SiC/SiC mini-composites with multilayer ZrSiO4 interphase: Room-temperature properties and toughening mechanism

SiC/SiC mini-composites reinforced with SiC fibers coated with different numbers of ZrSiO₄ sublayers prepared via a non-hydrolytic sol-gel process were fabricated. The tensile strength and work of fracture of the prepared SiC/SiC mini-composites were determined, and the relationship between their mechanical properties and fracture morphologies was discussed. The toughening mechanism and the variation tendency of their mechanical properties were further elaborated by analyzing the interfacial debonding morphologies of the SiC/SiC mini-composites with 1 and 4 layers of ZrSiO₄ interphase as well as the results of prior studies. A relatively rare phenomenon—the delamination of the multilayer ZrSiO₄ interphase in the SiC/SiC mini-composites but not on the SiC fibers—was observed, which clearly demonstrated the weak bonding between the ZrSiO₄ sublayers in the SiC/SiC mini-composites. The ZrSiO₄ sublayer delamination mechanism was then explained based on the high-magnification morphologies found in and beside the ZrSiO₄ interphase.     

Silica-based ceramics toward electromagnetic microwave absorption

Silica-based ceramics have been explored extensively as a class of versatile materials for various applications in architecture, catalysis, energy, machinery, and biomedical engineering. Nevertheless, comprehensive information on silica-based ceramic and electromagnetic microwave (EMW) absorption is scarce, although excellent progress has been made in this field. Here, recent progress in the investigation of silica-based ceramics toward EMW absorption is reviewed. We first introduced the basis of ceramics (characteristics, classification, synthetic methods, potential applications). Subsequently, the silica-based ceramics, including Si-based oxides and alloys, SiOC/SiC/Si₃N₄/SiCN-based composite, Ti₃SiC₂ and composite for EMW absorption were systematically summarized. Notably, the fabrication strategies, absorption properties, and mechanisms of silica-based ceramics are described in detail, with a focus on structure and component design. Lastly, the prospects and ongoing challenges of this field in the future are presented. This review is expected to learn from the past and achieve progress toward the future of silica-based ceramic for EMW absorption.     

Electrocatalytic activity of LaSr3Fe3O10 and LaSr3Fe3O10-GO towards oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline medium

Oxygen reduction reaction(ORR) plays a critical role in many energy conversion and storage processes.Therein, a comparative study of the electrocatalytic activity for ORR in 0.1 mol/L KOH solution was conducted using layered perovskite-like LaSr_3 Fe_3 O_(10) and LaSr3 Fe_3 O_(10)-graphene oxide(GO) composite as electrodes. Linear sweep voltammetry(LSV) results show that the LaSr3 Fe_3 O_(10)-GO hybrid exhibits higher current density, a more positive onset potential(-0.15 V vs. Hg/HgO) in comparison with LaSr_3 Fe_3 O_(10).The value of the overall transferred electrons for both catalysts implies a dominant two electron process for ORR. Both catalysts under alkalic conditions exhibit a two-step Tafel slope, suggesting a change in the reaction mechanism for ORR. The composite electrode exhibits a higher ORR current density, but inferior durability performances in relative to the LaSr_3 Fe_3 O_(10) electrode.     

Grain growth kinetics and growth mechanism of columnar Al2O3 crystals in xNb2O5–7.5La2O3-Al2O3 ceramic composites

xNb₂O₅–7.5La₂O₃-Al₂O₃ ceramic composites with in-situ-grown columnar Al₂O₃ crystals were successfully prepared by microwave sintering at 1450–1525?°C using α-Al₂O₃, Nb₂O₅, and La₂O₃ powders as raw materials. X-ray diffraction results indicated that the main phases were Al₂O₃, LaNbO₄, and Nb₂O₅ in the prepared samples. A field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) showed that the Al₂O₃ crystals appeared as columnar in the structure. Moreover, the grain size of the columnar Al₂O₃ crystals increased with the Nb₂O₅ content. The ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of the crystals was largest when the Nb₂O₅ content was 15?vol%. Furthermore, the grain-growth kinetics index (n), growth activation energy (Q), and growth mechanism of the columnar Al₂O₃ crystals were studied. The results indicated that the Nb₂O₅ addition could promote formation and growth of columnar Al₂O₃ crystals, and the grain-growth activation energy indicated that the dissolution process controls the crystal growth. The growth mechanism of the columnar Al₂O₃ crystals was also studied. The present work demonstrated that Nb₂O₅ is a good additive for the preparation of Nb₂O₅–7.5La₂O₃-Al₂O₃ composite ceramics with columnar Al₂O₃ crystals.     

硅渣和玻璃粉直接烧结制备多孔材料的气孔结构与力学性能

以硅渣和玻璃粉为原料,采用粉体直接烧结法制备多孔材料,研究了烧结温度(700~900℃)、烧结时间(15~120min)和升温速率(10~100℃·min^-1)对多孔材料表观密度、气孔率、物相组成、抗压强度的影响。结果表明:气孔结构均匀性随烧结温度的升高而降低;表观密度随烧结温度的升高先减小后增大,随保温时间的延长而增大,随升温速率的增大而减小,气孔率的变化趋势与表观密度的相反;多孔材料的主要物相为玻璃相和硅、SiC、SiO2、Ca2Al2SiO7等结晶相,且结晶度随烧结温度的升高而降低;抗压强度随烧结温度的升高呈先增大后减小的趋势;当烧结温度为750℃,升温速率为30℃·min^-1,烧结时间为30 min时,多孔材料的主晶相为硅和Ca2Al2SiO7,抗压强度最大(1.60MPa),表观密度为0.43g·cm^-3,气孔率为80%。     

Low-temperature sintering of Al2O3 ceramics doped with 4CuO-TiO2-2Nb2O5 composite oxide sintering aid

Dense alumina ceramics doped with 5 wt% 4CuO-TiO₂-2Nb₂O₅ composite sintering aids were obtained at low sintering temperatures of 950∼975 °C. The ceramic sintered at optimal condition shows good microwave dielectric properties (ε_r = 12.7, Q × f = 7400 GHz), high thermal conductivity (18.4 W/m K) and high bending strength (320 MPa). TEM and EDS analysis revealed that amorphous Cu-Ti-Nb-O interfacial films with nanometer thickness formed at the grain boundaries, which could provide paths of mass transportation for densification. Al³⁺ ions may be involved in mass transportation through substitution by Ti³⁺ and Ti⁴⁺ ions near the grain boundary during the sintering process. The accumulation of copper ions at the trigeminal grain boundary was observed. The migration and reaction of copper ions in grain boundaries may also play an important role in promoting mass transportation and low-temperature densification of alumina ceramics.     

Corrosion behavior of air plasma spraying zirconia-based thermal barrier coatings subject to Calcium–Magnesium–Aluminum-Silicate (CMAS) via burner rig test

Three different kinds of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) — 8YSZ, 38YSZ and a dual-layered (DL) TBCs with pure Y₂O₃ on the top of 8YSZ were produced on nickel-based superalloy substrate by air plasma spraying (APS). The Calcium–Magnesium–Aluminum-Silicate (CMAS) corrosion resistance of these three kinds of coatings were researched via burner rig test at 1350 °C for different durations. The microstructures and phase compositions of the coatings were characterized by SEM, EDS and XRD. With the increase of Y content, TBCs exhibit better performance against CMAS corrosion. The corrosion resistance against CMAS of different TBCs in descending was 8YSZ + Y₂O₃, 38YSZ and 8YSZ, respectively. YSZ diffused from TBCs into the CMAS, and formed Y-lean ZrO₂ in TBCs because of the higher diffusion rate and solubility of Y³⁺ in CMAS than Zr⁴⁺. At the same time, 38YSZ/8YSZ + Y₂O₃ reacts with CAMS to form Ca₄Y₆(SiO₄)₆O/Y_4·67(SiO₄)₃O with dense structure, which can prevent further infiltration of CMAS. The failure of 8YSZ coatings occurred at the interface between the ceramic coating and the thermally grown oxide scale (TGO)/bond coating. During the burner rig test, the Y₂O₃ layer of the DL TBCs peeled off progressively and the 8YSZ layer exposed gradually. DL coatings keep roughly intact and did not meet the failure criteria after 3 h test. 38YSZ coating was partially ablated, the overall thickness of the coating is thinned simultaneously after 2 h. Therefore, 8YSZ + Y₂O₃ dual-layered coating is expected to be a CMAS corrosion-resistant TBC with practical properties.     

Thermo-optical characterization of CdZnS nanoparticle colloids

Thermo-optical properties of cadmium zinc sulfide (CdZnS) nanoparticle colloids are investigated by interferometry technique. The nanoparticle colloids are synthesized by an improved co-precipitation method. Transmission electron microscopy, UV–vis spectrometry and X-ray diffraction analysis are used to characterize the CdZnS nanocrystals. The thermo-optic coefficient of the colloids has been determined using a Fizeau interferometer. For this purpose, the interference patterns are deformed by a photothermal phase shift which is locally induced in the sample by the focused pump laser beam. The change in the refractive index at this region imposes a shift on the phase of the fringe patterns. Fourier analysis performed on the interference patterns allows us to estimate the values of the thermo-optic coefficient and nonlinear refractive index of the sample. It is shown that the CdZnS nanoparticle colloids enhance the absorption of the laser light and induce high rise in the temperature of the sample, which leads to the nonlinear phase shift.     

Electrochemically deposited Fe2O3 nanorods on carbon nanofibers for free-standing anodes of lithium-ion batteries

Fe₂O₃ nanorod/carbon nanofiber (CNF) composites were prepared by the electrochemical deposition of Fe₂O₃ on a web of CNFs, which was then used as a free-standing anode. The conductive, three-dimensional structure of the CNF web allowed for the electrodeposition of the Fe₂O₃ nanorods, while its high conductivity made it possible to use the composite as a free-standing electrode in lithium-ion batteries. In addition, it was easy and cheap to fabricate by a simplification of a process of cell preparation. The nanorod-like Fe₂O₃ structures could only be electrodeposited on the CNFs; flake-like Fe₂O₃ was formed on flat conductive glass substrates. It can be attributed to the different growth mechanism of Fe₂O₃ on the CNFs because of the large number of reaction sites on the CNFs, differences in the precursor concentration and diffusivity within the CNF web. The formation of aggregates of the Fe₂O₃ particles on thicker CNFs also indicated that the CNFs had determined the Fe₂O₃ growth mechanism. The synthesised Fe₂O₃/CNF composite electrode exhibited stable rate capacities at different current densities. This suggested that CNF-based composite did not exhibit the intrinsic disadvantages of Fe₂O₃. Finally, carbon coatings were deposited on the Fe₂O₃/CNF composites to further improve their electronic conductivity and rate capability.     

Damage development of a woven SiCf/SiC composite during multi-step fatigue tests at room temperature

The monotonic tensile and multi-step fatigue tests of 2D woven SiC_f/SiC composite were performed to explore the damage development, respectively. The acoustic emission-based technique was used to analyze the damage state and select the peak stresses for fatigue tests. The damage evolution after specific mechanical tests was characterized by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Cracks are prone to occur in the vicinity of flaws and boundaries of different matrix components under relatively low fatigue stress. The cyclic fatigue stress can do much harm to the interfaces and facilitate the interfacial debonding. The damage characteristics of five types of cracking, fiber breakage and pull-out, and interfacial debonding of the composite after specific mechanical tests are concluded and discussed in detail, which can offer help for deeper analysis of the oxidation mechanism in service and more reasonable design of SiC_f/SiC composite.