn shape memory alloy (SMA) was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffractometer, and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Experimental results show that bainite, γ_2, and α phase precipitates occur with the aging effect in the alloy. After aging at 300dgC, the bainitic precipitates appear at the early stages of aging, while the precipitates of γ₂ phase are observed for a longer aging time. When the aging temperature increases, the bainite gradually evolves into γ₂ phase and equilibrium α phase (bcc) precipitates from the remaining parent phase. Thus, the bainite, γ₂, and α phases appear, while the martensite phase disappears progressively in the alloy. The bainitic precipitates decrease the reverse transformation temperature while the γ₂ phase precipitates increase these temperatures with a decrease of solute content in the retained parent phase. On the other hand, these precipitations cause an increasing in hardness of the alloy.     

Hydrogen storage properties of MgH<Subscript>2</Subscript> co-catalyzed by LaH<Subscript>3</Subscript> and NbH

To improve the hydrogen storage properties of Mg-based alloys, a composite material of MgH₂ + 10wt%LaH₃ + 10wt%NbH was prepared by a mechanical milling method. The composite exhibited favorable hydrogen desorption properties, releasing 0.67wt% H₂ within 20 min at 548 K, which was ascribed to the co-catalytic effect of LaH₃ and NbH upon dehydriding of MgH₂. By contrast, pure MgH₂, an MgH₂ + 20wt%LaH₃ composite, and an MgH₂ + 20wt%NbH composite only released 0.1wt%, 0.28wt%, and 0.57wt% H₂, respectively, under the same conditions. Analyses by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy showed that the composite particle size was small. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopic mapping demonstrated that La and Nb were distributed homogeneously in the matrix. Differential thermal analysis revealed that the dehydriding peak temperature of the MgH₂ + 10wt%LaH₃ + 10wt%NbH composite was 595.03 K, which was 94.26 K lower than that of pure MgH₂. The introduction of LaH₃ and NbH was beneficial to the hydrogen storage performance of MgH₂.     

Particle erosion of infrared materials

Erosion test of some infrared (IR) optical crystals (Ge, ZnS, MgF₂, and quartz) was conducted with a number of different erodents (glass bead, and angular SiC, SiO₂, Al₂O₃) by a homemade gas-blasting erosion tester. The influence of impact angle, impact velocity, erodent, and erosion time on the erosion rate and the effect of erosion on their IR transmittance were studied. The dam- aged surface morphology was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and the erosion mechanism was explored. All of the materials show the maximum in wear versus impact angle at 90°, confirming their brittle failure behavior. It is found that the erosion rate is dependent on the erodent velocity by a power law, and it is highly correlated to the hardness of the erodent. The erosion rate-time curves do not show an incubation state, but an accelerated erosion period followed a maximum erosion (steady state). The decrease of IR transmittance is direct proportion to the erosion rate. Although the material loss occurs primarily by brittle process, ductile behavior is clearly an important feature, especially for MgF₂ and ZnS.     

TiO2对含铬高钛熔分渣熔化性能和黏度的影响

A study on the melting and viscosity properties of the chromium-containing high-titanium melting slag (CaO–SiO₂–MgO–Al₂O₃–TiO₂–Cr₂O₃) with TiO₂ contents ranging from 38.63wt% to 42.63wt% was conducted. The melting properties were investigated with a melting-point apparatus, and viscosity was measured using the rotating cylinder method. The FactSage 7.1 software and X-ray diffraction, in combination with scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS), were used to characterize the phase equilibrium and microstructure of chromium-containing high-titanium melting slags. The results indicated that an increase in the TiO₂ content led to a decrease in the viscosity of the chromium-containing high-titanium melting slag. In addition, the softening temperature, hemispheric temperature, and flowing temperature decreased with increasing TiO₂ content. The amount of crystallized anosovite and sphene phases gradually increased with increasing TiO₂ content, whereas the amount of perovskite phase decreased. SEM observations revealed that the distribution of the anosovite phase was dominantly influenced by TiO₂.     

Isothermal oxidation behavior and mechanism of a nickel-based superalloy at 1000℃

The oxidation behavior of a nickel-based superalloy at 1000℃ in air was investigated through X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy analysis. A series of oxides, including external oxide scales (Cr₂O₃, (TiO₂ + MnCr₂O₄)) and internal oxides (Al₂O₃,TiN), were formed on the surface or sub-surface of the substrate at 1000℃ in experimental still air. The oxidation resistance of the alloy was dependent on the stability of the surface oxide layer. The continuity and density of the protective Cr₂O₃ scale were affected by minor alloying elements such as Ti and Mn. The outermost oxide scale was composed of TiO₂ rutile and MnCr₂O₄ spinel, and the growth of TiO₂ particles was controlled by the outer diffusion of Ti ions through the pre-existing oxide layer. Severe internal oxidation occurred beneath the external oxide scale, consuming Al and Ti of the strength phase γ' (Ni₃(Al,Ti)) and thereby severely deteriorating the surface mechanical properties. The depth of the internal oxidation region was approximately 35 μm after exposure to experimental air at 1000℃ for 80 h.     

Cost-effective integrated strategy for the fabrication of hard-magnet barium hexaferrite powders from low-grade barite ore

Ultrafine barium hexaferrite (BaFe₁₂O₁₉) powders were synthesized from the metallurgical extracts of low-grade Egyptian barite ore via a co-precipitation route. Hydrometallurgical treatment of barite ore was systematically studied to achieve the maximum dissolution efficiency of Fe (~99.7%) under the optimum conditions. The hexaferrite precursors were obtained by the co-precipitation of BaS produced by the reduction of barite ore with carbon at 1273 K and then dissolved in diluted HCl and FeCl₃ solution at pH 10 using NaOH as a base; the product was then annealed at 1273 K in an open atmosphere. The effect of Fe3+/Ba2+ molar ratio and the addition of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) on the phase structure, crystallite size, morphology, and magnetic properties were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry. Single-phase BaFe₁₂O₁₉ powder was obtained at an Fe3+/Ba2+ molar ratio of 8.00. The formed powders exhibited a hexagonal platelet-like structure. Good maximum magnetization (48.3 A·m2·kg–1) was achieved in the material prepared at an Fe3+/Ba2+ molar ratio of 8.0 in the presence of 5% H₂O₂ as an oxidizer and at 1273 K because of the formation of a uniform, hexagonal-shaped structure.     

Liquid-liquid extraction of phosphorus from sulfuric acid solution using benzyl dimethyl amine

This study addresses the liquid-liquid extraction behavior of phosphorus from a sulfuric acid solution using benzyl dimethyl amine(BDMA)in kerosene.The extraction equilibria investigated with varied BDMA concentrations could reveal the formation of 3[BDMA]·[H₃PO₄]^-complex in the organic phase.The thermodynamic properties determined at various temperatures indicated that the process was exothermic with a calculated enthalpy(△H^Θ)of?24.0 kJ·mol^?1.The organic-to-aqueous phase(O/A)volume ratio was varied to elucidate the quantitative extraction of phosphorus.The McCabe-Thiele diagram plotted for the extraction isotherm was validated for the requirement of three counter-current stages in the extraction at an O/A volume ratio of 2.0/3.5.The back-extraction of phosphorus from the loaded organic phase was quantitatively achieved by contacting 4.0 mol·L?1 H2SO4 solution in three stages of counter-current contact at an O/A volume ratio of 3/2.This study can be applied to remove phosphorus from the sulfuric acid leach solutions of monazite processing,and many other solutions.     

Nanocrystalline exchange-coupled Pr-Fe-B permanent magnets

Nanocomposite Pr₂Fe₁₄B/α-Fe permanent magnets were prepared by melt spinning and subsequent crystallizahon of Pr₈Fe₈₆B₆, amorphous Precursnors. The microstructure is a two-phase nanocomposite of Pr₂Fe₁₄B and soft magnetic α-Fe with an average size of 30nm. X-ray diffration, Thermomagnetic analysis and TEM analysis indicate that amorphous Pr₈Fe₈₆B₆, alloy crystallizes through the process of Am→Am'+α-Fe→Pr₂Fe₂₃B₃+α-Fe-Pr₂Fe₁₄B+α-Fe. The highest value of remanence (B_r), cocreivity (H_ci) and maximum energy Product ((BH)_max) of the nanocrystalline alloys are 1.10T, 340 kA/m and 110 kJ/m3 respechvely, exhibihng remarkable remanence enhancement. The effect of annaling temperature and time on the microstructure and magnetic properties was also studied. The results show that appropriate annealing temperature and time are important for obtaining the optimal microstructure and the bestmagnetic properties.     

Martensitic stabilization and defects induced by deformation in TiNi shape memory alloys

Martensitic stabilization caused by deformation in a TiNi shape memory alloy was studied. Special attention was paid to the deformed microstructures to identify the cause of martensitic stabilization. Martensitic stabilization was demonstrated by differential scanning calorimetry for the tensioned TiNi shape memory alloy. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that antiphase boundaries were formed because of the fourfold dissociation of [110]_B19’ super lattice dislocations and were preserved after reverse transformation due to the lattice correspondence. Martensitic stabilization was attributed to dislocations induced by deformation, which reduced the ordering degree of the microstructure, spoiled the reverse path from martensite to parent phase compared with thermoelastic transformation, and imposed resistance on phase transformation through the stress field.     

Preparation of nano-TiO2/diatomite-based porous ceramics and their photocatalytic kinetics for formaldehyde degradation

Diatomite-based porous ceramics were adopted as carriers to immobilize nano-TiO₂ via a hydrolysis-deposition technique. The thermal degradation of as-prepared composites was investigated using thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis, and the phase and microstructure were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that the carriers were encapsulated by nano-TiO₂ with a thickness of 300-450 nm. The main crystalline phase of TiO₂ calcined at 650℃ was anatase, and the average grain size was 8.3 nm. The FT-IR absorption bands at 955.38 cm-1 suggested that new chemical bonds among Ti, O, and Si had formed in the composites. The photocatalytic (PC) activity of the composites was investigated under UV irradiation. Furthermore, the photodegradation kinetics of formaldehyde was investigated using the composites as the cores of an air cleaner. A kinetics study showed that the reaction rate constants of the gas-phase PC reaction of formaldehyde were κ=0.576 mg·m-3·min-1 and K=0.048 m3.