Effects of manganese doping on magnetocaloric effect in Ge-rich Gd_5Ge_（2.05）Si_（1.95） alloy

The structure, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of the Ge-rich Gd5Ge2.05-xSi1.95-xMn2x (x=0.01 and 0.03) alloys were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and magnetization measurements. The results of energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and X-ray diffraction analyses showed that the composition and crystal structure of the alloys were desired. DSC measurements were performed to determine the transformation temperatures for each alloy. Both alloys exhibited the first order phase transition around room temperature. The alloys showed an anti-ferromagnetic transition around 60 K. The isothermal magnetic entropy changes of the alloys were determined from the isothermal magnetization measurements by using the Maxwell relation. The maximum values of isothermal magnetic entropy change of the Gd5Ge2.05-xSi1.95-xMn2x alloy with x=0.01 was found to be -12.1 and -19.8 J/(kg·K) using Maxwell equation around 268 K in applied fields of 2 and 5 T, respectively.     

Experimental investigation on phase equilibria of Ce-Sn-Zn system at 400℃

The Ce-Sn-Zn alloys were prepared by furnace melting. The isothermal section of the Ce-Sn-Zn system at 400 oC over the whole composition range was established by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). A new ternary compound, CeSn 2 Zn 2 , was discovered in the present work. This compound adopted CaBe 2 Ge 2 structure type (space group P4/nmm) with the lattice parameters of a=0.4455 (9) nm and c=1.0348 (1) nm. The existence of previously known ternary compounds, CeSnZn and Ce 2 SnZn 3 , were confirmed, too. The maximum solubility of Zn in CeSn 3 was determined to be 12.7 at.%.     

Nonlinear current-voltage characteristics originated from phase segregation and micro-cracks in polycrystalline La_（0.67）Ba_（0.33）MnO_3

Polycrystalline La0.67Ba0.33MnO3 bulk samples were annealed in flowing 95%Ar:5%H2 (AH) mixed gas at 973 K for different time respectively. The influence of the annealing time on the current-voltage properties was systematically investigated. Linear current-voltage characteristics were observed in the as-prepared and the 10 h annealed samples, and nonlinear current-voltage characteristics was found in the 100 h annealed sample. At the same time, segregation of impurity phase and micro-cracks were found on the surfaces of the 100 h annealed samples, which was testified to be Ba ion impurity. Analysis showed that the changes of electronic properties were caused by barium ion im-purities and micro-cracks in the 100 h annealed sample.     

Characterization of microstructure in high strength Mg_（96）Y_3Zn_1 alloy processed by extrusion and equal channel angular pressing

The Mg96Y3Zn1 alloy processed by extrusion and equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) was investigated. It was found that the Mg96Y3Zn1 alloy processed by extrusion and ECAP obtained ultrafine grains and exhibited excellent mechanical properties. After ECAP, the average grain size of Mg96Y3Zn1 alloy was refined to about 400 nm. The highest strengths with yield strength of 381.45 MPa and ultimate tensile strength of 438.33 MPa were obtained after 2 passes at 623 K. The high strength of Mg96Y3Zn1 alloy was due to the strengthening by the grain refinement, the long period stacking (LPS) structure, solid solution, fine Mg24Y5 particles, and nano-scale precipitates. It was found that the elongation was decreased with pass number increasing. It was because that the cracks were preferentially initiated and propagated in the interior of X-phase during the tensile test.     

Influence of silicon and carbon elements on formation of 1:13 phase and microstructure in LaFe13-ySiy compounds

Microstructure dependent on silicon and formation of 1:13 phase in LaFe13-ySiyC0.2 compounds was investigated. C and Si ele-ments played different roles in assisting the formation of 1:13 phase. Si could inhibit the growth of α-Fe. The volume fraction of La-rich phase increased with the increase of Si content in the LaFe13-ySiyC0.2 ingots. When Si content was lower in LaFe13-ySiyC0.2 (y≤1.0), α-Fe was excess and grew very large in the initial annealing process. As a result, a large amount of α-Fe remained even after a long time annealing process. Carbon doping could accelerate the formation of 1:13 phase in the LaFe13-ySiyC0.2 compounds. The amount of the 1:13 phase reached ~90 vol.% in LaFe13-ySiyC0.2 (y≥1.2) after annealing at 1353 K for only 3 d. After optimized annealing, large magnetic entropy changes were ob-tained in LaFe13-ySiyC0.2 compounds (18.6 and 15 J/(kg·K) in 0-2 T field change for y=1.2, 1.4, respectively).     

Photoluminescence enhancement of YAG：Ce~（3＋） phosphor prepared by co-precipitation-rheological phase method

YAG:Ce3+ phosphor was prepared by a novel co-precipitation-rheological phase method.The resulting YAG:Ce3+ phosphor was characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and photoluminescent emission spectra.By using acetic acid as solvent,YAG:Ce3+ powder with small particle size(≤2 μm) was obtained at a relatively lower sintering temperature of 1400 oC.With the content of acetic acid increasing,small particles dissolved and disappeared,but larger particles grew up and changed its shape from spherical to partially rectangular.Meanwhile,the emission intensity of the sample prepared by co-precipitation-rheological phase method was about 43% higher than that of the sample prepared by co-precipitation method.It was assumed that the significant improvement of luminescence was mainly because the rheological phase presented a better diffusion environment,and therefore,a better homogeneity of activators of Ce3+.     

Phase and microstructure of TbCuT-type SmFe melt-spun powders

The SmxZr0.3Fe9.1-xCo0.6(x=0.8,0.9,1.0) powders were prepared by melt-spun method with different quenching velocities.The phase and microstructure were studied by X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM).The Th2Zn17-type structure of the as-cast state changed to TbCu7-type after quenching to a rotating molybdenum roll under certain velocity,and the formation of TbCu7-type phase was strictly depending on the Sm content and roll speed.The SEM morphology showed that the Fe-rich zone was typically fish-bone structure and TEM diffraction pattern indicated the nano-scale crystal size with TbCu7-structure when x=0.9,and FCC type γ-Fe on the basis of α-Fe formed in the non-equilibrium solidification could be detected by selected area electron diffraction(SAED) indexing in the x=0.8 samples.     

Luminescent properties of Eu~（3＋） doped Gd_2WO_6 and Gd_2（WO_4）_3 nanophosphors prepared via co-precipitation method

Eu3+ doped Gd2WO6 and Gd2(WO4)3 nanophosphors with different concentrations were prepared via a co-precipitation method. The structure and morphology of the nanocrystal samples were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), respectively. The emission spectra and excitation spectra of samples were measured. J-O parameters and quantum efficiencies of Eu3+ 5D0 energy level were calculated, and the concentration quenching of Eu3+ luminescence in different matrixes were studied. The results indicated that effective Eu3+:5D0-7F2 red luminescence could be achieved while excited by 395 nm near-UV light and 465 nm blue light in Gd2WO6 host, which was similar to the familiar Gd2(WO4)3:Eu. Therefore, the Gd2WO6:Eu red phosphors might have a potential application for white LED.     

Critical parameters near the ferromagnetic-paramagnetic phase transition in La0.67–xYxBa0.23Ca0.1MnO3 compounds（x=0.10 and x=0.15）

The critical properties of the mixed manganite La0.67–x Y x Ba0.23Ca0.1Mn O3 with x=0.10 and x=0.15 around the paramagnetic(PM)-ferromagnetic(FM) phase transition were investigated through various techniques. These involved modified Arrott plots, Kouvel-Fisher method and Widom scaling relation. Magnetic data, analyzed in the critical region, using the above methods, yielded the critical exponents for(x=0.10) La0.57Y0.10Ba0.23Ca0.1Mn O3(β=0.312±0.002 and γ=1.147±0.003 at T C=299.23±0.05 K). Moreover, the estimated critical exponents of(x=0.15) La0.52Y0.15Ba0.23Ca0.1Mn O3 were β=0.286±0.004 and γ=0.943±0.002 at T C=289.53±0.06 K. The critical exponents’ values were close to the theoretical values of 3D-Ising model and tricritical mean-field model. These results suggested that the present composition should be close to a tricritical point in the La0.67–x Y x Ba0.23Ca0.1Mn O3 phase diagram. Expressing the field dependence as ΔS M∝H n allowed us to establish a relationship between the exponent n and the critical exponents of the material and to propose a phenomenological universal curve for the field dependence of ΔS M.     

Structure and high-temperature electrochemical properties of La_（0.60）Nd_（0.15）Mg_（0.25）Ni_（3.3）Si_（0.10） hydrogen storage alloys

The structure and high-temperature electrochemical properties of the as-cast and annealed (940 °C, 8 h) La0.60Nd0.15Mg0.25Ni3.3Si0.10 hydrogen storage alloys were investigated. The X-ray diffraction revealed that the multiphase structure of the as-cast alloy with LaNi5 phase as the main phase was converted into a double-phase structure with La2Ni7 phase as the main phase after annealing. The surface morphology studied by scanning electronic microscope (SEM) showed that the annealed alloy had a much higher anti-corrosion ability than the as-cast alloy. Both alloys presented excellent activation characteristics at all test temperatures. The maximum discharge capacity of the as-cast alloy decreased when the test temperature increased, while the temperature almost had no effect on the annealed alloy. As the test temperature increased, the cyclic stability and charge retention of both alloys decreased, and these properties were improved significantly by annealing.     

Cone-shaped cylindrical Ce_（0.9）Gd_（0.1）O_（1.95） electrolyte prepared by slip casting and its application to solid oxide fuel cells

A cone-shaped gadolinium doped ceria(Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95,GDC) electrolyte cylinder with a thin wall was fabricated using slip cast-ing technique.The diameter of the larger open end of the cone-shaped cylinder was 0.85 cm,the length was 1.0 cm,and the thickness of the wall was 0.026 cm after sintering.Both the electrolyte and electrode powders were fabricated by using a glycine-nitrate process.A single solid oxide fuel cell(SOFC) was prepared with the cone-shaped electrolyte,NiO-GDC(70:30 wt.%) anode and Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3(SSC) cathode.Its electrochemical performance(I-V curve) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS) were studied with humidified hydrogen as the fuel and air as the oxidant.The maximum output power density was about 300 ?mW/cm2 at 700 oC.The EIS results showed that the dominant loss of the SOFC was from the ohmic resistance of the electrolyte.     

A study on hydrogen storage and electrochemical properties of La_（0.55）Pr_（0.05）Nd_（0.15）Mg_（0.25）Ni_（3.5） （Co_（0.5）Al_（0.5））_x （x=0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5） alloys

The La0.55Pr0.05Nd0.15Mg0.25Ni3.5(Co0.5Al0.5)x(x=0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5) alloys were prepared by magnetic levitation melting under an Ar atmosphere, and the effects of Co and Al on the hydrogen storage and electrochemical properties were systematically investigated by pressure composition isotherms, cyclic voltammetry, Tafel polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy testing. The results showed that the alloy phases were mainly consisted of (La,Pr)(Ni,Co)5, LaMg2Ni9, (La,Nd)2Ni7 and LaNi3 phases, and the cell volumes of (La,Pr)(Ni,Co)5, LaMg2Ni9, (La,Nd)2Ni7 and LaNi3 phases expanded with Co and Al element added. The hydrogen storage capacity initially increased from 1.36 (x=0) to 1.47 wt.% (x=0.3) and then decreased to 1.22 wt.% (x=0.5). The discharge capacity retention and cycle stability of the alloy electrodes were improved with the increase of Co and Al contents. The La0.55Pr0.05Nd0.15Mg0.25Ni3.5(Co0.5Al0.5)0.3 alloy electrode possessed better electrochemical kinetic characteristic.     

Investigation of Pt-Dy co-doping effects on isothermal oxidation behavior of （Co,Ni）-based alloy

A Co32Ni21Cr8Al0.6Y (wt.%) alloy with and without doping 3 wt.% platinum, or co-doping 3 wt.% platinum and 0.1 wt.% dysprosium was produced by arc melting. The hardness of both base alloy and composition-modified alloy was measured by using a Vickers hardness tester. Isothermal oxidation tests at 1000 ℃ in static air atmosphere were conducted to assess the isothermal oxidation behavior of the alloys. The microstructure and composition of the tested alloys before and after oxidation were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and back scatter detector. Results showed that platinum had significant influence on microstructure of the tested alloy by the formation of β-(Ni,Pt)Al phase. Addition of 3 wt.% platinum could slightly increase the hardness of the tested alloy. Platinum accelerated phase transformation of alumina from metastable θ-Al 2 O 3 to stable α-Al 2 O 3 and suppressed the consumption of β-phase. Co-doping both 3 wt.% platinum and 0.1 wt.% dysprosium induced the fastest transformation of θto αalumina and the formation of a fine-grained oxide scales. The most effective reduction of oxidation rate was achieved by the Pt-Dy co-doping effects.     

Phase structure and hydrogen storage properties of LaMg3.93Ni0.21 alloy

The phase structure and hydrogen storage property of LaMg3.93Ni0.21 alloy were studied.XRD and SEM results exhibited that LaMg3.93Ni0.21 alloy consisted mainly of LaMg3,La2Mg17 and LaMg2Ni phases;after hydriding/dehydriding process,all the three phases transformed,La3H7 phase existed and the actual hydrogen absorption phases were Mg and Mg2Ni phases.Pressure-composition-temperature (P-C-T)measurement showed that the reversible hydrogen storage capacity of LaMg3.93Ni0.21 alloy was 2.63 wt.%,and the absorption time for reaching 90%of the storage capacity was 124 s at 523 K,and it was 1850 s for deabsorbing 90%of the maximum dehydrogen capacity.The hydriding process of LaMg3.93Ni0.21 alloy followed the nucleation and growth mechanisms.The enthalpy and entropy for hydriding and dehydriding reactions of the Mg phase in LaMg3.93Ni0.21 alloy were calculated to be-66.38±1.10 kJ/mol H2,-100.96±1.96 J/(K·mol)H2 and 68.50±3.87 kJ/mol H2,98.28±5.48 J/(K·mol)H2,respectively.A comparison of these data with those of MgH2(-74.50 kJ/mol H2,-132.30 J/K·mol H2)suggested that the hydride of LaMg3.93Ni0.21 alloy was less stable than MgH2.The existence of La hydride and synergetic effect of multiphase led to higher reversible hydrogen storage capacity and better kinetic property at lower temperature for LaMg3.93Ni0.21 alloy.     

Effect of copper ion implantation on corrosion morphology and corrosion behavior of LaFe_（11.6）Si_（1.4） alloy

The morphology analysis and electrochemical method were used to study the corrosion behavior of LaFe11.6Si1.4 alloy of copper ion implantation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) research results showed that a 15 nm-thick oxide film was formed on the surface of sample, and the copper content reached the highest value at 60 nm with a normal distribution. Immersion experiments indicated that the corrosion happened in the copper-poor zone firstly and a galvanic connection was formed among different zones on the surface due to the inhomogeneous distribution of copper. Electrochemical experiment results showed that the corrosion was serious when the ion acceleration voltage increased, and the high acceleration could reduce the thermodynamic performance of corrosion of LaFe11.6Si1.4 alloy.     

Effect of a magnetic field on magnetic entropy change in LaFe_（11.7）Si_（1.3） compound

The magnetocaloric effect of LaFe11.7Si1.3 compound was investigated under an external magnetic field up to 9 T.The magnetization changed drastically at the Curie temperature TC under different fields and TC increased with the applied fields.The magnetic entropy change |?SM| vs temperature peak consisted of a spike and a plateau.The spike was a spurious result,while the plateau part resulted from the field-induced itinerant-electron metamagnetic(IEM) transition above TC,which went up with magnetic fields increasing.The width of the magnetic entropy change increased with magnetic fields at a rate of dL?S /dT~4 K/T.     

Sputtering-pressure dependence of magnetic properties in amorphous Tb_（40）（FeCoV）_（60） films

The Tb40(Fe49Co49V2)60 films were fabricated by magnetron cosputtering from a multiple target arrangement at different argon pressures.The samples were investigated using X-ray diffraction,magnetic force microscope and vibrating sample magnetometer.A strong perpendicular anisotropy was obtained for the sample prepared at 0.4 Pa.The easy direction of magnetization could be turned from perpendicular to in-plane direction either at high working pressures(P Ar >2.0 Pa) or by annealing at temperatures higher than 250 °C.An excellent magnetic softness with coercivity below 3 mT and saturating field of 20 mT in film-plane direction was obtained for the sample prepared at 0.7 Pa and then annealed at 350 °C.     

Surface modification of （Tb,Dy）Fe_2 alloy by nitrogen ion implantation

Effects of nitriding modification on surface phase structure, morphology, corrosion resistance and magnetostriction of (Tb,Dy)Fe2 alloy were investigated by nitrogen ion implantation. Results showed that the surface REFe2 phase gradually decomposed and transformed into REN, α-Fe and Fe8N phases with the increase of nitrogen ion implantation dose. The surface morphology of the alloy had an obvious change after nitrogen ion implantation. The corrosion resistance properties of the alloy in acidic, alkaline and chloridion environment were also greatly improved. In addition, the magnetostriction performance of the alloy was almost not affected by ion implantation as the nitrided layer was quite thin and the operating temperature was very low. The results proved that nitrogen ion implantation was an effective method for surface modification of (Tb,Dy)Fe2 alloy.     

Thermoelectric properties of Yb x Co_4 Sb_（12） system

Yb x Co 4 Sb 12 polycrystals were fabricated by vacuum melting combined with hot-press sintering.The effect of Yb-filling on thermoelectric property of unfilled skutterudite CoSb 3 was investigated,which indicated the enhancement of the power factor of the material.Transport properties of materials changed from semi-conductor to semi-metal during the measurement of electrical conductivity,which indicated the change of electronic band structure.The maximum value of electrical conductivity was about 190000 S/m at 300 K for all samples.On the basis of Yb-filling,power factor of Yb 0.2 Co 4 Sb 12 reached 5-6 mW/(m·K) during the measurement temperature.Thermal conductivity decreased with increase of Yb content,and the thermal conductivity of Yb 0.2 Co 4 Sb 12 reached 3.2 W/(m·K) at 600 K.The ZT value of Yb 0.2 Co 4 Sb 12 reached 1.16 at 700 K due to positive contribution from high power factor and low thermal conductivity.     

Influence of iron on phase and magnetic property of the LaFe_（11.6）Si_（1.4） compound

The phase relation, microstructure, Curie temperatures, hysteresis, and magnetocaloric effects of LaFex*11.6Si1.4 (x=0.96, 0.98, 1.0, and 1.02) compounds prepared by arc-melting and then annealed at 1423 K (1.5 h)+1523 K (4.5 h) were investigated. The main phase was NaZn13-type phase, the impurity phases included a small amount of α-Fe and LaFeSi phase in four samples. The crystal cell parameters of 1:13 phase increased from 1.1433(5) to 1.1454(4) nm with x increasing from 0.96 to 1.02, respectively. All samples kept the typical first-order magnetic transition. The increase of Fe strengthened IEM behavior, and led to the remarkable enhancement of MCE effect and negative slopes in Arrott plots around TC. The maximum ΔSM (T, H) under a low magnetic field (0-2 T) was 15.3, 16.8, 17.9, and 24.7 J/kg K with increasing of Fe content from x=0.96 to 1.02, respectively.