Microstructures,mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of sprayed Ca–P coating for micropatterning carbon/carbon substrate surface

Carbon/carbon (C/C) surface micropatterning is a method of modifying the surface into the complete and regular geometry. In this work, we introduce a positive effect on bonding strength between sprayed Ca–P coating and surface micropatterning C/C substrate. Interestingly, C/C substrate coated by Ca–P coating provides textured surface for a new bone ingrowth. The sprayed Ca–P coating is then subjected to microwave-hydrothermal (MH) treatment with the aim of eliminating surface defects and obtaining a uniform purity phase. These objectives were achieved in our previous study by the MH method. The molar ratio of Ca/P in the coatings is nearly close to 1, which is far below that of Ca/P for hydroxyapatite (Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂, HA, 1.67). The purpose of this article is to transform the phases in the sprayed Ca–P coating, which owns the better bioactivity and high corrosion resistance. In order to raise the molar ratio of Ca/P, the coatings are treated under high-temperature (around 700 °C). They are analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and a fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR). The bonding strength (coating/substrate), biological activity and corrosion resistance of the coatings are investigated. The resulting coatings own the different microstructures and phase compositions from the original sprayed Ca–P coating. Especially, results show that the shear strength of the sprayed Ca–P coating deposited on surface micropatterning C/C substrate increases by 61% which is more than that of the coating on non-surface micropatterning C/C substrate. Additionally, high-temperature treated coating presents a good biological activity and an excellent corrosion resistance of current density (1.3078 × 10^-6 A/cm²) and potential (−0.17 V_SCE).     

Effect of Sm on the cyclic stability of La–Y–Ni-based alloys and their comparison with RE–Mg–Ni-based hydrogen storage alloy

The LaY₂Ni_9.7Mn_0.5Al_0.3 and LaSm_0.3Y_1.7Ni_9.7Mn_0.5Al_0.3 alloys have been synthesized to investigate the effect of Sm partial substitution for Y on the cyclic stability of A₂B₇-type La–Y–Ni-based alloys. Their cyclic properties were also compared with the A₂B₇-type (RE_0.85Mg_0.15)₂(NiAl)₇ (RE = Rare Earth) alloys. The gas-solid and electrochemical cycle lives were tested. The structural stability, pulverization, and oxidation/corrosion performances were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrochemical methods. The partial substitution of Sm for Y improves anti-corrosion and anti-pulverization performances, thereby increasing the cycle life of A₂B₇-type La–Y–Ni-based hydrogen storage alloys. The A₂B₇-type RE–Y–Ni-based alloys exhibit better crystal structure stability, but the gas-solid and electrochemical cyclic stability is worse than A₂B₇-type (RE_0.85Mg_0.15)₂(NiAl)₇ alloys due to easier pulverization of particles and the oxidation of Y elements.     

镍氢电池用PVA-TiO_2聚合物电解质膜

通过钛酸四丁酯的原位水解制备聚乙烯醇(PVA)-Ti O2碱性聚合物电解质膜,用傅里叶变换红外光谱(FT-IR)、SEM、交流阻抗和循环伏安法分析电解质膜的结构与电化学性能。在室温条件下,PVA-6%Ti O2聚合物电解质的碱吸率和电导率最高,分别为105%和0.023 S/cm,电化学稳定窗口为-1.0~1.0 V;将PVA-Ti O2碱性电解质膜组装成以Mg3Mn Ni2储氢合金为负极材料的聚合物镍氢(MH/Ni)电池,以15 m A/g在0.4~1.5 V循环12次,放电比容量稳定在150 m Ah/g左右。     

磁性MH/Fe_3O_4/SR复合材料的耐热机理及摩擦性能

以SR、纳米Fe3O4和纳米MH为主要原料制备MH/Fe3O4/SR磁性橡胶复合材料。研究纳米Fe3O4和纳米MH不同配比时,复合材料的物理力学性能变化、耐热以及摩擦性能变化。结果表明:纳米粒子在SR基体中分布较为均匀,不同配比的Fe3O4/MH能够有效改善硅橡胶的物理力学性能。当配比20phrMH/10phrFe3O4时,复合材料的拉伸强度、伸长率有所改善,性能较普通硅橡胶提高了5%左右。随着纳米MH与Fe3O4填料填充量不断加大,复合材料耐热性能不断提高,摩擦因数有效降低。当纳米添加量为30phrMH/10phrFe3O4时,复合材料的分解温度提高为450℃,当纳米添加量为20phrMH/20phrFe3O4时,复合材料的摩擦因数降为0.52。     

基于内压控制氢镍电池充满的研究

当MH/Ni电池充满电后,必须能够及时地停止充电。通过分析电池的工作原理,发现在充电末期,正是电池内部的气体压力促使了温度的升高和充电电压的降低,所以提出用内压控制氢镍电池充满的思想。通过记录氢镍电池在充电过程中的内压,电压及温度的变化情况,并对数据进行了分析与研究,发现内压变化提前于电压及温度的变化,认为用内压来作为终止充电的信号,可比用负电压及温度来控制更及时、准确。     

CO2 sequestration in depleted methane hydrate deposits with excess water

The recent increase in atmospheric CO₂ concentration makes it necessary to investigate new ways to reduce CO₂ emissions. Simultaneously, natural gas hydrate mining technology is developing rapidly. The use of depleted methane hydrate (MH) deposits as potential sites for CO₂ storage is relatively safe and economical. This method can alleviate the shortage of hydrate displacement gas with CO₂. The purpose of this study was to investigate CO₂ hydrate formation characteristics during the seepage process—in reservoirs with excess water—and their effect on CO₂ storage. The experimental process can be divided into 5 parts: MH formation, water injection, MH dissociation, CO₂ hydrate formation, and CO₂ hydrate dissociation. Magnetic resonance imaging was employed to monitor the distribution of liquid water, and the effects of different parameters on the formation and dissociation of CO₂ hydrates were analyzed. It was found that a state of initial water saturation can effectively control hydrate saturation in artificial MH reservoirs for hydrate reservoirs with excess gas. In the process of CO₂ flow, initial water saturation was not the main controlling factor for CO₂ hydrate formation. Increasing the flow pressure and reducing the flow rate were beneficial for CO₂ hydrate formation. This study is of great significance for advancing the science of CO₂ geological storage in the form of deep‐sea hydrates.     

Effects of compaction pressure on the electrochemical properties of Mm0.3Ml0.7Ni3.55Co0.75Mn0.4Al0.3 metal hydride electrodes

In this work, the negative electrodes of the nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries were prepared at different compaction pressures. The maximum discharge capacities and cycle stabilities of the electrodes were measured by means of electrochemical method. The crystal structures and surface morphologies of the alloys were intensively studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS), respectively. Based on these observations, the effects of compaction pressure on the electrochemical properties of the electrodes were systematically investigated. The results showed that the electrode prepared at a compaction pressure of 25 MPa exhibited the best discharge capacity and better cycle stability.     

Rare earth-Mg-Ni-based hydrogen storage alloys as negative electrode materials for Ni/MH batteries

This review is devoted to new rare earth-Mg-Ni-based (R-Mg-Ni-based) hydrogen storage alloys that have been developed over the last decade as the most promising next generation negative electrode materials for high energy and high power Ni/MH batteries. Preparation techniques, structural characteristics, gas-solid reactions and electrochemical performances of this system alloy are systematically summarized and discussed. The improvement in electrochemical properties and their degradation mechanisms are covered in detail. Optimized alloy compositions with high discharge capacities, good electrochemical kinetics and reasonable cycle lives are described as well. For their practical applications in Ni/MH batteries, however, it is essential to develop an industrial-scale homogeneous preparation technique, and a low-cost R-Mg-Ni-based electrode alloy (low-Co or Co-free) with high discharge capacity, long cycle life and good kinetics.     

Effects of V content on hydrogen storage properties of V–Ti–Cr alloys with high desorption pressure

Hydrogen storage is one of the most important issues to realize hydrogen society especially for on-board usage. Recently, high-pressure metal hydride (MH) tank attracts many attentions due to its high volumetric hydrogen storage density and relatively easy heat management. To emphasize its merits, further improvements of properties of MH, such as capacity, hydrogen desorption capability at low temperature and durability, are required. In this paper, V–Ti–Cr alloys of V-rich compositions were investigated with perspective of increasing of hydrogen desorption pressure and durability. In both of 60at%V–Ti–Cr and 80at%V–Ti–Cr alloys, good relationship between hydrogen desorption pressure and Ti content was observed. In comparing with 60at%V–Ti–Cr alloys, 80at%V–Ti–Cr alloys showed good durability. It is quite notable that relationship between limitation line (upper substitution limit of Ti by Cr without degradation of hydrogen capacity) and desorption pressure for V–Ti–Cr ternary system with V-rich composition is clarified. And also, it is revealed that in the case of V–Ti–Cr ternary system, not only Ti/Cr ratio but also V content is important factor to obtain alloys with high hydrogen desorption pressure. 75at%V–5at%Ti–Cr as-cast sample showed good durability, hydrogen desorption capability at low temperature and relatively high effective hydrogen capacity simultaneously.     

Electrochemical properties and hydrogen storage mechanism of perovskite-type oxide LaFeO3 as a negative electrode for Ni/MH batteries

Perovskite-type oxide LaFeO₃ powder was prepared using a stearic acid combustion method. Its phase structure, electrochemical properties and hydrogen storage mechanism as negative electrodes for nickel/metal hydride (Ni/MH) batteries have been investigated systematically. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis show that both the calcined powder and the charged/discharged samples after 10 cycles have orthorhombic structures. The discharge capacity, whose maximum value appeared at the first cycle, is 530.3 mA h g⁻¹ at 333 K and increases with an increase in temperature. The discharge capacity decreases distinctly during the first three cycles and then stays steady at about 80 mA h g⁻¹, 160 mA h g⁻¹ and 350 mA h g⁻¹ at 298 K, 313 K and 333 K, respectively. The hydrogen storage mechanism is studied by XRD, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and mass spectrometry (MS), coupled with pressure-composition-temperature (PCT) methods. Hydrogen atoms may be intercalating into the oxide lattice and forming a homogeneous solid solution during the charging process.