Evolution of core–rim structures and phase transformations in infra-red transmitting Y-α-SiAlON ceramics

Core–rim structures were observed as common features in Y-α-SiAlON ceramics hot-pressed between 1550?1950 °C. We found most dopants were taken into α’-rims, and a transition layer grown first on α-cores from liquid-phase over-saturated with metal solutes. Elongated β’-grain were formed as minor phase with α’- or AlN-cores thus only after the α’ matrix had consumed up all Y solutes, revealing that the α’ → β’ transformation is controlled by the transient liquid-phase and similar defects and dangling bonds could be detected in both SiAlON phases by cathodoluminescence. Quantitative assessment of Y_m/3Si_12?(m+n)Al_m+nO_nN_16?n demonstrates the multiphase evolution, initiated by over-saturation of Y solutes at low temperatures thus retaining α-phase as cores to lower the infra-red transmittance, dictated by homogenization of Al solutes at higher temperature. The elimination of those phase boundaries leads to better dopant and sintering design for achieving transparent and high-performance SiAlON ceramics.     

Surfactant-free electrochemical synthesis of fluoridated hydroxyapatite nanorods for biomedical applications

Fluoridated hydroxyapatite (FHA) [Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆F_x(OH)_2−x, x = 0–2] is believed to be a promising calcium phosphate (CaP) to replace pure hydroxyapatite (HA) for next-generation implants, owing to its better biocompatibility, higher antibacterial activity, and lower solubility. Notably, the shape and size of the CaP crystals play key roles in their performance and can influence their applications. One-dimensional (1D) FHA nanorods are important CaP materials which have been widely used in regenerative medicine applications such as restorative dentistry. Unfortunately, the traditional synthesis methods for FHA nanorods either employ surfactants or take a relatively long time. In this study, we aimed to propose a facile synthesis route to fabricate FHA nanorods without any surfactants using an electrochemical deposition method for the first time. This study focused on preparing FHA nanorods without the assistance of any surfactant, unlike the traditional synthesis methods, to avoid chemical impurities. FHA nanorods with lengths of 124–2606 nm, diameters of 28–211 nm, and aspect ratios of 4.4–21.8 were synthesized using the electrochemical method, followed by a heat treatment. For the as-synthesized FHA nanorods, the Ca/P ratio was 1.60 and the atomic concentration of F was 2.06 at.%. An ultrastructure examination revealed that each FHA nanorod possessed long-range order, good crystallinity, and a defect-free lattice with a certain crystallographic plane orientation along the whole rod. In short, we propose a novel, surfactant-free, cost-saving, and more efficient route to synthesize FHA nanorods which can be widely applied in multiple biomedical applications, including drug delivery, bone repair, and restorative dentistry.     

Microstructure and Tensile Strength of the Bonded Interfaces and Parent Materials in W/ODS Steel Joints Fabricated by Direct SSDB

In the present work, Tungsten (W)/oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steel joints were fabricated by the direct solid state diffusion bonding (SSDB) technology with a multistage cooling process, and the microstructure and tensile strength of the bonded interfaces and parent materials were experimentally investigated. The results show that W and ODS steel can be successfully bonded at the temperature ranging from 900 °C to 1050 °C, without severe macroscopic deformation or obvious microscopic defects. Reaction layers generated at the bonded interfaces are evolutive with the bonding temperature, result in different fracture locations of the bonded joints. In the joint bonded at 950 °C, a higher interfacial strength of ~ 234.2 MPa is achieved, due to the formation of nano-scale intermetallic compound FeW. Microstructure of W remains stable after all the SSDB processes, while the lath structure of ODS steel is completely broken and transformed into the equiaxed grains, which should be responsible for the deterioration of strength. When the bonding temperature is higher than 950 °C, the pinning effect of precipitates M₂₃C₆ and nano-oxide particles on the movement of dislocations is observed.

     

Effects of pyrochlore content on the phase,structure, and properties of uranium-rich glass ceramics

In this study, the effects of the pyrochlore content on the phase, structure, and properties of uranium-rich glass ceramics were studied by modifying the mass ratio of the uranium pyrochlore in the glass ceramics. The results indicate that U has a high occupancy rate of approximately 0.7 f.u. at the A position of pyrochlore, and the crystal pyrochlore phase in the glass matrix can increase or decrease according to the U amount in the waste. Specifically, at a high occupancy rate and crystallization amount, the U loads reach 20 wt% in the sample, which exceeds the reported 16 wt% maximal U loads of pyrochlore-based glass ceramics. Furthermore, all the samples have excellent mechanical properties and chemical stabilities. The bulk density of each sample is more than 90% the theoretical density, which is 10–20% higher than those of the glass ceramics prepared by pressure sintering. Moreover, the Vickers hardness values of all samples exceed 6 GPa, and the U leaching rate after 21 days is only 6.7 × 10⁻⁵ g m⁻² d⁻¹, which is an order of magnitude lower than those of brannerite glass ceramics under equal leaching conditions.     

2D Ti3C2Tx MXene/aramid nanofibers composite films prepared via a simple filtration method with excellent mechanical and electromagnetic interference shielding properties

Electromagnetic shielding (EMI) materials are becoming more and more important because of the increasingly serious radiation pollution. The preparation of high mechanical strength, ultrathin, lightweight, flexible materials with excellent EMI shielding performance have so far been elusive. Here, we try to prepare an ultrathin, lightweight and flexible film with excellent EMI shielding performance using one-dimensional aramid nanofibers (ANFs) and two-dimensional few-layered Ti₃C₂T_x through a simple filtration method. The ultimate tensile strength and strain of the film are up to 116.71 MPa and 2.64%. The EMI shielding effectiveness and the specific EMI shielding efficiency are 34.71 dB and 21971.37 dB cm² g⁻¹, which will be no recession after 1000 times bending. Our results show that a practical EMI shielding material with excellent performances has been successfully prepared, which will be widely applied in wearable electronics, robot joints, and precision instrument protection and so on.     

Preparation of Gd2Zr2O7 nanoceramics from two-step thermal treatment and the aqueous durability analysis

Gd₂Zr₂O₇ ceramics demonstrate important prospect in the immobilization of high-level radioactive wastes (HLWs). In this study, Gd₂Zr₂O₇ nanoceramics were fabricated using two-step method, where Gd₂Zr₂O₇ nanopowder was firstly synthesized by solvothermal method and Gd₂Zr₂O₇ nanoceramics were subsequently sintered via self-propagating chemical furnace plus quick pressing (SCF/QP). The characterization results display that the Gd₂Zr₂O₇ nanocrystalline ceramics with average grain size of 78 nm and bulk density of 5.53 g cm⁻³ were successfully prepared. The results of MCC-1 static leaching experiments show that the normalized release rate (LR_i) of Gd is 2.2 × 10⁻² g m⁻²•d⁻¹ on the first day and converges to 1.2 × 10⁻³ g m⁻²•d⁻¹ after 42 days. Zr shows superior chemical stability as the 21 days LR_Zr value is as low as 2.7 × 10⁻⁶ g m⁻²•d⁻¹, which becomes constant as the leaching duration prolongs.     

Preparation of on chip,flexible supercapacitor with high performance based on electrophoretic deposition of reduced graphene oxide/polypyrrole composites

A new concept is introduced to fabricate flexible, on-chip supercapacitors by electrophoretically depositing highly dispersed reduced graphene oxide/polypyrrole on interdigital-like electrodes. By the unique method, the deposited films could construct on the substrate facilely and uniformly. The prepared all-solid-state device demonstrates high volumetric capacitance (about 147.9 F cm⁻³), high energy density (13.15 mWh cm⁻³ at a power density of 1300 mW cm⁻³) and excellent cycling stability (approximately 71.7% of the initial capacitance retained after 5000 cycles). Compared with other supercapacitor, the device demonstrated here is lightweight, flexible and inexpensive.     

An unusual three-dimensional homochiral metal saccharate based on inorganic helical chains

Self-assembly of the D-saccharate (D-sacc) ligand and barium salt under hydrothermal conditions yields an unprecedented homochiral three-dimensional (3D) metal saccharate, namely, [Ba(D-sacc)]_n (1), which is based on inorganic helical chains as infinite rod-shaped secondary building units (SBUs). The structure of compound 1 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and further characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectrum, and thermogravimetric analysis. Compound 1 exhibits a novel 3D chiral architecture containing multidirectional helical chains, which is still rare in metal–organic complexes, especially in metal aldarates. To the best of our knowledge, compound 1 represents the first example of alkaline-earth metal aldarates featuring chiral and helical structures. Furthermore, the photoluminescent property of compound 1 was investigated in the solid state at room temperature.     

Dielectric response and energy storage efficiency of low content TiO2-polymer matrix nanocomposites

TiO₂/epoxy nanocomposites were prepared at different filler concentrations varying from 3 to 12 phr (parts per hundred resin per weight). The dispersion of TiO₂ was examined by Scanning Electron Microscopy and proved to be adequate. Differential Scanning Calorimetry was implemented to determine the glass to rubber transition temperature of the polymer matrix. The dielectric analysis was performed via Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy in a wide frequency and temperature range. Five different mechanisms were observed in the spectra of the examined composites which are identified, in terms of increasing temperature at constant frequency, as γ, β, Intermediate Dipolar Effect (IDE), α and Interfacial Polarization (IP) relaxation modes. The activation energies of all relaxation modes were calculated. Finally, the dielectric response of the TiO₂ nanocomposites compared to that of the TiO₂ microcomposites reveals that the former exhibit significantly higher energy storage efficiency even at lower TiO₂ concentration than the corresponding of the microcomposites.