Thermal and electrical conduction properties of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes produced by water-assisted chemical vapor deposition

We present both thermal and electrical conduction properties of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs), synthesized by the water-assisted chemical vapor deposition method using Fe–Ti–O nanoparticles as catalyst. Thermal diffusivity and electrical resistance of VACNTs have been measured by the laser flash method and direct-current four-terminal method, respectively. The VACNTs are found to have thermal diffusivities of the same order as isotropic graphite and the electrical characteristics of semiconductors. The electrical resistance shows a T^−1/4 temperature dependence, which implies that the conduction of electrons is dominated by 3D Mott variable range hopping.     

Knoop Microhardness Anisotropy and the Indentation Size Effect on the Basal Plane of Single-Crystal Alumina (Sapphire)

The Knoop microhardness anisotropy profile was determined for the basal plane of a Czochralski grown alumina single crystal for indentation test loads from 100 through 1000 g. Microhardness maxima occur at low indentation test loads for the long axis of the Knoop indenter parallel to the 〈2[Onemacr][Onemacr]0〉. Minima exist for the long axis parallel to the 〈10[Onemacr]0〉. This low indentation test load profile is attributed to slip on the primary slip system, the (0001)〈[Onemacr][Onemacr]20〉, as previously noted by Brookes and co-workers. The degree of the microhardness anisotropy decreases for higher indentation test loads. This results from the activation of multiple slip systems to accommodate the greater amounts of plastic flow required by the larger indentation sizes. The microhardness profile becomes more uniform with increasing indentation test load until the Knoop microhardness approaches a test-load-independent, orientation-independent microhardness of 1167 ± 34 kg/mm². The indentation size effect (ISE) was further investigated through lubricated indentation hardness measurements. Lubrication of the test specimen surface significantly reduces the ISE. Results indicate that friction between the test specimen surface and the indenter facets is a major portion of the ISE.     

Effect of particle size distribution of fly ash-cement system on the fluidity of cement pastes

This paper investigates the effect of particle size distribution of fly ash-cement system on the fluidity of the cement pastes using class F fly ash collected from the hopper attached to an electrostatic precipitator when the burning conditions and types of coal are changed at a coal-fired power plant. The unburned carbon content of fly ashes used in the experiment is less than 1.5%. To prevent the unburned carbon in fly ashes from affecting the fluidity of the pastes, polycarboxylic acid plasticizer with more saturation amount is added into the pastes for experimentation. The particle size distribution of fly ash-cement system is analyzed using n value of Rosin-Rammler function and the n value is derived with a nonlinear least squares fitting method. As the result, it is shown that the fluidity increases as the particle size distribution becomes wider, i.e., as n value gets smaller.     

Porous Titania Ceramic Prepared by Mimicking Silicified Wood

A porous titania ceramic with a woodlike microstructure that was analogous to silicified wood was prepared. The production of "titanified wood" was performed using the following process: (i) introduction of titanium tetraisopropoxide into wood materials via vacuum infiltration, (ii) hydrolysis of the titanium tetraisopropoxide in the cell structure to form a titania gel, and (iii) firing at a temperature of 600°–1400°C in air. The resulting titania ceramic had the same external and internal forms of the original wood.     

Fabrication, Sinterability, and Mechanical Properties of Lead Zirconate Titanate/Silver Composites

High-toughness and high-strength lead zirconate titanate (PZT) composites that contain fine silver particles were successfully fabricated at low sintering temperatures. Addition of silver to a PZT matrix did not result in unwanted reaction phases; however, some silver diffused toward the perovskite crystal structure. A small quantity of silver accelerated the sinterability of the PZT composites. The formation of oxygen vacancies due to the partial substitution of silver appeared to enhance the sinterability of the PZT. Fracture toughness depended on the size and degree of sphericity of the silver particles, and SEM observations on crack propagation suggested that the toughening mechanism in the PZT/Ag composites involves crack bridging resulting from the ductile behavior of silver particles. It is proposed that high fracture strength in PZT/1 to 5 vol% Ag composites results from the relaxation of transformation-induced internal stress by the silver particles.