Advancements and Challenges in Organic–Inorganic Composite Solid Electrolytes for All‑Solid‑State Lithium Batteries

To address the limitations of contemporary lithium-ion batteries,particularly their low energy density and safety concerns,all-solid-state lithium batteries equipped with solid-state electrolytes have been identified as an up-and-coming alternative.Among the various SEs,organic–inorganic composite solid electrolytes(OICSEs)that combine the advantages of both polymer and inorganic materials demonstrate promising potential for large-scale applications.However,OICSEs still face many challenges in practical applications,such as low ionic conductivity and poor interfacial stability,which severely limit their applications.This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent research advancements in OICSEs.Specifically,the influence of inorganic fillers on the main functional parameters of OICSEs,including ionic conductivity,Li+transfer number,mechanical strength,electrochemical stability,electronic conductivity,and thermal stability are systematically discussed.The lithium-ion conduction mechanism of OICSE is thoroughly analyzed and concluded from the microscopic perspective.Besides,the classic inorganic filler types,including both inert and active fillers,are categorized with special emphasis on the relationship between inorganic filler structure design and the electrochemical performance of OICSEs.Finally,the advanced characterization techniques relevant to OICSEs are summarized,and the challenges and perspectives on the future development of OICSEs are also highlighted for constructing superior ASSLBs.

In-situ additive manufacturing of high strength yet ductility titanium composites with gradient layered structure using N_(2)

It has always been challenging work to reconcile the contradiction between the strength and plasticity of titanium materials.Laser powder bed fusion(LPBF) is a convenient method to fabricate innovative composites including those inspired by gradient layered materials.In this work,we used LPBF to selectively prepare Ti N/Ti gradient layered structure(GLSTi)composites by using different N_(2)–Ar ratios during the LPBF process.We systematically investigated the mechanisms of in-situ synthesis Ti N,high strength and ductility of GLSTi composites using microscopic analysis,TEM characterization,and tensile testing with digital image correlation.Besides,a digital correspondence was established between the N_(2) concentration and the volume fraction of LPBF in-situ synthesized Ti N.Our results show that the GLSTi composites exhibit superior mechanical properties compared to pure titanium fabricated by LPBF under pure Ar.Specifically,the tensile strength of GLSTi was more than 1.5times higher than that of LPBF-formed pure titanium,reaching up to 1100 MPa,while maintaining a high elongation at fracture of 17%.GLSTi breaks the bottleneck of high strength but low ductility exhibited by conventional nanoceramic particle-strengthened titanium matrix composites,and the hetero-deformation induced strengthening effect formed by the Ti N/Ti layered structure explained its strength-plasticity balanced principle.The microhardness exhibits a jagged variation of the relatively low hardness of 245 HV0.2 for the pure titanium layer and a high hardness of 408 HV0.2 for the N_(2) in-situ synthesis layer.Our study provides a new concept for the structure-performance digital customization of 3D-printed Ti-based composites.

Microstructural characterization and mechanical properties of(TiC+TiB)/TA15 composites prepared by an in-situ synthesis method

Titanium matrix composites reinforced with ceramic particles are considered a promising engineering material due to their combination of high specific strength,low density,and high modulus.In this study,the TA15-based composites reinforced with a volume fraction of 10% to 25%(TiB+TiC)were prepared using powder metallurgy and casting technique.Microstructural characterization and phase constitution were examined using optical microscopy(OM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and X-ray diffraction(XRD).In addition,the microhardness,room temperature(RT)and high temperature(HT)tensile properties of the composites were evaluated.Results revealed that the reinforcements are distributed uniformly even in the composites with a high volume of TiB and TiC.However,as the volume fraction exceeds 15%,TiB and TiC particles become coarsening and exhibit rod-like and dendritic-like morphology.Microhardness increases gradually from 321.2 HV for the base alloy to a maximum of 473.3 HV as the reinforcement increases to 25vol.%.Tensile test results indicate that a reinforcement volume fraction above 20% is beneficial for enhancing tensile strength and yield strength at high temperatures,but it has an adverse effect on room temperature elongation.Conversely,if the reinforcement volume fraction is below 20%,it can improve high-temperature elongation when the temperature exceeds 600℃.

Optimization of Friction and Wear Behaviour in Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites Using Taguchi Technique

Al-7075 alloy-base matrix, reinforced with mixtures of silicon carbide (SiC) and boron carbide (B4C) particles, know as hybrid composites have been fabricated by stir casting technique (liquid metallurgy route) and optimized at different parameters like sliding speed, applied load, sliding time, and percentage of reinforcement by Taguchi method. The specimens were examined by Rockwell hardness test machine, Pin on Disc, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Optical Microscope. A plan of experiment generated through Taguchi’s technique is used to conduct experiments based on L27 orthogonal array. The developed ANOVA and the regression equations were used to find the optimum wear as well as co-efficient of friction under the influence of sliding speed, applied load, sliding time and percentage of reinforcement. The dry sliding wear resistance was analyzed on the basis of “smaller the best”. Finally, confirmation tests were carried out to verify the experimental results.

Tribological Behaviour of Aluminium/Alumina/Graphite Hybrid Metal Matrix Composite Using Taguchi’s Techniques

Tribological behaviour of aluminium alloy (Al-Si10Mg) reinforced with alumina (9%) and graphite (3%) fabricated by stir casting process was investigated. The wear and frictional properties of the hybrid metal matrix composites was studied by performing dry sliding wear test using a pin-on-disc wear tester. Experiments were conducted based on the plan of experiments generated through Taguchi’s technique. A L27 Orthogonal array was selected for analysis of the data. Investigation to find the influence of applied load, sliding speed and sliding distance on wear rate, as well as the coefficient of friction during wearing process was carried out using ANOVA and regression equations for each response were developed. Objective of the model was chosen as ‘smaller the better’ characteristics to analyse the dry sliding wear resistance. Results show that sliding distance has the highest influence followed by load and sliding speed. Finally, confirmation tests were carried out to verify the experimental results and Scanning Electron Microscopic studies were done on the wear surfaces.

Processing technique and sliding friction and wear behavior of TiB_2/ZA27 composite

In-situ TiB2 particles reinforced ZA27 composite was prepared by the stir-casting technique and a two-step method. TiB2/Al composite was produced by incorporating K2TiF6, KBF4 salts and other agents into Al melt. As a master alloy, TiB2/Al composite was used to manufacture TiB2/ZA27 composite, which results in the generation of well-distributed reinforcing TiB2 phase. The hardness, friction and wear behavior of TiB2/ZA27 composite were investigated. The results show that the hardness of the composite is enhanced with increasing the content of TiB2 particles, the incorporation of TiB2 reduces the wear rate of TiB2/ZA27 composite and improves the friction property under lubricated and dry sliding friction conditions. The worn track width of ZA27 alloy is 1.6 and 2.5 times as long as that of （2.1%）TiB2/ZA27 composite at 150N and 700N load under lubricated conditions, which indicates that TiB2/ZA27 composite possesses higher bearing ability.

A Review of Structural Health Monitoring Techniques as Applied to Composite Structures

Structural Health Monitoring(SHM)is the process of collecting,interpreting and analysing data from structures in order to determine its health status and the remaining life span.Composite materials have been extensively use in recent years in several industries with the aim at reducing the total weight of structures while improving their mechanical properties.However,composite materials are prone to develop damage when subjected to low to medium impacts(i.e.1-10 m/s and 11-30 m/s respectively).Hence,the need to use SHM techniques to detect damage at the incipient initiation in composite materials is of high importance.Despite the availability of several SHM methods for the damage identification in composite structures,no single technique has proven suitable for all circumstances.It must be noted that the amount of techniques available nowadays is too extensive to be comprehensively reviewed in a single paper.Therefore,the focus will be on techniques that can serve as a starting point for studies focusing on damage detection,localisation,assessment and prognosis on certain kinds of structures.Thus,the line of thought behind the search and the structure of this review is a result of objectives beyond the scope of the paper itself.Nevertheless,it was considered that,once the above was understood,an updated synopsis such as this could also be useful for other researchers in the same field.

Preparation technique of SiCp reinforced Al matrix composite

A new preparation technique-"block dispersal and cast" method is introduced, and three kinds of powder mixing methods, vertical, horizontal and inclining styles, are compared. The results demonstrate that the inclining style is the best way to mix powders. The Al and nano SiC powders are pressed into blocks, dipped into molten Al, stirred into mold so that SiC/Al matrix composites can be obtained at last. The microstructure of SiC particle reinforced Al matrix composite prepared by "block dispersal and cast" method have been studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Phase analysis has also been conducted by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that nano SiC particles can be dispersed uniformly in Al matrix. Thus, it is feasible to prepare SiC particle reinforced Al matrix composites by this method.

PROCESSINGTECHNIQUESANDCHARACTERIZATIONOFCERAMICFIBERREINFORCEDALUMINIUMCOMPOSITES

This paper relates to the fabrication of aluminium matrix composites with various amounts of Al 2O 3 fiber and SiC whiskers by rheocasting, powder metallurgy process and liquid metal infiltration process. To analyze wetting characteristics, the cross sections of composites are examined by scanning electron microscopy(SEM). The bending tests and microhardness tests are performed to evaluate mechanical properties of composites. The results show that the composites produced by liquid metal infiltration give better properties than those produced by rheocasting or powder metallurgy process, primarily due to the decrease of porosity and reinforcement cluster. For liquid metal infiltration composites, a good adhesion between the fiber and matrix is found. Three points bending test results show that there is an increase in flexural modulus with reinforcement contents. In addition, a series of microhardness tests are conducted to determine the effect of heat treatment on the mechanical property of Al 2O 3/Al composites.

Taguchi Technique for the Simultaneous Optimization of Tribological Parameters in Metal Matrix Composite

Taguchi methods have proved to be successful over the last two decades for improvement of product quality and process performance. This study is carried out to simultaneously optimize the tribological properties: wear rate and frictional force of aluminum metal matrix composite. Al-Cu-Mg alloy reinforced with 6 Wt % of titanium dioxide was prepared using stir casting method. Dry sliding wear test was conducted to understand the tribological behavior of samples. The experiments were conducted as per the Taguchi design of experiment. The wear parameters chosen for the experiment were: sliding speed and load and sliding distance. Each parameter was assigned three levels. The experiment consists of 27 tests according to L27 orthogonal array. Signal to noise ratio analysis has been carried out to determine optimal parametric condition, which yields minimum wear rate and frictional force. Harrington’s desirability functional method is adopted for multifunctional optimization of tribological parameters and the confirmation experiments were conducted to verify the predicted model.

Review on preparation techniques of particle reinforced metal matrix composites

This paper reviews the investigation status of the techniques for preparation of metal matrix composites and the research outcomes achieved recently. The mechanisms, characteristics, application ranges and levels of development of these preparation techniques are analyzed. The advantages and the disadvantages of each technique are synthetically evaluated. Lastly, the future directions of research and the prospects for the preparation techniques of metal matrix composites are forecasted.

Study on T700/Cyanate/PS/Epoxy Composites with ex-situ Toughening Technique

Composites were prepared with polysulfone through ex-situ toughening technique. The dynamic parameters of cyanate/epoxy resin were studied by differential scanning calorimetric（DSC） analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis（DMA）. Microstructual toughening mechanism was studied through scanning electron microscopy（SEM）. The particle microstructure in interlaminar region of composites toughened through ex-situ toughening technique revealed that a reaction induced phase decomposition and phase inversion happened in the interlaminar region. The thermosetting particles were surrounded by the PS phase, which could signifi cantly improve the delamination resistance of composites. The compression after impact（CAI） can be signifi cantly improved from 180 MPa to 260 MPa by using ex-situ toughening while the mechanical properties are not affected.

In-situ investigation of atmospheric corrosion behavior of bronze under thin electrolyte layers using electrochemical technique

The atmospheric corrosion behavior of bronze under thin electrolyte layer （TEL） with different thicknesses was monitored using cathodic polarization curves, open circuit potential （OCP） and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS）. Cathodic polarization result indicates that the cathodic limiting current density increases with decreasing the TEL thickness. EIS result shows that the corrosion rate increases with decreasing the TEL thickness at the initial stage because the corrosion is dominated by the cathodic process, whereas after long immersion time, the corrosion degree with the TEL thickness is in the sequence of 150 μm 〉 310 μm〉 10μm ≈ bulk solution 〉 57 μm. The measurements of OCP and EIS present in-situ electrochemical corrosion information and their results are in good agreement with that of physical characterizations.

Effects of temperature on fracture behavior of Al-based in-situ composites reinforced with Mg_2Si and Si particles fabricated by centrifugal casting

An aluminum-based in-situ composites reinforced with Mg2Si and Si particles were produced by centrifugal casting A1-20Si-5Mg alloy. The microstructure of the composites was examined, and the effects of temperature on fracture behavior of the composite were investigated. The results show that the average fraction of primary Si and Mg2Si particles in the composites is as high as 38%, and ultimate tensile strengths （UTS） of the composites first increase then decrease with the increase of test temperature. Microstructures of broken specimens show that both the particle fracture and the interface debonding affect the fracture behavior of the composites, and the interface debonding becomes the dominant fracture mechanism with increasing test temperature. Comparative results indicate that rich particles in the composites and excellent interface strength play great roles in enhancing tensile property by preventing the movement of dislocations.

Microstructure evolution and nitrides precipitation in in-situ Ti_2 AlN/TiAl composites during isothermal aging at 900°C

Microstructures of Ti2AlN/TiAl composites prepared by in-situ method were characterized in in-situ and aging treatment conditions and the nitride precipitation was investigated in Ti2AlN/TiAl composites aged at 900 ℃ for 24 h after being heat treated at 1400 ℃ for 0.5 h. The in-situ composites consist of γ＋α2 lamellar colonies, equiaxed y grains and Ti2AlN reinforcements. Matrix with nearly fully lamellar structure formed after solution and subsequently aging treatment. With the increase of Ti2AlN content, the nearly fully lamellar structure becomes instable for the aged composites. According to TEM study, fine Ti2AlN precipitates are found to distribute at the grain boundaries of lamellar colony. Needle-like Ti3AlN precipitates arrange in line with growing axis parallel to [001] direction of the γ-TiAl matrix and another needle-like Ti3AlN precipitates with lager size distribute at the dislocations. Key words：

Effect of Ti-Si-Mg-Al wire on microstructure and mechanical properties of plasma arc in-situ welded joint of SiC_p/Al composites

The influence of Ti-Si-Mg-AI wire on microstructure and mechanical properties of SiCp/A1 metal matrix composite joints produced by plasma arc in-situ weld-alloying was investigated. Argon-nitrogen mixture was used as plasma gas and Ti-Si-Mg-A1 flux-cored wires as filled composites. Weldments were submitted to tensile test. Meanwhile, the macro morphology and microstructure of the joints were examined. The result shows that the formation ofneedie-like harmful phase A14C3 is effectively inhibited and the wettability of molten pool is improved by adding Ti-Si-Mg-A1 flux-cored wires. With 15Ti-5Si-5Mg-A1 flux-cored wire as filled composite, the maximum tensile strength of the welded joint is 267 MPa, which is up to 83% that of the matrix composites under annealed condition.

In-situ homogeneous synthesis of carbon nanotubes on aluminum matrix and properties of their composites

Using nickel catalyst supported on aluminum powders, carbon nanotubes （CNTs） were successfully synthesized in aluminum powders by in-situ chemical vapor deposition at 650 ℃. Structural characterization revealed that the as-grown CNTs possessed higher graphitization degree and straight graphite shell. By this approach, more homogeneous dispersion of CNTs in aluminum powders was achieved compared with the traditional mechanical mixture methods. Using the in-situ synthesized CNTs/Al composite powders and powder metallurgy process, CNTs/Al bulk composites were prepared. Performance testing showed that the mechanical properties and dimensional stability of the composites were improved obviously, which was attributed to the superior dispersion of CNTs in aluminum matrix and the strong interfacial bonding between CNTs and matrix.

Preparation and wear properties of TiB_2/Al-30Si composites via in-situ melt reactions under high-energy ultrasonic field

TiB2/Al-30Si composites were fabricated via in-situ melt reaction under high-energy ultrasonic field. The microstructure and wear properties of the composite were investigated by XRD, SEM and dry sliding testing. The results indicate that TiB2 reinforcement particles are uniformly distributed in the aluminum matrix under high-energy ultrasonic field. The morphology of the TiB2 particles is in circle-shape or quadrangle-shape, and the size of the particles is 0.1-1.5μm. The primary silicon particles are in quadrangle-shape and the average size of them is about 10μm. Hardness values of the Al-30Si matrix alloy and the TiB2/Al-30Si composites considerably increase as the high energy ultrasonic power increases. In particular, the maximum hardness value of the in-situ composites is about 1.3 times as high as that of the matrix alloy when the ultrasonic power is 1.2 kW, reaching 412 MPa. Meanwhile, the wear resistance of the in-situ TiB2/Al-30Si composites prepared under high-energy ultrasonic field is obviously improved and is insensitive to the applied loads of the dry sliding testing.

Effects of two modification methods on the mechanical properties of wood flour/recycled plastic blends composites: addition of thermoplastic elastomer SEBS-g-MAH and in-situ grafting MAH

The effect of maleic anhydride grafted styrene-ethylene- buty-lene-styrene block copolymer （SEBS-g-MAH） and in-situ grafting MAH on mechanical, dynamic mechanical properties of wood flour/recycled plastic blends composites was investigated. Recycled plastic polypro-pylene （PP）, high-density polyethylene （HDPE） and polystyrene （PS）, were mixed with wood flour in a high speed blender and then extruded by a twin/single screw tandem extruder system to form wood flour/recycled plastic blends composites. Results show that the impact properties of the composites were improved more significantly by using SEBS-g-MAH compatibilizer than by using the mixtures of MAH and DCP via reactive blending in situ. However, contrary results were ob-served on the tensile and flexural properties of the corresponding com-posites. In General, the mechanical properties of composites made from recycled plastic blends were inferior to those made from virgin plastic blends, especially in elongation break. The morphological study verified that the interfacial adhesion or the compatibility of plastic blends with wood flour was improved by adding SEBS-g-MAH or in-situ grafting MAH. A better interfacial bonding between PP, HDPE, PS and wood flour was obtained by in-situ grafting MAH than the addition of SEBS-g-MAH. In-situ grafting MAH can be considered as a potential way of increasing the interfacial compatibility between plastic blends and wood flour. The storage modulus and damping factor of composites were also characterized through dynamic mechanical analysis （DMA）.

In-situ synthesis of Al_3Ti particles reinforced Al-based composite coating

Using titanium wires （99.5%, 200 μm in diameter） as a reactive source, an Al-based composite coating reinforced by titanium tri-aluminide （A13Ti） particles was fabricated by infiltration plus in-situ methods. According to the differential thermal analysis （DTA） curve, the reactive temperature between Ti wires and A1 matrix can be determined at 890 ℃. The obtained composite coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, and microhardness and wear test. The experimental results show that when holding period is 20 min at 890℃, the titanium wires react completely to in-situ synthesize Al3Ti particles, which presents blocky and strip-like states. The microhardness of in-situ synthesized Al3Ti particles is about 4.5 times that of the Al-matrix. Under the condition of dry sliding at 10 N load, compared with the unreinforced Al matrix, the composite coating fabricated with 20 min offers unique wear resistance behavior, and its wear mechanism is that the adhesive wear and abrasive wear coexist.