Hard and tough novel high-pressure γ-Si_(3)N_(4)/Hf_(3)N_(4) ceramic nanocomposites

Cubic silicon nitride(-Si_(3)N_(4))is superhard and one of the hardest materials after diamond and cubic boron nitride(cBN),but has higher thermal stability in an oxidizing environment than diamond,making it a competitive candidate for technological applications in harsh conditions(e.g.,drill head and abrasives).Here,we report the high-pressure synthesis and characterization of the structural and mechanical properties of a γ-Si_(3)N_(4)/Hf_(3)N_(4) ceramic nanocomposite derived from single-phase amorphous silicon(Si)-hafnium(Hf)-nitrogen(N)precursor.The synthesis of the-Si_(3)N_(4)/Hf_(3)N_(4) nanocomposite is performed at~20 GPa and ca.1500 ℃ in a large volume multi anvil press.The structural evolution of the amorphous precursor and its crystallization to-Si_(3)N_(4)/Hf_(3)N_(4) nanocomposites under high pressures is assessed by the in situ synchrotron energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction(ED-XRD)measurements at~19.5 GPa in the temperature range of ca.1000-1900℃.The fracture toughness(K_(IC))of the two-phase nanocomposite amounts~6/6.9 MPa·m^(1/2) and is about 2 times that of single-phaseγ-Si_(3)N_(4),while its hardness of ca.30 GPa remains high.This work provides a reliable and feasible route for the synthesis of advanced hard and tough-Si_(3)N_(4)-based nanocomposites with excellent thermal stabililty.

Enhancing point defect scattering in copper antimony selenides via Sm and S Co-doping

Doping- and alloying-induced point defects lead to mass and strain field fluctuations which can be used as effective strategies to decrease the lattice thermal conductivity and consequently boost the performance of thermoelectric materials. Herein, we report the effects of Sm and S co-doping on thermoelectric transport properties of copper antimony selenides in the temperature range of 300 K 〈 T〈 650 K. Through the Callaway model, it demonstrates that Sm and S co-doping induces strong mass differences and strain field fluctuations in Cu3SbSe4. The results prove that doping with suitable elements can increase point defect scattering of heat-carrying phonons, leading to a lower thermal conductivity and a better ther- moelectric performance. The highest figure of merit （ZT） of - 0.55 at 648 K is obtained for the Sm and S co-doped sample with nominal composition of Cu2.995Sm0.005Sb- Se3.95S0.05, which is about 55% increase compared to the ZT of pristine Cu3SbSe4.

A CO and CO2 tolerating (La0.9Ca0.1)2(Ni0.75Cu0.25)O4+δ Ruddlesden-Popper membrane for oxygen separation

A series of novel dense mixed conducting ceramic membranes based on K2NiF4-type(La1-xCax)2(Ni0.75Cu0.25)O4+δwas successfully prepared through a sol-gel route.Their chemical compatibility,oxygen permeability,CO and CO2 tolerance,and long-term CO2 resistance regarding phase composition and crystal structure at different atmospheres were studied.The results show that higher Ca contents in the material lead to the formation of CaCO3.A constant oxygen permeation flux of about 0.63 mL·min−1·cm−2 at 1173 K through a 0.65 mm thick membrane was measured for(La0.9Ca0.1)2(Ni0.75Cu0.25)O4+δ,using either helium or pure CO2 as sweep gas.Steady oxygen fluxes with no sign of deterioration of this membrane were observed with increasing CO2 concentration.The membrane showed excellent chemical stability towards CO2 for more than 1360 h and phase stability in presence of CO for 4 h at high temperature.In addition,this membrane did not deteriorate in a high-energy CO2 plasma.The present work demonstrates that this(La0.9Ca0.1)2(Ni0.75Cu0.25)O4+δmembrane is a promising chemically robust candidate for oxygen separation applications.