Re-examination of phase relations between solid solutions in R4Al2O9-R4Si2N2O7-R4Si2O10 (R=Y,Gd, Yb) systems

Samples in Si–Al-R-O-N (R = Y, Gd, Yb) systems were prepared by solid-state reactions using R₂O₃, Al₂O₃, SiO₂ and Si₃N₄ powders as starting materials. X-ray diffraction was done to investigate RAM-J(R) solid solutions [RAM = R₄Al₂O₉, J(R) = R₄Si₂N₂O₇] formation and their equilibrium with RSO (R₄Si₂O₁₀). Phase relations between RAM, J(R) and RSO at 1700 °C were summarized in a phase diagram. It was determined that a limited solid solution of RAM and RSO could be formed along RAM-RSO tie-line, while RAM and J(R) form a continuous solid solution along RAM-J(R) tie-line. In RAM-J(R)-RSO ternary systems, the RAM-J(R) tie-lines were extended towards the RSO corner to form a continuous solid solution area of JRAMss (R = Y, Gd, Yb). The established phase relations in the Si–Al-R-O-N (R = Y, Gd, Yb) systems may facilitate compositional selections for developing JRAMss as monolithic ceramics or for SiC/Si₃N₄ based composites using the solid-solutions as a second refractory phase.     

Pseudocapacitive contributions to electrochemical kinetics in NiOx electrochromic anodes

Because of its ability to change optical absorption dynamically by applied electric field, nickel oxide (NiO) is a promising anodic material in smart windows, which can improve energy conversion efficiency in construction buildings. Although many works have achieved high electrochromic performance with different method. The underlying mechanism is still not fully investigated. In this article, we prepared the NiO films with large specific surface area and high stability by electron beam evaporation. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were employed to figure out the surface morphology and composition of as-deposited films. Afterwards, the electrochemical properties and optical performance of the prepared NiO films were investigated. On this basis, the origin of surface charge was fully analyzed by cyclic voltammetry and diffusion coefficient test. These experimental and theoretical results firmly confirm that both the surface reaction and capacitive effect bring about the excellent EC performance in NiO films. These results not only provide clear evidence about electrochemical kinetics in NiO films, but also offer some useful guidelines for the design of EC materials with higher performance and longer stability.     

Densification mechanism and microstructure characteristics of nano- and micro- crystalline alumina by high-pressure and low temperature sintering

Fully dense ceramics with retarded grain growth can be attained effectively at relatively low temperatures using a high-pressure sintering method. However, there is a paucity of in-depth research on the densification mechanism, grain growth process, grain boundary characterization, and residual stress. Using a strong, reliable die made from a carbon-fiber-reinforced carbon (C_f/C) composite for spark plasma sintering, two kinds of commercially pure α-Al₂O₃ powders, with average particle sizes of 220 nm and 3 μm, were sintered at relatively low temperatures and under high pressures of up to 200 MPa. The sintering densification temperature and the starting threshold temperature of grain growth (T_sg) were determined by the applied pressure and the surface energy relative to grain size, as they were both observed to increase with grain size and to decrease with applied pressure. Densification with limited grain coarsening occurred under an applied pressure of 200 MPa at 1050 °C for the 220 nm Al₂O₃ powder and 1400 °C for the 3 μm Al₂O₃ powder. The grain boundary energy, residual stress, and dislocation density of the ceramics sintered under high pressure and low temperature were higher than those of the samples sintered without additional pressure. Plastic deformation occurring at the contact area of the adjacent particles was proved to be the dominant mechanism for sintering under high pressure, and a mathematical model based on the plasticity mechanics and close packing of equal spheres was established. Based on the mathematical model, the predicted relative density of an Al₂O₃ compact can reach ～80 % via the plastic deformation mechanism, which fits well with experimental observations. The densification kinetics were investigated from the sintering parameters, i.e., the holding temperature, dwell time, and applied pressure. Diffusion, grain boundary sliding, and dislocation motion were assistant mechanisms in the final stage of sintering, as indicated by the stress exponent and the microstructural evolution. During the sintering of the 220 nm alumina at 1125 °C and 100 MPa, the deformation tends to increase defects and vacancies generation, both of which accelerate lattice diffusion and thus enhance grain growth.     

Matrix Manipulation of Directly-Synthesized PbS Quantum Dot Inks Enabled by Coordination Engineering

The direct-synthesis of conductive PbS quantum dot (QD) ink is facile, scalable, and low-cost, boosting the future commercialization of optoelectronics based on colloidal QDs. However, manipulating the QD matrix structures still is a challenge, which limits the corresponding QD solar cell performance. Here, for the first time a coordination-engineering strategy to finely adjust the matrix thickness around the QDs is presented, in which halogen salts are introduced into the reaction to convert the excessive insulating lead iodide into soluble iodoplumbate species. As a result, the obtained QD film exhibits shrunk insulating shells, leading to higher charge carrier transport and superior surface passivation compared to the control devices. A significantly improved power-conversion efficiency from 10.52% to 12.12% can be achieved after the matrix engineering. Therefore, the work shows high significance in promoting the practical application of directly synthesized PbS QD inks in large-area low-cost optoelectronic devices.     

Mechanical properties and wear behavior of Tin+1(Al,A)Cn (A = Ga,In, Sn,n = 1, 2) via quasi-high-entropy of single atomic thick A layer

The strengthening method of multi-element M-site solid solution is a common approach to improve mechanical properties of MAX phase ceramic. However, the research on capability of multi-element A-site solid solution to improve mechanical properties has rarely been reported. Thereupon, quasi-high-entropy MAX phase ceramic bulks of Ti₂(Al_1?xA_x)C and Ti₃(Al_1?xA_x)C₂ (A = Ga, In, Sn, x = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) were successfully synthesized by in situ vacuum hot pressing via multi-elements solid solution. The multi-elements solid solution in single-atom thick A layer was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy as well as by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mappings. Effects of doped multi-elements contents on the phase, microstructure, mechanical properties, and high temperature tribological behaviors were studied. Results demonstrated that the Vickers hardness, anisotropic flexural strength, fracture toughness, and tribological properties of Ti–Al–C based MAX ceramics could be remarkably improved by constitution of quasi-high-entropy MAX phase in A layers. Moreover, the strengthening and wear mechanisms were also discussed in detail. This method of multi-element solid solution at A-site provides new way to enhance mechanical properties of other MAX phase ceramics.     

Toughness and R-curve behaviour of laminated Si3N4/SiCw ceramics

Laminated Si₃N₄/SiC_w ceramics were successfully prepared by tape casting and hot-pressing. Its mechanical properties were measured and the impact resistance was discussed. The toughness of the laminated Si₃N₄/SiC_w ceramics was 13.5 MPa m^1/2, which was almost 1.6 times that of Si₃N₄/SiC_w composite ceramics, namely 8.5 MPa m^1/2. Moreover, the indentation strength of laminated Si₃N₄/SiC_w ceramics was not sensitive to increasing indentation loads and exhibited a rising R-curve behaviour, indicating that the laminated Si₃N₄/SiC_w ceramics had excellent impact resistance. The improved toughness and impact resistance of laminated Si₃N₄/SiC_w ceramics was attributed to the residual stress caused by a thermal expansion coefficient mismatch between the different layers, resulting in crack deflection and bridging of SiC whiskers in the interface layer, thus consuming a large amount of fracture work.     

Dynamic analysis of traction motor in a locomotive considering surface waviness on races of a motor bearing

The traction motor is the power source of the locomotive. If the surface waviness occurs on the races of the motor bearing, it will cause abnormal vibration and noise, accelerate fatigue and wear, and seriously affect the stability and safety of the traction power transmission. In this paper, an excitation model coupling the time-varying displacement and contact stiffness excitations is adopted to investigate the effect of the surface waviness of the motor bearing on the traction motor under the excitation from the locomotive-track coupled system. The detailed mechanical power transmission path and the internal/external excitations (e.g., wheel–rail interaction, gear mesh, and internal interactions of the rolling bearing) of the locomotive are comprehensively considered to provide accurate dynamic loads for the traction motor. Effects of the wavenumber and amplitude of the surface waviness on the traction motor and its neighbor components of the locomotive are investigated. The results indicate that controlling the amplitude of the waviness and avoiding the wavenumber being an integer multiple of the number of the rollers are helpful for reducing the abnormal vibration and noise of the traction motor.

     

Structural dependence of microwave dielectric properties in ilmenite-type Mg(Ti1-xNbx)O3 solid solutions by Rietveld refinement and Raman spectra

Mg(Ti_1-xNb_x)O₃ (x = 0–0.09) ceramics were prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction method. The phase composition, sintering characteristics, microstructure and dielectric properties of Ti⁴⁺ replacement by Nb⁵⁺ in the formed solid solution Mg(Ti_1-xNb_x)O₃ (x = 0–0.09) ceramics were systematically studied. The structural variations and influence of Nb⁵⁺ doping in Mg(Ti_1-xNb_x)O₃ were also systematically investigated by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. X-ray diffraction and its Rietveld refinement results confirmed that Mg(Ti_1-xNb_x)O₃ (x = 0–0.09) ceramics crystallised into an ilmenite-type with R-3 (148) space group. The replacement of the low valence Ti⁴⁺ by the high valence Nb⁵⁺ can improve the dielectric properties of Mg(Ti_1-xNb_x)O₃ (x = 0–0.09). This paper also studied the different sintering temperatures for Mg(Ti_1-xNb_x)O₃ (x = 0–0.09) ceramics. The obtained results proved that 1350 °C is the best sintering temperature. The permittivity and Q × f initially increased and then decreased mainly due to the effects of porosity caused by the sintering temperature and the doping amount of Nb₂O₅, respectively. Furthermore, the increased Q × f is correlated to the increase in Ti–O bond strength as confirmed by Raman spectroscopy, and the electrons generated by the oxygen vacancies will be compensated by Nb⁵⁺ to a certain extent to suppress Ti⁴⁺ to Ti³⁺, which was confirmed by XPS. The increase in τ_f from ?47 ppm/°C to ?40.1 ppm/°C is due to the increment in cell polarisability. Another reason for the increased τ_f is the reduction in the distortion degree of the [TiO₆] octahedral, which was also confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. Mg(Ti_0.95Nb_0.05)O₃ ceramics sintered at 1350 °C for 2 h possessed excellent microwave dielectric properties of ε_r = 18.12, Q × f = 163618 GHz and τ_f = ?40.1 ppm/°C.     

Synthesis,characterization and charge transport properties of Pr–Ni Co-doped SrFe2O4 spinel for high frequency devices applications

Ferrites are materials of interest due to their broad applications in high technological devices and a lot of research has been focused to synthesize new ferrites. In this regard, an effort has been devoted to synthesize spinel Pr–Ni co-substituted strontium ferrites with a nominal formula of Sr_1-xPr_xFe_2-yNi_yO₄ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1, 0.0 ≤ y ≤ 1.0). The cubic structure of pure and Pr–Ni co-substituted strontium ferrite samples calcinated at 1073 K for 3 h has been confirmed through X-ray diffraction (XRD). Average sizes of crystallites (18–25 nm) have been estimated from XRD analysis and nanometer particle sizes of synthesized ferrites have been further verified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM results have also shown that particles are mostly agglomerated and all the samples possess porosity. It has been observed that at 298 K, the values of resistivity (ρ) increase, while that of AC conductivity, dielectric loss, and dielectric constants decrease with increasing amounts of Pr³⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions. The values of dielectric parameters initially decrease with frequency and later become constant and can be explained on the basis of dielectric polarization. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies show that the charge transport phenomenon in ferrite materials is mainly controlled via grain boundaries. Overall, synthesized ferrite materials own enhanced resistivity values in the range of 1.38 × 10⁹–1.94 × 10⁹ Ω cm and minimum dielectric losses, which makes them suitable candidates for high frequency devices applications.     

川中地区侏罗系沙溪庙组致密气处理和解释关键技术与应用

四川盆地蕴含丰富的致密砂岩气资源，近期利用高精度三维资料开展侏罗系沙溪庙组河道砂体勘探取得突出成效。沙溪庙组河道砂体具有横向变化快、储层非均质性强的特点，因此提高河道砂体的边界识别及其含气性预测精度是致密气地震勘探的关键。通过开展AVO特征低频保护的“六分法”（分类、分频、分时、分域、分步和分区）高保真叠前去噪、近地表Q补偿和OVT域叠前时间偏移等技术攻关，形成了一套针对川中地区侏罗系沙溪庙组致密气藏的“双高”（高保真、高分辨率）地震处理技术，并创新应用“双亮点”属性及多波、多分量砂体含气性地震预测等解释技术，提高了含气砂体预测精度。该技术系列在川中沙溪庙组致密气预测应用成果显著，地震数据频带得到了拓宽，低频信息更加丰富，资料信噪比明显提升，河道边界及其含气性预测的精度大幅提高，钻井成功率超过83%，应用成果有力地支撑了该地区沙溪庙组致密气的增储上产。