Optimization of microstructures and magnetic properties of Sm(CobalFe0.227Cu0.07Zr0.023)7.6 magnets by sintering treatment

Magnetic properties and microstructures of Sm(Co_(bal)Fe_(0.227)Cu_(0.07)Zr_(0.023_)_(7.6) sintered magnets were optimized by sintering treatment. Results show that the knee-point magnetic field, Hknee, is twofold up and the intrinsic coercivity Hcjincreases by 40%, ranging from 21.64 to 30.39 kOe at the cost of a little decrease of Brfrom 10.84 to 10.31 kGs with sintering temperature decreasing from 1488 to 1473 K. And the average domain width is narrower and more uniform for the specimen sintered at 1473 K than that of the specimen sintered at 1488 K. It is impressive that the density of lamellar phase increases from ~0.050 to ~0.058 nm~(-1) with the sintering temperature decreasing from 1488 to 1473 K. Moreover, the average cellular size is about ~84 nm for the magnets sintered at 1473 K, which is 80% of that of the magnets sintered at 1488 K(~97 nm). And the cell boundary width of the magnets sintered at 1473 K(~7 nm) is only half average width of the magnets sintered at 1488 K(~14 nm). It is found that the Cu content in the cell boundaries is much higher(~17 at%) in the magnets sintered at 1473 K compared to that of the magnets sintered at 1488 K(~10 at%). It can be concluded that smaller cells and narrower cell boundaries together with higher gradient of Cu content are key points for obtaining the optimum Hkneeand Hcj.     

Photoluminescence and energy transfer in transparent glass-ceramics based on GdF3:RE3+ (RE = Tb,Eu) nanocrystals

In the present work,the transparent oxyfluoride glass-ceramic samples containing GdF_3:RE~(3+)(RE=Tb,Eu) nanocrystals(nGCs) were fabricated via controlled heat-treatment of precursor xerogels prepared using a sol-gel method.The formation of GdF_3 nanocrystalline phase from gadolinium(III) trifluoroacetate was verified based on XRD measurements.The average crystal sizes calculated from Scherrer formula were estimated to～10 nm as well as～6 nm for Tb~(3+)-and Eu~(3+)-doped samples,respectively.The optical behavior of prepared sol-gel samples was evaluated based on photoluminescence excitation(PLE) and emission spectra(PL) as well as luminescence decay analysis.Obtained samples exhibit the ~5D_4→~7F_J(J=6-3,Tb~(3+))and the ~5D_0→~7F_J(J=0-4,Eu~(3+)) emission bands recorded within the visible spectral area under excitation at near-UV(393 nm(Eu~(3+)),351,369,378 nm(Tb~(3+))) as well as middle-UV illumination(273 nm(Gd~(3+))).Additionally,based on recorded decay curves,the luminescence lifetimes(τ_m) for the ~5D_4(Tb3+) and the ~5D_0(Eu~(3+))excited states were also evaluated.In general,recorded luminescence spectra and double-exponential character of decay curves for nGCs indicate a successful migration of Tb~(3+) and Eu~(3+) dopant ions from amorphous silicate framework to lowphonon energy GdF_3 nanocrystal phase.     

Recent progress of energy transfer and luminescence intensity boosting mechanism in Nd~(3+)-sensitized upconversion nanoparticles

Rare earth doped upconversion nanoparticles can be considered as the spice of research in the field of luminescence nanomaterials due to their unique optical properties such as near-infrared excitation.Enormous works have been reported about biomedical applications of 980 nm excited and Yb~(3+)-sensitized upconversion nanoparticles.However,980 nm excitation wavelength overlaps with the absorption band of water molecules in the biological environment,leading to overheating effect that can induce thermal damages of normal cells and tissues.Recently,Nd~(3+)-sensitized upconversion nanoparticles which can be excited with 808 nm has been widely investigated as alternative nanoparticles that can surmount this issue of overheating effect.Even though Nd~(3+)-sensitized upconversion nanoparticles can reduce the overheating effect by 20 fold as compared to Yb~(3+)-sensitized counterpart,there are several factors that reduce the upconversion luminescence intensity.In this review article,photon energy harvesting and transferring mechanisms in Nd~(3+),Yb~(3+)and emitter ions co-doped upconversion nanoparticles under 808 nm excitation are briefly discussed.Factors that affect upconversion luminescence intensity and quantum yield of Nd~(3+)-sensitized upconversion nanoparticles are also addressed.Besides,some of the important strategies that have been recently utilized to boost upconversion luminescence intensity of Nd~(3+)sensitized upco nversion nanoparticles are tho roughly summarized.Lastly,the future challenges in the area and our perspectives are in sight.     

Preparation and properties of Eu and Dy co-doped strontium aluminate long afterglow nanomaterials

The long afterglow nanomaterials of strontium aluminate co-doped by Eu and Dy have been synthesized by co-precipitation combined hydrothermal method. The effects of hydrothermal time, calcination time, pH value, the amount of aluminum nitrate, activator, co-activator and flux H₃BO₃ on the fluorescence properties of the product were investigated by means of single factor optimization experiment. Then the orthogonal experiment was employed to obtain the optimal synthesis conditions that are as follows: n_Dy/n_Eu = 2.5, t_c = 2.5?h, n_Eu/n_Sr = 0.02, t_h = 8?h. Subsequently, the optimal synthesis conditions were verified by three repeated experiments, and the obtained products were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and fluorescence spectrometer. The results showed that the synthesized target products all were the mixed crystal phase of SrAl₂O₄ and Sr₄Al_l4O₂₅. The particles presented regular spherical-like with size ~ 100?nm. The dopants Eu and Dy were confirmed existed in the SrAl₂O₄ powders. The fluorescence and afterglow data of the target products were better than that in the orthogonal experiment scheme. The primary emission spectra band was in the range of 400–600?nm with characteristic peak located at ~ 460?nm corresponding to the transitions of Eu²⁺ ions from 4f⁶5d→4f⁷, and the blue light can be observed by naked eyes. The similar fast-decaying and slow-decaying processes were displayed in all the afterglow curves, and the initial afterglow brightness of the target product is apparently higher than that of products synthesized by the orthogonal experiment. The synthesized target products, which show excellent long afterglow performance, present a great application prospects in the aspects of ceramics, plastics, arts and crafts, ink and coating.     

Rare-earth mediated dihydrogen activation and catalytic hydrogenation

This review covers H-H bond cleavage of dihydrogen(H_2) mediated by structurally well-defined rareearth metal(scandium,yttrium and lanthanides) complexes,and their applications in homogenous catalysis,such as catalytic hydrogenation of unsaturated organic molecules.Depending on the mechanism of the H-H bond cleavage,this review is organized in two parts:(1) σ-bond metathesis,and(2)non-σ-metathesis H_2 activation.The latter is a new trend in this research field and is the emphasis of this review.Converting H_2 into inorganic rare-earth polyhydride complexes,albeit their potential applications as hydrogen-storage materiel,is not in the scope of this review.     

Enhancing upconversion of Nd3+ through Yb3+-mediated energy cycling towards temperature sensing

Photon upconversion of lanthanides has been a powerful means to convert low-energy photons into high-energy ones. However, in contrast to the mostly investigated lanthanide ions, it has remained a challenge for the efficient upconversion of Nd³⁺ due to the deleterious concentration quenching effect. Here we report an efficient strategy to enhance the upconversion of Nd³⁺ through the Yb³⁺-mediated energy cycling in a core-shell-shell nanostructure. Both Nd³⁺ and Yb³⁺ are confined in the interlayer, and the presence of Yb³⁺ in the Nd-sublattice provides a more matched energy for the upconversion transitions occurring at the intermediate state of Nd³⁺ towards much better population at its emissive levels. Moreover, this design also minimizes the possible cross-relaxation processes at both intermediate level and the emissive levels of Nd³⁺ which are the primary factors limiting the upconversion performance for the Nd³⁺-doped materials. Such energy cycling-enhanced upconversion shows promise in temperature sensing.     

Sandwiched structure of hot-deformed Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets processed by Nd-Cu eutectic alloys diffusion

A series of sandwiched structures with different near-surface mass fractions x(x=3 wt%,4 wt%,5 wt%)was employed to develop high-coercivity hot-deformed Nd-Fe-B magnets by the addition of 2 wt%Nd-Cu eutectic alloys via adjusting the middle thickness and near-surface thickness.The designed magnet with a pronounced composite structure shows a 23% increase in coercivity with a 6% loss of remanence by adjusting the sandwiched structure at 4 wt% Nd-Cu eutectic alloys in the near-surface regions.The results indicate that the near-surface Nd-Cu-rich "shell" structure can effectively suppress the magnetization reversal of overall magnets,enhancing the coercivity.With the help of loading stress,Nd-Cu liquid enriched at the near-surface regions of the sample is infiltrated into the Nd-Cu-lean middle region,resulting in a concentration gradient.Microstructure characterizations further demonstrate that the infiltrated Nd-Cu eutectic plays a critical role in inhibiting grain growth and intergranular magnetic interaction.The optimized microstructure features suppress the reversed magnetization process,which makes a positive contribution to coercivity.     

Densification and anticorrosion performances of vacuum evaporated aluminium coatings on NdFeB magnets

Al coated NdFeB magnets obtained by vacuum evaporation technique were densified by high energy ball milling method.The surface morphology,metal composition and micro structure of the coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy,X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,respectively.The anticorrosive properties were investigated by potentiodynamic polarization curves and neutral salt spray test.The pores in the Al coatings of columnar crystals(Al) induced by the evaporation technique,were apparently filled in the following ball milling process,leading to the densification of Al coatings and the evident improvement of the anticorrosive performances.When treated with ball milling for 30 min,the sample achieves the best anticorrosive performances with the self-corrosion potential of-0.87 V,self-corrosion current density of 1.65 μA/cm~2 and the neutral salt spray(NSS) time of 144 h(red rust).The improvement of the anticorro sive performances of vacuum evaporated Al coating mainly lies in the densification effect of the coating,which depends on different loading conditions of ball milling process.     

Human factors and ergonomics in manufacturing in the industry 4.0 context – A scoping review

Industry 4.0 revolution has brought rapid technological growth and development in manufacturing industries. Technological development enables efficient manufacturing processes and brings changes in human work, which may cause new threats to employee well-being and challenge their existing skills and knowledge. Human factors and ergonomics (HF/E) is a scientific discipline to optimize simultaneously overall system performance and human well-being in different work contexts. The aim of this scoping review is to describe the state-of-the-art of the HF/E research related to the industry 4.0 context in manufacturing. A systematic search found 336 research articles, of which 37 were analysed utilizing a human-centric work system framework presented in the HF/E literature. Challenges related to technological development were analysed in micro- and macroergonomics work system frameworks. Based on the review we frame characteristics of an organisation level maturity model to optimize overall sociotechnical work system performance in the context of rapid technological development in manufacturing industries.     

Probabilistic characterization of the effect of transient stochastic loads on the fatigue-crack nucleation time

The rainflow counting algorithm for material fatigue is both simple to implement and extraordinarily successful for predicting material failure times. However, it neglects memory effects and time-ordering dependence, and therefore runs into difficulties dealing with highly intermittent or transient stochastic loads with heavy tailed distributions. Such loads appear frequently in a wide range of applications in ocean and mechanical engineering, such as wind turbines and offshore structures. In this work we employ the Serebrinsky–Ortiz cohesive envelope model for material fatigue to characterize the effects of load intermittency on the fatigue-crack nucleation time. We first formulate efficient numerical integration schemes, which allow for the direct characterization of the fatigue life in terms of any given load time-series. Subsequently, we consider the case of stochastic intermittent loads with given statistical characteristics. To overcome the need for expensive Monte-Carlo simulations, we formulate the fatigue life as an up-crossing problem of the coherent envelope. Assuming statistical independence for the large intermittent spikes and using probabilistic arguments we derive closed expressions for the up-crossing properties of the coherent envelope and obtain analytical approximations for the probability mass function of the failure time. The analytical expressions are derived directly in terms of the probability density function of the load, as well as the coherent envelope. We examine the accuracy of the analytical approximations and compare the predicted failure time with the standard rainflow algorithm for various loads. Finally, we use the analytical expressions to examine the robustness of the derived probability distribution for the failure time with respect to the coherent envelope geometrical properties.