Effect of composition on properties of reactive Al·B·I2 powders prepared by mechanical milling

Metal-based fuels producing halogen-containing combustion products are being developed to enable rapid inactivation of harmful aerosolized spores and bacteria. Ternary reactive materials containing aluminum, boron, and iodine were prepared by mechanical milling with systematically varied Al:B ratio. The aluminum mass fraction varied from 0% to 70%, and most materials included 20 wt% of iodine. Prepared powders were inspected by electron microscopy; particle size distributions were measured using low angle laser light scattering. Stability of materials was studied using thermo-gravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. As-prepared as well as pre-heated and quenched samples were analyzed using x-ray diffraction. Iodine was released upon heating in several stages. Low-temperature iodine release was relatively small. It overlapped with decomposition of B(OH)₃ releasing water. The most significant amounts of iodine were released when the samples were heated to 400–500 °C, when AlB₂ formed. Both AlB₂ formation and iodine release were further accelerated by melting of aluminum. For the boron-rich samples, in which boron remained after all aluminum was used to form AlB₂, an additional, high-temperature iodine release stage was observed near 900 °C. The results show that both boron and aluminum are capable of stabilizing substantial quantities of iodine in the metal matrix. The iodine is released at temperatures much greater than its boiling point. The mechanism by which iodine is retained in boron and aluminum remains unclear.     

Low temperature 151Eu and 57Fe Mössbauer study of mechanically alloyed EuFeO3

Low temperature ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra of mechanically alloyed EuFeO₃ prepared by mechanical alloying depicts an interesting transformation in its hyperfine magnetic state, from a triple phase magnetic system at room temperature to a single phase ferromagnetic state at 20 K. The hyperfine magnetic field increased by 12% at 20 K from its room temperature. The isomer shift and quadrupole splitting values exhibit a peak around 200 K. Low temperature ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer measurements show that the line-width increased to its maximum value at 80 K which is 45% compared to its room temperature value not enough to suggest splitting.     

Controlled preparation of unsupported binary and ternary sulfides with high surface area from tetraalkylammonium thiosalts

Unsupported MoS₂, WS₂ and Ni-MoS₂ sulfides have been successfully prepared by decomposition of tetraalkylammonium thiosalts, which were synthesized by using an aqueous solution of tetraalkylammonium halide and ammonium thiosalts at room temperature. The as-prepared samples were characterized by N₂ physorption, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that structures and properties of unsupported binary and ternary sulfides depended on tetraalkylammonium thiosalts and decomposition conditions. The samples formed by decomposition of methyl and cetyltrimethyl substituted ammonium thiosalts exhibited high specific surface areas of above 100 m²/g, indicating the organic ligand in the precursor can tune the structure of the binary and ternary sulfides. MoS₂ and Ni-MoS₂ prepared from TMetATM and Ni/TMetATM had a relative narrow distribution in mesoporous range. TEM and XRD results revealed that the unsupported binary and ternary sulfides consisted of few-stacked layers and Ni was well-dispersed on MoS₂.     

Sorption and decomposition of crude oil using exfoliated graphite/ZnO composites

Exfoliated graphite/ZnO composites (EG/ZnO) were prepared by impregnating expandable graphite with Zn(OH)₂, abruptly expanding at 700 °C for 40 s, and heating at 500 °C for 3 h. The composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), nitrogen adsorption and mercury porosimetry. The sorption capacity of the composites for spilled crude oil was measured and under UV irradiation the decomposition of the absorbed crude oil was investigated. The results showed that the composites provided with the adsorption and photocatalysis capacity for crude oil at the same time. The sorption capacity of the composites decreased gradually on increasing the ZnO content of the composites. Moreover, the decomposition ratio of the absorbed crude oil increased on increasing the ZnO content or decreasing the weight ratio of crude oil to composites.     

Effects of laser power density on the microstructure and microhardness of Ni–Al alloyed layer by pulsed laser irradiation

Laser alloying of Ni–P electroless deposited layer with aluminum substrate was carried out by Nd–YAG pulsed laser. The phase composition and microstructure of the alloyed layers produced by different laser power densities were identified by X-ray diffractionary (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) accompanied by energy dispersion X-ray analysis (EDS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Furthermore, the surface roughness of the alloyed layers was characterised by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). The results showed that the characteristic dendritic or lamellar microstructures were observed in the alloyed layers. The phase constituents of the alloyed zones were intermetallic compounds of nickel–aluminum NiAl, Al₃Ni and Al₃Ni₂, as well as some non-equilibrium phases and amorphous phases depending on the employed laser power density. As a result, the microhardness of the alloyed layer with Ni–P amorphous phases formed at laser power density 5.36×10⁹ W/m² reached to HV_0.1 390.     

Equilibrium of 1:2:3 CLBLCO superconductors with oxygen: effect of cooling upon the oxygen content and the homogeneity of its distribution

Liquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen and liquid argon were tested as coolers for quenching performed after equilibrium of (Ca_xLa_1−x)(Ba_1.75−xLa_0.25+x)Cu₃O_y (x=0.1 or 0.4) with oxygen has been attained. This compound has been previously denoted as CLBLCO, CLBCO or CaLaBaCuO. Absorption of O₂ during quenching in liquid oxygen was found and measured. Such samples are oxygen inhomogeneous. The transition to superconductivity is wide and begins 20 K higher than for a homogeneous sample having the same oxygen content. Liquid nitrogen, which is usually used as an external cooling agent containing 2-3% of oxygen, also leads to notable oxygen absorption. Only quenching in oxygen free liquid argon or in oxygen free liquid nitrogen does not cause oxygen absorption and may be used for the preparation of homogeneous samples of CLBLCO after equilibration at any temperature in the range from 300 to 950 °C.     

Energetic nano-materials: Opportunities for enhanced performances

This paper deals with the contribution of nano-materials to the contemporary pyrotechnics science. The breakthroughs in this domain are illustrated by several examples of energetic nano-materials recently studied in our laboratory.The solidification of energetic phases in a porous matrix (Cr₂O₃) was used to prepare and to stabilize at nano-scale explosive particles. The thermo-chemical behaviour of RDX nano-particles strongly differs from the one of micron-sized RDX. For instance, the temperature at which the decomposition occurs is significantly lowered and the melting point is removed. The effect of the decomposition of RDX nano-particles on the matrix in which they are trapped was observed for the first time by the atomic force microscopy.The Cr₂O₃/RDX nano-composite materials were mixed with aluminium nano-particles in order to formulate gas-generating nano-thermites (GGNT). The combustion of GGNT involves a synergy mechanism in which the decomposition of RDX nano-particles fragments the Cr₂O₃ matrix and primes the thermite reaction.“Classical” nano-thermites were obtained by mixing nano-particles (diameter <100 nm) of metallic oxides (WO₃) with a reducing metal (Al). These materials were used to demonstrate that nano-particles (i) significantly lower the ignition delay time and (ii) remarkably increase the combustion rate.Finally, pure RDX nano-particles are prepared by a continuous process of crystallization.     

A New Method for Generating Hydrogen from Water

A new method for generating hydrogen by the reaction of Al powder with water using iodine as additive is developed. 12 can penetrate through the surface oxide layer on aluminium to form AlI3. High solubility of AlI3 in water is benefited to activate Al surface. It is found that the production of hydrogen becomes significant above 60℃ and obeys a logarithm rule. The pH value which is determined mainly by the kinetics of hydration spontaneously. varies from 5 to 3 then back to 4.5 during the reaction, reaction of AlI3 and the reaction of Al and HI produced     

Thermal conductivity of Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>Te<Subscript>3</Subscript>: Sn and the effect of codoping by Pb and I atoms

The variation of the lattice thermal conductivity of Bi₂Te₃ induced either by alloying it with tin alone or by codoping the lattice with an acceptor or donor impurity was studied. The experimental data obtained at room and liquid nitrogen temperatures argue for the validity of the model of quasi-local impurity states associated with tin atoms.     

Effect of different alloyed layers on the high temperature oxidation behavior of newly developed Ti2AlNb-based alloys

The application of titanium aluminide orthorhombic alloys (O-phase alloys) as potential materials in aircraft and jet engines was limited by their poor oxidation resistance at high temperature. The Ti₂AlNb-based alloys were chromised (Cr), chromium-tungstened (Cr-W) and nickel-chromised (Ni-Cr) by the double glow plasma surface alloying process to improve their high temperature oxidation resistance. The discontinuous oxidative behavior of Cr, Cr-W and Ni-Cr alloyed layers on Ti₂AlNb-based alloy at 1093 K was explored in this study. After exposing at 1093 K, the TiO₂ layer was formed on the bare alloy and accompanied by the occurrence of crack, which promoted oxidation rate. The oxidation behavior of Ti₂AlNb-based alloys was improved by surface alloying due to the formation of protective Al₂O₃ scale or continuous and dense NiCr₂O₄ film. The Ni-Cr alloyed layer presented the best high-temperature oxidation resistance among three alloyed layers.     

Dielectric properties and magnetoelectric effect of (x)NiFe2O4+(1−x)Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3 composites

Magnetoelectric composites of NiFe₂O₄ and Ba_0.8Sr_0.2TiO₃ were prepared using conventional double-sintering ceramic method. The phase formation of magnetoelectric composites was confirmed by XRD technique. Variation of dielectric constant and loss tangent at room temperature with frequency in the range 100 Hz-1 MHz has been studied. Also the variation of dielectric constant and loss tangent with temperature and composition at fixed frequencies of 1 kHz, 10 kHz, 100 kHz and 1 MHz is reported. The static value of the magnetoelectric conversion factor was measured as a function of intensity of the magnetic field. The ME voltage coefficient of about 430 μV/cm Oe was observed for 15% NiFe₂O₄+85% Ba_0.8Sr_0.2TiO₃ composite. All the samples show linear variation of magnetoelectric conversion in the presence of static magnetic field.     

(Sb2Te3)0.75(1－x)(Bi2Te3)0.25(1－x)(Sb2Se3)x机械合金化粉体的制备及其冷压烧结样品的热电性能研究

采用机械合金化法制备了p型赝三元(Sb₂Te₃-Bi₂Te₃-Sb₂Se₃)合金粉体，对其进行XRD分析表明Te，Bi，Sb，Se单质粉末，经100h球磨后实现了合金化；SEM分析表明所得机械合金化粉体材料颗粒均匀、细小，颗粒尺寸在10nm到100nm量级.使用这种粉体制备了冷压烧结块体样品，在室温下测量了温差电动势率(α)和电导率(σ)，研究了烧结温度对材料热电性能的影响，结果表明在低于300℃的烧结温区，样品室温下的热电性能随烧结温度的升高不断提高，功率因子(α²σ)由未烧结样品的0.59μW cm^-1K^-2升高到在300℃下烧结样品的15.9μW cm^-1K^-2，这一结果对确定材料的最佳烧结温度具有重要意义. 关键词： 赝三元热电材料 机械合金化 冷压 烧结     

The effect of quenching from different temperatures on Bi0.88Sb0.12 alloy

Structural, thermal, resistive and magnetic properties of melt quenched Bi_0.88Sb_0.12 alloys are reported. The samples are heated at three different temperatures, followed by rapid quenching in liquid nitrogen. Large temperature difference between liquidus and solidus lines, led to microscopic in-homogeneity in the alloy. The effect of quenching from different temperatures in polycrystalline Bi_0.88Sb_0.12 alloy has been studied. The parameters such as strain, unit cell volume, and resistivity are found to increase with temperature. Thermal variation of resistivity depicts non-monotonic temperature dependence. The total negative susceptibility increases and band gap of semiconducting Bi_0.88Sb_0.12 samples decreases with increasing temperature.     

Synthesis of porous hollow silica spheres using polystyrene-methyl acrylic acid latex template at different temperatures

Porous hollow silica spheres were prepared by using polystyrene-methyl acrylic acid latex as a template and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as a wall structure-directing agent starting from tetraethoxysilane. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FT-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nitrogen adsorption/desorption were used to characterize the hollow silica spheres. When silica-coated latex composites were prepared at room temperature, hollow silica spheres with micropores in the walls were formed after removing the latex templates by calcination. When silica-coated latex composites were aged at a higher temperature of 150 °C, intact mesoporous hollow silica spheres were formed after calcination treatment.     

Synergistic effect of efficient adsorption g-C3N4/ZnO composite for photocatalytic property

Novel g-C₃N₄/ZnO composite photocatalyst was synthesized from an oxygen-containing precursor by direct thermal decomposition urea in air without any other templates assistance. Different percentages of g-C₃N₄ were hybridized with ZnO via the monolayer-dispersed method. The prepared g-C₃N₄/ZnO composites were characterized by XRD, SEM, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), FT-IR, TEM and XPS. The composites showed much higher efficiency for degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) than ZnO under UV and visible light irradiation. Especially, the photocatalytic efficiency was the highest under UV light irradiation when the percentage of g-C₃N₄ was 6%. The improved photocatalytic activity may be due to synergistic effect of photon acquisition and direct contact between organic dyestuff and photocatalyst. Then, effective separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs at the interface of g-C₃N₄ is an important factor for improvement of photocatalytic activity. This work indicates that g-C₃N₄ hybrid semiconductors photocatalyst is a promising material in pollutants degradation.     

Characterization of partially inverse spinel ZnFe2O4 with high saturation magnetization synthesized via soft mechanochemically assisted route

ZnFe₂O₄ was prepared by a soft mechanochemical route from two starting combinations of powders: (1) Zn(OH)₂/α-Fe₂O₃ and (2) Zn(OH)₂/Fe(OH)₃ mixed in a planetary ball mill. The mechanochemical treatment provoked reaction leading to the formation of the ZnFe₂O₄ spinel phase that was monitored by XRD, TEM, IR and Raman spectroscopy. The spinel phase was first observed after 4 h of milling and its formation was completed after 18 h in both the cases of starting precursors. The synthesized ZnFe₂O₄ has a nanocrystalline structure with a crystallite size of about 20.3 and 17.6 nm, for the cases (1) and (2), respectively. In the far-infrared reflectivity spectra are seen four active modes. Raman spectra suggest an existence of mixed spinel structure in the obtained nanosamples. In order to confirm phase formation and cation arrangement, Mössbauer measurements were done. Estimated degree of inversion is about 0.58 for both starting mixtures. The magnetic properties of the prepared ZnFe₂O₄ powders were also studied. The results show that the samples have a typical superparamagnetic-like behavior at room temperature. Higher values of magnetization in the case of samples obtained with starting mixture (2) suggest somewhat higher degree of cation inversion.     

Evolution of zirconia coating layer on rutile TiO2 surface and the pigmentary property

Zirconia-coated rutile TiO₂ composites were prepared by the chemical liquid deposition method starting from rutile TiO₂ and ZrOCl₂. The amorphous zirconia coating layers were anchored at the TiO₂ surface via Zr-O-Ti bond. The formation of continuous and dense zirconia coating layers was dependent on the pH value of the reaction solution and the mole ratio of ZrOCl₂ to TiO₂. As compared to the naked rutile TiO₂, the water dispersibility, whiteness, brightness, and relative light scattering index of the zirconia-coated rutile TiO₂ composites were increased.     

Structural and electrical characteristics of rare earth simple perovskite oxide La0.57Nd0.1Pb0.33Mn0.8Ti0.2O3

Polycrystalline La_0.57Nd_0.1Pb_0.33Mn_0.8Ti_0.2O₃ (LNPMT) is prepared by the solid-state reaction technique. The formation of single phase material was confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies, and it was found to be a rhombohedral phase at room temperature. The impedance plane plot shows semicircle arcs at different temperatures and an electrical equivalent circuit has been proposed to explain the impedance results. The frequency dependent conductivity spectra follow the universal power law. The activation energy deduced from analysis of the imaginary part of electric modulus and imaginary impedance is found to be ∼75 meV. Such a value of activation energy indicates that the conduction mechanism for the sample is due to electron hopping. The imaginary part of the electric modulus suggests that the relaxation describes the same mechanism at various temperatures.     

A systematic study on magnetic, dielectric and magnetocapacitance properties of Ni doped bismuth ferrite

In this paper we report the structural, magnetic, magnetocapacitance and dielectric properties of BiFe_1−xNi_xO₃ nanoceramics (with x=0, 0.1) prepared by the sol-gel method. XRD analysis showed formation of single phase nanoceramics (particle size ∼50 nm by TEM). Samples of BiFe_1−xNi_xO₃ were divided into two parts—one of them quenched in liquid nitrogen and another sintered in the normal way. We observed the enhancement in magnetic and dielectric properties of quenched sample. The splitting of zero field cool (ZFC) and field cool (FC) magnetization curves at low temperature reveals spin- glass behavior. Quenched sample showed the enhancement of blocking temperature.     

Large room-temperature magnetoresistance and temperature-dependent magnetoresistance inversion in La0.67Sr0.33MnO3/Alq3 - Co nanocomposites/Co devices

Large room-temperature (RT) magnetoresistance (MR) and temperature-dependent MR inversion have been observed in tris (8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq₃)-cobalt nanocomposites-based organic-inorganic hybrid devices. Negative MR-high resistance for parallel electrodes configuration — due to magnetization reversal of ferromagnetic (FM) electrodes has been observed at low temperatures. As the temperature increases, the MR undergoes a sign change. At room temperature, a positive MR of ∼9.7% with the resistivity dropping monotonously with increasing magnetic fields has been observed. The RT MR is about two orders of magnitude of that in organic-FM nanocomposites measured with nonmagnetic electrodes. The enhancement of RT MR is attributed to the injection of spin polarized carriers into Alq₃-Co nanocomposites.