PHASE INTERFACE SEGREGATION OF Mg IN A Ni-BASE SUPERALLOY IN100

The segregation of Mg to phase interfaces in a nickel base superalloy IN 100 has been investi- gated using EPT(Electron Microprobe Technique).AES(Auger Electron Spectroscopy) and EDS analyses on thin TEM film.The results show that Mg segregates to the phase inter- faces of MC/γ and γ′/γ.The segregation concentration and layer thickness of Mg on MC/γ phase interface are larger than that on γ′/γ phase interface.Mg is not only a grain boundary segregation element,but also a phase interface segregation one.

Design of phase interface and defect in niobium-nickel oxide for ultrafast Li-ion storage

Niobium pentoxide(Nb2O5)has attracted much attention in lithium batteries due to its advantages of high operating voltage,large theoretical capacity,environmental friendliness and cost-effectiveness.However,the intrinsic poor electrical conductivity,sluggish kinetics,and large volume changes hinder its electrochemical performance at high power density,making it away from the requirements for practical applications.In this research work,we regulate the electron transport of niobium-nickel oxide(NiNbO)anode material with enhanced structural stability at high power density by constructing the two-phase boundaries between niobium pentoxide(Nb2O5)and nickel niobate(NiNb2O6)through simple solid phase reaction.In addition,the presence of lattice defects in NiNbO-F further speeds up the transport of Li+and promotes the electrochemical reaction kinetics more effectively.The two-phase boundaries and defect modulated anode material displays high Li+diffusion coefficient of 1.63×10^(−10) cm^(2) s^(−1),pretty high initial discharge capacity of 222.8 mAh g^(−1) at 1 C,extraordinary high rate performance(66.7 mAh g^(−1))at an ultrahigh rate(100 C)and ultra-long cycling stability under high rate of 25 C(83.4 mAh g^(−1) after 2000 cycles)with only 0.016%attenuation per cycle.These results demonstrate an effective approach for developing electrode materials that greatly improve rate performance and durability.

Superior multiphase interfaces in AgCuTe-based composite with significantly enhanced thermoelectric properties

It is common sense that a phase interface(or grain boundary)could be used to scatter phonons in thermoelectric(TE)materials,resulting in low thermal conductivity(k).However,a large number of impurity phases are always so harmful to the transport of carriers that poor TE performance is obtained.Here,we demonstrate that numerous superior multiphase(AgCuTe,Ag_(−2)Te,copper telluride(Cu_(2)Te and Cu_(2−x)Te),and nickel telluride(NiTe))interfaces with simultaneous strong phonon scattering and weak electron scattering could be realized in AgCuTe-based TE materials.Owing to the similar chemical bonds in these phases,the depletion region at phase interfaces,which acts as carrier scattering centers,could be ignored.Therefore,the power factor(PF)is obviously enhanced from~609 to~832μW·m^(−1)·K^(−2),and k is simultaneously decreased from~0.52 to~0.43 W·m^(−1)·K^(−1) at 636 K.Finally,a peak figure of merit(zT)of~1.23 at 636 K and an average zT(zTavg)of~1.12 in the temperature range of 523–623 K are achieved,which are one of the best values among the AgCuTe-based TE materials.This study could provide new guidance to enhance the performance by designing superior multiphase interfaces in the TE materials.

Customizing the microenvironment of CO_(2) electrocatalysis via three‐phase interface engineering

Converting CO_(2) into high‐value fuels and chemicals by renewable‐electricitypowered electrochemical CO_(2) reduction reaction(CRR)is a viable approach toward carbon‐emissions‐neutral processes.Unlike the thermocatalytic hydrogenation of CO_(2) at the solid‐gas interface,the CRR takes place at the three‐phase gas/solid/liquid interface near the electrode surface in aqueous solution,which leads to major challenges including the limited mass diffusion of CO_(2) reactant,competitive hydrogen evolution reaction,and poor product selectivity.Here we critically examine the various methods of surface and interface engineering of the electrocatalysts to optimize the microenvironment for CRR,which can address the above issues.The effective modification strategies for the gas transport,electrolyte composition,controlling intermediate states,and catalyst engineering are discussed.The key emphasis is made on the diverse atomic‐precision modifications to increase the local CO_(2) concentration,lower the energy barriers for CO_(2) activation,decrease the H2O coverage,and stabilize intermediates to effectively control the catalytic activity and selectivity.The perspectives on the challenges and outlook for the future applications of three‐phase interface engineering for CRR and other gasinvolving electrocatalytic reactions conclude the article.

In-situ electro-deposition synthesis of MnO_(x)-NiCo_(2)O_(4) monolithic catalyst with rich phase interfaces

A hierarchically structured MnO_(x)-NiCo_(2)O_(4) monolithic catalyst with rich phase interfaces was designed by a simple,eco-friendly and time-saving in-situ electro-deposition method.The abundance of active oxygen species due to this rich phase interfaces contributed to the excellent benzene combustion performance of MnO_(x)-NiCo_(2)O_(4)-2:2 sample,oxidizing about 90% of benzene(T_(90)) at 198℃ under 12000 h^(-1) gaseous hourly space velocity.This work shed new light on the design of excellent monolithic catalysts,which might pave the way for the industrialization of benzene combustion.

Effects of additives on the phase transformation, occurrence state, and the interface of the Ti component in Ti-bearing blast furnace slag

The influences of additives on the phase transformation, occurrence state, and the interface of the Ti component in Ti-bearing blast furnace slag were investigated. After oxidation, most of the Ti component in the slag was enriched into the perovskite phase, which served as the Ti-rich phase during the crystallization process. The phase transformation, occurrence state, and the interface of the Ti component were observed to be affected by the addition of different types of agents. During the oxidation process, titanaugite and Ti-rich diopside phases gradually transformed into non-Ti phases（anorthite： CaMgSi2O6 and CaAl2Si2O8） in the form of dendrites or columns, which were observed to be distributed at the surface of the perovskite phase. Several more cracks appeared along the grain boundaries of the perovskite phase after the addition of P2O5, facilitating the liberation of the perovskite phase. Composite additives combining both an acid and a base, such as CaO ＋ CaF2 or P2O5 ＋ CaF2, were used. We observed that the disadvantages of using single additives were successfully overcome.

INVESTIGATION ON 1/3[111] FRANK LEDGE DISLOCATIONS ATα_2/γINTERFACE IN HOT-DEFORMED Ti-45Al-10Nb ALLOY

The dislocation ledges at the α2/7 intedece in a hot-dejormed Ti-45Al-10N alloywere analyzed by high-resolution tmnsmission electron microscopy. A new type ofdislocation ledge containing 1/3[111] Frank partial was found. The height of the ledgestDas always three [111]γplanes. The Burpers vectore of these diBlocation ledges weredetermined to be 1/2[110] and 1/2<101] corresponding to the 90 dey. and 30 deg.Shockley partials at noral ledges, i.e. 90 dep. ShockIey Partial dislocation +1/3[111]Frank partial dislocation; and 30 deg. Shockley partial dislocation + 1/3[111] Frankparfial dislocations. The jormation mechanism of this new tare of dislocation ledgewas discussed.

BRIDGE-TOUGHENING ANALYSIS OF THE FIBER REINFORCED COMPOSITE CONTAINING INTERPHASE EFFECT

A detailed fracture mechanics analysis of bridge-toughening in a fiber reinforced composite is presented in this paper. The integral equation governing bridge-toughening as well as crack opening displacement (COD) for the composite with interfacial layer is derived from the Castigliano's theorem and interface shear-lag model. A numerical result of the COD equation is obtained using the iteration solution of the second Fredholm integral equation. In order to investigate the effect of various parameters on the toughening, an approximate analytical solution of the equation is present and its error analysis is performed, which demonstrates the approximate solution to be appropriate. A parametric study of the influence of the crack length, interfacial shear modules, thickness of the interphase, fiber radius, fiber volume fraction and properties of materials on composite toughening is therefore carried out. The results are useful for experimental demonstration and toughening design including the fabrication process of the composite.

Influence of α/β interface phase on the tensile properties of laser cladding deposited Ti–6Al–4V titanium alloy

Laser cladding deposited Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy universally shows more complex microstructures,each of which has significant effect on mechanical properties. Of particular α/β interface phase has been observed in this paper under certain conditions. It demonstrates that the influence of the α/β interface phase on the tensile properties is closely associated with dislocations and twin substructure through comparison experiments. The results show that the α/β interface phase hinders dislocation motion and decreases effective slip length. In addition, the twin substructure has been activated in the α/β interface phase during tensile process and has acted somehow like grain boundaries. Therefore, the strength and the work-hardening rate of the laser cladding deposited Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy have been significantly improved due to the dynamic Hall-Petch effect. Besides, the α/β interface phase leads to more uniform dislocations distribution, which implies that relative lower local concentrated stress will be produced along the α/β interface phase or colony boundary after the same amount of plastic deformation. Moreover,the twinning-induced plasticity effects in the α/β interface phase further increase the plastic deformation capacity. These results in higher elongation for the laser cladding deposited Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy.It can be concluded that the current work suggests an effective method to simultaneously improve the strength and plasticity of laser cladding deposited Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy based on the α/β interface phase.

PRECIPITATION OF TiC IN METASTABLE β-Ti ALLOY

In order to clarify that the IFP and the “Type 2”α phase are also arising from TiC,a metastable β-Ti alloy was selected for investigation in this work.The results showed that af- ter heating the alloy just below the α+β→β transus temperature and quenching,the TiC lay- er existed at the α/β interface.The morphology of TiC is similar to that of the IFP arising from TiH_2 in the α-β two-phase alloys.The IFP TiC also provided an easy crack path or the crack initiation sites.The fracture is also identical to that caused by IFP TiH_2.The arced diffractions(characteristic of “Type 2”α)were found in the selected area diffraction pat- terns of some specimens which had been isothermally aged after solid solution treatment.The particles which bring on the arced diffractions may be TiC on the basis of structure and lat- tice parameter analysis,not the so called “Type 2”α phase.

Propagation of a filamentary femtosecond laser beam with high intensities at an air-solid interface

The propagation of a filamentary laser beam at an air-glass surface is studied by setting the incident angle sat- isfying the total reflection condition. The images of the trajectory of the filamentary laser beam inside the sample and the output far-field spatial profiles are measured with varying incident laser pulse energies. Different from the general total reflection, a transmitted laser beam is detected along the propagation direction of the incident laser beam. The energy ratio of the transmitted laser beam depends on the pulse energies of the incident laser beam. The background energy reservoir surrounding the filament core can break the law of total reflection at the air-glass surface, resulting in the regeneration of the transmitted laser beam.

Micromechanical Behavior and Failure Mechanism of F / B Multi-phase High Performance Steel

The deformation and micro-voids formation mechanisms in ferrite / bainite（ F / B） multi-phase steel with the volume fraction of bainite less than 50% were studied by numerical simulation and experimental observation. The results show that the micro-strain concentrates at the soft / hard phase（ F / B） interface in the multi-phase steel,which should be correlated with the mechanism of incoordinate deformation. During the necking of the steel,the micro-voids initially form around the F / B interface,which also form in ferrite and bainite with the severe strain. The micro-voids in bainite are more dense and finer than those in ferrite. The failure mechanism of bainite is the coalescence of micro-voids,and the failure mechanism of ferrite is the growth and tearing of micro-voids. Due to the different failure mechanisms of ferrite and bainite,a suitable part of soft phase would be beneficial to the capability of anti-failure of F / B multi-phase steel during the ductile fracture.

Toward developing Ti alloys with high fatigue crack growth resistance by additive manufacturing

Fatigue crack growth behaviors were investigated by three-point bending tests for TA19 alloy fabricated by laser metal deposition and four kinds of heat-treated samples.The crack growth resistance of the TA19 samples in the near-threshold regime and Paris regime was evaluated through the experimental characterization and theoretical analysis of the interaction between fatigue crack andα/βphase inter-face,columnar prior-βgrain boundary and colony boundary.The results show that in the near-threshold regime,the fatigue crack propagation threshold and resistance increase with the increase of widths of lamellarαp phases and colonies,and the decrease of the number ofαlaths with an angle(ϕ)relative to the applied stress direction ranging from 75°to 90°.In the Paris regime,the fatigue cracking path can be deflected at colony boundaries or columnar prior-βgrain boundaries.The larger the deflection angle,the more tortuous the cracking path and the lower the fatigue crack growth rate.The angle(γ)of the columnar prior-βgrain growth direction relative to the build direction affects not onlyϕof differentαvariants,but also the fatigue cracking path deflection angle(θij)at columnar prior-βgrain boundaries.An optimal combination ofγ=0°-15°-0°-15°for several adjacent columnar prior-βgrains is derived from the theoretical analysis,and that can effectively avoidϕbeing in the range from 75°to 90°and makeθij as large as possible.Such findings provide a guide for the selection of scanning strategies and process parameters to additively manufacture Ti alloys with high fatigue damage tolerance.

Microstructure and secondary phases in epitaxial LaBaCo_2O_(5.5 + δ) thin films

Aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy was employed to investigate the microstructures and secondary phases in LaBaCo2O5.5＋δ（LBCO） thin films grown on SrTiO3 （STO） substrates. The as-grown films showed an epitaxial growth on the substrates with atomically sharp interfaces and orientation relationships of [100]LBCO//[100]STO and （001）LBCO//（001）STO. Secondary phases were observed in the films, which strongly depended on the sample fabrication conditions. In the film prepared at a temperature of 900 ℃, nano-scale CoO pillars nucleated on the substrate, and grew along the [001] direction of the film. In the film grown at a temperature of 1000 ℃, isolated nano-scale C0304 particles appeared, which promoted the growth of {111 } twinning structures in the film. The orientation relationships and the interfaces between the secondary phases and the films were illustrated, and the growth mechanism of the film was discussed.

Bridgman growth of LiYF_4 single crystal in nonvacuum atmosphere

Using LiF and YF3 as starting materials,we prepare feed material from fluorides according to the molar ratio of LiF：YF3=51.5：48.5.The anhydrous LiYF4 polycrystalline material is synthesized via the fluoridation process with a dried HF flow at elevated temperature.By charging the feed material and adding a small amount of active carbon powder in a sealed platinum crucible,the crystal can be grown via the vertical Bridgman method in a nonvacuum atmosphere.This is possible because the oxidization and volatilization of the melt is avoided.Using optimum conditions,that is,a growth rate of 0.5-0.6 mm/h and a temperature gradient of 25-30℃/cm across the solid-liquid interface under a furnace temperature of 920-930℃,the colorless crystal LiYF 4 with the size of φ25 × 50 （mm） is successfully grown.The optical transmittance of the crystal is as high as 85% above the absorption edge at 190 nm.The induced absorption bands are observed below 700 nm in the transmission spectrum after the crystal is subjected to a high dose of γ-ray irradiation.

Light propagation and reflection-refraction event in absorbing media

The light propagation within an absorbing medium and the reflection and refraction at the interface of two absorbing media are studied. By using the unit vectors denoting the planes of constant field amplitude and constant phase respectively, the light propagation and attenuation are described by the effective refractive indices which depend on both the complex refractive index of the medium and the angle between the unit vectors. With the expression for the light propagation, the corresponding Snell＇s law and the expression of Fresnel coefficients are obtained, which can be applied to describe the reflection-refraction event at the interface between an arbitrary combination of transparent and absorbing media.

Water-in-Water Emulsions,Ultralow Interfacial Tension,and Biolubrication

A water-in-water(W/W)emulsion consists of droplets formed by the spontaneous liquid-liquid separation of two immiscible aqueous phases.The inherent properties of the W/W interfaces,low or ultralowinterfacial tension(γ_(W/W)=1-1000μN/m)and a large thickness of several nanometers,beget the poor inherent stability of emulsions.Herein,we report a nanofibril emulsifier having Schiff base reactivity to generate a W/W emulsion.The W/W emulsion has superior stability(stable>6 months)because collagen nanofibrils,acting as a stabilizer of W/W emulsions,can simultaneously satisfy the requirements of sizeandoverall coverage ratio of the phase interfaces.W/Wemulsions having γ_(W/W)∼10μN/m were used as synthetic synovial fluids,showing superior lubrication performance with a coefficient of friction in the range of 0.003-0.011,which has been demonstrated to be suitable for joint lubrication.An intraarticular injection assessment further confirmed this protective effect on articular cartilage in vivo.Our study reveals the mechanism of emulsion stabilization and opens up the possibility of osteoarthritis(OA)treatment using the biolubrication effects of W/W emulsions for lubricated artificial implant surfaces.

An amorphous carbon-graphite composite cathode for long cycle life rechargeable aluminum ion batteries

Natural graphite is investigated as the cathode for aluminum ion batteries in recent years. However, some drawbacks of the natural graphite such as severe volume swelling shorten its lifetime, In this work, we prepared a composite material by depositing an amorphous carbon on the graphite paper, The composite was used as a cathode to study the electrochemical performance in aluminum ion batteries. The charge/discharge results showed that the composite could exhibit a longer cycle life than the graphite paper, Electrochemical analyses demonstrated that the interface between the amorphous carbon and the graphite paper made a major contribution to the improvement of the cycling stability.