Optimised phase compositions and improved microwave dielectric properties based on calcium tin silicates

The Ca_(1+2y)Sn_(1-x)Si_(1+y)O_(5-2x+4y) low-permittivity microwave dielectric ceramics were prepared through solid-state reaction at 1350–1450 °C for 5 h. The relations between microwave dielectric properties and phase compositions for non-stoichiometric Ca_(1+2y)Sn_(1-x)Si_(1+y)O_(5-2x+4y) ceramics have been investigated. A single CaSnSiO₅ phase with abnormally positive temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f = + 62.5 ppm/°C) was synthesised at 1450 °C. This composition was an effective τ_f compensator of CaSiO₃ and Ca₃SnSi₂O₉ phases with typically negative τ_f value. The CaSiO₃ second phase was related to the Sn deficiency in the CaSn_(1-x)SiO_(5-2x) (0 < x < 1.0) composition, whereas the Ca₃SnSi₂O₉ second phase was obtained by controlling the Ca:Sn:Si ratios on the basis of the Ca_(1+2y)SnSi_(1+y)O_(5+4y) (0 < y < 1.0) composition. A promising low-permittivity millimetre-wave ceramic with most excellent microwave dielectric properties (ε_r = 10.2, Q×f = 81,000 GHz and τ_f = −4.8 ppm/°C) was produced from the Ca_(1+2y)SnSi_(1+y)O_(5+4y) (y = 0.4) ceramic.     

Eu@C86 isomers: Calculated relative populations

Abstract

Relative populations of four energy-lowest IPR (isolated-pentagon-rule) isomers of Eu@C₈₆ are computed using the Gibbs energy based on characteristics from density functional theory calculations (M06-2X/3-21G?～?SDD entropy term, M06-2X/6-31G*～SDD or B2PLYP(D)/6-31G*～SDD energetics). The calculations confirm that the recently isolated Eu@C₁(7)-C₈₆ species is a major isomer in a relevant temperature region. Relationship to the empty C₈₆ cages is discussed, too.     

The current detour effect observed on materials with random microstucture: experimental evidence from Li3xLa2/3−xTiO3 studied by impedance spectroscopy

Impedance spectroscopy (IS) has been used to study the influence on the low frequency part of the impedance diagrams of the microstructure of a fast ionic conductor, Li_3xLa_2/3−xTiO₃ with x = 0.10 (named hereafter LLTO). This oxide has been synthesised by sol–gel method. After synthesis, the powder of LLTO displays a large distribution of grain size and agglomerates. The grain size distribution and the porosity of the ceramic have been changed by heat-treatment from 600 °C to 1200 °C in air. The impedance spectra of these ceramics, recorded at different temperatures from room temperature (RT) to 400 °C, show a low-frequency depressed arc, which is characteristic of the grain boundary response of the ceramic. Its shape depends strongly on the heat-treatment of the ceramic, and therefore, on its microstructure. It is a simple arc when the pellet is well sintered but becomes very complex for non-sintered ceramics with high resistive grain boundary and pores. The observed “fish” shape indicates the presence of current “detours effect” in the material. This effect means that current detours around blocking grain boundary and/or pores occur to lower the impedance. Consequently, the brick layer model (BLM), which assumes an ideal microstructure, and then no current “detours effect”, can not be used to analyse these impedance data.     

Supercapacitors based on conducting polymers/nanotubes composites

Three types of electrically conducting polymers (ECPs), i.e. polyaniline (PANI), polypyrrole (PPy) and poly-(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) have been tested as supercapacitor electrode materials in the form of composites with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The energy storage in such a type of composite combines an electrostatic attraction as well as quick faradaic processes called pseudo-capacitance. It has been shown that carbon nanotubes play the role of a perfect backbone for a homogenous distribution of ECP in the composite. It is well known that pure conducting polymers are mechanically weak, hence, the carbon nanotubes preserve the ECP active material from mechanical changes (shrinkage and breaking) during long cycling. Apart of excellent conducting and mechanical properties, the presence of nanotubes improves also the charge transfer that enables a high charge/discharge rate. For an optimal use of ECPs in electrochemical capacitors, a special electrode composition with ca. 20 wt.% of CNTs and a careful selection of the potential range is necessary. The capacitance values ranging from 100 to 330 F g⁻¹ could be reached for different asymmetric configurations with a capacitor voltage from 0.6 to 1.8 V. It is also noteworthy that such a type of ECP/CNTs composite does not need any binding substance that is an important practical advantage.     

Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance of Hematite Photoanode by Decorating NiCoP Nanoparticles Through a Facile Spin Coating Method

Catalysis Letters - Hematite (α-Fe2O3) is a potential photoanode material for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, but its short hole diffusion length and low water oxidation kinetics...     

Review:State-of-the-Art of Stamping-Forging Process with Sheet Metal Blank

综述：板材零件冲锻成形研究进展

王新云,金俊松,邓磊

创新点说明：

1） 按照工艺组合方式,将板冲锻成形分为复合成形方法与板锻成形方法两大类,并将每大类进行细分;

2）基于对板冲锻工艺的发展现状综述,指出高强度模具材料、新型的润滑技术、功能更丰富的智能冲锻设备以及适用于高强钢板冲锻方法是板冲锻工艺未来的发展方向。

研究目的：

通过对冲锻工艺进行分类归纳和总结,为从事该领域的研究人员、工程师提供应用参考,指引未来发展方向。

研究方法：

首先按照工艺组合方式的不同,将冲锻工艺进行分类,然后对每一类工艺列举典型的成形方法并进行讨论,包括其工艺特点,优缺点、适用范围、存在的问题等。基于全部的工艺进行归纳总结,指出冲锻工艺领域未来发展方向。

结果：

1） 板冲锻适合制造具有结构单元的板型零件;

2） 相对于传统的锻造或冲压工艺,板冲锻成形中模具压力非常高;

3） 相对于传统的锻造或冲压工艺,摩擦对金属流动影响显著;

4） 相对于传统的锻造或冲压工艺,模具或者设备动作相对复杂;

5）目前,针对高强度材料冲锻成形工艺较少。

结论：

1）冲锻成形工艺是制造具有功能单元板型件的有效方法,按照工艺组合方式的不同可以分为复合成形和板锻成形两大类;

2）板冲锻中,模具承受压力非常大,需要开发更高强度的模具材料来满足工艺的需要;

3） 板冲锻中,摩擦对金属流动影响显著,需要新的润滑技术和材料流动控制技术;

4）板冲锻中,模具动作相对复杂,因此需要能实现更多动作的新型智能设备;

5）随着轻量化的需求,高强度材料应用越来越广,需要开发出适合于高强度材料成形的冲锻工艺。

关键词：

钣金;冲压;锻造;冲锻工艺

     

Characterization of microwave and terahertz dielectric properties of single crystal La2Ti2O7 along one single direction

New generation wireless communication systems require characterisations of dielectric permittivity and loss tangent at microwave and terahertz bands. La₂Ti₂O₇ is a candidate material for microwave application. However, all the reported microwave dielectric data are average value from different directions of a single crystal, which could not reflect its anisotropic nature due to the layered crystal structure. Its dielectric properties at the microwave and terahertz bands in a single crystallographic direction have rarely been reported. In this work, a single crystal ferroelectric La₂Ti₂O₇ was prepared by floating zone method and its dielectric properties were characterized from 1 kHz to 1 THz along one single direction. The decrease in dielectric permittivity with increasing frequency is related to dielectric relaxation from radio frequency to microwave then to terahertz band. The capability of characterizing anisotropic dielectric properties of a single crystal in this work opens the feasibility for its microwave and terahertz applications.     

Development of Si3Na/Al composite by pressureless melt infiltration

Pressureless infiltration process to synthesize Si3N4/Al composite was investigated. Al-2%Mg alloy was infiltrated into Si3N4 and Si3N4 containing 10% Al2O3 preforms in the atmosphere of nitrogen. It is possible to infiltrate Al-2%Mg alloy in Si3N4 and Si3N4 containing 10% Al2O3 preforms. The growth of the dense composite of useful thickness was facilitated by the presence of magnesium powder at the interface and by flowing nitrogen. During infiltration Si3N4 reacted with aluminium to form Si and AIN, the growth of composite was found to proceed in two ways, depending on the Al2O3 content in the initial preform. Firstly, preform without Al2O3 content gives rise to AIN, Al3.27Si0.47 and Al type phases after infiltration. Secondly, perform with 10% Al2O3 content gives rise to AIN-Al2O3 solid solution phase （AION）, MgAl2O4, Al and Si type phases. AlON phase was only present in composite, containing 10% Al2O3 in the Si3N4 preforms before infiltration.     

等离子无模成形叶轮的应力场分析与校核

等离子熔积无模成形是急速加热快速凝固的短流程制造技术,如何避免制件的热裂纹是该技术的关键,而热裂纹的产生取决于成形过程温度场与应力场的分布特征.用有限元法对预热和水冷两种温控方案进行了模拟仿真,对比分析可知,较预热成形,水冷成形零件表面质量良好、热裂倾向低.随后依水冷条件按跳跃路径计算了叶轮成形过程的热应力场.结果表明,该方案所得零件的温度场较均匀,热应力和热裂倾向显著降低,工艺合理,有利提高成形性.