Catalyst-free synthesis, structural, and mechanical characterization of twinned Mg2B2O5 nanowires

Mg2B2O5 nanowires with (010) twins were synthesized for the first time using a catalyst-free method. The microstructure of the Mg2B2O5 nanowires has been extensively studied by cross-sectional high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Nanoindentation tests were performed directly on individual nanowires to probe their mechanical properties. It was found that the twinned Mg2B2O5 nanowires achieve comparable hardness but 19% decrease in elastic modulus compared to their bulk counterpart. The elastic softening mechanisms of the Mg2B2O5 nanowires are discussed with reference to their twin defects, size, and surface effects.     

Acousto-optic interaction in alpha-BaB(2)O(4)and Li(2)B(4)O(7) crystals

Experimental studies and analysis of acousto-optic diffraction in alpha-BaB(2)O(4) and Li(2)B(4)O(7) crystals are given. Ultrasonic wave velocity, elastic compliance and stiffness coefficients, and piezo-optic and photoelastic coefficients of alpha-BaB(2)O(4) and Li(2)B(4)O(7) crystals are determined. The acousto-optic figure of merit has been estimated for different possible geometries of acousto-optic interaction. It is shown that the acousto-optic figures of merit for alpha-BaB(2)O(4) crystals reach the value M(2)=(270 +/- 70) x 10(-15) s(3)/kg for the case of interaction with the slowest ultrasonic wave. The directions of propagation and polarization of those acoustic waves are obtained on the basis of construction of acoustic slowness surfaces. The acousto-optic diffraction is experimentally studied for alpha-BaB(2)O(4) and Li(2)B(4)O(7) crystals.     

界面反应对（Al18B4O33）w／ZL109复合材料冲击性能的影响

研究了（Ａｌ１８ｂ４Ｏ３３）（ｗ）ＺＬ１０９Ａｌ合金界面反应对冲击韧性的影响，结果表明，界面反应与挤压铸造温度密切相关，随挤压铸造温度的提高，界面反应程度增加，冲击韧性先升后降，７６０℃挤压铸造时，冲击韧性值最高，就冲击韧性而言，存在一个最佳的界面反应程度。     

The role of boron in low-temperature synthesis of indialite (α-Mg2Al4Si5O18) by sol–gel process

Powder and pellets composed mainly of indialite (α-Mg2Al4Si5O18) with 2.1 wt% added B2O3 were prepared by a sol–gel process using metal salts as raw materials. When heated at 900°C for 6 h, the pellets showed a relative density of 91.4% of ideal cordierite (β-Mg2Al4Si5O18), a Vickers hardness of 1080 and a relative dielectric constant of 5.0 (at 1 MHz), which was the same value as that of cordierite. Magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance measurements of 29Si, 27Al and 11B showed that boron disturbed the formation of the Si–O–Al network below 300°C and broke the network between 700 and 800°C. The high homogeneity and fluidity caused by the melting helped indialite to crystallize directly from the amorphous state between 800 and 850°C. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Propagation of longitudinal leaky surface waves under periodic SiO (2)/Al structure on Li(2)B(4)O(7) substrate

The properties of longitudinal leaky surface waves (LLSW) under a periodic SiO(2)/Al structure on Li(2)B(4)O (7) (LBO) substrate, were investigated theoretically and experimentally, in order to improve the high propagation losses of LLSWs under a periodic Al grating with the normalized thickness over 2%. In the theoretical analysis, the previously presented method based on the boundary integral equations for the periodic metal grating structure on the substrate was extended to include the dielectric layer. In the experiments, devices with Al electrodes recessed into a SiO(2) groove on LBO were fabricated, and the propagation losses of them were estimated. As a result, it was shown that, when the surface of the structure was flattened, the propagation losses were sufficiently low and the first Bragg stopband width decreased.     

Pressure derivatives of elastic constants of monoclinic M(NO3)3·9H2O (M=Al,Fe, Cr) and third-order elastic constants of Al(NO3)3·9H2O

The elastic constants and their pressure and temperature derivatives of monoclinic M(NO₃)₃·9H₂O (M=Al, Fe, Cr) have been determined from ultrasonic resonance frequencies of thick plates and from their temperature- and pressure-induced shifts. In addition, the complete third-order elasticity tensor of Al(NO₃)₃·9H₂O has been evaluated from a combination of measurements of shifts of ultrasonic resonance frequencies produced by hydrostatic pressure and uniaxial stresses in various directions. The elasticity tensors of the three isotypic salts and their temperature and pressure derivatives are almost identical. The elasticity tensor exhibits a distinct anisotropy as well as the tensor of thermal expansion. The thermoelastic constants behave quite normally, whereas the pressure derivatives show anomalous features, i.e. some of them are negative similar to the situation in cubic Ba(NO₃)₂ and α-ammonium or α-selenate alums. These effects are accompanied by a very small, even negative, thermal expansion. The third-order elastic constants of Al(NO₃)₃·9H₂O also reflect this anomalous behaviour.     

Enhanced surface-excitonic emission in ZnO/Al(2)O(3) core-shell nanowires

We report the influence of an Al(2)O(3) shell on the photoluminescence emission of ZnO nanowires. At room temperature, the spectrum of the core-shell nanowires shows a strong reduction of the relative intensity of the green defect emission with respect to the near-band-edge emission. At 5?K an increase of the relative intensity of the surface exciton band with respect to the donor-bound exciton emission is observed. Annealing the core-shell nanowires at 500?°C does not increase the green defect luminescence at 5?K. We propose a model explaining the spectral changes.     

Microscopic examination of the interface region in AC8A/Al18B4O33w composites reinforced with as-received and artificial nitrided Al18B4O33 whiskers

Aimed to control the interfacial reaction in Al₁₈B₄O₃₃/Al composites, the artificial nitridation process is proposed based on thermodynamic calculations, which leads to a 50-nm thick artificial nitrided coating surrounding a Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ whisker. Aluminum (AC8A) matrix composites reinforced with different Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ whiskers were processed and Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ whiskers were used in their as-received form and after artificial nitridation. The interface region between the aluminum matrix and Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ was charactered using transmission electron microscopy. Results show that extensive reaction takes place during the incorporation process between the as-received Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ whiskers and the aluminum matrix and Mg in the base alloy forms MgAl₂O₄ spinel phases. Such interfacial reaction is enhanced after T6 heat treatment. In the case of artificially nitrided Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ whiskers, even though the artificial nitrided coating surrounds the Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ whisker, it can react with the AC8A alloy to produce MgAl₂O₄, but the degree of the interfacial reaction is reduced. The interfacial reaction only consumes the artificial nitrided coating instead of the reinforcement whiskers and the integrity of the whisker is preserved.     

Kinetics of Fe(3)O(4)-CoO/Al(2)O(3) catalytic ozonation of the herbicide 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) propionic acid

The presence of Fe(3)O(4)-CoO/Al(2)O(3) can improve degradation efficiency significantly during the ozonation of the herbicide 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) propionic acid (2,4-DP). The main factors affecting degradation efficiency, such as pH, the catalyst concentration and addition of the scavenger, were investigated. The kinetics of the catalytic ozonation are also discussed. The results indicate that two factors, the oxidation after adsorption of 2,4-DP and the oxidation of hydroxyl radicals (OH), lead to a great enhancement in ozonation efficiency during the catalytic ozonation of 2,4-DP in the presence of Fe(3)O(4)-CoO/Al(2)O(3), in which the oxidation of the OH plays an important role. Under controlled conditions, the apparent reaction rate constants for the degradation of 2,4-DP were determined to be 2.567 × 10(-4)s(-1) for O(3) and 1.840 × 10(-3)s(-1) for O(3)/Fe(3)O(4)-CoO/Al(2)O(3). The results from the analysis of the reaction kinetics using the relative method showed that O(3)/Fe(3)O(4)-CoO/Al(2)O(3) possessed a larger R(ct) (R(ct) is defined as the ratio of the ·OH exposure to the O(3) exposure, R(ct) = ∫C(t)(OH) dt/C(t)O(3)dt) than O(3), indicating that O(3)/Fe(3)O(4)-CoO/Al(2)O(3) produced more hydroxyl radicals.     

Tensile and fatigue evaluation of Ti–15Al–33Nb (at.%) and Ti–21Al–29Nb (at.%) alloys for biomedical applications

In this work the fatigue and tensile behavior of Ti–15Al–33Nb (at.%) and Ti–21Al–29Nb (at.%) was evaluated and compared to that for other titanium-based biomedical implant alloys, in particular Ti–6Al–4V (wt.%). The mechanical properties of interest were fatigue strength, tensile strength, elastic modulus, and elongation-to-failure. Fatigue stress versus life curves were obtained for tests performed at room temperature in air as well as in Ringer's solution at R = 0.1 for maximum stresses between 35% and 90% of the ultimate tensile strength. The results indicated that the fatigue strength and lives and elastic modulus of these alloys is comparable to that for Ti–6Al–4V (wt.%). Considering the data scatter and deformation behavior, the Ringer's solution did not significantly affect the fatigue behavior. Heat treatment reduced the tensile strength and this corresponded to a reduction in the fatigue strength. The tensile strength of the as-processed Ti-Al-Nb alloys was slightly lower than that for Ti–6Al–4V (wt.%), and the Ti–15Al–33Nb (at.%) exhibited lower strengths and higher elongations than Ti–21Al–29Nb. Based on the current results, it is proposed that titanium–aluminum–niobium alloys will be of considerable future interest for biomedical applications.     

(TiB2+Al2O3)增强铜基复合材料的研究

研究了Cu-Al-TiO2-B2O3粉末在机械合金化和随后的烧结过程中结构的变化，结果表明：Cu-Al-TiO2-B2O3粉末通过机械合金化可以形成Cu(Ti,B）及Al2O3和少量的TiCu3粉末，Al2O3是通过机械合金化过程中的自维持反应形成的，采用Cu,Al,TiO2和B2O3作为原料，通过机械合金化和随后的加压烧结，可以制备性能较好的（TiB2 Al2O3）增强铜基复合材料。     

Interfacial reaction and its effect on strength of Al18 B4O33 /Al composites

Abstract

Aluminium alloy 6061, AC8A, Al–1Mg, Al–9Cu and pure aluminium composites reinforced with aluminium borate whiskers were fabricated by a squeeze casting process. The interfacial reaction in the composites and its effect on the bending strength are discussed, together with the results from SEM, TEM, and X-ray diffraction. A slight interfacial reaction is favourable for composite strength as it has the effect of anchoring the whiskers. A T6 treatment can enhance the strength of an Al–9Cu matrix composite, but is not efficient for magnesium containing 6061 and AC8A matrix composites. Furthermore, if heated at temperatures higher than 793 K for a long time, the composite strength drops rapidly owing to whisker damage and shortening during the interfacial reaction. It is suggested that the interface in an Al₁₈ B₄O₃₃ /Al alloy composite is stable below 623 K which is the temperature requirement for automobile engine components.     

Study of Manufacture Technology of In Situ Al2O3 Decomposed from Al2(SO4)3 Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composites

In situ Al2O3 decomposed from Al2(SO4)3 reinforced aluminum matrix composites was fabricated through stirring cast by adding Al2(SO4)3 to the molten alloy which is the raw and processed materials from which industrial high purity Al2O3 is made. Not only production cost may be reduced but also SO3 decomposed from Al2(SO4)3 may refine and remove the gas from the molten composites by the way stated before. As a result, Al2O3 and matrix bonded well, no cast defects being found, such as gas hole, porosity and particles segregation in in situ Al2O3 decomposed from Al2(SO4)3 reinforced aluminum matrix composites It is considered the key fact of particulate reinforced aluminum matrix composites really being produced in industrial that SO3 decomposed from Al2(SO4)3 may refine and remove the gas from the molten composites.     

Role of Y4Al2O9 in High Temperature Oxidation Resistance of NiCoCrAlY-ZrO2.Y2O3 Coatings

NiCoCrAlY-ZrO2·Y2O3 coatings were deposited on the substrates by using a technology of combining electron,atom and ion beams （three beams）. Isothermal oxidation for these samples was performed at 1100℃ for 100-300 h. The results show that a thermally grown oxide （TGO） layer was formed between NiCoCrAlY layer and oxidation. The TGO contains α-Al2O3 and Y4Al2O9 etc. oxides. The intensity ratio of α-Al2O3/Y4Al2O9 was monotonously decreased with increasing oxidation time based on XRD （X-ray diffraction） analysis. The Y4Al2O9 phase plays the most important role in high temperature oxidation resistance at 1100℃. The related mechanism was also discussed.     

In situ transmission electron microscopy observation of pulverization of aluminum nanowires and evolution of the thin surface Al2O3 layers during lithiation-delithiation cycles

Lithiation-delithiation cycles of individual aluminum nanowires (NWs) with naturally oxidized Al(2)O(3) surface layers (thickness 4-5 nm) were conducted in situ in a transmission electron microscope. Surprisingly, the lithiation was always initiated from the surface Al(2)O(3) layer, forming a stable Li-Al-O glass tube with a thickness of about 6-10 nm wrapping around the NW core. After lithiation of the surface Al(2)O(3) layer, lithiation of the inner Al core took place, which converted the single crystal Al to a polycrystalline LiAl alloy, with a volume expansion of about 100%. The Li-Al-O glass tube survived the 100% volume expansion, by enlarging through elastic and plastic deformation, acting as a solid electrolyte with exceptional mechanical robustness and ion conduction. Voids were formed in the Al NWs during the initial delithiation step and grew continuously with each subsequent delithiation, leading to pulverization of the Al NWs to isolated nanoparticles confined inside the Li-Al-O tube. There was a corresponding loss of capacity with each delithiation step when arrays of NWs were galvonostatically cycled. The results provide important insight into the degradation mechanism of lithium-alloy electrodes and into recent reports about the performance improvement of lithium ion batteries by atomic layer deposition of Al(2)O(3) onto the active materials or electrodes.     

The electronic and optical properties of Al2O3, MO, and MAl2O4 (M = Zn, Mg)

The electronic properties and the imaginary parts of the dielectric function for nanosized ZnAl2O4 and MgAl2O4 are studied compared with those of B4-ZnO, B1-MgO and alpha-Al2O3 using a first-principles pesudopotential plane-wave method. The results show that both the electronic structures and the optical spectra of ZnAl2O4 and MgAl2O4 are different from those of ZnO, MgO and Al2O3 due to the atomic rearrangement, which agrees with the experimental data. The insight mechanism is also discussed.     

High performance flexible organic thin film transistors (OTFTs) with octadecyltrichlorsilane/ Al2O3/poly(4-vinylphenol) multilayer insulators

The incorporation of a thin, atomic layer deposited Al2O3 layer in between a spin-coated poly-4-vinyl phenol (PVP) organic layer and octadecyltrichlorsilane (OTS) in the multilayer gate dielectric for pentacene organic thin film transistors on a n(+)-Si substrate reduced the gate leakage current and thereby significantly enhanced the current on/off ratio up to 2.8 x 10(6). Addition of the OTS monolayer on the UV-treated Al2O3 improved the crystallinity of the pentacene layer, where the OTS/UV-treated Al2O3 surfaces increased their contact angles to 100 degrees. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed a more intense (001) crystal reflectance of pentacene deposited on OTS/UV-treated Al2O3 surface than that on OTS/Al2O3 surface. Moreover, the improved pentacene layer contributed to the field effect mobility (0.4 cm2/Vs) and subsequently improved the electrical performances of organic thin film transistor (OTFT) devices. This PVP/UV treated Al2O3/OTS multilayer gate dielectric stack was superior to those of the device with the single PVP gate dielectrics due to the improved crystallinity of pentacene.     

B_4C增强铝基复合材料力学性能有限元模拟

建立了颗粒增强铝基复合材料的轴对称单胞模型,并通过有限元方法模拟了B_4C颗粒增强5083铝基复合材料的力学性能和微观应力分布。结果表明,模拟结果与实验结果吻合较好,模拟椭球体颗粒增强复合材料的抗拉强度为485 MPa,而实验值为477 MPa,相对误差仅为1.7%。颗粒形状对复合材料微观应力场有很大影响:圆柱体颗粒的尖角处容易造成应力集中,而球体颗粒界面处应力分布较为均匀。在一定范围内,复合材料的弹性模量和抗拉强度随着B_4C颗粒体积分数的增加而增加。在颗粒体积分数不变的情况下,不同长径比的颗粒沿复合材料受力方向定向排列时,颗粒的长径比越大,复合材料的弹性模量、强度等力学性能也越高。     

Tribological Properties of Mo-N Hard Coatings on Ti6Al4V by Double Glow Discharge Technique

Mo-N hard coatings on Ti6Al4V were formed using double glow discharge technique. The fundamental coating properties, such as the phase, hardness and elastic modulus were investigated. The tribological performances of the coatings in dry wear condition were studied by means of ball-on-disc wear machine. The experimental results showed that the thickness of the Mo-N hard coating was about 10 µm. The coating was single fcc γ-Mo2N phase with (200) preferred orientation. The hardness and the elastic modulus of the coating was 13.80 GPa and 261.65 GPa respectively. The surface treatment enhanced the hardness and elastic modulus of the surface of Ti6Al4V base greatly. With GCr15 slider ball, the friction coefficient of the Mo-N hard coating was in the range of 0.56~0.65 at the steady state. Though the coating did not show friction reducing effect, it improved the wear resistance of Ti6Al4V greatly.     

Combustion synthesis and dielectric properties of B4C/Al2O3/CNTs composite powders

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - To develop a novel high-temperature microwave absorber, B4C/Al2O3/CNTs composite powders were prepared by a combustion synthesis method. The...