Processing and characterization of C_f/SiC composites

Carbon fiber-reinforced SiC composites were prepared by precursor pyrolysis-hot pressing （PP-HP） and precursor impregnation-pyrolysis （PIP）, respectively. The effect of fabrication methods on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites was investigated. It was found that the composite prepared by PP-HP exhibits a brittle fracture behavior, which is mainly ascribed to a strongly bonded fiber/matrix interface and the degradation of the fibers caused by a higher processing temperature. On the contrary, the composite prepared by PIP shows a tough fracture behavior, which could be rationalized on the basis of a weakly bonded fiber/matrix interface as well as a higher strength retention of the fibers. As a result, in comparison with the composite prepared by PP-HP, the composite prepared by PIP achieves better mechanical properties with a flexural strength of 573.4 MPa and a fracture toughness of 17.2 MPa.m^1/2.

KD-S SiC_f/SiC composites with BN interface fabricated by polymer infiltration and pyrolysis process

Continuous silicon carbide fiber reinforced silicon carbide matrix(SiC_f/SiC) composites are attractive candidate materials for aerospace engine system and nuclear reactor system. In this paper, SiC_f/SiC composites were fabricated by polymer infiltration and pyrolysis(PIP) process using KD-S fiber as the reinforcement and the LPVCS as the precursor, while the BN interface layer was introduced by chemical vapor deposition(CVD) process using borazine as the single precursor. The effect of the BN interface layer on the structure and properties of the SiC_f/SiC composites was comprehensively investigated. The results showed that the BN interface layer significantly improved the mechanical properties of the KD-S SiC_f/SiC composites. The flexure strength and fracture toughness of the KD-S SiC_f/SiC composites were evidently improved from 314±44.8 to 818±39.6 MPa and 8.6± 0.5 to 23.0±2.2 MPa·m^(1/2), respectively. The observation of TEM analysis displayed a turbostratic structure of the CVD-BN interface layer that facilitated the improvement of the fracture toughness of the SiC_f/SiC composites. The thermal conductivity of KD-S SiC_f/SiC composites with BN interface layer was lower than that of KD-S SiC_f/SiC composites without BN interface layer, which could be attributed to the relative low thermal conductivity of BN interface layer with low crystallinity.

Highly conductive wear resistant Cu/Ti3SiC2(TiC/SiC) co-continuous composites via vacuum infiltration process

The MAX phase Ti3SiC2 has broad application prospects in the field of rail transit,nuclear protective materials and electrode materials due to its excellent electrical conductivity,selflubricating properties and wear resistance.Cu–Ti3SiC2 co-continuous composites have superior performance due to the continuous distribution of 3 D network structures.In this paper,the Cu/Ti3SiC2(Ti C/Si C)co-continuous composites are formed via vacuum infiltration process from Cu and Ti3SiC2 porous ceramics.The co-continuous composites have significantly improved the flexural strength and conductivity of Ti3SiC2 due to the addition of Cu,with the conductivity up to 5.73×10^5 S/m,twice as high as the Ti3SiC2 porous ceramics and five times higher than graphite.The reaction between ingredients leads to an increase in the friction coefficient,while the hard reaction products(Ti Cx,Si C)lower the overall wear rate(1×10^–3 mm^3/(N·m)).Excellent electrical conductivity and wear resistance make co-continuous composites more advantageous in areas such as rail transit.

Structural architecture of Neoproterozoic rifting depression groups in the Tarim Basin and their formation dynamics

The Tarim Basin is the largest, oil-bearing, superimposed basin in the northwest of China. The evolution and tectonic properties of the initial Tarim Basin have been hotly disputed and remain enigmatic. The Neoproterozoic basin is covered by a vast desert and a huge-thickness of sedimentary strata, has experienced multiple tectonic movements, had a low signal to noise ratios(SNRs) of deep seismic reflection data, all of which have posed critical obstacles to research. We analysed four field outcrops, 18 wells distributed throughout the basin, 27 reprocessed seismic reflection profiles with higher SNRs across the basin and many ancillary local 2D and 3D profiles and aeromagnetic data. We found about 20 normal fault-controlled rifting depressions of the Cryogenian and Ediacaran scattered throughout the basin, which developed on the Precambrian metamorphic and crystalline basement. The structural framework is clearly different from that of the overlying Phanerozoic. The rifting depressions consist of mainly half grabens, symmetrical troughs and horst-grabens. From the northeast to southwest of the basin,they are divided into three rifting depression groups with the WNW, ENE, and NW-trends that are mainly controlled by normal faults. The maximum thicknesses of the strata are up to 4100 m. From the Cryogenian to Ediacaran, most of the main inherited faults to active and eventually ceased at the end of the Ediacaran or Early Cambrian, while subsidence centres appeared and migrated eastward along the faults. They revealed that the different parts of the Tarim continental block were in NNE-SSWoriented and NNW-SSE-oriented extensional paleo-stress fields(relative to the present) during the Neoproterozoic, and were accompanied by clockwise shearing. According to the analysis of the activities of syn-sedimentary faults, filling sediments,magmatic events, and coordination with aeromagnetic anomalies, the tectonic properties of the fault depressions are different and are primarily continental rifts or intra-continental fault-controlled basins. The rifting phases mainly occurred from 0.8–0.61 Ga.The formation of the rifting depression was associated with the initial opening of the South Altun-West Kunlun Ocean and the South Tianshan Ocean, which were located at the northern and southern margins of the Tarim Block, respectively, in response to the break-up of the Supercontinent Rodinia and the initial opening of the Proto-Tethys Ocean.

Advanced inorganic/polymer hybrid electrolytes for all-solid-state lithium batteries

Solid-state batteries have become a frontrunner in humankind’s pursuit of safe and stable energy storage systems with high energy and power density.Electrolyte materials,currently,seem to be the Achilles’heel of solid-state batteries due to the slow kinetics and poor interfacial wetting.Combining the merits of solid inorganic electrolytes(SIEs)and solid polymer electrolytes(SPEs),inorganic/polymer hybrid electrolytes(IPHEs)integrate improved ionic conductivity,great interfacial compatibility,wide electrochemical stability window,and high mechanical toughness and flexibility in one material,having become a sought-after pathway to high-performance all-solid-state lithium batteries.Herein,we present a comprehensive overview of recent progress in IPHEs,including the awareness of ion migration fundamentals,advanced architectural design for better electrochemical performance,and a perspective on unconquered challenges and potential research directions.This review is expected to provide a guidance for designing IPHEs for next-generation lithium batteries,with special emphasis on developing high-voltage-tolerance polymer electrolytes to enable higher energy density and three-dimensional(3D)continuous ion transport highways to achieve faster charging and discharging.

Hydrocarbon migration in fracture-cave systems of carbonate reservoirs under tectonic stresses:A modeling study

The Tahe oilfield,located in the southwest of the Akekule nosing structure,northern Tarim basin,was the most prolific oilfield targeting at the Ordovician carbonate reservoirs in China.The reservoir space was dominant with fracture-cave systems commonly induced by tectonics and karstification.Although hydrocarbon production had proceeded for two decades in the Tahe oilfiled,the control of oil and gas accumulations was still doubtful.In this work,the periodic fluid flow induced by cyclic tectonic stresses was proposed as the mechanism of hydrocarbon migration in the fracture-cave systems of carbonate reservoirs.The fracture networks formed conduits for fluid flow,and the fluid pressure in caves transmitted from stress field provided the driving force.The constitutive equations were established among stresses,fracture densities and flow velocities.Four quasi-3D geological models were constructed to simulate the flow velocities on the Ordovician surface of Akekule nosing structure in the critical tectonic stages.The simulated results supplied indicative information on oil and gas migration and accumulation in the tectonic stages.Combining with the oil and gas charge history,a conceptual model was built to reveal the multi-stage oil and gas charge and accumulation in the Ordovician of Akekule nosing structure.