Synthesis of cyano-polycarbosilane and investigation of its pyrolysis process

Polycarbonsilane (PCS) is an important precursor of silicon carbide (SiC) fibers and ceramics. The ceramic yield of PCS is relatively low, about 60 %, which may bring some deficiencies in its applications. In this work, a novel precursor cyano-polycarbosilane (PCSCN) is synthesized by hydrosilylation reaction between PCS and acrylonitrile using a rhodium-containing catalyst, although acrylonitrile is generally not easy for hydrosilylation. After introducing tiny amounts of cyano (-C≡N) groups into the PCS molecules, the ceramic yield of PCSCN can increase largely to over 80 %. The ceramization mechanism of PCSCN is investigated by FTIR, TG, XPS, ESR, NMR, Raman and XRD analyses. It is found that some crosslinking structures in PCSCN are formed between SiH bonds and CN groups from about 200 ℃, which can be responsible for the high ceramic yield. The existence of a little more N, O and free C elements in the pyrolysis products may inhibit the growth of crystalline β-SiC. Moreover, the PCSCN precursor can also be melt-spun into continuous fibers by tailoring its molecular weight and softening point. The oxidized PCSCN fiber with relatively low oxygen content can be pyrolyzed without melting, and the final SiC fiber with an oxygen content as low as 8.5 % is obtained.     

Low temperature seamless joining of SiC using a Ytterbium film

Monolithic SiC, for the first time, was seamless joined at a low temperature of 1200 °C using electric field-assisted sintering technology. A 300 nm Yb coating on SiC was used as the joining filler to form Yb₃Si₂C₂ via an in-situ reaction with the SiC. A liquid phase was formed by an eutectic reaction between Yb₃Si₂C₂ and SiC. Almost completely seamless joints were formed by the precipitated SiC grains, which were fully consolidated with the SiC matrix with the help of in-situ formed liquid phase, followed by its elimination under the uniaxial pressure. The bending strength of the seamless joint joined at 1500 °C for 15 min was as high as 257.2 ± 31.1 MPa, which was comparable to the strength of the SiC matrix. As a result, the failure occurred in the matrix indicated a sound joint was obtained. The proposed low temperature seamless joining could potentially be used for joining of SiC-based composite.     

A new insight into promotion action of Co2+ in Ni-diamond composite electrodeposition

A new insight into the promotion action of Co²⁺ on both particle and metal deposition in Ni-diamond composite electrodeposition system was analyzed according to electrochemical measurements. The results showed that the addition of Co²⁺ made particles content in deposits increased remarkably. The change of particles content in deposits was related inversely to the change of cathodic zero potential with the increase of the concentration of cobalt sulfate. Zero charge potential of cathode was shifted to much more negative region. The negative shift of the zero potential, combining with positive shift of the zeta potential, increased the electrostatic force between the particle-adsorbed metallic cations and the cathode. It not only benefits to the transportation of particles in solution towards cathode, but also shortens their residence time on cathodic surface. Meanwhile, entry of particles is also promoted. For metals deposition, reduction resistance of metallic cations rises greatly and deposition current at cathodic potentiodynamic polarization decreases after cobalt sulfate has been added into electrolyte. These factors are favorable for increasing particles content in deposits. In addition, physical model of diamond particles deposition state before and after the addition of Co²⁺ has been discussed.     

Oligothiophene-based small molecules with 3,3′-difluoro-2,2′-bithiophene central unit for solution-processed organic solar cells

Two new oligothiophene-based small molecules, namely DRCN6T-F and DRCN8T-F, with 3,3′-difluoro-2,2′-bithiophene as the central building block and 2-(1,1-dicyanomethylene)-rhodanine as end groups, were designed and synthesized. Compared to their non-fluorinated counterparts DRCN6T and DRCN8T, DRCN6T-F and DRCN8T-F exhibit enhanced intermolecular interactions and lower HOMO energy levels. However, PCEs of 2.26% and 5.07% were obtained for DRCN6T-F and DRCN8T-F based optimized devices, respectively, lower than those of non-fluorinated molecules DRCN6T and DRCN8T. The relatively poor performance for the DRCN6T-F and DRCN8T-F were mainly caused by their low short-circuit current densities, due to their unfavorable morphologies and low charge carrier mobilities.     

Origin of abnormal glass transition behavior in metallic glasses

In this paper, the phenomenon of two glass-transition-like appearance in the supercooled liquid region of metallic glasses was investigated. It is confirmed that this abnormal behavior is attributed to the transition process of an amorphous state from higher energy to lower energy. The amorphous state with higher energy comes from the uneven distribution of compositions in glasses, which is mainly caused by the component with significant differences in atomic size and nonnegative values of enthalpy of mixing. The results were verified by high resolution transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectrometry.     

Luminescence and energy transfer of color-tunable Lu_2MgAl_4SiO_(12):Eu~(2+),Ce~(3+),Mn~(2+) phosphors

Energy transfer among the co-doped activators is an efficient route to achieve color-tunable emission in inorganic phosphors.Herein,photoluminescence tuning from blue to cyan has been achieved in the Lu_2MgAl_4 SiO_(12);Eu~(2+),Ce~(3+)phosphors by varying the Ce~(3+) concentration with a fixed Eu~(2+)content.With the further introduction of a Mn~(2+)-Si4+couple into the host lattice,the emission color can be tuned to red through the energy transfer of Eu~(2+)and Mn~(2+).The luminescence properties and the energy transfer mechanism were studied in detail.The energy transfer from Eu~(2+)to Ce~(3+)is certified as a dipolequadrupole interaction with the energy transfer efficiency of 41.4% and Eu~(2+)to Mn~(2+)belongs to a dipole-dipole interaction with the energy transfer efficiency of 94.3%.The results imply that this singlephased Lu_2MgAl4 SiO_(12):Eu~(2+),Ce~(3+),Mn~(2+)phosphor has a potential prospect for application in near-UV chip pumped white light emitting diodes.     

Effect of sintering temperature on the structural and magnetic properties of MgFe2O4 ceramics prepared by spark plasma sintering

Spark plasma sintering (SPS) is a powerful technique to produce fine grain dense ferrite at low temperature. This work was undertaken to study the effect of sintering temperature on the densification, microstructures and magnetic properties of magnesium ferrite (MgFe₂O₄). MgFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized via sol–gel self-combustion method. The powders were pressed into pellets which were sintered by spark plasma sintering at 700–900 °C for 5 min under 40 MPa. A densification of 95% of the theoretical density of Mg ferrite was achieved in the spark plasma sintered (SPSed) ceramics. The density, grain size and saturation magnetization of SPSed ceramics were found to increase with an increase in sintering temperature. Infrared (IR) spectra exhibit two important vibration bands of tetrahedral and octahedral metal-oxygen sites. The investigations of microstructures and magnetic properties reveal that the unique sintering mechanism in the SPS process is responsible for the enhancement of magnetic properties of SPSed compacts.     

轰击离子能量对V2AlC MAX相涂层结构及力学性能的影响

采用物理气相沉积（PVD）磁控溅射沉积方法,通过改变轰击离子能量制备高密度的V₂AlC涂层,并探究不同轰击离子能量对涂层结构和性能的影响。利用能谱仪测试、X射线衍射、拉曼光谱、扫描电镜、原子力显微镜对涂层的化学组成、相结构、表面与截面形貌进行分析,同时利用纳米压痕测试评价V₂AlC涂层力学性能。结果表明,提高轰击离子能量从15 eV到35 eV可以有效使得V₂AlC涂层致密化,且降低涂层表面粗糙度~50%（从~20.2 nm到~11.9 nm）,同时提高涂层的硬度~50%（从~14 GPa到~21 GPa）,与杨氏模量~20%（从~309 GPa到~363 GPa）。但当轰击离子能量升高到50 eV时,Al元素含量急剧下降,涂层由V₂AlC相转变为V₂C与VC多相混合。轰击离子能量的提高有效改善V₂AlC涂层的结构,提高V₂AlC涂层的硬度,杨氏模量,但需控制轰击离子能量改变范围才可实现结构与性能最优化。     

Low-temperature diffusion bonding of Ti3Si(Al)C2 ceramic with Au interlayer

Herein, a reliable diffusion bonding of Ti₃Si(Al)C₂ ceramic is achieved by applying Au foil as an interlayer at 650 °C for 30 min with an axial pressure of 20 MPa. This novel method significantly decreases the bonding temperature, which is about 150 °C lower than the lowest bonding temperature from current research to the best of our knowledge. Maximum shear strength of 58 MPa is achieved at 650 °C among the bonding temperature range of 600 °C~800 °C. The microstructure evolution mechanism and the relationship between microstructure and mechanical property are discussed. The facile mutual diffusion of Au with de-intercalated Al and Si from Ti₃Si(Al)C₂ is considered critical in achieving sound interfacial bonding.     

The effect of borate buffer on ortho quinone electrochemistry

Although boric acid is known to complex with various polyalcohols, it is often used as a component of buffer mixtures. Electrochemical and spectrophotometric experiments have shown that borate buffers exhibit two types of interference with ortho quinone redox systems. Ortho quinones themselves exist in equilibrium with electroinactive complexes in borate solutions. The corresponding hydroquinones formed by reduction of the quinones complex even more strongly giving complexes which may be oxidized back to the quinone, but at a much higher potential than for the hydroquinone.