Fluoride-doped MWCNT/Si3N4 composite with improved mechanical and structural properties

The addition of carbon nanotubes (CNT) in ceramic composites has stimulated a substantial interest due to their high mechanical, thermal and electrical properties. This approach used fluoride additives (AlF₃ and MgF₂) to prepare multi-walled carbon nanotubes/silicon nitride (MWCNT/Si₃N₄) composite densified at 1700 °C for 1 h by hot press (HP) sintering. The microstructural analyses of MWCNT/Si₃N₄ composites indicate that the fluoride additives have substantially improved densification and the transformation of α-Si₃N₄ to β-Si₃N₄. As observed, the mechanical properties, i.e. flexural strength, fracture toughness, Young's modulus and hardness of MWCNT/Si₃N₄ composites are improved with an increasing concentration of MWCNT. These results attributed to the highly dense composites, strong interfacial interaction and the pull-out mechanism of MWCNT and β-Si₃N₄. The maximum values of fracture toughness flexural strength, Young's modulus, and hardness were 12.76 ± 1.15 MPa.m^0.5, 883 ±46 MPa, 260 ±9 GPa, and 26.4 ± 1.3 GPa, respectively. The improved mechanical properties also ascribed to the synergistic strengthening and toughening influence of MWCNT and β-Si₃N₄.     

Microstructure-property relations in composite yttria-substituted zirconia solid electrolytes

A study of composite 8 mol% yttria stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) and 3 mol% yttria tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3YTZP) solid electrolytes sintered under isothermal and two-step sintering cycles is reported. The nominal phase composition is retained for composites with up to 25 wt.% 3YTZP. These composites show a combination of beneficial effects with respect to pure 8YSZ, including slight improvement in sinterability, gains in bulk and grain boundary conductivity and also enhanced fracture toughness. Impedance spectroscopy revealed an enhancement of the specific grain boundary conductivity for samples with finer grain sizes, attained by increasing the fraction of 3YTZP or by hindering grain growth under two-step sintering cycles. This effect is rationalized in terms of a decrease of the grain boundary space-charge potential. The conductivity gains decrease with increasing temperature, but even at 700 °C the total ionic conductivity of ceramics with 25 wt.% 3YTZP is still higher than that of pure 8YSZ, whereas at 900 °C there is a performance loss of less than 10%. The improved mechanical and electrical performance in the intermediate temperature range represents an important advantage of the heterostructured electrolytes for low/intermediate temperature SOFC operation.     

The feasibility of producing MWCNT paper and strong MWCNT film from VACNT array

This study sought to produce carbon nanotube (CNT) pulp out of extremely long, vertically aligned CNT arrays as raw materials. After high-speed shearing and mixing nitric acid and sulfuric acid, which served as the treatment, the researchers produced the desired pulp, which was further transformed into CNT paper by a common filtration process. The paper’s tensile strength, Young’s modulus and electrical conductivity were 7.5 MPa, 785 MPa and 1.0×10⁴ S/m, respectively, when the temperature of the acid treatment was at 110°C. Apart from this, the researchers also improved the mechanical property of CNT paper by polymers. The CNT paper was soaked in polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution, eventually making the CNT/PVA film show its mechanical properties, which increased, while its electrical conductivity decreased. To diffuse the polymer into the CNT paper thoroughly, the researchers used vacuum filtration to fabricate a CNT/PVA film by penetrating PVA into the CNT paper. After a ten-hour filtration, the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of CNT/PVA film were 96.1 MPa and 6.23 GPa, respectively, which show an increase by factors of 12 and 7, respectively, although the material’s electrical conductivity was lowered to 0.16×10⁴ S/m.     

Structure and Characteristics of the Fracturing of Layered Ni-Al Composites

Layered composite materials with alternating layers of a solid solution of aluminum in nickel and intermetallic Ni-Al compounds are obtained. The evolution of the composite structures depending on the heat-treatment conditions is discussed. The mechanical tests of materials highlight a fracture toughness of up to 23 MPa m^1/2, a strength of up to 1800 MPa at room temperature and 150–480 MPa in the range 1000–1150°C.     

Effect of Al content on impact resistance behavior of Al-Ti-B4C composite fabricated under air atmosphere

Reaction behavior, mechanical property and impact resistance of TiC-TiB₂/Al composite reacted from Al-Ti-B₄C system with various Al content via combination method of combustion synthesis and hot pressed sintering under air was investigated. Al content was the key point to the variation of mechanical property and impact resistance. Increasing Al content could increase the density, strength and toughness of the composite. Due to exorbitant ceramic content, 10 wt.% and 20 wt.% Al-Ti-B₄C composites exhibited poor molding ability and machinability. Flexural strength, fracture toughness, compressive strength and impact toughness of 30–50 wt.% Al-Ti-B₄C composite were higher than those of Al matrix. The intergranular fracture dispersed and defused impact load and restricted crack extension, enhancing the impact resistance of the composite. The composite with 50 wt.% Al content owned highest mechanical properties and impact resistance. The results were useful for the application of TiC-TiB₂/Al composite in impact resistance field of ceramic reinforced Al matrix composite.     

Mechanism for improvement in mechanical and thermal stability in dispersed phase polymer composites

We report substantial improvement in the mechanical stability, thermal stability, and conductivity of four series of ion-conducting dispersed phase composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs). Tensile strength of filler-dispersed composite films was ≥2 MPa in contrast to ~1 MPa for undispersed polymer–salt complex. Similarly, elongation at break has shown an increase by ~200–300% in the composite films. Filler-induced enhancement in thermal and mechanical stability has clearly been noticed. The improvement in the mechanical stability is also accompanied by a corresponding increase in electrical conductivity in the composite films by 1–2 orders of magnitude at lower (2 wt.%) of the filler loading. A mechanism for the improvement in mechanical stability has been proposed. The strength of the mechanism lies in evidenced polymer–filler interaction among the composite components. Suppression of thermal degradation and increased mechanical strength of the CPEs on filler addition has been explained on the basis of transient cross-linking of the polymeric segments and filler–polymer bridging effect.     

Preparation and properties of alumina composites modified by electric field-induced alignment of carbon nanotubes

Catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CVD) grown multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) are treated with HF and deionized water and are then placed into alumina ceramics for improvement of both electrical conductivity and mechanical properties. In particular, an alternating current (ac) electric field is applied during the coagulation of the alumina slurries to induce the formation of aligned MWNT networks in the alumina matrix. The coagulated alumina matrix composite bases filled with 2 wt. % ac electric field-induced aligned MWNTs, are then sintered by hot pressing. The electrical conductivities of the prepared composites in directions both parallel and perpendicular to the MWNTs alignment, reach values of 6.2×10^-2 S m^-1 and 6.8×10^-9 S m^-1, respectively, compared with that of 4.5×10^-15 S m^-1 for pristine alumina ceramics. The fracture toughness and flexing strengths of the prepared composites in the two directions are 4.66±0.66 MPa m^0.5, 390±70 MPa, and 3.65±0.46 MPa m^0.5, 191±5 MPa, respectively, compared with 3.78±0.66 MPa m^0.5 and 302±50 MPa for pristine alumina, 4.09±0.15 MPa m^0.5 and 334±60 MPa for alumina filled with 2 wt. % MWNTs prepared without the effect of an electric field, respectively. The results indicate that the electric field leads to anisotropic behaviour. The properties of the composites along the direction of the MWNTs alignment are much improved with the addition of a small amount of CVD grown MWNTs. PACS 61.46.Fg; 61.66.Fn     

Mechanical properties of polycrystalline RuSr2GdCu2O8 superconductor

The main objective of this paper is to report the room temperature hardness and elastic modulus of the RuSr₂GdCu₂O₈ superconductor phase by instrumented indentation. Polycrystalline samples were produced by a solid state reaction technique. The samples were also characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and electrical resistivity measurements. The influence of porosity on the mechanical properties was avoided by considering only those indentations inside the grains. The hardness and elastic modulus were 8.6 GPa and 145 GPa, respectively. These values are comparable with those of Y-123. The indentation fracture toughness evaluated after conventional Vickers indentation was 1.9 MPa m^1/2.     

Fabrication and Characterization of Bioglass-Modified HA–ZrO2 Biocomposites

Hydroxyapatite (HA) being the main mineral constituent of human hard tissues is highly bioactive. Good chemical bonds can be generated between HA and natural bone. However, the low strength and inherent brittleness of HA restrict its application usually to non-load-bearing conditions. In this work, production of a new kind of HA–ZrO₂ composite by hot-press sintering method is described. Bioglass which has been widely used in reconstruction of damaged or diseased tissues was added into HA–ZrO₂ composites. Comparing with pure HA ceramic, this type of composite possesses better mechanical strength and retains the bioactivity of HA as well. The liquid phase generated by bioglass has been effective in improving the sintering process of HA–ZrO₂ composites. The phase composition of HA composite was characterized by XRD and their fracture surfaces were observed by SEM. The XRD results show that introducing a small amount of bioglass into HA–ZrO₂ composite cannot enhance decomposition of HA. The SEM images show that there were fewer pores on the fracture surfaces of HA–ZrO₂–bioglass composite than in the HA–ZrO₂ composite. The flexural strength and toughness of HA–ZrO₂ composite containing 2 wt% bioglass were 157 MPa and 1.63 MPa·m^1/2, respectively.     

Proton-conducting biopolymer electrolytes based on pectin doped with NH4X (X=Cl,Br)

Research has been undertaken to develop polymer electrolytes based on biodegradable natural polymers such as cellulose acetate, starch, gelatin, and chitosan, which are being used as polymer hosts for obtaining new polymer electrolytes for their applications in various electrochemical devices such as batteries, sensors, and electrochromic windows. Pectin is a naturally available material which is extracted from the skin of citrus fruits. Pectins, also known as pectic polysaccharides, are rich in galacturonic acid. The present study focuses on the proton-conducting polymer electrolytes based on the biopolymer pectin doped with ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) and ammonium bromide (NH₄Br) prepared by solution casting technique. The prepared membranes are characterized using XRD, FTIR, and AC impedance techniques to study their complexation behavior, amorphous nature, and electrical properties. The conductivity of pure pectin membrane has been found to be 9.41 × 10⁻⁷ S cm⁻¹. The polymer systems with 30 mol% NH₄Cl-doped pectin and 40 mol% NH₄Br-doped pectin have been found to have maximum ionic conductivity of 4.52 × 10⁻⁴ and 1.07 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹, respectively. The conductivity value has increased by three orders of magnitude compared to pure pectin membrane. The dielectric behavior of both the systems has been explained using dielectric permittivity and electric modulus spectra.

     

Characterization of NiO–yttria stabilised zirconia (YSZ) hollow fibres for use as SOFC anodes

NiO–yttria stabilised zirconia (YSZ) hollow fibres with varying NiO content and a desired microstructure were prepared using a phase inversion technique and sintering. By controlling the fabrication parameters, microstructures with predominately finger-like pores near the inner and outer surfaces and a denser central layer with sponge-like pores were produced, for use as substrates for anode-supported hollow fibre solid oxide fuel cells (HF-SOFC). The NiO–YSZ fibres were reduced to Ni–YSZ at 250–700 °C in hydrogen flowing at 20 cm³ min^? 1 to produce Ni–YSZ hollow fibres, the mechanical and electrical properties of which were determined subsequently, reduction to Ni being verified by X-ray diffraction. The effects of NiO concentration and sintering temperature of the fibre precursors on the conductivity, strength and porosity of the reduced hollow fibres were investigated to assess their suitability for use as anode substrates. As expected, increasing Ni concentration increased electrical conductivities and decreased mechanical strength. Sintering temperature had a critical effect in producing axially conductive hollow fibres of sufficient mechanical strength for use as SOFC anodes. The hollow fibres retained their initial microstructure through the reduction process, though ca. 41% volume contraction is predicted on reduction of NiO to Ni, producing increased porosity in the reduced fibres. The mean porosity of the Ni–YSZ hollow fibres was ca. 60% and ca. 40% after sintered at 1250 °C and 1400 °C, respectively. The mean pore sizes for all the fibres after reduction varied between ca. 0.3 and 1 µm. The hollow fibres produced with 60% NiO, of length ca. 300 mm, electrical conductivities of ca. (1–2.25) × 10⁵ S m^? 1 and a porosity of ca. 43% are being used currently to construct and test the electrical behaviour of an anode-supported HF-SOFC.     

Yb-doped yttria–alumino–silicate nano-particles based optical fibers: Fabrication and characterization

An efficient method to fabricate transparent glass ceramic fibers containing in-situ grown Yb³⁺ doped oxide nano-particles based on yttria–alumino–silicate glass is presented. These large-mode area Yb³⁺ doped fibers having a core diameter around 25.0 μm were drawn by a proper control over the involved process parameters; by this, the size of nano-particles was maintained within 5–10 nm. The main spectroscopic and laser properties of the fabricated fibers along with the nano-structuration results are reported. These results reveal that the developed method offers new scopes for the contemporary Yb³⁺ fiber based devices.     

Ion transport mechanism in proton-conducting gel-type electrolytes: solvent and polymer effects

The development and characterization of proton-conducting gel-type electrolytes containing simple aliphatic dicarboxylic acids gelled with poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP) has been investigated in the present work. The relation between the various properties and the composition of the electrolyte constituents with different electrical/physical properties has been investigated and established. Electrical properties for the developed gel-type electrolytes were found to depend upon the acidity and concentration of acid and the amount of polymer present. This dependence is explained due to the combined effect of change in ion concentration, viscosity, and physical interactions taking place between the constituents of electrolytes. Maximum conductivity of 1.59 × 10⁻³ S/cm is observed at room temperature for electrolytes containing 1 M oxalic acid. The interactions and behavior of the electrolytes are supported by Fourier transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, viscosity, and pH studies.     

Development of ceria-doped zirconia electrolytes with high toughness and ionic conductivity

Development of Y₂O₃ stabilized ZrO₂ electrolytes for solid oxide fuel cell with better mechanical properties was attempted. 3 mol% Y₂O₃ stabilized ZrO₂ doped with 3–15 mol% CeO₂ was investigated in the present work. The results reveal that the toughness and the bending strength of 3–6 mol% CeO₂ doped 3 mol% Y₂O₃–ZrO₂ are much higher than that of 8 mol% Y₂O₃–ZrO₂. The best ionic conductivity observed in 6 mol% ceria-doped 3 mol% Y₂O₃–ZrO₂ electrolyte is better than that of 8 mol% Y₂O₃–ZrO₂ at 800 °C, which indicates the possibility of developing ZrO₂-based electrolyte with enhanced toughness.     

Predicting Interfacial Strengthening Behaviour of Particulate-Reinforced MMC — A Micro-mechanistic Approach

The fracture properties of particulate-reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) are influenced by several factors, such as particle size, inter-particle spacing and volume fraction of the reinforcement. In addition, complex microstructural mechanisms, such as precipitation hardening induced by heat treatment processing, affect the fracture toughness of MMCs. Precipitates that are formed at the particle/matrix interface region, lead to improvement of the interfacial strength, and hence enhancement of the macroscopic strength properties of the composite material. In this paper, a micro-mechanics model, based on thermodynamics principles, is proposed to determine the fracture strength of the interface at a segregated state in MMCs. This model uses energy considerations to express the fracture toughness of the interface in terms of interfacial critical strain energy release rate and elastic modulus. The interfacial fracture toughness is further expressed as a function of the macroscopic fracture toughness and mechanical properties of the composite, using a toughening mechanism model based on crack deflection and interface cracking. Mechanical testing is also performed to obtain macroscopic data, such as the fracture strength, elastic modulus and fracture toughness of the composite, which are used as input to the model. Based on the experimental data and the analysis, the interfacial strength is determined for SiC particle-reinforced aluminium matrix composites subjected to different heat treatment processing conditions.     

铁钛共掺强韧化蓝宝石晶体的研究

研究了铁钛共掺蓝宝石(Fe, Ti: Sapphire)晶体的常温力学性能. 采用泡生法技术生长了尺寸为ø180 × 280 mm³质量为30 kg的 Fe, Ti: Sapphire晶体. 实验发现, 在蓝宝石晶体中掺入Fe₂O₃和TiO₂以及相应的热处理可以显著提高晶体常温断裂强度、表面硬度和断裂韧性, 而不损害晶体的可见和近红外透过性能; 掺入的Fe₂O₃其Fe³⁺对Al³⁺ 的取代作用导致晶体内应力的增加, 掺入的TiO₂其Ti⁴⁺ 热处理时结晶出的第二相针状晶体的韧化效应, 均对Fe, Ti: Sapphire晶体的力学性能的提高具有重要作用. 研究对我国实现高强蓝宝石晶体应用材料具有重要现实意义. 关键词： 蓝宝石晶体 力学性能 铁钛共掺 热处理     

Dielectric and proton conductivity studies in organic electrolytes based on 2-perfluoroalkyl-ethyl-azides

Intrinsically proton conducting organic electrolytes based on 2-perfluoroalkyl-ethyl-azides were synthesized via 1,3 cycloaddition between 2-perfluoroalkyl-ethyl-azide and alkynes. FT-IR, elemental analysis and NMR methods were used to characterize the resulting organic electrolytes. Thermal properties were analyzed with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the morphology of the organic electrolytes was studied with X-ray diffraction (XRD). The effect of chain length on proton conductivity was investigated with impedance spectrometer. Dielectric constant and electrical modulus formalisms were analyzed and the maximum proton conductivity was measured as 10⁻² mS/cm at 180 °C.     

Effects of reactive gas on shear and fracture behaviors of plasma-treated polyethylene/steel joints

For this study, we investigated the effects of reactive gases (oxygen, nitrogen, and argon) on the shear behavior and fracture toughness of HDPE/steel joints by treating high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with plasma using a microwave method. We also investigated the effect of plasma treatment on the physical and chemical changes on the surface of HDPE. HDPE/steel joints were fabricated using a secondary bonding process. The results showed that the shear strength and fracture toughness of HDPE/steel joints treated with different reactive gases were ordered as follows, oxygen > nitrogen > argon. Specifically, the shear strength and fracture toughness of oxygen plasma-treated HDPE/steel joints were approximately 7600% and 2400% greater, respectively, than that of untreated HDPE/steel joints. The improvements in shear strength and fracture toughness are attributed to increase in surface roughness and the creation of carbonyl functional groups on the HDPE surface via plasma treatment.     

Influences of LiCF3SO3 and TiO2 nanofiller on ionic conductivity and mechanical properties of PVA:PVdF blend polymer electrolyte

In recent years, solid polymer electrolytes have been extensively studied due to its flexibility, electrochemical stability, safety, and long life for its applications in various electrochemical devices. Interaction of LiCF₃SO₃ and TiO₂ nanofiller in the optimized composition of PVA:PVdF (80:20—system-A possessing σ ~ 2.8 × 10⁻⁷ Scm⁻¹ at 303 K) blend polymer electrolyte have been analyzed in the present study. LiCF₃SO₃ has been doped in system-A, and the optimized LiCF₃SO₃ doped sample (80:20:15-system-B possessing σ ~ 2.7 × 10⁻³ Scm⁻¹ at 303 K) has been identified. The effect of different concentration of TiO₂ in system-B has been analyzed and the optimized system is considered as system-C (σ ~ 3.7 × 10⁻³ Scm⁻¹ at 303 K). The cost effective, solution casting technique has been used for the preparation of the above polymer electrolytes. Vibrational, structural, mechanical, conductivity, thermal, and electrochemical properties have been studied using FTIR, XRD, stress-strain, AC impedance spectroscopic technique, DSC and TGA, LSV, and CV respectively to find out the optimized system. System-C possessing the highest ionic conductivity, higher tensile strength, low crystallinity, high thermal stability, and high electrochemical stability (greater than 5 V vs Li/Li⁺) is well suitable for lithium ion battery application.

     

The electrochemical characteristics of sulfur composite cathode

The electrochemical characteristics of the sulfur composite cathode for reversible lithium storage were investigated based on different charge/discharge manner. The sulfur composites showed novel electrochemical characteristics as well as the high specific capacity and the good cycleability. The investigation showed that the deep discharge down to less than 1.0 V benefited the performance of the sulfur composite cathode, and the overcharge up to 4.0 V deteriorated its performance. The compaction of the sulfur composite electrode was also investigated. The electrochemical performance of the sulfur composite electrodes was tested at the compaction strength from 0 to 24 MPa, showing that the sulfur composites electrode presented the best electrochemical characteristics at the certain compaction strength of 8 MPa. Its performance seriously deteriorated at the compaction strength of 24 MPa. The study reveals that the appropriate compaction strength benefits the electrochemical performance of the sulfur composite electrode.