Growth and characterization of high-quality LiAlO2 single crystal

γ-LiAlO2 single crystal is a promising substrate for GaN heteroepitaxy. In this paper, we present the growth of large-sized LiAlO2 crystal by modified Czochralski method. The crystal quality was characterized by high-resolution X-ray diffraction and chemical etching. The results show that the as-grown crystal has perfect quality with the full width at half maximum （FWHM） of 17.7-22.6 arcsec and etch pits density of （0.3- 2.2）×10^4 cm^-2 throughout the crystal boule. The bottom of the crystal boule shows the best quality. The optical transmission spectra from UV to IR exhibits that the crystal is transparent from 0.2 to 5.5μm and becomes completely absorbing around 6.7μm wavelength, The optical absorption edge in near UV region is about 191 nm.     

3D Hollow α‐MnO2 Framework as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Lithium–Oxygen Batteries

Lithium–oxygen (Li–O₂) batteries are attracting more attention owing to their superior theoretical energy density compared to conventional Li‐ion battery systems. With regards to the catalytically electrochemical reaction on a cathode, the electrocatalyst plays a key role in determining the performance of Li–O₂ batteries. Herein, a new 3D hollow α‐MnO₂ framework (3D α‐MnO₂) with porous wall assembled by hierarchical α‐MnO₂ nanowires is prepared by a template‐induced hydrothermal reaction and subsequent annealing treatment. Such a distinctive structure provides some essential properties for Li–O₂ batteries including the intrinsic high catalytic activity of α‐MnO₂, more catalytic active sites of hierarchical α‐MnO₂ nanowires on 3D framework, continuous hollow network and rich porosity for the storage of discharge product aggregations, and oxygen diffusion. As a consequence, 3D α‐MnO₂ achieves a high specific capacity of 8583 mA h g^?1 at a current density of 100 mA g^?1, a superior rate capacity of 6311 mA h g^?1 at 300 mA g^?1, and a very good cycling stability of 170 cycles at a current density of 200 mA g^?1 with a fixed capacity of 1000 mA h g^?1. Importantly, the presented design strategy of 3D hollow framework in this work could be extended to other catalytic cathode design for Li–O₂ batteries.     

Synergetic effect of Re and Ru on γ/γ′ interface strengthening of Ni-base single crystal superalloys

The synergetic effect of Re and Ru on γ/γ′ interface strengthening of Ni-base SC superalloys has been investigated by performing DMol3 calculations. Results show that the synergetic effect of Re and Ru on the interface strengthening is better than that achieved by the individual Re or Ru due to Re-d/Ru-d, Re-d/Ni-d and Ru-d/Ni-d hybridizations. The electronic mechanism underlying the synergetic effect of Re and Ru on γ/γ′ interface strengthening is related to the charge transfer of electrons and the enhancement of d-bonding hybridization among Re---Ru, Re---Ni and Ru---Ni atoms.     

Superlattice stacking fault formation and twinning during creep in γ/γ′ single crystal superalloy CMSX-4

This paper describes further insight which has been gained into the formation of deformation twins during high temperature creep in a high volume fraction single crystal superalloy (CMSX-4) and correlation with the nature of superlattice stacking faults also observed. In general it is found that the formation of high temperature twinning can always be associated with the loading orientation in which SESF formation is expected from a determination of the sign of the shear stress. One can rationalise the reason for this twinning being associated with extrinsic stacking faults, by consideration of the critical radius of stacking fault loop nucleation. In particular calculations at 1223 K demonstrate a minimum in radius being associated with four overlapping faulted planes for the extrinsic case. Although the process by which twin formation occurs has not been observed, it is shown that twin formation can take place by the passage of extrinsic stacking faults within the precipitate which operate on every alternate plane of the structure. If one considers formation to occur via a pole mechanism similar to that in a face centred cubic structure a mechanism for this occurrence is postulated due to the fact that climb of the helix structure as it rotates around a pair of suitable matrix dislocations, will amount to double that which occurs in the single pole case.     

Comparative determination of the α/β phase fraction in α+β-titanium alloys using X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy

A comparison is made between the measured α/β phase fractions in Ti-6246 using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron microscopy. Image analysis of SEM and TEM images was compared to the phase fraction estimate obtained using electron backscattered diffraction, lab and high-energy synchrotron XRD. There was a good agreement between the electron microscopic and diffraction techniques, provided that the microstructural parameters of grain size and texture are estimated correctly when using quantitative Rietveld refinement.     

Study of autoabsorption for total α and β counting

The RaMsEs Group (Radioprotection et Mesures Environnementales) of the IPHC performs research and offers services mainly in the field of radioactivity measurements and sample analysis. This report will describe some of our recent experience using a semiautomatic evaporation system to prepare large area thin deposits for total α and β counting and gives experimental and simulated results for the autoabsorption coefficients.     

Influence of applied stress on the γ′ directional coarsening in a single crystal superalloy

It was found in a commercial single crystal superalloy CMSX-4 that preferential orientation of the γ′ rafting in dendrite core was not dependent on the sign of the applied stress σ_A, but on the sign of the sum of the applied stress σ_A and a critical equivalent stress σ_c. This critical equivalent stress σ_c caused by material inhomogeneity has been predicted previously; however it was first determined experimentally to be in the range 39.8–47.2 MPa in the present study. Moreover, it qualitatively demonstrated that the critical equivalent stress σ_c played a significant role in the creep behavior of superalloys at high temperature and low stress.     

Hierarchical α‐MnO2 Nanowires@Ni1‐xMnxOy Nanoflakes Core–Shell Nanostructures for Supercapacitors

A facile two‐step solution‐phase method has been developed for the preparation of hierarchical α‐MnO₂ nanowires@Ni_1‐xMn_xO_y nanoflakes core–shell nanostructures. Ultralong α‐MnO₂ nanowires were synthesized by a hydrothermal method in the first step. Subsequently, Ni_1‐xMn_xO_y nanoflakes were grown on α‐MnO₂ nanowires to form core–shell nanostructures using chemical bath deposition followed by thermal annealing. Both solution‐phase methods can be easily scaled up for mass production. We have evaluated their application in supercapacitors. The ultralong one‐dimensional (1D) α‐MnO₂ nanowires in hierarchical core–shell nanostructures offer a stable and efficient backbone for charge transport; while the two‐dimensional (2D) Ni_1‐xMn_xO_y nanoflakes on α‐MnO₂ nanowires provide high accessible surface to ions in the electrolyte. These beneficial features enable the electrode with high capacitance and reliable stability. The capacitance of the core–shell α‐MnO₂@Ni_1‐xMn_xO_y nanostructures (x = 0.75) is as high as 657 F g^?1 at a current density of 250 mA g^?1, and stable charging‐discharging cycling over 1000 times at a current density of 2000 mA g^?1 has been realized.     

Probing the Domain Architecture in 2D α‐Mo2C via Polarized Raman Spectroscopy

MXenes are emerging 2D materials with intriguing properties such as excellent stability and high conductivity. Here, a systematic study on the Raman spectra of 2D α‐Mo₂C (molybdenum carbide), a promising member in MXene family, is conducted. Six experimentally observed Raman modes from ultrathin α‐Mo₂C crystal are first assigned with the assistance of phonon dispersion calculated from density functional theory. Angle‐resolved polarized Raman spectroscopy indicates the anisotropy of α‐Mo₂C in the b–c plane. Raman spectroscopy is further used to study the unique domain structures of 2D α‐Mo₂C crystals grown by chemical vapor deposition. A Raman mapping investigation suggests that most of the α‐Mo₂C flakes contain multiple domains and the c‐axes of neighboring domains tend to form a 60° or 120° angle, due to the weak Mo? C bonds in this interstitial carbide and the low formation energy of the carbon chains along three equivalent directions. This study demonstrates that polarized Raman spectroscopy is a powerful and effective way to characterize the domain structures in α‐Mo₂C, which will facilitate the further exploration of the domain‐structure‐related properties and potential applications of α‐Mo₂C.     

Enhanced Grain Refinement Through Deformation Induced α Precipitation in Hot Working of α + β Titanium Alloy

This study reports a novel forging process to fabricate bulk fine‐grained (grain size ≈ 1 µm) Ti–6Al–4V alloy, in which temperatures near the β transus (T_β) and strain rates around 0.15 s^?1 are used for the deformation. The formation of fine‐grained microstructure is mainly result from the deformation‐induced precipitation of α grains from the β matrix.