Effect of a corona discharge on the morphology and photoluminescence intensity of nanocomposites based on polypropylene (PP) and zirconia (ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>) nanoparticles

The effect of a corona discharge on the structure and photoluminescence properties of nanocomposites based on polypropylene (PP) and zirconia is studied. It is shown that polarization under the action of a corona discharge leads to a refinement of the structural elements and an increase in the photoluminescence intensity and the increase depends on the charge concentration. The amount of charges accumulated at the interface between the nanocomposite components is determined by the thermostimulated depolarization (TSD) method; it is found that, during polarization, a large number of electric charges accumulate at the interface between the PP and ZrO₂ nanocomposite components. It is revealed that the interfacial charges generate a fairly high internal local field, which excites luminescence centers in the zirconia and, thereby, leads to an increase in the luminescence intensity.     

Effect of NiFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> doping on the structure,magnetic properties and electrical properties of La<Subscript>0.7</Subscript>Ca<Subscript>0.3</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The (La_0.7Ca_0.3MnO₃)_1x /(NiFe₂O₄) _x (x = 0 to 0.09) composites were prepared using a conventional solid state reaction method. The structural, magnetic properties, and electrical properties of LCMO/NFO composites were investigated using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, field cooled DC magnetization, and magnetoresistance (MR) measurements. The resistivity measured as a function temperature demonstrates that the pure LCMO and x = 0.01 samples display metal to semiconductor transitions. However, the composites of x > 0.03 samples clearly present the electrical behavior as an insulator/semiconductor type behavior. It was observed that the resistivity of the samples increased systemically with an increase of the NFO content. From the MR measurements, it was found that the MR effect is enhanced for x = 0.01 with a NFO composition. In all, the spin-polarized tunneling and the spin-dependent scattering may be beneficial for an improved low-field magnetoresistance effect. These phenomena can be explained by the segregation of a new phase related to NFO at the grain boundaries or surfaces of the LCMO grains.     

Symmetry analysis of magnetic structures with a wave vector k<Subscript>6</Subscript> = μb<Subscript>3</Subscript> possible in the intermetallic compound Ce<Subscript>2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>17</Subscript>

To estimate the reliability of literature data on the magnetic structure of Ce₂Fe₁₇, we performed a symmetry analysis of the possible magnetic structures characterized by the wave vector k ₆ = μb ₃ = 2π(0, 0, π/c). The previously developed procedure for calculating the basis functions of the irreducible representations of the space group D_3d ⁵ (R[`3]m)(R\bar 3m), which enter into the magnetic representation with the above wave vector, is described briefly and is employed for an analysis. The results of the calculations of these basis functions for Fe atoms located in 6c, 9d, 18f, and 18h positions are given and discussed. A conclusion is made that in this intermetallic compound there can exist magnetic structures of the type of longitudinal or transverse spin waves or of the type of a complicated spiral with the magnetic moment which varies according to a harmonic law as the coordinate z of the site occupied by the Fe atom changes.     

Luminescence properties of red-emitting Ca<Subscript>2</Subscript>Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>SiO<Subscript>7</Subscript>:Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> nanoparticles prepared by sol-gel method

A series of red-emitting Ca2-xAl2SiO7:xEu3+(x = 1 mol.%-10 mol.%) phosphors were synthesized by the sol-gel method.The effects of annealing temperature and doping concentration on the crystal structure and luminescence properties of Ca2Al2SiO7:Eu3+ phosphors were investigated.X-ray diffraction(XRD) profiles showed that all peaks could be attributed to the tetragonal Ca2Al2SiO7 phase when the sample was annealed at 1000℃.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM) micrographs indicate that the phosphors have an irregularly rounded morphology with particles of about 200 nm.Excitation spectra showed that the strong broad band at around 258 nm and weak sharp lines in 350-490 nm were attributed to the charge transfer band of Eu3+-O2-and f-f transitions within the 4f6 configuration of Eu3+ ions,respectively.Emission spectra implied that the red luminescence could be attributed to the transitions from the 5D0 excited level to the 7FJ(J = 0,1,2,3,4) levels of Eu3+ ions with the main electric dipole transition 5D0→7F2(618 and 620 nm),and Eu3+ ions prefer to occupy a lower symmetry site in the crystal lattice.Moreover,the photoluminescence(PL) intensity was strongly dependent on both the sintering temperature and doping concentration,and the highest PL intensity was observed at an Eu3+ concentration x = 7 mol.% after annealing at 1100℃.The obtained Ca2Al2SiO7:Eu3+ phosphor may have potential application for the red lamp phosphor.     

Effect of Rolling Temperature on the Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Mg<Subscript>97</Subscript>Zn<Subscript>1</Subscript>Y<Subscript>2</Subscript> Magnesium Alloy

Mg₉₇Zn₁Y₂ magnesium alloy was hot-rolled at different temperatures from 390 to 480 °C; the effect of rolling temperature on microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Mg₉₇Zn₁Y₂ magnesium alloy was investigated using x-ray diffraction (XRD), laser optical microscopy (LOP), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and tensile test. The results showed that in the multipass process, the rolling temperature had significant effect on the microstructures and tensile properties for the hot-rolled Mg₉₇Zn₁Y alloy. As the rolling temperature was increased, the original strengthening phase-Mg₁₂YZn in as-cast Mg₉₇Zn₁Y₂ alloy experienced an evolution from dissolution to precipitation, i.e. from chain-shaped Mg₁₂YZn phase together with a little lamellar structure at 420 °C to a maximum volume fraction of lamellar structure at 450 °C, and finally to a reduced volume fraction of lamellar structure at 480 °C. For Mg₉₇Zn₁Y₂ alloy hot-rolled in the temperature range of 390-450 °C, the tensile strength was at a high level with yielded strength of about 300 MPa and ultimate strength of about 320 MPa. The highest yielded strength was 317 MPa after hot-rolling at 450 °C; the elongation was the highest up to 5.5% after hot-rolling at 420 °C.     

Effects of Vanadium Intergranular Segregation at FCC/L1<Subscript>2</Subscript> Interfaces in Ni-Al-V Alloys

A study of the interfacial properties of Ni-Al-V alloys is presented further, together with the interatomic potentials of the Ni-Al-V ternary phase system given in this paper, with the application of the Phase-field method and atomistic simulations, based on the second nearest-neighbor modified embedded-atom method (2NN MEAM) potential formalism. It is discovered that the alloy elements have different preferences of segregation or depletion at the (100) FCC/L1₂ interface (the γ-FCC-Ni(Al, V) and the L1₂-Ni₃(Al, V)) of diffusion phases. Nickel atoms segregate first and then deplete, Vanadium atoms segregate while aluminum atoms deplete at the (100) FCC/L1₂ interfaces forming new diffusion phases. Both, vanadium segregation and aluminum depletion affect the alloy’s interfacial properties which in turn, will lower the interfacial energy and increase the work of separation. The results of the Phase-field method coincide with the results of the atomistic computation based on the 2NN MEAM method. Furthermore, the applicability of the atomistic approach to an elaborate alloy design of advanced Ni-based superalloys through the investigation of the effect of alloying elements at the interfacial properties is discussed.     

The effect of boron oxide on the crystallization behavior of MgAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> spinel phase during the cooling of the CaO-SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-10 mass.% MgO-30 mass.%Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> systems

The microstructural characteristics of the CaO-SiO₂-B₂O₃-10 mass.% MgO-30 mass.% Al₂O₃ systems solidified during slow cooling from 1600 °C were investigated using SEM-EDS and a thermochemical computation package. The effect of boron oxide on the crystallization behavior of the spinel in the aluminosilicate system was observed because boron oxide is believed to become a potential flux to reduce the melting point of the liquid oxides. The primary crystalline phase was spinel, mainly MgAl₂O₄, irrespective of the boron content. The liquidus temperature T _L continuously decreased as the boron oxide content increased, indicating that the boron oxide decreased the activity of the MgAl₂O₄ spinel phase in liquid melts at high temperatures. The size of the spinel crystals increased as the temperature range for the solid + liquid coexisting region, viz. the mushy zone, increased. In the present systems, because the T _L continuously decreased with the increase in the boron oxide content, the viscosity of the liquid oxide may have affected the crystallization behavior of the spinel during cooling. Based on these results, an injection of a small amount of B₂O₃ flux into molten steel containing liquid aluminosilicate inclusions is not recommended because large spinel crystals can originate from the changes in the thermophysical properties of the liquid inclusions due to the incorporation of boron oxide into the aluminosilicate networks.     

Effects of nano-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> dispersion on thermoelectric properties of Co<Subscript>4</Subscript>Sb<Subscript>11.7</Subscript>Te<Subscript>0.3</Subscript> composites

Nano-TiO2/Co4Sb11.7Te0.3 composites were prepared by mechanical alloying (MA) and cold isostatic pressing (CIP) process.The phase composition,microstructure,and thermoelectric properties were characterized.The diffraction spectra of all samples well corresponds to CoSb3 skutterudite diffraction plane.TiO2 agglomerates into irregular clusters.They locate at the grain boundaries or some are distributed on the surface of Co4Sb11.7Te0.3 particles.For composites with high TiO2 content (0.6% and 1.0% TiO2),the phonon scattering by TiO2 particle,pores,and small size grains can result in a remarkable reduction in thermal conductivity.The maximum value of ZT is 0.79 for sample with 0.6 wt.% TiO2 at 700 K,which is 11% higher than that of non-dispersed sample.     

Effect of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Content on Electrical Breakdown Properties of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/Cu Composite

Al₂O₃/Cu composites were prepared by external addition of Al₂O₃, and the effect of Al₂O₃ content on microstructure, density, hardness, electrical conductivity and vacuum electrical breakdown properties was studied. The results show that with increasing Al₂O₃ addition, the density of Al₂O₃/Cu composite significantly decreases, the hardness sharply increases and then slowly decreases, but the electrical conductivity invariably decreases. The vacuum breakdown test shows that with increasing Al₂O₃ addition, the breakdown strength first sharply increases and then decreases when the Al₂O₃ content exceeds 1.2 wt.%; the chopping current always exhibits a decreasing trend and the arc life first increases and then decreases. According to the morphology of arc erosion and analysis, the arc erosion resistance increases and then decreases sharply. In the range of experiments, the optimal arc erosion resistance of Al₂O₃/Cu composite can be obtained with the addition of 1.2 wt.% Al₂O₃.     

Pressureless Sintering of TiB<Subscript>2</Subscript>-B<Subscript>4</Subscript>C Ceramic Matrix Composite

The effect of TiB₂ addition on sinterability and mechanical properties of B₄C material was investigated. It was found that addition of TiB₂ aids the sintering process and permits pressureless sintering at temperatures between 2050 and 2150 °C. This also alleviates grain growth during sintering. The relative density reaches 98.5% of the theoretical density by increasing the percentage of TiB₂ in the composition. The mechanical properties such as hardness, fracture toughness, and bending strength were improved remarkably by addition of TiB₂.     

Fabrication and Properties of Plasma-Sprayed Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Composite Coatings

Al₂O₃ /xZrO₂ (where x = 0, 3, 13, and 20 wt.%) composite coatings were deposited onto mild steel substrates by atmospheric plasma spraying of mixed α-Al₂O₃ and nano-sized monoclinic-ZrO₂ powders. Microstructural investigation showed that the coatings comprised well-separated Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂ lamellae, pores, and partially molten particles. The coating comprised mainly of metastable γ-Al₂O₃ and tetragonal-ZrO₂ with trace of original α-Al₂O₃ and monoclinic-ZrO₂ phases. The effect of ZrO₂ addition on the properties of coatings were investigated in terms of microhardness, fracture toughness, and wear behavior. It was found that ZrO₂ improved the fracture toughness, reduced friction coefficient, and wear rate of the coatings.     

Electrothermopolarization influence upon the structure and properties of a composition on the basis of polyethylene and Co(AlO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The influence of electrothermopolarization on the structure and properties (electret, strength) of a composition on the basis of polyethylene and a low-molecular dye Co(AlO₂)₂ was investigated. It was experimentally established that the additive Co(AlO₂)₂ changes the polyethylene structure. As a result, the electret properties of the composition change. Correlation of the strength properties with the changes of the degree of the crystallinity of the polyethylene was observed.     

Microstructural and electrochemical properties of Ti-doped Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> coated LiCoO<Subscript>2</Subscript> films

We studied the microstructural and electrochemical properties of Ti-doped Al₂O₃ (Ti-Al₂O₃) coated LiCoO₂ thin films depending on the Ti composition. The 1.27 at.% Ti-Al₂O₃ coated films had an amorphous structure with better conductivity than that of pure Al₂O₃ films. The Ti-Al₂O₃ coating layer effectively suppressed the dissolution of Co and the formation of lower Li conductivity SEI films at the interface between the LiCoO₂ film and electrolyte. The Ti-Al₂O₃ coating improved the cycling performance and capacity retention at high voltage (4.5 V) of the LiCoO₂ films. The Ti-Al₂O₃ coated LiCoO₂ films showed better electrochemical properties than did the pure Al₂O₃ coated LiCoO₂ films. These results were closely related to the enhanced Li-conductivity and interfacial quality of the Ti-Al₂O₃ film.     

Microstructures of Ti<Subscript>50</Subscript>Al<Subscript>45</Subscript>Mo<Subscript>5</Subscript> alloy powders produced by plasma rotating electrode process

Microstructures of Ti₅₀Al₄₅Mo₅ (at.%) alloy powders produced by the plasma rotating electrode process (PREP) were investigated. The powders have inhomogeneous structures, which consist of dendrites and rounded grains. The dendrites, which show a “rosettelike” morphology, are formed on the powder surface and around the rounded grains. The rosettelike dendrites are of hexagonal α ₂ (D0₁₉) phase even though the dendrites have an equiaxial morphology, and a small amount of β ₂ (B2) phase is also contained inside. It is suggested that the solidification to α (hcp-A3) phase occurred by the peritectic reaction between the primary β (bcc-A2) dendrites and the liquid: L+β→L+β+α. The rounded grains, on the other hand, are of β ₂ phase in which acicular α or α ₂ laths are precipitated with the Burgers orientation relationship. Antiphase domain boundaries in the β ₂ matrix are intersected by α(α ₂) laths. It is interpreted that the α(α ₂) laths were formed by the solid-state transformations: β ₂→β ₂+α→β ₂+α ₂. The formation of the two different microstructures in the powder particles is rationalized in terms of the changes in local composition of the liquid phase during the rapid solidification process.     

Formation of the nanocrystalline structure in the Ti<Subscript>50</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>25</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>25</Subscript> shape-memory alloy under severe thermomechanical treatment

Results of comparative studies of the structure of the cast martensitic Ti₅₀Ni₂₅Cu₂₅ alloy in the initial state, after severe plastic deformation by high-pressure torsion (HPT), and after subsequent annealing are presented. The studies have been performed by X-ray diffraction, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and measurements of electrical properties. It has been established that the alloy undergoes almost complete amorphization after torsion using 5 and 10 rev of anvils under a pressure of 7 GPa. This result can be explained by the large value of shear deformation (true strain from 6 to 7 units) and the retention of an extremely large quantity of highly dispersed (less than 3–4 nm in size) nanocrystals with a distorted B2 lattice in the amorphous matrix even at room temperature. Their determining role as nuclei of crystallization ensures the total process of low-temperature nanocrystallization upon subsequent annealing, beginning from 250–300°C. It is shown that the annealing of the alloy amorphized during HPT makes it possible to produce extremely uniform nanocrystalline (NC), submicrocrystalline (SMC), or bimodal (NC + SMC) structures of B2 austenite. For the first time, a complete diagram of thermoelastic martensitic transformations in the field of B2-austenite states, from nanostructured to usual polycrystalline, has been constructed for the Ti₅₀Ni₂₅Cu₂₅ alloy. The size effect of stabilization of the martensite transformation has been found in the nanocrystalline B2 alloy.     

Effect of ion irradiation on the nanocrystallization and magnetic properties of soft magnetic Fe7<Subscript>2.5</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>1</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>Mo<Subscript>1.5</Subscript>Si<Subscript>14</Subscript>B<Subscript>9</Subscript> alloy

The effect of accelerated Ar⁺ ions on the crystallization process and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline Fe_72.5Cu₁Nb₂Mo_1.5Si₁₄B₉ alloy has been studied using X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, thermomagnetic analysis, and other magnetic methods. Irradiation by Ar⁺ ions with an energy of 30 keV and a fluence of 3.75 × 10¹⁵ cm^–2 at short-term heating to a temperature of 620 K (which is 150 K below the thermal threshold of crystallization) leads to the complete crystallization of amorphous alloy, which is accompanied by the precipitation of the α-Fe(Si) solid solution crystals (close in composition to Fe₈₀Si₂₀), Fe₃Si stable phase, and metastable hexagonal phases. The crystallization caused by irradiation leads to an increase in the grain size and changes the morphology of grain boundaries and volume fraction of crystalline phases, which is accompanied by changes in the magnetic properties.     

Effect of Nano-Si<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript> Additives and Plasma Treatment on the Dry Sliding Wear Behavior of Plasma Sprayed Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-8YSZ Ceramic Coatings

In this paper, the effect of nano-Si₃N₄ additives and plasma treatment on the wear behavior of Al₂O₃-8YSZ ceramic coatings was studied. Nano-Al₂O₃, nano-8YSZ (8 wt.% Y₂O₃-stabilized ZrO₂) and nano-Si₃N₄ powders were used as raw materials to fabricate four types of sprayable feedstocks. Plasma treatment was used to improve the properties of the feedstocks. The surface morphologies of the ceramic coatings were observed. The mechanical properties of the ceramic coatings were measured. The dry sliding wear behavior of the Al₂O₃-8YSZ coatings with and without Si₃N₄ additives was studied. Nano-Si₃N₄ additives and plasma treatment can improve the morphologies of the coatings by prohibiting the initiation of micro-cracks and reducing the unmelted particles. The hardness and bonding strength of AZSP (Al₂O₃-18 wt.% 8YSZ-10 wt.% Si₃N₄-plasma treatment) coating increased by 79.2 and 44% compared to those of AZ (Al₂O₃-20 wt.% 8YSZ) coating. The porosity of AZSP coating decreased by 85.4% compared to that of AZ coating. The wear test results showed that the addition of nano-Si₃N₄ and plasma treatment could improve the wear resistance of Al₂O₃-8YSZ coatings.     

Enhancement of room-temperature magnetoresistance in La<Subscript>0.6</Subscript>Dy<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.3</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/Ag<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>

The samples of La0.6Dy0.1Sr0.3MnO3/(Ag2O)x/2(x = 0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.10, 0.20, 0.25, and 0.30) were prepared by using the solid-state reaction method.Their magnetic property, transport behavior, transport mechanism and magnetoresistance effect were studied through the measurements of magnetization-temperature(M-T) curves, ρ-T curves and the fitting of ρ-T curves.The results indicated that Ag could take part in the reaction when the doping amount is small.However, when the doping amount is compar...     

Processing and Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber-ZnFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> Nanocomposites

We present preliminary results concerning natural rubber reinforced with nanometric ZnFe₂O₄ obtained from an industrial solid waste. The study investigate the influence of these nanometric ceramic particles on the processing as well as the mechanical properties of the obtained rubber composite, opening the possibility of partial replacement of carbon black and exposing a new potential composite material. The hardness of unfilled and reinforced rubber increased as nanometric ZnFe₂O₄ was increased. Besides, tensile properties of the reinforced rubber were measured, observing once again that as the amount of nanometric ZnFe₂O₄ particles was increased, ultimate strength improved from 2.5 MPa to almost 20 MPa.     

Fabrication of Ti<Subscript>3</Subscript>AlC<Subscript>2</Subscript> ceramic material by mechanical alloying

Ti₃AlC₂ has the properties of ceramics and metals. These excellent properties indicate that Ti₃AlC₂ is a very promising material to extensive applications. Ti₃AlC₂ ceramic material was prepared by mechanical alloying. The effects of milling time and sintering temperature on the fracture, microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti₃AlC₂ ceramic material were analyzed by laser particle analyzer, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The experimental results showed that Ti₃AlC₂ had the best comprehensive properties after the composite powder was milled for 3 h and sintered at 1630°C for 2 h. The relative density, bending strength, and hardness of the sample reached 92.23%, 345.2 MPa, and HRA 34.1, respectively. The fracture surface indicated that the fracture of the material belonged to ductile rapture.