Synthesis of leucite from potash feldspar

Leucite particles were synthesized from feldspar mixed with 0% to 52% potassium nitrate fired from 800 ℃ to 1 200 ℃ by solid state method. The X-ray Diffraction （XRD） patterns show that in the temperature range from 800 ℃ to 1 200 ℃, the leucite can be removed as the single crystalline phase. Kalsilite may be crystallized with leucite at 800 ℃, but can be eliminated after prolonged heating. The scanning electron Microscopy （SEM） images clearly display the that crystals of micrometer scale leucite, and the leucite crystals distribute evenly in the matrix. The Thermal expansion coefficient （TEC） of the samples fabricated is as high as 20.52×10^-6 ℃^-1 measured from 20 ℃ to 500 ℃. The mechanism of transformation from feldspar to leucite was proposed.     

In-Situ Preparation and thermal shock resistance of mullite-cordierite heat tube material for solar thermal power

In order to improve the thermal shock resistance of solar thermal heat transfer tube material, the mullite-cordierite composite ceramic as solar thermal heat transfer tube material were fabricated by pressureless sintering using α-Al2O3 , Suzhou kaolin, talc, and feldspar as starting materials. The important parameter for solar thermal transfer tube such as water absorption (Wa ), bulk density (Db ), and the mechanical properties were investigated. The phase composition and microstructure of the composite ceramics were analyzed by XRD and SEM. The experimental results show that the B3 sintered at 1 300 ℃ and holding for 3 h has an optimum thermal shock resistance. The bending strength loss rate of B3 is only 2% at 1 100℃ by air quenching-strength test and the sample can endure 30 times thermal shock cycling, and the water absorption, the bulk density and the bending strength are 0.32%, 2.58 g·cm-3 , and 125.59 MPa respectively. The XRD analysis indicated that the phase compositions of the sample were mullite, cordierite, corundum, and spinel. The SEM images illustrate that the cordierite is prismatic grain and the mullite is nano rod, showing a good thermal shock resistance for composite ceramics as potential solar thermal power material.     

Cordierite Ceramics Prepared from Poor Quality Kaolin for Electric Heater Supports: Sintering Process,Phase Transformation,Microstructure Evolution and Properties

To efficiently utilize the kaolin, an economical way of preparing cordierite ceramic with high performance for electric heater supports was put forward. In this study, sintering process, phase transformation, microstructure evolutions were systematically studied by heating microscope, X-ray diffraction, scanning electronic microscope and thermal analysis. Properties(physical properties, electrical properties and coefficient of thermal expansion(CTE)) were tested for comprehensive performance evaluation. The results showed that the utilization of poor quality kaolin broadened the firing range of cordierite ceramic which was from 1 200 to 1 380 ℃. Microstructure becomes loose with increasing of the pore size, which had significant influence on bending strength and electrical properties. High content of K2 O in poor quality kaolin was the reason for liquid phase generation in sintering process, which further leads to microstructural changes. The cordierite ceramic sintered at 1 320 ℃ had the properties as follows: CTE of 1.98×10~(-6) ℃~(-1)(500 ℃), bending strength of 90 MPa, apparent porosity of 15.1%, dielectric constant of 7.5(100 Hz), and volume resistivity of 1.05×109 Ω·cm(100 Hz). The comprehensive properties are very suitable for use as electric heater supports.     

Effect of aluminum addition on microstructure and properties of SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-CaO vitrified bond

Influence of aluminum addition on the structures and properties of SiO₂-B₂O₃-Al₂O₃-CaO vitrified bond at low sintering temperature and high strength was discussed. FTIR and XRD analyses were used to characterize the structures of the basic vitrified bond with different contents of aluminum. The bending strength and the thermal expansion coefficients were also tested. Meanwhile, the microstructures of composite specimens at sintering temperature of 660 °C were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The experimental results showed that the properties of vitrified bond with 1wt% aluminum were improved significantly, where the bending strength, Rockwell hardness, and thermal expansion coefficient of the vitrified bond reached 132 MPa, 63 HRB, and 6.73×10^-6 °C^-1, respectively.     

Superplastic behavior of reciprocating extruded Mg-6Zn-1Y-0.6Ce-0.6Zr from rapidly solidified ribbons

RRE-Mg66 alloy with a composition of Mg-6.0%Zn-1.0%Y-0.6%Ce-0.6Zr was prepared by combinatorial processes of rapid solidification, reciprocating extrusion and extrusion. Microstructure was evaluated on SEM and TEM. The average grain size of the alloy is 0.7 ??m, the size of the second phase at grain boundary is 0.15 ??m, and the size of the intragranular precipitates in round shape is less than 20 nm. Superplastic behavior of the material was investigated in a temperature range of 150 to 250 °C and initial strain rate range of 3.3×10^?4 to 3.3×10^?2 s^?1 in air. The highest elongation of 270% was obtained at 250 °C and 3.3× 10^?3 s^?1. High-strain-rate superplasticity and low-temperature superplasticity were achieved. The superplasticity results from intragranular sliding (IGS) at temperatures from 170 to < 200 °C and grain boundaries sliding (GBS) at 250 °C. At 200 °C a combination of IGS and GBS contributes to the superplastic flow.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Al-Cr-Pillared Montmorillonite with High Thermal Stability and Adsorption Capacity

Al-Cr-pillared montmorillonite was synthesized by using bentonite and Al-Cr pillaring solutions as starting materials. The basal spacing and specific surface areas of the materials were significantly increased relative to those of untreated clays. When the Al/Cr molar ratio(R) was 0.10, the d(001 ) value and specific surface area of pillared montmorillonite were 1.9194 nm and 165.7 m^2 g^-1 , respectively. Thermal stability of the materials was determined using calcined tests and X-ray diffraction ( XRD ) analysis. The materials formed at different R(0.05;0.10;0.15;0.25) exhibit a high thermal stability at 300℃ , especially at initial R = 0.10, the basal interlayer spacing of materials is stabilized at 1.7313 nm after calcined at 500℃ for 2 h. Adsorption behavior of the materials was studied by adsorption experiments. The results show that the Al-Cr-pillared montmorillonites exhibit much stronger adsorption capacity on Cr^6 in aqueous solution than untreated clays do.     

Evolution and characterization of damage of concrete under freeze-thaw cycles

To study the internal damage of concrete under freeze-thaw cycles, concrete strains were measured using embedded strain gauges. Residual strain and coefficients of freezing expansion (CFE) derived from strain-temperature curves were used to quantify the damage degree. The experimental results show that irreversible residual strain increases with the number of freeze-thaw cycles. After 50 cycles, residual strains of C20 and C35 concretes are 320με and 100με in water, and 120 με and 60 με in saline solution, respectively. In lower temperature range (-10 ℃ to -25 ℃) CFE of C20 and C35 concretes decrease by 9.82×10-6/K and 8.44×10-6/K in water, and 9.38×10-6/K and 5.47×10-6/K in saline solution, respectively. Both residual strains and CFEs indicate that during the first 50 freeze-thaw cycles, the internal damage of concrete in saline solution is less than that of concrete in water. Thus residual strain and CFE can be used to measure the frost damage of concrete.     

Spherical and radiate Ni particles prepared by the tartrate precipitation and thermal decomposition method

Nickel tartrate precursor particles were synthesized by the liquid phase precipitation method in an ethanol-water-ammonia mixed solution, with tartaric acid and using nickel chlorate as raw materials, with the pH value controlled at 4.0, and the temperature controlled at 50 °C. Nickel particles with complicated morphology were prepared by the decomposition of nickel taratrate precursor particles at temperatures of 360, 380 and 400 °C, respectively. The study of infrared spectroscopy (IR) indicated that the product was pure nickel tartrate. The studies of the atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and organic elemental analysis (OEA) indicated that the molar ratio of Ni²⁺ to (C₄H₄O₆)^2? is close to 1:1. The studies of the differential scanning calorimeter and thermo-gravimetric analysis (DSC-TG) indicated that the chemical formula Ni₂(C₄H₄O₆)₂·5H₂O was confirmed. The studies of X-ray diffractions (XRD) indicated that the silvery white metal powders were pure Ni, with a face-centered cubic crystal structure. The images of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the morphology of metal Ni particles was obvious spherical and radiate. The diameter of nickel tartrate particles was about 60 μm, which consisted of many nanolathes; and the diameter of metal Ni particles was about 30 μm, which consisted of many lathes about 0.5 μm in thickness.     

Synthesis of carbon nanotubes using Cu-Cr-O as catalyst by chemical vapor deposition

A novel powder catalyst Cu-Cr-O applied to the synthesis of carbon nanotubes(CNTs) was developed, which was prepared via ammonia precipitation method. Techniques of thermo-gravimetric/ differential scanning calorimeter(TG-DSC), X-ray diffraction(XRD) as well as scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM) have been employed to characterize the thermal decomposition procedure, crystal phase and micro structural morphologies of the as-synthesized materials, respectively. The results show that carbon nanotubes are successfully synthesized using Cu-Cr-O as catalyst when the precursors are calcined at 400, 500, 600, and 700 ℃. The results indicate that the calcination of the Cu-Cr-O catalyst at 600 ℃ is an effective method to get MWCNT with few nano-tube defects or amorphous carbons.     

Synthesis and characterization of high-voltage cathode material LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 by one-step solid-state reaction

LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ was prepared under various conditions by one-step solid-state reaction in air and its properties were investigated by X-ray diffractormetry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical measurement. XRD patterns show that LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ synthesized under various conditions has cubic spinel structure. SEM images exhibit that the particle size increases with increasing calcination temperature and time. Electrochemical test shows that the LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ calcined at 700 °C for 24 h delivers up to 143 mA · h/g, and the capacity retains 132 mA · h/g after 30 cycles. Foundation item: Project (76600) supported by Postdoctoral Science Foundation of Central South University     

Synthesis of Cordierite from Rectorite-Talc-Alumina without Additives

Rectorite, Talc and ahumina were used to obtain high-quality cordierite with stoichiometric eompo.position (5t .3 wt% SiO2,34.9 wt% Al2O3,13.8 wt% A12O3 ). The water absorption, apparent porosity, bulk deasiy, thermal expansion coefficient, crystalline phases and mierostrueture were tested by means of X-ray diffraetometer (XRD), scanning eleetronic microstopy(SEM), Archimedes immersion technique,etc. This work systematically studied the syntthesizing prvcess of the cordierite. The result shows that the cordierite can be synthesized at a lower temperature and within a wider temperature range by using the retrofire as clay raw materials.     

Effect of annealing on microstructure and properties of Si_3N_4-AlN composite ceramics

Aiming at developing novel microwave-transparent ceramics with low dielectric loss,high thermal conductivity and high strength,Si3N4-AlN(30%,mass fraction) composite ceramics with La2O3 as sintering additive were prepared by hot-pressing at 1 800 °C and subsequently annealed at 1 450 °C and 1 850 °C for 2 h and 4 h,respectively.The materials were characterized by XRD and SEM.The effect of annealing process on the phase composition,sintering performance,microstructure,bending strength,dielectric loss and the...     

Photocatalytic H2 evolution activity of CuO/ZrO2 composite catalyst under simulated sunlight irradiation

Zirconia-supported CuO (CuO/ZrO₂) composite photocatalysts were successfully synthesized via citric acid-assisted sol-gel technique. For comparison, CuO/ZrO₂ materials were also prepared by solid state reaction and co-precipitation method. The as-prepared powders were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). The photocatalytic activity of CuO/ZrO₂ catalyst was investigated based on the H₂ evolution from oxalic acid solution under simulated sunlight irradiation. The effects of molar ratio of CuO to ZrO₂, preparation method, phase change with the calcination temperature and the durability on the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalyst were investigated in detail. It is found that the optimal activity of photocatalytic H₂ evolution (2.41 mmol·h⁻¹μ⁻¹) can be obtained when CuO/ZrO₂ composite photocatalyst is synthesized by sol-gel technique and the mole ratio of CuO to ZrO₂ is 40%. The activity of copper oxide supported on monoclinic ZrO₂ calcined at higher temperature is much higher than that on tetragonal ZrO₂ calcined at lower temperature, and the best calcination temperature is 900 °C.     

Synthesis of Cordierite by Decomposition of Metal Nitrates on the Surface of Carbon Black Powder

Cordierite precursor was obtained through a process, which inwolved the decomposition of metal nitrates on the surface of ultrafine carbon black pouder between 100-300℃ and the gasification of the carbon black at higher temperature in air ,the average size of the particles,which were heat-treated at 700℃ for 10h is about 1020nm,and the specific surface area is about 129m^2/g,the experimental restults show that the ultrafine particles of cordierite precursor can be produced by this process.the precursor potcder was cacined at different temperatures.X-ray diffraction examination indicates the β-quartz is crystallized from the amorphous matrixaround 850℃ firstly and then MgO-Al2O3 spinel and α-cordierite appears.Above 1000℃.MgO-Al2O3spinel and cristobalite disappear gradnally and form an intermediate phase(sapphirine)At aronmd 1300℃.the main phase is α-cordierite,and no other phase is detected.     

Low Temperature Synthesis of （Pb,La）（Zr,Sn,Ti）O3 Powders by Citrate Process

Lead lanthanum zirconate stannate titanate （PLZST） powders with homogeneous composition were synthesized at a relatively low temperature of 650 ℃ by a citrate process based on the Pechini method. Clear aqueous solutions were prepared from inorganic salts, and citric acid was added as a chelating agent to attain precursor sols. Dried gel-precursors were calcined at different temperatures for various time. The perovskites powders were obtained at 650 ℃ for 1 hour. XRD and SEM results show that the powders were single-phase and ultrafine particles.     

Preparation and Properties of Pillared Montmorillonite by Polyhydroxyl-aluminum-manganese Cations

Al-Mn-pillared montmoriUonite ( AMPM ) was prepared by using the artificial Na-montmoril-lonite from the Qingfengshan bentonite mine as starting materials mixed with Al-Mn pillaring solutions at different Al / Mn molar ratios ( R ). The basal spacing and specific surface area of the materials were increased significantly compared with untreated c/ays. When R=0.5, the d(001) value and specific surface area of pillared montmoril-lonite were 1.8987 nm and 146.01 m^2 g^-1, respectively. The thermal stability was determined using calcined tests,X-ray diffraction( XRD ) analysis, thermal gravimetry and differential thermal analysis( TG- DTA ). The formed at initial R = 0. 5 exhibited a high stability, the basal interlayer spacing was stabilized at 1. 7859 nm after calcined for 2 h at 300℃. The adsorption behavior of the materials wets studied by adsorption experi-ments. The results show the AMPM and calcined AI-Mn-pilloTed montmoriUonite (CAMPM) exhibit a strong ca-pacity of adsorbing the Zn ( Ⅱ ) in aqueous solution at pH 10.0.     

Synthesis of calcium chloroborate whiskers via sedimentation and sintering process

Single crystalline calcium chloroborate(Ca_2B_5O_9Cl) whiskers with uniform diameter have been fabricated by a two-step process. The precursor was firstly prepared by the sedimentation reaction between CaCl_2, H_3BO_3 and Na OH aqueous solutions, and then sintered at different temperatures for 6 h with KCl as flux. The XRD indicates that the product synthesized at 600 °C is Orthorhombic Ca_2B_5O_9Cl. SEM and TEM results show that the Ca_2B_5O_9Cl is whisker with the diameter about 0.2-0.5 μm and the length up to 15 μm. SAED analysis shows that the whisker is single crystalline and grows along [001] direction. The possible formation process and growth mechanism were proposed.     

溶胶-凝胶过程影响堇青石结晶行为的因素

为了研究影响堇青石结晶行为的因素,以Mg(NO3)2.6H2O、Al(NO3)3.9H2O、正硅酸乙酯为原料,根据堇青石的化学式2MgO.Al2O3.5SiO2,按照配比制成溶胶,利用溶胶-凝胶法制备堇青石粉末,并利用X射线衍射、差示扫描热量法等测试手段对堇青石粉末进行表征.测试结果表明,煅烧温度和凝胶预处理温度对堇青石的结晶行为有直接的影响,当干凝胶的预处理为500℃,煅烧温度为1 200℃时,出现明显的α-堇青石晶相.     

Early hydration of composite cement with thermal activated coal gangue

Composite cement samples were prepared by mixing clinker, gypsum with burnt coal gangues which was calcined at various temperatures. The mechanical strength and Ca(OH)₂ content in the cement paste were tested, and the paste composition and microstructure were analyzed by thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TG-DSC), X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and pore structure analysis. Results demonstrate that the thermal activated coal gangue could accelerate the early hydration of cement clinker obviously, which promotes the gangue hydration itself. The early hydrated products of the cement are C-S-H gel, Ca(OH)₂ and AFt. The cement with 30% (in mass) the gangue exhibits higher mechanical strength, and among all the cement samples the one with the gangue burnt at 700 °C displays the highest hydration rate, mechanical strength, the most gel pores and the lowest total porosity.     

Effect of MnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> on properties of SiC-mullite composite ceramics for solar sensible thermal storage

For improving the properties of SiC-mullite composite ceramics used for solar sensible thermal storage, MnO₂ was introduced as sintering additive when preparing. The composite ceramics were synthesized by using SiC, andalusite, α-Al₂O₃ as the starting materials with non-contact graphite-buried sintering method. Phase composition and microstructure of the composites were investigated by XRD and SEM, and the effect of MnO₂ on the properties of SiC composites was studied. Results indicated that samples SM1 with 0.2 wt% MnO₂ addition achieved the optimum properties: bending strength of 70.96 MPa, heat capacity of 1.02 J·(g·K)^-1, thermal conductivity of 9.05 W·(m·K)^-1. Proper addition of MnO₂ was found to weaken the volume effect of the composites and improve the thermal shock resistance with an increased rate of 27.84% for bending strength after 30 cycles of thermal shock (air cooling from 1 100 °C to RT).