Corrosion behaviour of Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Ag alloy components with different sizes after cooling

The corrosion behaviour of Mg-6Gd-3Y-1Zn-0.3Ag (wt.%) alloy components with different sizes after cooling was investigated. The alloys in the small components (SC) cooled fast, which were composed of α-Mg matrix and coarse long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) phases. The alloys in the large components (LC) cooled slowly, and there were thin lamellar LPSO phases precipitating inside the grains, except for α-Mg matrix and coarse LPSO phases. The hydrogen evolution test revealed that the corrosion rate of LC sample was higher than that of SC sample. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) test showed that the surface film on LC alloys provided worse protection. The corrosion morphologies indicated that the precipitation of the thin lamellar LPSO phases in LC sample caused severe micro-galvanic corrosion, which accelerated the rupture of the surface film.     

Crystal structure,polarization properties and reverse nonlinearity of solid solutions of the KNN-PZT system in a wide range of external influences

Experimental research of the crystal structure, polarization properties, and reverse nonlinearity of ceramic solid solutions of the (1-x) (Na_0·5K_0.5)NbO₃-xPb(Ti_0·5Zr_0.5)O₃ (KNN-PZT) quasi-binary system with 0.0 = x ≤ 1.0 in a wide range of external influences (temperatures, strength of dc/ac fields) has been done. Based on the X-ray structural data, an x-T diagram of the system has been constructed, and correlations of the behavior of the macroproperties of solid solutions with the features of their phase states with the temperature change have been established. It has been concluded that it is advisable to use the proposed compositions when designing microelectronic devices operating in various extreme conditions.     

利用菊池衍射花样鉴定晶体结构的方法研究

电子背散射衍射(Electron Backscatter Diffraction, EBSD)是研究材料显微结构的重要手段之一, 通过EBSD获取的菊池衍射花样是材料内部微观晶体结构的直观反映。本研究通过识别菊池花样中的对称轴, 结合晶体对称定律, 提出了一种利用菊池花样进行晶体对称性分析和晶体结构鉴定的方法。通过该方法成功对三个未知样品的对称性和晶体结构进行了判断。其中一个样品确定到所属晶系, 另两个样品锁定到部分点群, 通过确定晶系和点群排除了部分不符合对称性的相鉴定结果。研究结果表明, 利用菊池花样进行对称性分析是判断晶体结构的有效方法。同现有方法相比, 菊池衍射花样法大大缩小了相鉴定的检索范围, 显著提高了相鉴定的准确性和可靠性, 是一种有望用于新一代EBSD设备的标定技术。     

Characterization of the structure and properties of processed alumina-graphene and alumina-zirconia composites

The onset of hybrid alumina-based composites, which combines two or more nano-particles within the alumina matrix has already shown promising improvements in the matrix material. However, variations in mechanical properties including the optimum compositions that give improved properties faced with the development of alumina-based composites require further studies to understand the underlying mechanisms and synergistic effects of the nano-particle additions on the alumina matrix. In the current study, the structure and properties of Al?O?-graphene (0.5 wt%) and Al?O?–ZrO? (4 wt% and 10 wt%) composites fabricated via hot-pressing was studied as a baseline for multiple combinations. Even though the addition of 10 wt%ZrO? resulted in a 23% reduction in the grain size of the alumina matrix, the 4 wt%ZrO? addition resulted in a 14% increase in grain size as compared to the parent alumina matrix. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that there was approximately 85% monoclinic (m-ZrO₂) vs. 15% tetragonal (t-ZrO₂) crystal structures in the A4ZrO? sample whilst the A₁₀ZrO? had approximately 93% m-ZrO₂ vs. 7% t-ZrO₂. The high-volume fraction of the monoclinic crystal structures in the A₁₀ZrO? accounts for the induced microcracks in the sample since the transition from the ductile-tetragonal to brittle-monoclinic is associated with the exertion of compressive stresses on the alumina matrix by the associated elastic volume expansion of m-ZrO₂. Also, the addition of 0.5 wt%graphene resulted in about 37% reduction in the grain size of the alumina matrix, and approximately 10% increase in hardness as a result of the distribution of graphene along the grain boundaries of the parent alumina matrix, which restricts grain coalescence and growth during processing. Furthermore, an increase up to 115% and 164% were observed in the fracture toughness (K_IC) with the inclusion of 0.5 wt%graphene and 10 wt%ZrO? respectively, which was primarily ascribed to the fine-grained microstructures and toughening mechanisms of the intergranular graphene and ZrO? particles.     

Novel non-stoichiometric (Ba0.91Ca0.09)x(Zr0.18Ti0.82)O3 ferroelectric ceramics with improved diffuse phase transition and dielectric tunable performance

Dielectric tunable properties in ferroelectric ceramics have been optimized by a variety of approaches, e.g., isovalent/aliovalent substitution, system composite et al., while the study of non-stoichiometric regulation on the performance of BCZT ceramics was rarely concerned. Herein, a series of novel non-stoichiometric (Ba_0·91Ca_0.09)_x (Zr_0·18Ti_0.82)O₃ (BCZTx) ceramic specimens were successfully prepared via solid-state reaction. The microstructures of BCZTx ceramics are simultaneously investigated through XRD and SEM. The diffuse phase transition (DPT) behaviour of BCZTx ceramics are studied by the Lorentz-type empirical formula. The significant enhancement of DPT behaviour is observed at x = 1.03, which probably due to the coaction of the generation of partial Schottky defects and prominent reduction of grain size. Furthermore, a high tunability (k) 87.80%, low dielectric loss (tan δ) 0.141%, and a remarkably enhanced FOM of 623 are achieved in x = 0.99 at a low DC bias electric fields (BEFs) of 7.28 kV/cm and room temperature (RT), which is superior to that of the stoichiometric BCZT ceramics and other available reported BT-based ceramics systems in term of the dielectric tunable properties. Meanwhile, it shows that the temperature dependent CQF value of x = 0.99 remained advantageous around the RT. These findings suggested that non-stoichiometric BCZTx ceramics with x = 0.99 are significantly competitive in the applications of dielectric tunable devices at RT. The non-stoichiometric regulation is an effective approach in improving the dielectric tunability properties of BCZT ceramics.     

Structure and thermoelectric properties of higher manganese silicides synthesized by pack cementation

Higher manganese silicides (HMS) are promising alternative materials for middle to high temperature thermoelectric applications as a low-cost, non-toxic and highly stable p-type leg. Many of the preparation methods that have been reported previously require long-time and energy consuming processes, as well as expensive equipment, and often do not result in a material of sufficient quality. In this study, the simple, cost-effective and eco-friendly technique of pack cementation is applied. HMS powders synthesized at different experimental conditions are studied and compared considering their structure, composition, short-term thermal stability in air and thermoelectric properties. X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry and thermoelectric measurements (in terms of Seebeck coefficient, electrical and thermal conductivity) were employed for the characterization of the material and evaluation of its performance. All samples were identified as HMS and only some negligible traces of MnSi were detected. They moderately oxidize when heated non-isothermally under air atmosphere up to 1473 K, while the presence of HMS remains dominant even at such high temperatures. Their thermoelectric properties were remarkable for an undoped material, with a maximum figure of merit (ZT) of 0.47 at 777 K. Pack cementation appeared to have a great potential as the synthesis route of high-efficiency HMS.     

Crystal structure and functional properties of Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ as prospective cathode materials for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Complex oxides Nd_1.6Ca_0.4Ni_1-yCu_yO_4+δ (y = 0.0–0.4) have been prepared by a pyrolysis of glycerol-nitrate compositions. According to the X-ray diffraction analysis, the materials are single-phase up to y = 0.3 and crystallize in an orthorhombic structure (Bmab) at room temperature. High-temperature studies assert that they all undergo a phase transition from orthorhombic to tetragonal (I4/mmm) structure in a range of 300–400 °C. With Cu doping, the over-stoichiometric oxygen content δ decreases from 0.07 (y = 0.0) down to 0.00 (y = 0.3). The studies on the compact samples reveal the maximum value of total conductivity (165 S cm^?1 at 420 °C) and the minimum value of the linear coefficient of thermal expansion (11.9·10^?6 K^?1 in a range of 400–1000 °C in air) at y = 0.2. Chemical compatibility of the Nd_1.6Cа_0.4Ni_1-yCu_yO_4+δ (y = 0.0, 0.2) oxides with oxygen- and proton conducting electrolytes (Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_1.95, Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_1.9 and BaCe_0.5Zr_0.3Y_0.1Yb_0.1O_3-δ) up to a temperature of 1100 °C is demonstrated.     

pH-sensitive self-assembling property of poly(ethyleneimine)/cinnamic acid mixture and its effect on pH-dependent release of monoolein cubic phase

Poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI)/cinnamic acid (CA) mixture was self-assembled into microsphere in aqueous phase. As the pH value increased, the self-assembly became hardly formed. As the molar ratio of the amino group of PEI to the carboxyl group of CA increased, the pH window for the formation of self-assembly became broader. The phase transition temperature of cubic phase was 58.5–67.5°C, depending on the PEI/CA content. The release of dye loaded in cubic phase containing PEI/CA increased in a first-order fashion. The release degree was higher at a lower pH value.     

Macroscopic and Microscopic Structures of Cesium Lead Iodide Perovskite from Atomistic Simulations

A first‐principles‐based effective Hamiltonian is developed and employed to investigate finite‐temperature structural properties of a prototype of perovskite halides, that is CsPbI₃. Such simulations, when using first‐principles‐extracted coefficients, successfully reproduce the existence of an orthorhombic Pnma state and its iodine octahedral tilting angles around room temperature. However, they also yield a direct transformation from Pnma to cubic $Pm\overline{3}m$ upon heating, unlike measurements that reported the occurrence of an intermediate long‐range‐tilted tetragonal P4/mbm phase in‐between the orthorhombic and cubic phases. Such disagreement, which may cast some doubts about the extent to which first‐principle methods can be trusted to mimic hybrid perovskites, can be resolved by “only” changing one short‐range tilting parameter in the whole set of effective Hamiltonian coefficients. In such a case, some reasonable values of this specific parameter result in the predictions that i) the intermediate P4/mbm state originates from fluctuations over many different tilted states; and ii) the cubic $Pm\overline{3}m$ phase is highly locally distorted and develops strong transverse antiphase correlation between first‐nearest neighbor iodine octahedral tiltings, before undergoing a phase transition to P4/mbm under cooling.     

基于几何相位的线偏振聚焦超表面器件

设计出基于几何相位的介质超表面实现线偏振光聚焦功能。该设计打破了传统设计中几何相位(Pancharatnam-Berry phase)的手性限制,不再是局限于左旋圆偏振光(LCP)和右旋圆偏振光(RCP)入射。通过有限时域差分仿真来证明这种线偏振聚焦相位调控的特性。该类功能器件可能用于设计新颖的THz元器件、高分辨成像、功能探测等方面。