Recent development of LiNi_xCo_yMn_zO_2:Impact of micro/nano structures for imparting improvements in lithium batteries

The recent advancement in the design,synthesis,and fabrication of micro/nano structured LiNixCoyMnzO2 with one-,two-,and three-dimensional morphologies was reviewed.The major goal is to highlight LiNixCoyMnzO2 materials,which have been utilized in lithium ion batteries with enhanced energy and power density,high energy efficiency,superior rate capability and excellent cycling stability resulting from the doping,surface coating,nanocomposites and nano-architecturing.

Synthesis of porous nano/micro structured LiFePO_4/C cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries by spray-drying method

In order to enhance electrochemical properties of LiFePO4 （LFP） cathode materials, spherical porous nano/micro structured LFP/C cathode materials were synthesized by spray drying, followed by calcination. The results show that the spherical precursors with the sizes of 0.5-5 μm can be completely converted to LFP/C when the calcination temperature is higher than 500 ℃. The LFP/C microspheres obtained at calcination temperature of 700 ℃ are composed of numerous particles with sizes of -20 nm, and have well-developed interconnected pore structure and large specific surface area of 28.77 mE/g. The specific discharge capacities of the LFP/C obtained at 700 ℃ are 162.43, 154.35 and 144.03 mA.h/g at 0.5C, 1C and 2C, respectively. Meanwhile, the capacity retentions can reach up to 100% after 50 cycles. The improved electrochemical properties of the materials are ascribed to a small Li＋ diffusion resistance and special structure of LFP/C microspheres.

Synthesis of hierarchical dendritic micro–nano structure ZnFe_2O_4 and photocatalytic activities for water splitting

Hierarchical dendritic micro–nano structure Zn Fe_2O_4 have been prepared by electrochemical reduction and thermal oxidation method in this work. X-ray diffractometry, Raman spectra and field-emission scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the crystal structure, size and morphology. The results show that the sample(S-2) is composed of pure ZnFe_2O_4 when the molar ratio of Zn^(2+)/Fe^(2+)in the electrolyte is 0.35. Decreasing the molar ratio of Zn^(2+)/Fe^(2+), the sample(S-1) is composed of ZnFe_2O_4 and α-Fe_2O_3, whereas increasing the molar ratio of Zn^(2+)/Fe^(2+), the sample(S-3) is composed of ZnFe_2O_4 and Zn O. The lattice parameters of ZnFe_2O_4 are influenced by the molar ratio of Zn^(2+)/Fe: Zn at excess decreases the cell volume whereas Fe at excess increases the cell volume of Zn Fe_2O_4. All the samples have the dendritic structure, of which S-2 has micron-sized lush branches with nano-sized leaves. UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra were acquired by a spectrophotometer. The absorption edges gradually blue shift with the increase of the molar ratio of Zn^(2+)/Fe^(2+). Photocatalytic activities for water splitting were investigated under Xe light irradiation in an aqueous olution containing 0.1 mol·L^(-1)Na_2S/0.02 mol·L^(-1)Na_2SO_3 in a glass reactor. The relatively highest photocatalytic activity with 1.41 μmol·h-1· 0.02 g^(-1)was achieved by pure ZnFe_2O_4sample(S-2). The photocatalytic activity of the mixture phase of Zn Fe_2O_4 and α-Fe_2O_3(S-1) is better than ZnF e_2O_4 and ZnO(S-3).

Effect of Nano Silica on Hydration and Microstructure Characteristics of Cement High Volume Fly Ash System Under Steam Curing

The influences of nano silica (NS) on the hydration and microstructure development of steam cured cement high volume fly ash (40 wt%, CHVFA) system were investigated. The compressive strength of mortars was tested with different NS dosage from 0 to 4%. Results show that the compressive strength is dramatically improved with the increase of NS content up to 3%, and decreases with further increase of NS content (e g, at 4%). Then X?ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry-thermogravimetry (DSCTG), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy disperse spectroscopy (EDS), mercury intrusion porosimeter (MIP) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were used to analyze the mechanism. The results reveal that the addition of NS accelerates the hydration of cement and fly ash, decreases the porosity and the content of calcium hydroxide (CH) and increases the polymerization degree of C-S-H thus enhancing the compressive strength of mortars. The interfacial transition zone (ITZ) of CHVFA mortars is also significantly improved by the addition ofNS, embodying in the decrease of Ca/Si ratio and CH enrichment of ITZ.

Preparation of micro/nano-structured ceramic coatings on Ti6Al4V alloy by plasma electrolytic oxidation process

In order to improve the osseointegration and antibacterial activity of titanium alloys,micro/nano-structured ceramic coatings doped with antibacterial element F were prepared by plasma electrolytic oxidation(PEO)process on Ti6Al4V alloy in NaF electrolyte.The influence of NaF concentration(0.15-0.50 mol/L)on the PEO process,microstructure,phase composition,corrosion resistance and thickness of the coatings was investigated using scanning/transmission electron microscopy,energy dispersive spectroscopy,atomic force microscopy,X-ray diffractometer,and potentiodynamic polarization.The results demonstrated that Ti6Al4V alloy had low PEO voltage(less than 200 V)in NaF electrolyte,which decreased further as the NaF concentration increased.A micro/nano-structured coating with 10-15μm pits and 200-800 nm pores was formed in NaF electrolyte;the morphology was different from the typical pancake structure obtained with other electrolytes.The coating formed in NaF electrolyte had low surface roughness and was thin(<4μm).The NaF concentration had a small effect on the phase transition from metastable anatase phase to stable rutile phase,but greatly affected the corrosion resistance.In general,as the NaF concentration increased,the surface roughness,phase(anatase and rutile)contents,corrosion resistance,and thickness of the coating first increased and then decreased,reaching the maximum values at 0.25 mol/L NaF.

Dropwise condensation heat transfer enhancement on surfaces micro/nano structured by a two-step electrodeposition process

Condensation is an important regime of heat transfer which has wide applications in different industries such as power plants,heating,ventilating and air conditioning,and refrigeration.Condensation occurs in two different modes including filmwise (FWC) and dropwise (DWC) condensation.DWC occurring on hydrophobic and superhydrophobic surfaces has a much higher heat transfer capacity than FWC.Therefore,wide investigations have been done to produce DWC in recent years.Superhydrophobic surfaces have micro/nano structures with low surface energy.In this study,a two-step electrodeposition process is used to produce micro/nano structures on copper specimens.The surface energy of specimens is reduced by a self-assembled monolayer using ethanol and 1-octadecanethiol solution.The results show that there is an optimum condition for electrodeposition parameters.For example,a surface prepared by 2000 s step time has 5 times greater heat transfer than FWC while a surface with 4000 s step time has nearly the same heat transfer as FWC.The surfaces of the fabricated specimens are examined using XRD and SEM analyses.The SEM analyses of the surfaces show that there are some micro-structures on the surfaces and the surface porosities are reduced by increasing the second step electrodeposition time.

Injection molding of nano structured 90W-7Ni-3Fe alloy powder prepared by high energy ball milling

Blended elemental 90W 7Ni 3Fe (mass fraction, %) powder was mechanically alloyed in a planetary ball mill. Nano crystalline grains were obtained after 10 h milling. The nano structured powder was processed to full density by metal injection molding approach. Compacts from the optimal powder binder mixture were studied for molding and sintering behaviors. Milling significantly increases the maximum powder loading and homogeneity of the feedstock, and enhances the sintering densification process. When solid state sintered at 1 350～1 450 ℃, the alloy shows very fine grains (～3 μm), high tensile strength (>1 130 MPa) and almost no distortion. [

INVESTIGATION OF BONDING IN NANO-SiO_(2) BY Si L_(2,3) X-RAY ABSORPTION NEAR-EDGE STRUCTURE SPECTROSCOPY

The Si L2,3 X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) can be used to probe thelocal structure around Si and derive electronic information of the unoccupied s- andd-like partial density of states in nano-size SiO2. We present Si L2,3-edge for threedifferent size silicates acquired by total electron yield (TEY) at the photoemission sta-tion of Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility (BSRF). The Si L2,3-edge spectra areinterpreted based on ab initio full multiple-scattering (MS) calculation. The Si L2.3-edge of nano-size materials has XANES similar to that of a-quartz. The similaritiesbetween the Si L2.3-edge shapes attest to a common molecular-orbital picture of theirSi-O bonding and the same coordination state. However, a considerable broadeningof Si L2,3-edge XANES spectra as decrease of particle size is also an indicative ofpolyhedral distortions.

Atomic-scale simulation of nano-grains:structure and diffusion properties

Nanograins are characterized by a typical grain size from 1 to 100 nm. Molecular dynamics simulations have been carried out for the nanograin sphere with the diameters from 1.45 to 10.12 nm. We study the influence of grain size on structure and diffusion properties of the nanograins. The results reveal that as the grain size is reduced, the fraction of grain surface increases significantly, and the surface width is approximately constant; the mean atomic energy of the surface increases distinctly, but that of the grain interior varies insignificantly; the diffusion coefficient is increased sharply, and the relation of the diffusion coefficient and the grain size is close to exponential relation below 10 nm.

Construction and Properties of Structure-and Size-controlled Micro/Nano-energetic Materials

The recent research progress of structure- and size-controlled micro/nano-energetic materials is reviewed, which properties are fundamentally different from those of their corresponding bulk materials. The development of the construction strategies for achieving zero-dimensional (0D), one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), and three-dimensional (3D) micro/nanostructures from energetic molecules is introduced. Also, an overview of the unique properties induced by micro/nanostructures and size effects is provided. Special emphasis is focused on the size-dependent properties that are different from those of the conventional micro-sized energetic materials, such as thermal decomposition, sensitivity, combustion and detonation, and compaction behaviors. A conclusion and our view of the future development of micro/nano-energetic materials and devices are given.

Self-assembled germanium nano-structures by laser-assisted oxidation

The investigation on the oxidation behaviour of Si1-xGex alloys （x=0.05, 0.15, and 0.25） is carried out. It is found for the first time that on the oxide film a germanium nano-cap with a thickness of 1.8-2.8nm and a few Ge nanoparticles with diameters ranging from 5.5 nm to 10 nm are formed by the low-temperatu.re laser-assisted dry oxidation of Si1-xGex substrate. A new scanning method on the decline cross-section of the multiple-layer sample is adopted to measure the layer thickness and the composition. Some new peaks in photoluminescence （PL） spectra are discovered, which could be related to the nano-cap and the nano-particles of germanium. A suitable model and several new calculating formulae with the unrestricted Hartree-Fock-Roothaan （UHFR） method and quantum confinement analysis are proposed to interpret the PL spectra and the nano-structure mechanism in the oxide.

Osteoblast Behavior on Hierarchical Micro-/Nano-Structured Titanium Surface

In the present work, osteoblast behavior on a hierarchical micro-/nano-structured titanium surface was investigated. A hi- erarchical hybrid micro-/nano-structured titanium surface topography was produced via Electrolytic Etching （EE）. MG-63 cells were cultured on disks for 2 h to 7 days. The osteoblast response to the hierarchical hybrid micro-/nano-structured titanium surface was evaluated through the osteoblast cell morphology, attachment and proliferation. For comparison, MG-63 cells were also cultured on Sandblasted and Acid-etched （SEA） as well as Machined （M） surfaces respectively. The results show signifi- cant differences in the adhesion rates and proliferation levels of MG-63 cells on EE, SLA, and M surfaces. Both adhesion rate and proliferation level on EE surface are higher than those on SLA and M surfaces. Therefore, we may expect that, comparing with SLA and M surfaces, bone growth on EE surface could be accelerated and bone formation could be promoted at an early stage, which could be applied in the clinical practices for immediate and early-stage loadings.

Novel Nanostructured MnO_2 Prepared by Pulse Electrodeposition:Characterization and Electrokinetics

Pulse current technique was applied for the preparation of novel electroactive manganese dioxide and possible influences of different electrokinetic phenomena on material characteristics were discussed. The characterizations of pulse deposited sample （pcMD） were carried out by different techniques： Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller （BET） method, Raman spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy （AFM）. SEM image revealed that pulse current could improve the current distribution. This was confirmed by AFM images showing a decrease in surface roughness of pcMDs in comparison to amorphous samples, which were deposited by direct current （dcMD）. Higher distortion of MnO6 octahedral environment of dcMD was detected by FTJR and Raman spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetric （CV） measurements showed a generally higher energy level drained from the second electron discharge of pcMD. This is mainly attributed to a higher surface area and a lower diffusion pass of electrons and protons arisen via a rather unique nanostructural arrangement of pcMD grains. Results indicate a higher surface area available for the non homogenous second electron discharge of pcMD grains.

Fabrication of Anti-reflecting Si Nano-structures with Low Aspect Ratio by Nano-sphere Lithography Technique

Nano-structured photon management is currently an interesting topic since it can enhance the optical absorption and reduce the surface reflection which will improve the performance of many kinds of optoelectronic devices, such as Si-based solar cells and light emitting diodes. Here, we report the fabrication of periodically nano-patterned Si structures by using polystyrene nano-sphere lithography technique. By changing the diameter of nano-spheres and the dry etching parameters, such as etching time and etching power, the morphologies of formed Si nano-structures can be well controlled as revealed by atomic force microscopy.A good broadband antireflection property has been achieved for the formed periodically nano-patterned Si structures though they have the low aspect ratio(<0.53). The reflection can be significantly reduced compared with that of flat Si substrate in a wavelength range from 400 nm to 1200 nm. The weighted mean reflection under the AM1.5 solar spectrum irradiation can be as low as 3.92% and the corresponding optical absorption is significantly improved, which indicates that the present Si periodic nano-structures can be used in Si-based thin film solar cells.

Microstructure and Properties of Gradient Cemented Carbide with Nano-TiN

Gradient cemented carbides with nano-TiN were prepared by the common powder metallurgical procedure. The formation of gradient zone and the microstructure, properties of the alloys were investigated using scanning electron microscope（SEM）, energy dispersive spectroscopy（EDS） and other performance testing apparatus. Moreover, the effect of nano-TiN on the gradient cemented carbide was studied. It is found that gradient zone width increases slightly with nano-TiN introduction. Both cobalt and titanium concentrations reach the maximum near the gradient border. Tungsten concentration shows fluctuation from the surface to the bulk. （Ti ,W）C phase grains are refined for nitrogen introduction. Core-rim structure has been observed under the SEM back-scattered mode. The core appears as dark due to more titanium in it and the rim with more tungsten appears as grey. In addition, the hardness and transverse rupture strength of gradient cemented carbide are enhanced with nano-TiN introduced.

Superhydrophobic surfaces via controlling the morphology of ZnO micro/nano complex structure

ZnO micro/nano complex structure films, including reticulate papillary nodes, petal-like and flake-hole, have been self-assembled by a hydrothermal technique at different temperatures without metal catalysts. The wettability of the above film surfaces was modified with a simple coating of heptadecafluorodecyltrimethoxy-silane in toluene. After modifying, the surface of ZnO film grown at 50℃ was converted from superhydrophilic with a water contact angle lower than 5° to superhydrophobic with a water contact angle of 165° Additionally, the surface of reticulate papillary nodes ZnO film grown at 100 ℃ had excellent superhydrophobicity, with a water contact angle of 173° and a sliding angle lower than 2° Furthermore, the water contact angle on the surface of petal-like and flake-hole ZnO films grown at 150℃ and 200℃ were found to be 140° and 120°, respectively. The wettability for the samples was found to depend strongly on the surface morphology which results from the growth temperature.

Preparation and Characterization of Nano-Structured SiO_(2) Thin Films on Carbon Steel

Nano-structured SiO2 thin films were prepared on the surface of carbon steel for the first time by LPD. The compositions of the films were analyzed by XPS, and the surface morphology of the thin films were observed by AFM. The thin films were constituted by compact particles of SiO2, and there was no Fe in the films. In the process of film forming, the SiO2 colloid particles were deposited or absorbed directly onto the surface of carbon steel substrates that were activated by acid solution containing inhibitor, and corrosion of the substrates was avoided. The nano-structured SiO2 thin films that were prepared had excellent protective efficiency to the carbon steel.

Effect of porous structure on mechanical properties of C/PLA/nano-HA composites scaffold

Nonporous and porous C/PLA/nano-HA composites were fabricated by the process of solvent blending and freeze-drying technique, and the effect of porous structure on the mechanical properties of C/PLA/nano-HA composites scaffold was investigated and analyzed. The results show that the effects of porous structure on the bending strength, modulus and curves of stress and strain were obvious. Compared with nonporous sample, the curves of stress and strain of porous sample show more rough, and alternative phenomenon of stress increase and stress relaxation appears. It is strongly suggested that the fracture model of C/PLA/nano-HA composites scaffold transforms from the local to global load due to the porous structure.

Structure Transition of Nanocrystalline Fe_2O_3

A structure transition of Fe2O3 nanocrystal was studied by using DTA and TG thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction method. We found that size increase of the nanocrystals is larger after the structure transition than that before the transition. It means that the structure transition is beneficial on growth of nanocrystals