A New Type of Multielements-Doped,Carbon-based Materials Characterized by High-thermoconductiv-ity,Low Chemical Sputtering,Low RES Yield and Exposure to Plasma

Low-Z materials, such as carbon-based materials and Be, are major plasma-facing material (PFM) for current, even in future fusion devices. In this paper, a new type of multielement-doped carbon-based materials developed are presented along with experimental re-sults of their properties. The results indicate a decrease in chemical sputtering yield by one order of magnitude, a decrease in both thermal shock resistance and radiation-enhanced sublimation, an evidently lower temperature desorption spectrum, and combined properties of exposing to plasma.

Physical and Thermo-Mechanical Properties of Composite Materials Based on Raw Earth and Crushed Palm Leaf Fibers (Borassus aethiopum)

The objective of this study is to seek solutions to reduce the impact of buildings on climate change and to promote the use of local bio-sourced or geo-sourced materials for sustainable construction. Different samples of raw earth from 3 sites were taken in the commune of Mlomp. Geotechnical tests showed that the raw earth samples from sites 2 and 3 have more clay fraction while site 1 contains more sand. The fact of integrating fibers from crushed palm leaves (Borassus aethiopum) (2%, 4% and 6%) into the 3 raw earth samples reduced the mechanical resistance to compression and traction of the 3 raw earths. The experimental results of thermal tests on samples of earth mixtures with crushed Palma leaf fibers show a decrease in thermal conductivity as well as thermal effusivity as the percentages increase (2%, 4% and 6%) of fibers in raw earth for the 3 sites. This shows that this renewable composite material can help improve the thermal insulation of building envelopes.

The establishment of Boron nitride@sodium alginate foam/polyethyleneglycol composite phase change materials with high thermal conductivity, shape stability, and reusability

Adopting organic phase change materials(PCMs) for the management of electronic devices is restricted by low thermal conductivity. In this paper, the composite PCMs are established by freeze-drying and vacuum impregnation. Herein, polyethylene glycol(PEG) is induced as heat storage materials, boron nitride(BN) is embedded as filler stacking in an orderly fashion on the foam walls to improve thermal conductivity and sodium alginate(SA) is formed as supporting material to keep the shape of the composite stable. X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometer, thermal gravimetric analysis, thermal conductivity meter, differential scanning calorimeter, and Fourier transform infrared were used to characterize the samples and thermal cycles were employed to measure the shape stability. The results exhibit the BN@SA/PEG composite PCMs have good chemical compatibility, stable morphology, and thermal stability. Due to the high porosity of foam, PEG endows the composite PCMs with high latent heat(149.11 and 141.59 J·g^(-1)). Simultaneously, BN@SA/PEG shows an excellent heat performance with high thermal conductivity(0.99 W·m^(-1)·K^(-1)), reusability, and shape stability, contributing the composite PCMs to application in the energy storage field. This study provides a strategy to manufacture flexible, long-serving, and shape-stable PCMs via introducing BN@SA foam as a storage framework, and these PCMs have great potential in thermal management in the electronic field.

Photo-rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors:Critical roles of carbon-based functional materials

As a clean and renewable energy source,solar energy is a competitive alternative to replace conventional fossil fuels.Nevertheless,its serious fluctuating nature usually leads to a poor alignment with the actual energy demand.To solve this problem,the direct solar-to-electrochemical energy conversion and storage have been regarded as a feasible strategy.In this context,the development of high-performance integrated devices based on solar energy conversion parts(i.e.,solar cells or photoelectrodes)and electrochemical energy storage units(i.e.,rechargeable batteries or supercapacitors[SCs])has become increasingly necessary and urgent,in which carbon and carbon-based functional materials play a fundamental role in determining their energy conversion/storage performances.Herein,we summarize the latest progress on these integrated devices for solar electricity energy conversion and storage,with special emphasis on the critical role of carbon-based functional materials.First,principles of integrated devices are introduced,especially roles of carbon-based materials in these hybrid energy devices.Then,two major types of important integrated devices,including photovoltaic and photoelectrochemicalrechargeable batteries or SCs,are discussed in detail.Finally,key challenges and opportunities in the future development are also discussed.By this review,we hope to pave an avenue toward the development of stable and efficient devices for solar energy conversion and storage.

Specializing liquid electrolytes and carbon-based materials in EDLCs for low-temperature applications

Electric double-layer capacitors(EDLCs) are emerging technologies to meet the ever-increasing demand for sustainable energy storage devices and systems in the 21 st Century owing to their advantages such as long lifetime, fast charging speed and environmentally-friendly nature, which play a critical part in satisfying the demand of electronic devices and systems. Although it is generally accepted that EDLCs are suitable for working at low temperatures down to-40℃, there is a lack of comprehensive review to summarize the quantified performance of EDLCs when they are subjected to low-temperature environments. The rapid and growing demand for high-performance EDLCs for auxiliary power systems in the aeronautic and aerospace industries has triggered the urge to extend their operating temperature range,especially at temperatures below-40℃. This article presents an overview of EDLC’s performance and their challenges at extremely low temperatures including the capability of storing a considerable amount of electrical energy and maintaining long-term stability. The selection of electrolytes and electrode materials is crucial to the performance of EDLCs operating at a desired low-temperature range. Strategies to improve EDLC’s performance at extremely low temperatures are discussed, followed by the future perspectives to motivate more future studies to be conducted in this area.

Enhancing the cycling stability of Na-ion batteries by bonding MoS2 on assembled carbon-based materials

Room temperature Na-ion batteries(SIBs) show great potential for use as renewable energy storage systems.However, the large-scale application of SIBs has been hindered by the lack of an ideal SIBs anode material. We synthesized MoS2 on carbonized graphene-chitosan(G-C) using the hydrothermal method. The strong interaction between the MoS2 and the G-C greatly improved the electron transport rate and maintained the structural stability of the electrode, which lead to both an excellent rate capability and long cycle stability. The G-C monolith was proven to enhance the electrical conductivity of the composites and served as a matrix for uniformly dispersing active MoS2 nanosheets(NSs), as well as being a buffer material to adapt to changes in volume during the cycle.Serving as an anode material for SIBs, the MoS2-G-C electrode showed good cycling stability(527.3mAh g-1 at100 m A g-1 after 200 cycles), excellent rate capability, and a long cycle life(439.1 m Ah g-1 at 1 A g-1 after 200 cycles).

Second-order two-scale computations for conductive radiative heat transfer problem in periodic porous materials

In this paper, a kind of second-order two-scale （SOTS） computation is developed for conductive-radiative heat trans- fer problem in periodic porous materials. First of all, by the asymptotic expansion of the temperature field, the cell problem, homogenization problem, and second-order correctors are obtained successively. Then, the corresponding finite element al- gorithms are proposed. Finally, some numerical results are presented and compared with theoretical results. The numerical results of the proposed algorithm conform with those of the FE algorithm well, demonstrating the accuracy of the present method and its potential applications in thermal engineering of porous materials.

Adsorption and Adsorption-Photocatalytic Degradation of VOCs Based on Carbon Materials

Adsorption and the combination of adsorption and photocatalysis are prospective strategies for treating lowconcentrationvolatile organic compounds (VOCs). Behind the adsorption technology of VOC treatments are carbon-basedmaterials with large surface areas and high VOC uptake. This review summarizes the research progress in carbon-basedadsorbents and adsorbent-photocatalysts for VOC removal. Firstly, the VOC adsorption performances of various carbonmaterials, including activated carbon, activated carbon fiber, biochar, graphene and its derivatives, and carbon nanotubes,are summarized, and the adsorption mechanism of VOCs on carbon materials is analyzed. Then, the VOC adsorptionphotocatalyticproperties of composites comprised of different carbon materials and photocatalysts are presented. Finally,perspectives on the adsorption and adsorption-photocatalysis of VOCs via carbon materials are proposed. This reviewprovides an optimal reference for the research and development of adsorbents and adsorption-photocatalysts of VOCs.

Carbon-based materials with combined functions of thermal management and electromagnetic protection: Preparation, mechanisms, properties, and applications

The proliferation of high-power,highly informationized,and highly integrated electronic devices and weapons equipment has given rise to increasingly conspicuous issues about electromagnetic(EM)pollution and thermal accumulation.These issues,in turn,impose constraints on the performance of such equipment and jeopardize personnel safety.Carbon materials,owing to their diverse and modifiable structures,offer adjustable thermal and electric conductivity,rendering them highly promising for applications in fields such as thermal management and EM protection which have garnered extensive research and review.The pursuit of integrated device and equipment development has elevated the demand for multifunctional materials,prompting significant research into carbon-based composite materials that include both thermal management and EM protection functionalities.Notably,there are no relevant reviews on this topic at present.Consequently,this work consolidates research findings from recent years on carbon matrix composites exhibiting dual attributes of thermal management and EM protection.These attributes include thermally conductive electromagnetic interference(EMI)shielding materials,thermally insulating EMI shielding materials,thermally conductive EM wave(EMW)absorbing materials,and thermally insulating EMW absorbing materials.The paper elucidates the fundamental principles underpinning thermal conduction,thermal insulation,EMW absorbing,and EMI shielding.Additionally,it engages in discussions surrounding areas of contention,design strategies,and the functional properties of various material designs.Ultimately,the paper concludes by presenting the challenges encountered and potential research strategies about composites endowed with both thermal management and EM protection functionalities,while also envisaging the development of novel multifunctional EM protection materials.

Impact of Morphology of Conductive Agent and Anode Material on Lithium Storage Properties

In this study,the impact of morphology of conductive agent and anode material(Fe3O4)on lithium storage properties was throughly investigated.Granular and belt-like Fe3O4active materials were separately blended with two kinds of conductive agents(i.e.,granular acetylene black and multi-walled carbon nanotube)as anodes in lithium-ion batteries(LIBs),respectively.It was found that the morphology of conductive agent is of utmost importance in determining LIBs storage properties.In contrast,not as the way we anticipated,the morphology of anode material merely plays a subordinate role in their electrochemical performances.Further,the morphology-matching principle of electrode materials was discussed so as to render their utilization more rational and effective in LIBs.

Porous carbon-based thermally conductive materials:Fabrication,functions and applications

The demand for electronic devices has dramatically increased in the past few years.Efficient electronic devices require excellent thermal management systems to extend their operation time and prevent heat accumulation from affecting performance.Carbonaceous materials are considered as one of the ideal thermal management materials due to their excellent physiochemical stability.In addition,since porous-structured carbon materials typically exhibit outstanding thermal conductivity,low density,and large contact area,they have attracted considerable attention from both academia and industry in the last decades.In this review,methods and strategies for the preparation of highly thermally conductive porous carbon-based materials and the factors that influence their thermal conductivity of the materials are summarized.The thermal performance of porous carbonaceous materials fabricated by different approaches and their applications are also discussed.Finally,the potential challenges and strategies for the development and applications of highly thermally conductive porous carbona-ceous materials are discussed.

Prediction of the thermal conductivity of Mg–Al–La alloys by CALPHAD method

Mg-Al alloys have excellent strength and ductility but relatively low thermal conductivity due to Al addition.The accurate prediction of thermal conductivity is a prerequisite for designing Mg-Al alloys with high thermal conductivity.Thus,databases for predicting temperature-and composition-dependent thermal conductivities must be established.In this study,Mg-Al-La alloys with different contents of Al2La,Al3La,and Al11La3phases and solid solubility of Al in the α-Mg phase were designed.The influence of the second phase(s) and Al solid solubility on thermal conductivity was investigated.Experimental results revealed a second phase transformation from Al_(2)La to Al_(3)La and further to Al_(11)La_(3)with the increasing Al content at a constant La amount.The degree of the negative effect of the second phase(s) on thermal diffusivity followed the sequence of Al2La>Al3La>Al_(11)La_(3).Compared with the second phase,an increase in the solid solubility of Al in α-Mg remarkably reduced the thermal conductivity.On the basis of the experimental data,a database of the reciprocal thermal diffusivity of the Mg-Al-La system was established by calculation of the phase diagram (CALPHAD)method.With a standard error of±1.2 W/(m·K),the predicted results were in good agreement with the experimental data.The established database can be used to design Mg-Al alloys with high thermal conductivity and provide valuable guidance for expanding their application prospects.

Recent Advances in Carbon-Based Current Col lectors/Hosts for Alkali Metal Anodes

The urgent demand for high-energy-density storage systems evokes the research upsurge on the alkali metal batteries with high theoretical capacities.However,the utilization of alkali metal anodes,including Li,Na,and K,is significantly hindered by notorious dendrite growth,undesirable corrosion,and unstable solid electrolyte interface.In order to resolve these issues,the carbon materials for the rational design of current collector/host that can regulate the plating/stripping behavior of alkali metal have been exploited.These carbon-based current collectors/hosts are featured with many pivotal advantages,including mechanical integrity to accommodate the volume change,superior electronic/ionic conductivity,large available surface area,and rich functionalization chemistries to increase the affinity to alkali metal.In this review,the recent progress on various dimensional carbon-based current collectors/hosts with different chemical components in stabilizing the alkali metal anodes through the regulation of initial deposition and subsequent growth behavior during plating/stripping process is provided.The nanostructured carbon scaffolds with self-affinity to alkali metals,as well as the carbon frameworks with internal/external affinitive sites to alkali metals,catalogued by various dimensions,are discussed in this review.Therefore,these appealing strategies based on the carbon-based current collectors/hosts can provide a paradigm for the realization of high-energy-density alkali metal batteries.

Thermal transport in semiconductor nanostructures, graphene,and related two-dimensional materials

We review experimental and theoretical results on thermal transport in semiconductor nanostructures（multilayer thin films, core/shell and segmented nanowires）, single-and few-layer graphene, hexagonal boron nitride, molybdenum disulfide, and black phosphorus. Different possibilities of phonon engineering for optimization of electrical and heat conductions are discussed. The role of the phonon energy spectra modification on the thermal conductivity in semiconductor nanostructures is revealed. The dependence of thermal conductivity in graphene and related two-dimensional（2 D） materials on temperature, flake size, defect concentration, edge roughness, and strain is analyzed.

Unsteady Heat Transfer in Bilayer,and Three-Layer Materials

The heat transfer equation is used to determine the heat flow by conduction through a composite material along the real axis.An analytical dimensionless analysis is implemented in the framework of a separation of variables method(SVM).This approach leads to an Eigenvalues problem that is solved by the Newton’s method.Two types of dynamics are found:An unsteady condition(in the form of jumps or drops in temperatures depending on the considered case),and a permanent equilibrium(tending to the ambient temperature).The validity and effectiveness of the proposed approach for any number of adjacent layers is also discussed.It is shown that,as expected,the diffusion of the temperature is linked to the ratio of the thermo-physical properties of the considered layers and their number.

THERMAL-CONDUCTIVITY MEASUREMENTS FOR FILLING MATERIALS FOR SLIDING GATES AND THEIR EFFECTS ON FREE- TAPPING PERFORMANCE OF STEEL LADLE

The thermal conductivities of different typical species filling materials for sliding gate systems for steel ladles were measured using a hot wire technique, and the relationships between thermal conductivity and temperature were regressed. The factors affecting thermal conductivity were analyzed by using variance analysis for a perpendicular experiment. The effects of thermal conductivity on sliding gate free tapping were studied, and it was revealed that decreasing the thermal conductivity of the filling materials is beneficial in enhancing the rate of free tapping for sliding gates.

A THEORY OF EFFECTIVE THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY FOR MATRIX-INCLUSION-MICROCRACK THREE-PHASE HETEROGENEOUS MATERIALS BASED ON MICROMECHANICS

The effective thermal conductivity of matrix-inclusion-microcrack three-phase heterogeneous materials is investigated with a self-consistent micromechanical method (SCM) and a random microstructure finite element method(RMFEM). In the SCM, microcracks are assumed to be randomly distributed and penny-shaped and inclusions to be spherical, the crack effect is accounted for by introducing a crack density parameter, the effective thermal conductivity is derived which relates the macroscopic behavior to the crack density parameter. In the RMFEM, the highly irregular microstructure of the heterogeneous media is accurately described, the interaction among the matrix-inclusion-microcracks is exactly treated, the inclusion shape effect and crack size effect are considered. A Ni/ZrO2 particulate composite material containing randomly distributed, penny-shaped cracks is examined as an example. The main results obtained are: (1) the effective thermal conductivity is sensitive to the crack density and exhibits essentially a linear relationship with the density parameter: (2) the inclusion shape has a significant effect on the effective thermal conductivity and a polygon-shaped inclusion is more effective in increasing or decreasing the effective thermal conductivity than a sphere-shaped one; and (3) the SCM and RMFEM are compared and the two methods give the same effective property in the case in which the matrix thermal conductivity A, is greater than the inclusion one lambda(2). In the inverse case of lambda(1) < lambda(2), the two methods as the as the inclusion volume fraction and crack density are low and differ as they are high. A reasonable explanation for the agreement and deviation between the two methods in the case of lambda(1) < lambda(2) is made.

Hybrid graded element model for transient heat conduction in functionally graded materials

This paper presents a hybrid graded element model for the transient heat conduction problem in functionally graded materials （FGMs）. First, a Laplace transform approach is used to handle the time variable. Then, a fundamental solution in Laplace space for FGMs is constructed. Next, a hybrid graded element is formulated based on the obtained fundamental solution and a frame field. As a result, the graded properties of FGMs are naturally reflected by using the fundamental solution to interpolate the intra-element field. Further, Stefest＇s algorithm is employed to convert the results in Laplace space back into the time-space domain. Finally, the performance of the proposed method is assessed by several benchmark examples. The results demonstrate well the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method.

Plasma-assisted ammonia synthesis in a packed-bed dielectric barrier discharge reactor:roles of dielectric constant and thermal conductivity of packing materials

In this article,plasma-assisted NH;synthesis directly from N;and H;over packing materials with different dielectric constants(BaTiO_(2),TiO_(2) and SiO_(2))and thermal conductivities(Be O,Al N and Al_(2)O_(2))at room temperature and atmospheric pressure is reported.The higher dielectric constant and thermal conductivity of packing material are found to be the key parameters in enhancing the NH;synthesis performance.The NH;concentration of 1344 ppm is achieved in the presence of BaTiO_(2),which is 106%higher than that of SiO_(2),at the specific input energy(SIE)of 5.4 k J·l^(-1).The presence of materials with higher dielectric constant,i.e.BaTiO_(2) and TiO_(2)in this work,would contribute to the increase of electron energy and energy injected to plasma,which is conductive to the generation of chemically active species by electron-impact reactions.Therefore,the employment of packing materials with higher dielectric constant has proved to be beneficial for NH;synthesis.Compared to that of Al_(2)O_(3),the presence of Be O and Al N yields 31.0%and 16.9%improvement in NH;concentration,respectively,at the SIE of5.4 k J·l^(-1).The results of IR imaging show that the addition of Be O decreases the surface temperature of the packed region by 20.5%to 70.3℃ and results in an extension of entropy increment compared to that of Al_(2)O_(3),at the SIE of 5.4 k J·l^(-1).The results indicate that the presence of materials with higher thermal conductivity is beneficial for NH;synthesis,which has been confirmed by the lower surface temperature and higher entropy increment of the packed region.In addition,when SIE is higher than the optimal value,further increasing SIE would lead to the decrease of energy efficiency,which would be related to the exacerbation in reverse reaction of NH;formation reactions.