Effect of the TiC content on microstructure and thermal properties of Cu–TiC composites prepared by powder metallurgy

Copper matrix with an individual addition of TiC particles was prepared by means of powder metallurgy and hot pressing process, and the effect of TiC addition on microstructure, thermal properties, and electrical conductivity of Cu–TiC composites was investigated. The TiC quantity was changed as 1, 3, 5, 10, and 15 Cu (in mass%), and Cu–TiC powder mixtures were hot-pressed for 4 min at 700 °C under an applied pressure of 50 MPa. Microstructure studies revealed that TiC particles were distributed uniformly in the Cu matrix. Thermal Analysis result showed that there were two exothermic peaks and with rising TiC rate, oxidation amount of Cu composite decreased. With the increasing addition of TiC, hardness of composites changed between 58.6 HV_0.1 and 87.8 HV_0.1. The highest electrical conductivity for Cu–TiC composites was obtained in the Cu-1 mass% TiC composite, with approximately 81.2 % IACS.     

Microstructure and tribological properties of 3D needle-punched C/C–SiC brake composites

Carbon fibre reinforced carbon and silicon carbide dual matrix composites (C/C–SiC) show excellent tribological properties and are promising candidates for advanced friction materials. A pressure infiltration/carbonization combined with liquid silicon infiltration was developed for fabricating C/C–SiC composites. The carbon fabric preform was fabricated with the three-dimensional needling method. In the pressure infiltration process, the carbon fibre reinforced plastic was prepared by infiltration of the fabric preform with the furan resin. Then the carbon fibre reinforced plastic was carbonized which was pyrolysed to form a porous carbon/carbon composites. Finally, the porous carbon/carbon was infiltrated with molten silicon to obtain C/C–SiC composites. The composites exhibit excellent friction behavior, including a good stability of brake, and the average dynamic μ is 0.38 and static μ is 0.50, in combination with the linear wear rate of about 5.6 μm cycle^?1. Moreover, the friction surface was covered with friction film which is about 10 μm in thickness. These results show that the C/C–SiC brake composites are promising candidates for advanced brake and clutch systems.     

The study on microstructure and electrochemical properties of Al�CMg�CSn�CGa�CPb alloy anode material for Al/AgO battery

The microstructure of Al?CMg?CSn?CGa?CPb quinary aluminum alloy anode material and the influences of its electrochemical properties and self-corrosion rate in 4?mol/l NaOH +10?g/l Na₂SnO₃ medium were studied. The microstructure and morphology were characterized by metallographic microscope, transmission electron microscope, and scanning electron microscopy. The electrochemical properties were tested by electrochemical workstation, and the self-corrosion rate of Al alloy anode was studied by methods of recovery H₂ gas by discharge water. The results show that homogenization has not much impact on the electrochemical properties and the corrosion rate of the cast aluminum alloy anode material; besides, return annealing treatment of the cold-rolled Al?CMg?CSn?CGa?CPb quinary aluminum alloy anode material can reduce the rate of self-corrosion and make Al anodic potential shift negative steadily and improve the properties of the material.     

Influence of annealing temperature on microstructure and photoelectric properties of ternary CdSe@CdS@TiO2 core–shell heterojunctions

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - CdSe@CdS@TiO2 microsheet array (MSA) ternary core–shell heterojunctions were prepared by successive electrodeposition of CdS and CdSe onto TiO2...     

Development of the mesomorphic phase in isotactic propene/higher α-olefin copolymers at intermediate comonomer content and its effect on properties

Several isotactic propene-α-olefin copolymers using 1-octene, 1-dodecene and 1-tetradecene as comonomers (CiPO, CiPDD and CiPTD, respectively) have been synthesized and their structure and thermal/mechanical/viscoelastic properties have been evaluated. At intermediate comonomer molar content ranged from around 4 to 9, the mesomorphic phase is developed under rather mild quenching conditions and independently of length of the comonomer. Thermal and mechanical parameters diminish as α-olefin content increases and their dependence on composition changes as function of existence of three-dimensional monoclinic crystallites or less ordered entities.     

Influence of SrO content on microstructure and crystallization of glazes in the SiO2–Al2O3–CaO–MgO–K2O system

The effect of the SrO addition on the microstructure and structure of the glazes from the SiO₂–Al₂O₃–CaO–MgO–K₂O system was investigated in this study. The results were obtained by testing the ability of the frits crystallization, the stability of the crystallizing phases during the single-step fast-firing cycle depending on their chemical composition and the effect of addition of strontium oxide. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves showed that all glazes crystallized, and diopside and anorthite were mainly identified as dominant phases in the obtained glazes, while the size and amount of each depended on the amount of SrO introduced. The thermal characteristic of the frits was carried out using DSC, and crystalline phases were determined by X-ray diffractometry. The glaze microstructure was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Additional information on the microstructure of frits was derived from spectroscopic studies in the mid-infrared range.

     

Influence of the bias field on dielectric properties of the SmCA* in the vicinity of the SmC*–SmCA* phase transition

In a large class of smectic mixtures prepared at our University, the phase transition between chiral ferroelectric smectic C (SmC*) and chiral antiferroelectric smectic C (SmC_A*) phases can be observed on cooling. Under bias field the temperature of the phase transition SmC*?SmC_A* decreases (ca. 100°C in the investigated mixture). The transition is called: unwound SmC*?twisted SmC_A* phase transition. The Goldstone mode in SmC* phase is reduced by a direct current field while two modes (P_H and P_L) in the SmC_A* phase are amplified. The amplitude of the fast X mode observed in the SmC_A* phase is reduced. The aim of this paper is to show how parameters of the modes in SmC_A* phase (calculated from Cole–Cole model) change with bias voltage—when twisted structure in SmC_A* phase is gradually unwound. The character of the modes observed in SmC_A* is discussed. A new effect is shown: a high value of dielectric loss is detected in the unwound SmC* phase, which is very close to SmC_A*.     

Influence of the addition of Cr in the microstructure and in the phase transformation temperatures of Cu–Al–Be–Nb–Ni alloys

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Cu–Al–Be polycrystalline SMAs modified with the addition of inoculants show improved ductility, which accredits them for technological...     

Influence of the thermal treatment conditions and composition of bimetallic catalysts Fe—Pd/SiO2 on the catalytic properties in phenylacetylene hydrogenation

The supported bimetallic Fe—Pd/SiO₂ catalysts with the different Fe (0.025—8 mass.%) and Pd (0.05—3.2 mass.%) loadings were synthesized by the incipient wetness impregnation of support. The samples were heat-treated under different conditions (calcination in air at 240—350 °C or reduction in an H₂ flow at 400 °C). The X-ray phase analysis revealed the formation of Pd⁰, α-Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ phases after calcination of the samples at 240—260 °C. The reduction of the calcined Fe—Pd samples in an H₂ flow at 400 °C enables the formation of Fe⁰ nanoparticles of size 17—20 nm. The synthesized catalytic systems were studied in the selective hydrogenation of phenylacetylene at room temperature and atmospheric pressure in a solvent (ethanol, propanol). The catalytic properties of the Fe—Pd catalysts depend on the nature of solvent, catalyst composition, and thermal treatment conditions. The application of the Fe—Pd bimetallic catalysts with a low Pd loading of 0.05—0.1 mass.% made it possible to reach the high activity and selectivity to styrene (91%) at the complete conversion of phenylacetylene.     

Effects of Ta content on the phase stability and elastic properties of β Ti–Ta alloys from first-principles calculations

The effects of Ta content on the phase stability, the elastic property and the electronic structure of β type Ti–Ta alloys were studied from first-principles calculations based on the density functional theory. It is found that the phase stability, tetragonal shear constant C′, bulk modulus, elastic modulus and shear modulus of β type Ti–Ta alloys increase with the Ta content increasing monotonously. The lowest elastic modulus of the alloys is realized when the valence electron number (e/a) is around 4.25. Moreover, the phase stability of the alloys was discussed based on the calculated density of state (DOS).     

Influence of sintering method on microstructure,electrical and magnetic properties of BiFeO3–BaTiO3 solid solution ceramics

The (1-x)BiFeO₃-xBaTiO₃ (short for (1-x)BFO-xBTO, x = 0.2–0.4) ceramics were prepared by solid-state reaction with microwave sintering (MWS) and conventional sintering (CS) methods. The crystal structure, microstructures, dielectric properties, ferroelectric properties, and magnetic properties of BFO-BTO ceramics sintered by MWS and CS were systematically investigated. It is found that the MWS can effectively decrease the grain size and enhance the compactness of BFO-BTO ceramics. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirm that all ceramics exhibit a single perovskite structure, and the phase transforms from rhombohedral in BiFeO₃-rich compositions to pseudo-cubic phase gradually as x increases. Introducing BTO into BFO can strengthen its dielectric relaxation behavior. Compared with CS, the MWS samples have a lower remanent polarization (P_r) and a smaller coercive field (E_c) under the same electric field. Therefore, MWS contributes to the decrease of dielectric loss. Addition of BTO can contribute to the reduction of the coercive force (H_c) of BFO-based ceramic, and so decrease the hysteresisloss. At the same time, its remanent magnetization (M_r) value can be decreased by introducing BTO into BFO and using MWS method. The present research provides a route for decreasing the dielectric loss and hysteresis loss of BiFeO₃-based ceramics using the MWS method.     

Variation of the calcium content in skim milk by diafiltration and ion exchange – Effects on permeation rate and structure of deposited layers in the RO

The effect of different calcium levels on the permeation rate and on the structure of deposits formed in reverse osmosis (RO) was studied as a function of the transmembrane pressure difference. An almost complete removal of the soluble calcium together with the other low molecular constituents by diafiltration significantly changed the deposited protein layer compared with untreated skim milk. By determination of the flow resistance of the deposited layer Δp_L it was concluded that by the accumulation of individual micellar casein particles a loose structure was formed. The removal of the total calcium, i.e. both soluble and the calcium bound in the casein micelles, by ion exchange resulted in the disintegration of the micelle structure, causing a very dense deposited protein layer consisting of casein submicelles and a significant reduction of the permeation rate compared with untreated skim milk.     

Influence of lanthanum concentration on acid and catalytic properties of H-pentasil in the μ-xylene isomerization reaction

Russian Journal of Applied Chemistry - Acid and catalytic properties of pentasil-type lanthanum-containing zeolites in the μ-xylene isomerization reaction were studied.     

Influence of quantum effects on the mechanism of adsorption and phase diagram of rare gases in carbon nanotubes

We present results of grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations of rare gases (He, Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe) adsorption in carbon nanotubes. The interaction model includes both quantum effects (via effective Feymann-Hibbs potential) and the atomic roughness of the tube. We show that the quantum contribution to interactions does not suppress the energetic corrugation of carbon nanotube but decreases only its average strength. In the case of Ne, the phase diagram and, in particular, the melting temperature for layers adsorbed on and within an individual tube does not depend on tube chirality. However, the structure of layers adsorbed on outer surface of the tube is strongly related to the atomic structure of the underlying tube.     

Influence of Ti additions on the martensitic phase transformation and mechanical properties of Cu–Al–Ni shape memory alloys

The effect of Ti additions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Cu–Al–Ni shape memory alloys (SMA) was studied by means of a differential scanning calorimeter, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), a tensile test, a hardness test, and a shape memory effect test. The experimental results show that the Ti additions have an effective influence on the phase transformation behavior through generating a new phase into the microstructure, which is known as X-phase and/or controlling the grain size. The results of the XRD confirmed that the X-phase is a combination of two compounds, AlNi₂Ti and Ti₃·3Al. Nevertheless, it was found that with 0.7 mass% of Ti, the best phase transformation temperatures and mechanical properties were obtained. These improvements were due to the highest existence of the X-phase into the alloy along with a noticeable decrement of grain size. The Ti additions to the Cu–Al–Ni SMA were found to increase the ductility from 1.65 to 3.2 %, corresponding with increasing the strain recovery by the shape memory effect from 50 to 100 %; in other words, a complete recovery occurred after Ti additions.     

Influence of synergistic effect on the selective catalytic reduction process NO x −C n H m /O2 on zeolites

A synergistic effect has been observed experimentally on the increased activity of selective reduction of NO on cation-decationized forms of pentasil containing cobalt and on the reduction of nitrogen monoxide with propane-butane mixtures when calcium and lanthanum cations were introduced into the hydrogen form of zeolites with the pentasil structure. This non-additive increase in the activity of the zeolite catalysts is attributed to an increase in the concentration of Brönsted acid centers and their defined localization on interaction of cations (Co, Ca, La) with the H-form of the silicates. Activation of the hydrocarbon reduction occurs at these centers.     

Influence of Ni nanoparticle addition and spark plasma sintering on the TiNiSn–Ni system: Structure,microstructure, and thermoelectric properties

The electronic and thermal properties of thermoelectric materials are highly dependent on their microstructure and therefore on the preparation conditions, including the initial synthesis and, if applicable, densification of the obtained powders. Introduction of secondary phases on the nano- and/or microscale is widely used to improve the thermoelectric figure of merit by reduction of the thermal conductivity. In order to understand the effect of the preparation technique on structure and properties, we have studied the thermoelectric properties of the well-known half-Heusler TiNiSn with addition of a small amount of nickel nanoparticles. The different parameters are the initial synthesis (levitation melting and microwave heating), the amount of nickel nanoparticles added and the exact pressing profile using spark plasma sintering. The resulting materials have been characterized by synchrotron X-ray diffraction and microprobe measurements and their thermoelectric properties are investigated. We found the lowest (lattice) thermal conductivity in samples with full-Heusler TiNi₂Sn and Ni₃Sn₄ as secondary phases.     

Influence of NO on the Reduction of NO2 with CO over Pt/SiO2 in the Presence of O2

Reduction of NO2 with CO in the presence of NO and excess oxygen, a model mixture for flue gas, over a 0.1% Pt/SiO2 catalyst was studied. The related reaction mechanisms, such as oxidation of CO and NO, were discussed. It was found that there was a narrow temperature window （180-190 ℃） for the reduction of NO2 by CO. When the temperature was lower than the lower limit of the window, the reduction hardly occurred, while when the temperature was higher than the upper limit of the window, the direct oxidation of CO by O2 occurred and thereby NO2 could not be effectively reduced by CO. The presence of NO shifted the window to higher temperatures owing to the inhibition effect of NO on the activation of O2 on Pt, which made it possible to reduce NO2 by CO in flue gas.     

Pretreatment of Alumina and Its Influence on the Properties of Co/Alumina Catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis

16.6%Co/γ-Al_2O_3 catalysts prepared by incipient wetness impregnation method were used for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.The support was pre-treated with different concentration of NH_4NO_3 aqueous solution.The effect of support pre-treatment on the properties of support and performance of supported- cobalt-based catalysts was investigated.To treat the support with NH_4NO_3 aqueous solution enlarged the pore ofγ-Al_2O_3,decreased the impurity Na_2O content,and weakened the surface acidity ofγ-Al_2O_3. The change in the properties of the support decreased the interaction between cobalt species and support, enhanced the CO hydrogenation rate and the C_(5 )selectivity.For all catalysts,increasing the reaction temperature increased the CO hydrogenation rate or the CO conversion,slightly decreased the total hydrocarbon selectivity,and favored the formation of methane and light hydrocarbons,while the chain growth probability decreased.For 16.6%Co/γ-Al_2O3 catalysts,prepared with the support treated with 100 g/L NH_4NO3 aqueous solution,the CO conversion,the CH_4 selectivity,and the C_(5 )selectivity were 83.13%,6.86% and 82.75% respectively,and the chain growth probability was 0.83 under the condition of 493 K,1.5 MPa,500 h~(-1)and the molar ratio of H_2 to CO being 2.0 in feed.