Preparation of Fe/B powders by mechanical alloying

Steels with a high boron content are valuable as a neutron shield in waste containers and as control absorbers in nuclear reactors. The purpose of this study was to obtain by mechanical alloying an iron powder with 50% boron (by weight) and then powder-metallurgy materials. The elementary powders were mixed in a high-energy mill for 36 h in an inert atmosphere. Samples were withdrawn at intervals, and the powder was characterized by differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. The Fe/B powders withdrawn at different intervals of milling were diluted with further additions of iron up to a final content of 10% boron. The mixtures were uniaxially compacted at 500 MPa; their green density was verified, and they were sintered in argon at 1150°C. Their physical properties (density and dimensional change) and bending strength were evaluated and microstructural studies and fracture tests were performed.     

Structural and dielectric characterization of LiNbO3 nano-size powders obtained by Pechini method

Lithium niobate is an artificially synthesized material with wide technological applications, due to its numerous physical properties, such as: ferroelectricity, birefringence and large pyroelectric, piezoelectric, non-linear, acousto-optic, electro-optic and photo-elastic coefficients. It also exhibits very strong bulk photovoltaic and photo refractive effects. In the present work, LiNbO₃ powders were prepared by the Pechini (sol?Cgel) method. The heat-treatment of the base amorphous powders, at 450?°C promotes the formation of LiNbO₃ crystalline phase. The electrical characterization, in function of the heat-treatment time, shows that the dc conductivity depends on the quantity of crystalline phase, which increases with the increase of heat-treatment time. The sample treated for 96?h shows a dielectric constant value of ~35, at low frequencies. A dielectric relaxation phenomenon independent of the temperature of measurement was detected in the samples treated at 48 and 96?h, shifting to higher frequencies with the increase of the heat-treatment time.     

Thermal stability of solid solutions obtained by mechanical alloying

Summary The heats of ordering for mechanochemically synthesized nano-sized supersaturated solid solutions were demonstrated for Ni-In, Ni-Sn, Ni-Al, Cu-Sn, Cu-Hg systems. It is shown that increasing concentration of doping element leads to decreasing of decomposition temperature and to increasing of decomposition enthalpy. The concentration heterogeneity of doping elements in mechanochemically synthesized supersaturated solid solutions was found. The reactivity of alloys Cu 20 mass % Sn for commercial powder and MA powder was investigated.     

Reverse Monte Carlo simulations, Raman scattering, and thermal studies of an amorphous Ge30Se70 alloy produced by mechanical alloying

The short- and intermediate-range orders of an amorphous Ge30Se70 alloy produced by mechanical alloying were studied by reverse Monte Carlo simulations of its x-ray total structure factor, Raman scattering, and differential scanning calorimetry. The simulations were used to compute the G(Ge-Ge) (RMC)(r), G(Ge-Se) (RMC)(r), and G(Se-Se) (RMC)(r) partial distribution functions and the S(Ge-Ge) (RMC)(K), S(Ge-Se) (RMC)(K), and S(Se-Se) (RMC)(K) partial structure factors. We calculated the coordination numbers and interatomic distances for the first and second neighbors and the bond-angle distribution functions Theta(ijl)(cos theta). The data obtained indicate that the structure of the alloy has important differences when compared to alloys prepared by other techniques. There are a high number of Se-Se pairs in the first shell, and some of the tetrahedral units formed seemed to be connected by Se-Se bridges.     

Structural,magnetic and thermal characterizations of Fe2O3 nanoparticle systems

X-ray, magnetic and differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetric (DTA-TG) measurements of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles surrounded by amorphous SiO₂were carried out. The mass loss above 370 K could be attributed to the dehydration. The broadened exothermic peak around 900 K was observed by the DTA analysis. Considering the results of the X-ray and magnetic analyses, this anomaly was interpreted as due to the g- to a-transition in the present Fe₂O₃nanoparticle system. The broadness of the peak and thus the gradual progress of the transformation would be attributed to the stress caused by the amorphous SiO₂ network surrounding extremely small particles. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synthesis and characterization of LaFeO3 powders prepared by a mixed mechanical/thermal processing route

Lanthanum ferrite, LaFeO₃ (LF), has raised considerable interest since it can be used in many applications such as solid-oxide fuel cell electrode, sensor material (H₂O and ethanol) and catalyst. Since the conventional ceramic route of synthesis has some disadvantages, mainly related to an exaggerated grain growth, LF has been prepared by different methods including combustion synthesis, sol–gel, hydrothermal processes, polymerizable complex method and mechanochemistry. As concerns this last method, a problem occurs due to the moisture sensitivity of La2O₃. To overcome the problem, we used lanthanum acetate sesquihydrate [La(CH₃COO)₃·1.5H₂O] and iron (II) oxalate dehydrate [FeC₂O₄·2H₂O] as precursors. The mechanism of the solid-state reactions in the mixtures has been studied by TG–DSC and XRPD. Synthesis of LaFeO₃ has been realized by annealing the mechanically activated mixtures for 3 h at temperatures between 500 and 800 °C. While LF prepared at 500 °C < T < 600 °C has an amorphous character, LF obtained at T ≥ 600 °C is free from carbonaceous impurities as it is shown by FT-IR and TG measurements. The specific area of the LaFeO₃ powders obtained starting from the mechanically activated mixture is decreasing by increasing the annealing temperature. On the contrary, the annealing on samples of physical mixture at temperatures up to 800 °C only yields a mixture of LaFeO₃, La₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃.

     

Thermodynamic analysis of (Ni,Fe)3Al formation by mechanical alloying

(Ni, Fe)₃Al intermetallic compound was synthesized by mechanical alloying (MA) of Ni, Fe and Al elemental powder mixtures of composition Ni₅₀Fe₂₅Al₂₅. Phase transformation and microstructure characteristics of the alloy powders were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that mechanical alloying resulted in a Ni (Al, Fe) solid solution. By continued milling, this structure transformed to the disordered (Ni, Fe)₃Al intermetallic compound. A thermodynamic model developed on the basis of extended theory of Miedema is used to calculate the Gibbs free-energy changes. Final product of MA is a phase having minimal Gibbs free energy compared with other competing phases in Ni–Fe–Al system. However in Ni–Fe–Al system, the most stable phase at all compositions is intermetallic compound (not amorphous phase or solid solution). The results of MA were compared with thermodynamic analysis and revealed the leading role of thermodynamic on the formation of MA product prediction.     

Thermal analysis of Fe(Co,Ni) based alloys prepared by mechanical alloying

In this work several Fe(Co,Ni) based nanocrystalline alloys were obtained by mechanical alloying. Thermal study was performed by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry. After 80 h milling, all DSC scans show several reactions on heating. At low temperature, about 400 K, the exothermal process detected is associated to structural relaxation. In all alloys, the main crystallization process begins over 700 K and has apparent activation energy values between 3.7 and 3.1 eV at^–1. The Co content increases the thermal stability of this process. Furthermore, thermomagnetic measurements confirm the Co solid solution into Fe. The ferromagnetic–paramagnetic transition occurs at about 900 K.     

Structural and spectroscopic characterization of Al2−x Cr x O3 powders obtained by polymeric precursor method

Al₂O₃ and Al_2−x Cr _x O₃ (x = 0.01, 0.02 and 0.04) powders have been synthesized by the polymeric precursors method. A study of the structural evolution of crystalline phases corresponding to the obtained powders was accomplished through X-Ray Diffraction and UV-vis spectroscopy (reflectance spectra and CIEL^*a^*b^* color data). The obtained results allow to identify the γ-Al₂O₃ to α-Al₂O₃ phase transition. The single-phase α-Al₂O₃ powder was obtained after heat treatment at 1050 °C for 2 h. The results show that the green to red color transition and ruby luminescence lines observed for the powders of Al_2−x Cr _x O₃ are related to the γ to α-Al₂O₃ phase transition and the temperature and time range for such transition depends on the chromium content.     

Structural characterization and thermal properties of polyamide 6.6/Mg, Al/adipate-LDH nanocomposites obtained by solid state polymerization

A new nanocomposite was obtained by dispersing an adipate-modified layered double hydroxide (Ad-LDH) with adipic acid and hexamethylene diamine. These samples were polymerized in the solid phase under a nitrogen flow for 200 min at 190 °C. The structural and compositional details of the nanocomposite were determined by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, focused ion beam (FIB), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The PXRD patterns and FIB images show a partially intercalated and partially exfoliated dispersion of layered crystalline materials in the polyamide 6.6 matrix. The best dispersion level is achieved in polyamide 6.6/LDH nanocomposites with low LDH loading. Some residual tactoids and particle agglomerates are also evident at high concentration. The best thermal stability of the nanocomposites is shown by the sample with 0.1% LDH content, for which it is higher than that of pure polyamide.     

SrZrO3 powders obtained by chemical method: Synthesis,characterization and optical absorption behaviour

Strontium zirconate (SrZrO₃) powders have been synthesized by the polymeric precursor method after heat treatment at different temperatures for 2 h in oxygen atmosphere. The decomposition of precursor powder was followed by thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform Raman (FT-Raman). The UV–vis absorption spectroscopy measurements suggested the presence of intermediary energy levels in the band gap of structurally disordered powders. XRD, Rietveld refinement and FT-Raman revealed that the powders are free of secondary phases and crystallizes in the orthorhombic structure.     

Synthesis and morphological characterization of nanocrystalline powders obtained by a gas condensation method

The preparation of nanocrystalline powders of Fe and Fe50Ni50 has been performed by a gas-condensation method under pure helium atmosphere. The characterization of the prepared materials which was carried out by means of Transmission Electron Microscopy, X-rays diffraction and Mössbauer Spectrometry, evidences for the presence of oxide phases. Fe and FeNi based ultrafine particles are observed with a size comprised within the range 10–70 nm and they occur as clusters or chains.     

Thermal characterization of iron oxide powders by emanation thermal analysis

Emanation thermal analysis (ETA) using a surface-impregnation method of Ra-226 nuclide was applied for the thermal characterization of near-surface of iron oxide powders with various preparation histories in the heating and grinding treatments. Peaks I and II appeared at the temperature regions lower and higher than 0.4 – 0.5 T_m, respectively, where T_m is a melting temperature (K) of powders. Further, peak I′ appeared at the temperature region of 0.4 – 0.5 T_m. The appearance of peak I was explained by the mechanochemical effects due to the grinding treatment, and it disappeared in the repeated run. The shift of peak II 900°C to 1000°C in the repeated run was explained by the orderingeffect of crystal lattice due to the heating treatment. The behavior of peak I′ was complicated.     

The magnetic and thermoelectric properties of NiAs-type Fe0.89Se

The magnetic structure of NiAs-type Fe_1–x Se is made up by two sets of oppositely aligned ferromagnetic layers parallel to the hexagonal (001) plane. The imbalance of the sublattice magnetizations resulting in ferrimagnetism is usually attributed to the ordered arrangement of the metal vacancies. The results of the present paper provide a direct experimental proof of the correlation between the crystallographic order and the magnetic properties. It could not be distinguished whether the observed effects on the magnetization are due to a combined ordering of vacancies and Fe³⁺ ions or to the ordering of the Fe³⁺ ions only. Partial disorder was obtained by quenching samples of Fe_0.89Se from temperatures high enough to destroy the ordered arrangement. As inferred from the magnetization data the order parameter varied from 0.83 to 0.47 according to quenching temperatures ranging from 670 K to 1 270 K. In contrast to the magnetization the ferri-antiferromagnetic transformation occurred invariantly at about 170 K irrespective of the different degree of order. The thermoelectric power was positive and increased with decreasing temperature reaching +49µVK^–1 at 85 K. The discontinuity observable at about 170 K coincides roughly with the magnetic transformation indicating magnetic contributions to the thermoelectric power.

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Die magnetischen und thermoelektrischen Eigen-schaften von Fe_0.89Se mit NiAs-Struktur

Zusammenfassung Die magnetische Struktur von Fe_0,89Se (NiAs-Typ) besteht aus zwei Sätzen entgegengesetzt gerichteter ferromagnetischer Schichten parallel zur hexagonalen (001)-Ebene. Die Ungleichheit der Magnetisierungen der Untergitter, welche den Ferrimagnetismus verursacht, wird üblicherweise der geordneten Verteilung von Leerstellen zugeschrieben. Die Resultate der vorliegenden Arbeit liefern einen direkten experimentellen Beweis für den Zusammenhang zwischen kristallographischer Ordnung und magnetischen Eigenschaften. Es konnte nicht unterschieden werden, ob die beobachtete Auswirkung auf die Magnetisierung durch die gemeinsame Ordnung der Leerstellen und Fe³⁺-Ionen oder durch die Ordnung der Fe³⁺-Ionen allein bedingt ist. Durch Abschrecken der Proben von Temperaturen, welche hoch genug waren, um die geordnete Verteilung zu zerstören, wurde eine teilweise Entordnung erhalten. Die Ordnungsparameter, welche aus den Magnetisierungsdaten abgeleitet wurden, variierten von 0,83 bis 0,47, entsprechend den Abschrecktemperaturen von 670 K bis 1 270 K. Im Gegensatz zur Magnetisierung vollzog sich die ferri-antiferromagnetische Transformation konstant bei ca. 170 K unabhängig vom unterschiedlichen Ordnungsgrad. Die thermoelektrische Kraft war positiv, nahm mit abnehmender Temperatur zu und erreichte bei 85 K einen Wert von 49µVK^–1. Die Diskontinuität, welche bei 170 K beobachtbar war, fällt mit der magnetischen Transformation zusammen und läßt magnetische Beiträge zur thermoelektrischen Kraft erkennen.

     

Nanostructuration of CoSi by mechanical milling and mechanical alloying

CoSi is an inexpensive thermoelectric material for medium temperature (200–500 °C). Its power factor is as large as the state of the art materials; however, its thermal conductivity is too large. Then, improving its thermoelectric performances implies increasing the scattering of phonons, which can be performed by nanostructuring the material. In this paper we investigate the effect of nanostructuration on the structure, microstructure, lattice dynamics and stability of CoSi. We obtained powders of about 13 nm by mechanical milling bulk CoSi for only four hours or by mechanical alloying pure elements for twelve hours. Nanostructuration induces a 0.1% expansion of the lattice parameter. Raman spectroscopy, associated to ab initio calculations, highlights the effectiveness of nanostructuration on phonon scattering, showing a reduction of the phonon relaxation time by as much as 80%. Powders are stable up to 450 °C; then grains coarsen and a partial degradation of the material occurs, probably due to silicon sublimation. Our results indicate that nanostructuration should be considered when interested to reduce CoSi thermal conductivity.     

Synthesis and characterization of alumina- and zirconia-based powders obtained by the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis

The ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP) technique was used for synthesis of alumina- and zirconia-based powders. The starting agents were aqueous solutions, atomized by the ultrasonic spray generator and pyrolized in the furnace under the open-air conditions. The powders prepared by USP were in the form of solid and hollow aggregates (spheres) consisted of nanosize amorphous grains as determined by the microscopy and the X-ray diffraction techniques. The alumina-based powders were consolidated by the pulse plasma sintering resulting in single-phase materials. Different behavior of solid and hollow particles during the isostatic sintering is found; a higher degree of deformation of spheres is observed in the second case.     

Modified Pechini synthesis of La,Ce, and Pr orthophosphates and characterization of obtained powders

In this study, lanthanum, cerium, and praseodymium orthophosphates were synthesized by the modified Pechini method. The compounds were analyzed using XRD, TG/DSC, FTIR methods, and the isothermal nitrogen adsorption technique. The results showed that mesoporous and nanocrystalline powders can be synthesized by this method. Moreover, due to the limited formation of lanthanide polyphosphates on the surface of the powders the modified Pechini method allows better control of the compound stoichiometry in comparison with the commonly used method of phosphates precipitation from solutions rich in H₃PO₄.