Thermodynamic assessment of the Hg–Tl system

The phase diagram and thermodynamic properties of the Hg–Tl binary system were modeled by means of the CALPHAD method, using experimental information as reported in the literature. A good agreement was observed between our calculated data and the existing experimental data. Also, an interesting result was established about the dependence of entropy and enthalpy of mixing functions on temperature, and at the same time, on practically ideal activity vs. concentration. The Gamma phase was described for the first time using the substitional RKMP model.     

Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Diamond–SiC Nanocomposites

A bulk composite material close in hardness to diamond was fabricated from nanocrystalline diamond and SiC. The mechanical properties and microstructure of the composite were studied. Young's modulus of the composite is found to be notably lower than the one following from the additivity rule, which is attributable to the influence of structural defects present in the interfacial zone between SiC and diamond. SiC consists of nanometer-scale grains near the interface and submicron grains in the pores.     

Conductivity,thermal behavior and microstructure of new composites based on AgI–Ag2O–B2O3 glasses with Al2O3 matrix

A series of Ag⁺-ion conducting composites consisting of glasses of the AgI–Ag₂O–B₂O₃ system and hard Al₂O₃ powder matrix were synthesized by a high-pressure route (pressure 7.7 GPa, temperature 100–200 °C). The composition of the glasses was described by the general formula: xAgI·(100 − x)(0.667Ag₂O·0.333B₂O₃), where x = 40, 50 and 60. Alumina powder (2 μm average grain size) was added to the glass in 50/50 proportions (by volume).     

Phase Equilibria of the Sn-Sb Binary System

Sn-Sb alloys are important high-temperature solders. However, inconsistencies are found in the available phase diagrams, and some phase boundaries in the Sn-Sb system have not been determined. Sn-Sb alloys were prepared, equilibrated at 160°C to 300°C, and the equilibrium phases and their compositions were determined. The β-SnSb phase has a very wide compositional homogeneity range, and its composition varies from Sn-47.0at.%Sb to Sn-62.8at.%Sb. There is no order–disorder transformation of the β-SnSb phase. There are three peritectic reactions in the Sn-Sb system, L + Sb = β-SnSb, L + β-SnSb = Sn₃Sb₂, and L + Sn₃Sb₂ = Sn, and their temperatures are 424°C, 323°C, and 243°C, respectively. Thermodynamic models of the Sn-Sb binary system were developed using the CALPHAD approach based on the experimental results of this study and the data in the literature. The calculated phase diagram and thermodynamic properties are in good agreement with the experimental determinations.     

ZnO Nanoplatelets with Controlled Thickness: Atomic Insight into Facet-Specific Bimodal Ligand Binding Using DNP NMR

Colloidal nanoplatelets (NPLs) and nanosheets with controlled thickness have recently emerged as an exciting new class of quantum-sized nanomaterials with substantially distinct optical properties compared to 0D quantum dots. Zn-based NPLs are an attractive heavy-metal-free alternative to the so far most widespread cadmium chalcogenide colloidal 2D semiconductor nanostructures, but their synthesis remains challenging to achieve. The authors describe herein, to the best of their knowledge, the first synthesis of highly stable ZnO NPLs with the atomically precise thickness, which for the smallest NPLs is 3.2 nm (corresponding to 12 ZnO layers). Furthermore, by means of dynamic nuclear polarization-enhanced solid-state ¹⁵N NMR, the original role of the benzamidine ligands in stabilizing the surface of these nanomaterials is revealed, which can bind to both the polar and non-polar ZnO facets, acting either as X- or L-type ligands, respectively. This bimodal stabilization allows obtaining hexagonal NPLs for which the surface energy of the facets is modulated by the presence of the ligands. Thus, in-depth study of the interactions at the organic–inorganic interfaces provides a deeper understanding of the ligand–surface interface and should facilitate the future chemistry of stable-by-design nano-objects.