Fabrication of a double-layered Co-Mn-O spinel coating on stainless steel via the double glow plasma alloying process and preoxidation treatment as SOFC interconnect

To improve oxidation resistance, prevent Cr evaporation and maintain appropriate electrical conductivity of AISI 430 stainless steel (430 SS) as the solid oxide fuel cells' (SOFCs) interconnect, a double-layered Co-Mn-O spinel coating is fabricated successfully on 430 SS via a simple double glow plasma alloying process (DGPA) followed by heating in the air (preoxidation treatment). The double-layered Co-Mn-O spinel coating is composed of a thick MnCo₂O₄ spinel outlayer and a thin mutual-diffused (MnCoFe)₃O₄ oxide innerlayer. The isothermal and cyclic oxidation measurements are used to investigate the oxidation resistance, and the ASR test is performed to evaluate the conductivity for the coated and uncoated specimens. The coated specimen has a lower oxidation kinetics rate constant (9.0929 × 10⁻⁴ mg² cm⁻⁴ h⁻¹) than the uncoated one (1.900 × 10⁻³ mg² cm⁻⁴ h⁻¹) and the weight gain of the coated specimen (0.84 mg cm⁻²) is less than that of bare steel (1.29 mg cm⁻²) after 750 h oxidation. Meanwhile, the coated specimen holds a lower area specific resistance (0.029 Ω cm²) compared to the uncoated one (2.28 Ω cm²) after 408 h oxidation. Furthermore, the compact Co-Mn-O spinel coating can effectively impede Cr-volatilization. Additionally, the probable mechanism of the Co-Mn alloy conversion into spinel and the electronic conduction behavior in the spinel are discussed. The effects of mutual-diffused oxide innerlayer on oxidation behavior and conductivity are investigated.     

Hierarchically structured polymer blends based on silsesquioxane hybrid nanocomposites with quaternary ammonium units for antimicrobial coatings

The paper reports the first study on hierarchical assemblies (nanofibrillar micelles confined within semi-cylindrical shells) with silsesquioxane and quaternary ammonium units obtained through polymer blending intended for antimicrobial/antifungal stone coatings. The formation of hierarchical structures on solid surfaces is due to the multiple intermolecular ionic interactions, intermolecular Van der Waals and hydrophobic interactions acting among the component molecules. Their antimicrobial/antifungal properties toward the Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli, Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans fungus were determined in aqueous solution and were found to be strongly dependent of the topographical features of the coating.     

Photocurable ceramic/monomer feedstocks containing terpene crystals as sublimable porogen for UV curing-assisted 3D plotting

This study presents a novel strategy to construct ceramic structures comprised of microporous filaments using photocurable ceramic/monomer feedstocks containing terpene crystals as sublimable porogens for UV curing-assisted 3D plotting technique. The biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) feedstock, composed of frozen terpene crystals surrounded by BCP/UDMA walls, could be favorably extruded through a fine nozzle and then effectively photopolymerized by UV light. Thus, green filaments with high shape retention could be obtained. In addition, a number of pores could be created in BCP filaments after removing terpene crystals via freeze-drying and the porosity could be tailored by adjusting terpene content in BCP feedstocks. This approach allowed for the construction of dual-scale porous structures comprising microporous filaments in a periodic pattern, with tailored overall porosities and compressive strengths. Several types of self-supporting structures were also successfully constructed using our approach.     

Thermodynamic calculation and microstructure characterization of spinel formation in MgO–Al2O3–C refractories

In this paper, by simulating the gas phase conditions inside the MgO–Al₂O₃–C refractories during continuous casting process and combining with thermodynamic analysis, as well as SEM analysis, the gas-gas and gas-solid formation of MA spinel were clarified in carbon containing refractories. Thermodynamic calculations showed that gas partial pressure of CO, O₂ and Mg could meet the formation and stable existence conditions of MA spinel in MgO–Al₂O₃–C refractories under service environment, and nitrogen could not affect the formation of MA spinel at 1550 °C in the thermodynamic condition. The formation processes of MA spinel were analyzed experimentally under embedding carbon atmosphere. The carbon-coated alumina powders in MgO–Al₂O₃–C refractories prevented the direct contact between magnesia and alumina. Mg gas was formed by carbon thermal reaction, then reacted with alumina (gas-solid) and gas containing aluminum (gas-gas) to generate MA spinel. Through gas-gas or gas-solid reaction, the formation of MA spinel was effectively controlled. By means of SEM analysis, a two-layer structure with dense outer spinel layer and loose inner layer was formed in MgO–Al₂O₃–C refractories.     

The effect of magnesium compounds (MgO and MgAl2O4) on the synthesis of Lanthanum magnesium hexaaluminate (LaMgAl11O19) by solid-state reaction method

In the present study, the lanthanum magnesium hexaaluminate (LaMgAl₁₁O₁₉)(LaMA) powder was synthesized by the solid–state reaction method using two types of magnesium compounds, including magnesium oxide (MgO) and magnesium aluminate (MgAl₂O₄) spinel (MAS). The effect of substitution of magnesium oxide with MAS on the synthesis temperature, intermediate compounds and morphology of synthesized powders were investigated. The microstructural results showed that the intermediate compounds of lanthanum aluminate (LaAlO₃), aluminum oxide and MAS were formed in the presence of magnesium oxide, whereas in the latter case, the LaAlO₃ intermediate phase was not observed and La₄Al₂MgO₁₀ was formed at about 810 °C. Also in both cases, a single LaMA phase with the platelet-like morphology was formed. The thickness of the LaMA platelets decreased from 300 nm to 125 nm and the synthesis temperature increased from 1330 °C to 1355 °C, by replacing MgO with MAS.     

Oxidation behavior and electrical properties of metal interconnects with Ce-doped Ni–Mn spinel coatings

To improve the high-temperature oxidation resistance and electrical conductivity of ferritic stainless steels, protective Ce-doped NiMn₂O₄ spinel coatings were fabricated on the surface of SUS430 steel by electrophoretic deposition (EPD). The phase structure and microstructure of Ce-doped NiMn₂O₄ in both powder and coating forms were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The high-temperature oxidation of the NiMn₂O₄ spinel coating before and after Ce doping in the air at 800 °C for 168 h was studied by weight gain experiments. The area-specific resistance (ASR) of coatings was measured by a standard four-probe method. It was found that the Ce-doped NiMn₂O₄ spinel powder displayed a stable structure, high crystallinity, fine grain size, and decreased agglomeration when the Ce content was fixed at 0.05 mol?L^?1. The oxidation kinetics of NiMn₂O₄-coated SUS430 steel before and after Ce doping obeyed a parabolic law with parabolic rate constants of 4.58 × 10^?15 g² cm^?4 s^?1 and 1.83 × 10^?15 g² cm^?4 s^?1, respectively. When oxidized at 800 °C for 50 h, the ASR value of the coated samples before and after Ce doping stabilized at about 15.2 mΩ?cm² and 14.5 mΩ?cm², respectively. This work demonstrated that the Ce-doped NiMn₂O₄ spinel coating improved the high-temperature oxidation resistance and the electrical conductivity of metal interconnects.     

Improvement in thermal endurance of D-mannitol as phase-change material by impregnation into nanosized pores

This paper describes the control of the melting point and improvement of the thermal endurance of D-mannitol (melting point T_m = 440 K) as a phase-change material (PCM) by vacuum impregnation of the PCM into nanosized pores of porous SiO₂ grains. First, we examined the effects of the average pore size (D_P) of porous SiO₂ on T_m and latent heat (L) of PCM/SiO₂ composites. Second, we investigated the thermal endurance of the composites using constant temperature kinetics based on L of the PCM and composites. Third, we performed cyclic tests of melting and freezing on the composite to evaluate leakage of the PCM. Thermophysical properties of the samples were measured by differential scanning calorimetry, and the following results were obtained: (1) The impregnation ratio of the composites was 0.91–0.99; therefore, almost all pores were completely filled with the PCM. (2) T_m shifted to lower temperature with smaller D_P, reaching 413 K in case of the PCM/SiO₂ composite with a D_P of 11.6 nm (3) T_m was derived as a function of D_P from the Gibbs–Thomson equation taking into account the existence of a nonfreezing layer on the surface of the pore wall. (4) The duration of thermal degradation of the PCM/SiO₂ composite with D_P = 11.6 nm was three times longer than that of the pure PCM at a temperature that is 10 K more than each melting point. (5) The PCM/SiO₂ composite with D_P = 11.6 nm can use as a shape-stable PCM composite without leakage of PCM.     

Fabrication and characterization of silk/forsterite composites for tissue engineering applications

In this research, novel composite scaffolds consisting of silk fibroin and forsterite powder were prepared by a freeze-drying method. In addition, the effects of forsterite powder contents on the structure of the scaffolds were investigated to provide an appropriate composite for bone tissue engineering applications. The morphology studies using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques showed that the forsterite ceramic was well distributed throughout the structures of SF/forsterite scaffolds. Furthermore, the forsterite powder (up to 40 wt%) was homogenously distributed within the silk fibroin as a matrix.     

Porous shell/dense core structures prepared in tungsten phosphate glass through template-free route

The preparation of the 11.7Li₂O–39.7WO₃–10.9CaO–37.7P₂O₅ glass (pgLWCP) was based on a one-step heat treatment of the 6Li₂O–18WO₃–43CaO–33P₂O₅ (gLWCP) glass followed by leaching of the β-Ca₂P₂O₇ phase formed during the crystallization process. The porous structure was formed in the region formerly occupied by the β-Ca₂P₂O₇ phase. The gLWCP undergoes devitrification through surface crystallization. This process occurs after a thermal treatment in lower temperature and in a shorter period of time than that required for the complete crystallization. After acid leaching treatment, we obtained a core-/shell-like structure with a very well-defined dense glass (gLWCP)/porous glass (pgLWCP) interface. The pgLWCP exhibits reversible coloration–decoloration reactions.     

Ni-Cu-Fe-Al合金在850℃空气中的氧化行为

为研发铝电解惰性阳极连接导杆新材料,采用粉末冶金法制备Ni-Cu-Fe-Al四元合金,在850℃的空气气氛中进行氧化实验,并用XRD、SEM、EDS等测试设备对其表面氧化膜的成分、形貌和组成进行分析.结果表明,在该合金表面形成的氧化膜连续、致密,分为内、中、外三层,外层以铜镍复合氧化膜为主,中间层分布着岛状的铁氧化物,其中含有一定数量的NiFe2O4尖晶石相,内层为连续致密的Al3O3膜,能阻碍元素扩散,从而有效提高合金的高温抗氧化性能.