Cold crucible melting and characterization of titanate-zirconate pyrochlore as a potential rare earth/actinide waste form

La-Ce-Gd titanate-zirconate pyrochlore-based ceramics was synthesized at the lab-scale inductive melting unit with a 56?mm inner diameter cold crucible. Batch feeding rate and melting ratio were 3?kg/h and 3?kW?h/kg respectively. The ceramics is composed of 85–90?vol% zoned grains of the pyrochlore structure phase, the sample has excellent chemical durability in hot water and may be considered as a promising matrix for actinide – rare earth fraction of high level waste.     

Dual-phase rare-earth-zirconate high-entropy ceramics with glass-like thermal conductivity

A series of rare earth zirconates (RE₂Zr₂O₇) high-entropy ceramics with single- and dual-phase structure were prepared. Compared with La₂Zr₂O₇ and Yb₂Zr₂O₇, the smaller “rattling” ions (Yb³⁺, Er³⁺, Y³⁺) have been incorporated into pyrochlore lattice in (La_0.2Nd_0.2Y_0.2Er_0.2Yb_0.2)₂Zr₂O₇ (LNYEY) while larger ions (La³⁺, Nd³⁺, Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺) incorporated into fluorite lattice in (La_0.2Nd_0.2Sm_0.2Gd_0.2Yb_0.2)₂Zr₂O₇ (LNSGY). Due to high-entropy lattice distortion and resonant scattering derived from smaller ions Yb³⁺, Er³⁺, and Y³⁺, LNYEY shows a lower glass-like thermal conductivity (1.62-1.59 W m^-1 K^-1, 100-600℃) than LNSGY (1.74-1.75 W m^-1 K^-1, 100-600℃). Moreover, LNYEY and LNSGY exhibit enhanced Vickers’ hardness (LNYEY, H_v = 11.47 ± 0.41 GPa; LNSGY, H_v = 10.96 ± 0.26 GPa) and thermal expansion coefficients (LNYEY, 10.45 × 10^-6 K^-1, 1000℃; LNSGY, 11.02 × 10^-6 K^-1, 1000℃). These results indicate that dual-phase rare-earth-zirconate high-entropy ceramics could be desirable for thermal barrier coatings.     

Behavior of sulfate in preparation of single light rare earth carbonate by Mg(HCO_3)_2 precipitation method

The precipitation of the water-leaching solution of Baotou mixed rare earth(RE) concentrate roasted with sulfuric acid using ammonium bicarbonate for producing RE carbonate produces a mass of ammonia-nitrogen wastewater because of the relatively low solubility of rare earth sulfate.To solve the serious problem of ammonia-nitrogen pollution,new precipitators need to be developed urgently so as to meet the requirements of environmental protection and impurities content of the product(SO_4~(2-)1.8 wt% in RE carbonates products).In this paper,we studied the effects of feeding modes on the behavior of SO_4~(2-) during the preparation of light RE carbonate(RE=La,Ce,Pr,Nd) from their sulfate solutions using Mg(HCO_3)_2 as a precipitant.The results indicate that the contents of SO_4~(2+) in the La and Ce precipitates using positive feeding mode exceed 16 wt% because of the formation of La2(CO_3)_(2.15)(-SO_4)_(0.85)·4 H_2 O and Ce2(CO_3)_(2.15)(SO_4)_(0.85)·3 H_2 O,while those of the Pr and Nd precipitates are 4 wt%-5 wt%since they exist in the form of n-carbonate.The precipitates prepared using synchronous feeding mode are all RE carbonate with only 4 wt%-5 wt% of SO_4~(2-) enclosed in the precipitation.The content of SO_4~(2-) in the RE carbonate obtained using reverse feeding mode is the lowest.Among them,the content of SO_4~(2-) in La precipitate is only 1.40 wt%.Both synchronous and reverse feeding modes can effectively reduce the content of SO_4~(2-)in RE carbonate,which provides theoretical guidance for the preparation of qualified light RE carbonate products by Mg(HCO_3)_2 precipitation method.     

Photoluminescence enhancement in a Na5Y(MoO4)4:Dy3+ white-emitting phosphor by partial replacement of MoO42− with WO42− or VO43−

A series of Na₅Y(MoO₄)_4-yA_y:Dy³⁺ (A = WO₄^2?, VO₄^3?; y = 0–0.05) phosphors were synthesized by the combustion method. Some of the MoO₄^2? sites were occupied by WO₄^2? and VO₄^3? anions, which enhanced the luminescence property of Dy³⁺-doped Na₅Y(MoO₄)₄. XRD results show that the crystal structures of the samples were consistent with the standard Na₅Y(MoO₄)₄ phase. Under excitation at 352 nm, the Na₅Y(MoO₄)_4-yA_y:Dy³⁺ phosphors exhibited a characteristic blue emission at 485 nm and a yellow emission at 577 nm, which originated from the ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_13/2 transitions of Dy³⁺ ions, respectively. White light can be achieved by combining these blue and yellow emissions. After replacing MoO₄^2? with WO₄^2? and VO₄^3? anions in Na₅Y(MoO₄)₄:Dy³⁺, the luminescence intensity of Dy³⁺ was significantly improved due to the crystal field effect. The results indicate that Na₅Y(MoO₄)_3.97(WO₄)_0.03:Dy³⁺ and Na₅Y(MoO₄)_3.97(VO₄)_0.03:Dy³⁺ phosphors have good prospects for application in n-UV-excited w-LEDs.     

Structure and Properties of Nonstoichiometric Y1-xNbxO1.5+x for Thermal Barrier Coatings

Understanding the effect of nonstoichiometry on material properties is of critical importance for the Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBCs) application. In this work, the effect of nonstoichiometry was systematically investigated in Y₃NbO₇, a recently identified promising TBCs material for next-generation gas turbine engines. The results show that the nonstoichiometry effect mediates the microstructure, mechanical properties, thermophysical properties, oxygen ionic conductivity and optical transmittance. The results suggest that the oxygen ionic conductivity is correlated to the mass diffusion in the oxygen-deficient fluorite oxides Y_1-xNb_xO_1.5+x. The stoichiometric composition Y₃NbO₇, with the lowest thermal conductivity and slowest mass diffusion in Y_1-xNb_xO_1.5+x series, is optimal for the TBCs application, which can be of relevance for TBCs material design and coating fabrication.     

新型地锚张弦梁式泥石流格栅坝构件受力的简化计算方法

针对常见泥石流防治结构被冲击破坏的问题，基于“柔性消能”理念，结合张弦梁结构和竖向预应力锚杆技术，提出一种既能改善结构受力性能、增加结构整体抗冲击能力、保证结构安全可靠，又能减小结构构件截面尺寸、节约成本、便于现场施工组装和后期运营维护的新型地锚张弦梁式泥石流格栅坝，并阐述其技术原理。根据泥石流荷载分布和新型地锚张弦梁式泥石流格栅坝的受力特征，给出其简化的内力计算方法；并利用SAP2000建立新结构有限元模型，分析了结构的整体受力，验证了构件简化计算方法的合理性；结合Python语言和Qt De? signer软件开发了相应的设计计算软件，对新型地锚张弦梁式泥石流格栅坝的内力进行求解。结果表明：提出的新结构抗冲击性能好，构件受力均匀；以后设计中应关注竖杆的剪切脆性破坏和立柱偏心受力情况，保证结构安全；变形协调仅使底层张弦梁与竖杆内力偏大，实际工程应用时，应着重验算底层构件，防止其破坏；文中提出的简化计算方法能较准确的反映结构的受力特性，具有一定的合理性，研究可为新型地锚张弦梁式泥石流格栅坝的设计计算和推广应用提供理论依据和技术支持。     

动态循环荷载下大坝混凝土拉压转换损伤本构模型构建及影响研究

目前混凝土坝抗震安全评价中,对于动态循环荷载下大坝混凝土损伤本构模型中从受拉状态向受压状态转变过程(拉压转换)中的混凝土弹性模量变化,一般都基于商用软件ABAQUS的"单边效应"假设,认为混凝土弹性模量立即恢复为初始弹性模量。上述假设的合理性缺乏试验验证,直接影响混凝土坝抗震安全评价的可靠性。通过对全级配大坝混凝土拉压转换全过程试验成果的观察分析,发现混凝土从受拉状态进入受压状态后弹性模量并非立即恢复为初始弹性模量,而是由损伤后弹性模量连续渐进恢复至初始弹性模量,期间原有的受拉残余应变在压应力作用下迅速减小到较小数值,因此ABAQUS的"单边效应"假设并不符合实际情况。本文以全级配大坝混凝土拉压转换全过程试验成果为基础,提出受拉损伤发生后,拉压转换时受压应力应变关系采用双折线模型的思路,据此推导了相应的应力-应变关系解析表达式,构建了更接近混凝土拉压转换时真实状况的本构关系数值模型。通过实际工程的计算分析,发现常用的受压弹性模量立即恢复为初始弹性模量的损伤本构模型过高估计了坝体刚度,可能带来偏于不安全的评价结果。     

Systematic study of Nd~(3+) on structural properties of ZnO nanocomposite for biomedical applications; in-vitro biocompatibility,bioactivity, photoluminescence and antioxidant properties

Owing to the inconformity in ionic radius between Nd~(3+) and Zn~(2+), the successful incorporation of Nd~(3+) ion into the ZnO nanocrystals still remains a great challenge. In the present study various doping ratios containing 1 wt%, 5 wt%, 7 wt% and 10 wt% of Nd~(3+) doped ZnO nanoparticles(Nd/ZnO NPs) were synthesized in which a bio-layer caped the NPs. SEM/EDX analysis was performed on the ZnO and Nd/ZnO NPs. In addition, the as-synthesized NPs were characterized using X-ray diffraction(XRD), dynamic light scattering(DLS), differential reflectance spectroscopy(DRS) and photoluminescence(PL) spectroscopy.The average size of Nd(5 wt%)/ZnO NPs was in the range of 6.22 and 15 e18 nm based on XRD and SEM techniques, respectively. The measured band gap values for pure ZnO and Nd/ZnO NCs with doping ratios of 1 wt%, 5 wt%, 7 wt% and 9 wt% were equal to 3.46, 3.26, 3.05, 3.25 and 3.29, respectively. After inhalation, nanoparticles first interact with lung surfactant system and accordingly their toxic effects will appear on lungs cells such as A549 cell line. The effect of Nd/ZnO NPs to interact by human A549 cell line was evaluated by means of cell viability test. According to cell viability test the concentrations of 0.3 and 0.5 mg/mL of Nd/ZnO NPs induce a low toxicity. The present study shows that these toxic effects of Nd/ZnO NPs can be rectified by capping its surface via the addition of a bio-layer around particles in order to prevent them from interacting A549 cell line.     

Multi-component assembly of luminescent rare earth hybrid materials

This review focuses on the recent research progress in the multi-component assembly of luminescent rare earth hybrid materials, which is based on the luminescent rare earth compounds and two or more other building units, including the other photoactive species. It covers the multi-component luminescent rare earth hybrids which was assembled with different (a) organic-inorganic polymeric units, (b) nanoporous units, (c) nanoparticle composites or (d) other developing special units. Finally, future challenges and opportunities in this field are discussed. Herein it mainly focuses on the work of Yan's group in recent years.     

Enhancing optical absorption in visible light of ZnO co-doped with europium and promethium by first-principles study through modified Becke and Johnson potential scheme

By using first-principles calculations we studied the electronic, optical and magnetic properties of ZnO co-doped with Eu and Pm. In this calculation, we used Wien2k code based on full potential linearized augmented plane waves (FP-LAPW) method with the modified Becke-Johnson (mBJ) approximation. This correction gives good band gap compared to experimental band gap. The introduction of Eu and Pm codoping leads to an increase in the band gap. Electrons can transit easily from the valence band to the conduction band, which results in an enhancement of visible light absorption in a wider absorption range. Absorption spectra reach a high value in visible and infrared light regions. With the significance of the obtained results, the studied compounds may potentially find spintronic and optoelectronic applications.