Zr-xNb-4Sn alloys with low Young’s modulus and magnetic susceptibility for biomedical implants

The microstructure, mechanical and magnetic properties of Zr–x (8, 9, 10, wt.%)Nb–4Sn alloys were investigated to obtain novel Zr-based alloy with low Young’s modulus and magnetic susceptibility for biomedical implants. After homogenization annealing, hot forging and solution annealing, Zr–8Nb–4Sn, Zr–9Nb–4Sn and Zr–10Nb–4Sn alloys were composed of β+α″ phase, β+α″ phase, β+ω phase, respectively. The temperature at which the α" and ω phase were transformed into β phase during the heating process was about 200 ​°C, and the phase transformation temperature decreased with the increase of Nb element. Among all the Zr–x (x ​= ​8,9,10)Nb–4Sn(wt.%) alloys, Zr–9Nb–4Sn alloy had the lowest Young's modulus of 46.6 ​GPa and the low magnetic susceptibility of 1.294 ​× ​10⁻⁶ cm³g⁻¹, which has a good application prospect for biomedical applications.     

Towards understanding the influence of Mg content on phase transformations in the La3-xMgxNi9 alloys by in-situ neutron powder diffraction study

The present work is focused on the studies of the phase-structural transformations in the La_3-xMg_xNi₉ (x = 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2) alloys as active materials of negative electrodes in the Nickel-Metal Hydride(Ni/MH) batteries. The phase equilibria and phase-structural transformations in the alloys were probed by in situ neutron powder diffraction(NPD) at the temperatures ranging from 300 K to 1273 K using the measurements of the equilibrated alloys at 8 setpoint temper...     

Ameliorating mechanical properties and reducing anisotropy of as-extruded Mg-1.0Sn-0.5Ca alloy via Al addition

Effects of Al addition to a Mg–Sn–Ca ternary alloy on its microstructure and tensile properties after extrusion were studied via extrusion of Mg-1.0 Sn-0.5 Ca-x Al(x = 0, 0.8, 2.4 wt%) sheets and analysis of the extruded materials.The results showed that Al addition not only refined the grain size(from 9.8 ± 0.7 μm to 8.3 ± 0.4 μm and7.6 ± 0.5 μm) but also accelerated the generation of more second phase(from 0.98 to 1.72 and 4.32%). Except for the CaMgSn and Mg₂Ca in Mg-1.0Sn-0.5 Ca a...     

Spectroscopic properties of Er3+/Ho3+/Tm3+ doped α-SiAlON ceramics under 793 ​nm excitation

This paper reports the first demonstration of super broadband infrared downshifting emission extending from 1640 ​nm to 2200 ​nm with the full width at half maximum of ∼ 417 ​nm in lanthanides (Er³⁺, Ho³⁺, and Tm³⁺)-doped α-SiAlON ceramics upon 793 ​nm excitation. Using α-Si₃N₄ ceramic as a precursor the lanthanides-doped α-SiAlON ceramics were synthesized by the hot-press method. The lanthanides induced no significant secondary phases in the sintered α-SiAlON ceramics. Strong two-photon upconversion emission bands centered at 547, 671 and 694 ​nm have also been observed upon 793 ​nm excitation. The time-resolved measurements of the upconversion emissions confirm that the efficient energy transfer among the Er³⁺, Ho³⁺ and Tm³⁺ ions as well as the ground state absorption in Er³⁺ and Tm³⁺ are responsible for the observed spectroscopic properties.     

Corrosion resistance and thermal stability of sputtered Fe44Al34Ti7N15 and Al61Ti11N28 thin films for prospective application in oil and gas industry

Fe-and Al-based thin-film metallic glass coatings (Fe₄₄Al₃₄Ti₇N₁₅ and Al₆₁Ti₁₁N₂₈) were fabricated using magnetron co-sputtering technique, and their corrosion performances compared against wrought 316L stainless steel. The results of GI-XRD and XPS analyses demonstrated amorphous structure and oxide layer formation on the surface of the fabricated thin films, respectively. The potentiodynamic (PD) polarization test in chloride-thiosulfate (NH₄Cl ​+ ​Na₂S₂O₃) solution revealed lower corrosion current (I_corr) (0.42 ​± ​0.02 ​μA/cm² and 0.086 ​± ​0.001 ​μA/cm² Vs. 0.76 ​± ​0.05 ​μA/cm²), lower passivation current (I_pass) (1.45 ​± ​0.03 ​μA/cm² and 1.83 ​± ​0.07 ​μA/cm² Vs. 1.98 ​± ​0.04 ​μA/cm²), and approximately six-fold higher breakdown potential (E_bd) for Fe- and Al-based coatings than those of wrought 316L stainless steel. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) of both films showed 4- and 2-fold higher charge transfer resistance (R_ct), 7- and 2.5-times higher film resistance (R_f), lower film capacitance values (Q_f) (10 ​± ​2.4 ​μS-s^acm^-2, and 5.41 ​± ​0.8 ​μS-s^acm^-2 Vs. 18 ​± ​2.21 ​μS-s^acm^-2), and lower double-layer capacitance values (Q_dl) (31.33 ​± ​4.74 ​μS-s^acm^-2, and 15.3 ​± ​0.48 ​μS-s^acm^-2 Vs. 43 ​± ​4.23 ​μS-s^acm^-2), indicating higher corrosion resistance of the thin films. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) scan exhibited that the passive films formed on the Fe- and Al-based coatings were more stable and less prone to pitting corrosion than the wrought 316L stainless steel. The surface morphology of both films via SEM endorsed the CV scan results, showing better resistance to pitting corrosion. Furthermore, the thermal analysis via TGA and DSC revealed the excellent thermal stability of the thin films over a wide temperature range typically observed in oil-gas industries.     

Microstructure and electrical conductivity of 10% Yb-doped SrCeO3 ceramics

As a candidate material for hydrogen separation, Yb-doped SrCeO₃ has attracted increasing attention in recent decades. In the present study, Yb-doped SrCe_0.9Yb_0.1O_3-α ceramics were prepared by the dry pressing and sintering approach, with the microstructure evolution and the micro morphology investigated. It was indicated that the ceramics sintered in air were of a pure perovskite structure, and that the sintering temperature had a significant effect on the growth of ceramic grains. The average grain size increased from 1 ​μm to 10 ​μm with an increase in sintering temperature from 1300 to 1500 ​°C. Further investigation of the thermodynamics and kinetics of grain growth revealed that the grain boundary diffusion was the main driving force of grain growth during solid phase sintering, with a grain growth index of 4 and an activation energy of approximately 61.23 ​kJ ​mol⁻¹. These results illustrate an obvious tendency of grain size growth. By electrochemical workstation with different atmospheres the effects of sintering temperature on the conductivity were characterized in the temperature range of 700–900 ​°C. The electrical conductivities σ of SrCe_0.9Yb_0.1O_3-α ceramics in different atmospheres were as follows: σ(wet hydrogen) ​> ​σ(dry hydrogen) ​> ​σ(dry air) ​> ​σ(wet air). In the test atmosphere containing water and hydrogen the conductivity of protons increased with increasing temperature because of the protons jump between lattices in the form of interstitial hydrogen ions or bare protons.     

Structure and effect of diamagnetism on manganese lithium phosphate glass to cathode materials application

1-x(Li₂ O-2 P₂ O₅)-xMnO₂ glasses where x=0.2,0.3 and 0.4 mol%,respectively,were synthesized by meltedquenching method.The Mn and P oxidation states and local structures around Mn and P-ions including Mn-O and P-O bonding distances and coordination numbers have been studied via X-ray absorption near edge structure(XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure(EXAFS),respectively.XANES results exhibit a coexistence of oxidation state of Mn²⁺     

Synthesis of amorphous SeP2/C composite by plasma assisted ball milling for high-performance anode materials of lithium and sodium-ion batteries

To promote substantially the performances of red phosphorous(P) anode for lithium and sodium-ion batteries, a simple plasma assisted milling(P-milling) method was used to in-situ synthesize SeP₂/C composite. The results showed that the amorphous SeP₂/C composite exhibits the excellent lithium and sodium storage performances duo to the small nano-granules size and complete combination of selenium(Se) and phosphorous(P) to generate Se–P alloy phase. It was observed that insid...     

Li3N film modified separator with homogenization effect of lithium ions for stable lithium metal battery

Lithium metal anode with high theoretical capacity is considered to be one of the most potential anode materials of the next generation. However, the growth of lithium dendrite seriously affects the application of lithium metal anode and the development of lithium metal batteries(LMBs). Herein, an ultrathin Li₃N film modified separator to homogenize the lithium ions and protect the lithium metal anode was reported. Due to the intrinsic properties of Li₃N, the functional sep...     

Improvement in hydrogen storage performance of Mg by mechanical grinding with molten salt etching Ti3C2Clx

Mg-based materials are currently a hot research topic as hydrogen storage materials due to their considerable theoretical hydrogen storage capacity. However, the kinetic performance of hydrogen absorption and desorption of Mg is too slow and requires high temperature, which seriously hinders the application of this material. MXene is a new type of two-dimensional material with significant role in improving thermodynamics and kinetics. In this experiment, a two-dimensional layered MXene containing Cl functional group was prepared by molten salt etching using the Ti-containing MAX phase as the raw material. Then different ratios of Ti₃C₂Cl_x were uniformly dispersed onto the surface of Mg by high energy ball milling. The samples were characterized by hydrogen absorption and desorption kinetics, SEM, XRD, XPS, and DSC to investigate the effect of Ti₃C₂Cl_x on the hydrogen absorption and desorption performance of Mg. The onset hydrogen absorption temperature can be reduced to room temperature and the hydrogen release temperature is reduced by 200 ​°C by doping Ti₃C₂Cl_x. And there is also 5.4 ​wt% hydrogen storage in the isothermal hydrogen absorption test at 400 ​°C. The results of DSC demonstrate that the E_a of Mg+15 ​wt% Ti₃C₂Cl_x was reduced by 12.6% compared to pristine Mg. The ΔH is almost invariable. The results of XPS show that the presence of multivalent Ti promotes electron transfer and thus improves the conversion between Mg²⁺/Mg and H⁻/H. This study provides a guideline for further improving the hydrogen absorption and desorption performance of Mg-based hydrogen storage materials.     

Thermal damage and ablation behavior of plasma sprayed Ba2SmTaO6 coatings irradiated by high power continuous laser

Ba₂SmTaO₆ laser protection coatings of ≈200 μm thickness were deposited onto stainless steel surfaces by air plasma spraying, and the laser irradiation resistance of the coatings was investigated. For laser irradiation with a laser power density less than 1000 W/cm², the coatings kept intact. For a laser power density exceeding 1500 W/cm², the Ba₂SmTaO₆ coatings underwent recrystallization, grain growth occurred, and certain spray...     

Linear and non-linear pseudocapacitances with or without diffusion control

Pseudocapacitance is an important reversible charge storage mechanism in many electrode materials. Although the concept was first proposed in early 1960s, it has been more widely studied following the observation of rectangular cyclic voltammograms(CVs) when testing some transition metal oxides and electronically conducting polymers, and the association with supercapacitor. However, interpretation of pseudocapacitance is inconsistent in the literature. Although all agree that materials are pseud...     

Nickel-introduced structurally ordered PtCuNi/C as high performance electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction

Designing highly active and durable oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts is essential for developing efficient proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). In this work, ordered PtCuNi/C nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using an impregnation reduction method. This study shows that the incorporation of Ni in ordered PtCu/C can effectively adjust the electronic structure of Pt, thereby optimizing oxygen binding energy for the ORR. The obtained intermetallic ordered PtCuNi/C NPs significantly improved ORR activity and durability compared to ordered PtCu/C. Specifically, PtCu_0·5Ni_0·5/C-700 shows a mass activity of 1.29 ​A ​mg _Pt⁻¹ ​at 0.9 ​V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), which is about 9.2 times higher than that of commercial Pt/C. PtCu_0.5Ni_0.5/C-700 is also shown to be competent cathode catalyst for a single-cell system exhibiting high power density (461 ​mW ​cm⁻²). This work demonstrates that ordered PtCu_0·5Ni_0·5/C-700 can be used as a highly active and durable ORR catalyst in PEMFCs.     

Magnetic field induced synthesis of (Ni,Zn)Fe2O4 spinel nanorod for enhanced alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction

Recently, the introduction of external fields(light, thermal, magnetism, etc.) during electrocatalysis reactions gradually becomes a new strategy to modulate the catalytic activities. In this work, an external magnetic field was innovatively employed for the synthesis progress of(Ni, Zn)Fe₂O₄spinel oxide(M-(Ni, Zn)Fe₂O₄). Results indicated the magnetic field(≤250 m T) would affect the morphology of catalyst due to the existing Fe ions, inducing the M-(...     

Large specific surface area S-doped Fe–N–C electrocatalysts derived from Metal–Organic frameworks for oxygen reduction reaction

It is highly desired but challenging to develop platinum group metal-free electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), which can promote the commercialization of fuel cell technology. To achieve this target, we report a one-step doping method to prepare S-doped Fe–N–C catalysts using zeolite imidazole framework (ZIF-8) and iron (III) thiocyanate (Fe(SCN)₃) as precursor. Different from conventional doping approach, i.e. physical mixing, Fe(SCN)₃ is in-situ added during ZIF-8 formation which would encapsulate Fe(SCN)₃ molecules inside ZIF-8 to avoid structure destruction and create potential replacement of Zn ions by Fe ions to form uniform Fe–N₄ complexes. As a result, the prepared S-doped Fe–N–C catalysts own large specific surface areas with a maximum value of 1326 ​m² ​g⁻¹ and a dual-scale porous structure that benefits mass transport. Significantly, the composition-optimized catalyst exhibits superior ORR activity in both 0.1 ​M HClO₄ electrolyte and 0.1 ​M KOH electrolyte, in which the half-wave potential reaches 0.81 ​V and 0.92 ​V (vs. RHE), respectively. Remarkable stability is also attained, which loses 2 ​mV only after 10000 potential cycles in O₂-saturated 0.1 ​M HClO₄ and remains almost constant in O₂-saturated 0.1 ​M KOH, surpassing commercial Pt/C catalyst in both acidic and alkaline medium.     

Effects of Sr2+ substitution on the structural,dielectric, and piezoelectric properties of PZT-PMN ceramics

This study described the structural, dielectric, and piezoelectric behavior of Pb_1?x Sr _x [(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)_0.95(Mn_1/3Nb_2/3)_0.05]O₃ ceramics (PSZT-PMN, x = 0, 0.025, 0.050, and 0.075), prepared by a semi-wet route. X-ray diffraction, dielectric, and piezoelectric investigations were carried out to analyze the crystal structure. The relative dielectric constant and dielectric loss were both calculated as the functions of temperature. The room-temperature dielectric constant reaches a maximum for a Sr²⁺-modified PZT-PMN ceramic with an x value of 0.050, which corresponds to the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB). Raman spectroscopy studies also confirm the existence of this MPB for x = 0.050. The piezoelectric strain coefficients (d ₃₃) value shows a maximum response for this composition. In addition, the phase transition temperature decreases significantly when the Sr²⁺ concentration increases in the PZT-PMN ceramics.     

DC-bias and visible light effect on dielectric characteristics of La_(0.5)Cr_(0.5)TiO_(3+δ)

La_(0.5)Cr_(0.5)TiO_(3+δ) ceramic sample was prepared via traditional solid-state reaction route. Frequency and temperature dependence of dielectric permittivity were studied in the range of 10~2~ 10~6 Hz and of 77 ~360 K, respectively. It was observed that extraordinarily high low-frequency dielectric constants appeared at room temperature, and dielectric relaxation peaks shifted to higher temperature with increasing frequency. In the dc-bias studies, it was also found that the dielectric permittivity had obviously dc-bias dependence in low frequency, but independence as the frequency above 14 kHz. Interestingly, the dielectric characteristics of the sample had obvious light dependence at room temperature within the measured frequency range. The results demonstrate that visible light improves the dielectric properties of the ceramic by means of I–V and complex impedance analysis.     

Current Research Progress in Magnesium Borohydride for Hydrogen Storage (A review)

Hydrogen storage in solid-state materials is believed to be a most promising hydrogen-storage technology for high efficiency, low risk and low cost. Mg(BH₄)₂ is regarded as one of most potential materials in hydrogen storage areas in view of its high hydrogen capacities(14.9 wt% and 145–147 kg cm^-3). However, the drawbacks of Mg(BH₄)₂ including high desorption temperatures(about 250°C–580°C), sluggish kinetics, and poor reversibility make it...     

Internal energy transfer phenomenon and light-emission properties of γ-LiAlO2 phosphor doped with Mn2+

γ-LiAlO₂:Mn²⁺ phosphor was synthesized using the cellulose-citric acid sol-gel method, and its light emission and energy transfer properties were investigated. Excitation and emission spectrum analysis revealed a decrease in intensity of the spectrum as the amount of Mn²⁺ doping increased. Blasse’s equation determined the maximum distance for energy transfer between Mn²⁺ ions as 4.3142 nm. Dexter’s theory verifies that the mechanism of energy transfer between Mn²⁺ ions conforms to an electric dipole and electric quadrupole interaction.     

Enhanced hydrogen storage properties of NaBH4–Mg(BH4)2 composites by NdF3 addition

As two important members of complex hydrides,Mg(BH₄)₂ and Na BH₄ have a high gravimetric capacity (14.9 and10.8 wt%,respectively).In this study,the Mg(BH₄)₂ was synthesized by the ion exchange method.Afterwards,the Mg(BH₄)₂ and Na BH₄ composites with different amounts (30,40 and 50 wt%) of NdF₃ were prepared by mechanical milling.Effects of the Nd F₃ on the microstructural evolution and ...