Journal of Materials Science最新文献

Electrolytes play a major role in the cyclability of rechargeable zinc-air batteries (RZABs); thus, electrode/electrolyte interface engineering using gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) is an attractive solution. In this study, we developed thin poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(acrylic acid) (PVA/PAA) GPEs by electrospinning and solvent casting, and their performances were compared to analyze the textural characteristics of the synthesized GPEs. For this purpose, the use of chemical crosslinkers has been avoided because of their harmful impact on the environment. Instead, three crosslinking temperatures were evaluated: 120, 140, and 160 °C, maintaining a similar thickness for all membranes (90 ± 7 μm). The highest KOH uptake was obtained with the cast GPEs, and at 120 °C, the KOH uptake was 555% versus 477% for the electrospun (ES) GPE. Nonetheless, the ionic conductivity and ion-exchange capacities increased with increasing crosslinking temperature, and the values displayed by the electrospun GPEs were higher than those for the cast materials (PVA/PAA ES 160 °C = 105.4 mS cm⁻¹, 2.4 mmol g⁻¹). Additionally, the ES GPEs were more stable, displaying no shifts in FT-IR signals after 12 months of immersion in deionized water (cast GPEs deteriorated after 5 months). The battery performance increased with increasing crosslinking temperature, achieving higher activity with GPEs at 160 °C. The battery voltage was slightly higher for the cast GPE (1.42 vs. 1.39 V), but the power density was higher for the RZAB operated with the ES GPE (148 vs. 115 mW cm⁻²), which was related to the enhanced mass transport. In addition, this GPE can operate for more than 120 charge/discharge cycles with a final round trip of 66.5%.

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Wood-plastic composites (WPC) processing offers a sustainable and efficient method for recycling polyvinyl chloride (PVC), one of the most commonly used thermoplastics. However, traditional fabrication techniques often require high-temperature conditions, limiting their practicality and environmental efficiency. This study introduces a novel method for assembling WPC at ambient temperature using the Evaporation-Induced Compression Molding Strategy. Waste wood flour was employed as the filler material, while PVC served as the matrix. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) acted as the solvent, supplemented by the coupling agent γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH570) and antioxidant 1076 to enhance interfacial compatibility and material performance. Comprehensive characterization of the WPC was performed using mechanical performance testing, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Additionally, the density, water absorption, and porosity of the composites were analyzed. The acoustic and thermal insulation properties of the WPC were also evaluated. The results revealed that the optimal material composition was achieved with a pinewood flour:THF:PVC ratio of 4:6:4 (mass:volume:mass). This composition delivered a bending strength of 14.8 MPa and a tensile strength of 7.65 MPa. Moreover, the WPC demonstrated excellent acoustic and thermal insulation properties, highlighting its potential for practical applications. This study provides a groundbreaking and environmentally friendly approach to the fabrication of wood-plastic composites.

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Piezo-photocatalysis can effectively combines photocatalysis and piezoelectric polarization to improve the carrier separation efficiency overall performance. Here, Cu₂O/BaTiO₃ p–n heterojunction composite has been successfully synthesized by facile wet chemical method in this work. The synergistic piezo-photocatalytic effect of Cu₂O/BaTiO₃ was investigated for the degradation of dye acid orange 7 (AO7) under simulated solar light illumination and ultrasonic vibration. A significant improvement in dye degradation efficiency was observed, with a remarkable 98.5% degradation achieved within 60 min of piezo-photocatalysis treatment, surpassing the degradation rates observed for individual photocatalysis (53.2%) and piezocatalysis (40.8%). This enhancement can be attributed to the higher spatial separation of photogenerated carriers, facilitated by the heterojunction interface electric field of Cu₂O/BTiO₃ and build-in electric field of BaTiO₃. This unique spatial separation mechanism results in an increased generation of reactive species, ultimately contributing to enhanced degradation of AO7 molecules. This study presents a feasible approach for the synthesis of the Cu₂O/BTiO₃ p–n junction and effectively transcending the limitations inherent to individual Cu₂O or BaTiO₃ in terms of catalytic efficacy.

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While Sb-based anodes for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are attractive for their high gravimetric capacities, they suffer from poor cyclability and sluggish charge storage kinetics due to large volume changes and multiple phase transformations. In this study, we developed a multi-structured Cu₂Sb/Sb₂O₃/Cu/Cu₂O nanocomposite by a simple one-step dealloying strategy. As an anode material for SIBs, this nanocomposite exhibits good cycling performance, maintaining a reversible capacity of 223 mAh g⁻¹ for over 200 cycles at a current density of 0.2 A g⁻¹. Furthermore, the Cu₂Sb/Sb₂O₃/Cu/Cu₂O nanocomposite demonstrates twice the sodium-ion diffusion rate compared to pure Sb. The improved electrochemical performance can be attributed to the synergistic effects of the layered NP-Cu₂Sb, Sb₂O₃ nanoparticles and NP-Cu/Cu₂O, which provide efficient pathways for ion and electron transport, thereby enhancing the rate capability of the electrode. Additionally, the inactive Cu within the Cu₂Sb and the formation of Na₂O as an intermediate product effectively accommodate the volume changes that occur during (de)sodiation, preventing the pulverization of the nanocomposite. These findings highlight the potential of Sb-based materials with unique architectures and composite systems as rechargeable SIBs anodes, and this work serves as inspiration for the further development of novel alloy-type electrodes through the facile dealloying method.

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Sb-based anodes for sodium-ion batteries have high capacities but poor cyclability. This study introduces a multi-structured Cu₂Sb/Sb₂O₃/Cu/Cu₂O nanocomposite with improved cycling performance and double the sodium-ion diffusion rate, inspiring further electrode development.

In this work, the Tip/AXM310 composites were prepared by combining mechanical stirring and hot extrusion processes. The effect of different addition quantities of Ti particles on the microstructure and mechanical properties of xTip/AXM310 (x = 0, 1, 2, 3 wt.%) composites was investigated, and the strengthening mechanism of the composites was discussed. The results demonstrated that the addition of Ti particles can refine the grains and promote the precipitation of the second phase in the matrix. As the amount of added Ti particles increases, the grain size and texture intensity of the composites gradually decrease, while the recrystallization fraction gradually increases. During the homogenization process prior to extrusion, the second phase of the Tip/AXM310 composites is transformed from C36-(Mg, Al)₂Ca to C15-Al₂Ca. The 2% Tip/AXM310 composite exhibits the best mechanical properties, with a yield strength of 282 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength of 302 MPa, and an elongation of 14.2%. This represents significant improvements of 16.7, 38.9, and 36.5% respectively compared to the matrix alloy. The improvement in the yield strength of the composites is mainly attributed to a combination of grain refinement, Orowan strengthening, and thermal mismatch strengthening. The theoretical yield strength values of the composites calculated from the equations of the four strengthening mechanisms are basically consistent with the experimental values.

A hot salt corrosion (HSC) test was performed on the titanium α-alloy Ti–2.5Al–2.6Zr (Russian industrial alloy PT–7M). The ultrafine-grained (UFG) microstructure in the titanium α-alloy was formed via cold rotary swaging. The grain size and volume fraction of the recrystallized microstructure in the alloy were varied by choosing appropriate annealing temperatures and times. The microstructure and corrosion resistance of UFG alloys were studied after 30 min of annealing at 500–700 °C and after 1000 h of annealing at 250 °C. Metallographic studies were carried out to investigate the effects of annealing on the nature and extent of corrosive damage in the titanium α-alloy Ti–2.5Al–2.6Zr. After HSC tests, surface analyses of the titanium α-alloy samples were conducted using X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. During the HSC testing of the titanium α-alloy Ti–2.5Al–2.6Zr, a competitive interaction between intergranular corrosion (IGC) and pitting corrosion was observed. To the best of our knowledge, it was shown for the first time that annealing affects the relationship among the IGC, pitting corrosion and uniform corrosion rates of the titanium alloy. Prolonged low-temperature annealing at 250 °C resulted in a more pronounced increase in the uniform corrosion rate than short-term high-temperature annealing for 30 min at 500–700 °C. An in-depth analysis of the effect of the structure and phase composition of the grain boundaries on the susceptibility of the α-alloy Ti–2.5Al–2.6Zr to HSC was conducted.

Thin spray film formed by cementitious thin spray-on liner (TSL) has a wide range of applications in tunnel support. In order to improve the compatibility of the organic–inorganic interface in cementitious TSLs, silane coupling agents were used to modify the TSLs. In this study, four cementitious TSLs were configured, which were based on styrene-acrylic emulsions and vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymerized adhesive powders (EVA powders), respectively, and silanized with silane coupling agent of type KH-550. Macroscopically, the fresh flowability, compressive strength and flexural strength of TSLs were measured. Microscopic experiments were carried out with the aid of Leica microscope and scanning electron microscope. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction test (XRD) and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance test (NMR) were also carried out. The macroscopic results revealed that silanization decreased the fresh flowability of TSLs, but improved their compressive and flexural strengths. Microscopically, silanization significantly reduced polymer flocculation and improved the densification of the material. The silane and its derivatives bonded to the inorganic interface and captured polymer molecules, thereby promoting polymer film formation and inhibiting polymer agglomeration. The organic–inorganic interface after silanization exhibited higher strength. TGA showed that in styrene-acrylic emulsions modified cementitious TSL (STSL), silanization led to an increase in CH content, which enhanced the self-repair potential of STSL. In vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymerized adhesive powders modified cementitious TSL (VTSL), silanization consumed additional CH, which was attributed to the fact that the SiO₂ structure formed by polycondensation of silanes could pass through the polymer membrane in VTSL and react with the CH.

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Plates for liquid hydrogen storage tanks are used in ultra-low temperature and harsh corrosive environments, which require uniform microstructure. The microstructure evolution of continuous casting billets is directly impacted by high-temperature rolling. Herein, the hot deformation behavior of TAS31608/LH austenitic stainless steel is studied by hot compression tests in the temperature range of 1000–1200 °C and the strain rate range of 0.01 − 10 s⁻¹. The hot compression test is carried out by the Gleeble thermal mechanical simulator, and the microstructure is characterized by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The effect of the temperature and strain rate on the dynamic recrystallization (DRX) mechanism is demonstrated. The results suggest that the continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) is the auxiliary DRX mechanism, and the discontinuous dynamic recrystallization (DDRX) is the principal DRX mechanism during hot deformation. When the temperature and strain rate increase, the low-angle grain boundary (LAGB) shifts to the high-angle grain boundary (HAGB), and the proportion of twins and DRX gradually increased. Additionally, residual δ-ferrite promotes the DDRX behavior. However, δ-ferrite hinder the growth of recrystallized grains, which lead to the appearance of the mixed crystals. Due to the promotion under high temperatures and strain rates for DRX, the 1200 °C–10 s⁻¹ is the optimal hot deformation parameter of the TAS31608/LH.

Photocatalytic carbon dioxide (CO₂) reduction has gained vast attention as one of the effective approaches to alleviate energy crisis and greenhouse effect. Two-dimensional layered bimetallic hydroxides (LDHs) show great potential in photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ owing to their special layered structure, variability of component metal elements, and interlayer anion exchangeability. In this review, the research progress of CO₂ reduction using LDHs-based photocatalysts was first described by co-occurrence and cluster analysis of research hotspots and trends. Then, photocatalytic activity toward CO₂ reduction of various reported LDHs and modified LDHs-based photocatalysts using different kinds of strategies like elemental doping, defect engineering, heterogeneous structure design, morphology regulation, and surface plasmonic resonance (SPR) effect was thoroughly discussed. Moreover, photocatalytic mechanism insights of LDHs-based photocatalytic materials for CO₂ reduction were summarized. Last but not least, the challenge and research perspective in this field were proposed. This review aims to provide comprehensive insights and guidance for further research and practical application of LDHs-based photocatalysts for conversion of CO₂ into value-added products.

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This study investigates the complex interplay among composition, microstructure, and hardness within the high-entropy alloy (HEA), AlFeCoNiX (X-Cr/Mn/Zr). Utilizing the vacuum arc melting process, compositionally graded alloys were fabricated and characterized in their as-cast condition. Microstructural analysis unveiled a complex blend of phases, including BCC, B2, FCC, and C15 (Laves) with the addition of Cr, Mn, and Zr to the quaternary AlFeCoNi HEA. Particularly noteworthy was the dominant Al-Ni-rich phase. The B2 chemical ordering within the Al-Ni-rich phase decreased significantly from 63.5% in AlFeCoNi to 4.5%, 28.8%, and 51% with the addition of Cr, Mn, and Zr, respectively. Furthermore, lattice distortion variations, determined by the atomic size difference parameter δ[%], for AlFeCoNiX (X = Cr, Mn, Zr) HEAs ranged from 5.25 to 10.12. Nanoindentation tests showed hardness variations when Cr, Mn, and Zr were added to AlFeCoNi HEA, ranging from 4.63 ± 0.18 GPa to 4.36 ± 0.19 GPa, 4.39 ± 0.38 GPa, and 9.25 ± 0.57 GPa, respectively. This hardness increase could be correlated with the atomic size difference parameter δ[%] and to the increased inherent defects within the Al-Ni-rich phase of the as-cast HEAs. Overall, this research underscores the potential for customizing high-entropy alloy properties through chemical composition adjustments, catering to specific demands.

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