Determination of the composition range suitable to the formation of WC–(V,W)Cx–Co materials

The phase equilibria of the system W–V–C–Co are determined experimentally in the composition range corresponding to small additions of VC_x in the cemented carbides WC–Co and to larger VC_x contents in the hard materials WC–(V,W)C_x–Co. The results are obtained from the microanalysis of the phase compositions in samples heat-treated at 1450 and 1200 °C. Two four-phase fields, {Cosolution+WC+(V,W)C_x+C} and {Cosolution+WC+(V, W)C_x+η}, are determined. The narrow domain between the two four-phase fields defines the composition range suitable to the formation of the hard materials WC–(V,W)C_x–Co. Some interfacial features important for the microstructure of the materials are underlined.     

Synthesis of (Ti,W, Mo,V)(C,N) nanocomposite powder from novel precursors

(Ti, W, Mo, V)(C, N) nanocomposite powders with globular-like particle of ∼10–100 nm were synthesized by a novel method, namely carbothermal reduction–nitridation (CRN) of complex oxide–carbon mixture, which was made initially from salt solution containing titanium, tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium and carbon elements by air drying and subsequent calcining at 300 °C for 0.5 h. Phase composition of reaction products was discussed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and microstructure of the calcined powders and final products was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM), respectively. The results show that the synthesizing temperature of (Ti, W, Mo, V)(C, N) powders was reduced greatly by the novel precursor method. Thus, the preparation of (Ti, 15W, 5Mo, 0.2V)(C, N) is at only 1200 °C for 2 h. The lowering of synthesizing temperature is mainly due to the homogeneous chemical composition of the complex oxide–carbon mixture and its unusual honeycombed structure.     

Nanocrystalline electroless nickel poly-alloy deposition: incorporation of W and Mo

Autocatalytic quaternary Ni–W–Mo–P films were prepared using alkaline citrate based baths and compared with binary Ni–P and ternary Ni–W–P, Ni–Mo–P coatings. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis showed that the binary Ni–P deposit contained 12·2 wt-%P. Codeposition of tungsten in Ni–P matrix resulted in ternary Ni–W–P with 4·1 wt-%P and 5·2 wt-%W. Incorporation of molybdenum led to a ternary Ni–Mo–P deposit containing 4·1 wt-%Mo and 11·2 wt-%P. Presence of both sodium tungstate and sodium molybdate in the basic bath resulted in a quaternary coating with 3·6 wt-%W, 6·7 wt-%Mo and 2·5 wt-%P. X-ray diffraction patterns of all the deposits revealed a single peak for Ni (1 1 1). The quaternary alloy exhibited a sharper peak showing the more crystalline nature of the deposit. Field emission scanning electron microscopy studies of the deposits showed the presence of smooth nodules for ternary deposits, but coarse and well defined nodules for quaternary deposits. Phase transformation behaviour of the ternary Ni–W–P deposit revealed a single exothermic peak at 440°C. However, ternary Ni–Mo–P deposit exhibited a split type high temperature peak at 397 and 461°C and the quaternary Ni–W–Mo–P deposit showed a single high temperature peak at 485°C. Microhardness measurements showed that the quaternary Ni–W–Mo–P deposit exhibited increased hardness of 920 HV(50 gf) when heat treated for 1 h at 400°C.     

Flame synthesis of carbon nanotubes with high density on stainless steel mesh

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes grew directly on wires of stainless steel mesh in controllable methane diffusion flames. The formation and morphology of carbon nanotubes were dependent on gas composition of the flames. On pre-etched mesh wires with HCl, high density of carbon nanotubes were synthesized with uniform outer diameters of 60 nm and large inner diameters of 50 nm. With the high yield of carbon nanotubes, less carbon impurities were formed in the process. A mechanistic model was proposed in detail to suggest the formation of catalyst directly on bulk surface and explain the whole process of carbon nanotubes growth in this study.     

SEM and TEM characterization of magnesium hydride catalyzed with Ni nano-particle or Nb2O5

The microstructures of MgH₂ catalyzed with Ni nano-particle or Nb₂O₅ mesoporous powders are examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations. For MgH₂ catalyzed with Ni, the Ni particles with the diameter smaller than 1 μm were detected on the MgH₂ particles with the diameter smaller than 5 μm by the back scattering electron (BSE) microscopy. In details, the TEM micrograph indicates that the Ni particles distribute 20 nm in diameter on MgH₂ uniformly, which was the same size as the additive doped in MgH₂ before milling. On the other hand, for MgH₂ catalyzed with Nb₂O₅, the additive particles could not be found anywhere in the BSE image. Even in the TEM micrograph by much larger magnification than the SEM micrograph, the particles corresponding to the additive cannot be observed at all. Furthermore, an energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis in spots with a diameter of 20 nm indicated that the existing ratio of Mg to Nb was evaluated to 98:2, being the same as the starting ratio before milling. Therefore, the metal oxide Nb₂O₅ becomes extremely small particle that could not be observed by the present work after milling compared to metal Ni^nano.     

等离子喷涂NiCr合金基复合梯度润滑涂层的组织与力学性能研究

选取了具有优异的高温性能和一定的自润滑性能的高温镍基合金,作为复合涂层基体材料,润滑相则分别从高、中、低温固体润滑剂中选取了Ag、CaF2、石墨(C)、MoS2、BN为基本润滑组元;耐磨相则选用了在高温下具有良好的抗氧化性能及耐磨损性能的碳化铬(Cr3C2)硬质粒子,采用等离子喷涂技术制备了具有极佳相容性的高温润滑涂层.涂层的结合强度测定、硬度测定和扫描电镜分析均显示出涂层的梯度结构优于单层结构.梯度结构缓和了涂层内部的物理性能差异,不仅使涂层的硬度得到平缓过渡,而且使涂层的结合强度大大提高,有效改善了涂层的性能.     

Effect of carbon source on the carbothermal reduction nitridation for synthesis of (Ti, W, Mo, V)(C, N) nanocrystalline powders

The effect of carbon source on the carbothermal reduction-nitridation during synthesizing (Ti, W, Mo, V)(C, N) nanocrystalline powders was investigated. For a systematic comparison, activated carbon, graphite and two kinds of carbon black powder were used as reducing agents in this study. Ultrafine (Ti, W, Mo, V)(C, N) powders with a particle size of ~ 200-500 nm have been produced at 1450 °C for 2 h by using nanosized carbon black source with small particle size. The presence of phases in the reaction products was characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the microstructure of carbon source powders and final products was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that the formation of the Ti(C, N) phase is strongly dependent on the particle size of carbon source powders, and the synthesizing temperature of the Ti(C, N) phase decreases significantly from 1750 °C to 1300 °C by using nanosized carbon black, as compared with micron graphite. In addition, activated carbon with a particle size of 5-50 μm does not favor the dissolution of tungsten or molybdenum carbides into Ti(C, N) despite its large specific surface area.     

Electrochemical properties of ordered TiO2 nanotube loaded with Ag nano-particles for lithium anode material

Self-organized TiO₂ nanotube array was grown on titanium (Ti) thin film by anodizing in glycerol solution containing low concentration of NH₄F, and Ag/TiO₂ nanotube was then prepared from TiO₂ nanotube array by thermal decomposition. The physical properties of the synthesized TiO₂ and Ag/TiO₂ nanotubes were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The synthesized two samples were used as negative materials for lithium-ion battery, and their charge–discharge property, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and cycle performance were investigated. The results indicated that the addition of Ag to TiO₂ nanotube could significantly improve the electronic conductivity, charge–discharge capacity, and cycle stability of TiO₂ nanotube.