Hydrothermal conversion of Ti-containing minerals in system of Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>O–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–CaO–TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Titanium has a great effect on the digestion of bauxite in the Bayer process because it reacts readily at high temperatures in alkaline sodium aluminate solution. Under this consideration, the hydrothermal conversion of Ti-containing minerals in the system of Na₂O–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–CaO–TiO₂–H₂O with increased temperatures was studied based on the thermodynamic analysis and systematic experiments. The results show that anatase converts to Al₄Ti₂SiO₁₂ at low temperatures (60–120 °C), which is similar to anatase in crystal structure. As the temperature continues to rise, Al₄Ti₂SiO₁₂ decomposes gradually and converts to Ca₃TiSi₂(Al₂Si_0.5Ti_0.5)O₁₄ at 200 °C. When the temperature reaches 260 °C, CaTiO₃ forms as the most stable titanate species for its hexagonal closest packing with O^2? and Ca²⁺. The findings enhance the understanding of titanate scaling in the Bayer process and clarify the mechanism of how additive lime improves the digestion of diaspore.     

Photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes with H<Subscript>3</Subscript>PW<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>40</Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

H₃PW₁₂O₄₀/TiO₂–SiO₂ was synthesized by impregnation method which significantly improved the catalytic activity under simulated natural light. The properties of the samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction pattern (XRD), Scanning electron micrographs (SEM), and Zeta potential. Degradation of methyl violet was used as a probe reaction to explore the influencing factors on the photodegradation reaction. The results show that the optimal conditions are as follows: initial concentration of methyl violet of 10 mg·L^?1, pH of 3.0, catalyst dosage of 2.9 g·L^?1, and light irradiation time of 2.5 h. Under these conditions, the degradation rate of methyl violet is 95.4 %. The reaction on photodegradation for methyl violet can be expressed as the first-order kinetic model, and the possible mechanism for the photocatalysis under simulated natural light is suggested. After used continuously for five times, the catalyst keeps the inherent photocatalytic activity for degradation of dyes. The photodegradation of methyl orange, methyl red, naphthol green B, and methylene blue was also tested, and the degradation rate of dyes can reach 81 %–100 %.     

Investigations on Li<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>/Ti<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> Composite as an Anode Material for Lithium–Ion Batteries

The Ti₃O₅ powder with uniform morphology has been successfully obtained and used to synthesize Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/Ti₃O₅ composite material by ball milling for modifying Li₄Ti₅O₁₂-based, lithium–ion battery anodes. Moreover, according to the relative performance investigations, the synthesized Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/Ti₃O₅ composite shows better electrochemical properties than that of the Li₄Ti₅O₁₂. At a high rate (10 C), the capacity of the Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/Ti₃O₅ composite electrode is 139.8 mAhg^?1, whereas the value of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ is 121.6 mAhg^?1, showing a capacity enhanced about 14.97%. After 100 cycles at 0.2 C, the discharge capacity of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/Ti₃O₅ remains at 160 mAhg^?1 with a capacity loss of 2.6%. The results indicate that the Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/Ti₃O₅ composite electrode can be used as anode material with a relatively higher rate capability and excellent cycle performance in lithium–ion batteries.     

Air Oxidation of a Ni<Subscript>53</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>20</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>10</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>8</Subscript>Co<Subscript>6</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript> Glassy Alloy at 400–550 °C

Air-oxidation behavior of a Ni₅₃Nb₂₀Ti₁₀Zr₈Co₆Cu₃ amorphous ribbon was studied at 400–550 °C. The oxidation kinetics of the amorphous alloy followed a two-stage parabolic rate law with its oxidation rates steadily increasing with temperature. The steady-state oxidation rate constants of the alloy were faster than those of pure Ni. Triplex scales formed on the glassy alloy, containing an outer layer of NiO. The scales formed in the intermediate layer consisted of Nb₂O₅, NiO, and uncorroded α-Ni, while an additional Nb₂Zr₆O₁₇ phase was also detected in the inner layer. The formation of multilayered scales is responsible for the faster oxidation for the Ni6-AR.     

Synthesis and characterization of Ba<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3−σ</Subscript>

Perovskite-type Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ (BSCFO) powders were synthesized using two methods, solid-state reaction (SSR) method and citrate-EDTA complexing method (CC-EDTA). Then the powders were pressed to green disks of 19 mm in diameter and sintered at 1140°C for 5 h. The shrinkage rate and relative density of the membranes prepared from the perovskite-type powders were determined and calculated, and the powders and derived membranes were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that the shrinkage rates of the two kinds of disks are nearly the same (about 10%). The disks prepared by the SSR method had a bigger grain size and lower relative density than those prepared by the CC-EDTA method. The conductivity of the membranes prepared by the SSR method was about 38 S/cm, higher than that of the membranes prepared by the CC-EDTA method, which was about 30 S/cm, at the same temperature of 600°C.     

The effect of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanoparticles on tribological and corrosion behavior of electroless Ni–B–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> composite coating

In this study, the Ni–B–Al₂O₃ composite was successfully coated on the surface of Ck45 steel by elecroless method. X-Ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were utilized in order to investigate and identify the coating properties. Wear behavior of the coating was studied by the pinon- disk test. Corrosion behavior of the Ni–B and Ni–B–Al₂O₃ coatings was investigated by using Tafel polarization diagrams in the 3.5% NaCl solution at room temperature. The obtained data demonstrate that the addition of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles to the coating has resulted in improving the tribological behavior of the coating due to the presence of the composite nanoparticles. Also, the results of electrochemical testing show that corrosion resistance of the electroless Ni–B coating with Al₂O₃ nanoparticles has dramatically increased.     

On the Al5083–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Hybrid Surface Nanocomposite Produced by Friction Stir Processing

In this study Al5083–Al₂O₃–TiO₂ hybrid surface nanocomposite was successfully prepared by friction stir processing (FSP). The effects of different combination of rotational and travel speed of tool were investigated. The samples were characterized by optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), microhardness and undergone tensile and wear tests. Based on the maximum tensile strength and hardness value, optimum rotational speed of 710 rpm and travel speed of 20 mm/min was achieved. The microhardness and tensile strength of the as-received alloy and specimens having optimum surface nanocomposite were about 80 Hv, 285 MPa, 140 Hv and 375 MPa, respectively. Surface nanocomposites showed significantly lower friction coefficients and wear rates than those obtained for substrate. Based on scanning electron microscopy tests, abrasive wear as dominant wear mechanism was detected.     

Phase Equilibria in the Sb<Subscript>2</Subscript>Te<Subscript>3</Subscript>–InSb System

The phase diagram of the (Sb₂Te₃)_100?x –InSb _x system was determined based on x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, differential thermal analysis (DTA), and microhardness and density measurements. An intermediate compound with composition Sb₂Te₃·2InSb was formed as a result of syntectic reaction, melting incongruently at 553 °C. This compound has tetragonal lattice with unit cell parameters of a = 4.3937 Å, b = 4.2035 Å, c = 3.5433 Å, α = 93.354°, and β = γ = 90°. Sb₂Te₃·(2 + δ)InSb (?1 ≤ δ ≤ +1) and (Sb₂Te₃)_100?x (InSb) _x (90 ≤ x ≤ 100) solid solutions exist in the investigated system, based on the intermediate compound Sb₂Te₃·2InSb and on InSb, respectively. Also, two invariant equilibria exist in the system, with eutectic point coordinates at compositions of x = 60 and x ≈ 85 mol% InSb and eutectic temperatures of T _E = 541 and T _E ≈ 501 °C, respectively.     

Spark Plasma Sintering of α/β Si<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript> Ceramics with MgO-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> and MgO-Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> as Sintering Additives

In the present work, the α/β Si₃N₄ ceramics were fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 1400-1500 °C for 6 min with 3wt.%MgO + 5wt.%Al₂O₃ and 3wt.%MgO + 5wt.%Y₂O₃ as sintering additives. The results showed that the phase composition, microstructure and mechanical properties of α/β Si₃N₄ ceramics were highly dependent on the type of sintering additive. The incomplete phase transformation from α to β occurred in the presence of an oxynitride (Mg-Al(Y)-Si-O-N) liquid phase. Compared with MgO-Al₂O₃, MgO-Y₂O₃ can significantly improve the β conversion rate of as-sintered α/β Si₃N₄ ceramics. And the as-sintered ceramics using MgO + Al₂O₃ as sintering additives had higher mechanical properties.     

Reaction between Ti–6Al–4V and Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> based face shell for investment casting

The pH value and viscosity of Y₂O₃–SiO₂ (Y–Si) slurry made by Y₂O₃ powders and silica sol for the face coat of Ti–6Al–4V investment casting were measured. The thermal behavior of the shell made by the Y–Si face coat system was investigated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermal gravimetric (TG) analysis combined with mass spectrometry (MS), and the phase transformations were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Hot strength, residual strength, linear expansion coefficient, and wearing resistance performance of the shell were also tested. The microstructure and elements distribution of the interaction layer were studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS), respectively. The microhardness tester was applied for the microhardness. The results showed that the slurry was stable for at least 60 h. A very small amount of YZrO₃ was formed below 1050 °C and Y₂SiO₅ was formed around 1450 °C. The shell made by Y–Si system had good mechanical property which could reduce cracks during the procedure of dewaxing and inclusions during pouring. Some Al volatilized from the melt, permeated the surface of the face coat shell, and formed the black reaction layer, which blocked the permeation of O so that O penetration was limited to 5 μm. The depth of Si penetration was about 60 μm. The hard layer was also around 60 μm.     

Electrochemical and interfacial properties of (PEO)<Subscript>10</Subscript>LiCF<Subscript>3</Subscript>SO<Subscript>3</Subscript>−Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanocomposite polymer electrolytes using ball milling

Electrochemical and interfacial properties of (PEO)₁₀LiCF₃SO₃−Al₂O₃ composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) prepared by either ball milling or stirring are reported. Ball milling was introduced into a slurry preparative technique utilizing PEO, lithium salt and Al₂O₃ powder ranging from 5 to 15 wt.%. The ionic conductivity was increased by ball milling over a range of temperatures. In particular, a significant increase at low temperature below the melting point of crystalline PEO was observed. Interfacial stability between lithium electrode and CPE was significantly improved by the addition of alumina as well as by ball milling. The electrochemical stability window produced by (PEO)₁₀LiCF₃SO₃−Al₂O₃ ball milling was higher than that of stirring, which was about 4.4 V. Charge/discharge performance of Li/CPE/S cells with (PEO)₁₀LiCF₃SO₃−Al₂O₃-12 hr ball milling was superior to that of a pristine polymer electrolyte due to the low interface resistance and high ionic conductivity.     

Structure and magnetic properties of mechanically synthesized (Fe<Subscript>1–<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Ni<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>)<Subscript>75</Subscript>C<Subscript>25</Subscript> nanocomposites

X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements have been used to study the phase formation in (Fe_1–xNi_x) (with х = 0–0.20) nanocomposites upon severe plastic deformation in a planetary ball mill and subsequent annealings. It has been shown that the mechanical synthesis results in the formation of mainly a nickel-alloyed nanocrystalline (Fe, Ni)₃C cementite with a distorted crystal lattice and an amorphous Fe–Ni–C phase. During heating above 300°С, the amorphous phase crystallizes with the formation of cementite, which is characterized by a higher Ni content compared to that in mechanically synthesized cementite. The mechanically synthesized samples exhibit low coercive force (equal to several tens ampere per centimeter). In the course of annealing at temperatures of up to 500–550°С, crystal lattice distortions are removed; this results in reliving the magnetic anisotropy constant and high-coercivity state of cementite. At the same time, Ni-rich cementite areas decompose with the formation of γ-(Fe, Ni, C) phase (austenite); as a result, the average nickel content in the cementite substantially decreases. Annealings at higher temperatures cause the complete decomposition of cementite and lead to an abrupt decrease in the coercive force (Н _с) of samples. Alloying with nickel leads to an increase in the Curie temperature of cementite and a decrease in its specific saturation magnetization, coercive force, and thermal stability.     

Performance of Sm<Subscript>0.7</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.3</Subscript>CoO<Subscript>3−<Emphasis Type="Italic">δ</Emphasis></Subscript> membrane under CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-containing atmosphere

The permeability and stability of Sm_0.7Sr_0.3CoO_3?δ (SSCO) regarding the special requirements for carbon capture and storage (CCS) application were investigated. Pure CO₂ was used as the sweep gas at 900 °C, leading to that the oxygen permeation flux decreases by about 34 %. Several cycles of changing the sweep gas between helium and CO₂ indicate the good reversibility of this degradation. Both carbonate formation and adsorption of CO₂ on the membrane surface are responsible for the degradation of the membrane performance. The better CO₂ resistance results from the substitution of Sm for Sr due to the higher acidity of Sm₂O₃ (1.278) than that of SrO (0.978) and a discontinuous layer of carbonate.     

Bridge polysilsesquioxane xerogels with a bifunctional surface layer of the ≡Si(CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>NH<Subscript>2</Subscript>/≡Si(CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>SH composition

Xerogels with a bifunctional surface layer of the ≡Si(CH₂)₃NH₂/≡Si(CH₂)₃SH composition are synthesized by hydrolytic co-polycondensation of bis(triethoxy)silane (C₂H₅O)₃Si(CH₂)₂Si(OC₂H₅)₃ and two trifunctional silanes, namely, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane. Using IR, ¹H MAS NMR, and ¹³C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopic techniques, it is shown that in addition to complexing groups, the surface layer also contains water, silanol groups that are involved in the hydrogen bond formation and also residual ethoxysilyl groups. According to ²⁹SiCP/MAS NMR spectroscopic data, the degree of polycondensation of synthesized xerogels exceeds 80%. It is found that the use of 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane as the structuring agent in place of tetraethoxysilane allows one to synthesize bifunctional xerogels with the highly developed biporous structure (S _sp = 607–680 m²/g, V _c = 1.38–1.47 cm³/g, d = 2.9–3.1 and 18.3 nm). Changing the ratio structuring-silane/functionalizing-silane-mixture from 2: 1 to 4: 1 in the reaction system has virtually no effect on the porous structure parameters of final xerogels.     

Phase and Microstructure Evolution and Toughening Mechanism of a Hierarchical Architectured Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Coating under High Temperature

In recent years, numerous techniques have been developed to mimic nacre-like hierarchical architectures in order to improve the damage tolerance of materials. We present herein a simple strategy to fabricate such a hierarchical architectured Al₂O₃–Y₂O₃ composite coating via atmospheric plasma spraying. The evolution of the phase and microstructure of the Al₂O₃–Y₂O₃ composite coating were characterized under conditions of high-temperature exposure in air at 800-1350 °C. The hardness and porosity of several typical coatings were determined. In situ formation of dense hierarchical architectured Al₂O₃–YAG composite coating with improved hardness was achieved after heat treatment at 1350 °C. Compared with Al₂O₃ coating, elevated toughness was found for the hierarchical architectured Al₂O₃–YAG composite coating, which can be ascribed to the distribution of YAG phase that contributed to crack termination and deflection, and microbridging. After thermal aging treatment at 1350 °C, the hierarchical architectured Al₂O₃–YAG composite coating was quite stable after 100 h of thermal exposure. Furthermore, the Al₂O₃–Y₂O₃ composite coating exhibited superior sintering resistance compared with the Al₂O₃ coating.     

Embrittlement and conditions of the optimization of magnetic properties in the amorphous alloy Co<Subscript>69</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>3.7</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>3.8</Subscript>Si<Subscript>12.5</Subscript>B<Subscript>11</Subscript> in the absence of a viscous–brittle transition

The influence of the holding time upon annealing on the temperature of the viscous–brittle transition (temperature of embrittlement) T_f in a cobalt-based amorphous alloy of the composition Co₆₉Fe_3.7Cr_3.8Si_12.5B₁₁ with a very low saturation magnetostriction λ_s (<10^–7) has been studied. It has been established that the dependence of the embrittlement temperature T_f on the of time of holding t_a can be described by an Arrhenius equation and that the embrittlement at the annealing temperatures above and below 300°C is described by different kinetic parameters. In the alloy under study, irrespective of the holding time, embrittlement occurs in a very narrow range of annealing temperatures, which does not exceed 5 K. Based on the experimental data on the evolution of the hysteresis magnetic properties upon the isochronous annealings and upon the isothermal holding, the regime of heat treatment that ensures a very high (about 50000) magnitude of the permeability µ₅ (H = 5 mOe, f = 1 kHz) without the transition of the alloy into a brittle state has been determined.     

Accelerated Hot Corrosion Studies of D-Gun-Sprayed Cr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–50% Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Coating on Boiler Steel and Fe-Based Superalloy

In the current investigation, Cr₂O₃–50% Al₂O₃ coating was deposited on ASTM-SA213-T-22 boiler steel and Fe-based superalloy Superfer 800H by D-gun spray process. The high-temperature corrosion performance of the coated as well as bare alloys was evaluated in Na₂SO₄–60%V₂O₅ molten salt, an aggressive environment at 900 °C under cyclic conditions. The kinetics of the corrosion were analyzed by the change in weight measurements which were taken after each cycle (i.e., 1-h heating in a tube furnace followed by 20-min cooling in ambient air) for a total period of 50 cycles. The X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray analysis techniques were used for the analysis of corrosion products. During investigations, it was found that both the selected bare alloys have suffered intensive spallation in the form of removal of their oxide scales, which may be attributed to the formation of non-protective Fe₂O₃-dominated oxide scales, whereas the coated alloys have shown lesser weight gains along with better adhesiveness of the oxide scales with the substrate till the end of the experiment. The oxides of chromium and aluminum were the main phases revealed in the oxide scales of the coated specimens, which are reported to be protective against the hot corrosion.     

Investigation of hybrid PEO coatings on AZ31B magnesium alloy in alkaline K<Subscript>2</Subscript>ZrF<Subscript>6</Subscript>–Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>SiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> electrolyte solution

Detail study of the PEO coatings produced on AZ31B magnesium alloy in Na₂SiO₃–K₂ZrF₆-based electrolyte solution was carried out in this work. ZrO₂, MgF₂, MgO and Mg₂SiO₄ were observed as the major phases in the coatings. Electrolytic decomposition and then the severe thermochemical environment provoked various Zr–F–Mg based complexes in the coatings. From the surface analysis, various structures e.g, nano-grains, pores and volcano shape sintered material were evidenced. Using Vicker hardness test, maximum hardness was recorded as ~1280 HV. Potentiodynamic polarization technique in 3.5 wt % NaCl solution was used to predict the corrosion performances of the specimens. Among the coated samples, highest corrosion resistance was recorded to be ~223.5 × 10³ kΩ/cm² for 15 min coatings.     

Densification Kinetics of CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Reinforced 8 Mol.% Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Stabilized ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Ceramics

The grain growth kinetics of 8YSZ ceramics processed using spark plasma sintering (SPS) has been investigated in the temperature ranging from 1100°C to 1500°C. The activation energy during SPS densification was obtained as 332 kJ/mol with grain boundary diffusion as a dominant mechanism. Further, the effect of CeO₂ on the densification kinetics of 8YSZ ceramic processed via SPS and conventional sintering (CS) has been delineated. The lower grain boundary mobility of CS-processed composites (an order of magnitude lower than SPS) is attributed to the solute drag and lattice distortion mechanism. However, no significant change in the grain boundary mobility was observed with CeO₂ addition (~?14.7–43.9?×?10^?18 m³/N/s for CS and 107.2–116.7?×?10^?18 m³/N/s for SPS) revealing that the defect concentration is nearly constant in 8YSZ. The study highlights the effect of sintering techniques (SPS and CS) and reinforcement (CeO₂) on engineering the desired microstructure of 8YSZ ceramic.     

Ni–Si<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript>: Electrodeposition,properties and corrosion behavior

Ni–Si₃N₄ composite coatings were developed by electrodeposition from a nickel sulfate bath solution on a mild steel substrate. The corrosion behavior of the obtained coatings was analyzed by electrochemical methods. The amount of Si₃N₄ particles in the deposit was identified and estimated by the energy dispersive X-ray diffraction spectrometry. The structure and surface morphology of the coatings were characterized by the X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. In this work a comparative corrosion behavior and surface morphology of the composites generated in both the absence and the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate with Si₃N₄ was accessed.