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.     

Microstructure,tribological behavior and magnetic properties of Fe−Ni−TiO2 composite coatings synthesized via pulse frequency variation

The Fe−Ni−TiO₂ nanocomposite coatings were electrodeposited by pulse frequency variation. The results showed that the nanocomposite with a very dense coating surface and a nanocrystalline structure was produced at higher frequencies. By increasing the pulse frequency from 10 to 500 Hz, the iron and TiO₂ nanoparticles contentswere increased in expense of nickel content. XRD patterns showed that by increasing the frequency to 500 Hz, an enhancement ofBCC phase was observed and the grain size of deposits was reduced to 35 nm. The microhardness and the surface roughness were increased to 647 HV and 125 nm at 500 Hz due to the grain size reduction and higher incorporation of TiO₂ nanoparticles into the Fe−Ni matrix (5.13 wt.%). Moreover, the friction coefficient and wear rate values were decreased by increasing the pulse frequency;while the saturation magnetization and coercivity values of the composite deposits were increased.     

New water-soluble copolymers of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine for surface modification

New copolymers of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine with 2-Deoxy-2-methacrylamido-D-glucose, N-vinylpyrrolidone, and N-vinyl-N-methylacetamide were synthesized and characterized; the obtained copolymers contained 10–50 mol% of phosphorylcholine moieties, and their molecular masses ranged from 1.05 × 10⁵ to 4.40 × 10⁵. Reactivity ratios of the monomers were estimated. Conformational states of the copolymers in aqueous solutions were studied. The synthesized copolymer was grafted onto the surface of carbon fiber biosorbent using γ-radiation.     

Multivariate process trajectories for molecular description of MF thermal curing and correlation with hydrolytic stability

During curing of thermosetting resins the technologically relevant properties of binders and coatings develop. However, curing is difficult to monitor due to the multitude of chemical and physical processes taking place. Precise prediction of specific technological properties based on molecular properties is very difficult. In this study, the potential of principal component analysis (PCA) and principal component regression (PCR) in the analysis of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra is demonstrated using the example of melamine-formaldehyde (MF) resin curing in solid state. FTIR/PCA-based reaction trajectories are used to visualize the influence of temperature on isothermal cure. An FTIR/PCR model for predicting the hydrolysis resistance of cured MF resin from their spectral fingerprints is presented which illustrates the advantages of FTIR/PCR compared to the combination differential scanning calorimetry/isoconversional kinetic analysis. The presented methodology is transferable to the curing reactions of any thermosetting resin and can be applied to model other technologically relevant final properties as well.     

The effect of alkali metal oxide on the properties of borosilicate fireproof glass: Structure,thermal properties,viscosity, chemical stability

The purpose of the current work was to research the effect of alkali metal oxide on the structure, thermal properties, viscosity and chemical stability in the glass system (R₂O–CaO–B₂O₃–SiO₂) systematically. Because the glass would emulsify when Li₂O was added to the glass batch, this article did not discuss Li₂O. The results showed that when the amount of Na₂O was less than 4 mol.%, there was a higher interconnectivity of borate and silicate sub-networks in glass, as more mixed Si–O–B bonds were present in glass. The glass samples exhibited excellent thermal properties and chemical stabilities. As the amount of Na₂O exceeded 4 mol.%, the interconnectivity of borate and silicate sub-networks was weakened. The thermal properties and chemical stabilities of the glass samples were reduced. The connectivity of the silicate sub-network was weakened slightly as the Na/K ratio varied, and the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the glass samples gradually increased, and the resistance to thermal shock (RTS) value gradually decreased. Moreover, the viscosity of the glass samples decreased with the ratio of Na/Si and Na/K increased.     

Preparation of a CeO2–ZrO2 based nano-composite with enhanced thermal stability by a novel chelating precipitation method

In this study, a chelating agent is introduced to prepare CeO₂–ZrO₂ nano-composite through a precipitation process. The physicochemical properties of the oxide precursors, nano composite materials are strongly dependent on the preparation method and whether a chelating agent is used. Adding an appropriate quantity of chelating agent SO₄²⁻ can facilitate thermal stability and phase structure uniformity of CeO₂–ZrO₂ mixed oxides. The calculation results showed that the Gibbs free energy of chelating complex of [ZrSO₄]²⁺ (ΔG = −127.2469 kJ/mol) is higher than the [Ce(III)SO₄]⁺ (ΔG = -29.8279 kJ/mol). The precipitation chemical potential of Zr⁴⁺ moves close to the precipitation chemical potential of Ce³⁺. The novel and low-cost chelating precipitation method can modify the homogeneity of the compounds at the atomic scale, which can offer a powerful opportunity for, and provide direction in, the design of materials with exceptional properties.     

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.     

Influence of aluminum phosphate on the tribocorrosion performance of chemically bonded phosphate ceramic coatings

In this study, chemically bonded phosphate ceramic coatings (CBPCCs) with different contents of aluminum phosphate (AP) are prepared on stainless steel (AISI 304L). Differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, contact angle test, and a tribocorrosion experiment are carried out to clarify the role of AP in the tribocorrosion performance of CBPCCs. The results show that, with the increase in the AP content, the enthalpy of curing increases because of the greater formation of the bonding phase AlPO₄. Both in static corrosion and in tribocorrosion, the corrosion current density of CBPCCs achieves the lowest value when the weight ratio of AP to polytetrafluoroethylene is about 0.78. Additionally, the influence mechanism of AP on tribocorrosion is clarified. AlPO₄ from the reaction between AP and Al₂O₃ has excellent mechanical properties and can enhance the wear resistance of CBPCCs by reducing the mechanical wear and the increased wear due to corrosion. The alumina particles wrapped by AlPO₄ can form a dense and smooth surface and change the direction of electrolyte propagation, which leads to the increase in the tribocorrosion resistance of CBPCCs.     

High-entropy ferroelastic rare-earth tantalite ceramic: (Y0.2Ce0.2Sm0.2Gd0.2Dy0.2)TaO4

In this study, high-entropy rare-earth tantalate ceramics (Y_0.2Ce_0.2Sm_0.2Gd_0.2Dy_0.2)TaO₄ ((5RE_0.2)TaO₄) have been successfully fabricated. The possibility of formation of (5RE_0.2)TaO₄ was verified via first-principles calculations. In addition, the phase structure, ferroelastic toughening mechanism, thermophysical, and mechanical properties were systematically investigated. The (5RE_0.2)TaO₄ ceramics have lower phonon thermal conductivity (1.2–2.6 W·m^–1·K^–1) in the entire temperature range than that of RETaO₄ and YSZ. (5RE_0.2)TaO₄ has a higher fracture toughness and lower brittleness index than YSZ. The thermal expansion coefficients of (5RE_0.2)TaO₄ are as high as 10.3 × 10^-6 K^–1 at 1200°C and Young's modulus is 66–189 GPa, and thus, (5RE_0.2)TaO₄ possesses great potential for application in thermal barrier coatings (TBCs).