The measurement of solid–liquid interfacial energy in colloidal suspensions using grain boundary grooves

Interfacial energy is a fundamental physiochemical property of any multi-phase system. Among the most direct approaches for determining solid–liquid interfacial energy is a technique based on measuring the shape of grain boundary grooves in specimens subjected to a linear temperature gradient. This technique was adapted to crystallizing colloids in a gravitational field. Such colloids exhibit a freezing–melting phase transition and are important not only as self-assembling precursors to photonic crystals, but also as physical models of atomic and molecular systems. The grain boundary groove technique was tested using suspensions of sterically stabilized poly(methyl methacrylate) spheres, which have been shown to closely approximate the hard sphere potential. Whereas isotropic models did not fit grain boundary groove data well, the capillary vector model, which is suitable for both isotropic and anisotropic surface energies, produced γ₁₁₀?=?0.58?±?0.05 k _B T/σ². This value of interfacial energy is in agreement with many of the published values for hard spheres, supporting the validity of our grain boundary groove technique adaptations to colloidal systems in a gravitational field. Finally, kinks observed in groove profiles suggest a minimum anisotropy parameter of ε?=?0.029 for hard spheres.     

Growth of tertiary dendritic arms during the transient directional solidification of hypoeutectic Pb–Sb alloys

Despite the importance of a complete characterization of dendritic patterns in castings, the availability of studies on the development of tertiary dendrite arms is scarce in the literature. In the present study, the tip cooling rate, local solidification time, primary and tertiary dendrite arm spacings have been determined in Pb–Sb alloys castings directionally solidified under unsteady-state heat flow conditions. The alloys compositions experimentally examined are widely used in the as-cast condition for the manufacture of positive and negative grids of lead-acid batteries. The initial growth of tertiary dendritic arms from the secondary branches was found to occur only for a Pb–3.5 wt% Sb alloy at cooling rates in the range 0.4–0.2?K/s, with no evidence of this spacing pattern for Pb–Sb alloys having lower solute content. Tertiary dendritic branches have been observed along the entire casting lengths for alloys of the Pb–Sb hypoeutectic range having compositions higher than 4.0 wt% Sb. It is shown that a power function experimental law with a characteristic ?0.55 exponent is able to characterize the tertiary spacing evolution with the solidification cooling rate for alloys compositions ≥4.0 wt% Sb. The only exception was the Pb–3.5 wt% Sb alloy for which λ ₃ exhibited significant lower values when compared with the experimental values obtained for the other Pb–Sb alloys for a same solidification cooling rate.     

Thermal stability and UV–Vis-NIR spectroscopy of a new erbium-doped fluorotellurite glass

A new transparent bulk glass from the system 76TeO₂?·?10ZnO?·?9.0PbO?·?1.0PbF₂?·?3.0Na₂O doped with Er³⁺ (TZPPN doped with Er³⁺) has been prepared using the conventional melt-quenching method. Results of differential thermal analysis (DTA) measurements indicate good thermal stability of this glass. The refractive indices at different wavelengths, the optical energy gap, the Sellmeier gap energy and the dispersion energy have been estimated. The Judd–Ofelt parameters, Ω _t (t?=?2,?4,?6) of Er³⁺ were evaluated from optical absorption spectra. Electric dipole, magnetic dipole type transition probabilities, spectroscopic quality factors, branching ratio and radiative lifetimes of several excited states of Er³⁺ have been predicted using intensity Judd–Ofelt parameters. The spectroscopic properties indicate that TZPPN glass doped with Er³⁺ is a promising candidate for laser applications and may be suitable for upconversion fibre optical devices.     

Effect of finite boundary junction mobility on the growth rate of grains in 3D polycrystals

With decreasing grain size, grain boundary junctions become increasingly important for microstructure evolution. We show that the effect of a limited mobility of triple junctions on the growth rate of polycrystals can be implemented in theories of three-dimensional (3D) grain growth. Respective analytical relations are derived on the basis of the average n-hedra approach introduced by Glicksman to describe the volume rate of change of 3D grains in a polycrystalline aggregate under the impact of a limited triple junction mobility. The theoretical predictions were compared to network-model computer simulations, and good agreement was obtained.     

Elastic mechanical grain interactions in polycrystalline materials; analysis by diffraction-line broadening

Abstract

Experimental investigations have revealed that the Neerfeld–Hill and Eshelby–Kröner models, for grain interactions in massive, bulk (in particular, macroscopically isotropic) polycrystals, and a recently proposed effective grain-interaction model for macroscopically anisotropic polycrystals, as thin films, provide good estimates for the macroscopic (mechanical and) X-ray elastic constants and stress factors of such polycrystalline aggregates. These models can also be used to calculate the strain variation among the diffracting crystallites, i.e. the diffraction-line broadening induced by elastic grain interactions can thus be predicted. This work provides an assessment of diffraction-line broadening induced by elastic loading of polycrystalline specimens according to the various grain-interaction models. It is shown that the variety of environment, and thus the heterogeneity of the stress–strain states experienced by each of the individual grains exhibiting the same crystallographic orientation in a real polycrystal, cannot be accounted for by traditional grain-interaction models, where all grains of the same crystallographic orientation in the specimen frame of reference are considered to experience the same stress–strain state. A significant degree of broadening which is induced by the heterogeneity of the environments of the individual crystallites is calculated on the basis of a finite element algorithm. The obtained results have vast implication for diffraction-line broadening analysis and modelling of the elastic behaviour of massive polycrystals.     

TEM investigation of the formation mechanism of deformation twins in Fe–Mn–Si–Al TWIP steels

The microstructure of a Fe–Mn–Si–Al twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) steel exhibiting remarkable work hardening rate under uniaxial tensile deformation was investigated using transmission electron microscopy to uncover the mechanism(s) controlling the nucleation and growth of the mechanically induced twins. The results show that the stair-rod cross-slip deviation mechanism is necessary for the formation of the twins, while large extrinsic stacking faults homogenously distributed within the grains could act as preferential sources for the activation of the deviation process. The influence of such features on the thickness and strength of the twins and the resulting mechanical behaviour is discussed and compared to similar works recently performed on Fe–Mn–C TWIP steels.     

Contrast analysis of Shockley partial dislocations in 4H-SiC observed by synchrotron Berg–Barrett X-ray topography

Shockley partial dislocations in 4H-SiC were observed using monochromatic synchrotron X-ray topography with a grazing-incidence Bragg-case geometry, that is, Berg–Barrett topography. The contrast of partial dislocations at the edges of Shockley-type stacking faults is discussed in terms of whether they have C- or Si-core edge components, or screw components. The dissociated state of basal-plane dislocation is discussed on a basis of the stacking sequence for basal-planes in the 4H-SiC crystal structure. It is expected that the results obtained in this study will be useful for characterizing Shockley-type stacking faults in Berg–Barrett topography.     

Nanoscratch-induced deformation behaviour in B4C particle reinforced ultrafine grained Al alloy composites: a novel diagnostic approach

We report on the novel application of nanoscratch characterization to provide insight into the plasticity mechanisms responsible for the behaviour of composites. Accordingly, we conduct deformation characterization with nanoscratch testing (DCNT) to study the deformation behaviour of two B₄C reinforced ultrafine grained Al alloy tri-modal composites with average B₄C particle sizes of ~1–6?μm and ~500?nm, respectively. To highlight the type of mechanistic information revealed in a DCNT study of composites, we concentrate on the influence of B₄C particle size on deformation mechanisms.     

Determination of trapping–detrapping events,recombination processes and gap-state parameters by modulated photocurrent measurements on amorphous silicon

Analysis of the out-of-phase modulated photocurrent (MPC) signal, the so-called Y signal, is proposed for determining the trapping–detrapping events, recombination processes and gap-state parameters in amorphous silicon. This is demonstrated by analysing experimental Y spectra obtained on this material from different laboratories including our own. Model simulations are also employed in which the amphoteric nature of the dangling bonds and their distribution according to the defect-pool model are taken into account. From the reconstruction of the Y signal, phase shift and MPC amplitude spectra, several contributions resolved from the frequency dependence of the experimental Y spectra are identified. Two electron trapping–detrapping processes are resolved. These are attributed to hydrogen-related positive defects and to transitions involving the D^+/0 level of the normal dangling bonds from the defect-pool distribution. At lower frequencies a residual contribution is resolved that is attributed to a term related to recombination through the D^+/0 and D^0/? levels. Between 300 and 150?K the above recombination contribution is essentially from the D^0/? and dominates the Y signal at lower frequencies. In this region a characteristic phase lead appears, which is attributed to the existence of safe hole traps in the valence band tail. Around 150?K, trapping–detrapping events in the conduction band tail dominate.     

Long-range chemical interactions in solid-state reactions: effect of an inert Ag interlayer on the formation of L10-FePd in epitaxial Pd(0 0 1)/Ag(0 0 1)/Fe(0 0 1) and Fe(0 0 1)/Ag(0 0 1)/Pd(0 0 1) trilayers

The effect of 0, 0.5, and 1?μm-thick Ag interlayers on the chemical interaction between Pd and Fe in epitaxial Pd(0?0?1)/Ag(0?0?1)/Fe(0?0?1)/MgO(0?0?1) and Fe(0?0?1)/Ag(0?0?1)/Pd(0?0?1)/MgO(0?0?1) trilayers has been studied using X-ray diffraction, ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and magnetic structural measurements. No mixing of Pd and Fe occurs via the chemically inert Ag layer at annealing temperatures up to 400?°C. As the annealing temperature is increased above 400?°C, a solid-state synthesis of an ordered L1₀-FePd phase begins in the Pd(0?0?1)/Ag(0?0?1)/Fe(0?0?1) and Fe(0?0?1)/Ag(0?0?1)/Pd(0?0?1) film trilayers regardless of the thickness of the buffer Ag layer. In all samples, annealing above 500?°C leads to the formation of a disordered Fe_xPd_1?x(0?0?1) phase; however, in samples lacking the Ag layer, the synthesis of Fe_xPd_1?x is preceded by the formation of an ordered L1₂-FePd₃ phase. An analysis of the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results shows that Pd is the dominant moving species in the reaction between Pd and Fe. According to the preliminary results, the 2.2?μm-thick Ag film does not prevent the synthesis of the L1₀-FePd phase and only slightly increases the phase’s initiation temperature. Data showing the ultra-fast transport of Pd atoms via thick inert Ag layers are interpreted as direct evidence of the long-range character of the chemical interaction between Pd and Fe. Thus, in the reaction state, Pd and Fe interact chemically even though the distance between them is about 10⁴ times greater than an ordinary chemical bond length.