TiO2–CdS supported CuNi nanoparticles as a highly efficient catalyst for hydrolysis of ammonia borane under visible-light irradiation

TiO₂–CdS nanotubes (NTs) were used for the first time as a support to load metal nanoparticles (NPs) for the hydrolysis of ammonia borane (AB) which is a new strategy. The TiO₂–CdS NTs support was first synthesized using a hydrothermal method, and then the CuNi NPs were loaded using a liquid-phase reduction method. The synthesized samples were characterized by XRD, SEM-EDS, TEM, XPS, ICP, UV–Vis, and PL analyses. The characterization results show that the CuNi NPs existed in the form of an alloy with a size of ~1.2 nm and uniformly dispersed on the support. Compared with their single metal counterparts, the bimetallic CuNi-supported catalysts showed a higher catalytic activity in the hydrolysis of AB under visible-light irradiation: Cu_0·45Ni_0·55/TiO₂–CdS catalyst had the fastest hydrogen evolution rate with a high conversion frequency (TOF) of 25.9 mol_H2·mol_cat⁻¹ min⁻¹ at 25 °C and low activation energy of 32.8 kJ mol⁻¹. Cu_0.45Ni_0.55/TiO₂–CdS catalyst showed good recycle performance, maintaining 99.3% and 85.6% of the original hydrogen evolution rate even after five and ten recycles, respectively. Strong absorption of visible light, improved electron–hole separation efficiency, and metal synergy between Cu and Ni elements played a crucial role in improving the catalytic hydrolysis performance of AB. The catalyst prepared in this study provides a new strategy for the application of photocatalysts.     

基于声发射技术的接触疲劳失效检测应用与研究

接触疲劳是齿轮、轴承等长期承受交变载荷的重要旋转零部件的主要失效形式。采用声发射技术对接触疲劳失效过程进行监测,对损伤程度进行检测以及揭示接触疲劳失效机理具有重要的意义。随着声发射技术不断发展及先进声发射信号处理技术的出现,其在接触疲劳失效检测中的研究也越来越深入。文章回顾了声发射技术的发展现状,综述了声发射技术应用于块体零件和涂层零件的接触疲劳失效检测的研究进展与存在的问题,探讨了进一步研究的方向和解决问题的思路。     

Recovery of zinc from an industrial zinc leach residue by solvent extraction using D2EHPA

A hydrometallurgical treatment involving solvent extraction of zinc using di-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) has been investigated to recover zinc from an industrial leach residue. The residue was leached with sulfuric acid producing leach liquor which was subjected to solvent extraction for enrichment of zinc and removal of impurities. Operating variables, such as pH, D2EHPA concentration, temperature, aqueous/organic (A/O) phase ratio, tri-butyl phosphate (TBP) concentration and sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) concentration in aqueous phase were studied. Practically, all zinc was extracted from the aqueous solution at pH 2.5 with 20% w/w D2EHPA in kerosene. Increasing either TBP concentration up to 5%, or Na₂SO₄ concentration up to 0.2 M, increased the zinc extraction. Zinc could be extracted at one theoretical stage at A/O of 1/1, as calculated by McCabe–Thiele method.     

First-principle study of magnetic,elastic and thermal properties of full Heusler Co2MnSi

In this work, first principles calculation of structural, electronic magnetic and elastic properties of the half-metallic ferromagnetic Heusler compound Co₂MnSi are presented. We have applied the full-potential linearized augmented plane waves plus local orbitals (FP-L/APW+lo) method based on the density functional theory (DFT). For the exchange and correlation potential generalized-gradient approximation (GGA) is used. The computed equilibrium lattice parameters agree well with the available theoretical and experimental data. Elastic constants and their pressure dependence are also calculated. The calculated total magnetization of 5 μ_B is in excellent agreement with recent experiments. We also presented the thermal effects using the quasi-harmonic Debye model, in which the lattice vibrations are taken into account. Temperature and pressure effects on the structural parameters, heat capacities, entropy, thermal expansion coefficient, and Debye temperatures are determined from the non-equilibrium Gibbs functions.     

Cutting performance of TiCN–HSS cermet in dry machining

This work is focused on the cutting performance of a new cermet based on high-speed steel (HSS) matrix with hard phase TiCN. The processing route to manufacture the cermet M2 + 50 vol.% TiCN is described. Orthogonal cutting tests, carried out in a lathe showed the ability of the new cermet to achieve turning operations, showing reasonably wear resistance performing dry cutting operations. Tool life was significantly increased, when the cermet was compared with the reference material M2 without reinforcement and with commercial HSS M2. Evolution of flank wear and chipping wear, being the dominant wear patterns, were analysed.     

Microstructure and hydrogen absorption/desorption properties of Mg24Y3M (M = Ni,Co, Cu,Al) alloys

Ternary alloys with the nominal composition of Mg₂₄Y₃M (M = Ni, Co, Cu, Al) have been fabricated by using vacuum induction melting method. Their microstructure and phase composition are characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The isothermal hydrogen absorption and desorption kinetics are measured by a Sievert's-type apparatus. The dehydrogenation behaviors of the full hydrogenated alloys are also analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method. Results show that each and every alloy has a distinct multiphase structure containing the main phase Mg₂₄Y₅ and some amount of Mg. Intermetallic compounds of YCo₂ and Al₂Y are detected in the M = Co and M = Al alloy, while long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) phase can be also observed in M = Ni and M = Cu alloy. The hydrogen absorption and desorption kinetics shows a decreased trend in the following order: (M = Ni) > (M = Al) > (M = Co) > (M = Cu). The M = Ni alloy has the best hydrogen storage performance among the investigated alloys. The dehydrogenation activation energy (E_a) of the M = Ni alloy decreases to 66 kJ/mol, and its decomposition peak temperature is also reduced to 313 °C. Moreover, the p–c–T (pressure-composition isotherms) curves of the studied alloys are also discussed.     

Synthesis and characterization of La2Ti2O7 employed for photocatalytic degradation of reactive red 22 dyestuff in aqueous solution

Perovskite structured La₂Ti₂O₇ catalyst prepared by polymerized complex method was characterized and examined the photocatalytic activity by decomposing an azo dyestuff, Reactive Red 22, in aqueous solutions under UV irradiation. La₂Ti₂O₇ powders prepared by polymerized complex method exhibit higher surface areas, better homogeneity and are more sensitive to solution than those prepared by solid-state method. The first derivatives of UV–vis DRS patterns confirmed the complete crystallization of La₂Ti₂O₇ sintered at temperatures higher than 900 °C. The effects of sintering temperature of catalyst and solution pH of photocatalytic reaction were studied. The photocatalytic decomposition of Reactive Red 22 per unit surface area was found to be higher for experiments using La₂Ti₂O₇ than using TiO₂. However, the electron–hole recombination was found to be more obvious for La₂Ti₂O₇ than for TiO₂ because the network of metal cations constructed within La₂Ti₂O₇ enhances the mobility of photogenerated electrons and holes.     

Bimodal distribution characteristic of microstructure and mechanical properties of nanostructured composite ceramic coatings prepared by supersonic plasma spraying

Nanostructured composite ceramic coatings (NCs) were deposited by supersonic plasma spraying (SPS) technique. The microstructures of NCs were characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results showed that the microstructure of NCs exhibited a bimodal distribution consisting of fully melted regions (FM regions) and partially melted regions (PM regions). With the spray power increasing, the proportions of FM regions and PM regions both increased, but no distinct laws were found. The measured data of elastic modulus, micro-hardness and fracture toughness were analyzed using Weibull statistics. The results showed that these micromechanical properties followed Weibull distribution and presented a characteristic of bimodal distribution.     

Synthesis of hollow calcium carbonate particles by the bubble templating method

Hollow calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) is a potential component in many industrial fields such as plastics, rubbers, papermaking, and drug delivery. This paper described a novel approach to synthesize hollow CaCO₃ particles by using bubble as template via passing CO₂ bubbles into calcium chloride (CaCl₂) solution in the presence of ammonia (NH₃) at 27 °C. The CO₂ bubble is not only the reactive material, but also the template of hollow particles. The newly-formed primary particles attach to bubbles and form a solid shell. After filtering and drying the hollow CaCO₃ particles were obtained. Physical characteristics of the precipitate were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD).