Thermal conductivity of AlN ceramics sintered with CaF2 and YF3

Dense AlN ceramics with a thermal conductivity of 180W/m·K were obtained at the sintering temperature of 1750 °C using CaF₂ and YF₃ as additives. At temperatures below 1650 °C, the shrinkage of AlN ceramics is promoted by liquid (Ca,Y)F₂ and Ca₁₂Al₁₄O₃₂F₂. Liquid CaYAlO₄ mainly improves the densification of the sample when the sintering temperature increases to 1750 °C. The formation of liquid (Ca,Y)F₂ at a relatively low temperature results in homogeneous YF₃ distribution around the AlN particles, which benefits the removal of oxygen impurity in the AlN lattice, and thus a higher thermal conductivity.     

Sintering and dielectric properties of Cu2Ta4O12 ceramics

In this work, Cu₂Ta₄O₁₂ ceramic was investigated as a promising, lead-free, nonferroelectric material with high dielectric permittivity. The results of impedance spectroscopy studies carried out at frequencies 10 Hz to 2 MHz over a wide temperature range from −55 to 700 °C were analyzed in the impedance, dielectric permittivity and electric modulus formalisms. In complex impedance plots two distinct arcs were distinguished, ascribed to the semiconducting grains and to the insulating grain boundaries. Cu₂Ta₄O₁₂ ceramic was found to exhibit a high dielectric permittivity exceeding 10,000 at low frequencies in the temperature range 150–740 °C. High permittivity of this material was attributed to the formation of internal (grain boundary) barrier layer capacitors. The influence of sintering conditions on microstructure, composition and dielectric properties of Cu₂Ta₄O₁₂ ceramics was also studied.     

Sintering behavior and microwave dielectric properties of Bi2O3–ZnO–Nb2O5-based ceramics sintered under air and N2 atmosphere

The sintering behavior and dielectric properties of the monoclinic zirconolite-like structure compound Bi₂(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)₂O₇ (BZN) and Bi₂(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3−xV_x)₂O₇ (BZNV, x = 0.001) sintered under air and N₂ atmosphere were investigated. The pure phase were obtained between 810 and 990 °C both for BZN and BZNV ceramics. The substitution of V₂O₅ and N₂ atmosphere accelerated the densification of ceramics slightly. The influences on microwave dielectric properties from different atmosphere were discussed in this work. The best microwave properties of BZN ceramics were obtained at 900 °C under N₂ atmosphere with _r = 76.1, Q = 850 and Q_f = 3260 GHz while the best properties of BZNV ceramics were got at 930 °C under air atmosphere with _r = 76.7, Q = 890 and Q_f = 3580 GHz. The temperature coefficient of resonant frequency τ_f was not obviously influenced by the different atmospheres. For BZN ceramics the τ_f was −79.8 ppm/°C while τ_f is −87.5 ppm/°C for BZNV ceramics.     

The reaction sequence and dielectric properties of BaSm2Ti4O12 ceramics

To establish the correct reaction sequence of BaO–Sm₂O₃–4TiO₂, phases present in different calcining temperatures are identified by X-ray diffraction patterns. When different calcining temperatures are used, the source phase BaO (BaCO₃) consumes below 850°C, the source phases TiO₂ and Sm₂O₃ consume at 1000 and 1150°C; the intermediate phases BaTiO₃, BaTi₄O₉, and Sm₂Ti₂O₇ consume at 1050, 1200, and 1250°C, respectively. The BaSm₂Ti₄O₁₂ phase starts to reveal at the 1100°C-calcined powder. The integrating intensity of BaSm₂Ti₄O₁₂ phase increases with the raising of calcining temperatures, accompanying with the decrease of integrating intensities of the source and intermediate phases. As the sintering temperature increases, the densities, quality values, and dielectric constants of BaSm₂Ti₄O₁₂ ceramics increase and saturate at 1325^oC. The BaSm₂Ti₄O₁₂ ceramics sintered at 1325°C have the properties of Q^*f=5180,_r=81.8, and τ_f=−19.2 ppm/°C.     

Effect of glass additions on the sintering and microwave properties of composite dielectric ceramics based on BaO–Ln2O3–TiO2 (Ln = Nd, La)

Ten weight percent BBZS (Bi₂O₃, B₂O₃, ZnO and SiO₂) glass was added to x(Ba₄Nd_9.333Ti₁₈O₅₄) − (1 − x)(BaLa₄Ti₄O₁₅) (BNLT, 0 ≤ x ≤ 1) composite dielectric ceramics to lower their sintering temperature whilst retaining microwave properties useful for low temperature co-fired ceramic and antenna core technology. With the addition of 10 wt% BBZS glass, dense BNLT composite ceramics were produced at temperatures between 950 and 1140 °C, depending on composition (x), an average reduction of sintering temperature by 350 °C. X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy studies revealed that there was limited inter-reaction between BLT/BNT and the BBZS glass. Microwave property measurement showed that the addition of BBZS glass to BNLT ceramics had a negligible effect on _r and τ_f, although deterioration in the measured quality factor (Qf) was observed. The optimised composition (xBNT − (1 − x)BLT)/0.1BBZS (x = 0.75) had _r  61, τ_f  38 ppm/°C and Qf  2305 GHz.     

Piezoelectric properties of Pb(Mn1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbZrO3–PbTiO3 ceramics with sintering aid of 2CaO–Fe2O3 compound

Since the electromechanical devices move towards enhanced power density, high mechanical quality factor (Q_m) and electromechanical coupling factor (k_p) are commonly needed for the high powered piezoelectric transformer with Q_m≥2000 and k_p=0.60. Although Pb(Mn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–PbZrO₃–PbTiO₃ (PMnN–PZ–PT) ceramic system has potential for piezoelectric transformer application, further improvements of Q_m and k_p are needed. Addition of 2CaO–Fe₂O₃ has been proved to have many beneficial effects on Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ ceramics. Therefore, 2CaO–Fe₂O₃ is used as additive in order to improve the piezoelectric properties in this study. The piezoelectric properties, density and microstructures of 0.07Pb(Mn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–0.468PbZrO₃–0.462PbTiO₃ (PMnN–PZ–PT) piezoelectric ceramics with 2CaO–Fe₂O₃ additive sintered at 1100 and 1250 °C have been studied. When sintering temperature is 1250 °C, Q_m has the maximum 2150 with 0.3 wt.% 2CaO–Fe₂O₃ addition. The k_p more than 0.6 is observed for samples sintered at 1100 °C. The addition of 2CaO–Fe₂O₃ can significantly enhance the densification of PMnN–PZ–PT ceramics when the sintering temperature is 1250 °C. The grain growth occurred with the amount of 2CaO–Fe₂O₃ at both sintering temperatures.     

Improvement of response characteristics of TiO2 humidity sensors by simultaneous addition of Li2O and V2O5

Porous TiO₂ ceramics were prepared by adding various amounts of Li₂O and V₂O₅ and the humidity sensitivity of the resulting ceramics was investigated by means of electrical measurements, scanning electron microscopy and mercury intrusion porosimetry. Simultaneous addition of Li₂O and V₂O₅ to TiO₂ enabled sintering at temperatures as low as 700 °C and also decreased the impedance of the ceramics. Furthermore, in the ceramics including these additives simultaneously, excellent humidity sensitivity as well as good response characteristics were observed. The microstructures of these ceramics depended on the firing temperature and the amount and ratio of Li₂O/V₂O₅, and optimum humidity sensitivity was observed for the sample including both 0.25 mol% Li₂O and 0.75 mol% V₂O₅ fired at 700 °C. These results indicated that the humidity sensitivity and its response characteristics were closely related to the microstructure, and that improving the uniformity of microstructure is important for improving humidity sensitivity and its response characteristics.     

Crystalline structure and electrical properties of YCuxMn1–xO3 solid solutions

Solid solutions belonging to the Mn-rich region of the YCu_xMn_1–xO₃ system have been studied. The powders were prepared by solid-state reaction between the corresponding oxides. Sintered ceramics were obtained by firing at 1100–1325 °C. The incorporation of 30 at.% Cu to the yttrium manganite induces the formation of a perovskite-type phase, with orthorhombic symmetry. Increase of the Cu amount do not appreciably affects the orthorhombicity factor b/a, up to an amount of 50 at.% Cu. Above this Cu amount, a multiphase system has been observed, with the presence of unreacted-Y₂O₃, YMnO₃ and Y₂Cu₂O₅, along with a perovskite phase. DC electrical conductivity measurements have shown a semiconducting behaviour for all the solid solutions with perovskite-type structure. The room temperature conductivity increases with Cu until 33 at.% Cu, and then decreases. Thermally activated small polaron hopping mechanism, between Mn³⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ cations, controls the conductivity in these ceramics. Results are discussed as a function of the Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ ratio for each composition.     

Effect of sintering and poling conditions on the properties of 0·125Pb (Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3−0.875Pb(Zr0·5Ti0·5)O3 ceramics doped with 4PbO. B2O3

The influence of sintering and poling conditions on dielectric properties and microstructures of the system 0·125Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃−0·875Pb (Zr_0·5Ti_0·5)O₃ was investigated. Specimens were prepared by the conventional mixed-oxide technique. On account of eliminating the pyrochlore phase and lowering the sintering temperature, the calcined 0·125PZT−0·875PMN ceramic was doped with 4PbO.B₂O₃ glass powder. The 4PbO.B₂O₃ glass frit not only has a low flow temperature, but also a high polarizability. Additions of 4PbO.B₂O₃ to the perovskite 0·125PMN–0·875PZT solid solution will form a liquid phase, which served as a densification aid for the ceramics. With additions of 0·2 wt% glass frit, densities in excess of 98% of theoretical were obtained after sintering at 115°C. By variation of the fabrication processes, the influence of sintering and poling conditions on the properties of the ceramics was studied.     

Electrical properties of (Bi2O3)0.75(RE2O3)0.25 ceramics (RE=Dy, Y, Ho, Er and Yb)

Five kinds of rare earth stabilized bismuth oxide ceramics, (Bi₂O₃)_0.75(RE₂O₃)_0.25 (RE=Dy, Y, Ho, Er and Yb), were synthesized by sintering a mixture of Bi₂O₃ and RE₂O₃ at 900–1100 °C and their electrical properties were investigated. The bulk density and the lattice constant linearly increased with an increase in the atomic weight of RE and the ionic radius of RE³⁺, respectively. The electrical conductivity at 300 °C slightly increased with the increasing ionic radius of RE³⁺, while at 500 and 700 °C, it was constant regardless of the ionic radius of RE³⁺. The migration activation energy and the association activation energy showed a maximum value and a minimum value at RE=Er, respectively.     

Preparation and characterization of LaCrO3 and Cr2O3 methane combustion catalysts supported on LaAl11O18- and Al2O3-coated monoliths

A series of LaAl₁₁O₁₈- and Al₂O₃-supported LaCrO₃ and Cr₂O₃ combustion catalysts was prepared. Different active phase–support combinations were prepared and applied to cordierite monoliths. The washcoat materials were aged in flowing humid air at temperatures between 1100°C and 1400°C, after which they were characterized by BET, XRD, TPR, and EDS. The monolith catalysts were evaluated in methane combustion. The presence of an active phase retarded sintering of the Al₂O₃ support, whereas the active phase slightly decreased the thermal stability of LaAl₁₁O₁₈. X-ray measurements revealed extensive interaction between support and active phase in the washcoat materials. A substituted perovskite, LaCr_1−xAl_xO₃, is proposed to be formed in nearly all samples containing both lanthanum and chromium. The accessibility of chromium decreased rapidly after aging. The activities of the Al₂O₃-supported catalysts were higher than of those supported on LaAl₁₁O₁₈, which was related to the higher surface area of the former.     

Yb2O3 and Y2O3 co-doped zirconia ceramics

A suspension stabilizer-coating technique was employed to prepare x mol% Yb₂O₃ (x = 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0) and 1.0 mol% Y₂O₃ co-doped ZrO₂ powder. A systematic study was conducted on the sintering behaviour, phase assemblage, microstructural development and mechanical properties of Yb₂O₃ and Y₂O₃ co-doped zirconia ceramics. Fully dense ZrO₂ ceramics were obtained by means of pressureless sintering in air for 1 h at 1450 °C. The phase composition of the ceramics could be controlled by tuning the Yb₂O₃ content and the sintering parameters. Polycrystalline tetragonal ZrO₂ (TZP) and fully stabilised cubic ZrO₂ (FSZ) were achieved in the 1.0 mol% Y₂O₃ stabilised ceramic, co-doped with 1.0 mol% Yb₂O₃ and 4.0 mol% Yb₂O₃, respectively. The amount of stabilizer needed to form cubic ZrO₂ phase in the Yb₂O₃ and Y₂O₃ co-doped ZrO₂ ceramics was lower than that of single phase Y₂O₃-doped materials. The indentation fracture toughness could be tailored up to 8.5 MPa m^1/2 in combination with a hardness of 12 GPa by sintering a 1.0 mol% Yb₂O₃ and 1.0 mol% Y₂O₃ ceramic at 1450 °C for 1 h.     

Ni catalysts from NiAl2O4 spinel for CO2 reforming of methane

A series of mixed oxides close to NiAl₂O₄ was obtained by a sol–gel like method (propionic acid). The characterization of the different structures was made by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM). For the stoichiometric ratio of Ni to Al exactly equal to 0.5, homogeneous crystalline spinel phase was formed for a temperature of calcination equal or higher than 725 °C. A solid solution was obtained for a Ni/Al ratio lower than 0.5. The spinel structure is non-tolerant concerning a change of nickel to aluminum ratio higher than 0.5: an excess of nickel gives large particles of NiO on spinel phase. Comparative reduction and dry reforming of these oxides was made to control the formation of Ni and its sintering for applications in methane dry reforming. Preliminary reactivity results in dry reforming of methane are given.     

Synthesis, densification and electrical properties of strontium cerate ceramics

Powders of pure and 5% ytterbium substituted strontium cerate (SrCeO₃/SrCe_0.95Yb_0.05O_3−δ) were prepared by spray pyrolysis of nitrate salt solutions. The powders were single phase after calcination in nitrogen atmosphere at 1100 °C (SrCeO₃) and 1200 °C (SrCe_0.95Yb_0.05O_3−δ). Dense SrCeO₃ and SrCe_0.95Yb_0.05O_3−δ materials were obtained by sintering at 1350–1400 °C in air. Heat treatment at 850 and 1000 °C, respectively, was necessary prior to sintering to obtain high density. The dense materials had homogenous microstructures with grain size in the range 6–10 μm for SrCeO₃ and 1–2 μm for SrCe_0.95Yb_0.05O_3−δ. The electrical conductivity of SrCe_0.95Yb_0.05O_3−δ was in good agreement with reported data, showing mixed ionic–electronic conduction. The ionic contribution was dominated by protons below 1000 °C and the proton conductivity reached a maximum of 0.005 S/cm above 900 °C. In oxidizing atmosphere the p-type electronic conduction was dominating above 700 °C, while the contribution from n-type electronic conduction only was significant above 1000 °C in reducing atmosphere.     

Enhanced high-potential and elevated-temperature cycling stability of LiMn2O4 cathode by TiO2 modification for Li-ion battery

The surface of spinel LiMn₂O₄ was modified with TiO₂ by a simple sol–gel method to improve its electrochemical performance at elevated temperatures and higher working potentials. Compared with pristine LiMn₂O₄, surface-modification improved the cycling stability of the material. The capacity retention of TiO₂-modified LiMn₂O₄ was more than 85% after 60 cycles at high potential cycles between 3.0 and 4.8 V at room temperature and near to 90% after 30 cycles at elevated temperature of 55 °C at 1C charge–discharge rate. SEM studies shows that the surface morphology of TiO₂-modified LiMn₂O₄ was different from that of pristine LiMn₂O₄. Powder X-ray diffraction indicated that spinel was the only detected phase in TiO₂-modified LiMn₂O₄. Introduction of Ti into LiMn₂O₄ changed the electronic structures of the particle surface. Therefore a surface solid compound of LiTi_xMn_2−xO₄ may be formed on LiMn₂O₄. The improved electrochemical performance of surface-modified LiMn₂O₄ was attributed to the improved stability of crystalline structure and the higher Li⁺ conductivity.     

Formation of Y3Al5O12–Al2O3 eutectic microstructure with off-eutectic composition

Homogeneous-eutectic microstructure of Y₃Al₅O₁₂–Al₂O₃ system without coarse primary crystals was formed at an off-eutectic composition. This method utilizes a low migration rate in an amorphous phase. A mixture of Y₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ having the off-eutectic composition was melted and quenched rapidly to form an amorphous phase. A heat-treatment of the amorphous phase at 1000 °C and 1300 °C for 30 min formed Y₃Al₅O₁₂ and Al₂O₃ phases. SEM observation of this material, which was formed from the amorphous phase at 1300 °C for 30 min, showed homogeneous eutectic-like microstructure. The formation of the primary crystals (coarse Al₂O₃), which are always observed in the off-eutectic compositions by ordinary method, was completely suppressed.     

Grain growth in TiO2-added ZnO–Bi2O3–CoO–MnO ceramics prepared by chemical processing

The effect of TiO₂ on the grain growth of the ZnO–Bi₂O₃–CoO–MnO ceramic system prepared by chemical coprecipitation, was studied between 1150 and 1300 °C in air. Bi₂O₃ melts during firing, and then TiO₂ dissolves into Bi₂O₃-rich liquid. TiO₂ initially reacts with Bi₂O₃ to form Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂. Above ≈1050 °C, Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ reacts with ZnO to form Zn₂TiO₄ spinel phase. The kinetic study of grain growth carried out using the expression Gⁿ–G_oⁿ=K_o·t·exp(−Q/RT) gave grain exponent (n) value as 6 and the apparent activation energy (Q) as 226.46 kJ/mol. 1.00 mol% TiO₂ addition increased the grain growth exponent value from 6 to 7 and apparent activation energy with 1.00 mol% TiO₂ addition was found to be 197.10 kJ/mol. The ZnO grain size gradually increases with increasing TiO₂ content. Addition of TiO₂ may increase the reactivity of the Bi₂O₃-rich liquid towards the ZnO grain, thus affecting the ZnO grain growth.     

Reduction of LaMnO3. Structural features of phases La8Mn8O23 and La4Mn4O11

Two new phases with ordered anion vacancies, La₈Mn₈O₂₃ and La₄Mn₄O₁₁, both having the general formula A_nB_nO_3n·1, form during the reduction of perovskites of the type LaMnO_3.07. The solid LaMnO_3.07, obtained in air at 1100°C and subsequently reduced in flowing carbon monoxide at 350°C, gives the stoichiometric perovskite LaMnO_3.00, whose reduction starts at 420°C and is completed at 450°C with formation of the phase La₈Mn₈O₂₃. The second reduction stage starts at approximately 500°C and is completed at 520°C with formation of La₄Mn₄O₁₁. The solids in the range of composition LaMnO_3.00-La₈Mn₈O₂₃ and La₈Mn₈O₂₃-La₄Mn₄O₁₁ would seem by X-ray examination to be biphasic but the behaviour during reduction is typical of a monophasic substance, the oxygen pressure of which at constant temperature progressively decreases as the composition tends to the limiting values La₈Mn₈O₂₃ and La₄Mn₄O₁₁. The crystal lattice of La₈Mn₈O₂₃ can be considered as resulting from a sequence of seven octahedral sheets, MnO₆, alternated with tetrahedral sheets, MnO₄, and the crystal lattice of La₄Mn₄O₁₁ from a sequence of three MnO₆ sheets alternating with MnO₄ sheets.     

Thermoelectric characterization of NaxMx/2Ti1−x/2O2 (M=Co, Ni and Fe) polycrystalline materials

Layered -titanate materials, Na_xM_x/2Ti_1−x/2O₂ (M=Co, Ni and Fe, x=0.2–0.4), were synthesized by flux reactions, and electrical properties of polycrystalline products were measured at 300–800 °C. After sintering at 1250 °C in Ar, all products show n-type thermoelectric behavior. The values of both d.c. conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of polycrystalline Na_0.4Ni_0.2Ti_0.8O₂ were ca. 7×10³ S/m and ca. −193 μV/K around 700 °C, respectively. The measured thermal conductivity of layered -titanate materials has lower value than conductive oxide materials. It was ca. 1.5 Wm⁻¹ K⁻¹ at 800 °C. The estimated thermoelectric figure-of-merit, Z, of Na_0.4Ni_0.2Ti_0.8O₂ and Na_0.4Co_0.2Ti_0.8O₂ was about 1.9×10⁻⁴ and 1.2×10⁻⁴ K⁻¹ around 700 °C, respectively.     

Oxidation behavior of hot-pressed Si3N4 with Re2O3 (Re=Y, Yb, Er, La)

Four different β-Si₃N₄ ceramics with silicon oxynitrides [Y₁₀(SiO₄)₆N₂, Yb₄Si₂N₂O₇, Er₂Si₃N₄O₃, and La₁₀(SiO₄)₆N₂, respectively] as secondary phases have been fabricated by hot-pressing the Si₃N₄–Re₄Si₂N₂O₇ (Re=Y, Yb, Er, and La) compositions at 1820°C for 2 h under a pressure of 25 MPa. The oxidation behavior of the hot-pressed ceramics was characterized and compared with that of the ceramics fabricated from Si₃N₄–Re₂Si₂O₇ compositions. All Si₃N₄ ceramics investigated herein showed a parabolic weight gain with oxidation time at 1400°C and the oxidation products of the ceramics were SiO₂ and Re₂Si₂O₇. The Si₃N₄–Re₄Si₂N₂O₇ compositions showed inferior oxidation resistance to those from Si₃N₄–Re₂Si₂O₇ compositions, owing to the incompatibility of the secondary phases of those ceramics with SiO₂, the oxidation product of Si₃N₄. Si₃N₄ ceramics from a Si₃N₄–Er₄Si ₂N₂O₇ composition showed the best oxidation resistance of 0·198 mg cm⁻² after oxidation at 1400°C for 192 h in air among the compositions investigated herein.