Effect of Plastic Deformation on the Formation of the YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript> Structure

The structure of the YBa₂Cu₃O _y (123) compound has been investigated after severe plastic deformation by high-pressure torsion performed at room temperature. Distinctive structural features of the samples prepared by standard synthesis and the samples (with increased critical current density) after treatment at t = 200°C in water-saturated atmosphere have been revealed. It has been shown that a lamellar textured structure formed during the annealing of hydrated and deformed samples includes a superconducting orthorhombic phase with a high oxygen index and residual defects that can serve as pinning centers.     

Effect of hydrogen intercalation on the critical parameters of YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript>

The effect of hydrogenation at T = 150 and 200°C on the electrophysical properties of highly textured YBa₂Cu₃O _y ceramics with different oxygen content has been investigated. Like hydration, hydrogenation results in the deterioration of these properties. However, in samples with high oxygen contents (y = 6.96) hydrogenated at T = 150°C after oxidation (400°C) or recovery annealing with subsequent oxidation, the critical current density and first critical field increase compared to the initial state. The improvement of the properties occurs mainly in a magnetic field applied perpendicularly to the c axis. As after hydration, this is connected with the formation of planar defects in the course of low-temperature annealing. In addition, in the process of the hydrogenation, the partial reduction of copper occurs with the formation of microinclusions of Cu₂O and other products of chemical decomposition, which are extra pinning centers of magnetic vortices.     

Microstructure of YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript> subjected to severe plastic deformation by high pressure torsion

The influence of plastic deformation carried out by high pressure torsion at room temperature on the microstructure of the YBa₂Cu₃O _y (123) compound prepared by standard ceramic technology and annealed at low temperature (200°C) in a water-saturated atmosphere has been studied. It has been shown that the directional growth of recrystallized lamellar-shaped grains initiated by the 124–123 phase transformation takes place upon recovery (after deformation) annealing at 930°C in ceramics subjected to additional low-temperature annealing, which leads to the formation of the texture. A rodlike structure has been observed in samples prepared by standard technology, after deformation and recovery annealing (930°C).     

Effect of Hydrogen Intercalation on the Structure of YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript> with a Low Oxygen Content

We used Raman spectroscopy to study the interaction of YBa₂Cu₃O_y (123) (y ≤ 6.5) with hydrogen at temperatures of 150–200°С. In contrast to the YBa₂Cu₃O_6.96 compound, compositions with low oxygen contents show a lower tendency to form stacking faults. We found that the hydrogenation of these compositions does not lead to the transformation of the 123 phase to the pseudo-124 phase. Absorbed hydrogen does not react with oxygen in 123 and does not form hydroxyl groups. The H_xYBa₂Cu₃O_y oxyhydride is the hydration-reaction product.     

Investigations of YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript> films sputtered onto a substrate of amorphous quartz with a platinum buffer layer

Results of investigations using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy of composite materials made from YBa₂Cu₃O _y films sputtered (using various regimes) onto a substrate of amorphous quartz with a platinum buffer layer, have been given.     

Structure and properties of hydrogen-intercalated YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript><Emphasis Type=Italic>y</Emphasis></Subscript>

The effect of hydrogenation at 150 and 200°С on the structure and magnetic susceptibility of YBa₂Cu₃O_y (123) with different hydrogen contents has been studied. Upon the incorporation of hydrogen, the phase transition of the 123 phase into a defect tetragonal 124 phase occurs. In contrast to the transition upon hydration, the phase transition upon hydrogenation takes place only for compounds characterized by high oxygen contents (y > 6.5). Depending on the compound structure and oxygen content, hydrogen atoms can both occupy interstitials in Cu–O planes to form HYBa₂Cu₃O₆ and join with oxygen to form an oxide–hydroxide. In contrast to hydration, upon hydrogenation of YBa₂Cu₃O_y, the substitution of europium for yttrium and alloying with cerium and zirconium oxides do not block the intercalation of hydrogen into the structure of the 123 compound.     

Superior Mechanical Properties of AlCoCrFeNiTi<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> High-Entropy Alloys upon Dynamic Loading

High-entropy alloys with composition of AlCoCrFeNiTi _x (x: molar ratio; x = 0, 0.2, 0.4) under quasi-static and dynamic compression exhibit excellent mechanical properties. A positive strain-rate sensitivity of yield strength and the strong work-hardening behavior during plastic flows dominate upon dynamic loading in the present alloy system. The constitutive relationships are extracted to model flow behaviors by employing the Johnson-Cook constitutive model. Upon dynamic loading, the ultimate strength and fracture strain of AlCoCrFeNiTi _x alloys are superior to most of bulk metallic glasses and in situ metallic glass matrix composites.     

Floral Biosynthesis of Mn<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> and Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Nanoparticles Using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chaenomeles</Emphasis> sp. Flower Extracts for Efficient Medicinal Applications

Manganese oxide (Mn₃O₄) and iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized with the flower extracts of Chaenomeles sp. This is the first ever approach to synthesize nanoparticles from Chaenomeles sp. flower extracts. The organic molecules present in the flower extracts actively converted the nitrate precursor into its corresponding nanoparticles. The organic molecules that are involved in the synthesis of nanoparticles are identified using different phytochemical and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analyses. The identified components are glycosides, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, flavonoids, quinines, and steroids. The structural and chemical compositions of the synthesized powder were also analyzed. The x-ray powder diffraction analysis revealed that the particles show tetragonal and rhombohedral crystalline phases. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis showed the functional groups that are involved in the reduction of nitrates into the corresponding nanoparticles. Energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy analysis confirmed the presence of the elements in the synthesized nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy images showed the formation of spherical nanoparticles with an average size of 30–100 nm. Antioxidant analysis showed that the synthesized nanoparticles had excellent antioxidant potential. The antibacterial study showed that they inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pyogenes. Thus, this study proposes a new eco-friendly and nontoxic method to synthesize nanoparticles for medicinal applications.     

Interdiffusion in <Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis>1<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Ni<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al Alloyed with Re

Ternary interdiffusion in L1₂-Ni₃Al with ternary alloying addition of Re was investigated at 1473 K using solid-to-solid diffusion couples. Interdiffusion flux of Ni, Al, and Re were directly calculated from experimental concentration profiles and integrated for the determination of average ternary interdiffusion coefficients. The magnitude of main interdiffusion coefficients and was determined to be much larger than that of the main interdiffusion coefficient A moderate tendency for Re to substitute for Al sites was reflected by its influence on interdiffusion of Al, quantified by large and positive coefficients. Similar trends were observed from ternary interdiffusion coefficients determined by Boltzmann-Matano analysis. Profiles of concentrations and interdiffusion fluxes were also examined to estimate binary interdiffusion coefficients in Ni₃Al, and tracer diffusion coefficients of Re (5.4 × 10⁻¹⁶ ± 2.3 × 10⁻¹⁶ m²/s) in Ni₃Al.     

Simulation of hydrogen diffusion in TiH<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> structures

Quantum-mechanical calculations of the energies of the formation of Frenkel pairs and barriers for hydrogen migration via different mechanisms in the titanium hydride δ-TiH _x and in the α phase of titanium have been carried out. Using the potential of interaction developed for the molecular-dynamic simulation, diffusion coefficients of hydrogen in fcc and hcp lattices of TiH _x were calculated depending on the temperature. The opportunity to approximate the coefficients of hydrogen self-diffusion has been analyzed in terms of the model of non-interacting point defects. For δ-TiH _x , the range of concentrations and temperatures was separated where the self-diffusion of hydrogen becomes liquid-like (ceases be dependent on the hydrogen concentration), upon the transition into which there takes place a sharp increase in the isochoric heat capacity. The effect of defects in the Ti sublattice on the coefficient of self-diffusion of H has been investigated.     

Microstructure and Properties of FeAlCrNiMo<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> High-Entropy Alloys

FeAlCrNiMo _x high-entropy alloys were prepared. The effect of Mo content on the microstructure and the properties of the alloys were investigated. When the Mo content was 0.1, the alloys were composed of single BCC solid solution; when Mo content reaches 0.25, the alloys were composed of BCC solid solution and ordered B2 solid solution. When Mo content is more than 0.75, some σ phases emerged. The volume fraction of the second phase increases with the increasing Mo content, and the crystal grains became coarsening. The yield strength, fracture strength, and hardness increase with the increasing Mo content and reach 2252, 2612 MPa, and 1006 Hv, respectively. The magnetic transformation undergoes from the ferromagnetism to paramagnetism with the increasing Mo content. The saturation intensity and remnant magnetism are decreased with the increasing Mo content.     

Hard and Corrosion-Resistant Ni-<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>Al-<Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis>Ti Nanocomposite Coatings for CNT/Al Composites

The ternary Ni-xAl-yTi (x, y in wt.%) nanocomposite protective coatings were electroplated on carbon nanotubes (CNT)/Al composite by the co-deposition of Al and Ti particles at several current densities. The dependences of microstructure, microhardness, residual stress, and corrosion resistance of the ternary nanocomposite coating on current density were investigated. The results showed that the embedded Al and Ti particles caused the crystallite refinement and the decrease of [200] fiber texture of nanocrystalline Ni matrix when current density decreased. The microstructure evolution endowed the ternary nanocomposite coating with high microhardness and corrosion resistance. The surface residual stress of the ternary nanocomposite coating increased with decreasing current density.     

Effect of water intercalation on the structure and electrophysical properties of YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>6.9</Subscript>

The influence of water vapors and plastic deformation on the structure and electrophysical properties of YBa₂Cu₃O_6.9 (123) has been studied. It has been established that, at T = 200°C, the introduction of water into the structure of YBa₂Cu₃O_6.9 leads to its transition into a defect tetragonal phase of the 124 type as a result of the formation of planar stacking faults. After annealing at T = 930°C, these defects are partially retained and are efficient centers of pinning in the magnetic fields applied perpendicularly to the c axis, which makes it possible to increase (by an order of magnitude) the critical current density in the high-textured ceramics at 77 K in the external magnetic field of 5–10 T. The plastic deformation of the hydrated ceramics favors the reverse transition of the arising 124 phase to the 123 phase at T = 930°C and is accompanied by a recrystallization of the material, which leads to the appearance of a texture and an increase the critical current density.     

Phase Relations in the System TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> under Oxidizing and Reducing Conditions

The target of this work was to investigate the phase development in the catalyst system consisting of TiO₂ (Anatase) and V₂O₅ (Shcherbinaite) under several gas atmospheres. Thus a set of V₂O₅/TiO₂ specimens was prepared by ball milling and exposed to subsequent annealing in air and feed gas in the temperature range from 400 to 700 °C. The XRD-results showed that the initial phases Anatase and Shcherbinaite remain stable for all atmospheres containing oxygen. In the temperature range above 525 °C the formation of a Rutile solid solution (Rutile-ss) containing VO _x species takes place. However, under reducing conditions (lower oxygen partial pressure) the reduction of V₂O₅ to V₂O₃ was found by X-ray diffraction measurements. There is no miscibility up to 1300 °C followed by the formation of V₂TiO₅ (Berdesinskiite). SEM images underline the reduction by monitoring the change in morphology with respect to the V-containing phases. TiO₂ remains without much alteration. The two phases V₂Ti₇O₁₇ and V₂Ti₃O₉ (Schreyerite) as described in mineralogy have not been observed in these experiments. The knowledge of phase relations helps to find the appropriate processing conditions and to understand the aging phenomena of catalysts.     

Electrochemical characteristics of amorphous MgTixNi （x = 0,0.1, and 0.2） hydrogen storage alloys

MgTi _x Ni (x = 0, 0.1, and 0.2) alloys were successfully prepared by mechanical alloying (MA), and the influence of milling time on the electrochemical characteristics of the electrodes was discussed. MgTi _x Ni alloys after 90 h milling displayed the best electrochemical performance. The X-ray diffraction patterns showed that the alloy ball-milled for 90 h was amorphous with a widened diffraction peak. The charge-discharge tests indicated that these alloys had good electrochemical activation properties, and the MgTi_0.2Ni alloy electrode exhibited the best cycle performance. The initial discharge capacity of the MgTi_0.2Ni alloy reached up to 401.1 mAh·g⁻¹, and the retention rate of capacity was 31.0% after 30 cycles, much higher than that of MgNi (17.3%). The Tafel polarization curves revealed that Ti addition could enhance the anticorrosion performance of these alloys in alkali solution, which was responsible for the ameliorated cyclic stability of these alloy electrodes.     

Influence of the Size and Structural Factors on the Magnetism of Multilayer Films Based on 3<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis> and 4<Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis> Metals

This work has presented some data on the layer structuring of films of 3d and 4f metals and their alloys, which have potential for practical use in magnetic sensors. The decrease in the thickness of magnetic layers with this structuring entails natural worsening of the crystallinity and leads to a degradation of magnetic ordering. However, the manifestation of these tendencies depends to a great extent on the conditions of preparation, the composition, and the sequence of the deposition of the contacting layers in the multilayer structures. The combination of these factors makes it possible to realize an optimum composition and optimum structural states of the films, which in a number of cases lead to the appearance of new combinations of functional properties.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of multi-principal component AlCoCrFeNiCu<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> alloy

By introducing Cu, AlCoCrFeNiCu _x (x values in molar ratio, x = 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5) alloys were designed and prepared. The effects of Cu on microstructure and properties of AlCoCrFeNi alloy were investigated. The introduction of Cu results in the formation of Cu-rich FCC solid solution phase when Cu content is low. There are two FCC solid solution phases, i.e., Cu-rich FCC solid solution phase and phase transformation-induced FCC solid solution phase, when the Cu content is more than 1.0. Both the yield stress and plastic strain of alloy show a turning point when the Cu content is 0.5. Among the seven alloys, Cu_0.5 alloy exhibits the largest yield stress of 1187 MPa and the lowest plastic strain of 16.01 %.     

Microstructure and Room-Temperature Mechanical Properties of FeCrMoVTi<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> High-Entropy Alloys

FeCrMoVTi _x (x values represent the molar ratio, where x = 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0) high-entropy alloys were prepared by a vacuum arc melting method. The effects of Ti element on the microstructure and room-temperature mechanical properties of the as-cast FeCrMoVTi _x alloys were investigated. The results show that the prepared alloys exhibited typical dendritic microstructure and the size of the microstructure became fine with increasing Ti content. The FeCrMoV alloy exhibited a single body-centered cubic structure (BCC1) and the alloys prepared with Ti element exhibited BCC1 + BCC2 mixed structure. The new BCC2 phase is considered as (Fe, Ti)-rich phase and was distributed in the dendrite region. With the increase of Ti content, the volume fraction of the BCC2 phase increased and its shape changed from a long strip to a network. For the FeCrMoV alloy, the fracture strength, plastic strain, and hardness reached as high as 2231 MPa, 28.2%, and 720 HV, respectively. The maximum hardness of 887 HV was obtained in the FeCrMoVTi alloy. However, the fracture strength, yield stress, and plastic strain of the alloys decreased continuously as Ti content increased. In the room-temperature compressive test, the alloys showed typical brittle fracture characteristics.