Phase equilibria in Nb-Y-Si ternary system at 873 K

The isothermal section of the Nb-Y-Si ternary system at 873 K was investigated over the whole concentration range mainly by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive analysis (EDX). This isothermal section consisted of 10 single-phase regions, 17 two-phase regions, and 8 three-phase regions. The existence of the binary compounds, i.e., Y 5 Si 3 , Y 5 Si 4 , YSi, Y 3 Si 5 , YSi 2 , Nb 5 Si 3 and NbSi 2 at 873 K was confirmed. On the basis of XRD patterns, the structure types of Y 5 Si 4 , Y 3 Si 5 and YSi 2 were discussed. No ternary compound and no detectable solid solubility in the binary compounds were found.     

Phase diagram of Er-Sn-Te system for diluted magnetic semiconductor developments

Phase diagrams of the RE (rare earth)-IV-VI systems are very important for the design of rare earth doped diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMSs), but related information is very limited. In this work, ...     

Effect of rare earth alloying on creep rupture of economical 21Cr-11Ni-N heat-resistant austenitic steel at 650 ℃

The effect of rare earth(RE) on creep rupture of economical 21Cr-11Ni-N heat-resistant austenitic steel was investigated at 650 °C under different stress levels. It was found that RE could increase the time to creep rupture, especially at long-term creep duration. The logarithm of the time to creep rupture(lgtr) was a linear function of the applied stress(σ). RE addition was favorable to generating a high fraction of low-coincidence site lattice(CSL) boundaries which was a possible cause for improving the creep rupture resistance. The fracture surface of RE-added steel exhibited less intergranular cracks suggesting the alteration on the nature of grain boundaries due to the presence of RE. RE addition changed the morphology of the intergranular chromium carbides from continuous network shape to fragmentary distribution which was another cause for longer creep duration. These results strongly suggested that the effect of RE alloying played a crucial role in improving the creep rupture resistance.     

Stable icosahedral phase in Mg_（44）Zn_（44）Gd_（12） alloy

The microstructure of the as-cast Mg 44 Zn 44 Gd 12 alloy was investigated by using X-ray diffraction(XRD),differentical scanning(DSC),scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and a detailed transmission electron microscope.The XRD,DSC and SEM results indicated that the as-cast Mg 44 Zn 44 Gd 12 alloy were mainly composed of three types of phases:the primary solidification phase,the dendritic phase and the eutectic phase.The primary solidification phase had an icosahedral structure.The dendritic phase was the W-phase,and eutectic structure phase was the Mg 7 Zn 3 phase.Microstructures of icosahedral phase(I-phase),W-phase and Mg 7 Zn 3 phase in Mg 44 Zn 44 Gd 12 alloy were investigated.The results indicated that the I-phase in Mg 44 Zn 44 Gd 12 alloy was a face-centered icosahedral quasicrystal with stoichiometric composition of Mg 42 Zn 50 Gd 8 which had an excellent thermal stability up to 420 °C.The solid solution of the Gd gradually decreased during solidification,which played an important role in activating the formation of Mg 7 Zn 3 phase and W-phase from icosahedral phases.     

Isothermal section of Gd-Sm-Co ternary system at 773 K

The isothermal section of the phase diagram of the Gd-Sm-Co ternary system at 773K was investigated by X-ray powder diffraction(XRD),differential thermal analysis(DTA),optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) techniques.The result shows that the isothermal section consists of 12 single-phase regions,16 two-phase regions and 5 three-phase regions.Five pairs of corresponding compounds of Gd-Co and Sm-Co systems,i.e.,Gd2Co17 and Sm2Co17,Gd2Co7 and Sm2Co7,GdCo3 and SmCo3,GdCo2 and SmCo2,Gd3Co and SmCo form continuous series of solid solutions.The maximum solid solubility of Sm in Gd 4Co3 and Gd12Co7 were about 7.2 at.% and 47.8 at.% Sm,respectively.The maximum solid solubility of Gd in Sm5Co19 and Sm5Co2 were about 4.7 at.% and 7.6 at.% Gd,respectively.The binary compounds Sm9Co4,GdCo5 and SmCo5 were not observed at 773K.No ternary compound was found.     

Photoluminescence enhancement of YAG：Ce~（3＋） phosphor prepared by co-precipitation-rheological phase method

YAG:Ce3+ phosphor was prepared by a novel co-precipitation-rheological phase method.The resulting YAG:Ce3+ phosphor was characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and photoluminescent emission spectra.By using acetic acid as solvent,YAG:Ce3+ powder with small particle size(≤2 μm) was obtained at a relatively lower sintering temperature of 1400 oC.With the content of acetic acid increasing,small particles dissolved and disappeared,but larger particles grew up and changed its shape from spherical to partially rectangular.Meanwhile,the emission intensity of the sample prepared by co-precipitation-rheological phase method was about 43% higher than that of the sample prepared by co-precipitation method.It was assumed that the significant improvement of luminescence was mainly because the rheological phase presented a better diffusion environment,and therefore,a better homogeneity of activators of Ce3+.     

Isothermal section of Nd-Zr-Si ternary system at 773 K

Phase diagram is an important basis for materials research and materials application.The phase relations of the Nd-Zr-Si ternary system at 773 K were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction analysis,metallographic analysis and scanning electron microscopy with en-ergy dispersive analysis.The isothermal section of the phase diagram of the Nd-Zr-Si ternary system at 773 K was determined.The isother-mal section of the system consisted of 13 single-phase regions,23 two-phase regions and 11 three-phase regions.The homogeneity range of α-NdSix was from 63 at.% to 66 at.% Si(with x=1.70-1.94).The maximum solid solubilities of Nd in Zr-Si binary compounds and Zr in the Nd-Si binary compounds were observed less than 1 at.% at 773 K.     

Spectroscopic investigations on the effect of humic acid on the formation and solubility of secondary solid phases of Ln_2（CO_3）_3

The formation of secondary Ln(III) solid phases (e.g., Nd2(CO3)3 and Sm2(CO3)3) was studied as a function of the humic acid concentration in 0.1 mol/L NaClO4 aqueous solution in the neutral pH range (5-6.5). The solid phases under investigation were prepared by alkaline precipitation under 100% CO2 atmosphere and characterized by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS), diffuse reflectance ultraviolet-visible (DR-UV-Vis), Raman spectroscopy, and solubility measurements. The spectroscopic data obtained indicated that Nd2(CO3)3 and Sm2(CO3)3 were stable and remained the solubility limiting solid phases even in the presence of increased humic acid concentration (0.5 g/L) in solution. Upon base addition in the Ln(III)-HA system, decomplexation of the previously formed Ln(III)-humate complexes and precipitation of two distinct phases occurred, the inorganic (Ln2(CO3)3) and the organic phase (HA), which was adsorbed on the particle surface of the former. Nevertheless, humic acid affected the particle size of the solid phases. Increasing humic acid concentration resulted in decreasing crystallite size of the Nd2(CO3)3 and increasing crystallite size of the Sm2(CO3)3 solid phase, and affected inversely the solubility of the solid phases. However, this impact on the solid phase properties was expected to be of minor relevance regarding the chemical behavior and migration of trivalent lanthanides and actinides in the geosphere.     

Microstructure evolutions of Mg-8Gd-2Er （wt.%） alloy during isothermal ageing at 200 ℃

The precipitation of the Mg-8Gd-2Er(wt.%) alloy at 200 oC was investigated by transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and X-ray diffraction(XRD).The precipitation sequence was described as supersaturated solid solution(S.S.S.S.,cph)→β’’(D019)→β’(bco)→β-phase(fcc),which was different from previously reported four stages sequence:(S.S.S.S.,cph)→β’’(D019)→β’(bco)→β1(fcc)→β-phase(fcc).The morphologies and crystal structures of both β’’ and β’ precipitates in the alloy were studied in the present investigation.The orientation re-lationship between the precipitate phases and the α-matrix was observed.The ultimate tensile strength(UTS) and tensile yield strength(TYS) of the as-cast alloy were 189 and 110 MPa,respectively,and the UTS and the YTS were improved greatly after ageing treatment.The values of UTS and YTS after peak ageing process were 308 and 246 MPa,respectively.The improved mechanical properties were mainly ascribed to the formation of β’ phase.The age hardening response decreased with increasing ageing time because the β’ phase got coarse as ageing time increased.     

Critical parameters near the ferromagnetic-paramagnetic phase transition in La0.67–xYxBa0.23Ca0.1MnO3 compounds（x=0.10 and x=0.15）

The critical properties of the mixed manganite La0.67–x Y x Ba0.23Ca0.1Mn O3 with x=0.10 and x=0.15 around the paramagnetic(PM)-ferromagnetic(FM) phase transition were investigated through various techniques. These involved modified Arrott plots, Kouvel-Fisher method and Widom scaling relation. Magnetic data, analyzed in the critical region, using the above methods, yielded the critical exponents for(x=0.10) La0.57Y0.10Ba0.23Ca0.1Mn O3(β=0.312±0.002 and γ=1.147±0.003 at T C=299.23±0.05 K). Moreover, the estimated critical exponents of(x=0.15) La0.52Y0.15Ba0.23Ca0.1Mn O3 were β=0.286±0.004 and γ=0.943±0.002 at T C=289.53±0.06 K. The critical exponents’ values were close to the theoretical values of 3D-Ising model and tricritical mean-field model. These results suggested that the present composition should be close to a tricritical point in the La0.67–x Y x Ba0.23Ca0.1Mn O3 phase diagram. Expressing the field dependence as ΔS M∝H n allowed us to establish a relationship between the exponent n and the critical exponents of the material and to propose a phenomenological universal curve for the field dependence of ΔS M.     

Influences of phase composition on Sr3SiOs：Eu2＋ luminous performance

α’-Sr2SiO4 :Eu2+ phase always coexists with the Sr3SiO5:Eu2+ phase when it is synthesized by a high-temperature solid-state method. This may affect the luminescent properties of the Sr3SiO5:Eu2+ phosphors. We investigated the decomposition reaction of Sr3SiO5 during the cooling process with the quenching method. The results indicated that Sr3SiO5 was a stable compound above 1250 ℃. The Sr3SiO5 phase decomposed into α’-Sr2SiO4 and SrO below 1250℃. The α’-Sr2SiO4 :Eu2+ phase would coexist with the Sr3SiO5:Eu2+ phase because of the decomposition reaction of Sr3SiO5 , making the luminescent wavelength of coexistence sample move to the short-wavelength compared with the luminescent wavelength of Sr3SiO5:Eu2+. Pure phase Sr3SiO5:Eu2+ could be obtained by the rapid cooling method to suppress Sr3SiO5 decomposition. When the cooling rate was 20℃/min, nearly pure phase Sr3SiO5:Eu2+ could be produced.     

Structures and Low Temperature Magnetic Anomalies of High Pressure RE2 CuO4

Therareearthelements,fromlanthanumtolute tium(atomicnumbers57～71),aremembersof GroupIIIAintheperiodictableandallhavevery similarchemicalandphysicalproperties.Thisuni formityarisesfromthenatureoftheirelectroniccon figurations,leadingtoaparticularlystabl…     

Influence of iron on phase and magnetic property of the LaFe_（11.6）Si_（1.4） compound

The phase relation, microstructure, Curie temperatures, hysteresis, and magnetocaloric effects of LaFex*11.6Si1.4 (x=0.96, 0.98, 1.0, and 1.02) compounds prepared by arc-melting and then annealed at 1423 K (1.5 h)+1523 K (4.5 h) were investigated. The main phase was NaZn13-type phase, the impurity phases included a small amount of α-Fe and LaFeSi phase in four samples. The crystal cell parameters of 1:13 phase increased from 1.1433(5) to 1.1454(4) nm with x increasing from 0.96 to 1.02, respectively. All samples kept the typical first-order magnetic transition. The increase of Fe strengthened IEM behavior, and led to the remarkable enhancement of MCE effect and negative slopes in Arrott plots around TC. The maximum ΔSM (T, H) under a low magnetic field (0-2 T) was 15.3, 16.8, 17.9, and 24.7 J/kg K with increasing of Fe content from x=0.96 to 1.02, respectively.     

Investigation of Pt-Dy co-doping effects on isothermal oxidation behavior of （Co,Ni）-based alloy

A Co32Ni21Cr8Al0.6Y (wt.%) alloy with and without doping 3 wt.% platinum, or co-doping 3 wt.% platinum and 0.1 wt.% dysprosium was produced by arc melting. The hardness of both base alloy and composition-modified alloy was measured by using a Vickers hardness tester. Isothermal oxidation tests at 1000 ℃ in static air atmosphere were conducted to assess the isothermal oxidation behavior of the alloys. The microstructure and composition of the tested alloys before and after oxidation were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and back scatter detector. Results showed that platinum had significant influence on microstructure of the tested alloy by the formation of β-(Ni,Pt)Al phase. Addition of 3 wt.% platinum could slightly increase the hardness of the tested alloy. Platinum accelerated phase transformation of alumina from metastable θ-Al 2 O 3 to stable α-Al 2 O 3 and suppressed the consumption of β-phase. Co-doping both 3 wt.% platinum and 0.1 wt.% dysprosium induced the fastest transformation of θto αalumina and the formation of a fine-grained oxide scales. The most effective reduction of oxidation rate was achieved by the Pt-Dy co-doping effects.     

Nonlinear current-voltage characteristics originated from phase segregation and micro-cracks in polycrystalline La_（0.67）Ba_（0.33）MnO_3

Polycrystalline La0.67Ba0.33MnO3 bulk samples were annealed in flowing 95%Ar:5%H2 (AH) mixed gas at 973 K for different time respectively. The influence of the annealing time on the current-voltage properties was systematically investigated. Linear current-voltage characteristics were observed in the as-prepared and the 10 h annealed samples, and nonlinear current-voltage characteristics was found in the 100 h annealed sample. At the same time, segregation of impurity phase and micro-cracks were found on the surfaces of the 100 h annealed samples, which was testified to be Ba ion impurity. Analysis showed that the changes of electronic properties were caused by barium ion im-purities and micro-cracks in the 100 h annealed sample.     

Differences of element distribution between free and wheel side surface of NdFeB/α-Fe ribbons

The ribbons of NdFeB/α-Fe composite alloy were prepared by melt spinning and post crystallizing technique.The element distri-butions and phase component of both surfaces of as-spun ribbons were measured by energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and X-ray diffrac-tion (XRD).Because of the centrifugation,a segregation of B,Fe,and Nd concentrations was observed at the cross section.After crystallizing annealing,the element concentration segregation still existed in the as-crystallized ribbons.Due to the segregation of B,Fe,and Nd,the B-rich phase was observed near the wheel side surface.The B-rich phase may deteriorate the magnetic property of NdFeB/α-Fe composite alloy.     

Thermoelectric properties of Yb x Co_4 Sb_（12） system

Yb x Co 4 Sb 12 polycrystals were fabricated by vacuum melting combined with hot-press sintering.The effect of Yb-filling on thermoelectric property of unfilled skutterudite CoSb 3 was investigated,which indicated the enhancement of the power factor of the material.Transport properties of materials changed from semi-conductor to semi-metal during the measurement of electrical conductivity,which indicated the change of electronic band structure.The maximum value of electrical conductivity was about 190000 S/m at 300 K for all samples.On the basis of Yb-filling,power factor of Yb 0.2 Co 4 Sb 12 reached 5-6 mW/(m·K) during the measurement temperature.Thermal conductivity decreased with increase of Yb content,and the thermal conductivity of Yb 0.2 Co 4 Sb 12 reached 3.2 W/(m·K) at 600 K.The ZT value of Yb 0.2 Co 4 Sb 12 reached 1.16 at 700 K due to positive contribution from high power factor and low thermal conductivity.     

Effects of different ligands on luminescence properties of LaF3：Nd nanoparticles

A series of neodymium-doped lanthanum fluoride nanoparticles(NPs) were synthesized with hydrothermal method,and the effects of several ligands on the luminescence properties of the NPs were investigated.The X-ray diffraction(XRD) results indicated that the crystal phases of the modified NPs coincided with the standard spectrum.The transmission electron microscopy(TEM) showed that the samples were of similar size,shape and dispersibility.The infrared spectra suggested that the content of -OH groups as quenchers on the NPs surfaces decreased after modification.Compared with NPs modified by branched paraffin ligands,NPs conjugating ring-contained modifiers had less quenching effect and possessed stronger fluorescence intensity and longer fluorescence lifetime.     

Magnetic and specific heat studies of the frustrated Er2Mn2O7 compound

A new Er2Mn2O7 compound was synthesized by the ceramic method and its crystal structure was characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The magnetic properties were investigated using a BS2 magnetometer and the heat capacity was studied using a quantum design (PPMS). The structural study revealed that this compound was monophasic and crystallized in the monoclinic system with the P2/M space group. Magnetization measurements were carried out in the temperature range of 1.8-200 K under an applied magnetic field of 0.05 T. A crossover from a room temperature paramagnetic phase to an antiferromagnetic one at low temperature was detected from the magnetic study. The magnetic susceptibility, in the paramagnetic region above 40 K, was found to present a simple Curie-Weiss type behavior. From the specific heat (CP) measurements in magnetic fields up to 5 T, we noted the presence of a wide peak characteristic of a second order mag-neto-structural transition.