Effects of noble metal addition on microstructure and thermoelectric properties of NaxCo2O4

The synthesis of Na_xCo₂O₄/Ag and Na_xCo₂O₄/Au composites was tried by mechanical milling and subsequent sintering. Ag and Au particles were added to the Na_xCo₂O₄ powder prior to the mechanical milling. The microstructure and thermoelectric properties of the Na_xCo₂O₄/Au composite were compared to those of the Na_xCo₂O₄/Ag composite and the Na_xCo₂O₄ single phase, and the effects of the Ag and Au addition on the thermoelectric performance of Na_xCo₂O₄ were discussed. Au particles around 2 μm or smaller in size, which were significantly smaller than Ag particles around 10 μm in size, were dispersed in the Na_xCo₂O₄ matrix. The Seebeck coefficient and the electrical resistivity of Na_xCo₂O₄ were slightly enhanced and significantly reduced by these noble metals addition, resulting in the large power factor of these composites. On the other hand, the Na_xCo₂O₄/Au composite showed the electrical resistivity larger than that of the Na_xCo₂O₄/Ag composite. Ag and Au addition markedly increased the thermal conductivity, and the dimensionless figure of merit of Na_xCo₂O₄ could not be improved by these noble metals addition.     

Microstructure and thermoelectric properties of NaxCo2O4/Ag composite synthesized by the polymerized complex method

The synthesis of a thermoelectric Na_xCo₂O₄/Ag composite was attempted by the polymerized complex (PC) process using AgNO₃ as an Ag source and subsequent sintering at 1153 K for 72 ks. The effects of the PC process and Ag addition to Na_xCo₂O₄ on microstructure and thermoelectric properties of the Na_xCo₂O₄/Ag composite were investigated. Ag was hardly substituted for Na and Co sites, and the sintered sample was composed of the Na_xCo₂O₄ and Ag phases. The electrical resistivity of the composite was smaller than that of the Na_xCo₂O₄ single phase and the Seebeck coefficient was slightly enhanced by Ag addition, resulting in the significantly large power factor. However, most of precipitated Ag particles in the Na_xCo₂O₄ matrix were coarse, 5–8 μm in size, and the thermal conductivity of the composite was high as compared to the Na_xCo₂O₄ single phase. From these results, the dimensionless figure of merit of the composite was almost the same as that of the Na_xCo₂O₄ single phase.     

立方氮化硼用量及粒度对其同钛铝碳结合剂的反应程度的影响

为研究CBN用量对Ti₃AlC₂结合剂CBN复合材料的影响,使用不同质量配比的Ti3AlC2粉体和CBN粉体通过放电等离子体烧结的方式制备试样,并对比其物相组成和显微形貌。结果表明:当CBN质量分数为10%时,试样的主相为Ti₃AlC₂、CBN和TiC;当CBN质量分数为20%~40%时,生成了TiC、TiN、AlN、TiB₂等物相。另一方面,当CBN质量分数为10%和20%时,CBN表面会形成厚约10 μm的过渡层;当CBN质量分数为30%和40%时,CBN与基体间没有过渡层。若选用粒度尺寸为10 μm的CBN（质量分数为10%）进行烧结,则复合材料中出现许多气孔,基体主相为TiC等轴晶粒且在CBN表面形成厚度1~2 μm的过渡层。CBN质量分数越大或粒度尺寸越小,其同Ti₃AlC₂的反应越充分、过渡层越薄。      

Nb-Cr掺杂原位合成Al2O3/TiAl复合材料的组织与性能

采用原位热压工艺,在Ti-Al-TiO2-Nb2O5体系中加入Cr2O3原位合成Al2O3/TiAl复合材料.借助X射线衍射分析、SEM分析及力学性能分析,研究了Nb-Cr掺杂复合强化Al2O3/TiAl复合材料的反应过程、微观结构及力学性能.结果表明Nb-Cr掺杂原位合成Al2O3/TiAl复合材料能够细化晶粒并通过微合金化增强增韧TiAl复合材料.     

电弧喷涂制备Fe65Cr20Mo7B3.5SiMn1.5W3涂层

在Q235低碳钢板上利用电弧喷涂工艺进行喷涂,以制得Fe65Cr20Mo7B3.5SiMn1.5W3涂层。喷涂材料为自行配制的丝材,按照35%的填充率将配好的粉填充到U型不锈钢外皮中,经过多道拉拔、挤压工艺制成Φ2mm的粉芯丝材。采用X射线衍射仪、扫描电镜、能谱分析仪、透射电镜对涂层的物相和组织形貌及成分进行了表征;采用差示扫描量热仪、显微硬度仪等设备对涂层的热稳定性及显微硬度进行了检测和分析。试验结果表明:涂层组织形貌呈典型的层状组织结构,由变形良好的带状粒子相互搭接堆积而成。涂层含有50.63%的非晶相,同时含有纳米级的晶相。涂层组织均匀、结构致密、孔隙率低,并且涂层硬度高达1040.5HV0.3,属硬质涂层,具有良好的热稳定性。     

Dynamical phase analysis along pseudobinary line Ni2Cu---Ni2CuSn

The ternary system Ni---Cu---Sn includes some phases with interesting mechanical properties. The first group are the spinodal alloys in the ‘Cu corner’, the second is a group of intermetallics with large lattice parameters such as DO₃, DO₁₉ and 2H. The investigation of the pseudobinary phase diagram Ni₂Cu---Ni₂CuSn was undertaken to enable in future the preparation of samples with controlled phase composition for further study of mechanical properties of such intermetallics and of related two or, three phase composites.

The solvus line and other boundaries were revealed with the help of the so-called dynamical methods based on the measurements of physical quantities during controlled linear change of temperature. The data are related to measurements after annealing at various temperatures and also to determination of the structure after cooling to room temperature. The main methods used were X-ray diffraction (XRD) and analytical electron microscopy (AEM). The results are related elsewhere to measurement of the electrical resistivity and to the determination of solidus and liquidus temperatures by means of differential thermal analysis (DTA).     

Sm2Zr2O7-ZrB2/SiC复合材料的制备及力学性能研究

运用共沉淀法制备Sm2Zr2O7原料粉末,利用放电等离子烧结技术(SPS)制备锆酸钐质量分数分别为25%、50%、75%的Sm2Zr2O7-ZrB2/SiC复合材料,对材料进行相成分、微观形貌、力学性能测试表征。结果表明,采用SPS在1600℃下可制备出高致密度的Sm2Zr2O7-ZrB2/SiC三相复合材料。随着复合材料中Sm2Zr2O7含量的增加力学性能显著降低,主要是Sm2Zr2O7材料本身的力学性能较低,且烧结过程中易形成连续相以及烧结应力共同作用的结果。     

激光熔覆Ni-WC/Cr3C2涂层组织及性能

采用激光技术在45钢表面熔覆Ni-WC/Cr₃C₂涂层,采用SEM,XRD等手段进行熔覆层的显微组织、相组成及成分分析,并测试熔覆层的耐蚀性和耐磨性能.结果表明,Ni-WC/Cr₃C₂熔覆层底部生成方向性较强的胞状树枝晶,中上部组织为细小的树枝晶.涂层主要是由γ-(Fe, Ni),M₂₃C₆型碳化物以及未熔的WC颗粒组成.细晶强化、合金元素固溶强化以及碳化物强化的共同作用,使熔覆层的显微硬度提高至711HV0.1.熔覆层耐蚀性明显改善,腐蚀电流密度约为45钢的1/4.随着摩擦速度的增大,激光熔覆Ni-WC/Cr₃C₂涂层和45钢磨损量增加,且熔覆层的磨损量低于45钢,表明其耐磨性能明显提高.     

Microstructure and electrical conductivity of high volume Al2O3-reinforced copper matrix composites produced by plasma spray

A mixture of Cu/-Al₂O₃ (30:70 in vol.%) feedstock powder was plasma-sprayed onto a graphite substrate in order to investigate the electrical conductivity and microstructure of the deposits. As input power increased, the amount of phase transformed γ-Al₂O₃ and the volume fraction of Al₂O₃ in the plasma-sprayed composites increased, while the electrical conductivity decreased. Cuprite (Cu₂O) was also found in the deposits. The electrical conductivities of the plasma-sprayed Cu/Al₂O₃ composites were compared to those of the different predictive models. It was revealed that the two-phase self-consistent predictive model had the closest agreement with the measured values.     

Microstructure and thermoelectric properties of n-type Bi2Te2.85Se0.15 prepared by mechanical alloying and plasma activated sintering

Starting from elemental bismuth, tellurium and selenium powders, n-type Bi₂Te_2.85Se_0.15 solid solution with fine microstructure was prepared by mechanical alloying (MA) and plasma activated sintering (PAS) in the present work. The effect of PAS process on microstructure and thermoelectric properties of the sintered samples was investigated. The sintering temperature of PAS process (683 K) was 80–100 K lower than that of conventional hot pressing and the whole PAS process was also greatly shortened to about 30 min. A preferentially orientated microstructure with the basal planes (0 0 l) perpendicular to pressing direction was formed in the PASed sample and the maximum figure of merit (Z) at room temperature was 1.80 × 10⁻³ K⁻¹.     

Fe基非晶/纳米晶涂层的微结构及其在H2O2溶液中的腐蚀性能

为研究强氧化环境中,显微结构和相组成对Fe基非晶/纳米晶复合涂层的腐蚀腐蚀性能的影响,采用大气等离子喷涂(APS)技术,在1Cr18Ni9Ti不锈钢基体上喷涂制得具有不同微结构和相组成的Fe基非晶/纳米晶的复合涂层。采用XRD、SEM、TEM和DSC等检测方法对涂层的组织和相组成、晶化行为、晶化程度、内部的孔隙等微观结构进行表征。采用电化学法研究具有不同微结构和相组成的涂层在30%H₂O₂ (质量分数,下同)溶液中的腐蚀行为,探讨Fe基非晶/纳米晶复合涂层在强氧化环境中的腐蚀机理。研究表明,Mo₃Si和Fe₅Si₃相的形成使得涂层耐腐蚀性能明显降低。     

CuO掺杂Ni0.4Zn0.6Fe2O4铁氧体的组织与性能探讨

采用传统球磨法制备了Ni0.4-xCu_xZn0.6Fe₂O₄（x＝0,0.12,0.20,0.28）铁氧体,并通过扫描电镜（SEM）、X-ray衍射（XRD）、综合热分析（TG-DSC）和振动样品磁强计（VSM）等手段研究掺杂CuO对Ni-Zn铁氧体的显微组织、相组成和磁性能。结果表明,随着CuO含量的增加,第二相Ni-Cu-Zn相生成,且 Ni-Cu-Zn铁氧体衍射峰强度逐渐增强;从显微组织形貌和能谱可以看出,Cu ^2＋参与了铁氧体的反应,CuO含量增加得越多,样品烧结性能越好,并促使Ni-Cu-Zn铁氧体的晶化温度降低;磁滞回线显示了Ni0.4-xCu_xZn0.6Fe₂O₄（x＝0,0.12,0.20,0.28）铁氧体的软磁特性,CuO原子分数x为0.2时的铁氧体的饱和磁化强度（Ms）最高,且具有较低的矫顽力（Hc）。     

Al25Nb20Ti30Zr25低密度高熵合金的组织和性能

通过Thermo-Calc软件计算、微观组织多尺度表征以及热模拟试验等研究了Al₂₅Nb₂₀Ti₃₀Zr₂₅合金的组织结构、高温组织稳定性和热加工性能。结果表明,Al₂₅Nb₂₀Ti₃₀Zr₂₅合金的铸锭组织主要由BCC基体相和Zr₅Al₃析出相组成,Zr₅Al₃相在BCC晶界连续析出,晶粒内部的Zr₅Al₃相呈块状分布,平均尺寸在750 nm左右;合金在750~1000 ℃保温24 h后,基体中的晶粒尺寸并未发生明显变化;随着温度的增加,Zr₅Al₃相含量小幅度降低,合金的高温组织稳定性较好。建立了合金的本构方程为$\dot{ε}$=4.5×10¹⁴×[sinh(0.0063σ_p)]^2.8exp(-419/RT),并绘制了合金的能量耗散系数图;在1050 ℃/1 s^-1变形条件下,能量耗散系数达到峰值0.69,在该变形条件下等温锻造出尺寸为$\phi$ 180 mm×20 mm完整无开裂的圆形块体材料。锻造消除了原始晶界处连续分布的Zr₅Al₃相,使其分解成短杆状均匀分布于合金基体中,BCC基体组织发生了动态回复和部分再结晶。     

La–Mg–Ni ternary hydrogen storage alloys with Ce2Ni7-type and Gd2Co7-type structure as negative electrodes for Ni/Mh batteries

Hydrogen strorage alloys with formula La_1.5Mg_0.5Ni₇ were prepared by induction melting followed by different annealing treatments (1073, 1123 and 1173 K) for 24 h. The alloy composition, alloy microstructure and electrochemical properties were investigated, respectively. The results showed that the multi-phase structure of as-cast alloy was converted into a double-phase structure (Gd₂Co₇-type phase and Ce₂Ni₇-type phase) through annealing treatments. Mg atoms were mainly located in Laves unit of Gd₂Co₇-type unit cell and Ce₂Ni₇-type unit cell. The electrochemical capacity of alloy electrodes after annealing treatment could be up to 390 mAh/g. The cyclic stability of alloy electrodes was significantly improved by annealing treatments; After 150 charge/discharge cycles, the capacity retention ratio of alloy annealed at 1173 K was the highest (81.9%). The high rate dischargeability of alloy electrodes was also improved due to annealing treatment.     

VC, Cr3C2 and NbC doped WC–Co cemented carbides prepared by pulsed electric current sintering

WC–12 wt.% Co grade cemented carbides doped with 0.9 wt.% VC, NbC or Cr₃C₂ grain growth inhibitor were consolidated by pulsed electric current sintering (PECS), also known as spark plasma sintering (SPS), in the solid state at 1240 °C for 2 min. The microstructure and properties of the PECS material grades are compared with those of pressureless sintered grades, liquid phase sintered at 1420 °C for 1 h. Microstructural and hardness characterization revealed that both the chemical composition and sintering technique play an important role on the WC grain growth and final mechanical properties. To obtain a nanometer sized WC–Co microstructure, it is essential to carefully select the grain growth inhibitor in addition to the application of a fast thermal densification cycle by means of spark plasma sintering.     

Effect of nano-CeO2 on cobalt-based alloy laser coatings

Cobalt-based alloy coatings with/without nano-CeO₂ addition prepared by a 5 kW CO₂ laser on Q235 low carbon steel were introduced. The effects of nanoparticles on the macro-quality, microstructure, phase composition, and wear resistance of the coatings were investigated. The microstructure and phases composition of the coatings were analyzed using Olympus-Pme-3 type microscope, Philip Xl 30 type scanning electron microscope and XD-3A type X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The wear resistance was tested using MM-200 type sliding wear machine, and the wear mechanism was analyzed by JSM-35C type scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that defect (such as crack, gas hole, etc.) -free coatings were obtained. There existed γ-Co and Cr₂₃C₆ in cobalt-based alloy coatings. Another two phases of CeCo₂ and -Co were identified with nanoparticles addition. Fine microstructure and equiaxed dendrite were obtained by adding nano-CeO₂. The relative wear resistance is improved with the increased amount of nano-CeO₂, and the coatings with the best wear resistance when laser power was 2.0 kW by adding 1.5 wt.% CeO₂. The mechanism was found from abrasive/adhesive wear to fretting wear. The wear resistance decreased with 2.0 wt.% CeO₂ addition.     

Composition-dependent electrical transport properties of Pb50Te52 doped with PbI2 prepared by HPHT

Cubic (Pb₅₀Te₅₂)_100−x(PbI₂)_x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.065) bulk thermoelectric (TE) materials with enhanced power factor were prepared by high-pressure and high-temperature (HPHT) method. The mean grain size of the samples was about 10 μm. The dependence of electrical transport properties on composition was studied at room temperature. With an increase of x, the Seebeck coefficient in absolute value and the electrical resistivity firstly increase slightly and then decrease dramatically. The maximum power factor reaches 24.2 μW cm⁻¹ K⁻² at x = 0.015, which is much higher than that reported previously for the PbTe doped with PbI₂ prepared at normal pressure. The results indicate that HPHT combined with trace quantity doping is an effective method to enhance the thermoelectric properties for PbTe.     

β-phase transformation and thermoelectric power in FeSi2 and Fe2Si5 based alloys containing small amounts of Cu

The effects of Cu addition on the β phase formation rate and the thermoelectric power in various FeSi₂ and Fe₂Si₅ based alloys was examined. The peritectoid reaction (a+→β) in FeSi₂ alloys was initially enhanced by the addition of Cu but it became slower for longer annealing times. The retained metallic ε was harmful for the thermoelectric power. The inherent thermoelectric properties of (FeSi₂)_99−XMn₁Cu_X (X=0–1.O at.%), (FeSi₂)_99−X Co₁Cu_X (X=0–1.0 at.%) alloys were attained after the elimination of ε. In the case of eutectoid reaction (→β+Si). Differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and microscopic observation clearly confirmed that the eutectoid reaction rate was drastically enhanced by the addition of a small amount of Cu and its rate decreased with decreasing Cu content. The rate also depends on the annealing temperature and reached a maximum at about 1073 K for most alloys. The addition of only 0.1 at.% Cu was still very effective even in Mn or Co doped alloys. The thermoelectric power of these alloys increased very quickly with annealing time. Their final values decreased with Cu content and saturated at 0.2 at.% Cu. The value of the 0.1 at.% Cu added alloy was higher than that of both the conventional p- and a-type FeSi₂ based alloys. These results suggest that the Fe₂Si₅ alloys with a small amount of Cu may be attractive as new thermoelectric materials.     

Microstructural evolution of Fe3B/Nd2Fe14B nanocomposite magnets microalloyed with Cu and Nb

The microalloying effect of Cu and Nb on the microstructure and magnetic properties of an Fe₃B/Nd₂Fe₁₄B nanocomposite permanent magnet has been studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atom probe field ion microscopy (APFIM). Additions of Cu are effective in refining the nanocomposite microstructure and the temperature range of the heat treatment to optimize the hard magnetic properties is significantly extended compared with that of the ternary alloy. Combined addition of Cu and Nb is further effective in reducing the grain size. Optimum magnetic properties obtained by annealing a melt-spun Nd_4.5Fe_75.8B_18.5Cu_0.2Nb₁ amorphous ribbon at 660°C for 6 min are B_r=1.25 T, H_cJ=273 kA/m and (BH)_max=125 kJ/m³. The soft magnetic Fe₂₃B₆ phase coexists with the Fe₃B and Nd₂Fe₁₄B phases in the optimum microstructure of the Cu and Nb containing quinternary alloy. Three-dimensional atom probe (3DAP) results show that the finer microstructure is due to the formation of a high number density of Cu clusters prior to the crystallization reaction, which promote the nucleation of the Fe₃B phase. The Nb atoms appear to induce the formation of the Fe₂₃B₆ phase when the remaining amorphous phase is crystallized.     

Thermoelectric properties of Fe0.98Co0.02Si2 with ZrO2 and rare-earth oxide dispersion by mechanical alloying

The n-type Co-doped β-FeSi₂ (Fe_0.98Co_0.02Si₂) with dispersion of several oxides, such as ZrO₂ or several rare-earth oxides (Y₂O₃, Nd₂O₃, Sm₂O₃ and Gd₂O₃), was synthesized by mechanical alloying and subsequent hot pressing. The effects of these oxide dispersions on the thermoelectric properties of Fe_0.98Co_0.02Si₂ were investigated. ZrO₂ was decomposed in the β phase, and the ZrSi and -FeSi phases, which are metallic phases, were formed in the samples with ZrO₂ addition. The Seebeck coefficient and the electrical resistivity were significantly decreased with increasing amount of ZrO₂, indicating that a part of the Zr atoms was substituted for Fe atoms in the β phase. In the case of the samples with rare-earth oxide addition, a decomposition of a large amount of these added oxides did not occur. However, the rare-earth oxide addition caused a slight increase in the amount of the phase. The Seebeck coefficient was significantly enhanced by the rare-earth oxide addition especially in the low temperature range. These facts indicated that a small amount of rare-earth oxides was decomposed in the β phase, and rare-earth elements were substituted for Fe atoms as a p-type dopant, resulting in the decrease in the carrier concentration. The rare-earth oxide addition was also effective in reducing the thermal conductivity.