The crystal structures of Hf3N2 and Hf4N3

The crystal structures of ε-Hf₃N₂ and ζ-Hf₄N₃ were determined from X-ray powder photographs. The structure of both phases is trigonal, space group D ₅ ^3d -R?3m, with unit cells ofa _R = 7.972Å, α= 23 deg 12 min (hexagonal axes:a = 3.206Å,c = 23.26Å) for ε-H₃H₂, and a_R= 10.54Å, α = 17 deg 32 min (hexagonal axes:a = 3.214Å,c = 31.12Å) for ζ-Hf₄N₃. The nine close packed metal layers in ε-Hf₃N₂ are stacked according to (hhc)₃, or ABABCBCAC. The structure of ζ-Hf₄sN₃, isomorphous with ζ-V₄C₃,¹ consists of twelve close-packed metal layers in a stacking sequence (hhcc)₃. The nitrogen atoms occupy octahedral interstices in the metal lattice. The experimentally observed compositions, Hf₃N₁.₆₉ and Hf₄N₂.₅₆, shows both phases to be substantially deficient in nitrogen. ε-Hf₃N₂ is unstable above 2000°C, and ζ-Hf₄N₃ above 2300°C.     

Microstructure and thermal stability of coated Si3N4 and SiC

Microstructure of coatings obtained by treating Si₃N₄ and SiC in Cr powders at 1273–1623 K has been studied employing XRD, SEM, AES and TEM. In accordance with thermodynamic calculations and kinetic consideration, the coatings have layered structures and contain metal-rich silicides and metal-rich nitrides or carbides. The microstructure of the coatings has been found to depend on the treatment conditions. The kinetics of the coatings growth obeys a parabolic growth law, the activation energies being close to the activation energies for self-diffusion of the corresponding metals. Thermal stability of the coated and uncoated Si₃N₄ and SiC in Fe-, Ni- and Co-based matrices has been studied and the coatings have been found to considerably improve the stability of Si₃N₄- and SiC-metal interfaces.     

Reactions in the systems MoSi3N4 and NiSi3N4

The reaction products, formed during annealing of porous powder mixtures of Si₃N₄ with non-nitride forming metals like Ni or Mo, will depend on the partial pressure of N₂ in the atmosphere. In a diffusion couple, however, nitrogen has to be released at the Si₃N₄-interface during the formation of a metal silicide. It cannot escape easily and builds up a higher pressure of nitrogen at this interface. Therefore, the reaction products are different from those in porous pellets. This has been verified for NiSi₃N₄ and MoSi₃N₄ couples. The role of traces of oxygen on these reactions will be discussed.     

Geometrical and physical properties of hypothetical periodic and aperiodic graphitic structures

The geometry, diffraction, stability and mechanical properties of periodic, aperiodic graphite foams and other hypothetical structures like tori and twins of fullerenes are analyzed.     

Activities in carbon-saturated Fe-Al alloys and the stability of Al4C3 at 1873 K

The Knudsen cell-mass spectrometer combination has been used to study carbon-saturated Fe-AI alloys at 1873 K. Activities are derived and presented for both metallic components as a function of the composition variableN _Al/(N_A + N_Fe). From the composition for the separation of the carbide, the standard Gibbs Energy of formation of A1₄C₃ is determined to be -88.8 ± 11.2 kJ mole⁻¹ at 1873 K. Dr. Choudary was formerly a Graduate Student.     

Activities in carbon-saturated Fe-Al alloys and the stability of Al4C3 at 1873 K

The Knudsen cell-mass spectrometer combination has been used to study carbon-saturated Fe-Al alloys at 1873 K. Activities are derived and presented for both metallic components as a function of the composition variableN _Al/(N _Al + N _Fe ).From the composition for the separation of the carbide, the standard Gibbs Energy of formation of Al₄C₃ is determined to be -88.8 ± 11.2 kJ mole^-1 at 1873 K. Formerly a Graduate Student.     

Relative stability of triplexes containing different numbers of T.AT and C+.GC triplets

We have used DNase I footprinting to compare the stability of parallel triple helices containing different numbers of T.AT and C+. GC triplets. We have targeted a fragment containing the 17mer sequence 5'-AGGAAGAGAAAAAAGAA with the 9mer oligonucleotides 5'-TCCTTCTCT, 5'-TTCTCTTTT and 5'-TTTTTTCTT, which form triplexes at the 5'-end, centre and 3'-end of the target site respectively. Quantitative DNase I footprinting has shown that at pH 5.0 the dissociation constants of these oligonucleotides are 0.13, 4.7 and >30 microM respectively, revealing that increasing the proportion of C+.GC triplets increases triplex stability. The results suggest that the positive charge on the protonated cytosine contributes to triplex stability, either by a favourable interaction with the stacked pisystem or by screening the charge on the phosphate groups. In the presence of a naphthylquinoline triplex binding ligand all three oligonucleotides bind with similar affinities. At pH 6.0 these triplexes only form in the presence of the triplex binding ligand, while at pH 7.5 footprints are only seen with the oligonucleotide which generates the fewest number of C+.GC triplets (TTTTTTCTT) in the presence of the ligand.     

Development of a new CuNiTiB brazing alloy for joining Si3N4 to Si3N4

Joining Si₃N₄ to Si₃N₄ was carried out initially with a Cu₃₄Ni₂₇Ti₃₉ brazing alloy prepared by double melting under a vacuum condition. However, the strength of the joints was not as high as expected. The causes were studied. Based on the results of the analysis, a CuNiTiB brazing filler metal was designed. The Si₃N₄/Si₃N₄ joints were then brazed with this new brazing alloy in the paste form, and joints with a three-point bend strength of 338.8 MPa at room temperature were obtained. The interfacial reactions of the joint are also discussed. With the rapidly solidified foils of the brazing alloy, the bend strength of the Si₃N₄/Si₃N₄ joints under the same brazing conditions is raised to 402 MPa at room temperature. The Si₃N₄/Si₃N₄ joints brazed with this newly developed brazing alloy exhibit a rather high and steady bend strength (about 406 MPa) at 723 K.     

Synthesis,upconversion luminescence and optical heating of hexagonal NaGdF4:Yb3+,Er3+

An optical heater based on hexagonal NaGdF_4:Yb~(3+)/Er~(3+) is reported. XRD, SEM and EDS characterization results show that F~-/Ln~(3+) can not only control the phase composition, particle size and morphology, but also affect the effective doping concentration of Yb~(3+) and Er~(3+).When F~-/Ln~(3+) is 12/1, the strongest upconversion luminescence is obtained. Based on the luminescent temperature sensing behavior of Er~(3+),the photo-thermal conversion performance was investigated. The results indicate that the temperature of irradiation spot is linearly dependent on the power density, and the photo-thermal responsivity is determined to be 3.3K·cm~2/W. Also, it is found that the photo-thermal conversion efficiency can be regulated by changing the Yb~(3+) doping concentration. Compared with the nano-gold, copper sulfide and carbon nanotubes, the NaGdF_4:Yb~(3+)/Er~(3+) has the triple functions of upconversion luminescence, temperature sensing, and photo-thermal conversion, and may therefore be a promising optical heater for photo-thermal therapy of tumors.     

Adhesion of liquid nickel to materials of the Si3N4-ZrO2 and Si3N4-Cr2O3 systems

Conclusions Refractory silicon nitride materials containing up to 50 wt.% of chromic and zirconium oxides (stabilized with CaO) are suitable for applications involving contact with liquid nickel.Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, No. 5(173), pp. 91–93, May, 1977.