Improvement in the Adhesion Between Electrode of a SOFC and Ag Paste as a Current Collector by Au Deposition

This paper reports the use of Au films to improve the performance of the stacked solid oxide fuel cell(SOFC) based on the characterization of the interface and the adhesion between the electrodes of the SOFCs and the Ag paste. The specimens were manufactured to perform the experiment as follows. A Si O2 wafer with a 300 mm notch was attached to the electrodes of a SOFC by a Ag paste and Au film, which were deposited on the electrodes by sputtering for 1 min or 5 min deposition time and annealed at300 C for 1 h. The four-point bending test was performed, which resulted in the formation of an extended crack at the tip on the wafer notch, and the crack propagation was observed using a stereo microscope equipped with a charge-coupled device(CCD). Consequently, the interfacial adhesion energy and the effect of the Au film between the each electrode and the Ag paste can be evaluated. On the cathode, the interfacial adhesion energy without Au film was 2.59 J/m2(upper value) and the adhesion energy increased to 11.59 J/m2(upper value) and 15.89 J/m2(lower value) with the Au film. On the anode,the interfacial adhesion energy without Au film was 1.74 J/m2(upper value), which increased to 11.07 J/m2(upper value) and 14.74 J/m2(lower value) with the Au film. In addition, the interface areas were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS) to estimate the interface delamination.     

Synthesis of La_(0.9)Sr_(0.1)Ga_(0.8)Mg_(0.2)O_(3-δ) Powder for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell by a Nitrate-Citrate Combustion Route

A nitrate-citrate combustion route to synthesize La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O3-σ powder for solid oxide fuel cell application was presented. This route is based on the gelling of nitrate solutions by the addition of citric acid and ammonium hydroxide, followed by an intense combustion process due to an exothermic redox reaction between nitrate and citrate ions. The optimum technical parameters are that the pH value is 5, and the molar ratio of citric acid to the total metallic ion is 1.5:1. X-ray diffraction characterization of calcined gel shows that pure phase was synthesized after calcination at 1400℃for 10 h, and the TEM result shovvs the calcined powder with average particle size is about 150 nm. The grain resistance contributes to the total resistance of sintered peliet below 500℃. The conductivity of the sintered peliet at 800℃ was 0.07 S-1·cm-1 higher than the conductivity of YSZ (0.05 S-1·cm-1 at 800℃)     

Fabrication and optimization of La_(0.4)Sr_(0.6)Co_(0.2)Fe_(0.7)Nb_(0.1)O_(3-δ) electrode for symmetric solid oxide fuel cell with zirconia based electrolyte

La_(0.4)Sr_(0.6)Co_(0.2)Fe_(0.7)Nb_(0.1)O_(3-δ)(LSCFN)was applied as both anode and cathode for symmetrical solid oxide fuel cells(SSOFCs)with zirconia based electrolyte.The cell with LSCFN electrode was fabricated by tape-casting and screen printing.Fabrication process was optimized firstly by comparing co-sintering and separate-sintering of electrode and electrolyte.To further improve the LSCFN electrode properties,oxygen ionic conductor of Gd_(0.1)Ce_(0.9)O_(2-δ)(GDC)was added into the LSCFN electrode.The preferred composition of LSCFN-GDC composite electrode was found to be 1:1 in weight ratio with polarization resistance of 0.16Ωcm~2at 800~℃.The maximum power densities of LSCFN-GDC||GDC/YSZ/GDC||LSCFN-GDC tested in H_2and CH_4with 3%H_2O were 395 m W cm~(-2)and 124 m W cm~(-2)at 850~?C,respectively,which were much higher than that of LSCFN||GDC/YSZ/GDC||LSCFN cells at same condition,possibly due to the extension of the triple phase boundary induced by the addition of GDC.The cell showed reasonable stability using H_2and CH_4with 3%H_2O as fuels and no significant power output degradation was observed after total 200 h operation.     

Nickel Oxide/Carbon Nanotubes Nanocomposite for Electrochemical Capacitance

A nanocomposite of nickel oxide/carbon nanotubes was prepared through a simple chemical precipitation followed by thermal annealing. The electrochemical capacitance of this electrode material was studied. When the mass fraction of CNTs (carbon nanotubes) in NiO/CNT composites increases, the electrical resistivity of nanocomposites decreases and becomes similar to that of pure CNTs when it reaches 30%. The specific surface area of composites increases with increasing CNT mass fraction and the specific capacitance reaches 160 F/g under 10 mA/g discharge current density at CNT mass fraction of 10%.     

Polyethylene Oxide-Coated Electrospun Polyimide Fibrous Seperator for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Battery

A polyethylene oxide(PEO)-coated polyimide(PI) membrane was prepared by electrospinning method followed by a dip-coating and drying process for high-performance lithium-ion batteries(LIB). Semicrystal PEO was covered on the surface of the fibers and partially enmeshed in PI matrix, which formed unique porous structures. The pores with an average size of 4.1 μm and a porosity of 90% served as ion transport channels. Compared with the cell with Celgard 2400 membrane, the half-cell using PEO-coated PI membrane as a separator exhibits excellent electrochemical performance both at room temperature and at low temperature. The electrolyte uptaking rate of PEO-coated PI membrane was 170% and the ionic conductivity was 3.83 × 10~(–3)S cm~(–1). PEO-coated PI membrane possessed 5.3 V electrochemical window.The electrode–electrolyte interfacial resistance was 62.4 Ω. The capacity retention ratios with PEOcoated PI membrane were 86.4% at 5 C and 73.5% at 10 C at 25 ℃ and 75% at 5 C at 0 ℃. Furthermore,the cell using the separator demonstrates excellent capacity retention over cycling. These advanced characteristics would boost the application of the PEO-coated PI membrane for high-power lithium ion battery.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Sm_xGd_yCe_(1-x-y)O_(2-δ) Nanopowders

SmxGdyCe1-x-yO2-δ (x+y=0.2 and x=0, 0.04, 0.08, 0.12, 0.16, 0.2) nanopowders were prepared by a copre-cipitation method. The zeta potential and sedimentation volume of Ce(OH)4 aqueous dispersions at different pH values were measured. The isoelectric point (IEP) of Ce(OH)4 suspensions is 7.0. The maximum potential value of -18.5 mV and maximum sedimentation volume of 19 ml are reached at pH=10. The evolution behaviors of the xSm(OH)3·yGd(OH)3·(1-x-y)Ce(OH)4 dried powders in the heating process was characterized by DTA/TG and XRO. The powders decompose to ceria based solid solution at a temperature below 300℃ and forms cubic fluorite structure ceria at about 650℃. The properties of SmxGdyCe1-x-yO2-δ solid solutions were characterized by XRD, TEM and BET. The lattice parameter of doped Ce02 increases linearly with increasing Sm3+ substitution (or decreasing Gd3+ substitution). The particle size of the doped ceria powders is from 5 nm to 10 nm.     

A Novel Method to Improve the Electrochemical Performance of LiMn_2O_4 Cathode Active Material by CaCO_3 Surface Coating

Spinel LiMn2O4 was synthesized by glycine-nitrate method and coated with CaCO3 in order to enhance the electrochemical performance at room temperature (250C) and 550C. The uncoated and CaCO3-coated LiMn2O4 materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical tests. XRD and SEM results indicated that CaCO3 particles encapsulated the surface of the LiMn2O4 without causing any structural change. The charge-discharge tests showed that the specific discharge capacity fade of pristine electrode at 25 and 550C were 25.5% and 52%, respectively. However, surface modified cathode shows 7.4% and 29.5% loss compared to initial specific discharge capacity at 70th cycle for 25 and 550C, respectively. The improvement of electrochemical performance is attributed to suppression of Mn2+ dissolution into electrolyte via CaCO3 layer.     

Interfacial Shear Strength Measurements of SiC Fiber-Reinforced Titanium Composites

A continuous loading push-out test technique was used to measure the interfacial shear strength of SiC fiber reinforced Ti matrix composites. The interracial shear strength of samples as-fabricated and after heat exposed at 700 and 800℃ for 50 h was successfully determined. It has been found that the interfacial shear strength of the specimen exposed at 700℃ was higher than that of as-prepared and exposed samples at 800℃. The shear strength of the as-prepared samples was about 112.45 MPa, and increased to about 153.77 MPa after heat-treating at 700℃ for 50 h, but decreased to 133.11 MPa after treating at 800℃ for 50 h. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to investigate the interfacial morphology of the samples. The brittle phase was the main products of interface for samples exposed at 800℃, and the interface was easily peeled off.     

Effect of Nb on the Interfacial Wettability in Al_2O_3/Medium Mn Steel

To develop medium Mn steel (MMS) matrix composites reinforced by AI2O3 particles, the effect of Nb on the interfacial wettability of AI2O3/MMS and its mechanism were investigated in this paper. The results show that the wetting angle of the specimens with different Nb contents are bigger than that of the specimen without Nb at the first stage, and then decreases with time at 1450℃. At certain time, the wetting angle is lower than that of the specimen without Nb. At 1550 and 1600℃, the wetting angle of the specimens containing Nb decreases quickly with time at first stage. After 10 min, the wetting angle reaches a steady state, and hardly changes with time. The mechanisms of Nb to improve the wettability can be attributed to the enrichment of Nb at the interface and Nb serves as surface active agent of MMS at T<1550℃, and as catalyzer for the interfacial reaction of AI2O3/MMS at T>1550℃, and reduces the interfacial energies.     

Influence of Ethanolamine on Corrosion of Alloy 690 in Simulated Secondary Water

Effect of ethanolamine(ETA) on Alloy 690 in simulated pressurized water reactor(PWR) secondary cooling water was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS), potentiodynamic polarization, atomic force microscopy(AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-attenuated total reflectance(FTIR-ATR), X-ray photoelectron spectrometer(XPS) and time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry(To F-SIMS). The results show that moderate addition of ETA can enhance the corrosion resistance of Alloy 690 in high-temperature pressurized water and the optimum additive value is 2 mg/L. The addition of ETA contributes to the formation of oxide rather than hydroxide in the film on the surface of Alloy 690. The corrosion resistance of Alloy 690 at 320 °C with the addition of ETA is better than that at280 °C.     

Corrosion Behavior of SiCp／2024 Al Matrix Composites in 3.5 wt pct Sodium Chloride

The influences of volume fraction and particle size of SiC particulate reinforcements on the corrosion characteristics of SiCp/2024Al metal matrix composites in aerated 3.5wt pct NaCl aquecus solution were investigated.The electro-chemical behavior was investigated by prtentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the general corrosion behavior of the composites was studied further by immersion tests.The results showed that pitting susceptibility was about the same for the composites and the alloy.The corrosion potentials were also independent of SiC phase.The corrosion resistance for the composites decreased as the volume fraction increased or particle size decreased.     

In-situ One-pot Preparation of LiFePO4/Carbon-Nanofibers Composites and Their Electrochemical Performance

A novel in-situ route was employed to synthesize LiFePO4/carbon-nanofibers (CNFs) composites. The route combined high-temperature solid phase reaction with chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using Fe2O3 and LiH2PO4 as the precursors for LiFePO4 growth and acetylene (C2H2) as the carbon source for CNFs growth. The composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The electrochemical performance of the composites was studied by galvanostatic cycling and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The results showed that the in-situ CNFs growth could be realized by the catalytic effect of the Fe2O3 precursor. The sample after 80 min CVD reaction showed the best electrochemical performance, indicating a promising application in high-power Li-ion batteries.     

Effect of Hot Extrusion on Interfacial Microstructure and Tensile Properties of SiC_p/2009Al Composites Fabricated at Different Hot Pressing Temperatures

The effects of hot extrusion on the interfacial microstructures and tensile properties of 15 vol.SiCp/2009Al composites fabricated at different hot pressing temperatures were investigated.After hot extrusion,the relative density of the composites increased,the SiC particle distribution became more uniform,and the SiC particles tended to align along the extrusion direction.Furthermore,the interface bonding was improved after hot extrusion;however,the extrusion exerted no obvious effect on the interfacial reaction products formed during sintering process.Tensile tests indicated that the mechanical properties of the composites were improved significantly after extrusion.Fractography revealed that the fracture mechanism of the extruded composites fabricated at the hot pressing temperatures below 540℃ was mainly the interfacial debonding.For the extruded composites fabricated at 560-600℃,the fracture was the matrix ductile fracture and the SiC particle fracture.When the composites were hot pressed at or above 620℃,after extrusion,the fracture mechanism of the composites was the matrix ductile fracture,the interface cracking and the SiC particle fracture.     

Interfacial Synthesis of δ-MnO_2 Nano-sheets with a Large Surface Area and Their Application in Electrochemical Capacitors

Birnessite-type MnO_2(δ-MnO_2) nano-sheets were successfully synthesized by an interfacial synthesis method in this work.The properties and electrochemical performance of the as-prepared δ-MnO_2 were analyzed and evaluated by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD),nitrogen adsorption measurement and electrochemical tests.This facile synthesis method enables δ-MnO_2 nanosheets to show a large specific surface area(257.5 m~2 g~(-1)).The electrochemical test results show that the specific capacitance is 272 Fg~(-1) and the specific capacitance retention is over 96.7%after 1000 cycles at a scan rate of 10 mV s~(-1).All results demonstrate that δ-MnO_2 has a great potential application in highperformance electrochemical capacitors,and this interfacial synthesis method will be a very promising method to synthesize highly active MnO_2 materials in a large scale.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of hot extruded 6016 aluminum alloy/graphite composites

The incorporation of graphite particles into AA6016 aluminum alloy matrix to fabricate metal/ceramic composites is still a great challenge and various parameters should be considered. In this study, dense AA6016 aluminum alloy/(0-20 wt%) graphite composites have successfully been fabricated by powder metallurgy process. At first, the mixed aluminum and graphite powders were cold compacted at 200 MPa and then sintered at 500 ℃ for 1 h followed by hot extrusion at 450 ℃. The influence of ceramic phases(free graphite and in-situ formed carbides) on microstructure, physical and mechanical properties of the produced composites were finally investigated. The results show that the fabricated composites have a relative density of over 98%. SEM observations indicate that the graphite has a good dispersion in the alloy matrix even at high graphite content. Hardness of all the produced composites was higher than that of aluminum alloy matrix. No cracks were observed at strain less than 23% for all hot extruded materials.Compressive strength, reduction in height, ultimate tensile stress, fracture stress, yield stress, and fracture strain of all Al/graphite composites were determined by high precision second order equations. Both compressive and ultimate tensile strengths have been correlated to microstructure constituents with focusing on the in-situ formed ceramic phases, silicon carbide(SiC) and aluminum carbide(Al_4 C_3). The ductile fracture mode of the produced composites became less dominant with increasing free graphite content and in-situ formed carbides. Wear resistance of Al/graphite composites was increased with increasing graphite content. Aluminum/20 wt% graphite composite exhibited superior wear resistance over that of AA6016 aluminum alloy.     

Al Preparation from Solid Al_2O_3 by Direct Electrochemical Deoxidation in Molten CaCl_2-NaCl at 550℃

Al was prepared by a new method in molten salt at low temperature.Sintered alumina pellets were used as cathode;graphite rod was employed as anode;and the molten CaCl2-NaCl was the electrolyte.A constant 3.2 V voltage was applied in this experiment,and oxygen in solid alumina cathode was reduced by direct electrochemical deoxidation at 550℃.In this process,the current gradually decreased with increasing time and the alumina pellets became grey and porous.The metallic particles were obtained and characterize...     

Thermal Shock Behaviour of Alumina—Iron Composites

Thermal shock behaviour was investigated for two morphologically different composites comprising an alumina matrix and 20 vol.pct Fe particles for a wide range of quenching temperature differences(ΔT=100-800℃)and compared to a monolithic alumina.The retained strength and critical quenching temperature difference,ΔTc,of the two composites were a significant improvement over the values for the respective monolithic alumina.Crack lengths and densities were shown to be greater for the alumina than for the two composites at all quenching temperature differences .The thermal shock resistance parameters for monolithic alumina and the two composites were calculated according to their mechanical and physical properties.The calculated results agree well with the experimental one and indicate possible explanations for the differences in thermal shock behaviour.     

Fabrication of the Superhydrophobic Surface on Magnesium Alloy and Its Corrosion Resistance

The superhydrophobic surface was fabricated on the AZ31 alloy by the combination of the hydrothermal treatment method and post modification with stearic acid. The superhydrophobic surface showed a static water contact angle of 157.6°. The characteristics of the coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM), X-ray diffraction(XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR). The corrosion resistance of the superhydrophobic coatings was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS). The results revealed that the superhydrophobic coatings, characterized by petal-like structure significantly improved the corrosion resistance of the AZ31 alloy.     

Fabrication and oxidation resistance of silicon nitride fiber reinforced silica matrix wave-transparent composites

Wave-transparent ceramic matrix composites for the high temperature use should possess excellent oxidation resistance. In this work, Si_3N_(4f)/SiO_2 composites with different fiber content were fabricated by filament winding and sol gel method. The oxidation resistance was investigated by tracking the response of flexural strength to the testing temperature. The results show that the flexural strength and toughness of the composites with fiber content of over 37% can reach high levels at around 175.0 MPa and 6.2 MPa m1/2, respectively. After 1 h oxidation at 1100?C, the flexural strength drops a lot but can still reach 114.4 MPa, which is high enough to ensure the safety of structures. However, when the oxidation temperature rises to 1200–1400?C, the flexural strengths continue to fall to a relatively low level at 50.0–66.4 MPa. The degradation at high temperatures is caused by the combination of over strong interfacial bonding, the damage of fiber and the crystallization of silica matrix.     

Erosion Characteristics of Aluminum-based Metal Matrix Composites in Slurry Environments

The erosion resistance of the Al18B4O33 whisker reinforced AC4C Al composites in water and saline slurry were investigated using a jet-in-slit rig. Erosion tests were performed at slurry velocities between 6.4 m/s to 15.2 m/s and at normal impact angle. The detachment of flake and dislodgement of whisker were identified as the major mechanisms of material removal in slurry environments. The composites showed better erosion resistance due to the protection of the matrix by the whisker at low slurry velocities. Because of reduced fracture strain, the erosion rates of the composites were generally greater than that of the unreinforced alloy at high slurry velocities. Owing to interfacial reaction which resulted in decrease in hardness and fracture strain,the T6 treatment for the composites had a deleterious influence on the erosion resistance. By considering the material removal processes in the water slurry, a simple rationalization of the inverse dependence of slurry erosion rate on Hεf was obtained. In the saline slurry, there exists a strong synergistic effect between erosion and corrosion. The volume loss of the composites was enhanced through cracking of flakes and detaching of whisker induced by stress and corrosion.