Journal of Materials Science最新文献

To address porosity, anisotropy, and coarse grains in wire arc additively manufactured aluminum alloys, rare earth Ce was introduced into 2319 alloy via dual-wire arc additive manufacturing, using an ER2319 main wire and a Ce-cored auxiliary wire. Under the optimized parameters of a main wire current of 165 A, voltage of 19.4 V, and auxiliary wire feed speed of 0.5 m/min, smoothly formed straight walls exhibited surface fluctuations within 0.439 mm and arc deflection below 2°. The droplet transfer mode shifted from globular to contact and then to fine droplets with increasing current. Microstructural characterization revealed the formation of spherical Al₁₁Ce₃ phases (~ 100 nm) in the melt pool. The average lattice misfit between Al₁₁Ce₃ and the α-Al matrix was 9.30%, confirming its effectiveness as a heterogeneous nucleation site. At 0.23 wt.% Ce, grain refinement was most pronounced, reducing the grain sizes in the middle and top regions to 63.51 μm and 65.04 μm, respectively—an overall reduction of 14.81%, while promoting equiaxed grain formation. Grain boundary strengthening provided the highest contribution to the enhanced strength. The optimized process successfully fabricated high multi-rib thin-walled telemetry cabin, demonstrating its potential for high-quality and cost-effective production of large-scale aluminum alloy components.

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Developing high-performance TENG based on electrospun nanomaterials is one key to maximize the value as a sustainable green energy technology. Here, a performance-enhanced TENG is constructed by using electrospun TPU/Tb(BA)₃phen/PVP nanofiber membrane and PVDF/PVP nanofiber membrane as two friction layers. A “dual-enhancement strategy” is proposed and implemented: a lot of micro contact points are created by utilizing the nanofiber membrane network structure to greatly increase the effective contact area and significantly enhance the frictional electrification effect. Meanwhile, a multitude of triboelectric charge capture sites are obtained via Tb(BA)₃phen-TPU/PVP two-phase interface that is established by doping functional filler of Tb(BA)₃phen to reduce charge dissipation and increase the accumulation of frictional charges. As the content of Tb(BA)₃phen increases from 0 to 15% in TPU/Tb(BA)₃phen/PVP nanofiber membrane, the output performance of TENG gradually increases from 3.3 μA, 50 V to 10.1 μA, 200 V. Moreover, electrospun nanofiber membranes are endowed with rich properties, including good flexibility, stretchability, hydrophobicity, and fluorescence. The assembled TENG with high performance and excellent multifunctional integration has great potential in wearable electronic devices and energy harvesting.

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Zinc-based alloys are emerging as a promising class of biodegradable materials for next-generation orthopedic and cardiovascular implants, offering an ideal balance of corrosion behavior and biological functionality. Despite these advantages, the poor mechanical strength and fatigue resistance of pure zinc remain significant barriers to clinical translation. This review examines recent advancements in alloy design, thermomechanical processing, and advanced manufacturing techniques that enhance both mechanical performance and bio-functionality. Artificial intelligence and computational modeling are also discussed as emerging tools with the potential to support alloy development and aid in optimizing processing parameters. Future directions include patient-specific implant fabrication, multifunctional surface designs, and regulatory strategies to enable safe and effective clinical application.

To develop tailor-made materials, we designed nanometric systems with dual temperature and pH responsiveness, based on a thermosensitive polymer, poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PVCL) physically crosslinked with tannic acid-modified magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs@TA), forming hybrid PVCL-MNPs@TA nanogels. These hybrid nanogels integrate the temperature sensitivity of PVCL with the pH-responsive behavior of MNPs, offering potential applications in nanocatalysis and targeted nanomedicine. The nanogels were characterized by FTIR, DLS, Z-potential, TEM, and SEM–EDS, revealing uniform nanoscale sizes and favorable polydispersity values. Increased crosslinker content led to larger hydrodynamic diameters and higher phase transition temperatures, reaching 289 nm and 39.2 °C. Stability studies over one month under different pH conditions showed that nanogels remained stable in physiological and alkaline media but tended to aggregate in acidic environments, likely due to surface charge effects. Catalytic activity was evaluated via Rhodamine B degradation in the presence of H₂O₂. Low activity was observed under healthy tissue conditions (37 °C, pH 7), but significant enhancement occurred under tumor-like conditions (acidic pH, lower temperatures), achieving up to 65% degradation after 24 h. These PVCL-MNPs@TA hybrid nanogels demonstrate a synergistic interplay between thermal and pH responsiveness, making them promising candidates for stimuli-responsive systems in controlled nanocatalytic applications.

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A fundamental understanding of the load transfer and distribution mechanisms between the reinforcement and the matrix is a prerequisite for elucidating the synergistic strengthening effect among hybrid reinforcements. In this study, a three-dimensional finite element model was constructed to simulate the plastic deformation mechanism of an aluminum matrix composite synergistically reinforced with TiC particles and graphene nanoplatelets. The investigation focuses on the influence of the volume fraction and aspect ratio of graphene on the mechanical behavior of the material. The results indicate that graphene, as the primary load-bearing phase, exhibits an enhanced strengthening effect with increasing volume fraction and aspect ratio. The graphene network creates a stress-shielding effect on the TiC particles, revealing a competitive load-bearing relationship between the two reinforcement phases. Furthermore, the presence of the reinforcement network induces significant strain localization within the matrix, which is the primary source of the material’s work hardening and also indicates potential sites for damage initiation. The mechanisms of load competition and synergy between the dual-phase reinforcements revealed in this study can provide a reference for the microstructure design and performance modulation of high-performance metal matrix composites co-reinforced with graphene and TiC particles.

The traditional methods for preparing gradient wettability surfaces usually have problems such as insufficient accuracy, high cost or difficulty in scaling up. For this purpose, this study proposed a novel suspension micro-etching technology and successfully constructed micro–nano structures with gradient wettability on the surface of beryllium copper. Characterization by XPS, XRD and SEM revealed that an irregular lamellar structure was formed on the surface after HNO₃ etching, while a dense needle lamellar composite structure was further formed after NaOH etching. Experimental data show that the contact angles of the two gradient surfaces reach 156.5° ± 0.3° and 161.3° ± 0.2°, respectively, which can achieve efficient droplet directional transport. In addition, the prepared surface exhibits excellent functional characteristics: the frosting delay time can reach 35 min, the droplet rebound height can reach 20 mm, it has remarkable self-cleaning performance, and it shows good durability—it can still maintain a water contact Angle of more than 150° after 4 min of sand impact and 12 h of immersion in corrosive solution. The suspension micro-etching technology proposed in this study provides an efficient and economical solution for the preparation of gradient wetting surfaces and has significant application value in the fields of droplet microfluidics and biomedical devices.

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In this study, the characteristics of the grain boundaries of β-Sn grains in micro-Cu-pillar/Sn–Ag–Cu solder/Cu-pad joints were investigated through {110} and {100} pole figure analyses and Euler mapping. The twist and tilt grain boundaries and the corresponding rotation axis were identified, and the contour separation method and axis distribution analysis were employed to calculate the twisting and tilting angles, which were determined to be 38.54° ± 0.90° with rotation axis of < (overline{2 }overline{3 })0 > (Δ = 2.38° ± 0.08°) and 56.22° ± 0.27°with rotation axis of < 041 > (Δ = 3.82° ± 0.09°), respectively. The twist grain boundaries exhibited rapid migration toward the outer surfaces of the micro-solder bumps and eventually disappeared during aging. By contrast, the tilt grain boundary remained stable after 75 h of aging at 140 ℃, extending transversely through the solder bump. In addition, the stable tilt grain boundary was determined to be a twin grain boundary with a < 041 > axis and a {101} twin plane. The shift of the rotation axis in the {101} twin from the < 010 > direction can be identified by the < 041 > pole figure with shift angle of 7.9° ± 2.5° (Δ = 3.82° ± 0.09°); however, the {101} twinning plane still remains.

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Two-dimensional layered perovskites have emerged as a revolutionary class of materials in the field of next-generation solar energy conversion technology. The materials feature alternating layers of organic and inorganic components, and they exhibit greater environmental stability than their three-dimensional counterparts. The special layered structure provides enhanced resistance to moisture, heat, and UV light, which are crucial characteristics for long-term photovoltaic performance. Additionally, the chemical tunability of two-dimensional perovskites provides extensive compositional flexibility to modify their optical and electronic properties, including variations in halides, metal cations, and organic spacers. This is achieved through tunability, which enables the synthesis of wide-bandgap materials suitable for tandem solar cells, flexible devices, and indoor photovoltaic devices. Apart from stability and tunability, two-dimensional perovskites also exhibit potential in enhancing charge transport and exciton confinement, leading to higher power conversion efficiencies and longer device lifetimes. Their quantum well-like nature allows for manipulation of carrier dynamics, making them not only ideal for solar cells but also for light-emitting devices and photodetectors. Furthermore, their compatibility with low-temperature, solution-based fabrication techniques enables scalable and cost-effective production. This review discusses the pivotal contribution of two-dimensional layered perovskites towards the development of photovoltaic devices, highlighting their structural characteristics, environmental stability, and tunable optoelectronic properties. Overcoming long-term operational stability and compositional optimization issues, two-dimensional layered perovskites are a potential platform for the achievement of high-efficiency, sustainable, and flexible solar energy applications. Their synthesis opens the door to future breakthroughs in clean energy harvesting and energy-autonomous systems.

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In this study, ZnO was anchored on boron-doped graphitic carbon nitride (BCN) and investigated both characteristics and photocatalytic activity. Indeed, various characterization techniques were employed to evaluate the impact of doping on photocatalytic degradation performance for antibiotics. ZnO was synthesized via a phyto-synthesis route using Garcinia mangostana pericarp extract, while BCN was prepared through the thermal condensation of melamine and boric acid with various ratios between the precursors. As a result, ZnO was successfully loaded on BCN by a simple calcination method with different loading wt.%. The sample with a doping ratio between CN to B of 1:1.5 and a loading of 10 wt.% ZnO demonstrated excellent photocatalytic activities. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the successful incorporation of B into the CN matrix. For the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline, the favorable conditions were confirmed with 20 mg photocatalyst, 50 mL of tetracycline solution (10 ppm) for 180 min of irradiation, which achieved 76.7% removal efficiency of the antibiotic. Furthermore, the synthesized photocatalyst exhibited excellent reusability, maintaining approximately 91% of its original degradation performance after five consecutive degradation cycles. The results demonstrate the potential of the ZnO-BCN materials to serve as an effective photocatalyst in removing antibiotic residues from water as an environmentally friendly approach and achieving sustainable goals in water treatment.

Titanium and its alloys are currently among the most preferred materials for bone implants due to their excellent biocompatibility and mechanical properties. A major challenge, however, is surface structure design that enhances tissue integration. This study presents preliminary results on the surface modification of Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy using electrochemical anodization - anodic oxidation (AO) and micro-arc oxidation (MAO). The goal was to compare the morphology, composition, and corrosion behaviour of formed oxide layers using electron and X-ray sources methodologies and corrosion resistance, evaluated through potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Analyses indicated a self-organized nanotubular structure on anodized surfaces and a vermiform morphology on MAO-treated ones. The presence of amorphous TiO₂ and Ti-α phases, with aluminium and niobium distributed in both oxide layers, has been also determined. Corrosion testing showed that both anodization processes improved the protective properties of the alloy. MAO coatings exhibited slightly higher polarization resistance compared to AO surfaces (superior corrosion protection). These results enhance understanding of how electrochemical surface treatments influence the microstructure and corrosion behaviour of titanium-based biomaterials. The findings are particularly relevant for the less-studied Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy and provide a foundation for optimizing surface engineering methods to improve implant performance.