Research status and prospects of the fractal analysis of metal material surfaces and interfaces

As a mathematical analysis method,fractal analysis can be used to quantitatively describe irregular shapes with self-similar or self-affine properties.Fractal analysis has been used to characterize the shapes of metal materials at various scales and dimensions.Conventional methods make it difficult to quantitatively describe the relationship between the regular characteristics and properties of metal material surfaces and interfaces.However,fractal analysis can be used to quantitatively describe the shape characteristics of metal materials and to establish the quantitative relationships between the shape characteristics and various properties of metal materials.From the perspective of two-dimensional planes and three-dimensional curved surfaces,this paper reviews the current research status of the fractal analysis of metal precipitate interfaces,metal grain boundary interfaces,metal-deposited film surfaces,metal fracture surfaces,metal machined surfaces,and metal wear surfaces.The relationship between the fractal dimensions and properties of metal material surfaces and interfaces is summarized.Starting from three perspectives of fractal analysis,namely,research scope,image acquisition methods,and calculation methods,this paper identifies the direction of research on fractal analysis of metal material surfaces and interfaces that need to be developed.It is believed that revealing the deep influence mechanism between the fractal dimensions and properties of metal material surfaces and interfaces will be the key research direction of the fractal analysis of metal materials in the future.

Surface Patterning of Metal Zinc Electrode with an In‑Region Zincophilic Interface for High‑Rate and Long‑Cycle‑Life Zinc Metal Anode

The undesirable dendrite growth induced by non-planar zinc(Zn)deposition and low Coulombic efficiency resulting from severe side reactions have been long-standing challenges for metallic Zn anodes and substantially impede the practical application of rechargeable aqueous Zn metal batteries(ZMBs).Herein,we present a strategy for achieving a high-rate and long-cycle-life Zn metal anode by patterning Zn foil surfaces and endowing a Zn-Indium(Zn-In)interface in the microchannels.The accumulation of electrons in the microchannel and the zincophilicity of the Zn-In interface promote preferential heteroepitaxial Zn deposition in the microchannel region and enhance the tolerance of the electrode at high current densities.Meanwhile,electron aggregation accelerates the dissolution of non-(002)plane Zn atoms on the array surface,thereby directing the subsequent homoepitaxial Zn deposition on the array surface.Consequently,the planar dendrite-free Zn deposition and long-term cycling stability are achieved(5,050 h at 10.0 mA cm^(−2) and 27,000 cycles at 20.0 mA cm^(−2)).Furthermore,a Zn/I_(2) full cell assembled by pairing with such an anode can maintain good stability for 3,500 cycles at 5.0 C,demonstrating the application potential of the as-prepared ZnIn anode for high-performance aqueous ZMBs.

Correction: Surface Patterning of Metal ZincElectrode with an In-Region Zincophilic Interfacefor High-Rate and Long-Cycle-Life Zinc MetalAnode

Correction to:Nano-Micro Letters(2024)16:112 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-024-01327-2 In the supplementary information the following corrections have been carried out:1.Institute of Energy and Climate Research,Materials Synthesis and Processing,Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH,52425 Jülich,Germany.Corrected:Institute of Energy and Climate Research:Materials Synthesis and Processing(IEK-1),Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH,52425 Jülich,Germany.

Effects of Ca substitution and surface treatment on electrochemical performances of Ml_(1.0-x) Ca_xNi_(4.0) Co_(0.6) Al_(0.4) hydrogen storage alloy electrodes

The influences of Ca substitution for Ml and surface treatment on electrochemical performances of Ml 1.0- x Ca x Ni 4.0 Co 0.6 Al 0.4 hydrogen storage alloy electrode were investigated. Ca substitution with x <0.2 for Ml could improve its discharge capacity, but Ca substitution with x >0.2 could decrease the capacity. It was also found that Ca substitution deteriorates the electrocatalytic activity, high rate dischargeability and cycling durability of the alloy electrode. In order to improve these properties of Ml 1.0- x Ca x Ni 4.0 Co 0.6 Al 0.4 alloy electrode, the alloy was treated in 6 mol/L KOH+0.02 mol/L KBH 4 solution. The results showed that the surface treatment improves the electrochemical performances such as the electrocatalytic activity, high rate dischargeability and cycling durability of the alloy electrode. :The influences of Ca substitution for Ml and surface treatment on electrochemical performances of Ml 1.0- x Ca x Ni 4.0 Co 0.6 Al 0.4 hydrogen storage alloy electrode were investigated. Ca substitution with x <0.2 for Ml could improve its discharge capacity, but Ca substitution with x >0.2 could decrease the capacity. It was also found that Ca substitution deteriorates the electrocatalytic activity, high rate dischargeability and cycling durability of the alloy electrode. In order to improve these properties of Ml 1.0- x Ca x Ni 4.0 Co 0.6 Al 0.4 alloy electrode, the alloy was treated in 6 mol/L KOH+0.02 mol/L KBH 4 solution. The results showed that the surface treatment improves the electrochemical performances such as the electrocatalytic activity, high rate dischargeability and cycling durability of the alloy electrode.

IMPROVEMENT IN ELECTROCHEMICAL PERFORMANCES OF Mm(NiCoMnAl)_5 ELECTRODES BY SURFACE MODIFICATION

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Tunable surface plasmon-polariton resonance in organic light-emitting devices based on corrugated alloy electrodes

We report a feasible method to realize tun able surface plasm on-polarit on(SPP)res onance in orga nic light-emitt ing devices(OLEDs)by emplo ying corrugated Ag-Al alloy electrodes.The excited SPP res onance in duced by the periodic corrugations can be precisely tuned based on the composition ratios of the Ag-Al alloy electrodes.With an appropriate composition ratio of the corrugated alloy electrode,the photons trapped in SPP modes are recovered and extracted effectively.The 25%in creaseme nt in luminance and 21%enhan ceme nt in curre nt efficie ncy have bee n achieved by using the corrugated Ag-Al alloy electrodes in OLEDs.

Improved light extraction of GaN-based light-emitting diodes with surface-textured indium tin oxide electrodes by nickel nanoparticle mask dry-etching

GaN-based light-emitting diodes （LEDs） with surface-textured indium tin oxide （ITO） as a transparent current spreading layer were fabricated. The ITO surface was textured by inductively coupled plasma （ICP） etching technology using a monolayer of nickel （Ni） nanoparticles as the etching mask. The luminance intensity of ITO surface-textured GaN-based LEDs was enhanced by about 34% compared to that of conventional LED without textured ITO layer. In addition, the fabricated ITO surface-textured GaN-based LEDs would present a quite good performance in electrical characteristics. The results indicate that the scattering of photons emitted in the active layer was greatly enhanced via the textured ITO surface, and the ITO surface-textured technique could have a potential application in improving photoelectric characteristics for manufacturing GaN-based LEDs of higher brightness.

Discharge Characteristics of an Atmospheric Pressure Argon Plasma Jet Generated with Screw Ring-Ring Electrodes in Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge

An atmospheric-pressure argon plasma jet with screw ring-ring electrodes in surface dielectric barrier discharge is generated by a sinusoidal excitation voltage at 8 kHz. The discharge characteristics, such as rotational and vibrational temperature of nitrogen, electronic excitation temperature, oxygen atomic density, nitrogen molecular density, and average electron density, are estimated. It is found that the rotational temperature of nitrogen is in the range of 352 ～ 392 K by comparing the simulated spectrum with the measured spectrum at the C3Πu → B3Πg （△ν = 2） band transition, the electronic excitation temperature is found to be in the range of 3127 ～ 3230 K by using the Boltzmann plot method, the oxygen atomic and nitrogen molecular density are of the order of magnitude of 1016 cm-3 by the actinometry method, and the average electron density is of the order of magnitude of 1012 cm-3 by the energy balance equation. Besides, the effective power, conduction, and displacement current are measured during the discharge.

Study of Co-Ce coating and surface on pasted nickel electrodes substrate

The process of electroplating Co-Ce alloys on the nickel foam framework surface can improve electro-conductivity for active materials and nickel substrate interface. The results of inductive coupled plasma emission spectrometer (ICP), cyclic voltammetry (CV), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) indicate that the Co-Ce coating chemical content of rare earth Ce 0.19wt.%-0.28wt.% can not only alter the microstructure of electroplating coating, but also accelerate the oxidation reaction of Co and improve its transfer rate of electric current conductivity to the active material particles. The grads-like distributing electro-conductive network of CoOOH is formed on the nickel substrate surface, which improves reversibility of pasted nickel electrode. The charging receptivity is improved by Co-Ce coating on the pasted nickel electrode substrate, and its specific discharging capacity is improved by 50%.

Improving the activity and stability of Ni-based electrodes for solid oxide cells through surface engineering:Recent progress and future perspectives

Solid oxide cells(SOCs)have attracted great attention in the past decades because of their high conversion efficiency,low environmental pollution and diversified fuel options.Nickel-based catalysts are the most widely used fuel electrode materials for SOCs due to the low price and high activity.However,when hydrocarbon fuels are employed,nickel-based electrodes face serious carbon deposition challenges,leading to a rapid decline of cell performance.Great efforts have been devoted to understanding the occurrence of the coking reaction,and to improving the stability of the electrodes in hydrocarbon fuels.In this review,we summarize recent research progress of utilizing surface modification to improve the stability and activity of Ni-based electrodes for SOCs by preventing carbon coking.The review starts with a briefly introduction about the reaction mechanism of carbon deposition,followed by listing several surface modification technologies and their working principles.Then we introduce representative works using surface modification strategies to prevent carbon coking on Ni-based electrodes.Finally,we highlight future direction of improving electrode catalytic activity and anti-coking performance through surface engineering.

Improved electromigration reliability of surface acoustic wave devices using Ti/Al-Mo/Ti/Al-Mo electrodes

In order to obtain both high electromigration （EM） reliability and free-dimensional control in high-frequency surface acoustic wave （SAW） devices, 4-layered Ti/Al-Mo/Ti/Al-Mo electrode films were investigated on 128° Y-X LiNbO3 substrates by sputtering deposition. The resuits indicated that the 4-layered films had an improved EM reliability compared to conventional Al-0.5wt.%Cu films. Their lifetime is approximately three times longer than that of the Al-0.5wt.%Cu films tested at a current density of 5 x 107 A/cm^2 and a temperature of 200℃. Moreover, the 4-layered films were easily etched in reactive ion etching and fine-dimensional control was realized during the pattern replication for high-frequency SAW devices. For the 4-layered films, an optimum Mo quantity and sputtering parameters were very significant for high EM reliability.

Improved Electrochemical Performance of Surface-Modified Metal Hydride Electrodes

A novel plating process was applied to the surface modification of the metal hydride （MH） electrode of the MH/Ni batteries. The electrode was plated with a thin nickel film about 0.1 μm thick by using multi-arc ion plating technique. The X-ray diffraction （XRD）, X ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS） and scanning electron microscope （SEM） were used to analyze the electrodes. Influence of the surface modification on the performance of the MH/Ni batteries was studied. It is shown that the surface modification could enhance the electrode eondue tivity and decrease the batteries ohimie resistance by 28.2 %. After surface modification, the discharge capacity of the batteries at 5C （8.5 A） is increased by 212 mA· h and discharge voltage is increased by 0.09 V. The surface modification also improves the cyclic durability of the batteries. The inner pressure of the batteries with modified electrode during overcharging is much lower than that with unmodified electrode. The experimental results demonstrate that this process is an effective way for the surface modification of the electrode of MH/Ni batteries.

High Conductivity Water Treatment Using Water Surface Discharge with Nonmetallic Electrodes

Although electrohydraulic discharge is effective for wastewater treatment,its application is restricted by water conductivity and limited to the treatment of low conductivity water. For high conductivity water treatment,water-surface discharge is the preferred choice.However. the metallic electrodes are easily corroded because of the high temperature and strong oxidative environment caused by gas phase discharge and the electrochemical reaction in water.As a result. the efficiency of the water treatment might be affected and the service life of the reactor might be shortened.In order to avoid the corrosion problem,nonmetallic electrode water-surface discharge is introduced into high conductivity water treatment in the present study.Carbon-felt and water were used as the high voltage electrode and ground electrode,respectively.A comparison of the electrical and chemical characteristics showed that nonmetallic electrode discharge maintained the discharge characteristics and enhanced the energy efficiency,and furthermore,the corrosion of metal electrodes was avoided.

Surface charging activated mechanism change: A computational study of O, CO, and CO2 interactions on Ag electrodes

Electrocatalytic and plasma-activated processes receive increasing attention in catalysis. Density functional theory(DFT) calculations are state-of-the-art tools for the fundamental study of reaction mechanisms and predicting the performance of catalytic materials. Proper application of DFT-based methods is crucial when investigating charge-doped electrode surfaces during electrocatalytic and plasma-activated reactions. Here, as a model electrode for plasma-activated CO2 splitting, we studied the interactions of O, CO, and CO2 with the neutral and progressively charged Ag(111) metal surfaces. We show that the application of correction procedures is necessary to obtain accurate adsorption energy profiles of O atoms,CO and CO2 molecules on Ag surfaces that are under the influence of additional electrons. Interestingly,the oxidation of CO is found to shift from a Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism on a neutral electrode to an Eley–Rideal mechanism on charged electrodes. Furthermore, we show that the surface charging of Ag(111) electrodes increase their CO2 reduction performance by enhancing the adsorption of O atoms and desorption of CO molecules. A further increase in the absolute charge-state of the electrode surface is expected to waive the thermodynamic barriers for the CO2 splitting reaction.

Experimental investigation on the effect of surface characterization of electrodes on the gas bubble dynamics in electrolyte flow and performance of FLA batteries by using PIV

In the flooded lead_acid batteries(FLAB),gas bubbles are initially formed on the surface of the electrodes,which are produced by electrochemical reactions,and then released into the electrolyte.In the present investigation,the effect of surface characterization of electrodes of FLAB on the gas bubble dynamic parameters in the electrolyte flow at different charging/discharging rates(C-rates)are studied utilizing particle image velocimetry(PIV)method.The results show that the capacity of FLAB have a linear behavior due to changes in each of the two parameters of the surface characterization of electrodes and the Crate.At all State of charges(SOCs)of FLAB cells in different tests,increasing average roughness(Ra)and average wavelength of the roughness(λa)in the electrode surfaces,results in an increase in average bubble diameter and bubble rising velocity.Nevertheless,a sharp decrease in the void fraction of bubbles within the electrolyte was observed due to the increment inλa and Ra.Also,the effect of the rising movement of gas bubbles within the electrolyte on the average electrolyte velocity pattern in the gap between the electrodes by changing the surface characterization of electrodes are investigated in detail.

Electroless Co-Zn Surface-Modified Nickel Hydroxide as an Active Material for Pasted Nickel Electrodes

Chemically precipitated β type nickel hydroxide powder was surface modified by electroless deposition of Co Zn coatings,and physical properties of both the modified and unmodified nickel hydroxide were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), specific surface area (BET), X ray diffraction (XRD) and X ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It has been found that Co and Zn components of the surface electroless coatings exist in the oxidized state. Electrochemical performances of pasted nickel electrodes using the modified nickel hydroxide as an active material were investigated, and compared with those of the electrodes prepared with the unmodified nickel hydroxide. Charge/discharge tests show that the modified nickel hydroxide electrodes exhibit better performances in the charge efficiency, specific discharge capacity and active material utilization. Their resistance to swelling with cycling is also superior to that of the unmodified nickel hydroxide electrodes. Cyclic voltammetric (CV) studies indicate that the modified electrodes have a higher electrochemical activity, and the porous pasted nickel electrodes have some distinguished CV characteristics in comparison with those of the thin film nickel electrodes.

Influence of Surface Structure of Platinum Electrodes on Electrooxidation of CO

The oxidation of CO on platinum electrodes in an acid solution was studied with the conventional electrochemical methods and the on-line electrochemical mass spectroscopy. It was found that this reaction is strongly determined by the surface morphology of platinum. The pretreatment of platinum electrodes can change the surface properties dramatically, in consequence it can improve the electrocatalytic activity towards the electrooxidation of CO. The existence of surface active sites on the roughened platinum electrodes can be used to explain its high electrocatalysis towards the oxidation of CO.

Surface Modification of AB_2 and AB_5 Hydrogen Storage Alloy Electrodes by the Hot-Charging Treatment

The effect of the hot-charging treatment on the performance of AB(2) and AB(5) hydrogen storage alloy electrodes was investigated. The result showed that the treatment can markedly improve the voltage plateau ratio (VPR), the high rate discharge ability (HRDA), the diffusion coefficient of hydrogen DH and the discharge capacity of the AB2 hydrogen storage alloy electrode. The SEM analysis showed that the hot-charging treatment brings about a Ni-rich surface due to the dissolution of Zr oxides. It is also very helpful for the improvement of the kinetic properties of AB2 hydrogen storage alloy electrode because the microcracking of the surface results in fresh surface. This can be the basic modification treatment for NiMH battery used in electric vehicles (EVs) in the future. But for AB(5) type alloys, the treatment has the disadvantage of impairing the comprehensive electrochemical properties, because the surface of the alloy may be corroded during the treatment. The mechanism of the surface modification of the electrode is also proposed.

Surface behavior of pasted nickel electrodes with electrodeposited Co-Ce on substrate

MH/Ni battery for electro-vehicle has become a hot topic of studies. The Co-Ce alloys were electrodeposited on the nickel substrate to modify pasted nickel electrode substrate. SEM and XRD results show that the surface of the substrate contains Co(OH)2 and CoOOH film, and CV shows that modified film can improve electron conductivity capability. The state of charge (SOC) or state of discharge (SOD) curves indicate that Co-Ce modified substrate can enhance Ni electrode charge and discharge performance at high rate. The surface analysis by XPS shows that, the Co(Ⅱ)/Co(Ⅲ) ratio is 76.80/23.19 at the SOD, but the Co(Ⅱ)/Co(Ⅲ) ratio is 57.79/42.21 at the SOC, which indicates that the conductibility of electrodeposited Co-Ce alloys on the nickel substrate is enhanced because CoOOH and Co(OH)2 are created on the substrate surface. The modified surface with CoOOH and Co(OH)2 can enhance the conductibility of electrons between the substrate and active materials, and improve the high rate SOC and SOD ability.

TiB_2/Ni coatings on surface of copper alloy electrode prepared by electrospark deposition

In order to improve the lifespan of spot-welding electrodes used for welding zinc coated steel sheets, titanium diboride was deposited onto their surface after precoating nickel as an intermediate layer. The microstructures and phase compositions of TiB2 and Ni coatings were characterized by SEM and XRD. The coating hardness was measured using a microhardness tester. The results indicate that a satisfactory TiB2 coating is obtained as a result of the intermediate nickel layer acting as a good binder between the TiB2 coating and the copper alloy substrate. Owing to its capacity of deforming, the precoated nickel layer is dense and crack free, while cracks and pores are observed in the TiB2 coating. The hardness of the TiB2/Ni coating decreases with the increase of voltage and capacitance because of the diffusion of copper and nickel and the oxidation of the coating materials. Because of the good thermal and electrical conductivities and high hardness properties of TiB2, the deformation of the electrode with TiB2/Ni coating is reduced and its spot-welding life is by far prolonged than that of the uncoated one.