Molecular dynamics simulation on the tribology properties of two hard nanoparticles (diamond and silicon dioxide) confined by two iron blocks

The tribology behaviors of diamond and silicon dioxide (SiO₂) nanoparticles were examined via molecular dynamics simulations; four cases were simulated. At low velocity and low load, the nanoparticles separated the two blocks from each other and acted as ball-bearings. The plastic deformation, temperature distribution, and friction force were all improved due to the action of the nanoparticles. However, the crushing of the SiO₂ nanoparticles was accompanied by deformation-induced loss of the rolling effect, when the load was increased. Without nanoparticles, a transfer layer formed at high velocity and low load. The two nanoparticles provided support for a certain duration. However, at high velocity and high load, the support effect of these nanoparticles was lost in a short sliding time.     

Preparation,characterization and properties of polycaprolactone diol-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube/thermoplastic polyurethane composite

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were chemically functionalized to prepare thermoplastic polyurethane (PU) composites with enhanced properties. In order to achieve a high compatibility of functionalized MWCNTs with the PU matrix, polycaprolactone diol (PCL), as one of PU’s monomers, was selectively grafted on the surface of MWCNTs (MWCNT–PCL), while carboxylic acid groups functionalized MWCNTs (MWCNT–COOH) and raw MWCNTs served as control. Both MWCNT–COOH and MWCNT–PCL improved the dispersion of MWCNTs in the PU matrix and interfacial bonding between them at 1 wt% loading fraction. The MWCNT–PCL/PU composite showed the greatest extent of improvement, where the tensile strength and modulus were 51.2% and 33.5% higher than those of pure PU respectively, without sacrificing the elongation at break. The considerable improvement in both mechanical properties and thermal stability of MWCNT–PCL/PU composite should result from the homogeneous dispersion of MWCNT–PCL in the PU matrix and strong interfacial bonding between them.     

Effect of Ni-coated MoS2 on microstructure and tribological properties of (Cu−10Sn)-based composites

The (Cu−10Sn)−Ni−MoS₂ composites, prepared by powder metallurgy, were studied for the effects of Ni-coated MoS₂ on the microstructure, mechanical properties and lubricating properties. The mechanism of effects of Ni and MoS₂ on the properties of composites was analyzed through a comparative experiment by adding Ni and MoS₂ separately. The results show that the nickel wrapping around the MoS₂ particles decreases the reaction rate of MoS₂ with the copper matrix, and greatly improves the bonding of the matrix. The composites with 12 wt.% Ni-coated MoS₂ (C12) show the optimum performance including the mechanical properties and tribological behaviors. Under oil lubrication conditions, the friction coefficient is 0.0075 with a pressure of 8 MPa and a linear velocity of 0.25 m/s. The average dry friction coefficient, sliding against 40Cr steel disc, is measured to be 0.1769 when the linear velocity and pressure are 0.25 m/s and 4 MPa, respectively.     

碳基薄膜在航空轴承乏油问题中的应用研究

目的 研究乏油工况下GLC和DLC两种碳膜在航空轴承上的应用。方法通过磁控溅射技术在单晶硅片P(100)、轴承钢样块和轴承套圈表面分别制备了GLC和DLC两种薄膜。利用扫描电镜（SEM）、拉曼光谱对薄膜的截面和磨痕形貌及结构进行了分析。利用纳米压痕仪、摩擦磨损试验机等对薄膜的力学性能和摩擦学性能进行了研究。利用轴承试验机对镀两种膜的轴承进行了对比研究。结果 GLC和DLC两种碳基薄膜均结构致密,GLC薄膜含有更多的sp2,DLC薄膜含有更多的sp3;两种薄膜硬度分别达到18.2 GPa和22.2 GPa,弹性模量分别达到230.2 GPa和260.8 GPa,干摩擦条件下,薄膜摩擦系数分别低至0.11和0.21。镀膜轴承在运转0~10 h时,温升无明显差异;10~30 h过程中,镀GLC薄膜轴承温升约为40~45 ℃,而镀DLC薄膜轴承温升约为50~55 ℃。运转后,轴承滚子上出现转移膜,镀GLC薄膜的轴承磨损比镀DLC薄膜的轴承严重。结论 在乏油工况下,DLC薄膜具有更加优异的环境适应性。     

自组织分层金属掺杂类金刚石薄膜的研究进展

近年来,研究学者发现在沉积过程中,某些金属元素掺杂类金刚石薄膜时能够形成一种特殊的自组织分层纳米结构,这种纳米结构克服了人为调控多层薄膜的工艺复杂性及局限性,同时赋予了薄膜更加优异的性能。主要综述了国内外对金属掺杂类金刚石薄膜中自组织分层结构的影响因素、形成机理等方面的研究现状。详细阐述了金属类型及含量、沉积条件(脉冲频率、基体偏压、气流比、沉积温度、沉积时间)、沉积方法等参数对自组织分层结构的生成及富金属层厚、富碳层厚、层数等尺寸的作用规律。重点介绍了离子重排机理、金属催化机理、强离子辐照诱导机理和靶中毒机理四种自组织分层结构形成机理的特点,并探讨了目前研究工作中存在的一些不足,如自组织分层结构的形成机理尚不清晰。上述四种机理模型均具有一定的局限性,且如何设计工艺参数实现自组织分层结构的内在调控仍是一个科学难点。针对这些问题,提出了自组织分层结构碳基薄膜的未来研究方向。     

Tuning the photoluminescence of large Ti3C2Tx MXene flakes

Ti₃C₂T_x MXene has been reported to be a metallic two-dimensional (2D) material with high conductivity, whereas its photoluminescence (PL) mechanism is still under debate. Herein, we demonstrate that large Ti₃C₂T_x MXene flakes exhibit tunable PL under ambient conditions. The as-prepared Ti₃C₂T_x MXene flakes emit blue, yellow-green and red light under different excitation wavelengths. Their PL emission wavelengths redshift as the excitation wavelength changes from violet to red light. Surface modification of the MXenes can further tune the PL peak wavelength into the near infrared region. Using density function theory (DFT) calculations, this excitation wavelength-dependent PL can be correlated to TiO₂ defects that exist on the surface of Ti₃C₂T_x. Our study expounds on the optical properties of Ti₃C₂T_x MXene and is helpful for comprehensively understanding this novel material.     

Investigation of pitting corrosion monitoring using field signature method

The field signature method (FSM) is a nondestructive testing (NDT) method based on the potential drop (PD) technique and has been applied to online metal pipe corrosion monitoring for nearly three decades. The many advantages and benefits of the method have been reported in a number of studies, but few have reported on its limitations or shortcomings. However, the detection accuracy for pitting corrosion in FSM is very low. In this paper, the reasons for the low pitting corrosion detection accuracy of FSM were analyzed and it was found that different corrosion pits, which have different sizes, depths or positions, generally have differing influences on the potentials of nearby electrode pairs. Therefore, a new method using a subdivided resistor network to assess pitting corrosion is proposed and verified. When compared with the traditional method, the most important parameter, namely the pitting corrosion depth detection accuracy, can be significantly improved.     

Investigation of bacterial attachment and biofilm formation of two different Pseudoalteromonas species: Comparison of different methods

Biological fouling in marine environments creates numerous problems for engineered structures. Microbial attachment to a solid surface and biofilm formation initiates the process of biofouling. Therefore, detecting the initial bacterial attachment and understanding the mechanism of biofilm formation are important for controlling biofouling. In the present study, the mechanisms of bacterial attachment and biofilm formation of two marine isolated bacteria, namely Pseudoalteromonas sp. and Pseudoalteromonas flavipulchra on Ti-coated samples were examined through different electrochemical, surface analysis and thermodynamic methods. The results revealed that the rate of bacterial attachment and mechanism of biofilm formation varied for different species of bacteria. The amount of exopolysaccharide production could affect the bacterial attachment rate. Open circuit potentiometry has been found to be a valid and simple technique for continuous real-time monitoring of the biofilm formation compared to other electrochemical and thermodynamic techniques. Finally, two different models have been suggested to explain initial adhesion and biofilm formation of bacteria of different species.     

Crystal structures and mechanical properties of M (Mg,Sr, Ba,La)xCa1−xB6 solid solution: A first principles study

First-principles calculations are performed in this work to study the effects of M (M=Mg, Sr, Ba, La) substitution in CaB₆. Both electronic structure and mechanical properties are examined. The current results indicate that the substitution of Ca by M atoms causes the lattice constants to scale linearly with the variation of x. The shear moduli of M_xCa_1−xB₆ are found to be related to the valence d-electron Mulliken charges in the lattice. The hardnesses of M (M=Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, La)B₆ and their solid solution are calculated by analyzing the overlap populations of the B–B bonds in the solid solution system.     

The effect of CuO coatings on the electrokinetic properties of stone wool fibres determined by streaming potential measurements

Commercial stone wool fibres were modified with copper(II) oxide coatings. This oxide is widely used in processes of surface modification for filter materials to improve its bacterial retention. The microorganisms are already susceptible to low concentrations of copper in contrast to humans for which copper is an inert material in the concentration range. Additionally, the coatings changed the electrokinetic properties of the fibres. As a result, the isoelectric point (IEP) of the untreated fibres was shifted from acidic towards a more basic pH range. A positive or no charge on the surface of the fibres allows them to be a substrate for the positively charged adsorbents of negatively charged waterborne contaminants with the use of electrostatic adsorption. The coatings were prepared by dip coating with the use of two different coating precursors: the aqueous suspension of CuO nanoparticles and aqueous solutions of copper(II) nitrate trihydrate or copper(II) acetate or a mixture of thereof. The zeta potential of the modified fibres was determined by a streaming potential method. The adhesion of the coatings was tested by flushing and ultrasonication of the modified fibres. The isoelectric point of the fibres was shifted towards a more basic pH range for all precursors with the largest impact of the copper(II) nitrate trihydrate precursor. This coating changed the IEP of the fibres from 4.1 to 8.3 pH value. The highest calculated coverage of the coatings was in the range of 54% and was obtained by using copper(II) nitrate trihydrate/CuO nanoparticles precursor. Although, we do not predict such modified fibres to act as a standalone water filter, we believe they have the potential to be an excellent support material for active adsorbents.