Microstructure,dielectric and piezoelectric properties of (Pb1−xSrx)Nb1.96Ti0.05O6 ceramics

(Pb_1−xSr_x)Nb_1.96Ti_0.05O₆ with 2 wt% excess PbO (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08) piezoelectric ceramics with high Curie temperature were fabricated via the conventional solid state reaction method. Effects of Sr²⁺ amount on crystallite structure, microstructure, dielectric and piezoelectric properties were studied. The substitution of Sr²⁺ ions for Pb²⁺ ions is effective to lower sintering temperatures. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that all ceramics form the single orthorhombic ferroelectric phase. The doping of Sr²⁺ ions facilitates improving densification of the ceramics. Grain size and lattice parameters of the ceramics vary with the change of the Sr²⁺ contents. Both Curie temperature and maximum dielectric constant change with increasing the Sr²⁺ amounts. The dielectric constant data were also studied using the Curie–Weiss law and modified Curie–Weiss law. The ceramic with x = 0.04 possesses excellent piezoelectric and dielectric properties, presenting a high potential to be used in high-temperature applications as piezoelectric transducers.     

The Importance of Chemistry in the Development of High-Performance Ceramics

Due to their mechanical, thermal and chemical stability, high-performance ceramics have a range of properties which makes it possible in many fields to go beyond the limits of use of the various classes of materials nowadays available. In spite of this favorable starting situation, the worldwide endeavors to introduce this new group of materials have suffered some setbacks in both conventional applications and in new technologies. The ultimate reason is that these materials are very brittle. After the introduction of fracture mechanics, designers in many fields have learned how to handle brittle materials and how to exploit the potential of their properties in components subject to extreme loadings. Materials scientists have also been very successful in developing ceramics with high strength and fracture toughness characteristics. Nevertheless, the field of use has hitherto been restricted, since, in many cases, the reliability of the components is inadequate. Small and very small defects, such as micropores and cracks, as well as any other chemical and physical inhomogeneity in the structure can cause catastrophic failure of the components due to the high brittleness. Since, on the one hand, these defects are as a rule caused by inadequate control of the process sequences and, on the other, the production processes comprise a large number of chemical process steps, it is to be hoped that consistent application of the way of thinking and procedures of a chemist will make an important contribution in overcoming these difficulties.     

Bi1.5ZnNb1.5O7 cubic pyrochlore ceramics prepared by aqueous solution–gel method

Bi_1.5ZnNb_1.5O₇ cubic pyrochlore ceramic was successfully prepared by the aqueous solution method. The preparation, microstructure development and dielectric properties of ceramics were investigated. Homogeneous precalcined ceramics powders have a cubic pyrochlore phase after thermal treatment at the temperature as low as 450 °C. The aqueous solution–gel method, which Bi, Zn and Nb ions are chelated to form metal complexes, leading to the formation of cubic pyrochlore phase at low firing temperatures. No detectable intermediary phase such as BiNbO₄ or pseudo-orthorhombic pyrochlore is observed in the XRD patterns of ceramics at the sintering temperature range from 850 to 1,000 °C. The dielectric properties study revealed that the ceramics sintered at 900 °C show excellent performance with dielectric constant of 111 and dielectric loss of 2.3871 × 10⁻⁴ under 1 MHz at room temperature.     

Dependence of dielectric,ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties on crystalline properties of p(VDF‐co‐TrFE) copolymers

Thermal processing at various temperatures has been used to fabricate poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF‐co‐TrFE)] films with varied crystalline properties in an attempt to improve their piezoelectric properties. Although the dielectric constant of the films annealed at higher temperature is smaller than that of cooled and quenched ones, it has been shown that the annealed films possess larger crystallinity and stacked lamellar crystal grain size. The ferroelectric domains deriving from crystal region in all the samples are effectively improved by hot polarization. As a result, the remnant polarizations (P_r) and coercive electric field (E_c) of the corresponding films are improved at a low frequency due to the response of dipoles in crystal phase, and the largest piezoelectric constant in the longitudinal thickness mode (d₃₃=?25 pC/N) is obtained in an annealed copolymer film. The results illustrate improving the crystal structure of P(VDF‐co‐TrFE) is an effective way to realize high electromechanical properties, which provides broadly applied scenery for this kind of copolymer in piezoelectric components. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012     

MgNb2O6 Modified K0.5Na0.5NbO3 Eco-Piezoceramics: Scalable Processing,Structural Distortion and Complex Impedance at Resonance

In this work, piezoceramics of the lead-free composition K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃ with an increasing amount of MgNb₂O₆ (0, 0.5, 1, 2 wt.%) were prepared through conventional solid-state synthesis and sintered in air atmosphere at 1100 °C. The effect of magnesium niobate addition on structure, microstructure and piezoelectric properties was evaluated. The ceramics maintain the orthorhombic Amm2 phase for all compositions, while an orthorhombic Pbcm secondary phase was found for increasing the concentration of MgNb₂O₆. Our results show that densification of these ceramics can be significantly improved up to 94.9 % of theoretical density by adding a small amount of magnesium-based oxide (1 wt.%). Scanning electron microscopy morphology of the 1 wt.% system reveals a well-packed structure with homogeneous grain size of ∼2.72 μm. Dielectric and piezoelectric properties become optimal for 0.5–1.0 wt.% of MgNb₂O₆ that shows, with respect to the unmodified composition, either higher piezoelectric coefficients, lower anisotropy and relatively low piezoelectric losses (d₃₃=97 pC N⁻¹; d₃₁=−36.99 pC N⁻¹ and g₃₁=−14.04×10⁻³ mV N⁻¹; Q_p(d₃₁)=76 and Q_p(g₃₁)=69) or enhanced electromechanical coupling factors (k_p=29.06 % and k₃₁=17.25 %).     

Crystallization Behavior of SiO2-TiO2 Ceramics Derived from Titanosiloxanes on Pyrolysis

The crystallization behavior of SiO2-TiO2 ceramics derived from titanosiloxanes was investigated in relation to the structure of the precursor and the pyrolysis temperature. The titanosiloxanes, [Si(OBut)2OTi(acac) 2O]2, [(ButO)3SiO] 2Ti (OPri)2, and [(ButO)3SiO] 3Ti(OPri), were pyrolyzed in an air atmosphere to form SiO2-TiO2 ceramics which crystallized to anatase at 600–650°C, 700–750°C, and 800–850°C, respectively. The crystallization temperature decreased with increased titanium content of the precursor. The average crystallite size of anatase increased with increased pyrolysis temperature and the titanium content. The crystallization temperature and the crystallite size for SiO2-TiO2 ceramics is controlled by the precursor structure, which may enable control of the physical properties of the ceramic materials.     

Thermal characterization of piezoelectric and non-piezoelectric Lead Meta-Niobate

Powerful tools like Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and DTA seem to be under-utilized for the emerging materials for high temperature piezoelectric sensors, while thermal aspects of such piezoelectric phase change are also of theoretical interest. Curie temperature of Lead Meta-Niobate (PbNb₂O₆ or PN) is 570 °C, much higher than that for widely used lead zirconate titanate, making PN potentially more attractive at high temperatures. However, the only specific heat measurement for PN appears to be the 2–25 K study by Lawless, leaving the Curie temperature region unexplored. For PN, piezoelectricity is possible for the meta-stable orthorhombic structure only. So, we prepared pure phase orthorhombic PN by quenching (Q) and the rhombohedral PN by slow-cooling (S). We report for the first time, to our knowledge, DSC across the Curie temperature for Q and S types of PN. We find clear and interesting DSC signals at the Curie temperature in heating and cooling graphs for quenched (Q) PbNb₂O₆ only and none for the slow-cooled (S) PbNb₂O₆.     

Characterisation of raw materials for production of ceramics

The aim of this paper is to characterize some raw materials used for ceramics material production. Five samples of clay have been analyzed. It has been carried out a patterned sampling in a quarry in Rosarno (South Italy). Chemical-physical properties on clay samples are determined. Test pieces have been prepared and physical properties after firing are determined by DSC thermal analysis, XRD analysis and X-ray fluorescence. It is important to note the high amount of Fe₂O₃. The mixture principally contains quartz, illite and oligoclase. It has been observed the colour and the shape after firing: predominant colour is red. In this case the clay has been used in mixtures covered with glazes. The colour of internal clay is hidden by opaque of glazes. The analysed raw materials can be used in a slip for single fired red tiles. The A2sp clay produces best ceramics at 1000°C.     

A Study of the Effect of Sintering Conditions of Mg0.95Ni0.05Ti3 on Its Physical and Dielectric Properties

Mg_0.95Ni_0.05TiO₃ ceramics were prepared by traditional solid-state route using sintering temperatures between 1300 and 1425 °C and holding time of 2–8 h. The sintered samples were characterized for their phase composition, micro-crystalline structure, unit–cell constant, and dielectric properties. A two-phase combination region was identified over the entire compositional range. The effect of sintering conditions was analyzed for various properties. Both permittivity (ε_r) and Q factor (Q_f) were sensitive to sintering temperatures and holding times, and the optimum performance was found at 1350 °C withholding time of 4 h. The temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) in a range from −45.2 to −52 (ppm/°C) and unit–cell constant were not sensitive to both the sintering temperature and holding time. An optimized Q factor of 192,000 (GHz) related with a permittivity (ε_r) of 17.35 and a temperature coefficient (τ_f) of −47 (ppm/°C) was realized for the specimen sintered at 1350 °C withholding time of 4 h. For applications of 5G communication device (filter, antennas, etc.), Mg_0.95Ni_0.05TiO₃ is considered to be a suitable candidate for substrate materials.     

Morphology and strain rate effects on heat generation during the plastic deformation of polyethylene/carbon black nanocomposites

The phenomenon of internal heat generation during the plastic deformation of polyethylene/carbon black nanocomposites at high strain rates was investigated using a high resolution thermal camera. Material morphology, strain rate and carbon black (CB) content were found to be critical factors that affected heat generation during tensile testing, and consequently changed the mechanical behaviour. Two processing methods (M1 and M2) were used to prepare the materials, with CB contents of 0.5, 1 and 3 wt.%. The results showed a significant increase in internal heat generation after yielding, with temperatures exceeding 70 °C for materials processed using M1 and 55 °C for materials processed using M2. The temperature increase was dependent on the processing method, the CB content and the strain rate. The increase in temperature due to plastic heat generation affected the properties of the material, reducing the plastic hardening and reducing the tensile strength at high strain rates. This is of significance when considering the use of these materials in applications involving high strain rates, such as impact protection.     

Peculiar properties of sodium lodide in alcohols,acetone, and alcohol-water mixtures at lower temperatures

The enthalpies of solution of sodium iodide in methanol, ethanol and acetone and in mixtures of methanol and ethanol with water were measured over wide ranges of electrolyte concentration and temperature. Standard enthalpies of solution, transfer enthalpies of NaI from alcohols to alcohol-water mixtures, and temperature coefficients of enthalpies of solution have been calculated. Thermodyanmic characteristics of solution and solvation of the Na⁺ and I^– ions in acetone and ethanol were determined at 243–298 K. It is noted that at lower temperatures the disruption of solvent structure by ions is a local effect. The presence of negative solvation of the Na⁺ and I^– ions in alcohol-water mixtures at lower temperatures is demonstrated.     

DSC characterization of induced stresses during traditional ceramics forming process

The recovery of metals is the process of softening without crystallization in the mechanical stressed pieces and is well characterized by DSC measurements at temperatures < 600°C. The present investigation was undertaken to detect similar effects also in traditional ceramics. Several ceramic samples, coming from different productions, were thermally analyzed by DSC and the presence, in the most stressed samples, of an exothermic peak at about 350°C, was detected, confirming the presence of recovery in the ceramics too. However, owing to the complex structures of these materials, at present no mathematical model could be introduced. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

通过微观形貌对Ba(Ti,Sn)O_3压电陶瓷的结构及压电性能分析

本文采用传统固相合成法制备了(Ba_(1-x)Ca_x)(Ti_(0.98)Sn_(0.02))O_3(BCTS,x=0.00、0.01、0.02、0.03)无铅压电陶瓷,研究了不同烧结温度下Ba(Ti,Sn)O_3压电陶瓷材料的微观形貌对相结构及压电性能的影响。X-射线衍射(XRD)分析表明,所有陶瓷样品均为单一、纯钙钛矿结构,无第二相生成。通过扫描电子显微镜(SEM)图片可知,陶瓷样品在烧结温度为1450℃时,晶粒更加均匀、陶瓷结构更加致密,气孔较少并且晶粒成螺旋状结构生长。当陶瓷烧结温度为1450℃,并且x=0.01时,陶瓷的综合性能达到最佳,其压电常数(d33)达到346pC/N。     

Assessment of PHB with varying hydroxyvalerate content for potential packaging applications

Poly-(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is biodegradable aliphatic polyester that is produced by a wide range of microorganisms. Basic PHB has relatively high glass transition and melting temperatures. To improve flexibility for potential packaging applications, PHB is synthesized with various co-polymers such as poly-(3-hydroxyvalerate) (HV) leading to a decrease of the glass transitions and melting temperatures. In addition, the HV broadens the processing window since there is improved melt stability at lower processing temperatures. In this study, PHB synthesized with different valerate contents (5%, 12%, and 20%) and varying in molecular weights were characterized. All PHBV materials displayed a glass transition between −10 and 20 °C. The two melting transitions found for Aldrich 5%, 12%, and Tianan 20%, resulted from crystals formed during cooling of the samples. The complex viscosity decreased with increasing temperature due to a decrease in molecular weights of the samples. These results suggest that processing the co-polymer below 160 °C would be beneficial with low screw speed. The mechanical results indicate all PHBV materials had high elastic modulus and flexural strength with low tensile strength and elongation at break. The WVTR results indicated the polymer to be very hydrophilic, resulting in higher water transmission rates.     

Sodium/lithium 3d transition metalates for chemisorption of gaseous pollutants: a review

Sodium/lithium transition metalates have found tremendous potential as cathode materials for Na/Li batteries. These metalates have acid-base and redox characteristics, which could be utilized for the chemisorption of gaseous pollutants. Their use was focused mainly on CO₂ gas chemisorption at elevated temperatures. In recent years, these materials have found interesting applications in the chemisorption of CO, NO, SO₂, and H₂S gases. Some of these alkali ceramics have shown tremendous potential for the wet-oxidative removal of acidic gases, even in ambient conditions. The review presents an up-to-date account of alkali ceramics of 3d transition metals for the chemisorption of toxic gases, including CO₂, CO, NO, SO₂, and H₂S. To the best of our knowledge, Na/Li 3d transition metalates have never been reviewed in the context of air decontamination, which needs to be presented to the readers for air purification applications.     

结构陶瓷复合材料的现状和发展趋势

本文简要叙述了结构陶瓷高温下强度及硬度高、蠕变小、抗氧化、耐腐蚀、耐磨损等优越性能,同时指出了陶瓷应用于承载结构的致命弱点,即陶瓷的脆性。较详细地综述了克服陶瓷脆性的主要技术方向--开发第二相粒子、纤维(晶须)补强增韧的微米陶瓷复合材料及纳米陶瓷复合材料,并分析了纳米陶瓷的发展前景。     

利用康普顿散射分析碳化硅陶瓷在高温下使用氧化后组成的变化

用波长色散X射线荧光光谱仪,通过测量散射体(样品)对铑的康普顿散射线(RhKα-C)强度的变化,实现了碳化硅陶瓷在高温下使用时氧化情况的监控。用一套8只碳化硅校准样品建立了康普顿散射强度与样品平均原子序数之间关系的数学模型。利用此模型计算了碳化硅氧化后组成含量的变化。结果表明:用此方法测得的样品中碳、硅及氧的相对含量与X射线光电子能谱法所测结果相符,两者间的相对偏差均小于1%。据此认为,此方法所测得的数据是可以接受的。     

Simultaneous thermal analysis — Mass spectrometer skimmer coupling system

A mass spectrometer coupling system for simultaneous TG/DSC/DTA-QMS measurements will be introduced that is capable of operation at temperatures up to 2000°C. The coupling is maintained at a temperature very close to that of the sample, minimizing condensation, and features an extremely short gas flow path. The efficiency of this coupling system will be demonstrated through examples from the area of polymers, ceramics, metallurgy and recycling.     

La_2Ti_6O_(15)-CeTi_(21)O_(38)-PbTiO_3 ceramics formed in gaseous penetration of La-Ce into PbTiO_3 and their electric properties

PbTiO3 ceramics, which are typical ferroelectric materials, are useful in various applied fields. For example, it has a very good candidacy for piezoelectric materials for high temperature and high sensibility. In recent years, the studies on doped PbTiO3 ceramics have received consid-erable attention[1—3]. The modified PbTiO3 ceramics doped with Ca2+, Sm3+, Y3+, Ce4+ etc. have some better properties: their Curies temperature decreases, their tetragonal distortion degree de-grades and th…