Thermodynamics and kinetics of phase transformation in rare earth–magnesium alloys:A critical review

Magnesium and its alloys are significant superior metallic materials for structural components in automobile and aerospace industries due to their excellent physicomechanical properties.The Mg–rare earth(RE)systems have attracted great interests because RE additions can improve both the deformability and the strength of Mg alloys through solid solution strengthening and precipitation hardening mechanisms.This paper focuses on the interface stability,together with thermodynamics and kinetics of nucleation and growth of the key phases and matrix phases in Mg–RE alloys.In this paper,the theory and recent advances on Mg–RE alloys,especially for the interface stability,thermodynamics and kinetics of nucleation and growth of the key phases and matrix phases,together with their relationships with micro-structures,and macroscopic properties,are reviewed.By combining the thermodynamics/kinetics integrated simulations with various advanced experimental techniques,“reverse”design of Mg–RE alloys starting from the target service performance is put forward as a kind of scientific paradigm with rational design.

Facile pathway to generate agrochemical nanosuspensions integrating super-high load, eco-friendly excipients, intensified preparation process, and enhanced potency

An aqueous nanosuspension of agrochemicals unlike pharmaceutics has to achieve massive production in an effective way,capable to ensure sufficient profits in commercialization.This work implements the flash nanoprecipitation(FNP)technique to effectively generate agrochemical nanosuspension,anticipatedly overcoming such an obstacle.Azoxystrobin,a broad spectrum fungicide,in either acetone or ethanol is used herein as a mode agrochemical.To ensure a green and practical utilization,three kinds of commercially available and eco-friendly surfactants,i.e.,poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)(PEG-b-PLGA),Tween 80 and alkyl polyglucosides(APGs),are employed for stabilizing the nanoparticles.The results show that the polymeric stabilizer,PEG-b-PLGA,has the best stabilization efficiency,and can maintain the particles below 100 nm for at least three weeks.The azoxystrobin load of the nanoparticles reaches as high as 77 wt.%,beneficial to enhancing the biological potency.Moreover,the FNP brings the particles a much smaller size,narrower size distribution,better size stability,and higher biological efficacy than the ones made via a traditional method of the drop and stir(DS).The nanosuspensions present superior fungicidal performances over a prevailing counterpart from Syngenta.This study proves an enhanced biological potency and reduced dosage of agrochemical nanosuspension made via the FNP,indicating a remarkable advantage of the FNP over the conventional preparation.The integration of a super-high load,eco-friendly excipients,intensified preparation process,enhanced potency,and reduced dosage creates a promising pathway to generate a green aqueous nanosuspension of agrochemicals.