Structural and electrical properties of SrBi2VxNb2?xO9 ferroelectric ceramics: Effect of temperature and frequency

Aurivillius type bismuth layered materials have received a lot of attention because of their application in ferroelectric non-volatile random access memories. Among bismuth layer structured ferroelectric ceramics SrBi₂Ta₂O₉ (SBT)/SrBi₂Nb₂O₉ (SBN) are of great interest for researchers because of their fatigue resistance and less distorted structure. Recently vanadium substitution in SBN/SBT has shown interesting electric and dielectric properties. In the present work, processing conditions, microstructure and electrical studies of vanadium doped SBN ferroelectric ceramics have been performed. Samples of compositions SrBi₂V _x Nb_2-x O₉, x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 were prepared by solid-state reaction technique using high purity oxides / carbonates. The samples were calcined at 700 °C and sintered at 800 °C. X-ray diffractograms show that a single phase layered perovskite structure is formed in all the samples. Effect of partial substitution of pentavalent niobium ion (0.68 ?) by smaller pentavalent vanadium ion (0.59 ?) at B site on the microstructure, Curie temperature, Dielectric constant, Dielectric loss and electrical conductivity have been investigated. Dielectric properties of SBVN have been investigated from room temperature to 500 °C and frequency of 100 Hz to 1 MHz. Dielectric constant values at their respective Curie points are observed to increase with increasing vanadium concentration. Curie temperature is observed to be maximum in x = 0.1 vanadium doped sample. Strong relaxor like dielectric relaxation at the transition temperatures have been observed. With increasing vanadium concentration the dielectric loss is observed to increase significantly. It is also observed that dielectric loss increases with increase in temperature. The variation of conductivities in these samples is also reported.     

Properties of PbZrxTi1−xO3/CeO2/SiO2/Si structure

Abstract

We report the crystalline quality and electrical properties of PbZr_xTi_1?xO₃ (PZT) films on n-type Si(100) substrates with CeO₂/SiO₂ dual buffer layers. PZT films and CeO₂ buffer layers were prepared by pulsed laser deposition technique, and SiO₂ buffer layers were formed by thermal dry oxidation. It was found that CeO₂/SiO₂ dual buffer layers effectively prevented Si and Pb interdiffusion between PZT and Si substrates. Furthermore, the capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics of the PZT/CeO₂/SiO₂/Si heterostructures demonstrated ferroelectric switching properties, showing a memory window as large as 2.7 V at 1 MHz.     

30 years of sodium/X-nuclei magnetic resonance imaging

In principle, all nuclei with nonzero spin can be employed for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Special scanner hardware and MR sequences are required to select the nucleus-specific frequency and to enable imaging with “sufficient” signal-to-noise ratio. This Special Issue starts with an overview of different nuclei that can be used for MRI today, followed by a review article about techniques required for imaging of quadrupolar nuclei with short relaxation times. Sequence developments to improve image quality and applications on different organs and diseases are presented for different nuclei (²³Na, ³⁵Cl, ¹⁷O, and ¹⁹F), with a focus on imaging at natural abundance.     

Study of 1–3 PZT Fibre/Epoxy Composites with Low Volume Fraction of Ceramics

Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) fibres were prepared by the viscous suspension spinning process (VSSP). Pre-sintered PZT powder mixed with poly (acrylic acid) was spun in a spinnerette to form fibres. The diameter of the fibre was 0.4 mm. The piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of the single fibre were studied. The piezoelectric coefficient (d₃₃) and the remnant polarization P_r for a single fibre were found to be 490 pC/N and 26 μC/cm², respectively, which are comparable with that in the bulk sample. The fibres were used to fabricate 1–3 PZT fibre/epoxy composites with low volume fraction of PZT (<0.2). Different theoretical models were used to calculate the piezoelectric coefficient (d₃₃) of the composites and compared with experimental results.     

Study of piezoelectric fibre/cement 1–3 composites

To improve the compatibility between the sensor material and civil engineering structural material, a new functional cement-based composite for smart structure applications has been studied. Piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) fibres, fabricated using a slurry method, are embedded in a cement matrix to form PZT/cement 1–3 composites. By incorporating PZT fibres into the cement matrix, composites with low PZT volume fractions ranging from 0.05 to 0.22 have been fabricated. The 1–3 composites have good piezoelectric properties that agree quite well with theoretical modeling. The thickness electromechanical coupling coefficient of the composites could reach ～0.5 even for low volume fraction of PZT. These composites have potential to be used as sensors in civil structure health monitoring systems.     

Electrothermal analysis of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors

Efficiency of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs used in high power, high frequency applications is thought to be limited by parasitic thermal effects. In this study, we investigate coupled electrical and thermal transport in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs using an ensemble Monte Carlo model. Calculation of the non-equilibrium phonon population reveals a hot spot in the channel that is localized at low drain-source bias, but expands towards the drain at higher bias, significantly degrading channel mobility.     

Effect of Zr/Ti ratio on piezoelectric and dielectric properties of PNW–PMS–PZT ceramics

(Pb_0.95Sr_0.05)[(Ni_1/2W_1/2)_0.02(Mn_1/3Sb_2/3)0.06(Zr_XTi_Y)_0.92]O₃ piezoelectric ceramics (abbreviated as PNW–PMS–PZT) with 1%mol excess PbO, 0.25 wt% CeO₂ and 0.2 wt% MnO₂ were prepared by traditional ceramics process. The phase structure of ceramics sintered at 1150°C were analyzed. Results show that the pure perovskite phase was in all ceramics specimens, the phase structure of PNW–PMS–PZT piezoelectric ceramics was transformed from tetragonal to rhombohedral, with Zr/Ti ratio increased in system; Effect of Zr/Ti ratio on piezoelectric and dielectric properties was investigated. Results show that ? _r , tanδ, k _p and d ₃₃ increased with an increase of Zr/Ti ratio and reached the maximum values at Zr/Ti ratio of 50/50, then decreased with further increase of Zr/Ti ratio, whereas the variation of Q _m with an increase of Zr/Ti ratio showed the opposite trend, T _c showed a tendency to decrease with an increase of Zr/Ti ratio. The piezoelectric ceramics with Zr/Ti ratio of 50/50 was applied in high-power multilayer piezoelectric transformer, and properties parameter were ? _r ?=?2100, tanδ?=?0.006, k _p ?=?0.613, Q _m ?=?1300, d ₃₃ ?=?380pC/N, T _c ?=?205 °C.     

Effect of additive SrWO4 on microwave dielectric properties of SrTiO3–Sr(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 ceramics

The crystal structure and the properties of a new microwave dielectric ceramics x SrTiO₃–(1???x)Sr(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ have been investigated. With x?=?0.025, The new microwave dielectric ceramic achieves the dielectric properties of a dielectric constant ? _r ～27.8, a Q?×?f value ～26,800, and a τ _f value ～7.4 ppm/°C. When the SrWO₄ is added, the sintering temperature of x SrTiO₃–(1???x)Sr(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ ceramics will fall to 1350 °C, and its Q?×?f value can be improved further and the τ _f value becomes smaller. When the SrWO₄ is added by 0.07 mol, the specimen acquires the following microwave properties: a dielectric constant ? _r ～30.3, a Q?×?f value ～29,500, and a τ _f value of approximately ?0.4 ppm/°C.     

Application of wavelet analysis to the determination of partial discharge location in multiple-α transformer windings

The inner insulation system is a critical component of a power transformer. Its degradation may cause the device to fail while in service. If deterioration of the insulation system caused by Partial Discharge (PD) activity can be detected at an early stage, preventive maintenance measures can be taken. Due to the complex structure of power transformers, accurate locating of PD is not an easy task and is one of the main challenges in front of power utilities. Locating PD is more difficult in transformers with multiple-α windings. This problem comes to be vital in open access systems. A method for locating partial discharge within multiple-α windings is proposed, which is based on structural data of a transformer. A 66 kV/25 MVA transformer with fully interleaved winding and connected tap winding is used as test object. Wavelet transform is employed to process the partial discharge signals. Wavelet transform analysis method is a powerful tool for processing transients and non-stationary or time varying signals. Since the wavelet transform provides multi-scale analysis and time–frequency domain localization, it is particularly suitable to process the partial discharge signals. In order to improve the accuracy of the partial discharge location, a new technique for extracting Partial Discharge signals is introduced. Applying wavelet transform to a signal produces a wavelet detail coefficient distribution throughout the time-scale, which depends on the mother wavelet chosen. This technique is based on the capability of the chosen mother wavelet for generating coefficients with maximum values. The wavelet based de-noising method proposed in this paper can be successfully employed to extract PD pulse from the measured signal. It can provide enhanced information and further infer the original site of the PD pulse through capacitive ratio method. The method is described in details and the applications to determine the partial discharge location in multiple-α windings are explored.     

中/国/电/力/出/版/社/倾/力/推/出

正Mathematical Models and Algorithms for Power System Optinmization (《电力系统优化数学模型和算法》,ISBN:9780128132319)由范明天、张祖平和王承民编著,于2019年8月由爱思唯尔(ELSEVIER)旗下的科技出版社(Academic Press)与中国电力出版社联合出版。该书的主要内容源自于由范明天和张祖平老师编著,并于2013年3月由中国电力出版社出版的《电力系统优化数学模型和计算算法》一书。相较于原书的七章内容,本书扩展为九章,增加了引言和电力市场的内容,各章基本上按照问题的叙述、建模的思路、模型的形成、计算的确认、实施的步骤进行编写。本书的副标题Modeling Technology for Practical Engineering Problems体现本书的重点:用于实际工程的建模技术)。     

Piezoelectric characteristics of low temperature sintering Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3–Pb(Zr1/2Ti1/2)O3 ceramics as a function of Pb(Mn1/3Sb2/3)O3 substitution

In this study, in order to develop the composition ceramics for multilayer ceramic for ultrasonic nozzle and ultrasonic actuator application, Pb(Mn_1/3Sb_2/3)O₃ (abbreviated as PMS) substituted Pb(Ni_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ (abbreviated as PNN-PZT) ceramics were fabricated using two-stage calcinations method and Li₂CO₃, Na₂CO₃ and ZnO as sintering aids, and their piezoelectric and dielectric characteristics were investigated. With the increase of the amount of PMS substitution, electromechanical coupling factor (k _p), and mechanical quality factor (Q _m) of specimens showed the maximum value at 3 mol% substituted specimen while dielectric constant (? _r) was decreased. At the sintering temperature of 900 °C, the density, ? _r, k _p, and Q _m of 3 mol% PMS substituted PNN-PZT composition ceramics showed the optimal values of 7.92 [g/cm³], 959, 0.584, and 1003, respectively, for low loss multilayer piezoelectric actuator application.     

The electronic conductivity of Ba0.5Sr0.5CoxFe1?xO3?δ (BSCF: x?=?0?～?1.0) under different oxygen partial pressures

The electronic conductivity of sintered BSCF ceramics (Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co _x Fe_1−x O_3−δ, 0 ≤  x  ≤ 1) was measured as a function of temperature up to 1273 K in air. The conductivity of BSC is thermally activated over 298–1273 K with an activation energy of 0.21 eV. The conductivity of BSF and BSCF (0.2 ≤  x  ≤ 0.8) is thermally activated below ∼673 K with activation energies of 0.21 eV–0.40 eV. Above 673 K, the formation of oxygen vacancies results in a decrease in p-type carrier concentration and a decrease in electronic conductivity. Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ (BSCF5582) was also measured under 10⁻⁵ atm ≤ pO₂ ≤ 1 atm. Below ∼673 K, the electronic conductivity of BSCF 5582 shows no dependence on pO₂. Above 673 K, the conductivity of BSCF5582 increases with increasing pO₂ for pO₂ ≥ 0.01 (p-type conduction) and decreases slightly with increasing pO₂ for pO₂  ≤ 0.01 atm. The activation energy for conduction above ∼673 K and at pO₂ ≥ 0.1 is ∼0.07 eV. Above ∼823K and at pO₂ ≥ 0.01 atm, the activation energy for conduction is ∼0.2 eV.     

Practice and Prospect of AC/DC Hybrid Power Grid in Southern China

China Southern Power Grid is a unique EHV AC/DC hybrid transmission network that operates in China. In its service area, the distribution of energy resources and the development of economy are extremely unbalanced, so long-distance and bulk power transmission are needed; besides, the geography and climate conditions are serious, rains, fogs, lightning and typhoon as well as high temperature are common all the year round. Facing these challenges, the power grid enhanced stability control, improved the equipment and strengthen the network structure. In the future, the power grid plans to optimize the disposition of power sources and build digitalized power system.     

Electrical and elastic properties of 1–3 PZT/epoxy piezoelectric composites

This paper focused on the electrical and elastic properties of 1–3 PZT/epoxy composites fabricated by a dice-fill method. When PZT volume fractions are 10–35 vol.%, the piezoelectric constants d ₃₃ of the PZT/epoxy composites are about 170–270 pC/N and permittivity ? _r measured at 1 kHz is 80–350. The composites also possess lower acoustic impedance Z of 4–9 Mrayl, higher thickness electromechanical coupling coefficient k _t of 65% and better flexibility C ₃₃ of 13–33 GPa. Three mode resonant characteristics were analyzed based on the sizes and microstructural periodicity of composites, which had a great effect on k _t. Finally, these electrical and elastic properties of the composites were compared with the prediction based on a well-known homogenization model.     

Combustion optimization by coordinated monitoring of O_2/CO in flue gas

The major aims combustion engineers all over the worldare striving at are conservation of energy and allevia-tion of environmental pollution,for which the monitoring and controlof the furnace process are of prime importance to attain an optimizedcondition of combustion.Oxygen content in flue gas is generallyused as an indicator of whether the right amount of combustion air issupplied.However,it cannot directly reflect the degree of perfectionof the combustion process taking place in the furnace.On the otherhand CO is a product of chemical reaction which directly reflects the     

Analysis on Frequent Flameout of HG- 1025/18.2- YM6 Boiler

Based on reason analyses for frequent flameout of HG- 1025/18.2-YM6 boiler in a given power plant after coal quality variation, major factors such as unreasonable burner structure and inappropriate secondary air distribution were discussed in detail. A new mode of secondary air distribution was introduced to optimize the combustion performance, and a lower burner was retrofitted by increasing the relative distance between the primary air fuel rich-lean nozzles and reducing the size of waist air nozzles as well. As a result, the recirculating zone became more stable and the burner＇s combustion stability was improved. Practical operation shows that the modifications are so effective that the flameout problems caused by instable combustion never occur in operation.     

Study of the electrical properties of Pb(Zn,Ni)1/3Nb2/3O3–PbTiO3 ceramics across the morphotropic phase boundary

Structure and electrical properties of (1???x)Pb(Zn_0.2Ni_0.8)_1/3Nb_2/3O₃–xPbTiO₃ ceramics with x?=?0.24–0.38 were examined in detail. X-ray diffraction measurements reveal that all samples are in pure perovskite phase, and most of them lie within the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) region. The dielectric behaviors of all compositions are characterized with diffuse phase transition and frequency dispersion. The variable power law and the Vogel–Fulcher relation have been used to describe such dielectric behaviors. The highest dielectric constant and the largest piezoelectric coefficient are simultaneously observed when x?=?0.30. The variation of the ferroelectric property with PT content is also discussed.     

Grain growth kinetics of textured 0.92Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3—0.08BaTiO3 ceramics by tape casting with Bi2.5Na3.5Nb5O18 templates

Plate-like Bi_2.5Na_3.5Nb₅O₁₈ particles were used as templates to fabricate grain-oriented Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃—BaTiO₃ (NBTBT) ceramics by reactive-templated grain growth. The effects of sintering conditions on the grain orientation and microstructure of the textured NBTBT ceramics were investigated, and the kinetic mechanism of grain growth is discussed. The results show that textured ceramics were successfully obtained with orientation factor more than 0.6. NBTBT specimens are composed of strip-like grains and equiaxed shaped grains. The textured ceramics have a microstructure with strip-like grains aligning in the direction parallel to the casting plane and exhibit an {h00} preferred orientation. The degree of grain orientation increases initially, then decreases with increasing sintering temperature and soaking time. The maximum texture fraction is 0.69 when sintered at 1185 °C for 6 h. The kinetic exponent n and activation energy Q of the two types of grain in textured NBTBT ceramics were calculated. The results show that the grain growth mechanism of oriented grains is controlled not only by grain lattice diffusion, but also by grain boundary diffusion. The grain growth mechanism of matrix grains is mainly controlled by the grain boundary curvature.