Ionic conductance of composite electrolytes based on network polymer with ceramic powder

Effects of ceramic fillers (α-Al₂O₃, γ-Al₂O₃ and BaTiO₃) have been investigated on the ionic conductance of polymeric complexes consisting of poly(ethylene oxide)-modified poly(methacrylate) (PEO-PMA) and lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, Li(CF₃SO₂)₂N, and ceramic powder. The addition of ceramic powder increased the ionic conductivity over an ambient temperature range. Conductivity of 4.9 × 10^− 5 S cm^− 1 at 333 K (60 °C) was obtained for the composite containing 15 wt.% α-Al₂O₃ prepared by photo-polymerization. The optimum content of Al₂O₃ was different among the methods of polymerization. The highest conductivity was obtained for the composite containing 5 wt.% of α-, or γ-Al₂O₃ prepared by thermal polymerization. The addition of the ceramic filler scarcely influenced the thermal properties of the polymer matrix. XRD and NMR experiments showed that the ionic mobility could be enhanced in the composites by addition of α-Al₂O₃. The addition of small amounts of ferroelectric BaTiO₃ also increased the ionic conductivity of the polymeric complex, but its extent was smaller than the case of the Al₂O₃ addition.     

Microstructure of multilayer interface in an Al matrix composite reinforced by TiNi fiber

A multilayer interface was formed in the Al matrix composite which was reinforced by 30% volume fraction of TiNi fiber. The composite was fabricated by pressure infiltration process and the interface between the TiNi fiber and Al matrix was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). When the TiNi fiber was pre-oxidized in the air at 773 K for 1 h, three layers have been found and characterized in the interface: TiNi–B₂ layer near the TiNi fiber, Ti–Al compound layer with Ti and granular TiO₂ near the Al matrix, and Ti–Ni compound layer between TiNi–B₂ and Ti–Al compound layers. The effect of the multilayer interface on the mechanical properties of the composite was also discussed. The result showed that the uniaxial tensile strength of the composite at room temperature was 318 MPa, which was very close to the theoretical calculation value of 326 MPa. Moreover, the composite with good ductility exhibited a typical ductile-fracture pattern.     

Solid state reduction of chromium (VI) pollution for Al2O3–Cr metal ceramics application

Reduction of chromium (VI) from Na₂CrO₄ through aluminothermic reaction and fabrication of metal-ceramic materials from the reduction products have been investigated in this study. Na₂CrO₄ could be successfully reduced into micrometer-sized Cr particles in a flowing Ar atmosphere in presence of Al powder. The conversion ratio of Na₂CrO₄ to metallic Cr attained 96.16% efficiency. Al₂O₃–Cr metal-ceramic with different Cr content (5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt%) were further prepared from the reduction product Al₂O₃–Cr composite powder, and aluminum oxide nanopowder via pressure-less sintering. The phase composition, microstructure and mechanical properties of metal-ceramic composites were characterized to ensure the potential of the Al₂O₃–Cr composite powder to form ceramic materials. The highest relative density and bending strength can reach 93.4% and 205 MP, respectively. The results indicated that aluminothermic reduction of chromium (VI) for metal-ceramics application is a potential approach to remove chromium (VI) pollutant from the environment.     

Lead free KNN/P(VDF-TrFE) 0–3 pyroelectric composite films and its infrared sensor

(K_0.5Na_0.5)NbO₃ (KNN)/[P(VDF-TrFE)70:30] composite thick films with different KNN weight ratios have been fabricated and the effect of KNN mass content on the material structure and properties have been studied in this paper. Properties of the infrared sensor based KNN/[P(VDF-TrFE)70:30] composite thick film were also systematically studied. It was found that the sample containing 30 wt.% KNN show optimal properties for pyroelectric appliance and the highest pyroelectric coefficient was 63 μCm⁻² K⁻¹. Infrared sensors using 30 wt.% KNN-70 wt.%[P(VDF-TrFE)70:30] show highest detectivity (D¹ = 3.21 × 10⁸ cm Hz^1/2 W⁻¹) at 137.3 Hz, indicating it is an promising candidate in lead-free quick response infrared detectors.     

Electromechanical properties of 2-2 cement based piezoelectric composite

A 2-2 type cement based piezoelectric composites were fabricated by dice-and-fill technique. The influences of lead magnesium niobate-lead zirconate-lead titanate (PMN) ceramic volume fraction on the electromechanical properties of the composite were investigated. The results indicate that the planar electromechanical coupling factor K_p of the composite is hardly influenced by the PMN volume fraction, which fluctuates between 35% and 37%, while both the thickness electromechanical coupling factor K_t and the mechanical quality factor Q_m exhibit the trend of increase. When PMN volume fraction is 69.2%, K_t could reach to 49.8%, which is larger than that of the PMN ceramic (K_t = 46%).When PMN volume fraction is 41.7%, Q_m is 4.5, which is also much less than that of the PMN ceramic (Q_m = 70). This means that the composite has wider frequency band and higher sensitivity to be used as transducers. With the increase of PMN volume fraction, the acoustic impedance of the composite also exhibits the trend of increase.     

The deformation of B4C particle in the B4C/2024Al composites after high velocity impact

In the present work, B₄C/2024Al composites with volume fraction of 45% were prepared by a pressure infiltration method. The microstructure of the crater bottom of B₄C/2024Al composite after impact was characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), which indicated that recovery and dynamic recrystallization generated in Al matrix, and the grain size distribution was about from dozens of nanometer to 200 nm. Furthermore, the plastic deformation was observed in B₄C ceramic, which led to the transformation from monocrystal to polycrystal ceramic grains. The boundary observed in this work was high-angle grain boundary and the two grains at the boundary had an orientation difference of 30°.     

Polyphosphazene based composite polymer electrolytes

Composite salt-in-polymer electrolyte membranes were prepared from poly[(bis(2-methoxyethyl)amino)_1−x(n-propylamino)_x-phosphazene] (BMEAP) with dissolved LiCF₃SO₃ and dispersed Al₂O₃ nanoparticles (40 nm). Membranes with good mechanical stability were obtained. Low ionic conductivities were found in particle free membranes with maximum conductivities at 10 wt.% LiCF₃SO₃ ranging from 3.1 × 10^− 7 S/cm at 30 °C to 1.8 × 10^− 5 S/cm at 90 °C. For the composite membranes, addition of 2 wt.% Al₂O₃ nanoparticles leads to a steep increase of the conductivity by almost two orders of magnitude as compared to the homogeneous membranes. The highest room temperature conductivity for the investigated BMEAP–LiCF₃SO₃–Al₂O₃ composite systems was 10^− 5 S/cm.     

Soldering of Bi-2223/Ag high temperature superconducting tapes with Sn–Pb–Bi–Ag alloy paste

Soldered joints of Bi-2223/Ag-sheathed high temperature superconducting multifilamentary tapes were fabricated using 63 wt.%Sn–34 wt.%Pb–1 wt.%Bi–2 wt.%Ag paste. The soldered joints were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Moreover, the electrical properties of joints were evaluated by current–voltage curves, and the tensile strengths of the joints were also tested. The results show that the soldered joint consists of Ag sheath – Ag₃Sn compound layer – PbSn₂ and Ag₃Sn solder layer – Ag₃Sn compound layer – Ag sheath. The joints are obeyed with Ohms Law and the magnitude of the joint resistance, which deceases with the increase of the overlap length, can reach the order of 10^?8 Ω. The tensile strength of the joints with a brittle fracture mode is a little lower than that of the original tapes.     

Enhanced performance of bi-layer Nb2O5 coated TiO2 nanoparticles/nanowires composite photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cells

Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated based on coumarin NKX-2700 dye sensitized bi-layer photoanode and quasi-solid state electrolyte sandwiched together with cobalt sulfide coated counter electrode. A novel bi-layer photoanode has been prepared using composite mixtures of 90 wt.% TiO₂ nanoparticles + 10 wt.% TiO₂ nanowires (TNPWs) as active layer and Nb₂O₅ is coated on the active layer, which acts as scattering layer. Hafnium oxide (HfO₂) was applied over the TNPWs/Nb₂O₅ photoanode film, as a blocking layer. TiO₂ nanoparticles (TNPs), TiO₂ nanowires (TNWs) and TNPWs/Nb₂O₅ were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The sensitizing organic dye coumarin NKX-2700 displayed maximum absorption wavelength (λ_max) at 525 nm, which could be observed from the UV–vis spectrum. DSSC-1 fabricated with composite bi-layer photoanode revealed enhanced photo-current efficiency (PCE) as compared to other DSSCs and illustrated photovoltaic parameters; short-circuit current J_SC = 18 mA/cm², open circuit voltage (V_OC) = 700 mV, fill factor (FF) = 64% and PCE (η) = 8.06%. The electron transport and charge recombination behaviors of DSSCs were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) and the results illustrated that the DSSC-1 showed the lowest charge transport resistance (R_tr) and the longest electron lifetime (τ_eff). Therefore, in the present investigation, it could be concluded that the novel bi-layer photoanode with blocking layer increased the short circuit current, electron transport and suppressed the recombination of charge carriers at the photoanode/dye/electrolyte interface in DSSC-1.     

Fluctuation induced magneto-conductivity studies in YBa2Cu3O7−δ + xBaZrO3 composite high-Tc superconductors

Fluctuations on the electrical conductivity of polycrystalline YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ + xBaZrO₃ (x = 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 wt.%) superconductors were investigated from the resistivity vs. temperature data for zero field and 8 T (Tesla) external magnetic fields. Attempts have been made to identify the optimum inclusion of BaZrO₃ (BZO) in YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ (YBCO) superconductors. The phase formation, texture and grain alignments were analyzed by XRD and SEM techniques. Then the effects of superconducting fluctuations on the electrical conductivity of granular composite superconductors were studied for zero field and 8 T external magnetic fields. Though inclusions of BZO sub-micron particles are not expected to influence superconducting order-parameter fluctuation (SCOPF) much, the transition from 2D to 3D of the order parameter in the mean-field region depends on the BZO content in the composites. It has been observed that BZO residing at the grain boundary of YBCO matrix influences the tailing region without having significant change in the mean-field critical temperature. In the present work, attention has been focused mostly in the experimental domain relatively above the T_c. It reveals that, 1 wt.% composite exhibits a better superconducting property in comparison with pure YBCO.     

Dielectric and piezoelectric properties of PZT–silica fume cement composites

PZT–silica fume cement (PZT–SFC) composites were produced using PZT (at 50% and 60% by volume) and silica fume cement (cement containing silica fume of 5% and 10% by weight). PZT–Portland cement with no silica fume was also produced to allow comparison of the results. Dielectric constants of PZT–SFC composites are found to be higher than that of PZT–PC composite where ε_r value was found to increase with increasing SF content (ε_r values of composite with SF at 0%, 5% and 10% are 117, 125 and 178, respectively). PZT–SFC composites were successfully poled and d₃₃ results of PZT–SFC composites (d₃₃ = 18 pC/N) were found to be marginally higher than that of PZT–PC composite (d₃₃ = 17 pC/N). SEM micrograph also shows a dense matrix of SFC hydration product surrounding the PZT particles. From the results, these PZT–SFC composites are therefore promising materials for use in structural applications and should be ideal for high strength structures where SFC is used in the host structure.     

Transport and phase dynamics of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) doped plastically crystalline N-methyl-N-propylpyrrolidinium tetrafluoroborate

The plastic crystal phase forming N-methyl-N-propylpyrrolidinium tetrafluoroborate organic salt (P₁₃BF₄) was combined with 2, 5 and 10 wt.% poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP). The ternary 2 wt.% PVP/2 wt.% LiBF₄/P₁₃BF₄ was also investigated. Thermal analysis, conductivity, optical thermomicroscopy, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹¹B, ¹⁹F, ¹H, ⁷Li) were used to probe the fundamental transport processes. Both the onset of phase I and the final melting temperature were reduced with increasing additions of PVP. Conductivity in phase I was 2.6 × 10^− 4 S cm^− 1 5.2 × 10^− 4 S cm^− 1 1.1 × 10^− 4 S cm^− 1 and 3.9 × 10^− 5 S cm^− 1 for 0, 2, 5 and 10 wt.%PVP/P₁₃BF₄, respectively. Doping with 2 wt.% LiBF₄ increased the conductivity by up to an order of magnitude in phase II. Further additions of 2 wt.% PVP slightly reduced the conductivity, although it remained higher than for pure P₁₃BF₄.     

Preparation and characterization of metal-doped carbon aerogel for supercapacitor

Carbon aerogel was prepared by polycondensation of resorcinol and formaldehyde using sodium carbonate as a catalyst with a resorcinol to catalyst ratio of 500. Co-doped carbon aerogels were then prepared by an impregnation method with a variation of cobalt content (1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 15 wt.%), and their performance for supercapacitor electrode was investigated by measurement of specific capacitance in 1 M H₂SO₄ electrolyte at a scan rate of 10 mV/s. Among the samples prepared, 7 wt.% Co-doped carbon aerogel showed the highest capacitance (100 F/g) and stable cyclability. The enhanced capacitance of Co-doped carbon aerogel was attributed to the faradaic redox reactions of cobalt oxide. On the basis of this result, 7 wt.% Cu-, Fe-, Mn-, and Zn-doped carbon aerogels were also prepared by an impregnation method for use as a supercapacitor electrode. Among the metal-doped carbon aerogels, Mn-doped carbon aerogel showed the highest capacitance (107 F/g) while Cu- and Fe-doped carbon aerogels exhibited the most stable cyclability.     

Preparation of poly(2-ethyl aniline)/kaolinite composite materials and investigation of their properties

Conductive poly(2-ethyl aniline) (PEAn)/kaolinite composite was prepared by chemical polymerization in aqueous HCl medium in the presence of kaolinite particles by using potassium chromate (K₂CrO₄) as oxidant. Effects of polymerization conditions, such as concentrations of oxidant and 2-ethyl aniline, polymerization time and temperature on PEAn content and conductivity of composite, were investigated. The prepared composite material, having the highest PEAn content and conductivity, was obtained in the polymerization carried out at 20 °C for 2 h with 0.2 M K₂CrO₄ and 0.2 M EAn. It was observed that the micro-hardness of prepared composites increased with the increase in the PEAn contents of composites. The highest micro-hardness value of 7.92 kg mm⁻² was reached at 24.6% PEAn content. Characterization of composites was carried out by FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, TGA and SEM techniques.     

Li4Ti5O12/Ag composite as electrode materials for lithium-ion battery

The Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/Ag composites were prepared by thermal decomposition of AgNO₃ added to Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ powders. The influence of the Ag contents and the mixing media on the particle size, morphology and electrochemical performance of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/Ag composites were investigated. The highest discharge capacity of the Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/Ag composite reached at the 5 wt.% of Ag content. Compared with alcohol medium, distilled water as mixing medium presented the Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/Ag composite with higher specific capacity and better cycling performance, leading to a reversible capacity after 50 cycles of 184.2 mAh/g with a capacity degradation of 3.31% compared to the second cycle at 2 C rate.     

Proton conductivity of Al(H2PO4)3–H3PO4 composites at intermediate temperature

Composites of Al(H₂PO₄)₃ and H₃PO₄ were synthesised by soft chemical methods with different Al/P ratios. The Al(H₂PO₄)₃ obtained was found to have a hexagonal symmetry with parameter a = 13.687(3)Å, c = 9.1328(1)Å. The conductivity of this material was measured by a.c. impedance spectroscopy between 100 °C and 200 °C in different atmospheres. The conductivity of pure Al(H₂PO₄)₃ in air is in the order of 10^? 6–10^? 7 S/cm between 100 and 200 °C. For samples containing small excess of H₃PO₄, much higher conductivity was observed. The impedance responses of the composites were found to be similar with AlH₂P₃O₁₀·nH₂O under different relative humidity. The conductivity of Al(H₂PO₄)₃–H₃PO₄ composite with Al/P = 1/3.5 reached 6.6 mS/cm at 200 °C in wet 5% H₂. The extra acid is found to play a key role in enhancing the conductivity of Al(H₂PO₄)₃–H₃PO₄ composite at the surface region of the Al(H₂PO₄)₃ in a core shell type behaviour. 0.7% excess of H₃PO₄ can increase the conductivity by three orders of magnitude. These composites might be alternative electrolytes for intermediate temperature fuel cells and other electrochemical devices. Conductivity (9.5 mS/cm) changed little, when the sample was held at 175 °C for over 100 h as the conductivity stabilised.     

SiMn–Graphite composites as anodes for lithium ion batteries

Two Si–Mn–C composites were obtained by sequentially ball milling the mixture of the silicon and manganese powders (atomic ratio of 3:5), followed by addition of 20 wt.% and 10 wt.% graphite, respectively. The phase structure and morphology of the composite were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electromicroscopy (SEM). The results of XRD show that there is no new alloy phase in the composite obtained by mechanical ball milling. SEM micrographs confirm that the particle size of the Si–Mn–C composite is about 0.5–2.0 μm and the addition of graphite restrains the morphological change of active center (Si) during cycling. The Si–Mn particles are dispersed among the carbon matrix homogeneously, which ensures a good electrical contact between the active particles. Electrochemical tests show that the Si–Mn–C composite achieves better reversible capacity and cycleability. The Si–Mn–20 wt.% C composite electrode annealed at 200 °C for 2 h reveals an initial reversible capacity of 463 mAh·g^− 1 and retains 387 mAh·g^− 1 after 40 cycles.     

Surface engineering of biomedical metallic materials by plasma-based low-energy ion implantation

Plasma-based low-energy ion implantation, including plasma source ion nitriding/carburizing and plasma source low-energy ion enhanced deposition of thin films, for surface engineering of metallic materials was emerged as low-temperature, low-pressure surface modification technique. Plasma source ion nitriding onto AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel produced a high nitrogen face-centered-cubic phase (γ_N) layer about 10 μm thick at the temperature of 380 °C during 4 h with the high microhardness of HK_0.1 N 22.0 GPa. The microhardness of the nitrided surface from the titanium nitride phase [(Ti, Al, V)N] layer on Ti6Al4V alloy at 750 °C during 4 h achieved up to about HK_0.1 N 15.5 GPa. No pitting corrosion in the Ringer’s solution at 37 °C was detected by electrochemical polarization measurement for the nitrided AISI 316L stainless steel and Ti6Al4V alloy, respectively. Plasma source ion nitriding of the metallic materials provided the engineering surfaces with combined improvement in hardness and corrosion resistance.     

The synthesis and characterization of Al/Co3O4 magnetic composite pigments with low infrared emissivity and low lightness

The main challenge of low infrared emissivity coatings based on aluminum flake lies in finding an efficient method to synthesize the composite pigment with low infrared emissivity and low lightness simultaneously. In this work, we overcome this constraint to some extent, synthesizing a novel Al/Co₃O₄ magnetic composite pigments with low infrared emissivity and low lightness by thermal cracking and hot flowing method. The results show that the covering area of Co₃O₄ on the aluminum flake can be tuned by the amount of CoCO₃ adding in precursor and the reaction temperature of hot flowing, both of which pay a key factor on the VIS and IR spectral reflectance and magnetic properties. The magnetic Al/Co₃O₄ composite pigments with low lightness and low infrared emissivity can be obtained at 130 °C for 24 h in hot flowing liquid. The lightness L¹ can be decreased to 69.2, however the infrared emissivity (8–14 μm) is also low to 0.45. Compared with the single Al flakes, Al/Co₃O₄ magnetic composite pigments present stronger magnetic properties. Therefore, the Al/Co₃O₄ magnetic composite pigments have offered new choice for the pigments of low infrared emissivity coatings.     

Microstructure evolution process of Ferro-Aluminum based sandwich composite for electromagnetic shielding

In this paper, sandwich composite (SWC) with Fe–Al soft magnetic alloy sandwiched between pure iron substrates was proposed and fabricated by hot pressing and diffusion treatment. The microstructure evolution process of the composite was investigated. Fe/Fe₂Al₅/Fe diffusion couple was obtained at 700 °C and subsequently kept at 900 °C for further isothermal diffusion. During the diffusion reactive process, we confirmed that major FeAl₂ and minor Fe₄Al₁₃ were produced when Fe₂Al₅ dissolved. After 10 h of diffusion treatment, FeAl and α-Fe(Al) were the only two intermetallic phases left. Except FeAl₂, the thickness of each intermetallic layer held good parabolic relationship with the diffusion annealing time.