Femtosecond Ti: Sa ultra short-pulse laser irradiation effects on the properties and morphology of the zirconia surface after ageing

Femtosecond pulses from a Ti:Sapphire laser were used to irradiate specimens of yttria-stabilised (35% mol) tetragonal zirconia (Y-TZP) with the purpose of studying the effects of the irradiations on their surface properties and morphology after ageing. Zirconia disks were divided into eight groups (n = 32) according to their surface treatment and subsequent ageing: Control: no treatment; sandblasting: Al₂O₃ sandblasting 50 μm; and ultrashort laser pulses irradiation with 25 μJ pulses, considering two different scanning steps based on the width between two grooves. These groups were duplicated and submitted to ageing. The surfaces were analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction. A finite element analysis, a biaxial flexure test, as well as fractographic and Weibull analyses, were performed. The strengths of the disks were statistically different for the treatment factor, and the principal stresses seemed to be concentrated at the centre of the specimens, as predicted by the computer simulations. Ageing decreased the strengths for all groups and increased the Weibull modulus for the laser group with the 40 μm-width between two grooves. The sandblasting group presented the highest monoclinic phase peak. Although the most significant strength was found within the sandblasting group, the phase transformation was favourable to the laser groups. The Weibull modulus was higher for the laser group with the 60 μm-width between two grooves, confirming the highest homogeneity of its failure distribution. Regardless of the surface treatment, strength was decreased with ageing in all groups. The femtosecond Ti:Sa ultra-short pulse laser irradiation can be suggested as an alternative to the gold standard sandblasting in long-term Y-TZP zirconia rehabilitations, such as crowns and veneers.     

State-of-the-art technology: Recent investigations on laser-mediated synthesis of nanocomposites for environmental remediation

In both developing and industrialized/developed countries, various hazardous/toxic environmental pollutants are entering water bodies from organic and inorganic compounds (heavy metals and specifically dyes). The global population is growing whereas the accessibility of clean, potable and safe drinking water is decreasing, leading to world deterioration in human health and limitation of agricultural and/or economic development. Treatment of water/wastewater (mainly industrial water) via catalytic reduction/degradation of environmental pollutants is extremely critical and is a major concern/issue for public health. Light and/or laser ablation induced photocatalytic processes have attracted much attention during recent years for water treatment due to their good (photo)catalytic efficiencies in the reduction/degradation of organic/inorganic pollutants. Pulsed laser ablation (PLA) is a rather novel catalyst fabrication approach for the generation of nanostructures with special morphologies (nanoparticles (NPs), nanocrystals, nanocomposites, nanowires, etc.) and different compositions (metals, alloys, oxides, core-shell, etc.). Laser ablation in liquid (LAL) is generally considered a quickly growing approach for the synthesis and modification of nanomaterials for practical applications in diverse fields. LAL-synthesized nanomaterials have been identified as attractive nanocatalysts or valuable photocatalysts in (photo)catalytic reduction/degradation reactions. In this review, the laser ablation/irradiation strategies based on LAL are systematically described and the applications of LAL synthesized metal/metal oxide nanocatalysts with highly controlled nanostructures in the degradation/reduction of organic/inorganic water pollutants are highlighted along with their degradation/reduction mechanisms.     

Design and characteristics of a new type laminar plasma torch for materials processing

Laminar plasma jet(LPJ) generated by laminar plasma torch(LPT) has a favorable temperature and velocity distribution. Thus, it is superior to the turbulent plasma jet in material processing.However, most of the reported LPTs usually operate at a relatively low output power with a relatively low arc voltage and thermal efficiency, which limits its capabilities. In this context, this paper attempts to design a new type of high-power LPT with a relatively low arc current and a high thermal efficiency. In the first section, the design principle of the main components is studied and discussed in detail, and a new high-power LPT is proposed. Then, the experimental characteristics of the proposed high-power LPT are examined. Experimental results reveal the following characteristics of the proposed LPT.(1) The max jet length of the proposed LPT reaches at 540 mm.(2) Its mean arc voltage is higher than 290 V when the LPT works with arc currents lower than 200 A, leading to an output power greater than 50 kW.(3) The mean thermal efficiency is higher than 50%. Lastly, the proposed LPT has been applied to spheroidize the aluminum oxide powers. The experiment results for the production of spherical powders show that the proposed LPT has a good characteristic for material processing.     

Deciphering the Origins of P1-Induced Power Losses in Cu(Inx,Ga1–x)Se2 (CIGS) Modules Through Hyperspectral Luminescence

In this report, we show that hyperspectral high-resolution photoluminescence mapping is a powerful tool for the selection and optimization of the laser ablation processes used for the patterning interconnections of subcells on Cu(In_x,Ga_1−x)Se₂ (CIGS) modules. In this way, we show that in-depth monitoring of material degradation in the vicinity of the ablation region and the identification of the underlying mechanisms can be accomplished. Specifically, by analyzing the standard P1 patterning line ablated before the CIGS deposition, we reveal an anomalous emission-quenching effect that follows the edge of the molybdenum groove underneath. We further rationalize the origins of this effect by comparing the topography of the P1 edge through a scanning electron microscope (SEM) cross-section, where a reduction of the photoemission cannot be explained by a thickness variation. We also investigate the laser-induced damage on P1 patterning lines performed after the deposition of CIGS. We then document, for the first time, the existence of a short-range damaged area, which is independent of the application of an optical aperture on the laser path. Our findings pave the way for a better understanding of P1-induced power losses and introduce new insights into the improvement of current strategies for industry-relevant module interconnection schemes.     

Experimental study on flame spread along fuel cylinders in high pressures

Flame spread over solid fuels in high‐pressure situations, such as nuclear containment shells during a pressurized period, has potential to result in catastrophic disaster, thus requiring further knowledge. This paper experimentally reveals the flame spread behaviors over fuel cylinders in high pressures. Polyethylene and polymethyl‐methacrylate cylinders with the diameter of 4.0 mm are used in this study. Ambient gas is air, and total pressures are varied from naturally normal pressure (100 kPa) to elevated pressure (500 kPa). Flame characteristics including flame appearance and flame size and burning rate and flame spread rate are investigated. Results show that in high pressure, the flame appearance is significantly affected. As the pressure increases, the blue flame disappeared, and the color of flame tip changes from luminous yellow to orange as well the orange part extends down towards the base of flame. The dimensionless flame height increases with pressure for pressure below 150 kPa and then decreases with pressure above that level. The burning rates show increasing trend with pressure and are proportional to P^0.6 and P^0.79 for polymethyl‐methacrylate and polyethylene, respectively. Besides, flame spread rates for polymethyl‐methacrylate and polyethylene both were found to be proportional to P^0.5.     

Engineering 2D Multifunctional Ultrathin Bismuthene for Multiple Photonic Nanomedicine

2D monoelemental nanomaterials (Xenes) have shown tremendous potential for versatile biomedical applications. Bismuth, as a heavy element in pnictogens, has acquired massive research interest due to its unique optical performance, high biocompatibility, stability, and relatively low cost. However, the utilization of 2D bismuthene in nanomedicine has not been achieved because of the difficulty in engineering bismuthene with crucial structural/compositional characteristics for satisfying strict biomedical requirements. Herein, to address this Gordian knot, a facile strategy to intercalate and delaminate Bi bulk for generating mass few-layered 2D bismuthene with high yield by employing a water molecule mediated freezing–thawing process and sodium borohydride-triggered reduction treatment is proposed. The resulting 2D bismuthene displays good optical performance in the near-infrared (NIR) biowindow and can be excited via red light for reactive oxygen species generation, enabling applications in multiple photonic cancer nanomedicine settings, including photothermal hyperthermia and photodynamic therapy. Utilizing the intrinsic desirable optical absorbance and strong X-ray attenuation of bismuthene, dual photonic therapy can be conducted under the supervision of photoacoustic/computed tomography guided multimodal imaging. This research not only offers a potential mass-production ready, cost-effective, and eco-efficient methodology for engineering 2D Xenes, but also exploits an innovative 2D bismuthene based photonic cancer nanomedicine.     

Numerical investigation of the effects of H2/CO/syngas additions on laminar premixed combustion characteristics of NH3/air flame

Co-firing NH₃ with H₂/CO/syngas (SYN) is a promising method to overcome the low reactivity of NH₃/air flame. Hence, this study aims to systematically investigate the laminar premixed combustion characteristics of NH₃/air flame with various H₂/CO/SYN addition loadings (0–40%) using chemical kinetics simulation. The numerical results were obtained based on the Han mechanism which can provide accurate predictions of laminar burning velocities. Results showed that H₂ has the greatest effects on increasing laminar burning velocities and net heat release rates of NH₃/air flame, followed by SYN and CO. CO has the most significant effects on improving NH₃/air adiabatic flame temperatures. The H₂/CO/SYN additions can accelerate NH₃ decomposition rates and promote the generation of H and NH₂ radicals. Furthermore, there is an evident positive linear correlation between the laminar burning velocities and the peak mole fraction of H + NH₂ radicals. The reaction NH₂ + NH <=> N₂H₂ + H and NH₂ + NO <=> NNH + OH have remarkable positive effects on NH₃ combustion. The mole fraction of OH × NH₂ radicals positively affects the net heat release rates. Finally, it was discovered that H radicals play an important role in the generation of NO. The H₂/CO/SYN additions can reduce the hydrodynamic and diffusional-thermal instabilities of NH₃/air flame. The NH₃ reaction pathways for NH₃–H₂/CO/SYN-air flames can be categorized mainly into NH₃–NH₂–NH–N–N₂, NH₃–NH₂–HNO–NO(?N₂O)–N₂ and NH₃–NH₂(?N₂H₂)–NNH–N₂. CO has the greatest influence on the proportions of three NH₃ reaction routes.     

Synthesis of a novel DOPO‐based polyphosphoramide with high char yield and its application in flame‐retardant epoxy resins

A novel and highly effective flame retardant (FR), DOPO‐TPMP oligomer, was synthesized by a simple condensation of 4‐(hydroxymethyl)‐2,6,7‐trioxa‐1‐phosphabicyclo[2.2.2]octane‐1‐oxide and phosphorus oxychloride followed by a polycondensation reaction with 6‐(2,5‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐6H‐dibenzo[c,e][1,2]oxaphosphinine‐6‐oxide. The chemical structure of DOPO‐TPMP was well characterized using Fourier transform infrared and NMR spectra. DOPO‐TPMP was used as an additive‐type FR for epoxy resin (EP). The FR properties of the resultant EP composites were investigated by limiting oxygen index (LOI) test, UL‐94 vertical burning test and cone calorimeter measurements. Specifically, the EP composite containing 10.0% DOPO‐TPMP achieved a LOI value of 36.1%, V‐0 rating in the UL‐94 test and a 58% reduction in peak heat release rate. Further mechanism analysis attributed the enhanced flame retardancy to the increased char yield on the addition of DOPO‐TPMP. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry