Preparation and properties of in-situ mullite whiskers reinforced aluminum chromium phosphate wave-transparent ceramics

In-situ mullite whisker reinforced aluminum chromium phosphate wave-transparent ceramics were designed and prepared. The phase transformation, microstructure, mechanical and electrical properties of the ceramics were investigated, and the mechanisms of in-situ growth and toughening were discussed. Results indicated that the in-situ growth of mullite whisker significantly improved the mechanical properties of the matrix, especially the high temperature flexural strength. The room temperature flexural strength, 1000 °C flexural strength and fracture toughness of the ceramics were 135.60 MPa, 121.71 MPa and 4.52 MPa m^1/2. After sintering at 1500 °C, the optimum properties of ε^'_r, tanδ and microwave transmittance at region 8–12 GHz were <3.6, <0.03 and>80%, respectively. The sinterability of ACP matrix was improved by the in-situ process of high mullization above 1450 °C. Using ACP binder as the raw material can avoid the phase transformation from B-AlPO₄ to T-AlPO₄. The synthesized mullite whiskers played a role in toughening by whiskers fracture, crack deflection and whisker pulling out.     

Foam-gelcasting preparation of high-strength self-reinforced porous mullite ceramics

High-strength self-reinforced porous mullite ceramics were prepared via foam-gelcasting using mullite powder as a main raw material, AlF₃·3H₂O (0–8 wt%) as an additive, Isobam-104 as a dispersing and gelling agent, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as a foam stabilizing agent, and triethanolamine lauryl sulfate as a foaming agent. The effects of AlF₃·3H₂O content on rheological and gelling behaviors of the slurries, and porosity and mechanical properties of self-reinforced porous mullite samples were examined. Addition of AlF₃·3H₂O promoted the in-situ formation of elongated mullite in the fired porous samples, which improved considerably their mechanical properties. Compressive strength and flexural strength of 67.0% porous mullite ceramics prepared with addition of 6 wt% AlF₃·3H₂O was as high as 41.3 and 13.9 MPa, respectively. Its hot modulus rupture (HMOR) increased initially with the testing temperature, and peaked (with a maximum value of 16.6 MPa) at 800 °C above which it started to decrease with the testing temperature. Nevertheless, it was still retained as high as 6.7 and 2.8 MPa at 1200 and 1400 °C, respectively.     

Mullite interaction with bismuth oxide from minerals and sol–gel processes

Mullite compounds with bismuth oxide in the SiO₂–Al₂O₃–Bi₂O₃ ternary system were synthesized from TEOS (C₂H₅O)₄Si, aluminum nitrate Al(NO₃)₃·9H₂O and bismuth nitrate Bi(NO₃)₃. Thermal and structural transformations were studied at temperatures ranging from 1000 to 1400 °C. The coexistence of Al₄Bi₂O₉ and Bi₄Si₃O₁₂ phases at temperatures up to 1000 °C was observed in compositions containing 5–31 mol% Bi₂O₃. Mullite is observed at temperature higher than 1000 °C in composition not exceeding 5 mol% of Bi₂O₃. Corundum coexist with a liquid above 1000 °C in all compositions containing more than 5 mol% Bi₂O₃. The liquid temperature is slightly above 1000 °C for all compositions. A tentative pseudo-binary diagram mullite-Bi₂O₃ is proposed. A similar system was studied with silico-aluminate compositions containing kaolinite and muscovite minerals. The occurrence of a liquid when Bi₂O₃ is added highly favors the mullite growth at temperature below 1200 °C. It is favored by local concentrations at interfaces of a transient liquid phase, which enhance the mobility of species.     

Recycling of waste fly ash for production of porous mullite ceramic membrane supports with increased porosity

Low-cost porous mullite ceramic membrane supports were fabricated from recycling coal fly ash with addition of natural bauxite. V₂O₅ and AlF₃ were used as additives to cause the growth of mullite crystals with various morphologies via an in situ reaction sintering. Dynamic sintering, microstructure and phase evolution of the membrane supports were characterized in detail and open porosity, pore size, gas permeation and mechanical properties were determined. It showed the membrane support with 3 wt.% V₂O₅ and 4 wt.% AlF₃ addition exhibits an open porosity of ∼50%, mechanical strength of 69.8 ± 7.2 MPa, an interlocking microstructure composed of anisotropically grown mullite whiskers with an aspect ratio of 18.2 ± 3.6 at 1300 °C. Addition of more V₂O₅ lowered the secondary mullitization temperature, resulting in more mullite formation at lower temperatures. The fabricated membrane supports feature high porosity without mechanical strength degradation, possible strengthening mechanism of the mullite whiskers was further discussed.     

The effect of whisker orientation in SiC whisker-reinforced Si3N4 ceramic matrix composites

Si₃N₄ ceramic matrix composites reinforced by nearly unidirectionally aligned SiC whiskers have been prepared by extrusion and hot pressing. Unlike the case in traditional Si₃N₄ ceramic matrix composites reinforced by random SiC whiskers, the mechanical properties of the composites exhibit a significant dependence on whisker orientation. In the direction of whisker alignment for SiC(w)/Si₃N₄ composites, increments in bending strength and fracture toughness of 200 MPa and 3 MPa·m^1/2 are obtained respectively, compared to the values in the direction perpendicular to whisker alignment. Based on microscopic fractographic observation and micromechanics analyses, the effects of whisker orientation on toughening mechanisms are discussed. The results indicate that the whisker orientation, θ, is a decisive factor for the essential toughening mechanisms of whiskers. Only in the case of small θ and weak interface can whisker pullout occur, and whisker has maximum toughening effect. The results show that effects of whisker strengthening and toughening can be improved simultaneously through whisker oriented alignment. ©     

Fabrication and characterization of anorthite–mullite–corundum porous ceramics from construction waste

In this work, anorthite–mullite–corundum porous ceramics were prepared from construction waste and Al₂O₃ powders by adding AlF₃ and MoO₃ as mineralizer and crystallization catalyst, respectively. The effects of the sintering temperature and time on open porosity, mechanical properties, pore size distribution, microstructure, and phase composition were characterized in detail. The results showed that the formation of the mullite whiskers and the properties of the anorthite–mullite–corundum porous ceramics depended more on the sintering temperature than the holding time. By co-adding 12 wt% AlF₃ and 4 wt% MoO₃, mullite whiskers were successfully obtained at sintering temperatures upon 1350 °C for 1 h. Furthermore, the resultant specimens exhibited excellent properties, including open porosity of 66.1±0.7%, biaxial flexural strength of 23.8±0.9 MPa, and average pore size of 1.32 µm (the corresponding cumulative volume percent was 37.29%).     

Synthesis of SiC whiskers by VLS and VS process

This study investigates the mechanisms of SiC whisker formation in the carbothermal reduction of quartz to SiC in different gas atmospheres. Reduction of quartz by graphite was studied in Ar, H₂, and CH₄–H₂–Ar gas mixture in a laboratory fixed bed reactor. The reduction products were characterised by XRD, SEM and TEM. Whiskers were not formed in the carbothermal reduction of quartz in argon. Two types of SiC whiskers were observed in the carbothermal reduction of quartz in H₂ and CH₄–H₂–Ar gas mixture. In the process of reduction at 1400–1600 °C in H₂ and at 1200–1600 °C in CH₄–H₂–Ar gas mixture, whiskers with hexagonal shape with diameter 100–800 nm and length up to tens of microns were formed by the VLS mechanism under catalytic effect of iron. The whiskers with the characteristics of cylindrical shape and high aspect ratio were synthesized in CH₄–H₂–Ar gas mixture at 1400–1600 °C by VS mechanism.     

Effect of boron oxide on the microstructure of mullite-based glass-ceramic glazes for floor-tiles in the CaO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2 system

The effect of increasing replacement of Al₂O₃ by B₂O₃ in a parent glass on the sintering and further crystallization of mullite was investigated. The composition of the parent glass was chosen in the mullite primary phase field of the CaO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂ quaternary system. Glass powder pellets were heated under standard (10 °C/min and 2 h of hold time) and fast heatings (25 °C/min and 5 min of hold time) at different temperatures from 700 to 1190 °C. Sintering of B₂O₃-containing glasses took place in the range between 850 and 1050 °C. X-ray diffraction results showed that mullite formed as unique crystalline phase for glasses containing amounts of B₂O₃ larger than 6 wt%. For lower amounts of boron oxide cordierite was formed as secondary crystalline phase. Quantitative determination of mullite by Rietveld analysis indicated that the higher amount of mullite present in the glass-ceramic fast heated at 1160 °C was 19.5 wt% for the glass containing 9 wt% of B₂O₃. The final microstructure of the glass-ceramic glazes showed the presence of well shaped, long acicular mullite crystals dispersed within the residual glassy phase. Results of glass-ceramic glazes when applied as slurry and under industrial heating conditions pointed out promising mechanical properties.     

A nitride whisker template for growth of mullite in SiC reticulated porous ceramics

Silicon carbide reticulated porous ceramics (SiC RPCs) were fabricated by polymer replica technique. The effects of nitride whisker template on the growth of mullite, the strut structure and mechanical properties of SiC RPCs were investigated. Prepolyurethane (PU) open-cell sponge was first coated by SiC slurry consisting of SiC, reactive Al₂O₃, microsilica and Si powder, then it was nitridized at 1400 °C in a flowing N₂ atmosphere to prepare SiC preforms. Subsequently, these preforms were treated by vacuum infiltration of alumina slurry and fired at 1450 °C in air. The results showed that Si₂N₂O whiskers grew on the surface and in the matrix of SiC preforms after nitridation. The diameter of struts in SiC RPCs increased after vacuum infiltration process because alumina slurry was easily adhered by the surface nitride whiskers. In addition, such whiskers inside the strut of SiC preforms acted as the template to promote the growth of column-liked mullite in SiC RPCs. The mechanical properties and thermal shock resistance of SiC RPCs were greatly improved due to the special interfacial characteristics of multi-layered struts as well as better interlocked column-liked mullite in SiC skeleton.     

One-dimensional nanoporous M2L2 rhombohedral molecular square with strong blue fluorescent emission

The hydrothermal reactions of Zn(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O and Cd(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O with the ligand N,N^′-bis(pyridylcarbonyl)-4,4^′-diaminodiphenyl ether (L) afford two one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymers, ([CdL(ClO₄)₂ · (H₂O)₂] · 2H₂O) (1) and [ZnL(ClO₄)₂ · (H₂O)₂] · 2H₂O, (2) having a nanoporous M₂L₂ rhombohedral molecular square with an approximately accessible cavity of 12.9 × 12.9 (1) and 12.7 × 12.7 (2) Å without any interpenetrations. Both 1 and 2 are isostructural and display very strong blue fluorescent emission in the solid state at room temperature.     

Exploration of As(III)/As(V) Uptake from Aqueous Solution by Synthesized Calcium Sulfate Whisker

Although common calcium-containing minerals such as calcite and gypsum may fix arsenic, the interaction between modified calcic minerals and arsenic has seldom been reported. The uptake behavior of As(III)/As(V) from aqueous solutions by calcium sulfate whisker (CSW, dihydrate or anhydrite) synthesized through a cooling recrystallization method was explored. A series of batch experiments were conducted to examine the effect of pH, reaction time, whisker dosage, and initial As concentration. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the samples prepared. The results showed that pH of the aqueous solution was an important parameter for As(III)/As(V) uptake, and an excellent removal efficiency could be achieved under strongly alkaline condition. The data from batch experiments for reaction of As(V) with calcium sulfate dihydrate whisker (CSDW) and calcium sulfate anhydrous whisker (CSAW) were well described with extended Langmuir EXT1 model, from which theoretic maximum adsorption capacity of 46.57 mg As(V)·(g CSDW)^− 1 and 39.18 mg As(V)·(g CSAW)^− 1 were obtained. Some calcium arsenate solids products, such as CaAsO₃(OH) (weilite, syn), Ca₃(AsO₄)₂ (calcium arsenate), CaO–As₂O₅, Ca–As–O, Ca₅(AsO₄)₃OH·xH₂O (calcium arsenate hydroxide hydrate), and CaH(AsO₄)·2H₂O (hydrogen calcium arsenic oxide hydrate), were detected at pH = 12.5 through XRD analysis. This indicates that the interaction mechanism between As(V) and CSW is a complex adsorption process combined with surface dissolution and chemical precipitation.     

Transparent mullite ceramic from single-phase gel by Spark Plasma Sintering

Monophasic mullite precursors with composition of 3Al₂O₃·2SiO₂ (3:2) were synthesized and then were sintered by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) to form transparent mullite ceramics. The precursor powders were calcined at 1100 °C for 2 h. The sintering was carried out by heating the sample to 1450 °C, holding for 10 min. The sintered body obtained a relative bulk density of above 97.5% and an infrared transmittance of 75–82% in wavelength of 2.5–4.3 μm without any additive. When the precursor powders were calcined at below 1100 °C, it was unfavorable for completely eliminating the residual OH, H₂O and organic compound. However, when calcined temperature was too high, it was unfavorable either for full densification due to the absence of viscous flow of amorphous phase. At the same calcined temperature, the transmittance of sintered body was decreased with the increase of the sintering temperature above 1450 °C owing to the elongated grain growth.     

A helical salicyladoxime-based manganese triangle chain with single-molecule magnet behavior

The reaction of 2-hydroxyphenylpropanone oxime (Et-H₂salox) with Mn(NO₃)₂·4H₂O, NEt₃ and 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane-N,N′-dioxide (bppo) in EtOH/H₂O mixture afforded a one-dimensional coordination polymer with the formula [Mn₃O(Et-salox)₃(bppo)(MeOH)(H₂O)₃](NO₃)_0.5(Et-Hsalox)_0.5·MeOH·H₂O (1·MeOH·H₂O). 1·MeOH·H₂O had a manganese triangle structure, [Mn^III₃O]^7 +, which was used as a building unit for a subsequent assembly of an oximate and central oxide. The flexible bppo ligand linked the units, resulting in the formation of a 1D helical structure. Variable temperature direct current magnetic susceptibility measurements of complex 1·MeOH·H₂O were carried out. Exchange interactions of the metal centers of complex 1·MeOH·H₂O were examined, and the results indicate that both ferro- and antiferromagnetic interactions simultaneously coexist in 1·MeOH·H₂O, resulting in an S = 2 ground state. Moreover, complex 1·MeOH·H₂O shows the frequency dependence of the out-of-phase component in alternating current magnetic susceptibility measurements, indicating single-molecule magnet behavior with U_eff = 28 K and τ₀ = 1.8 × 10^− 9 s.     

Syntheses,crystal structures and luminescent investigations of cobalt(II) and zinc(II) complexes with 2-propyl-4,5-dicarboxylate-imidazole (H3PIDC)

Presented in this communication are four metal complexes based on 2-propyl-4,5-dicarboxylate-imidazole (H₃PIDC), including two Co(II) coordination compounds, [Co(H₂PIDC)₂(H₂O)₂] · 4H₂O (1) and 2[Co(H₂PIDC)₂(H₂O)₂] · 5H₂O (2), as well as two Zn(II) coordination compounds, [Zn(H₂PIDC)₂(H₂O)₂] · 4H₂O (3) and 2[Zn(H₂PIDC)₂(H₂O)₂] · 7H₂O (4). They contain the same coordinated unit of [M(H₂PIDC)₂(H₂O)₂] (M = Zn or Co). Interestingly, among these four complexes, 1 and 2, or 3 and 4 crystallized in different space group, which may be related with the number of the crystallized H₂O molecules.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,luminescence and thermal behavior of a new energetic zinc(II) compound

An energetic material [Zn₂(btzphda)₂(H₂O)₄(dpp)₂]·2DMF·4H₂O with high decomposition enthalpy of − 748.35 J/g was prepared by the reaction of H₂btzphda, dpp and Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O under solvothermal conditions, where btzphda = 1,4-bis(tetrazol-5-yl)benzene-N2,N2′-diacetato, dpp = 1.3-di(4-pyridyl)propane and DMF = N,N′-dimethylformamide. The luminescence properties of H₂btzphda and [Zn₂(btzphda)₂(H₂O)₄(dpp)₂]·2DMF·4H₂O were investigated at room temperature in the solid state (Hitachi F4600 spectrofluorometer). Furthermore, the thermal decomposition behavior of the compound is characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric-differential thermogravimetric (TG-DTG) analyses. The entropy of activation (ΔH), enthalpy of activation (ΔS) and the free energy of activation (ΔG) for the decomposition temperature were ΔH = 250.64 kJ/mol, ΔS = 222.75 J·mol^− 1·K^− 1 and ΔG = 134.10 kJ/mol.     

An expeditious synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives catalyzed by Lewis acids

An expeditious and efficient route for the synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives by the reaction of o-phenylenediamines with orthoesters in the presence of Lewis acids was described. ZrCl₄, SnCl₄ · 5H₂O, TiCl₄, BF₃ · Et₂O, ZrOCl₂ · 8H₂O and HfCl₄ exhibited high catalytic activity for this transformation.     

TiO2–SnO2 nanomaterials for gas sensing and photocatalysis

Nanopowders of TiO₂–SnO₂ over a full composition range extending from 100 mol% TiO₂ to 100 mol% SnO₂ are obtained by the sol–gel method from TTIP and SnCl₂·5H₂O precursors of Ti and Sn, respectively followed by calcination at 400 °C. The samples are characterized by means of BET, XRD and TEM. Optical properties of the prepared nanomaterials are studied as well. TEM images indicate that the nanoparticles are regular in shape. The specific surface area, SSA of TiO₂ is 95 m²/g while that of SnO₂ amounts to 129 m²/g. The highest SSA of 156 m²/g is achieved at 20 mol% of TiO₂. Occurrence of rutile, anatase and brookite polymorphic forms depends on the chemical composition of nanopowders. Formation of rutile-type solid solution of TiO₂–SnO₂ over the range of 0–80 mol% TiO₂ is confirmed by Vegard rule applied to lattice constants. Electronic band gap decreases with Ti content from 3.84 eV (100 mol% SnO₂) to 3.18 eV (100 mol% TiO₂).     

Structural characterization of TiO2–P2O5–CaO glasses by spectroscopy

The structure of glasses with composition x TiO₂·(65 ? x) P₂O₅·35 CaO (x = 0–30 mol%) has been studied and their glass transition temperature, Raman and NMR spectra have been analysed.For TiO₂-free glass two phosphate species have been identified as Q² and Q³. Increasing TiO₂ content in glass compositions results in the disappearance of the Q³ and Q² species and in the formation of, mainly, pyrophosphate structure, Q¹.In calcium titanophosphate glass with higher TiO₂ content the structure consists of a distorted Ti octahedral linked to pyrophosphate unit through P–O–Ti bonds. In these glass series the structural cohesion increases with TiO₂, although a depolymerization in the original P–O–P network occurs.The study of these glasses and the understanding of their structural characteristics can give a valuable contribution for the clarification of their degradation behaviour namely in biological environments.     

Characterization of CoWO4 nano-particles produced using the spray pyrolysis

CoWO₄ nano-particles were produced by spraying the solution containing CoCl₂·6H₂O and Na₂WO₄·2H₂O on glass slides at 250–450 °C. XRD, SAED, TEM, HRTEM and AFM revealed the presence of CoWO₄ nano-particles with their crystallographic planes aligning in systematic array. Raman spectra provide evidence of the wolframite structure, corresponding to the product phase. Their photoluminescence (PL) emissions show the narrow central peaks of the same spectral region at 411–419 nm.     

A novel lamellar coordination polymer incorporating partially overlapped helices,ladders and zigzag chains – Synthesis,crystal structure and magnetic property

The hydrothermal assembly of CoCl₂ · H₂O with benzene-1, 2, 3, 4-tetracarboxylic acid (H₄mpda) yielded a novel lamellar coordination polymeric complex, Co₂mpda(H₂O)₆ · H₂O (1), in which each layer presents an interesting multifold topology: both as partially overlapped helices with alternate chirality and as alternately arranged ladders and zigzag chains.