Properties of Induction Plasma Sprayed Iron Based Nanostructured Alloy Coatings for Metal Based Thermal Barrier Coatings

Metal-based thermal barrier coatings (MBTBCs) have been produced using high frequency induction plasma spraying (IPS) of iron-based nanostructured alloy powders. The study of MBTBCs has been initiated to challenge issues associated with current TBC materials such as difficult prediction of their “in-service” lifetime. Reliability of TBCs is an important aspect besides the economical consideration. Therefore, the study of MBTBCs, which should posses higher toughness than the current TBC materials, has been initiated to challenge the mechanical problems of ceramic-based TBCs (CBTBCs) to create a new generation of TBCs. The thermal diffusivity (TD) (α) properties of the MBTBCs were measured using a laser flash method, and density (ρ) and specific heat (C _p) of the MBTBCs were also measured for their thermal conductivity (k) calculation (k = αρ C _p).     

Recent progress in improving ductility of ultra-high strength nanostructured metals

Until very recently, the reported tensile ductility of ultra-high strength nanocrystalline metals was disappointingly low. This article presents a brief overview of recent progress in identifying a group of nanostructured bulk elemental metals that offer not only gigapascal strength but also decent ductility. These include electrodeposited nanocrystalline or nano-twinned metals, and consolidated full-density nanocrystalline metals. Our own recent studies of these interesting nanomaterials, extending our previous/parallel success in optimizing the properties of bulk nanostructured metals prepared via severe plastic deformation, also demonstrated unprecedented tensile plastic strains.     

Influences of deposition parameters on the microstructure and properties of nanostructural TiN films synthesized by filtered cathodic arc plasma

Titanium nitride （TIN） films with nanostructure were prepared at ambient temperature on a （111） silicon substrate by the filtered cathodic arc plasma （FCAP） technology with an in-plane ＂S＂ filter. The effects of deposition parameters on the grain size, texture and nano-hardness of the films were systematically investigated. The grain size was obtained through calculation using the Scherrer formula and observed by TEM. The results of X-ray diffraction and electron diffraction indicated that increasing either negative substrate bias or argon flow promoted the formation of （111） preferred orientation. High argon flow leads to biaxial texture. The micro-hardness of the TIN films as a function of grain size showed a behavior according to the Hall-Petch relation under high argon flow.     

CAD oriented frequency,temperature, and DC bias dependent small‐signal,scalable circuit model of parallel‐plate paraelectric varactors

Simple, CAD compatible small‐signal scalable circuit model for the thin film parallel‐plate ferroelectric varactors is reported. It is based on the measured permittivity and loss tangent of the ferroelectric films along with the fundamental theoretical relationships of ferroelectrics in paraelectric phase. The model makes use of the measured DC field (voltage) at the inflection point of the C‐V curve where the nonlinearity (dC/dV) and the tunability are maximum. Both the capacitance and the equivalent loss resistance (dielectric losses) in the ferroelectric film take into account the low permittivity layers at the boundaries of the nano‐columns of the film. The frequency dependent losses in the top and bottom plates of the varactors and the parasitic inductance of the plates are also taken into account. The model is valid for ferroelectric films having columnar structure. It is useful in wide temperature, DC field, and frequency ranges. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2009.     

Synthesis of Co/SiO2 hybrid nanocatalyst via twisted Co3Si2O5(OH)4 nanosheets for high-temperature Fischer-Tropsch reaction

A cobalt-silica hybrid nanocatalyst bearing small cobalt particles of diameter ～5 nm was prepared through a hydrothermal reaction and hydrogen reduction.The resulting material showed very high CO conversion (＞82％) and high hydrocarbon productivity (～1.0 gHc·g-1cat,·h-11) with high activity (～8.5 x 10-5 molco·g-1Co·S-1) in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction.     

Pseudocapacitive Sodium Storage by Ferroelectric Sn2P2S6 with Layered Nanostructure

Sodium ion batteries (SIB) are considered promising alternative candidates for lithium ion batteries (LIB) because of the wide availability and low cost of sodium, therefore the development of alternative sodium storage materials with comparable performance to LIB is urgently desired. The sodium ions with larger sizes resist intercalation or alloying because of slow reaction kinetics. Most pseudocapacitive sodium storage materials are based on subtle nanomaterial engineering, which is difficult for large‐scale production. Here, ferroelectric Sn₂P₂S₆ with layered nanostructure is developed as sodium ion storage material. The ferroelectricity‐enhanced pseudocapacitance of sodium ion in the interlayer spacing makes the electrochemical reaction easier and faster, endowing the Sn₂P₂S₆ electrode with excellent rate capability and cycle stability. Furthermore, the facile solid state reaction synthesis and common electrode fabrication make the Sn₂P₂S₆ that becomes a promising anode material of SIB.     

Hierarchical CdS Nanorod@SnO2 Nanobowl Arrays for Efficient and Stable Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Generation

An efficient photoanode based on CdS nanorod@SnO₂ nanobowl (CdS NR@SnO₂ NB) arrays is designed and fabricated by the preparation of SnO₂ nanobowl arrays via nanosphere lithography followed by hydrothermal growth of CdS nanorods on the inner surface of the SnO₂ nanobowls. A photoelectrochemical (PEC) device constructed by using this hierarchical CdS NR@SnO₂ NB photoanode presents significantly enhanced performance with a photocurrent density of 3.8 mA cm^?2 at 1.23 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) under AM1.5G solar light irradiation, which is about 2.5 times higher than that of CdS nanorod arrays. After coating with a thin layer of SiO₂, the photostability of the CdS NR@SnO₂ NB arrays is greatly enhanced, resulting in a stable photoanode with a photocurrent density of 3.0 mA cm^?2 retained at 1.23 V versus the RHE. The much improved performance of the CdS NR@SnO₂ NB arrays toward PEC hydrogen generation can be ascribed to enlarged surface area arising from the hierarchical nanostructures, improved light harvesting owing to the NR@NB architecture containing multiple scattering centers, and enhanced charge separation/collection efficiency due to the favorable CdS–SnO₂ heterojunction.     

Effect of micro-electrode geometry on NO2 gas-sensing characteristics of one-dimensional tin dioxide nanostructure microsensors

Electrodes with micro-gaps are fabricated by using dc-sputtering and FIB techniques. SnO₂ nanowires are deposited on the micro-gap (1-30 μm) by suspension dropping method to fabricate a micro-gas sensor. The sensing ability of various SnO₂ micro-gap sensors is measured. A comparison between sensors reveals that the short-gap electrode has numerous advantages in terms of reliability, high sensitivity and detection of low concentrations of NO₂, while the large-gap electrode is relatively sensitive for high concentrations. Conductance measurements are carried out at different surface temperatures and NO₂ concentrations in order to investigate the effects that the gap size has on the overall sensor conductance. The results suggest that the interface between the electrode and sensitive layer has a very important role for the sensing mechanism of tin dioxide gas sensors.     

单分散TiO2的性能研究

以钛酸四丁酯为原料，三乙醇胺为形态控制剂，采用简单的凝胶溶胶-水热法制备了单分散的纳米级二氧化钛（TiO2）粒子。采用X-Ray衍射仪（XRD）、透射电镜（TEM）等手段对粒子的结构与形貌进行了分析。并考察了合成的纳米TiO2子的电化学性能和光催化活性。     

Enhanced photoelectrochemical current response of titania nanotube array

Self-organized and highly-ordered TiO₂ nanotube array with disjunctive wall-hole structure has been synthesized from titanium foil by potentiostatic–galvanostatic anodization process. The morphology and microstructure of the TiO₂ layer depend greatly on the electrolyzing parameters and electrolyte components. TiO₂ formation mechanism by anodization oxidation is discussed. The crystallized TiO₂/Ti nanotube electrode exhibited a significant enhancement of photoelectrochemical current response in comparison with micrometer-sized TiO₂/Ti multiporous electrode. Such kind of TiO₂ nanotube will have many potential applications in various areas as an outstanding photoelectrochemical material.