Electronic structure and properties of LaNi_5 compound from first principles

The energy,electronic structure,and magnetic and mechanical properties of LaNi5 compound have been studied by the first-principles method based on the density functional theory.The results show that the calculated lattice parameters of LaNi5 compound are almost the same with the experimental ones,and the compound is easy to form and very stable.The bond between La and Ni1 atoms is an ionic bond,and electrostatic attraction effect exists between Ni atoms.The farther the distance between Ni atoms in the LaNi5 crystal cell is,the stronger the electrostatic attraction effect is.LaNi5 intermetallic compound is ductile and ferromagnetic.The calculated hardness value of LaNi5 compound is 7.04 GPa,and the calculated elastic properties are close to the experimental results.     

LaNi5的电子结构

采用总体能量平面波赝势方法, 并结合超软赝势技术, 计算了金属La、 Ni及合金LaNi5的总体能量、能带结构、电子态密度以及Mulliken布居值. 根据计算结果, 分析了La、 Ni和LaNi5的电子结构. 结果表明: 形成合金后费米面能量位置漂移, 介于Ni和La的费米面之间, 费米面上主要是Ni 3d电子; 费米面附近导带的电子结构变化较大; 合金中La和Ni间存在电子转移, 形成了弱的La-Ni键, 且带部分离子性; 与纯金属相比, 形成合金后La的稳定性增强, 而Ni的稳定性减弱. 计算了LaNi5的理论生成热, 结果能较好地符合实验值.     

LaNi5中贮氢间隙位的电子结构分析

根据密度泛函理论，采用总体能量计算方法，以扩展平面波函数为基集，并结合超软赝势技术，计算了LaNi，及其5种不同贮氢间隙位的总体能量、能带结构、电子态密度以及Mulliken布居电荷。根据计算结果，分析了LaNi，及LaNi5H的电子结构及氢化物形成前后电子结构的变化，讨论了M-H键的特征，初步探讨了各贮氢间隙位的稳定性及氢原子更倾向占据的间隙位。     

LaNi5基合金电极性能与其电子结构的相关性

利用电荷自洽离散变分Xα(SCC DV Xα)方法计算了LaNi4 M (M =Ni,Cu ,Mn ,Al)及其氢化物的电子结构 ,分析了电子结构对吸氢性能的影响。结果表明 :LaNi4 M氢化物的稳定性与氢原子的电荷转移密切相关 ,进入H1s轨道的电荷增大 ,将会降低其稳定性 ;LaNi4 M的循环寿命与合金中La的 4f和Ni(1)的 4p轨道间的成键强度有关 ,杂化成键越强 ,相应的循环寿命越长 ;Ni(3)的 3d轨道也与La的 4f轨道有成键作用 ,但这种作用在吸氢后被减弱     

Phase structure and hydrogen storage properties of LaMg_（3.70）Ni_（1.18） alloy

The phase structure and hydrogen storage properties of LaMg_3.70Ni_1.18 alloy were investigated. The LaMg_3.70Ni_1.18 alloy consists of main LaMg₂Ni phase, minor La₂Mg₁₇ and LaMg₃ phases. The alloy can be activated in the first hydriding/dehydriding process, and initial LaMg₂Ni, La₂Mg₁₇, and LaMg₃ phases transfer to LaH_2.34, Mg, and Mg₂Ni phases after activation. The reversible hydrogen storage capacity of the LaMg_3.70Ni_1.18 alloy is 2.47 wt.% at 558 K, which is higher than that of the LaMg₂Ni alloy. The pressure-composition-temperature (PCT) curves display two hydriding plateaus, corresponding to the formation of MgH₂ and Mg₂NiH₄. However, only one dehydriding plateau is observed, owing to the synergetic effect of hydrogen desorption between MgH₂ and Mg₂NiH₄. The uptake time for hydrogen content to reach 99% of saturated state is less than 250 s, and 90% hydrogen can be released in 1200 s in the experimental conditions, showing fast kinetics in hydriding and dehydriding. The activation energies of the LaMg_3.70Ni_1.18 alloy are −51.5 ± 1.1 kJ/mol and −57.0 ± 0.6 kJ/mol for hydriding and dehydriding, respectively. The hydriding/dehydriding kinetics of the LaMg_3.70Ni_1.18 alloy is better than that of the Mg₂Ni alloy, owing to the lower activation energy values.     

Structure and magnetic properties of mechanically alloyed Tb0.2Pr0.8（Fe0.4Co0.6）1.93 and magnetostriction of its epoxy composite

The C15 Laves phase with composition Tb_0.2Pr_0.8(Fe_0.4Co_0.6)_1.93 was synthesized by mechanical alloying (MA) and subsequent annealing process. The structure and magnetic properties of Tb_0.2Pr_0.8(Fe_0.4Co_0.6)_1.93 were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), a vibrating sample magnetometer, and a standard strain technique. The effect of annealing on the structure and magnetic properties was studied. The analysis of XRD shows that the high Pr-content Tb_0.2Pr_0.8(Fe_0.4Co_0.6)_1.93 alloy with the single phase of MgCu₂-type structure can be successfully synthesized by MA method. The sample annealed at 450°C is found to have a coercivity of 196 kA/m at room temperature. An epoxy/Tb_0.2Pr_0.8(Fe_0.4Co_0.6)_1.93 composite was produced by a cold isostatic pressing technique. A large magnetostriction of 400 ppm, at an applied magnetic field of 800 kA/m, was found for the composite. The epoxy-bonded Tb_0.2Pr_0.8(Fe_0.4Co_0.6)_1.93 composite combines a high magnetostriction with a significant coercivity, which is a promising magnetostrictive material.     

Solvothermal synthesis and thermoelectric properties of skutterudite compound Fe（0.25）Ni（0.25）Co（0.5）Sb3

Nanostructured skutterudite-related compound Fe_0.25Ni_0.25Co_0.5Sb₃ was synthesized by a solvothermal method using FeCl₃, NiCl₂, CoCl₂, and SbCl₃ as the precursors and NaBH₄ as the reductant. The solvothermally synthesized powders consisted of fine granules with an average particle size of tens of nanometers. The bulk material was prepared by hot pressing the powders. Transport property measurements indicated a heavily doped semiconductor behavior with n-type conduction. The thermal conductivity is about 1.83 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ at room temperature and decreases to 1.57 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ at 673 K. The low thermal conductivity is attributed to small grain size and high porosity. A maximum dimensionless figure of merit of 0.15 is obtained at 673 K.     

Electrochemical properties of spinel compound LiNi_（0.5）Mn_（1.2）Ti_（0.3）O_4 as cathode materials for lithium ion batteries

The electrochemical properties of spinel compound LiNi0.5Mn1.2Ti0.3O4 were investigated in this study.The chemicals LiAc·2H2O,Mn(Ac)2·2H2O,Ni(Ac)2·4H2O,and Ti(OCH3)4 were used to synthesize LiNi0.5Mn1.2Ti0.3O4 by a simple sol-gel method.The discharge capacity of the sample reached 134 mAh/g at a current rate of 0.1C.The first and fifth cycle voltammogram almost overlapped,which showed that the prepared sample LiNi0.5Mn1.2Ti0.3O4 had excellent good cycle performance.There were two oxidation peaks at 4.21 V and 4.86 V,and two reduction peaks at 4.55 V and 3.88 V in the cycle voltammogram,respectively.By electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and its fitted result,the lithium ion diffusion coefficient was measured to be approximately 7.76 × 10?11 cm2/s.     

Preparation and optical properties of Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> powder

Y(NO3)3 and NH3·H2O were used as a raw materials,and nano-Y2O3 powder was successfully synthesized by a precipitation method.Employing TEOS as a raw material,SiO2 powder was successfully prepared by a alkoxide-hydrolysis method,and a Y2O3/SiO2 composite powder was obtained by coating.The Y2O3,SiO2,and Y2O3/SiO2 powders were characterized using X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer(FT-IR);the Y2O3 and Y2O3/SiO2 powders were further examined ...     

Microstructure and microwave dielectric properties of ZnO-B2O3 added （Ca0.254Li0.19Sm0.14）TiO3 ceramics

The effects of ZnO-B2O3 (ZB2) on the sintering behavior and microwave dielectric properties of (Ca0.254Li0.19Sm0.14)TiO3 ceramics were investigated.The densities of the specimens reached the maximum value by adding 3 wt.% ZB2 and then decreased.The sintering temperature of the specimens was lowered from 1300 to 1100°C without degradation of the microwave dielectric properties.The (Ca0.254Li0.19Sm0.14)TiO3 + 3 wt.% ZB2 sintered at 1100°C for 3 h showed good microwave dielectric properties,εr = 108.2,Qf = 6545 GHz,and τf = 6.5 ppm/°C,respectively,indicating that ZB2 was an effective sintering aid to improve the densification and microwave dielectric properties of (Ca0.254Li0.19Sm0.14)TiO3 ceramics.     

Theoretical analysis of β-LaNi5Hx(5≤x≤8): structure and energetics

The calculations of total energy, band structure, and electronic density of states and Mulliken population analysis of β-LaNi5 Hx (5≤x≤8) were performed by adopting the method of total energy based on the density functional theory. The augmented plane wave function was selected as the basis set in combination with ultra-soft pseudo-potential technology. The influence of the amount of H absorbed in alloys was discussed in terms of geometry, electronic structure and thermodynamic derived from calculated results. The results show that the amount of H absorbed and the preferred site occupation of the absorbed hydrogen atoms were controlled by the position of Hbands and the energy gap between H-bands and conduction bands. The β-phase hydrides of LaNi5 are most stable when hydrogen atom capacity coating in the range of 6 - 7.     

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.     

Influence of CaF2 on the structure and dielectric properties of Ag（Nb0.8Ta0.2）O3 ceramics

Ag(Nb0.8Ta0.2)O3 ceramics were prepared by the traditional solid-state reaction method. The effect of CaF2 addition on the structure and di-electric properties of Ag(Nb0.8Ta0.2)O3 ceramics was investigated. The addition of CaF2 led the ceramics to a larger grain size and distortion of lattice. With the addition of 4.5 wt.% CaF2, the permittivity of the ceramics increased from 442 to 1028, the dielectric loss decreased sharply from 6.12 × 10-3 to 8.6 × 10-4, and the temperature coefficient of capacitance decreased from 1834 ppm/°C to-50 ppm/°C (at 1 MHz). These results indicated that the high permittivity was related with a large grain size, a low grain boundary density, and the weak Ta-O or Nb-O bond strength caused by the addition of CaF2.     

Recovery of V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> from Bayer liquor by ion exchange

A new technology was developed to recover V2O5 from Bayer spent liquor by ion exchange.The experimental results show that in the conditions of 105°C and 0.20-0.25 mass ratios between CaO in lime and Al2O3 in spent liquor, the precipitation rate of vanadium in Bayer liquor is more than 85%.The vanadium-bearing precipitation is leached by NaHCO3 solution.The leaching rate of vanadium can reach 85% in the conditions of 95°C, 40 g·L-1 of NaHCO3 concentration, and ventilating of CO2.The 201 × 7 type of resin has...     

Electronic properties and crystal structure of orderable Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>Pd alloy

Transmission electron microscopy has been used to study the microstructure of ordering Cu₃Pd alloys. The effect of atomic ordering of the alloys on their electrical, magnetic, and optical properties has been studied.     

Grain refinement and mechanism of CAl_（0.5）W_（0.5） compound in Mg-Al alloys

The effect of CAl0.5W0.5(CAW) compound on the grain refinement of Mg-Al based alloys was investigated.The results show that CAW compound is an effective and active grain refiner.The grain size of binary Mg-Al alloys is more than 500 μm,and it is changed to about 110 μm with a 1 wt.% CAW addition.The hardness increased with the decease of grain size monotonously.The mechanical properties are improved by the addition.The fine grain size is mainly ascribed to the dispersed Al2CO particles,which are very potent nucleating substrates for Mg-Al alloys.The nucleation cores formed by chemical reaction directly are well-distributed in the matrix.     

Fabrication and magnetic properties of NiFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanorods

NiFe₂O₄ nanorods have been successfully synthesized via thermal treatment of the rod-like precursor fabricated by Ni-doped α-FeOOH, which was enwrapped by the complex of citric acid and Ni²⁺. The morphology evolution during the calcination of the precursor nanorods was investigated with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the phase and the magnetic properties of samples were analyzed through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The results indicated that the diameter of the NiFe₂O₄ nanorods obtained ranged between 30 and 50 nm, and the length ranged between 2 and 3 μm. As the calcination temperature was up to 600°C, the coercivity, saturation magnetization, and remanent magnetization of the samples were 36.1 kA·m⁻¹, 27.2 A·m²·kg⁻¹, and 5.3 A·m²·kg⁻¹, respectively. The NiFe₂O₄ nanorods prepared have higher shape anisotropy and superior magnetic properties than those with irregular shapes.     

Influences of NiCO<Subscript>3</Subscript> content on the microstructure and magnetic properties of Ni<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Zn<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> powders prepared by SHS

Stoichiometric Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ powders were produced by self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS). The effects of NiCO₃ content in the raw materials on the microstructure and magnetic properties of Ni-Zn ferrite powders were systematically studied. The Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The magnetic properties of the powders were evaluated by vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The results show that the introduction of NiCO₃ into reactants improves the conversion percentage and refines the Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ particles. The increase of NiCO₃ content enhances the magnetic properties of Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄. Particularly, the saturation magnetization reaches the maximum when the NiCO₃ content is 3 at.%.     

Effect of heat treatment of titanium substrates on the properties of IrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Ta<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> coated anodes

The Ti substrates of IrO 2 -Ta 2 O 5 coated anodes were treated by solid-solution and aging, stress relieving annealing, and recrystallization annealing, and the coatings were prepared by thermal decomposition of a mixture of H 2 IrCl 6·6H 2 O dissolved in hydrochloric acid and TaCl 5 dissolved in alcohol. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and accelerated life test (ALT) were employed to study the microstructure and electrochemical properties of the anodes. Compared with the anode without heat treatment, the anodes with heat treatment are of higher electrochemical activity and longer accelerated life; especially, the anode with recrystallization annealing treatment has the best electrochemical properties and the longest accelerated life.     

Preparation,characterization and electrochemical properties of mesoporous LiFe<Subscript>0.99</Subscript>Mo<Subscript>0.01</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/C

A mesoporous LiFe_0.99Mo_0.01PO₄/C composite was synthesized by the sol-gel method using (NH₄)₂MoO₄ as a doping starting material. The formation of conductive carbon, metal doping and mesopores was achieved simultaneously in the prepared material. The characterizations of crystal structures and microstructures were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), extended X-ray-absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) and X-ray-absorption near-structure spectroscopy (XANES), while the surface area was determined using N₂ adsorption techniques. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and charge-discharge cycling performance were used to characterize its electrochemical properties. The sample possessed uniformly distributed mesopores with an average pore size of 4 nm, and the specific surface area was about 69.368 m²/g. The results show that the reversible capacity of mesoporous LiFe_0.99Mo_0.01PO₄/C is about 160 mAh/g at 0.1C, 135 mAh/g at 1C and 90 mAh/g at 5C, respectively. The capacity fading is neglectable.