The surface cation densities of iron oxide-chromium oxide solid solutions

The surface cation densities of Fe_xCr_{2 ? x}O₃ solid solutions were determined for x = 0.5, 1, and 1.5 using Auger Electron Spectroscopy on samples that had been equilibrated in air at 798 or 973 K. Cr(VI) was found to be present on the surface by iodometric titration. The results indicated that the $\text{Cr(VI)}\text{Cr(III)}$ ratio was constant, independent of composition. Compared to the bulk densities, Fe was found to be enriched on the surface for x = 0.5 and 1, but depleted for x = 1.5.     

Tribological properties of Ti-doped DLC coatings under ionic liquids lubricated conditions

In this paper, titanium doped diamond-like carbon (Ti-DLC) coatings were prepared onto AISI 52100 steel substrates using medium frequency magnetic sputtering process, and were analyzed using the Raman and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Two kinds of 1,3-dialkyl imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) were synthesized and evaluated as lubricants for Ti-DLC/steel contacts at room temperature, and PFPE as comparison lubricant. The tribological properties of the ILs were investigated using a ball-on-disk type UMT reciprocating friction tester. The results indicated that the ILs have excellent friction-reducing properties, the friction coefficient kept at a relatively stable value of 0.07-0.06, which was reduced approximately by 47% compared with perfluoropolyether (PFPE). The worn surfaces of Ti-DLC coatings were observed and analyzed using a MICROXAM-3D non-contact surface profiler, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The Ti-DLC coatings using ionic liquids lubricating systems are considered as potential lubricating system in vacuum and space moving friction pairs.     

A Review on Effects of Lubricant Formulations on Tribological Performance and Boundary Lubrication Mechanisms of Non-Doped DLC/DLC Contacts

Tribological efficiency of industrial applications involving boundary lubrication regime can be improved to an appreciable extent by the deposition of hard coatings on interacting surfaces. Among such coatings, diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings are considered to be one of the most suitable ones for the said role. DLC coatings possess a unique combination of physical, chemical, and material properties due to which they can help in minimizing friction-induced energy and material losses even under starved lubrication conditions. Since commercial lubricants are optimized for steel surfaces, therefore, a lot of experimental investigations were carried out to analyze the tribological compatibility of these lubricants with various DLC coatings. However, there is still a lack of understanding about how DLC coatings interact with conventional lubricant additives. Some researchers reported tribologically beneficial interactions between DLC coatings and formulated lubricants while others observed no such behavior. To address these inconsistencies, there is a need to rearrange the published data in a more apprehensible and organized manner with a special emphasis on the mechanisms responsible for a particular tribological behavior. In this way, it can be determined whether synergistic or antagonistic correlation exists between a particular DLC-lubricant combination and research on DLC coatings can be continued in a logical way. In this article, most widely investigated non-doped DLC coatings (ta-C, a-C:H, a-C, and ta-C:H) are tribologically analyzed. Average values of friction and wear coefficients are calculated for various DLC-lubricant combinations using already published data and compared to quantify the effectiveness of a particular lubricant additive in enhancing tribological characteristics of symmetrical non-doped DLC contacts. Moreover, tribological performance parameters of non-doped DLC coatings are compared with those of doped-DLC coatings to understand differences in their tribological behavior in combination with additives.     

Solvent effect on the formation of self-assembled monolayer on DLC surface between n-hexane and Vertrel XF

Self-assembled monolayers of 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltrichloro-silane (FDTS) have been deposited on the diamond-like carbon (DLC) film-coated magnetic heads with two different solvents, n-hexane and Vertrel XF. In order to investigate the solvent effect on the monolayer formation, a series of FDTS monolayers were prepared by varying the solution concentrations which were respectively characterized by time-of-flight mass spectroscopy, contact angle measurements and atomic force microscopy. Results showed that high density of aggregations were present for the FDTS monolayers using the n-hexane solvent, while the monolayer formed on the DLC surface using the Vertrel XF solvent exhibited excellent quality and reproducibility and no aggregations were observed.     

Preparation of pyrrole with iron oxide precipitated on the surface of graphite nanosheet

Fe₃O₄/NanoG was firstly prepared by precipitation reaction of iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) on the surface of graphite nanosheet (NanoG). Then composites PPy/NanoG, PPy/Fe₃O₄ and PPy/Fe₃O₄/NanoG were prepared by in-situ polymerization of the monomer pyrrole polymerized on the surface of NanoG, Fe₃O₄ and Fe₃O₄/NanoG. The structures of Fe₃O₄/NanoG, PPy, PPy/NanoG, PPy/Fe₃O₄ and PPy/Fe₃O₄/NanoG were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction . Results show that NanoG and Fe₃O₄/NanoG are encapsulated by PPy for the layered structure and their high aspect ratio (300–500). From the thermogravimetric analysis it can be seen that the introductions of NanoG, Fe₃O₄ and Fe₃O₄/NanoG into PPy based composites lead them to exhibit better thermal stabilities than pure PPy. The measurements of electromagnetic parameters show that the reflection loss of PPy/Fe₃O₄/NanoG is below −15 dB at the X band (8.2–12.4 GHz) and the minimum loss value is −18.30 dB at 9.84 GHz, while the reflection loss of PPy/Fe₃O₄ is below −10 dB at 8.2–12.4 GHz and the minimum loss value is −14.02 dB at 10.26 GHz. The reflection loss of PPy/NanoG is below −10 dB at 8.2–12.4 GHz and the minimum loss value is −13.44 dB at 10.28 GHz. The microwave absorbing properties of PPy/Fe₃O₄/NanoG, PPy/Fe₃O₄ and PPy/NanoG are superior to that of PPy.     

表面效应对Li掺杂的ZnO薄膜材料p型电导的影响

利用第一性原理的方法研究了在ZnO非极性表面和极性表面的不同原子层中, 分别用Li原子去替位Zn原子(记为Li_Zn)后的相对稳定性和热离化能. 计算结果表明Li_Zn处于ZnO表面区域时的稳定性优于在ZnO体中时的稳定性, 并且Li_Zn在表面区域的热离化能要比它在体结构中的热离化能大很多, 于是, ZnO表面效应的存在会使Li掺杂的ZnO薄膜材料的p型导电能力大幅度降低. 这个结果对低维ZnO体系p型掺杂有着重要的指导意义. 我们进一步发现, 在不同的ZnO表面区域里Li_Zn的热离化能会表现出很大的差异是源于不同的表面具有不同的静电势分布.     

The recoilless fraction of the oxide surface layer formed on small iron particles

Small iron particles with oxide surface layer were studied by Mössbauer Spectroscopy at various temperatures in the range of 5K to 300K. The Debye temperature of the oxide layer and the temperature dependence of f2/f1 were obtained, where f1 and f2 are the recoilless fractions for the inner α-iron core and the oxide layer respectively. Furthermore, the method of estimating the thickness of the oxide layer was improved.     

XPS study on the correlation between chemical state and oxygen-sensing properties of an iron oxide thin film

We have studied the correlation between the chemical state and the oxygen-sensing properties of an iron oxide thin film using a setup that allows simultaneous sensor resistance measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data acquisition. The gas exposures were performed at the highest operating pressure of the XPS spectrometer at a controlled sample temperature which allows direct comparison between the sensor response and the chemical state of the surface. The iron oxide film was modified by a sequence of argon ion sputtering steps and the induced changes in the chemical state, resistance, and sensitivity to oxygen were investigated. The sputtering was found to reduce the iron from the Fe³⁺ to the Fe²⁺ state and to decrease the sensor resistance. The measured sensitivity to oxygen first increased by a factor of two but then collapsed to its original level. The mechanism for oxygen sensing was found to be filling of the oxygen vacancies in the lattice. The effect of the sputtering on the resistance and sensitivity could be explained first with an increase in the density of oxygen vacancies and then, as the iron became more reduced, with an increase in the p-type conductivity.     

Adsorption of nitrogen oxide molecules to the surface of nanosized nickel clusters formed on the (111) surface of a magnesium oxide film

The properties of the systems formed on deposition of Ni atoms on the (111) surface of a MgO film of thickness equal to six monomolecular layers grown on a Mo(110) crystal face and the adsorption of NO nitrogen oxide molecules to the system surface have been studied by methods of electron spectroscopy (AES, XPES, LEED, LEIBSS) and reflective infrared absorption spectroscopy. On deposition of Ni atoms on the surface of MgO at a substrate temperature of 600 K, three-dimensional islands of Ni are formed. The subsequent adsorption of NO results in molecule dissociation even at 110 K. The efficiency of this process depends on the morphology of the Ni layer.     

Sexafs study of the natural oxide on iron surface detected by total photoelectron yield

We have applied the total photoelectron yield method on ferritic-iron surface to measure the EXAFS of the natural oxide layer at the Frascati Synchrotron Radiation facility (PULS). We have found that the oxide contribution to the spectrum is relevant at low values of photoelectron wavevector k. The FeO distance d = 2.04 A has been determined.The effective sampling depth of the total yield mode at ? 7 keV has been found. The energy dependence of the sampling depth of total yield in the X-ray range from 1.5 to 9 keV is found to increase with photoenergy.     

Effect of laser surface hardening on the microstructure, hardness and residual stresses of austempered ductile iron grades

A study of the laser surface hardening process of two austempered ductile iron grades, with different austempering treatments has been carried out. Hardening was performed with an infrared continuous wave Nd:YAG laser in cylindrical specimens. The microstructure of the laser hardened samples was investigated using an optical microscope, microhardness profiles were measured and surface and radial residual stresses were studied by an X-ray diffractometer. Similar results were achieved for both materials. A coarse martensite with retained austenite structure was found in the treated area, resulting in a wear resistant effective layer of 0.6 mm to 1 mm with a microhardness between 650 HV and 800 HV. Compressive residual stresses have been found at the hardened area being in agreement with the microhardness and microstructural variations observed. The achieved results point out that the laser surface hardening is a suitable method for improving the mechanical properties of austempered ductile irons.     

About the effect of microtexture on liquid film formation on a vertical surface

Formation of a liquid film on the surface of a cylinder with microtexture was studied visually. The effect of microtexture on evolution of waves on the surface of viscous liquid falling over the outer surface of a vertical cylinder under the action of gravity depending on Reynolds number is shown. The phenomenon of microwave formation on the film surface was determined; the size of these waves is comparable with the microtexture pitch.     

Mössbauer study of the effect of potassium on iron oxide catalysts

One kind of catalyst used for dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene was investigated by⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. The results show that the area ratioS _B /S _A of two Mössbauer subspectra of Fe_3-vO₄ produced after catalytic reaction depends on the amounts of potassium added to the catalysts. A tentative conclusion is that the effect of potassium in iron oxide catalysts could be related to the reduction of Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺.     

Effects of iron oxide nanoparticles on polyvinyl alcohol: interfacial layer and bulk nanocomposites thin film

Iron oxide (α-phase) nanoparticles with coercivity larger than 300 Oe have been fabricated at a mild temperature by an environmentally benign method. The economic sodium chloride has been found to effectively serve as a solid spacer to disperse the iron precursor and to prevent the nanoparticles from agglomeration. Higher ratios of sodium chloride to iron nitrate result in smaller nanoparticles (19 nm for 20:1 and 14 nm for 50:1). The presence of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) limits the particle growth (15 nm for 20:1 and 13 nm for 50:1) and favors nanoparticle dispersion in polymer matrices. Obvious physicochemical property changes have been observed with PVA attached to the nanoparticle surface. With PVA attached to the nanoparticle surface, the nanoparticles are found not only to increase the PVA cross-linking with an increase in melting temperature but also to enhance the thermal stability of the PVA. The nanoparticles are observed to be uniformly dispersed in the polymer matrix. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) microstructure also shows an intermediate phase with a strong interaction between the nanoparticles and the polymer matrices, arising from the hydrogen bonding between the PVA and hydroxyl groups on the nanoparticle surface. The addition of nanoparticles favors the cross-linkage of the bulk PVA matrices, resulting in a higher melting temperature, and an enhanced thermal stability of the polymer matrix.     

The effect of carboxylic acids on the oxidation of coated iron oxide nanoparticles

⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, XRD, and TEM were used to investigate the effect of mandelic- and salicylic acid coatings on the iron oxide nanoparticles. These two carboxylic acids have similar molecules size and stoichiometry, but different structure and acidity. Significant differences were observed between the Mössbauer spectra of samples coated with mandelic acid and salicylic acid. These results indicate that the occurrence of iron microenvironments in the mandelic- and salicylic acid-coated iron oxide nanoparticles is different. The results can be interpreted in terms of the influence of the acidity of carboxylic acids on the formation, core/shell structure, and oxidation of coated iron oxide nanocomposites.     

The effect of dendritic shapes of goethite particles on their transformation to iron oxide and iron particles

The development of particle morphology and crystalline structure during the dehydration, oxidation, and reduction processes of goethite to iron needles was investigated by HREM. It is shown that the typical geometry of the particles is preserved during all transformation steps, and that initial internal defects of the crystalline structure caused by twinning of the goethite vanish, while some new defects are created.     

Infrared and Raman spectroscopic studies on iron oxide magnetic nano-particles and their surface modifications

Iron oxide magnetic nano-particles (MNPs) have been prepared in aqueous solution by a modified co-precipitation method. Surface modifications have been carried out using tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), triethoxysilane (TES) and 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS). The uncoated and coated particle products have been characterized with transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The particle sizes were determined from TEM images and found to have mean diameters of 13, 16 and 14 nm for Fe₃O₄, TES/Fe₃O₄ and APTMS/Fe₃O₄, respectively. IR and Raman spectroscopy has been applied to study the effect of thermal annealing on the uncoated and coated particles. The results have shown that magnetite nano-particles are converted to maghemite at 109 °C and then to hematite by 500 °C. In contrast, the study of the effect of thermal annealing of micro-crystalline magnetite by IR spectroscopy revealed that the conversion to hematite began by 300 °C and that no maghemite could be identified as an intermediate phase. IR spectra and TGA measurements revealed that the Si-H and 3-aminopropyl functional groups in TES and APTMS coated magnetite nano-particles decomposed below 500 °C while the silica layer around the iron oxide core remained unchanged. The molecular ratio of APTMS coating to iron oxide core was determined to be 1:7 from the TGA data. Raman scattering signals have indicated that MNPs could be converted to maghemite and then to hematite using increasing power of laser irradiation in a manner similar to that observed for thermal annealing.     

In situ iron-57 Mössbauer spectroscopic investigations of the effect of titania surface area on the reducibility of titania-supported iron oxide

Iron-57 Mössbauer spectroscopy has been used to monitor the reducibility in hydrogen of iron oxides supported on titania of differing surface areas. The results show that although Fe³⁺ in the iron oxide supported on low surface area titania (11 m²g^?1) is not amenable to facile reduction at low temperatures, complete reduction to metallic iron is achieved by treatment at 600°C. The data also show that the extent of reduction at elevated temperatures exceeds that which is obtained on similar silica- and alumina-supported systems. Fe³⁺ in iron oxide supported on higher surface area titania (50 m²g^?1 and 240 m²g^?1) is partially reduced in hydrogen at 235°C to Fe²⁺ but fails to attain complete reduction to the metallic state following treatment at 600°C. The results are related to the different dispersions of iron oxide which can be attained on titania of differing surface area and the consequent interactions between the support and the supported phases.     

Thermal regimes of passivative oxide film formation on Al surface: Theoretical and experimental study

We report results of ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of an Al surface exposed to an oxygen atmosphere. The results, supported by experiments performed in this study, demonstrate that the Al surface, by reacting with the oxygen molecules, can be heated above melting temperature and transformed into a liquid. This process is potentially capable of creating an amorphous corrosion scale which might possess an enhanced resistance to deterioration.