ZnO Nanoplatelets with Controlled Thickness: Atomic Insight into Facet-Specific Bimodal Ligand Binding Using DNP NMR

Colloidal nanoplatelets (NPLs) and nanosheets with controlled thickness have recently emerged as an exciting new class of quantum-sized nanomaterials with substantially distinct optical properties compared to 0D quantum dots. Zn-based NPLs are an attractive heavy-metal-free alternative to the so far most widespread cadmium chalcogenide colloidal 2D semiconductor nanostructures, but their synthesis remains challenging to achieve. The authors describe herein, to the best of their knowledge, the first synthesis of highly stable ZnO NPLs with the atomically precise thickness, which for the smallest NPLs is 3.2 nm (corresponding to 12 ZnO layers). Furthermore, by means of dynamic nuclear polarization-enhanced solid-state ¹⁵N NMR, the original role of the benzamidine ligands in stabilizing the surface of these nanomaterials is revealed, which can bind to both the polar and non-polar ZnO facets, acting either as X- or L-type ligands, respectively. This bimodal stabilization allows obtaining hexagonal NPLs for which the surface energy of the facets is modulated by the presence of the ligands. Thus, in-depth study of the interactions at the organic–inorganic interfaces provides a deeper understanding of the ligand–surface interface and should facilitate the future chemistry of stable-by-design nano-objects.     

A Comparative Study of Mechanical Properties,Thermal Conductivity,Residual Stresses,and Wear Resistance of Aluminum-Alumina Composites Obtained by Squeeze Casting and Powder Metallurgy

Squeeze casting and powder metallurgy techniques were employed to fabricate AlSi12/Al₂O₃ composites, which are lightweight structural materials with potential applications in the automotive industry. The impact of the processing route on the material properties was studied. Comparative analyses were conducted for the Vickers hardness, flexural strength, fracture toughness, thermal conductivity, thermal residual stresses, and frictional wear. Our results show that the squeeze cast composite exhibits superior properties to those obtained using powder metallurgy.

     

Correction to: A Comparative Study of Mechanical Properties,Thermal Conductivity,Residual Stresses,and Wear Resistance of Aluminum-Alumina Composites Obtained by Squeeze Casting and Powder Metallurgy

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A -     

Expected and unexpected plastic behavior at the micron scale: An in situ μLaue tensile study

The study of mechanical properties in micron- and submicron-sized metal crystals raises fundamental questions about the influence of size on different aspects of plasticity. In situ characterization of the microstructure evolution during loading is necessary to understand the physics underlying crystal deformation. In situ μLaue diffraction is able to provide unique statistical information on the evolution of type and density of stored dislocations. Here we show macroscopically expected and unexpected plastic behavior at low strains, observed during in situ μLaue tensile tests on micron-sized, single slip oriented Cu samples. Regardless of the initial behavior, a steady state is reached which qualifies a technical yield criterion at the micron scale.     

High-damping carbon nanotube hinged micromirrors

New developments in digital mirror devices (DMDs) require suspension hinges with a good damping and high temperature stability. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) offer these unique properties. Herein it is shown how CNT hinges can be integrated in micromirrors. The image illustrates a micromirror with a CNT suspension, and a typical overdamped stepresponse (Q-factor < 0.5).     

Modal dynamics in multimode fibers

The dynamics of modes and their states of polarizations in multimode fibers as a function of time, space, and wavelength are experimentally and theoretically investigated. The results reveal that the states of polarizations are displaced in Poincaré sphere representation when varying the angular orientations of the polarization at the incident light. Such displacements, which complicate the interpretation of the results, are overcome by resorting to modified Poincaré sphere representation. With such modification it should be possible to predict the output modes and their state of polarization when the input mode and state of polarization are known.     

Preparation and characterization of magnetic carbon nanomaterials bearing APTS–silica on their surface

The formation of metal-encapsulated carbon nanomaterials by using metallic catalysts (iron, cobalt, and nickel) has been studied. Moreover, these materials were coated with silica surface modified by (3-Aminopropyl)-trimethoxysilane (APTS). Each intermediate structure was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The surface morphology of silica-coated carbon nanomaterials was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The modified, APTS–silica surface was additionally characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), elemental (EA), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).     

Assessment of copper surface coverage with corrosion inhibitor using AFM-based local electrical measurements

The paper presents a new method of assessment of metal surface coverage with corrosion inhibitor and thus of inhibitor protective performance. It is based on the atomic force microscopy measurement performed in a contact mode. Apart from topography images the proposed approach allows acquisition of local DC maps and local electrical impedance spectra via application of DC bias voltage or AC perturbation signal between the conductive AFM tip and the substrate. Potentialities of this technique in inhibitor performance monitoring were illustrated on the example of copper/benzotriazole system exposed to elevated humidity environment.     

The Effect of Heat Treatment on the Microstructure and Properties of Explosively Welded Titanium-Steel Plates

This paper describes a study of explosively welded titanium-carbon steel S355J2+N plates. Following the welding, plates underwent heat treatment at temperature of 600 °C for 90 min with cooling in furnace to 300 °C and in air to room temperature. The structure of the bonding was examined by using light, scanning electron (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy. The mechanical properties before and after heat treatment were examined applying three-point bending tests with cyclic loads and hardness measurements. Fracture surfaces were investigated using computer tomography and SEM. It has been found that the bonding areas are characterized by a specific chemical composition, microstructure and microhardness. Between the steel and the Ti cladding, a strongly defected transition zone was formed and melted areas with altered chemical composition were observed. It was also demonstrated that the heat treatment commonly applied to welded steel-Ti plates had a significant and negative impact on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the welded plates due to formation of brittle intermetallic phases.     

采用混合智能方法评估球墨铸铁摩擦焊接接头的抗拉强度(英文)

采用混合智能方法评价球墨铸铁的最佳摩擦焊接工艺参数。在自动循环中使用支持向量回归(SVR)、遗传算法(GA)和帝国竞争算法(ICA)优化焊接工艺参数。该方法被用来确定焊接工艺参数,得到了理想的球墨铸铁摩擦焊接抗拉强度。在加热力40kN,加热时间300s,顶锻压力10.12kN条件下,使用SVR加上GA方法得到了最高抗拉强度为256.93MPa。将摩擦焊接样品进行拉伸强度测试,并比较了采用混合智能方法得到的优化值与实验结果。结果表明,混合智能方法可以使ZT14型摩擦焊机拉伸强度从211MPa增加到258MPa。