Journal of Materials Science最新文献

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have considered as an alternative power source to replace the lithium-ion batteries, due to their high safety and eco-friendly electrolyte properties. However, the practical application of yarn-shaped AZIBs remains challenging because of their limited capacity and energy density. These shortcomings originate from the non-uniform distribution of active materials and sluggish reaction kinetics, which impede overall electrochemical performance. Herein, we develop a full-scale (nano-, micro-, and macroscale) architectural engineering strategy synergistically combining crystal water intercalation and MXene incorporation within the cathode active material with conductive surface wrapping on the yarn cathode. By integrating these features, we construct an advanced core–sheath CNT/V₂O₅·nH₂O/MXene (CVOM) composite yarn cathode that significantly enhances the performance of AZIBs. The resulting CVOM yarn cathode exhibits good electrochemical properties, such as a high specific capacity of 214.9 mAh g⁻¹, energy density of 171.8 Wh kg⁻¹, and exceptional cycling stability with 86.9% capacity retention after 5000 cycles. These performance metrics surpass those of most previously reported yarn-shaped AZIBs. Furthermore, the CVOM-based AZIBs exhibit practical potential by effectively storing solar energy to operate wearable electronics. This work proposes a full-scale engineering strategy to solve the bottlenecks of yarn-shaped AZIBs, providing a viable route toward future wearable energy storage systems.

The mechanical properties and microzone corrosion resistance of electron beam welded 9Ni steel joints are investigated. The welded joint can be clearly divided into three distinct regions: the weld zone (WZ), heat-affected zone (HAZ), and base metal (BM), each exhibiting unique microstructural and electrochemical features. Microstructural analysis revealed that the WZ is predominantly composed of coarse lath martensite, resulting in the mechanically weakest region of the joint. Surface Volta potential mapping combined with electrochemical testing demonstrated a distinct potential hierarchy among the regions, following the order BM > WZ > HAZ. The HAZ exhibits the poorest corrosion resistance because of its fine-grained microstructure and high residual stresses, which not only increase its electrochemical activity but also produce significant galvanic force due to the potential difference with the adjacent BM and WZ.

Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) were attached to PMMA microspheres using a long-chain ionic liquid with an imidazole headgroup (1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, IL₁₆) as a bridging linker, creating PMMA-IL₁₆-Au microspheres. Following this, Au-embedded bimodel porous silica (Au-SiO₂) has been synthesized via using the obtained PMMA-IL₁₆-Au microspheres and IL₁₆ as double templating agents. The synthesized conditions of PMMA-IL₁₆-Au microspheres and biporous Au-SiO₂ were researched by various analytical techniques, such as small-angle XRD, N₂ adsorption, SEM, TEM, and electrophoresis measurements. The coverage of Au NPs on PMMA microspheres can be easily modified by altering the initial mass ratios of m(Au) to m(PMMA). The biporous Au-SiO₂(1) synthesized had a BET surface area reaching 883 m² g⁻¹, featuring a macroporous framework, SBA-3 type ordered mesoporous silica walls, and Au nanoparticles evenly distributed on the inner surfaces of the spherical macropores. Moreover, the resultant porous Au-SiO₂(1) exhibited a good catalytic activity in the reduction reaction of 4-nitrophenol using NaBH₄ as reducer. The IL₁₆ were found to be an ideal linking and templating agents for the construction of complex polymer microsphere and porous silican materials.

This study presents a low-temperature brazing method to overcome oxidation and base metal (TA1) degradation in conventional titanium brazing. The method employs an in-situ formed Ag–Al filler metal with an Al/Ag/Al sandwich structure. We systematically investigated atomic diffusion and interfacial reactions in the Ag–Al–Ti system by combining molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with vacuum brazing experiments. MD simulations revealed the interstitial diffusion of Al atoms into α-Ti and the preferential formation of TiAl₃ intermetallic compounds. This process is facilitated by the smaller atomic radius of Al (1.43 Å) and its lower activation energy for diffusion (24.85 kJ/mol). In contrast, Ag exhibits higher activation energy (Q = 81.91 kJ/mol) and diffuses more slowly. Experimental results demonstrated that sound joints were achieved at 1073 K for 30 min, characterized by the microstructure: TA1/TiAl₃ + Ag(ss, Al)/TA1. At higher temperatures, additional intermetallics such as TiAl and TiAl₂ formed. Joints brazed with the Ag–Al filler exhibited higher shear strength than those with pure Ag or Al interlayers, failing via a mixed ductile-intergranular mode. This filler design enables brazing below the β-transus temperature, improving joint reliability and offering atomic-scale insights for low-temperature joining of titanium alloys.

Due to their desirable flexibility, elasticity, and stretchability, hydrogels have attracted significant attention in the field of flexible wearable devices. However, the pervasive issues of solvent evaporation and insufficient mechanical properties severely restrict their practical application in the field of flexible sensing. This study proposes a conductive organogel (PAC) that is composed of acrylic acid (AAc), polyethylene glycol (PEG), γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD), etc. Through photopolymerization, the polymer chain segments are wrapped by the cavities of γ-CD, thereby forming a dynamic network structure described as “ring-wrapped chains”. The synergistic effect between PEG and the dynamic network significantly enhances the mechanical properties of the PAC gel. In addition, the non-volatile property of PEG ensures that the gel remains stable within the environmental temperature range of – 20 to 80 °C. The presence of lithium ions can form ion-conducting channels in the polymer network, thereby enabling the gel to exhibit good resistance response characteristics. Furthermore, by means of the photocurable 3D printing, this gel can be fabricated into flexible wearable devices with various complex structures, which are capable of sensing and monitoring the movement of human joints. This study presents a new approach for developing highly stable and strengthened gel with dynamic crosslinking networks, which demonstrates great potential for application in flexible wearable devices.

This study presents a sodium carboxymethyl cellulose/waterborne polyurethane (CMC-Na/WPU) aerogel evaporator with uniform layered structure for solar-driven interface evaporation. Addressing challenges in high-salinity dyeing wastewater treatment, the aerogel achieves an evaporation rate of 1.683 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ under standard solar irradiation while demonstrating exceptional salt collection capability (0.6124 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ in 15 wt% brine). It effectively treats dyeing wastewater with over 99.9% ion removal efficiency and maintains stable performance through 10 evaporation cycles. The integrated design enables simultaneous efficient water purification and salt recovery, offering a sustainable solution for hypersaline wastewater management. This technology combines remarkable environmental adaptability with cycling durability, advancing practical applications in renewable energy-driven water treatment and resource recovery.

This study systematically investigates the effect of squeeze casting pressures (150 MPa and 320 MPa) on microstructures and mechanical properties of a Mg–9Al–2Si–0.5Ca–0.2Ce–0.2Mn alloy in both as-cast and peak-aged states. The results demonstrate that increasing squeeze casting pressures significantly refines as-cast microstructures, including α-Mg grains and intermetallic compounds (reducing the average α-Mg grain size from ~ 226 to ~ 52 μm). Furthermore, the pressure-induced stacking faults accelerate subsequent aging kinetics and promotes the formation of finer, more densely distributed Mg₁₇Al₁₂ precipitates in the peak-aged state. Consequently, the peak-aged alloy cast at 320 MPa exhibits outstanding comprehensive mechanical properties, with a YS of 165 MPa, a UTS of 296 MPa and an EL of 11.6%, representing increments of 32%, 23%, and 45%, respectively (in comparison with gravity casting). This work provides a valuable reference for the design and fabrication of high-performance Mg alloys produced by squeeze casting.

Addressing the urgent demand for highly conductive, wear-resistant materials in current-carrying friction pairs. This study designed a composite of agglomerated nano-TiO₂ powder and micron-sized Cu powder. Using atmospheric plasma spraying technology, TiO_2-x/Cu composite coatings with varying ceramic contents (10 wt.%, 30 wt.%, and 50 wt.%) are synthesized in a single-step reaction. The effects of the ceramic/metal ratio on the coating’s microstructure, mechanical properties, electrical properties, and tribological behavior are systematically investigated. The results indicate that the ceramic/metal ratio significantly regulates the coating properties. As the TiO_2-x ceramic content increases, the composite coating’s microhardness markedly improves, but the electrical conductivity gradually decreases. Further dry friction and current-carrying friction tests on the composite coating revealed that under both conditions, the COF increased with higher ceramic content, yet the wear rate decreased significantly. Lower ceramic content resulted in a low COF due to the tendency to form an oxide glaze layer during friction. Higher ceramic content, while increasing the COF, significantly reduced the wear rate owing to the hard ceramic skeleton structure. It undergoes a transformation in its wear mechanism, shifting from predominantly adhesive wear to fatigue wear. Notably, the T30 coating demonstrates excellent adaptability to extreme environments due to the synergistic effect of its oxide glaze layer and hard support skeleton. This study offers a novel strategy for synergistically optimizing the performance of high ceramic content composite coatings and their application under current-carrying conditions.

The effectiveness of copper corrosion inhibitors has long been constrained by an insufficient mechanistic insight into the formation of protective films on copper surfaces and their impact on copper corrosion kinetics in chloride-containing media. In this work, the inhibition corrosion kinetics and mechanism of 5-aminobenzothiazole (5-ABT) on copper corrosion in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution were investigated through a combination of in situ electrochemistry and theoretical calculations. In situ electrochemistry directly revealed that 5-ABT effectively suppressed the initiation and propagation of grain boundary dissolution, significantly reducing the anodic electron transfer during polarization. Electrochemical measurements confirmed the excellent immediate and long-term inhibition performance of the 5-ABT, achieving an optimal inhibition efficiency of 95.6% (0 h) and 97.6% (72 h) at 6 mM. Surface analysis verified the formation of a compact 80-nm-thick protective film, chemisorbed via Cu–N and Cu–S coordination bonds. Quantum chemical calculations identified the amino N and thiazole S/N atoms as primary active sites. It was further demonstrated that parallel adsorption via the amino nitrogen was the most stable configuration (E_ads =  − 1.85 eV), complemented by vertical adsorptions through thiazole N (E_ads =  − 1.42 eV) and S (E_ads =  − 1.11 eV) atoms. This synergistic multi-configuration adsorption provides a superior corrosion inhibition performance of 5-ABT protective film.

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