Improved adhesion of copper on Al2O3

Summary Improved methods for Al₂O₃ metallization by Cu are described. Good adhesion between Cu and Al₂O₃ substrate depends on the formation of chemical bonds between the substrate and the metallic layer. The temperature needed for the formation of a CuAl₂O₄ spinel interface is reduced from 1050°C to 900°C by the addition of various oxides. The adhesion between the CuAl₂O₄ interface and deposited Cu is stronger then the tensile strength of pure Cu. Plasma techniques for the formation of a Cu containing interface are also described. Bombardment of a Cu film with Xe⁺ ions in a rf-glow discharge implants Cu atoms into the substrate to a depth of 5 nm, as determined by SIMS depth profiling. Methods for reduction of the CuAl₂O₄ surface for subsequent metallization are also presented.     

New quaternary carbide Mg1.52Li0.24Al0.24C0.86 as a disorder derivative of the family of hexagonal close‐packed (hcp) structures and the effect of structure modification on the electrochemical behaviour of the electrode

Magnesium alloys are the basis for the creation of light and ultra‐light alloys. They have attracted attention as potential materials for the accumulation and storage of hydrogen, as well as electrode materials in metal‐hydride and magnesium‐ion batteries. The search for new metal hydrides has involved magnesium alloys with rare‐earth transition metals and doped by p‐ or s‐elements. The synthesis and characterization of a new quaternary carbide, namely dimagnesium lithium aluminium carbide, Mg_1.52Li_0.24Al_0.24C_0.86, belonging to the family of hexagonal close‐packed (hcp) structures, are reported. The title compound crystallizes with hexagonal symmetry (space group Pm2), where two sites with m2 symmetry and one site with 3m. symmetry are occupied by an Mg/Li statistical mixture (in Wyckoff position 1a), an Mg/Al statistical mixture (in position 1d) and C atoms (2i). The cuboctahedral coordination is typical for Mg/Li and Mg/Al, and the C atom is enclosed in an octahedron. Electronic structure calculations were used for elucidation of the ability of lithium or aluminium to substitute magnesium, and evaluation of the nature of the bonding between atoms. The presence of carbon in the carbide phase improves the corrosion resistance of the Mg_1.52Li_0.24Al_0.24C_0.86 alloy compared to the ternary Mg_1.52Li_0.24Al_0.24 alloy and Mg.     

Interface microstructure and diffusion kinetics in diffusion bonded Mg/Al joint

The interface microstructure, formation of diffusion bonded joint and regulation of atom diffusion were studied by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS) and electron probe microanalyser (EPMA). The experimental results indicated that an obvious interfacial transition zone was formed between Mg and Al, and there are three intermetallic layers Mg₁₇Al₁₂, MgAl and Mg₂Al₃ in this zone. Diffusion activation energy of Mg and Al in the above layers was lower than that in the Mg and Al base metals. The thickness (x) of each layer can be expressed as x ² = 4.14exp(−28780/RT)(t−t ₀), x ² = 31.4exp(−25550/RT)(t−t ₀) and x ² = 0.6exp(−22600/RT)(t−t ₀) corresponding to Mg₁₇Al₁₂, MgAl and Mg₂Al₃ with heating temperature (T) and holding time (t).     

Li8Cu12+xAl6−x (x = 1.16): a new structure type related to Laves phases

The new ternary lithium copper aluminide Li₈Cu_12+xAl_6−x (x = 1.16) crystallizes in the P6₃/mmc space group with six independent atom positions of site symmetries m. (Al/Cu mixture), m2 (Li atoms), 3m. (Al/Cu mixture and Li atoms) and .m. (Cu atoms). The compound is a derivative of the K₇Cs₆ binary structure type and is related to the binary MgZn₂ Laves phase and the LiCuAl₂, MgCu_1.07Al_0.93 and Mg(Cu_1−xAl_x)₂ (x = 0.465) ternary Laves phases. The coordination polyhedra of the atoms in this structure are icosahedra (Cu atoms), slightly distorted icosahedra and bicapped hexagonal antiprisms (Al/Cu statistical mixture), and Frank–Kasper and distorted Frank–Kasper polyhedra (Li atoms). All interatomic distances indicate metallic type bonding.     

How Doping Affects the Activity of the Aluminum Oxide Support

The performance of heteronuclear clusters [AlXO₃]⁺ (X=Al, AlO₄, AlMg₂O₂, AlZnO, AlAu₂, Mg, Y, VO, NbO, TaO) in activating methane has been explored by a combination of high–level quantum calculations with reported and supplementary gas-phase experiments. With different dopants in [AlXO₃]⁺, the mechanism, reactivity and selectivity towards methane activation varies accordingly. The classic HAT competes with PCET, depending on the composition of intramolecular interactions. Although the existence of terminal oxygen radical is beneficial for classic HAT, the Al_t−C interaction in the [AlXO₃]⁺ clusters as enhanced by the strongly electronegative doping groups (X=Al, AlZnO, Mg, Zn, VO, NbO, TaO) favors the PCET process, facilitating C−H bond breaking. In addition, with different dopants, the destiny of the split methyl group varies accordingly. While strong interaction between Al_t and CH₃ results in the formation of the Al_t−C bond, dopants with variable valance may promote the formation of deep-oxidation products like formaldehyde. It has been discussed in detail how to regulate the activity and selectivity of the active center of the catalyst via rational doping.     

Cu–Al Spinel Oxide as an Efficient Catalyst for Methanol Steam Reforming

Cu–Al spinel oxide, which contains a small portion of the CuO phase, has been successfully used in methanol steam reforming (MSR) without prereduction. The omission of prereduction not only avoids the copper sintering prior to the catalytic reaction, but also slows down the copper‐sintering rate in MSR. During this process, the CuO phase can initiate MSR at a lower temperature, and CuAl₂O₄ releases active copper gradually. The catalyst CA2.5‐900, calcined at 900 °C with n(Al)/n(Cu)=2.5, has a higher CuAl₂O₄ content, higher BET surface area, and smaller CuAl₂O₄ crystal size. Its activity first increases and then decreases during MSR. Furthermore, both fresh and regenerated CA2.5‐900 showed better catalytic performance than the commercial Cu–Zn–Al catalyst.     

Tb2Ni2Mg3: a new structure type derived from the Ru3Al2B2 type

Single crystals of diterbium dinickel trimagnesium, Tb₂Ni₂Mg₃, were synthesized from the elements by induction melting. The novel compound crystallizes in the space group Cmmm with one Mg atom of site symmetry mmm and the Tb, Ni and other Mg atom in m2m positions. This ternary compound represents a new structure type that is derived from Ru₃Al₂B₂ by way of Wyckoff site distribution. The two‐layer structure of Tb₂Ni₂Mg₃ is a new representative of a homologous linear structure series of general formula R′_k+nX_2nR′′_2m+k based on structural fragments of the α‐Fe, CsCl and AlB₂ structure types. The Tb atoms in the structure are enclosed in 17‐vertex polyhedra, while rhombododeca­hedra and distorted rhombododeca­hedra surround the Mg atoms, and equatorially tricapped trigonal prisms form around the Ni atoms. All inter­atomic distances indicate metallic type bonding.     

Li15Al3Si6 (Li14.6Al3.4Si6), a compound displaying a heterographite‐like anionic framework

The title compound, lithium aluminium silicide (15/3/6), crystallizes in the hexagonal centrosymmetric space group P6₃/m. The three‐dimensional structure of this ternary compound may be depicted as two interpenetrating lattices, namely a graphite‐like Li₃Al₃Si₆ layer and a distorted diamond‐like lithium lattice. As is commonly found for LiAl alloys, the Li and Al atoms are found to share some crystallographic sites. The diamond‐like lattice is built up of Li cations, and the graphite‐like anionic layer is composed of Si, Al and Li atoms in which Si and Al are covalently bonded [Si—Al = 2.4672 (4) Å].     

Selective Lithium Adsorption of Silicon Oxide Coated Lithium Aluminum Layered Double Hydroxide Nanocrystals and Their Regeneration

Silicon oxide-coated lithium aluminum layered double hydroxide (Li_xAl₂-LDH@SiO₂) nanocrystals (NCs) are investigated to selectively separate lithium cations in aqueous lithium resources. We directly synthesized Li_xAl₂-LDH NC arrays by oxidation of aluminum foil substrate under a urea and lithium solution. Various lithium salts, including Cl⁻, CO₃²⁻, NO₃⁻, and SO₄²⁻, were applied in aqueous solution to confirm the anion effect on the captured and released lithium quantity of the Li_xAl₂-LDH NCs. In a 5% solution of sulfate ions mix with lithium chloride, the Li_xAl₂-LDH NCs separated a larger quantity of lithium than in other anion conditions. To enhance regeneration stability and lithium selectivity, thin layers of SiO₂ were coated onto the Li_xAl₂-LDH nanostructure arrays for inhibition of nanostructure destruction after desorption of lithium cations in hot water. The Li_xAl₂-LDH@SiO₂ nanostructures showed enhanced properties for lithium adsorption, including increase of stable regeneration cycles from three to five cycles, and they showed high lithium selectivity in the Mg²⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺ cation mixed aqueous resource. Our nanostructured LDH lithium adsorbents would provide a facile and efficient application for cost-efficient and large-scale lithium production.     

The gas‐phase ligand exchange of copper and nickel acetylacetonate,hexafluoroacetylacetonate and trifluorotrimethylacetylacetonate complexes

The gas‐phase ligand‐exchange reactions between Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes containing the acetylacetonate (acac), hexafluoroacetylacetonate (hfac), and trifluorotrimethylacetylacetonate (tftm) ligands were investigated using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The gas‐phase mixed‐ligand products of [Cu(acac)(tftm)]⁺, [Ni(acac)(tftm)]⁺, [Cu(hfac)(tftm)]⁺, and [Ni(hfac)(tftm)]⁺ were formed following the co‐sublimation of either homo‐metal or hetero‐metal precursors. The gas‐phase formation of [Cu(acac)(tftm)]⁺, [Cu(hfac)(tftm)]⁺, [Ni(acac)(tftm)]⁺, and [Ni(hfac)(tftm)]⁺ complexes is reported herein for the first time. The corresponding fragmentation patterns of these species along with those of Cu(tftm)₂ and Ni(tftm)₂ are also presented. Mass‐selected ion‐neutral reactions were investigated. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High-pressure transitions in MgAl2O4 and a new high-pressure phase of Mg2Al2O5

Phase transitions in MgAl₂O₄ were examined at 21-27 GPa and 1400-2500 °C using a multianvil apparatus. A mixture of MgO and Al₂O₃ corundum that are high-pressure dissociation products of MgAl₂O₄ spinel combines into calcium-ferrite type MgAl₂O₄ at 26-27 GPa and 1400-2000 °C. At temperature above 2000 °C at pressure below 25.5 GPa, a mixture of Al₂O₃ corundum and a new phase with Mg₂Al₂O₅ composition is stable. The transition boundary between the two fields has a strongly negative pressure-temperature slope. Structure analysis and Rietveld refinement on the basis of the powder X-ray diffraction profile of the Mg₂Al₂O₅ phase indicated that the phase represented a new structure type with orthorhombic symmetry (Pbam), and the lattice parameters were determined as a=9.3710(6) Å, b=12.1952(6) Å, c=2.7916(2) Å, V=319.03(3) Å³, Z=4. The structure consists of edge-sharing and corner-sharing (Mg, Al)O₆ octahedra, and contains chains of edge-sharing octahedra running along the c-axis. A part of Mg atoms are accommodated in six-coordinated trigonal prism sites in tunnels surrounded by the chains of edge-sharing (Mg, Al)O₆ octahedra. The structure is related with that of ludwigite (Mg, Fe²⁺)₂(Fe³⁺, Al)(BO₃)O₂. The molar volume of the Mg₂Al₂O₅ phase is smaller by 0.18% than sum of molar volumes of 2MgO and Al₂O₃ corundum. High-pressure dissociation to the mixture of corundum-type phase and the phase with ludwigite-related structure has been found only in MgAl₂O₄ among various A²⁺B³⁺₂O₄ compounds.     

La5Al3Ni2 – an Intermetallic Phase Observed upon Crystallization of La50Al25Ni25 Metallic Glass

The yet unknown intermetallic phase La₅Al₃Ni₂ was obtained by partially crystallizing amorphous La₅₀Al₂₅Ni₂₅ at 550 K (further heating above 600 K leads to irreversible disappearance of this phase), and its crystal structure was determined from X‐ray powder diffraction data. The crystal structure of the La₅Al₃Ni₂ phase constitutes a new structure type (Cmcm, a = 14.231Å, b = 6.914Å, c = 10.460Å, oC40) and is built from [Al₃Ni₂] chains surrounded by La atoms. In the ternary system La‐Al‐Ni La₅Al₃Ni₂ is located on the section La₅₀Al_50−nNi_n (0 ≤ n ≤ 50) with the binary compounds LaAl and LaNi as end members. Strikingly, also the crystal structures of the end members can be conceived as chain structures with Al and Ni chains surrounded by La, respectively.     

Catalysts based on cordierite modified with transition metal oxides

Catalysts active in ammonia oxidation have been obtained by the substitution of transition metal (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) ions for Mg ions in the cordierite structure 2MgO · 2Al₂O₃ · 5SiO₂ at 1100°C. Their phase composition, texture, and activity depend on the type and amount of introduced transition metal oxide. The Mn- and Cu-containing catalysts, which consist of substituted cordierites 2(Mg_{1 ? x} M _x )O · 2Al₂O₃ · 5SiO₂ and Mn₂O₃ or CuO crystallites located on their surface, are most active in ammonia oxidation. The catalysts are characterized by a small specific surface area and have large pores, whose total volume is small. The Fe-containing catalysts consist of the Fe-substituted cordierite phase and particles of an iron oxide phase. These particles are mostly located in internal pores of the catalysts and are, therefore, hardly accessible to ammonia molecules. The introduction of Co or Ni oxide leads to the formation of a low-active spinel phase rather than the cordierite phase.     

Isolation of the intermetallic compounds Al2Cu, Al12Mg17 Al3Fe, Al9Co2 and Al3Ni in binary aluminium alloys by application of an organic solvent

Summary For the isolation of the intermetallic compounds Al₂Cu, Al₁₂Mg₁₇, Al₃Fe, Al₉Co₂ and Al₃Ni in their binary alloys a new method is proposed: Sample alloy particles are placed in a flask with a methanolic solution of benzoic acid (20% wt.), oxine (5% wt.), chloroform (20% vol.) and sodium hydroxide (0.02% wt.). After sufficient time of agitation, the intermetallic compounds remain quantitatively in the solution.

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Isolierung der intermetallischen Verbindungen Al₂Cu, Al₁₂Mg₁₇, Al₃Fe, Al₉Co₂ und Al₃Ni aus binären Aluminiumlegierungen mit Hilfe eines organischen Lösungsmittels

Zusammenfassung Zur Isolierung der intermetallischen Verbindungen aus den entsprechenden binären Legierungen wird die Probe mehrere Stunden bis Tage unter Rühren mit einer methanolischen Lösung von Benzoesäure (20%), Oxin (5%), Chloroform (20%) und Natriumhydroxid (0,02%) behandelt. Hierbei wird die Matrix aufgelöst und die intermetallischen Verbindungen bleiben zurück.

     

Solid state studies on substituted CuCr2O4 spinel

Changes in crystallographic, electrical, and thermal properties of CuCr₂O₄ spinel were investigated by replacing Cu with Mg, i.e., Cu_1?xMg_xCr₂O₄, and Cr with Al, i.e., CuCr_2?xAl_xO₄. The tetragonal distortion in CuCr₂O₄ disappeared with 60% replacement of Cu by Mg (x = 0.6) or 50% replacement of Cr by Al (x = 1.0). The temperature variation of electrical resistivity for all the tetragonal samples was similar to that of CuCr₂O₄. The first order, diffusionless phase transition was manifest in the hysteresis loops of log ? vs $\text{1}\text{T}$ plots. The resistivity and activation energy for conduction changed sharply near the phase transition composition. With the replacement of Cr by Al, the conduction in CuCr₂O₄ was found to change from p type to n type. The low thermal stability of the spinel was found to be due to a high concentration of tetrahedral Cu²⁺ ions (>80%) and compressed tetragonal distortion which strains the spinel lattice. This strain is removed by replacing either Cu with Mg or Cr with Al, whereby the spinel becomes stable.     

Energy release characteristics of impact-initiated energetic aluminum–magnesium mechanical alloy particles with nanometer-scale structure

Aluminum–magnesium alloys, fabricated by bi-directional rotation ball milling, were used as a kind of promising solid fuel in “reactive material” that can be ignited by impact to release a large quantity of heats. Different percentages of Mg were added to Al to yield Al_90%–Mg_10% and Al_70%–Mg_30% alloys in order to probe the effect of Mg content on the microstructure and thermal reactivity of Al–Mg alloys. Structural characterization revealed that a nanometer-scale structure was formed and oxidation of as-fabricated alloy powders was faint. Moreover, as the Mg percentage increased, the particle size of alloy decreased with increasing brittleness of Al–Mg. TGA/DSC curves of the [Al_70%–Mg_30%]–O₂ system exhibited an intense exothermic peak before melting with reaction heat of 2478 J g^?1 and its weight increase reached 90.16% of its theoretical value, which contrasted clearly with 181.2 J g^?1 and 75.35% of [Al_90%–Mg_10%]–O₂ system, respectively. In addition, other than [Al_90%–Mg_10%]–Fe₂O₃ system, the [Al_70%–Mg_30%]–Fe₂O₃ system exhibited a considerable solid–solid reaction and a low activation energy. Finally, target penetration experiments were conducted and the results confirmed that a projectile composed of [Al_70%–Mg_30%]–Fe₂O₃ displayed a more complete ignition of target than that of Al–Fe₂O₃ formulation.     

Magnesium–lithium alloys with TiB and Sr additions

The ultralight hypoeutectic α-phase Mg–4.5Li–1.5Al alloy and hypereutectic β-phase Mg–12Li–1.5Al alloy in as-cast state were fabricated and subjected to modification by 0.2 mass% TiB and 0.2 mass% Sr grain modifiers. The crystallisation sequence of Mg–Li–Al alloys has been investigated in detail by using thermal-derivative analysis and microstructural observations. The presented work includes the effects of grain refiners on grain size and microstructure and thermal events registered during crystallisation of ultralight Mg–Li–Al alloys by recording and analysis of the temperature vs time, i.e. as T_N, T_α, T_β, T_η(LiAl) and T_SOL. Microstructure and phase observation has been done by light microscope, X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The changes of characteristic temperature points for phase transformation are studied in detail. Due to the addition of 0.2 mass% TiB and 0.2 mass% Sr, the grain structure of the alloy was refined, and mechanical properties were improved. When a TiB and Sr added simultaneously, the average grain size of the analysed alloys strongly decreases. When the TiB or Sr content was severally added, a low effect of improvements of mechanical properties was observed. With the TiB and Sr content, the liquidus and solidus decrease gradually.

     

Li12Cu16+xAl26−x (x = 3.2): a new intermetallic structure type

The new ternary lithium copper aluminide, Li₁₂Cu_16+xAl_26−x (x = 3.2), dodecalithium nonadecacopper tricosaaluminide, crystallizes in a new structure type with space group P4/mbm. Among nine independent atomic positions, two Al (one of which is statistically disordered with Cu) and three Li atoms have point symmetry m.2m, two statistically disordered Al/Cu atoms are in m.. sites, one Al atom is in a 4/m.. site and one Cu atom occupies a general site. The framework of Li₁₂Cu_16+xAl_26−x consists of pseudo‐Frank–Kasper polyhedra enclosing channels of hexagonal prisms occupied by Li atoms. The crystallochemical peculiarity of this new structure type is discussed in relation to the derivatives from Laves phases (LiCuAl₂ and Li₈Cu_12+xAl_6−x) and to the well known CaCu₅ structure.     

Ionic association and solvation in solutions of magnesium and nickel perchlorates in acetonitrile

The paper presents the conductometric data on solutions of Mg(ClO₄)₂ and Ni(ClO₄)₂ in acetonitrile over the temperature ranges 5–55°C for Mg(ClO₄)₂ and 25–75°C for Ni(ClO₄)₂. The extended Lee-Wheaton equation for unsymmetrical electrolytes was used to determine the limiting equivalent conductivities of the Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, and ClO ₄ ^? ions and first-step ionic association constants with the formation of [KtClO₄]⁺ ion pairs. Lower ionic association constants for Ni(ClO₄)² compared with Mg(ClO₄)₂ were a consequence of stronger non-Coulomb repulsion in the formation of [KtClO₄]⁺ ion pairs because of the formation of a firmer solvation shell by the nickel compared with magnesium cation. The structure-dynamic parameter of ionic solvation was estimated. It was found that spatial-time correlations in the nearest environment of ions increased in the series ClO ₄ ^? > Mg²⁺ > Ni²⁺.     

A Non-Hydrolytic Sol-Gel Approach for the Preparation of Mg x Al2(1−x)Ti(1+x)O5 Powders

The study of non-hydrolytic reactions for the synthesis of Mg _x Al_2(1?x)Ti_(1+x)O₅ solid solution with x = 0.6 is reported. The reagents chosen were Al(OsBu)₃, Ti(OiPr)₄, TiCl₄ and Mg(NO₃)₂·6H₂O in toluene. The reactions were followed using ¹³C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Sol-gel synthesized powders were calcined in air at 300, 500, 1000, and 1200°C for 1 h. The powders were analysed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) demonstrating the formation of a Mg_0.6Al_0.8Ti_1.6O₅ phase in samples treated at the higher calcination temperature.