Superconductivity in Mo5SiB2

In the Mo-Si binary system, Mo₅Si₃ crystallizes in the W₅Si₃ (T₁ phase) structure type. However, when boron replaces silicon in this compound, a structural transition occurs from the W₅Si₃ prototype structure to the Cr₅B₃ prototype structure (T₂ phase) at the composition Mo₅SiB₂. Mo₅SiB₂ has received much attention in the literature as a candidate for structural application in high-temperature turbines, but its electronic and magnetic behavior has not been explored. In this work, we show that Mo₅SiB₂ is a bulk superconducting material with critical temperature close to 5.8 K. The specific-heat, resistivity and magnetization measurements reveal that this material is a conventional type II BCS superconductor.     

Microstructure and wear behaviors of laser clad NiCr/Cr3C2-WS2 high temperature self-lubricating wear-resistant composite coating

The high temperature self-lubricating wear-resistant NiCr/Cr₃C₂-30%WS₂ coating and wear-resistant NiCr/Cr₃C₂ coating were fabricated on 0Cr18Ni9 austenitic stainless steel by laser cladding. Phase constitutions and microstructures were investigated, and the tribological properties were evaluated using a ball-on-disc wear tester under dry sliding condition at room-temperature (17 °C), 300 °C and 600 °C, respectively. Results indicated that the laser clad NiCr/Cr₃C₂ coating consisted of Cr₇C₃ primary phase and γ-(Fe,Ni)/Cr₇C₃ eutectic colony, while the coating added with WS₂ was mainly composed of Cr₇C₃ and (Cr,W)C carbides, with the lubricating WS₂ and CrS sulfides as the minor phases. The wear tests showed that the friction coefficients of two coatings both decrease with the increasing temperature, while the both wear rates increase. The friction coefficient of laser clad NiCr/Cr₃C₂-30%WS₂ is lower than the coating without WS₂ whatever at room-temperature, 300 °C, 600 °C, but its wear rate is only lower at 300 °C. It is considered that the laser clad NiCr/Cr₃C₂-30%WS₂ composite coating has good combination of anti-wear and friction-reducing capabilities at room-temperature up to 300 °C.     

Deposition of duplex Al2O3/aluminum coatings on steel using a combined technique of arc spraying and plasma electrolytic oxidation

Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) is a cost-effective technique that can be used to prepare ceramic coatings on metals such as Ti, Al, Mg, Nb, etc., and their alloys, but this promising technique cannot be used to modify the surface properties of steels, which are the most widely used materials in engineering. In order to prepare metallurgically bonded ceramic coatings on steels, a combined technique of arc spraying and plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) was adopted. In this work, metallurgically bonded ceramic coatings on steels were obtained using this method. We firstly prepared aluminum coatings on steels by arc spraying, and then obtained the metallurgically bonded ceramic coatings on aluminum coatings by PEO. The characteristics of duplex coatings were analyzed by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The corrosion and wear resistance of the ceramic coatings were also studied. The results show that, duplex Al₂O₃/aluminum coatings have been deposited on steel substrate after the combined treatment. The ceramic coatings are mainly composed of α-Al₂O₃, γ-Al₂O₃, θ-Al₂O₃ and some amorphous phase. The duplex coatings show favorable corrosion and wear resistance properties. The investigations indicate that the combination of arc spraying and plasma electrolytic oxidation proves a promising technique for surface modification of steels for protective purposes.     

The existence of giant magnetocaloric effect and laminar structure in Fe73.5−xCrxSi13.5B9Nb3Cu1

Amorphous soft magnetic ribbons Fe_73.5−xCr_xSi_13.5B₉Nb₃Cu₁ (x=1–5) have been fabricated by rapid quenching on a single copper wheel. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) patterns showed that the crystallization temperature of α-Fe(Si) phase is ranging from 542 to 569 °C, a little higher than that of pure Finemet (x=0). With the same annealing regime, the crystallization volume fraction as well as the particle size of α-Fe(Si) crystallites decreased with increasing Cr amount substituted for Fe in studied samples. Especially, the interesting fact is that the laminar structure of heat-treated ribbons on the surface contacted to copper wheel in the fabricating process has been firstly discovered and explained to be related to the existence of Cr in studied samples. The hysteresis loop measurement indicated that there is the pinning of displacement of domain walls. The giant magnetocaloric effect (GMCE) has been found in amorphous state of the samples. After annealing, the soft magnetic properties of investigated nanocomposite materials are desirably improved.     

Magnetic-field-induced transition from metastable spin glass to possible antiferromagnetic-ferromagnetic phase separation in Cd0.5Cu0.5Cr2O4

Using ac susceptibility, dc magnetization and heat-capacity measurements, we have investigated the magnetic properties of Cd_0.5Cu_0.5Cr₂O₄. Cd_0.5Cu_0.5Cr₂O₄ has an extraordinary magnetic phase including a metastable spin-glass (SG) phase at zero field, a possible phase separation scenario of AFM/FM above ∼0.5 T field, and at intermediate fields, an apparent pseudo reentrant spin-glass (RSG) plateau is observed. These phenomena are closely correlated with the pinning effect of the Cu²⁺ sublattice on the frustrated lattice.     

Laser clad Ni-base alloy added nano- and micron-size CeO2 composites

Micron-size Ni-base alloy (NBA) powders are mixed with both 1.5 wt% (%) micron-CeO₂ (m-CeO₂) and also 1.0–3.0% nano-CeO₂ (n-CeO₂) powders. These mixtures are coated on low carbon steel (Q235) by 2.0 kW CO₂ laser cladding. The effects on microstructures, microhardness and wear resistance of the coating by the addition of m- and n-CeO₂ powders to NBA (m- and n-CeO₂/NBA) have been investigated. Addition to the primary phases of γ-Ni, Cr₂₃C₆ and Ni₃B of NBA coating, CeNi₃ shows up both in m- and n-CeO₂/NBA coatings and CeNi₅ appears only in n-CeO₂/NBA coating. Directional dendrite and coarse equiaxed dendrite are grown in m-CeO₂/NBA coating from interface to central zone, whereas multi-oriented dendrite and fine equiaxed dendrite growth by addition of n-CeO₂. The microhardness and wear resistance of coatings are greatly improved by CeO₂ powder addition, and compared to the addition of 1.0% and 3.0%, 1.5% n-CeO₂/NBA is the best. Hardness and wear resistance of the coating improves with decreasing CeO₂ size from micron to nano.     

Radio-frequency (RF) studies of the magneto-dielectric composites: Cr0.75Fe1.25O3 (CRFO)-Fe0.5Cu0.75Ti0.75O3 (FCTO)

This paper concerns a study about the electrical properties of Cr_0.75Fe_1.25O₃ (CRFO)/Fe_0.5Cu_0.75Ti_0.75O₃ (FCTO) magneto-dielectric composites. These compounds were prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction synthesis. The samples synthesized, as well their two-phase composites [Cr_0.75Fe_1.25O₃]_Z-[Fe_0.5Cu_0.75Ti_0.75O₃]_100−Z (Z=17, 34, 50, 66, 83), were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction technique (XRD). Rietveld's method was employed to verify the quantitative phase abundances in the composites’ and their theoretical densities, which were compared with the experimental densities (pycnometer method).To predict the effect of the phases in the composites effective dielectric function (κ), traditional dielectric mixing models such as parallel, series, and Lichtenecker's model were observed. An alternative approach, a sigmoidal fitting function based on the Boltzmann equation, was proposed to fit the experimental data.     

非晶Fe73.5Cu1Nb3Si13.5B9合金激光纳米化的超精细结构研究

在CO₂激光功率为50—300W、扫描速度为20mm/s、激光散光斑为20mm照射条件下 ，诱导非 晶Fe_735Cu₁Nb₃Si_135B9带中发生结构重组，产生定量纳米α-F e(Si)晶相形成双相组织结构材料. 利用穆斯堡尔谱研究了非晶Fe_735C u₁Nb₃Si_135B₉合金激光纳米化的 超精细结构. 实验结果表明，激光诱导非晶 Fe_735Cu₁Nb₃Si_135B ₉纳米化后，其超精细磁场的分布随 着激光功率变 化由单峰向双峰变化，在高功率辐照时， 出现了双峰分布，并且峰位向高场移动. 高激光 功率辐照非晶Fe_735Cu₁Nb₃Si_{135B9合金纳米晶化相有四种超精细结 构，即2个超精细磁场较小的初晶相和2个超精细磁场较大的纳米晶化相. 其中超精细磁场较 大(17—25MA/m)的α-Fe(Si)相为DO3结构. 关键词： 激光 纳米晶α-Fe（Si) 735}Cu₁Nb< sub>3Si_135B₉')" href="#">非晶Fe_735Cu₁Nb< sub>3Si_135B₉ 超精细结构 超精细磁场     

Phase stability and electronic structure of Si2Sb2Te5 phase-change material

On the basis of an ab initio computational study, the present work provide a full understanding on the atomic arrangements, phase stability as well as electronic structure of Si₂Sb₂Te₅, a newly synthesized phase-change material. The results show that Si₂Sb₂Te₅ tends to decompose into Si₁Sb₂Te₄ or Si₁Sb₄Te₇ or Sb₂Te₃, therefore, a nano-composite containing Si₁Sb₂Te₄, Si₁Sb₄Te₇ and Sb₂Te₃ may be self-generated from Si₂Sb₂Te₅. Hence Si₂Sb₂Te₅ based nano-composite is the real structure when Si₂Sb₂Te₅ is used in electronic memory applications. The present results agree well with the recent experimental work.     

铁基纳米晶合金介观结构的等效RLC并联模型

根据实验研究成果提出纳米晶合金软磁性能受其介观结构影响的观点，建立了Fe基纳米晶合金的球状介观结构模型，分别求出只有交变磁场或交变磁场和静磁场作用时纳米晶粒球的频率函数——D函数.分析表明，两种D函数都是复变函数，其实部Re(D)为纳米晶电感性质和电容性质的反映，虚部Im(D)为纳米晶电阻性质的反映，据此建立了Fe基纳米晶合金介观结构的等效RLC并联模型.由该模型求得合金产生极值巨磁电阻的条件为v_extGMI=v|_Re(D)=0，决定因素有μ,σ,ω,R和H_ex及微观磁结构. 关键词： Fe基纳米晶合金 等效RLC并联模型 球状介观结构模型 频率函数     

Tribological properties of rare earth oxide added Cr3C2-NiCr coatings

A novel supersonic plasma spraying was used to prepare rare earth oxide added Cr₃C₂-NiCr coatings. X-ray diffractometer, contact surface profiler, hardness tester, micro-friction and -wear tester, environmental scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy were employed to investigate the phase structure, surface morphology, microhardness, and friction properties of deposited coatings, respectively. The results show that surface roughness, microhardness, brittle fracture, friction extent and wear resistance of rare earth oxide added Cr₃C₂-NiCr coatings are effectively improved compared with that of unadded one. The friction and friction mechanism are also discussed.     

频率对纳米晶软磁合金磁性能影响的理论解释

根据原子力显微镜（AFM）对Fe基纳米晶Fe_735Cu₁Nb_{3< /sub>Si135B9合金薄带的介观结构的研究结果，提出了解释纳米晶软磁合金磁性能的理论模型——柱、球混合模型，并成功地解释了频率对纳米晶软磁合金磁性能的影响，所得理论体现了Herzer理论和纪松理论的特点，并弥补了它们的不足，同时提出了纳米晶粒电导率σ、磁导率μ对合金磁性有影响的观点. 关键词： 铁基纳米晶合金 模型 频率 软磁性能}     

Study of magnetic properties of Mn1−xCuxCr2S4 by: High-temperature series expansions

The high-temperature series expansions method applied in the systems Mn_1−xCu_xCr₂S₄ in the range 0?x?1. The exchange interactions and the magnetic exchange energies are calculated by using the probability law. The high-temperature series expansions have been applied in the spinel Mn_1−xCu_xCr₂S₄ systems, combined with the Padé approximants method, to determine the magnetic phase diagram, i.e. T_C versus dilution x. The critical exponent associated with the magnetic susceptibility (γ) is deduced. The obtained value of γ is insensitive to the dilution ratio x and may be compared with other theoretical results based on 3D Heisenberg model.     

Electrodeposition and tribological properties of Ni-SrSO4 composite coatings

Ni-SrSO₄ composite coatings were electrodeposited on superalloy Inconel 718 from a Watts electrolyte containing a SrSO₄ suspension. Ni-SrSO₄ coatings were investigated by scanning electron microscope, microhardness tester, and friction and wear tester in sliding against a bearing steel ball under unlubricated condition. The incorporation of SrSO₄ into Ni matrix increases the microhardness of electrodeposited coatings. Ni-SrSO₄ composite coating exhibits a distinctly low friction coefficient and a small wear rate as contrasted with pure Ni coating and the substrate. The effect of SrSO₄ particles on microstructure and tribological properties of Ni-SrSO₄ composite coatings is discussed.     

Optical absorption and thermoluminescence properties of ZnF2-MO-TeO2 (MO=As2O3, Bi2O3 and P2O5) glasses doped with chromium ions

Optical absorption, thermoluminescence, infrared spectra and differential thermal analysis of three different tellurite glass systems viz., ZnF₂-As₂O₃-TeO₂, ZnF₂-Bi₂O₃-TeO₂ and ZnF₂-P₂O₅-TeO₂ containing 0.4% of Cr₂O₃, have been investigated. Results have been analysed in the light of different oxidation states of chromium ion and the most suitable host for lasing Cr³⁺ ions has been identified and reported.     

Neutron and X-ray diffraction studies on the Tb2Ni3Si5 single crystal

Neutron and X-ray diffraction studies on the Tb₂Ni₃Si₅ single crystal have been done to investigate its crystal modulation and magnetic properties. The modulated single crystal is constructed by the TbNiSi₂ (CeNiSi₂-type Cmcm) and the Tb₂Ni₃Si₅ (U₂Co₃Si₅-type Ibam) lattices. The relationship between the two lattices is described as direction of the b₁₁₂-axis coincides with the a₂₃₅-axis. The crystal modulation gives significant effects on magnetism. Each of the two lattices takes complex antiferromagnetism with multiplex propagation vectors.     

Structural and luminescence characterization of synthetic Cr-doped Ni3(PO4)2

Ni_3–xCr_2x/3(PO₄)₂ (x=0 and 0.02) microcrystalline powders were obtained as single phases via a modified sol–gel Pechini-type in situ polymerizable complex method. The samples were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, cathodoluminescence (CL), and thermoluminescence (TL) techniques. We found that Cr³⁺ doping modified the average particle and distribution. The mean particle size was 0.441 μm for Ni₃(PO₄)₂ and 0.267 μm for Ni_2.98Cr_0.013(PO₄)₂. The results also reveal that Cr³⁺ doping notably enhanced the CL and TL UV-blue emission.     

Microstructure and dry-sliding wear resistance of PTA clad (Cr, Fe)7C3/γ-Fe ceramal composite coating

A wear resistant (Cr, Fe)₇C₃/γ-Fe ceramal composite coating was fabricated on substrate of a 0.45%C carbon steel by plasma transferred arc (PTA) cladding process using the Fe-Cr-C elemental powder blends. The microstructure, microhardness and dry-sliding wear resistance of the coating were evaluated. Results shown that the plasma transferred arc clad ceramal composite coating has a rapidly solidified microstructure consisting of blocky primary (Cr, Fe)₇C₃ and the inter-blocky (Cr, Fe)₇C₃/γ-Fe eutectics and is metallurgically bonded to the 0.45%C carbon steel substrate. The ceramal composite coating has high hardness and excellent wear resistance under dry sliding wear test condition.     

Optical spectrum, local lattice structure and EPR g factors for Cr impurity ions in MgTiO3 and LiTaO3

On the basis of the 120×120 complete energy matrices for a d³ configuration ion in a trigonal ligand field, for Cr³⁺ ions doped in MgTiO₃ and LiTaO₃, the local structures and EPR g factors of the octahedral (CrO₆)⁹⁻ clusters have been studied, respectively. By simulating the calculated optical spectra and the EPR spectra data to the experimental results, local structure parameters are obtained. The calculated results show that although the local lattice structures around the M (M=Mg²⁺, Ta⁵⁺) ions are obviously different, after Cr³⁺ replacing the M, the local lattice structures around the Cr³⁺ ions are quite similar and close to those of the Cr₂O₃. This may be ascribed to the fact that the octahedral Cr³⁺ center in MgTiO₃:Cr³⁺ and LiTaO₃:Cr³⁺ systems and that in Cr₂O₃ exhibit similar octahedral (CrO₆)⁹⁻ clusters. Moreover, the corresponding theoretical values of the optical spectra have been reported. It is also found that the orbital reduction factor k is very important to understand the EPR g factors for Cr³⁺ ions doped in MgTiO₃ and LiTaO₃.     

Defect properties of CuInSe2 and CuGaSe2

Using first-principles electronic structure theory, we have calculated defect formation energies and defect transition levels in CuInSe₂ and CuGaSe₂. We show that (i) it is easy to form Cu vacancies in CuInSe₂, and (ii) it is also relatively easy to form cation antisite defects (e.g. In_Cu) for this ternary compound. Consequently, defect pairs such as (2V_Cu+In_Cu) have a remarkably low formation enthalpy. As a result, the formation of a series of Cu-poor compounds (CPCs) such as CuIn₅Se₈ and CuIn₃Se₅, is explained as a repeat of (2V_Cu+In_Cu) pairs in CuInSe₂. The very efficient p-type self-doping ability of CuInSe₂ is explained by the easy formation of the shallow Cu vacancies. The electrically benign character of the natural defect in CuInSe₂ is explained in terms of an electronic passivation of the by . For CuGaSe₂, we find that (i) the native acceptor formation energies and transition energy levels are similar to that in CuInSe₂, but the donor formation energy is larger in CuGaSe₂. (ii) The Ga_Cu donor level in CuGaSe₂ is deeper than In_Cu donor level in CuInSe₂, therefore, Ga_Cu behaves as an electron trap in CuGaSe₂, even when it is passivated by V_Cu. We have also calculated the band alignment between the CPCs and CuInSe₂, showing that it could have significant effect on the solar cell performance.