Porous SiC using polycarbosilane/camphene solutions: Roles of freeze casting parameters

In order to control the pore characteristics and macroscopical performance of porous ceramics, roles of the freeze casting parameters are the key points. Herein, aligned dendritic porous SiC was fabricated by freeze casting of PCS-camphene solutions with different solid loading, freeze front velocity, temperature gradient, and freezing temperature. Influence of these parameters on the microstructure and compressive strength of porous SiC was investigated. With increasing the PCS content, freeze temperature, freeze front velocity or temperature gradient, degree of undercooling of the camphene was increased, resulting in the formation of smaller pore size, decreased porosity and increased compressive strength. Compared to variables of freeze temperature and temperature gradient, increased freeze front velocity was more efficiency in improving the compressive strength of porous SiC, owing to the formation of smaller pore size and longer secondary dendritic crystals. Promising micron-sized porous SiC with high porosity (79.93 vol%) and satisfactory strength (15.84 MPa) was achieved for 10% PCS-camphene solution under optimized freezing conditions.     

Synthesis of a Fe3O4-rGO-ZnO-catalyzed photo-Fenton system with enhanced photocatalytic performance

In this work, we designed a magnetically-separable Fe₃O₄-rGO-ZnO ternary catalyst, ZnO anchored on the surface of reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-wrapped Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles, where rGO, as an effective interlayer, can enhance the synergistic effect between ZnO and Fe₃O₄. The effects of three operational parameters, namely irradiation time, hydrogen peroxide dosage, and the catalyst dosage, on the photo-Fenton degradation of methylene blue and methyl orange were investigated. The results showed that the Fe₃O₄-rGO-ZnO had great potential for the destruction of organic compounds from wastewater using the Fenton chemical oxidation method at neutral pH. Repeatability of the photocatalytic activity after 5 cycles showed only a tiny drop in the catalytic efficiency.     

Synthesis and slurry spray coating of barium strontium alumino silicate on SiC substrate

Barium strontium alumino silicate (BSAS); (Ba_0.6Sr_0.4Al₂Si₂O₈) was synthesized through solid state reaction between BaCO₃, SrCO₃, Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ subjected to wet milling in isopropanol for about 24 h. The sequence of the solid state reaction was studied by subjecting to DG/DTG from room temperature to 1550 °C. The crystallographic phase evolution was confirmed by X-ray diffraction of the powders calcined in the range 1000 to 1300 °C for 2 h. The monoclinic celsian phase obtained at 1300 °C, pelletized through uniaxial pressing was sinterable to 67 to 78% density in the temperature range of 1300 to 1500 °C. The density improved to 75 to 94% after ball milling for 76 h, while ZrO₂ addition further improved the density by 2%. The celcian phase of BSAS was dispersed in isopropyl alcohol, milled for about 24 h and spray coated on to plain SiC and mullite precoated SiC substrates. Sintering of coated samples and characterization for weight gain/loss, microstructure, scratch test prove that mullite + BSAS coating is more effective than single layer coating of BSAS on SiC substrates.     

Metabolic Profiling of VOCs Emitted by Bacteria Isolated from Pressure Ulcers and Treated with Different Concentrations of Bio-AgNPs

Considering the advent of antibiotic resistance, the study of bacterial metabolic behavior stimulated by novel antimicrobial agents becomes a relevant tool to elucidate involved adaptive pathways. Profiling of volatile metabolites was performed to monitor alterations of bacterial metabolism induced by biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (bio-AgNPs). Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis were isolated from pressure ulcers, and their cultures were prepared in the presence/absence of bio-AgNPs at 12.5, 25 and 50 µg mL⁻¹. Headspace solid phase microextraction associated to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was the employed analytical platform. At the lower concentration level, the agent promoted positive modulation of products of fermentation routes and bioactive volatiles, indicating an attempt of bacteria to adapt to an ongoing suppression of cellular respiration. Augmented response of aldehydes and other possible products of lipid oxidative cleavage was noticed for increasing levels of bio-AgNPs. The greatest concentration of agent caused a reduction of 44 to 80% in the variety of compounds found in the control samples. Pathway analysis indicated overall inhibition of amino acids and fatty acids routes. The present assessment may provide a deeper understanding of molecular mechanisms of bio-AgNPs and how the metabolic response of bacteria is untangled.     

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.     

A novel approach for bulk micromachining of 4H-SiC by tool-based electrolytic plasma etching in HF-free aqueous solution

Bulk micromachining of single-crystal SiC has been challenging due to its extreme stability both mechanically and chemically. To address this issue, a novel tool-based electrolytic plasma etching method is proposed, with which micropatterns and micro-holes are fabricated in SiC in a hydrofluoric acid-free aqueous solution with no need for masks. The material removal is the result of the combined effects of electrolytic plasma chemistry and physics. The chemistry refers to the reaction of Si with hydroxyl radical to form various SiO_x and with H to form silanes, and the reactions of C to form volatile carbon oxides or hydrocarbons, all of which are accomplished and enhanced under the electrolytic plasma atmosphere. Besides, the local high temperature of plasma thermally promotes the evaporation or dissolution of SiO₂ in NaOH solution. The tool-based electrolytic plasma etching method provides alternative approaches for the fabrication of SiC-based MEMS and devices.     

Stress field and damage evolution in C/SiC woven composites: Image-based finite element analysis and in situ X-ray computed tomography tests

The construction and examination of meso-structural finite element models of a Chemical-Vapor-Infiltrated (CVI) C/SiC composite is carried out based on X-ray microtomography digital images (IB-FEM). The accurate meso-structural features of the C/SiC composites, which are consisted of carbon fiber tows and CVI-SiC matrix, in particular the cavity defects, are reconstructed. With the IB-FEM, the damage evolution and fracture behaviors of the C/SiC composite are investigated. At the same time, an in situ tensile test is applied to the C/SiC composite under a CT real-time quantitative imaging system, aiming to investigate the damage and failure features of the material as well as to verify the IB-FEM. The IB-FEM results indicate that material damage initially occur at the defects, followed by propagating toward the fiber-tow/SiC-matrix interfaces, ultimately, combined into macro-cracks, which is in good agreement with the in situ CT experiment results.     

Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue and sulfisoxazole from water using biosynthesized zinc ferrite nanoparticles

The extensive occurrence of textile and pharmaceutical contaminants and their metabolites in water systems has posed significant concerns regarding their possible threat to human health and the environmental system. As a result, herein ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized through the use of Monsonia burkeana plant extract. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using XRD, FTIR, UV–vis, SEM, EDS, TGA, BET, PL, EPR and VSM. XRD showed that the crystalline structure of ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles with a calculated crystal size of 25.03 nm was formed. FT-IR confirmed the characteristic functional groups contained within the M. burkeana plant were deposited on the formed ferrite nanoparticles. BET analysis confirmed the mesoporous nature of ZnFe₂O₄ with an average pore diameter of 31.6 nm. Morphological studies demonstrated that the formed nanoparticles had spherical as well as rod-like shapes. ZnFe₂O₄ photocatalyst illustrated that it may be effortlessly detached by an external magnetic field. The optimum conditions for the 99.8% removal of Methylene Blue was obtained at pH12, within 45min and at the optimum dosage of 25 mg of the catalyst. The as-prepared ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles proved to be easily separated and recycled, and remained efficient even after 5 reuses, proving that the material is highly stable. The ROS studies also demonstrated that electrons are the main factors contributing to the degradation of MB. Upon testing the photocatalytic performance of the sulfonamide antibiotic, sulfisoxazole in water showed a degradation of 67%. This study has shown that these materials can be used in targeting textile and pharmaceutically polluted water.     

Synthesis of magnetically recyclable porous CoFe2O4/Rh composites with large BET surface area for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutant

The organic pollutants in water have been a great environment challenges to human beings, and photocatalytic degradation is an effective method to solve this problem. In this paper, the Rh-loaded cobalt ferrite CoFe₂O₄ (CFO) nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by in situ photodeposition of Rh nanoparticles onto the porous CFO particles as the photocatalysts. After incorporating Rh nanoparticles, the CFO/Rh composite has a higher specific surface area and is more efficient in charge separation than the bare CFO. The photocatalytic efficiency of decomposing Malachite Green (MG) is improved from 70% over the bare CFO to 97% over the optimized CFO/Rh in 60 min. The CFO/Rh sample also demonstrates its durability for the degradation of MG in 5 photocatalytic reaction cycles. Additionally, hydroxyl radicals (?OH) and superoxide radicals (?O₂^?) are proved to be the crucial reactive species during the photocatalytic degradation of MG with CFO/Rh, evidenced by the active species capture experiments. This work provides a useful approach to enhance the photocatalytic activity of semiconductors for degrading organic dyes.     

Low thermal conductivity in porous SiC–SiO2–Al2O3–TiO2 ceramics induced by multiphase thermal resistance

The introduction of multiple heterogeneous interfaces in a ceramic is an efficient way to increase its thermal resistance. Novel porous SiC–SiO₂–Al₂O₃–TiO₂ (SSAT) ceramics were fabricated to achieve multiple heterogeneous interfaces by sintering equal volumes of SiC, SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and TiO₂ compacted powders with polysiloxane as a bonding phase and carbon as a template at 600 °C in air. The porosity could be controlled between 66% and 74% by adjusting the amounts of polysiloxane and the carbon template. The lowest thermal conductivity (0.059 W/(m·K) at 74% porosity) obtained in this study is an order of magnitude lower than those (0.2–1.3 W/(m·K)) of porous monolithic SiC, SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and TiO₂ ceramics at an equivalent porosity. The typical specific compressive strength value of the porous SSAT ceramics at 74% porosity was 3.2 MPa cm³/g.