Synthesis of NiCr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> spinel coatings with high emissivity by plasma spraying

Air plasma spraying (APS) was used to produce high emissivity coatings with a NiCr₂O₄ spinel structure. The relationship between the emissivity and the crystal structure was investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses show that NiCr₂O₄ spinel has been fabricated with the space group Fd3m. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) photographs show that the coating consists of a laminated structure with homogeneous grains and high porosity because of the unique feature of plasma spraying. The emissivity measurement and Fourier transformation infrared radiation (FT-IR) spectra show that NiCr₂O₄ has a high emissivity of about 0.91 because of its special spinel structure. APS is a suitable method to produce high emissivity coatings.     

Preparation of high emissivity NiCr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> powders with a spinel structure by spray drying

Spray-drying was used to produce the high emissivity NiCr₂O₄ powders with a spinel structure. Preliminary investigations focused on fabricating the high emissivity powders for infrared radiation coatings and finding the relationship between microstructure and emissivity. The NiCr₂O₄ powders were characterized for composition, microstructure, and infrared emissivity by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared radiant instrument, and Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR). Thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis show that the appropriate baking temperature for NiCr₂O₄ powder preparation is about 1200°C. The emissivity measurement and FT-IR spectra show that, because of the special spinel structure, the NiCr₂O₄ powders have a high emissivity about 0.91. Spray-drying is a suitable method to produce the high emissivity ceramic powders.     

A new PAA Sol-gel method to synthesis the spinel LiMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> Material for Li-ion battery

A PAA sol-gel method, which is based on the chelate effect of PAA polymer, was developed for the synthesis of the spinel LiMn₂O₄ material. The pyrolysis process of the PAA-nitrate mixture precursor was investigated by TG and DTA analysis. It is found that the structure and electrochemical properties of the material are sensitive to the atmosphere employed in the synthesis process. Preliminary results show that the material thus prepared has a good electrochemical performance even at high charge and discharge current. Foundation item: Supported by the National Science Foundation of China (No. 29833090) Biography: Zhan Hui (1973-), female, Ph.D. research direction relectrochemistry.     

Electrical conductivity optimization of the Na3AlF6-Al2O3-Sm2O3 molten salts system for Al-Sm intermediate binary alloy production

Metal Sm has been widely used in making Al-Sm magnet alloy materials. Conventional distillation technology to produce Sm has the disadvantages of low productivity, high costs, and pollution generation. The objective of this study was to develop a molten salt electrolyte system to produce Al-Sm alloy directly, with focus on the electrical conductivity and optimal operating conditions to minimize the energy consumption. The continuously varying cell constant (CVCC) technique was used to measure the conductivity for the Na₃AlF₆-AlF₃-LiF-MgF₂-Al₂O₃-Sm₂O₃ electrolysis medium in the temperature range from 905 to 1055℃. The temperature (t) and the addition of Al₂O₃ (W(Al₂O₃)), Sm₂O₃ (W(Sm₂O₃)), and a combination of Al₂O₃ and Sm₂O₃ into the basic fluoride system were examined with respect to their effects on the conductivity (κ) and activation energy. The experimental results showed that the molten electrolyte conductivity increases with increasing temperature (t) and decreases with the addition of Al₂O₃ or Sm₂O₃ or both. We concluded that the optimal operation conditions for Al-Sm intermediate alloy production in the Na₃AlF₆-AlF₃-LiF-MgF₂-Al₂O₃-Sm₂O₃ system are W(Al₂O₃) + W(Sm₂O₃)=3wt%, W(Al₂O₃):W(Sm₂O₃)=7:3, and a temperature of 965 to 995℃, which results in satisfactory conductivity, low fluoride evaporation losses, and low energy consumption.     

Chemical quenching and inhibition of positronium in Cr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts

The pore structure of Cr2O3/Al2O3 catalysts and the surface chemical properties of these pores were characterized by positron lifetime and coincidence Doppler broadening (CDB) measurements. Four lifetime components could be resolved from the positron lifetime spectrum, with two long lifetime components and two short lifetime components. The two long lifetimes τ4 and τ3 are attributed to ortho-positronium (o-Ps) annihilation in large pores and microvoids, respectively. With increasing Cr2O3 content, both τ4 and its intensity I4 show sharp decrease, while τ3 and its intensity I3 keep nearly unchanged. The Doppler broadening S parameters also show sharp decrease with increasing Cr2O3 content. Detailed analysis of the CDB spectrum reveals that the parapositronium (p-Ps) intensity also decreases with increasing Cr2O3 content. This indicates that the change of o-Ps lifetime τ4 is due to the chemical quenching by Cr2O3 but not spin-conversion of positronium. The decrease of o-Ps intensity I4 indicates that Cr2O3 also inhibits positronium formation.     

Preparation and luminescence properties of monodisperse silica/aminosilane-coated Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>:Yb,Ho upconversion nanoparticles

Monodisperse silica/aminosilane-coated Y 2 O 3:Yb,Ho nanoparticles are prepared via homogenous precipitation combined with a polyvinylpyrrolidone-assisted ammoniation method.The factors that contribute to the success of the coating are examined,and the procedure is optimized.Compared with uncoated nanoparticles,coated nanoparticles exhibit an increased ratio of green to red emission intensity,which can mainly be attributed to the decreased number of surface defects induced by the surface coating.     

Fabrication and properties of aluminum silicate fibrous materials with <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> synthesized K<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>6</Subscript>O<Subscript>13</Subscript> whiskers

To improve their mechanical and thermal insulation properties, aluminum silicate fibrous materials with in situ synthesized K₂Ti₆O₁₃ whiskers were prepared by firing a mixture of short aluminum silicate fibers and gel powders obtained from a sol-gel process. During the preparation process, the fiber surface was coated with K₂Ti₆O₁₃ whiskers after the fibers were subjected to a heat treatment carried out at various temperatures. The effects of process parameters on the microstructure, compressive strength, and thermal conductivity were analyzed systematically. The results show that higher treatment temperatures and longer treatment durations promoted the development of K₂Ti₆O₁₃ whiskers on the surface of aluminum silicate fibers; in addition, the intersection structure between whiskers modulated the morphology and volume of the multi-aperture structure among fibers, substantially increasing the fibers' compressive strength and reducing their heat conduction and convective heat transfer at high temperatures.     

Structural and electrical properties of HCl-polyaniline-Ag composites synthesized by polymerization using Ag-coated (NH4)2S2O8 powder

Ag nanoparticles were sputter-deposited on ammonium persulfate ((NH₄)₂S₂O₈) powder to obtain (NH₄)₂S₂O₈-Ag powder, which was used to synthesize the HCl-doped polyaniline-Ag (HCl-PANI-Ag) composite via a polymerization procedure. The Ag nanoparticles were dispersed in the HCl-PANI matrix, and their sizes mainly ranged from 3 to 6 nm. The Ag nanoparticles did not affect the structure of emeraldine salt in the composite, and they increased the ordered crystalline regions in the HCl-PANI matrix. The HCl-PANI-Ag composite had a conductivity of (6.8 ±0.1) S/cm, which is about four times larger than that of the HCl-PANI. The charge transport mechanism in the composite is explained by the three-dimensional Mott variable-range hopping (3D-Mott-VRH).     

Synthesis and modification of well-ordered layered cathode oxide LiNi<Subscript>2/3</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Oxalic-acid-based co-precipitation method was employed to prepare LiNi_2/3Mn_1/3O₂ sample with a high-ordered structure. Li⁺, Ni²⁺ and Mn²⁺ acetates were used as starting materials. The influence of the amount of lithium source in the starting materials on Li⁺ content, disorder of Li⁺-Ni²⁺ ions, and electrochemical performance has been investigated. Rietveld refinement shows that the sample prepared with 20% excess Li-source in the starting materials exhibits a perfect ordered structure. A specific discharge capacity is as high as 172 mAh/g at C/20 in the voltage range of 4.35–2.7 V. However, the cyclability is not satisfactory: about 25.3% fade in capacity was observed over 50 cycles. Chemically stable SiO2 was coated on the surface of LiNi_2/3Mn_1/3O₂ particles. A significant improvement in cyclability was attained with 3 wt% SiO2 coating, which is ascribable to the protection of LiNi_2/3Mn_1/3O₂ particles from being dissolved into the electrolyte.     

Microwave absorption properties of SiC@SiO2@Fe3O4 hybrids in the 2-18 GHz range

To enhance the microwave absorption performance of silicon carbide nanowires (SiCNWs), SiO₂ nanoshells with a thickness of approximately 2 nm and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were grown on the surface of SiCNWs to form SiC@SiO₂@Fe₃O₄ hybrids. The microwave absorption performance of the SiC@SiO₂@Fe₃O₄ hybrids with different thicknesses was investigated in the frequency range from 2 to 18 GHz using a free-space antenna-based system. The results indicate that SiC@SiO₂@Fe₃O₄ hybrids exhibit improved microwave absorption. In particular, in the case of an SiC@SiO₂ to iron(Ⅲ) acetylacetonate mass ratio of 1:3, the microwave absorption with an absorber of 2-mm thickness exhibited a minimum reflection loss of -39.58 dB at 12.24 GHz. With respect to the enhanced microwave absorption mechanism, the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles coated on SiC@SiO₂ nanowires are proposed to balance the permeability and permittivity of the materials, contributing to the microwave attenuation.     

Synthesis and application of bilayer-surfactant-enveloped Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles: water-based bilayer-surfactant-enveloped ferrofluids

Superparamagnetic carbon-coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with high magnetization (85 emu·g-1) and high crystallinity were synthesized using polyethylene glycol-4000 (PEG (4000)) as a carbon source. Fe₃O₄ water-based bilayer-surfactant-enveloped ferrofluids were subsequently prepared using sodium oleate and PEG (4000) as dispersants. Analyses using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy indicate that the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with a bilayer surfactant coating retain the inverse spinel-type structure and are successfully coated with sodium oleate and PEG (4000). Transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, and particle-size analysis results indicate that the coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles also retain the good saturation magnetization of Fe₃O₄ (79.6 emu·g-1) and that the particle size of the bilayer-surfactant-enveloped Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles is 42.97 nm, which is substantially smaller than that of the unmodified Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (486.2 nm). UV–vis and zeta-potential analyses reveal that the ferrofluids does not agglomerate for 120 h at a concentration of 4 g·L-1, which indicates that the ferrofluids are highly stable.     

Microstructure and Corrosion Resistance of Cr7C3/γ-Fe Ceramal Composite Coating Fabricated by Plasma Cladding

A new type in situ Cr7C3/γ-Fe ceramal composite coating was fabricated on substrate of hardened and tempered grade C steel by plasma cladding with Fe-Cr-C alloy powders. The ceramal composite coating has a rapidly solidified microstructure consisting of primary Cr7C3/γ- and the Cr7C3/γ-Fe eutectics, and is metallurgically bonded to the degree C steel substrate. The corrosion resistances of the coating in water solutions of 0.5 mol/L H2SO4 and 3.5% NaCl were evaluated utilizing the electrochemical polarization corrosion-test method. Because of the inherent excellent corrosion-resisting properties of the constituting phase and the rapidly solidified homogeneous microstructure, the plasma clad ceramal composite coating exhibits excellent corrosion resistance in the water solutions of 0.5 mol/L H2SO4 and 3.5% NaCl.     

Electrochemical properties of LiNi<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>1.3</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/Li<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> cells

Spinel compounds LiNi_0.5Mn_1.3Ti_0.2O₄ (LNMTO) and Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ (LTO) were synthesized by different methods. The particle sizes of LNMTO and LTO are 0.5–2 and 0.5–0.8 μm, respectively. The LNMTO/LTO cell exhibits better electrochemical properties at both a low current rate of 0.2C and a high current rate of 1C. When the specific capacity was determined based on the mass of the LNMTO cathode, the LNMTO/LTO cell delivered 137 mA·h·g⁻¹ at 0.2C and 118.2 mA·h·g⁻¹ at 1C, and the corresponding capacity retentions after 30 cycles are 88.5% and 92.4%, respectively.     

Electro-deoxidation of V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> in molten CaCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>-NaCl-CaO

The electro-deoxidation of V₂O₃ precursors was studied. Experiments were carried out with a two-terminal electrochemical cell, which was comprised of a molten electrolyte of CaCl₂ and NaCl with additions of CaO, a cathode of compact V₂O₃, and a graphite anode under the potential of 3.0 V at 1173 K. The phase constitution and composition as well as the morphology of the samples were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). 3 g of V₂O₃ could be converted to vanadium metal powder within the processing time of 8 h. The kinetic pathway was investigated by analyzing the product phase in samples prepared at different reduction stages. CaO added in the reduction path of V₂O₃ formed the intermediate product CaV₂O₄.     

Preparation and radar-absorbing properties of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/Yb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> composite powder

Al₂O₃/TiO₂/Fe₂O₃/Yb₂O₃ composite powder was synthesized via the sol-gel method. The structure, morphology, and radar-absorption properties of the composite powder were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and RF impedance analysis. The results show that two types of particles exist in the composite powder. One is irregular flakes (100-200 nm) and the other is spherical Al₂O₃ particles (smaller than 80 nm). Electromagnetic wave attenuation is mostly achieved by dielectric loss. The maximum value of the dissipation factor reaches 0.76 (at 15.68 GHz) in the frequency range of 2-18 GHz. The electromagnetic absorption of waves covers 2-18 GHz with the matching thicknesses of 1.5-4.5 mm. The absorption peak shifts to the lower-frequency area with increasing matching thickness. The effective absorption band covers the frequency range of 2.16-9.76 GHz, and the maximum absorption peak reaches -20.18 dB with a matching thickness of 3.5 mm at a frequency of 3.52 GHz.     

Mineral-phase evolution and sintering behavior of MO-SiO2-Al2O3-B2O3 (M=Ca,Ba) glass-ceramics by low-temperature liquid-phase sintering

In this work, network former SiO₂ and network intermediate Al₂O₃ were introduced into typical low-melting binary compositions CaO·B₂O₃, CaO·2B₂O₃, and BaO·B₂O₃ via an aqueous solid-state suspension milling route. Accordingly, multiple-phase aluminosilicate glass-ceramics were directly obtained via liquid-phase sintering at temperatures below 950℃. On the basis of liquid-phase sintering theory, mineral-phase evolutions and glass-phase formations were systematically investigated in a wide MO-SiO₂-Al₂O₃-B₂O₃ (M=Ca, Ba) composition range. The results indicate that major mineral phases of the aluminosilicate glass-ceramics are Al₂₀B₄O₃₆, CaAl₂Si₂O₈, and BaAl₂Si₂O₈ and that the glass-ceramic materials are characterized by dense microstructures and excellent dielectric properties.     

Growth characteristics of directionally solidified Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/YAG/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> ternary hypereutectic <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> composites under ultra-high temperature gradient

Oxide eutectic ceramic in situ composites have attracted significant interest in the application of high-temperature structural materials because of their excellent high-temperature strength, oxidation and creep resistance, as well as outstanding microstructural stability. The directionally solidified ternary Al₂O₃/YAG/ZrO₂ hypereutectic in situ composite was successfully prepared by a laser zone remelting method, aiming to investigate the growth characteristic under ultra-high temperature gradient. The microstructures and phase composition of the as-solidified hypereutectic were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that the composite presents a typical hypereutectic lamellar microstructure consisting of fine Al₂O₃ and YAG phases, and the enriched ZrO₂ phases with smaller sizes are randomly distributed at the Al₂O₃/YAG interface and in Al₂O₃ phases. Laser power and scanning rate strongly affect the sample quality and microstructure characteristic. Additionally, coarse colony microstructures were also observed, and their formation and the effect of temperature gradient on the microstructure were discussed.     

Synthesis, Characterization and Calorimetry of Ni（C4H8N2O3）2Cl2

A coordination complex was synthesized from NiCl2 and dipeptide glycylglycine（GG）. It was characterized by element analysis, NMR and TG methods, and then was determined to be Ni（C4HsN2O3）2Cl2. Using an isoperibolic reaction calorimeter, the standard molar enthalpy of formation of Ni（GG）2Cl2（solid） has been determined to be -（1 674.66±2.02） kJ · mol^-1 at 298.15 K.     

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.     

Synthesis, characterization and properties of ruthenium-substituted polyoxometallic acid H_6Ru(H_2O)FeW_(11)O_(39)·18H_2O with Keggin structure

The ruthenium-substituted polyoxometallic acid H6 [Ru(H2O)FeW 11O39 ]·18H2O was synthesized by stepwise acidification and stepwise addition of solutions of the component elements, and an ion-exchange-cooling method. The product was characterized using inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP), Infrared Spectroscopy (IR), Ultraviolet Spectroscopy (UV), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that this complex has the Keggin structure. The determination of the thermal stability and proton conductivi...