Improvement of dielectric breakdown strength and energy storage performance in Er2O3–modified 0.95Sr0.7Ba0.3Nb2O6-0.05CaTiO3 lead-free ceramics

In this study, 0.95?Sr_0.7Ba_0.3Nb₂O₆-0.05CaTiO₃-x wt% Er₂O₃ ceramics (SBNCTEx; x?=?0–5) were synthesized using traditional solid-state method, and we investigated the microstructure, energy storage properties as well as the relationship between dielectric breakdown strength and interfacial polarization. As compared with pure 0.95?Sr_0.7Ba_0.3Nb₂O₆-0.05CaTiO₃ ceramics, the Er₂O₃ dopants suppressed the grain growth of SBNCTEx, and the doped ones showed the dense microstructure. The secondary phase was found for x?≥?1 according to the EDS results, and the influence of the secondary phase on relative dielectric breakdown strength has also been studied. The dielectric breakdown strength increased from 18.1?kV/mm to 34.4?kV/mm, which is good for energy storage. The energy storage density of 0.28?J/cm³ and the energy storage efficiency of 91.4% were obtained in the SBNCTE5 ceramics. The results indicate that SBNCTE ceramics can be used as energy storage capacitors.     

Flame characteristics of premixed H2-air mixtures explosion venting in a spherical container through a duct

The explosion venting duct can effectively reduce the hazard degree of a gas explosion and conduct the venting energy to the safe area. To investigate the flame quantitative propagation law of explosion venting with a duct, the effects of hydrogen fraction and explosion venting duct length on jet flame propagation characteristics of premixed H₂-air mixtures were analyzed through experiment and simulation. The experiment results under initial conditions of room temperature and 1 atm show that when hydrogen fraction was high enough, part of the unburned hydrogen was mixed with air again to reach an ignitable concentration, resulting in the secondary combustion was easier produced and the duration of the secondary flame increased. With the increase of venting duct length, the flame front distance and propagation velocity increased. Meanwhile, the spatial distribution of pressure field and temperature field, and the propagation process and mechanism of the flame venting with a duct were analyzed using FLUENT software. The variation of the pressure wave and the pressure reflection oscillation law in the explosion venting duct was captured. Therefore, in the industrial explosion venting design with a duct, the hazard caused by the coupling of venting pressure and venting flame under different fractions should be considered comprehensively.     

Selective Coating of SnS on the Bio‐Inspired Moth‐Eye Patterned PEDOT:PSS Polymer Films

A new strategy for the selective coating of tin sulfide (SnS) on the surface of moth‐eye patterned (MEP) conducting polymer film is studied by considering the optical properties of the antireflective moth‐eye pattern and flexibility of polymer films. The semiconductor SnS is selectively coated on the surface of MEP microdomes of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrene‐sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) film. The SnS coated MEP film is obtained by using pore selectively SnS thin layer functionalized polystyrene honeycomb‐patterned porous (HCP) film as a template. Aqueous PEDOT:PSS solution is poured on the SnS functionalized HCP films and detached for the fabrication of SnS coated MEP films. The films show a satisfactory photo‐responsive property under solar stimulated light illumination due to the antireflective MEP structure of PEDOT film and homogenous SnS coating on the surface of the conducting polymer.     

Controlling thickness to tune performance of high-mobility transparent conducting films deposited from Ga-doped ZnO ceramic target

Structure modification has been found to tune significantly the transparent-conducting performance, especially mobility and conductivity of hydrogenated Ga-doped ZnO (HGZO) films. The strong correlation between film thickness and mobility of the films is revealed. The mobility increases quickly with increasing the thickness from 350 to 900 nm, and then tends to be saturated at further thicknesses. A higher mobility than 50 cm²/Vs can be achieved, which is an extra-high value for polycrystalline ZnO films deposited by using the sputtering technique. The thickness-dependent mobility originates from scatterings on grain boundaries and dislocation-induced defects controlled by thin-film growth. Based on the Volmer-Weber model, an expansion model is built up to describe the thickness-dependent crystal growth of the HGZO films, especially at the thick films. As a result, the 800 nm-thick HGZO film obtains the highest performance with high mobility of 51.5 cm²/Vs, low resistivity of 5.3 × 10^?4 Ωcm, and good transmittance of 83.3 %.     

Improved Corrosion Resistance of Selective Laser Melted Ti–5Cu Alloy Using Atomized Ti–5Cu Powder

The different types of metal powder used for selective laser melting(SLM) process would cause distinct corrosion behavior due to the uniformity of the obtained microstructure.The SLM-produced Ti–5Cu alloy using atomized Ti–5Cu metal powder(SLMed Ti–5Cu) in this work reveals a relatively uniform microstructure with overwhelming acicular α/α′ phase and shows great advantages on corrosion resistance compared with the SLM-produced Ti–5Cu alloy using the mixture powder(SLMedM Ti–5Cu).The effect of the micro-galvanic cells decreases due to the undetectable Ti_2Cu phase in the microstructure of the SLMed Ti–5Cu.An apparent passivation behavior was observed for SLMed Ti–5Cu instead of severe pitting phenomenon for the SLMed-M Ti–5Cu.The charge transfer resistance of SLMed Ti–5Cu in this work is 10.09 ± 2.63 MΩ cm~2, which is significantly higher than that of SLMed-M Ti–5Cu(4.76 MΩ cm~2).The above result indicates the atomized Ti–5Cu powder plays an important role in the formation of the uniform microstructure of SLMed product, thereby enhancing its corrosion resistance in Hank's solution at 37 ℃.     

Different hydrothermal corrosion results between two sides of sodalime float glass and the possible corrosion mechanism

Sodalime float (SF) glass is widely used in our societies and industries. Hydrothermal corrosion method is one of the effective ways to prepare a superhydrophobic glass, but there is still lack of knowledge about hydrothermal corrosion behavior and mechanism of SF glass. We have hydrothermally treated SF glass at 180 °C for different time, and tried to reveal the aqueous corrosion process of SF glass. We have characterized the morphologies and chemical compositions of samples, and found that (1) the two sides of SF glass have different corrosion resistances, and (2) a multilayer structural coating with a nanoflake layer (Mg-rich gel layer), a nanowire layer (Ca-rich gel layer), and a porous layer (etched layer) is formed on the air-side of SF glass. Based on the experimental results, we have proposed an aqueous corrosion mechanism of SF glass. The insights of the hydrothermal corrosion behaviors and mechanism provide helpful guidelines to glass surface structural control and functionalization.     

Fabrication strategies and application fields of novel 2D Ti3C2Tx (MXene) composite hydrogels: A mini-review

Ti₃C₂T_x (MXene), a new kind of 2D ceramic nanosheets, is receiving more and more attention in the fields of medicine, biology, energy, electronics, etc. However, the preparation and application of MXene in hydrogel is still in its infancy period. Here, we review the latest progress (after 2018) related to MXene hydrogels in time. Aiming at the key issue of the dispersion stability of MXene in hydrogel systems, the preparation strategy, mechanism, advantages and disadvantages of MXene hydrogels are sorted out in detail, and the potential application prospects of MXene composite hydrogel are introduced. Finally, future viewpoints are put forward for the dispersion stability challenges that need solving in the design of MXene hydrogel.     

Association of solid fuel use with risk of stunting in children living in China

Stunting adversely affects physical and mental outcomes of children. It has not been examined whether household air pollution from solid fuel combustion is a risk factor for stunting in children. In a total of 41,439 children aged 6-17 across China, height was measured using a unified protocol. Multivariable linear regression models and logistic regression models were used to assess the associations of solid fuel use for cooking/heating with stunting in children. Adjusted for covariates, cooking/heating with solid fuel was significantly associated with a lower z-score for height for age and sex (β = −0.21 [−0.32 to −0.09] and −0.17 [−0.31 to −0.03], respectively) and an increased risk of stunting with an estimated ORs of 1.34 [1.07~1.68] and 1.37 [1.02~1.83], respectively. The risk of stunting associated with solid fuel use was statistically significant in high-age children. And the effect was greater on girls than on boys, though the difference was not statistically significant. Our study suggested that Chinese children living in households using solid fuel had a significantly higher risk of stunting than those living in households using cleaner fuel.     

Study on the relationship between the particle size distribution and the effectiveness of the K‐powder fire extinguishing agent

The relationship between the particle size distribution and the extinguishing effectiveness of the new K‐powder fire extinguishing agent has been studied experimentally, to explore the reason of the great extinguishing efficiency exhibited by the new K‐powder fire extinguishing agent on Class B fire (liquid fuel fire). The results of the experiment showed that the extinguishing effectiveness increased along with the decrease of the particle size distribution. In addition, a sharp discontinuity appeared around the limiting size, about 40 μm. The powder with the particle size below 40 μm exhibited highly effective extinguishing with the minimum effective extinguishing concentration C_xr = 23 g·m^?3, while the powder with the particle size above 40 μm exhibited little fire extinguishing efficiency. Compared with other fire extinguishing agents produced by different substances, the new K‐powder fire extinguishing has the bigger limiting size. That means, in the same particle size distribution, the new K‐powder fire extinguishing agent contains more highly effective powder than others contain, and is more effective.