Microstructures and soft magnetic properties of Fe80P20-xSix (x = 4.5–6.5) amorphous ribbons

Fe-based amorphous ribbons with excellent soft magnetic properties and mechanical properties were prepared in the Fe–Si–P ternary system. Enhanced soft magnetic properties could be achieved through annealing treatment of the ribbons for 1 h at 325 °C, which is far below the glass transition temperatures (462–474 °C). Icosahedral medium-range ordering with a size range of around 2 nm occurred throughout the amorphous matrix during the low-temperature annealing treatment. The annealed ribbons exhibited improved magnetic saturation of over 185 emu/g while maintaining good mechanical flexibility. During icosahedral ordering, the distance between the Fe atoms and the coordination number within the amorphous ribbon can be optimised for achieving high magnetic saturation. However, nanocrystallisation of the SiP and Fe₂P transition phases embedded within the amorphous matrix occurred after the annealing treatment for 1 h at 385 °C, which caused deterioration of the soft magnetic properties and mechanical flexibility of the ribbons. Therefore, the combination of high magnetic saturation and mechanical flexibility of the amorphous ribbons could be optimised through low-temperature annealing treatment without any nanocrystallisation.     

Optical permittivity,thermo-optical and electrical properties of nickel oxide nanostructures with heavy cupper doping

In this research, physical properties of nickel oxide nano-structured layers doped with various amount of Cu atoms (20–60 at.%) is studied using spray pyrolysis method on the glass substrate. The FESEM images show formations of nanostructures of about 20–60 nm and the XRD patterns show layers have a polycrystalline cubic structure nature with (111) as the preferred direction that its intensity reduces as the doping density increases. Analyzing transmittance UV. Vis spectra shows the variations of optical band gap of the samples are due to occurrence of doping atoms and quantum confined effects. Optical permittivity of different doped films have been compared using new numerical method and show the prominent effect of doping percent to real and imaginary parts of electrical permittivity. Also Hall effect results shows that Cu atoms substituted by Ni atoms sites play as acceptor atoms in the crystalline lattice. Finally, thermo-optical properties of the films have been studied using Nd–YAG laser illumination.     

The characterisation of atomic structure and glass-forming ability of the Zr–Cu–Co metallic glasses studied by molecular dynamics simulations

In the present work, the glass formation process and structural properties of Zr₅₀Cu_50-xCo_x (0 ≤ x ≤ 50) bulk metallic glasses were investigated by a molecular dynamics simulation with the many body tight-binding potentials. The evolution of structure and glass formation process with temperature were discussed using the coordination number, the radial distribution functions, the volume–temperature curve, icosahedral short-range order, glass transition temperature, Voronoi analysis, Honeycutt–Andersen pair analysis technique and the distribution of bond–angles. Results indicate that adding Co causes similar responses on the nature of the Zr₅₀Cu_50-xCo_x (0 ≤ x ≤ 50) alloys except for higher glass transition temperature and ideal icosahedral type ordered local atomic environment. Also, the differences of the atomic radii play the key role in influencing the atomic structure of these alloys. Both Cu and Co atoms play a significant role in deciding the chemical and topological short-range orders of the Zr₅₀Cu_50-xCo_x ternary liquids and amorphous alloys. The glass-forming ability of these alloys is supported by the experimental observations reported in the literature up to now.     

Enhanced interface interaction between modified carbon nanotubes and magnesium matrix

Carbon nanotube (CNT)/metal interface interaction is critical to the mechanical properties of CNT-reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs). In this paper, in order to realize the chemical modification of the interface interaction between CNTs and Mg matrix, different types of defects (monovacancy, carbon and oxygen adatoms, as well as p-type boron and n-type nitrogen substitution) are introduced in CNTs to investigate the effect of the defects on the interface interaction (E_ib) between CNT and Mg (0 0 0 1) surface. Moreover, two models (adsorption model and interface model) are compared and validated to investigate the interface interaction. It is revealed that the CNT with the carbon adatom has the highest E_ib with the Mg (0 0 0 1), and the effect of boron doping on E_ib is superior to the intermediate oxygen which has already been proved experimentally in the enhancement of the interface interaction in MMCs. In terms of the electronic structure analysis, we reveal the micro-mechanism of the increase of E_ib under the action of different types of defects, and propose that the presence of holes (boron dopant) and the unsaturated electrons in CNTs can generate the chemical interaction between CNT and Mg matrix effectively. Our results are of great scientific importance to the realization of robust interfacial bonding between CNTs and Mg matrix via the reinforcement modification, so as to enhance the mechanical properties of CNTs reinforced Mg matrix composites.     

Fabrication and characterization of Ge20Sb15S65 chalcogenide glass for photonic crystal fibers

Chalcogenide glasses are known for their high transparency in the mid-infrared (IR) range, which includes two atmospheric windows that lie from 3 to 5 μm and 8 to 12 μm, respectively. Chalcogenide photonic crystal fibers have numerous potential applications in the field of IR, such as spectroscopy, microscopy, astronomy, biology, and sensing. In this paper, Ge₂₀Sb₁₅S₆₅ chalcogenide glass was fabricated and systematically studied. Chalcogenide glass has high transmission property (>70 %), good thermal stability, and good mechanical stability. The glass transition temperature T _g is 296 °C, and no exothermic peak was associated with crystallization up to 500 °C, which indicates its suitability for fiber drawing. As a result of its excellent mechanical properties, preforms with a variety of geometrical patterns were fabricated by using mechanical drilling. The near-field intensity distribution image of the drawn fiber shows a strong light propagation confinement.     

Magnesium ion-conductive poly(ethylene carbonate) electrolytes

Magnesium (Mg) electrolytes are presently under investigation for their promising performance capabilities in the next generation of batteries. The present work studies Mg-ion transport in polymers using different types of Mg salts. Polymer electrolytes comprising poly(ethylene carbonate) (PEC) with Mg salts (MgX₂; X?=?TFSI, ClO₄) were prepared by solution casting. The structural, thermal, and electrochemical properties of flexible self-standing membranes were studied as potential Mg electrolytes. The impedance results at 90 °C found the highest conductivities of 6.0?×?10^?6 S cm^?1 for PEC-Mg(TFSI)₂, and 5.2?×?10^?5 S cm^?1 for PEC-Mg(ClO₄)₂, at 40 mol%. FT-IR measurements revealed changes in the peak fraction from the region of carbonyl group, which explain the interaction with Mg ions. The glass transition temperature of the TFSI system decreased with increasing salt concentration due to the plasticizing effect of TFSI anions. Thermal gravimetric analysis revealed that the highest values of the 5% weight-loss temperature at 40 mol% are 174 °C for PEC-Mg(TFSI)₂ and 160 °C for PEC-Mg(ClO₄)₂. The electrochemical stability of PEC-Mg(TFSI)₂ at 40 mol% was up to 2.2 V. To confirm the redox reaction of Mg ions in PEC, CV measurement was carried out using symmetrical cells with quasi Mg electrodes. Cathodic and anodic current peaks were clearly observed, and the presence of these peaks indicates Mg-ion conduction in PEC.     

Modelling the size of red-colouring copper nanoclusters in archaeological glass beads

The origin of a red colour in ancient soda-lime glasses has been attributed either to the presence of both copper clusters and cuprous oxide or to copper alone. As a contribution to this question, a non-destructive X-ray absorption study at the [ _Cu]K-edge was undertaken on the red layer from a singular “rosette”-type archaeological glass bead dated as pre-XVII century. On comparing with data collected from metallic copper and the mineral cuprite, cubic Cu₂O, XANES spectra of the red glass are identical to the first. Theoretical modelling of Cu 1s XANES spectra was undertaken using the FEFF code based on a multiple scattering formalism. A hypothetical tetragonal structure was simulated for Cu₂O in order to remove the constraints arising from linear O–Cu–O bonds, unstable within the silica glass matrix, and an ideal body-centred array was considered on the basis of real metallic Cu–Cu distances in the metal. Calculations were performed for atom clusters of variable size within real and hypothetical structures. A spherical cluster of about 5 Å radius, capped by 24 copper atoms already provides a calculated Cu 1s XANES spectrum that compares well with data collected from the red glass. Post-edge details are noted in relation to the oxide, considering ionic states and effective valences of copper. The possibility of estimating the size of copper clusters through simulated structures is discussed.     

Laser irradiation effects on the surface,structural and mechanical properties of Al–Cu alloy 2024

Laser irradiation effects on surface, structural and mechanical properties of Al–Cu–Mg alloy (Al–Cu alloy 2024) have been investigated. The specimens were irradiated for various fluences ranging from 3.8 to 5.5 J/cm² using an Excimer (KrF) laser (248 nm, 18 ns, 30 Hz) under vacuum environment. The surface and structural modifications of the irradiated targets have been investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD), respectively. SEM analysis reveals the formation of micro-sized craters along the growth of periodic surface structures (ripples) at their peripheries. The size of the craters initially increases and then decreases by increasing the laser fluence. XRD analysis shows an anomalous trend in the peak intensity and crystallite size of the specimen irradiated for various fluences. A universal tensile testing machine and Vickers microhardness tester were employed in order to investigate the mechanical properties of the irradiated targets. The changes in yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and microhardness were found to be anomalous with increasing laser fluences. The changes in the surface and structural properties of Al–Cu alloy 2024 after laser irradiation have been associated with the changes in mechanical properties.     

Lightweight and thermally insulating aerogel glass materials

Glass represents an important and widely used building material, and crucial aspects to be addressed include thermal conductivity, visible light transmittance, and weight for windows with improved energy efficiency. In this work, by sintering monolithic silica aerogel precursors at elevated temperatures, aerogel glass materials were successfully prepared, which were characterized by low thermal conductivity [k ≈ 0.17–0.18 W/(mK)], high visible transparency (T _vis ≈ 91–96 % at 500 nm), low density (ρ ≈ 1.60–1.79 g/cm³), and enhanced mechanical strength (typical elastic modulus E _r ≈ 2.0–6.4 GPa). These improved properties were derived from a series of successive gelation and aging steps during the desiccation of silica aerogels. The involved sol → gel → glass transformation was investigated by means of thermo-gravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, nanoindentation, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Strategies of improving further the mechanical strength of the obtained aerogel glass materials are also discussed.     

Fabricating and improving properties of copper matrix nanocomposites by electroless copper-coated MWCNTs

In this study, copper (Cu) nanocomposites reinforced by coated multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been fabricated with different weight fractions of MWCNT. In the first step, the as-received MWCNTs were coated with Cu using electroless deposition process. In the next step, combination of sonication and ball milling (with two milling time of 1.5 and 3 h) was used for preparing MWCNT/Cu composite powders. Finally, the disk-shaped specimens were sintered by hot-press sintering machine. Characterization of sintered nanocomposites revealed that increasing milling time led to improved mechanical properties, but higher defect density on the MWCNT sidewalls is obtained which is especially undesirable for electrical properties of nanocomposite. Our results indicated that simultaneous improvements of interface reactions and distribution uniformity of MWCNTs and Cu are key factors for obtaining enhanced mechanical properties. Accordingly, enhancement of up to ~150 and ~86 % in microhardness compared to pure Cu and 1 wt% as-received MWCNT/Cu was achieved by addition of 1 wt% Cu-coated MWCNT. On the contrary, existence of oxygen atoms in the Cu and coated MWCNT interface (from functional groups and deposited copper oxide) obstructs considerable improvement of electrical resistivity compared to as-received MWCNT/Cu nanocomposites.     

Precipitation and solute distribution in an interrupted-aged Al–Mg–Si–Cu alloy

Quantitative analysis of the precipitate species and solute distribution was carried out on Al–Mg–Si–Cu alloy 6061 aged to peak hardness using a conventional T6 heat treatment and the so-called T6I6 heat treatments. In this latter, a dwell period at reduced temperature (65°C) is introduced into the T6 ageing cycle (at 177°C or 150°C) which modifies the microstructure and results in the simultaneous improvement of both tensile properties and fracture toughness. Analysis of three-dimensional atom probe data reveals that the superior mechanical properties of the T6I6/177 temper are achieved by a combined effect of a greater consumption of solute atoms by precipitates, an increased number density of fine precipitates and the presence of greater fractions of the effective strengthening precipitates in the final microstructure. Three types of precipitates were found to be characteristic of the peak aged conditions: β′′ precipitates, Guinier–Preston zones and Mg–Si(–Cu) co-clusters. The composition of the strengthening precipitates was found to vary over a wide range for the different heat treatment schedules, corresponding to a variation in the number density of stable nuclei, without any accompanying change in their morphology. All precipitates were found to contain substantial quantities of aluminium. The results also indicate that the strengthening precipitates are preferentially formed from Si-rich nuclei that contain Cu atoms, as opposed to Cu-free nuclei.     

Effects of annealing and additions on dynamic mechanical properties of SnSb quenched alloy

The elastic modulus, internal friction and stiffness values of quenched SnSb bearing alloy have been evaluated using the dynamic resonance technique. Annealing for 2 and 4 h at 120, 140 and 160 °C caused variations in the elastic modulus, internal friction and stiffness values. This is due to structural changes in the SnSb matrix during isothermal annealing such as coarsening in the phases (Sn, Sb or intermetallic compounds), recrystallization and stress relief. In addition, adding a small amount (1 wt.%) of Cu or Ag improved the bearing mechanical properties of the SnSb bearing alloy. The SnSbCu₁ alloy has the best bearing mechanical properties with thermo-mechanical stability for long time at high temperature.     

Strong interaction of an Al2Cu intermetallic precipitate with its boundary

NMR, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) experiments have been undertaken to establish the nature of Ω-platelets which form during heat treatment of aluminium alloys containing Cu, Mg (Mg lean) and Ag of the order of 0.1 at. % [1]. The platelets lie on (111) planes of the Al host lattice, separated from the Al on either face by a thin layer, one or two atoms thick, of Mg and Ag atoms. At temperatures between 185°C and 250°C the platelets have been previously shown to coarsen (thicken) slowly with time but more rapidly at 300°C [2,3]. TEM observations are described which confirm that the platelets remain on (111)_α for heat treatments up until at least 5?h at 300°C. The NMR and XRD results indicate that for thick platelets the bulk of the platelet material, sufficiently distant from the two bounding interfaces, is exactly tetragonal Al₂Cu θ-phase, but that platelets of the order of 2–4?nm thick (e.g. 100?h at 185°C) have a structure strongly influenced by interaction with the platelet boundary, which removes the axial symmetry of the Cu atom. Both NMR and XRD observations have shown a gradual transition between these two limits.     

An ordered surface ternary alloy of a c(6 × 4) structure formed on Cu(0 0 1) by substitutional coadsorption of Mg and Bi

A c(6 × 4) structure formed on Cu(0 0 1) by the coadsorption of Mg and Bi atoms at room temperature has been determined by a tensor low energy electron diffraction analysis. It is an ordered surface ternary alloy with a thickness of single layer, in which Mg, Bi and Cu atoms are mixed in the top layer. In the primitive unit cell, there are one Mg, four Bi, six Cu atoms and one vacancy in the top layer, and substituted Mg and Bi atoms form MgBi₄ plane clusters being arranged in the c(6 × 4) order. Structural parameters show that Mg-Bi bond distances in the MgBi₄ cluster are 3.01 and 3.07 Å, which are shorter than the summation of metallic radii of Mg and Bi. It is concluded that a direct, attractive interaction between Mg and Bi atoms plays critical role in the formation of the c(6 × 4) structure.     

Field-emission properties of transparent tungsten oxide nano-urchins

The field-emission properties of transparent tungsten oxide nano-urchin (NU) films deposited on conducting glass substrates were examined. The novel crystalline tungsten oxide NUs consisted of nanowires added to a spherical shell. The WO_2.72 NUs showed better field-emission properties than the WO₃ NUs with a low turn-on field of approximately 5.8 V/μm and a current density as high as 1.3 mA/cm² at 7.2 V/mm. The WO _x NUs films could be used in FE applications using a large-area glass substrate without the need for a catalyst and a mechanical rubbing or lift-up process. These results have implications for the enhancement of FE properties by further tuning the WO _x phases.     

Modifications induced by swift heavy ions in rapidly solidified Sn–8.5Sb–5.5Cu alloy

Alloys of composition Sn–8.5Sb–5.5Cu (in atomic percent) were rapidly solidified by a melt-spinning technique. The samples were irradiated at room temperature with GeV uranium ions of fluences between 9×10⁸ and 9×10¹¹ ions cm^?2. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the formation of a new-phase Cu₁₁Sb₃ as well as a reduction in the axial ratio (c/a) of the matrix (β -Sn) indicating the regular re-arrangement of atoms. Scanning force microscopy showed no surface topographic changes with the ion fluence. The mechanical properties (Young's modulus and hardness) of the irradiated alloys were studied as a function of ion fluence. The radiation-annealing process is discussed in terms of the evolution of both resistivity and hardness as a function of ion fluence.     

Solid polymer electrolytes in a poly(butadiene-acrylonitrile)–LiBr system

Poly(nitriles) are among the polymer matrices providing high salt solubility and, in some cases, superionic lithium conductivity at ambient temperatures observed in highly concentrated solvent-free polymer electrolytes. However, the properties of these electrolytes in which ionic aggregation prevails remain difficult to reproduce and predict, as current theories do not adequately model their attributes. The development of new concepts for ion transport in highly concentrated solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) requires a better understanding of the fundamentals of structure formation in a polymer–salt system over a wide concentration range including salt precipitation. In an attempt to approach this goal, a series of fundamental studies was carried out on the systems based on a rubbery random copolymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile (abbreviated as PBAN). In the present work, LiBr with monatomic halide anion was used as a lithium salt. The effect of LiBr concentration (0.05 to 3.35 mol kg^?1) on phase composition, ion–molecular interactions, glass transition temperature, and ionic conductivity was studied by optical microscopy, FTIR, X-ray diffraction, DSC, and impedance measurements. The results were compared with those of PBAN–LiClO₄ and PBAN–LiAsF₆ studied previously. Low salt solubility and separation of a metastable cubic CsCl-type polymorph of LiBr were established. The highest conductivity of ～10^?4 S cm^?1 at >50 °C was observed for heterogeneous samples comprising this phase. While the conductivity of PBAN–LiBr was lower than that of PBAN–LiClO₄ and PBAN–LiAsF₆, this study provides a new insight into the nature of polymer electrolyte systems.     

Effect of heat treatment on the mechanical and microstructural characterization of Mg-AZ91E/TiC composites

Mg-AZ91E/TiC_p composite was fabricated using a spontaneous infiltration technique at 950 °C under an argon atmosphere. The composites produced have 37 vol.% of metal matrix and 63 vol.% of TiC-like reinforcement. The obtained composites were subsequently solution heat-treated at 413 °C during 24 h, cold water quenched, and subsequently artificially aged at 168 and 216 °C during 16 h in an argon atmosphere. Effect of heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties was evaluated. Microstructural characterization was analyzed using different techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Interface between matrix and reinforcement was examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and mechanical properties were evaluated by measuring the elastic modulus and hardness. Mg, TiC, Al, and Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phases through XRD were detected. Meanwhile, using TEM analysis in heat-treated composites MgAl₂O₄, MgO, and Al₂O₃ were identified. The as-fabricated composite have elastic modulus and hardness of 162 GPa and 316 Hv, respectively. After solution heat treatment and aging at 168 °C during 12 h, the composites reaches values of 178 GPa and 362 Hv for the elastic modulus and hardness, respectively. Time of aging was correlated with measures of elastic modulus and hardness.     

Ab initio investigation of tensile strengths of metal(1 1 1)/α-Al2O3(0 0 0 1) interfaces

Ab initio calculations using plane wave pseudopotential method within density funtional theory are applied to investigate mechanical and electronic properties of Al-terminated Me(1 1 1)/Al₂O₃(0 0 0 1) (Me = Al, Ag, Cu, Nb) interfaces. Stress–displacement relationships of separation perpendicular to the interface are calculated. It is shown that obtained results such as work of separation and tensile strength can be understood from electronic structure.     

The different influences of the two incorporation sites of B atoms on the mechanical and thermodynamic properties of B2–ZrCu compounds: a first-principle calculation

We applied a first-principle calculation to investigate the different influences of the two incorporation sites of B atoms on the mechanical and thermodynamic properties of the near-equiatomic B2–ZrCu compound. The alloying B atoms have two possible incorporation sites, namely, octahedral interstices and Cu sites. When the concentration of B atoms is lower than 5.882 at.%, interstitial B atoms will be effective at improving the bulk modulus (B), shear modulus (G) and Young’s modulus (E) of the B2–ZrCu parent. When the concentration of the substitutional B atoms is lower than 12.5 at.%, the ductility of the parent will be strengthened. The interstitial B atoms that are located at octahedral interstices in the 〈110〉 direction can remarkably improve the Debye temperature (Θ_D) of the substituted Zr₈Cu_8?zB_z phase. The prediction for the melting point shows that the high-temperature stability is strengthened with the increase of the B concentration. Interstitial B atoms are beneficial to the minimum thermal conductivity. Finally, the electronic properties are discussed in detail to further understand the mechanical properties.