Green Microstructural Visualization of Dry-Pressed Spray-Dried Alumina (Al₂O₃)

Slurry parameters were controlled prior to spray-drying to visualize and govern an understanding of which parameters govern hollow coring and granule morphology during spray-drying. An aqueous alumina using a polyvinyl alcohol binder (PVA) system was analyzed and granules were processed by altering the slurry specific gravity and viscosity value prior to spray-drying. Spray-dried granules were uniaxial dry-pressed at varying moisture contents to show the plasticizing effects of moisture during compaction. A novel characterization method using a field emission electron microscope (FESEM) was implemented to image the green microstructures of the granules and compacted samples. Slurries with a higher specific gravity and viscosity resulted in denser granules with spherical shapes. Viscosity affected the binder segregation during the spray-drying process. Granules stored at higher moisture contents resulted in denser compacts with fewer intergranular pores and cracks along granule boundaries. Using a FESEM resulted in higher resolution for green microstructural characterization.

Nano-alumina@cellulose-coated separators with the reinforcedconcrete-like structure for high-safety lithium-ion batteries

Separators play a critical role in the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries.However,commercial polyolefin separators are limited by their poor affinity with electrolytes and low melting points.In this work,we constructed a reinforced-concrete-like structure by homogeneously dispersing nano-Al_(2)O_(3) and cellulose on the separators to improve their stability and performance.In this reinforcedconcrete-like structure,the cellulose is a reinforcing mesh,and the nano-Al_(2)O_(3) acts as concrete to support the separator.After constructing the reinforced-concrete-like structure,the separators exhibit good stability even at 200℃(thermal shrinkage of 0.3%),enhanced tensile strain(tensile stress of 133.4 MPa and tensile strains of 62%),and better electrolyte wettability(a contact angle of 6.5°).Combining these advantages,the cells with nano-Al_(2)O_(3)@cellulose-coated separators exhibit stable cycling performance and good rate performance.Therefore,the construction of the reinforced-concretelike structure is a promising technology to promote the application of lithium-ion batteries in extreme environments.

Combined Promoting Effects of Specific Organic Functional Groups and Alumina Surface Characteristics for the Design of a Highly Efficient NiMo/Al_(2)O_(3) Hydrodesulfurization Catalyst

To prepare a highly efficient NiMo/Al_(2)O_(3) hydrodesulfurization catalyst,the combined effects of specific organic functional groups and alumina surface characteristics were investigated.First,the correlation between the surface characteristics of four different alumina and the existing Mo species states was established.It was found that the Mo equilibrium adsorption capacity can be used as a specific descriptor to quantitatively evaluate the changes in surface characteristics of different alumina.A lower Mo equilibrium adsorption capacity for alumina means weaker metal-support interaction and the loaded Mo species are easier to transform into MoS2.However,the Mo-O-Al bonds still exist at the metal-support interface.The introduction of cationic surfactant hecadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide(CTAB)can further improve Mo species dispersion through electrostatic attraction with Mo anions and interaction of its alkyl chain with the alumina surface;meanwhile,the introduction of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid(EDTA)can complex with Ni ions to enhance the Ni-promoting effect on Mo.Therefore,the NiMo catalyst designed using alumina with lower Mo equilibrium adsorption capacity and the simultaneous addition of EDTA and CTAB exhibits the highest hydrodesulfurization activity for 4,6-dimethyl dibenzothiophene because of its proper metal-support interaction and more well-dispersed Ni-Mo-S active phases.

Effects of Different Raw Materials and Additions on Wave Transparency of Alumina Fiber Products

Fiber products for microwave kilns were prepared using alumina fibers with alumina contents of 72 mass%and 80 mass%,and calcined alumina powder(4-6μm)as the main raw materials,silica sol as the binder,and cationic starch as the flocculant.Effects of different raw materials and their additions on the wave transparency of fiber products were researched.The results show that as the alumina fiber(72%)addition increases,the heating rate of the samples first decreases and then increases,and the corresponding wave transparency of the sample first increases and then decreases.When the alumina fibers addition is 40 mass%and the alumina powder addition is 30 mass%,the prepared microwave kiln lining material has a higher mullite content,which improves the wave transparency of the sample.The sample prepared from alumina fibers with an alumina content of 80%has a suitable glass-mullite phase ratio,performs lower overall dielectric constant and good wave transparency,and is a suitable lining material for microwave kilns.

Aluminum and Activated Alumina Powder Additions on Microwave Synthesis of Al_(4)SiC_(4)

Aiming at improving the properties of magnesia carbon materials,silicon aluminum carbide(Al_(4)SiC_(4))containing materials were prepared using industrial aluminum powder,silicon carbide powder,and graphite as raw materials,and activated alumina powder as an additive,mixing thoroughly,pressing into cylinders and then firing at 1200℃for 30 min in a carbon embedded atmosphere by the microwave method.The effects of the aluminum powder addition(20%and 24%,by mass)and activated alumina powder addition(0,3%,5%and 7%,by mass)on the microwave synthesis of Al_(4)SiC_(4) as well as the effect of the obtained Al_(4)SiC_(4) containing material on the properties of magnesia carbon bricks were studied.The results show that:compared with the samples with 20%aluminum powder,those with 24%aluminum powder generate more Al_(4)SiC_(4).With the activated alumina powder addition increasing from 0 to 7%,the amount of Al_(4)SiC_(4) generated increases first and then decreases.Compared with the sample without activated alumina powder,the samples with activated alumina powder show lower bulk density and higher apparent porosity.With the activated alumina powder addition increasing from 3%to 7%,the bulk density of the samples increases first and then decreases,while the apparent porosity of the samples shows an opposite trend.The optimal additions are 24%aluminum powder and 5%activated alumina powder,and Al_(4)SiC_(4) synthesized in this sample has a hexagonal plate structure.With the synthesized Al_(4)SiC_(4) containing material added,the magnesia carbon brick has slightly increased cold modulus of rupture,basically the same modulus of elasticity and improved oxidation resistance.

Preparation and characterization of spray-dried valsartan-loaded Eudragit~? EPO solid dispersion microparticles

The purpose of this study was to develop the immediate release stomach-specific spraydried formulation of valsartan(VAL) using Eudragit?E PO(EPO) as the carrier for enhancing dissolution rate in a gastric environment. Enhanced solubility and dissolution in gastric pH was achieved by formulating the solid dispersion using a spray drying technique. Different combinations of drug–polymer–surfactant were dissolved in 10% ethanol solution and spraydried in order to obtain solid dispersion microparticles. Use of the VAL–EPO solid dispersion microparticles resulted in significant improvement of the dissolution rate of the drug at pH 1.2 and pH 4.0, compared to the free drug powder and the commercial product. A hard gelatin capsule was filled with the VAL–EPO solid dispersion powder prior to the dissolution test.The increased dissolution of VAL from solid dispersion microparticles in gastric pH was attributed to the effect of EPO and most importantly the transformation of crystalline drugs to amorphous solid dispersion powder, which was clearly shown by scanning electron microscopy(SEM), differential scanning calorimetry(DSC), and powder X-ray diffraction(PXRD) studies. Thus, VAL, a potential antihypertensive drug in the form of a solid dispersion microparticulate powder, can be effectively delivered in the immediate release dosage form for stomach-specific drug delivery.

The influence of amino acids on aztreonam spray-dried powders for inhalation

The dry powder inhalation of antibiotics for the treatment of lung infections has attracted drastically increasing attention as it offers rapid local therapy at lower doses and minimal side effects.In this study,aztreonam(AZT)was used as the model antibiotic and spraydried to prepare powders for inhalation.Amino acids of glycine(GLY),histidine(HIS)and leucine(LEU)were used as excipients to modify the spray-dried particles.It was demonstrated that the GLY-AZT spray-dried powders formed huge agglomerates with the size of 144.51μm,which made it very difficult to be delivered to the lungs(FPF:0.29%w/w only).In comparison with the AZT spray-dried powders,HIS-modified spray-dried powders showed increased compressibility,indicating larger distance and less cohesion between particles;while the LEU-modified spray-dried particles showed a hollow structure with significantly decreased densities.The fine particle fraction for HIS-and LEU-modified powders was 51.4%w/w and 61.7%w/w,respectively,and both were significantly increased(one-way ANOVA,Duncan’s test,P<0.05)compared to that of AZT spray-dried powders(45.4%w/w),showing a great potential to be applied in clinic.

Isothermal Kinetics Modelling of the Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis over the Spray-Dried Fe-Cu-K Catalyst

The isothermal kinetics of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis （FTS） over Fe-Cu-K spray-dried catalyst was studied in a spinning basket reactor. The experiments were carried out at a constant temperature of 523 K, n（H2）/n（CO） feed ratios of 0.8 2.0, reactor pressures of 1.1 2.5 MPa, and space velocity of 0.556× 10^-3 Nm^3/kgcat·s. Kinetic model for hydrocarbon formation was derived on the basis of simplified carbide mechanism to reduce the number of parameters. Two individual rate constants for methane and ethene were considered. Furthermore, the model was modified empirically by non-intrinsic effect, such as physisorption and fictitious olefin pressures that were taken into account, and the influences of secondary reaction of α-olefins on product distribution. The simulation results showed that the experimental phenomena of FTS and the deviations from ASF distribution, such as the relatively high yield of methane and low yield of ethene observed experimentally could be depicted basically.

The effects of surface morphology on the aerosol performance of spray-dried particles within HFA 134a based metered dose formulations

The aim of this study was to produce fine particles with different corrugated degree of surface by spray-drying and to investigate the effect of surface morphology on in vitro aerosol performance of the particles within HFA 134a based metered dose formulations.Compositions of rizatriptan and scutellarin were spray-dried using different spray-drying parameters,and particles were suspended within HFA 134a.The surface morphology were determined using scanning electron microscopy(SEM),while the aerodynamic performance of MDIs was evaluated using a next generation pharmaceutical impactor.The surface morphology of spraydried particles could vary from smooth to moderately corrugated,and to raisin-like depending upon spray-drying parameters and preparation compositions.In general,increasing inlet temperature,decreasing feed concentration and/or adding leucine to the feed solution tended to increase the corrugated degree of particle surface.Deposition results indicated that raisinlike particle based MDIs for all compositions of the two drugs produced significantly better aerodynamic performance in terms of fine particle fractions and mass median aerodynamic diameters relative to the formulations of the corresponding smooth or slightly corrugated particles when the particle compositions were the same.The present results demonstrated that wrinkled particles increased fine particle fractions within surfactant-free MDI formulations.

Measurement of alumina film induced ablation of internal insulator in solid rocket environment

This study investigates the ablation of internal insulation induced by the deposition of an alumina film with different lateral film speeds.A sub-scale test solid rocket motor(SRM)was designed in an impinging jet configuration to form an alumina film on the sample and to encourage the lateral movement of the film by a high-speed wall jet.Fifteen static fire tests of the test SRM were conducted with six different jet velocities(V_(jet)=100 m/s,150 m/s,200 m/s,268 m/s,330 m/s,and 450 m/s)that indirectly affected the velocity of the wall jet and the deposition rate of alumina droplets.The ablation velocity was deduced from the difference in the sample thickness after a test using a coordinate measuring machine.The droplet deposition mass flux and wall jet velocity were obtained via two-phase flow simulation with the same jet velocity and effective pressure.As a result,the characteristics of alumina-induced ablation and the changes in ablation with jet velocities were obtained.The area within0.8×jet diameter was focused upon,where the ratio of ablation velocity to incoming alumina mass was constant for each jet velocity,and showed a similarity in jet structure.When the ablation velocity was increased from 2.05 to 9.98 mm/s with increasing jet velocity,the ratio of the ablation velocity and alumina mass flux decreased from 1.07×10^(-4)to 0.49×10^(-4)m^(3)/kg as Al_(2)O_(3)-C reactions became less efficient with a reduced residence time of the film.Because the decrease in residence time by the wall jet is more pronounced for slow reactions involved in Al_(2)O_(3)-C reactions,fast reactions in Al_(2)O_(3)-C reactions are less affected and result in a convergence of the volumetric rate of ablation per unit mass of alumina.

Piezoresistive behavior of elastomer composites with segregated network of carbon nanostructures and alumina

Electrically conductive elastomer composites(CECs)with segregated networks of conductive nanofillers show high potential in stretchable strain sensors due to balanced mechanical and electrical properties,yet the sensitivity at low strain is generally insufficient for practical application.Herein,we report an easy and effective way to improve the resistive response to low strain for CECs with segregated network structure via adding stiff alumina into carbon nanostructures(CNS).The CEC containing 0.7 wt%CNS and 5 wt%Al_(2)O_(3) almost sustains the same elasticity(elongation at break of~900%)and conductivity(0.8 S/m)as the control,while the piezoresistive sensitivity is significantly improved.Thermoplastic polyurethane(TPU)composites with a segregated network of hybrid nanofillers(CNS and Al_(2)O_(3))show much higher strain sensitivity(Gauge factor,GF-566)at low strain(45%strain)due to a local stress concentration effect,this sensitivity is superior to that of TPU/CNS composites(GF-11).Such a local stress concentration effect depends on alumina content and its distribution at the TPU particle interface.In addition,CECs with hybrid fillers show better reproducibility in cyclic piezoresistive behavior testing than the control.This work offers an easy method for fabricating CECs with a segregated filler network offering stretchable strain sensors with a high strain sensitivity.

Influence of Firing Temperature on Properties of High Alumina Bricks

To reduce production costs and make full and reasonable use of raw materials,high alumina bricks were prepared using tabular corundum and mullite as aggregates,sillimanite as intermediate particles,and white fused corundum powder,α-alumina micropowder,and Suzhou soil as the matrix,firing at different temperatures(1420,1440,1460,1480,1500 and 1520℃)for 4 h.The apparent porosity(AP),the bulk density(BD),the cold crushing strength(CCS),the thermal shock resistance(TSR),the refractoriness under load(RUL)and the creep rate of the samples were tested.The effects of the firing temperature on the creep rate(1450℃×50 h,under a load of 0.2 MPa)of the samples were studied.The results show that with the sillimanite addition of 22.5 mass%,the sample fired at 1460℃for 4 h performs the best comprehensive properties:the AP of 17.5%,the BD of 2.75 g·cm^(-3),the CCS of 100.5 MPa,the TSR number of 35 cycles,the RUL of 1682℃,and the creep rate of-0.428%,which can prolong the service life of furnaces.

Analysis of the Performances of a New Type of Alumina Nanocomposite Structural Material Designed for the Thermal Insulation of High-Rise Buildings

The sol-gel method is used to prepare a new nano-alumina aerogel structure and the thermal properties of this nanomaterial are investigated comprehensively using electron microscope scanning,thermal analysis,X-ray and infrared spectrometer analysis methods.It is found that the composite aerogel alumina material has a multi-level porous nano-network structure.When employed for the thermal insulation of high-rise buildings,the alumina nanocomposite aerogel material can lead to effective energy savings in winter.However,it has almost no energy-saving effect on buildings where energy is consumed for cooling in summer.

Analysis of Corrosion Mechanisms of Low-cement or No-cement Al_(2)O_(3)-MgO Gunning Mix with Special Calcined Alumina in Rotary Slag Test

Al_(2)O_(3)-MgO and Al_(2)O_(3)-spinel low cement castables(LCC-AM and LCC-AS)have been extensively used in steel ladles as working linings.Nevertheless,the use of alumina-magnesia gunning mixes has been mainly kept for maintaining these castable linings,because of high rebound loss,poor green strength,high porosity and short life-span.Thanks to a high BET alumina(MC-G),it is now possible to develop a series of high-performance no-cement or low-cement Al_(2)O_(3)-MgO gunning mixes(NCG-AM or LCG-AM).The paper focuses on the BOF slag resistance of NCG-AM,LCG-AM,LCC-AM and LCC-AS.The corrosion mechanisms of rotary slag samples were studied by scanning electron microscopy(SEM/EDS).The results reveal different microstructures around MgO particles,depending on the four used compositions.Continuous and thicker spinel phases were formed in NCG-AM,which was proved to have the best corrosion resistance after the dynamic slag test.MC-G can provide a high diffusion flux of Al^(3+)in terms of kinetics and hence inhibits Kirkendall porosity around MgO particles.In addition,a continuous spinel phase acts like a pinning nail to reinforce the matrix and thus decreases erosion by slag.In contrast to NCG-AM,the porous spinel phase was found around unreacted MgO particles and some particles were carried away near the interface of LCC-AM and slag.The NCG-AM containing MC-G had been tested in two steel plants,and it extended the service life of the ladles up to 50%.In addition,this study suggests the potential application of NCG-AM as steel ladle linings.

氧化铝填料对绝缘涂层导热性能的影响

以高模数硅酸钾溶液为基料,氧化铝为导热绝缘填料,加入硅丙乳液、消泡剂,制备有机无机复合硅酸盐导热绝缘涂层。通过测试硅酸盐涂层的导热系数、体积电阻率、孔隙率、孔径分布和元素分布变化,研究绝缘硅酸盐涂层导热性能。结果表明,适当提高氧化铝的质量分数,硅酸盐绝缘涂层的导热性能提升。氧化铝填料球形形貌和大粒径更有利硅酸盐绝缘涂层的导热性能提升。当填料为粒径2.9μm的球形氧化铝,且质量分数在37.5%时,涂层的导热系数最高达1.072 W/(m·K),体积电阻率大于10^(8)Ω·m,此时涂层的导热绝缘性能达到最佳。

氧化硼对Al_(2)O_(3)-SiC-C质浇注料力学性能的影响

为了利用氧化硼“间接烧结”特性,进一步提升Al_(2)O_(3)-SiC-C质浇注料的力学性能,以氧化硼(≤0.075 mm)为助烧剂,制备了以FM60莫来石颗粒、致密刚玉、碳化硅、α-Al_(2)O_(3)微粉等为主要原料的浇注料,探究了氧化硼细粉加入量(加入质量分数分别为0、0.2%、0.4%和0.6%)对Al_(2)O_(3)-SiC-C质浇注料结构与性能的影响。结果表明,添加氧化硼细粉会显著提升浇注料的加水量,但其有利于晶须状莫来石的生成,从而加强骨料和基质间的结合强度,试样的力学性能得到明显提升。但当氧化硼细粉加入量提高至0.6%(w)时,试样中莫来石晶须长径比减小,试样的强度降低。综合以上结果,氧化硼最佳加入量为0.4%(w)。

纳米氧化铝改性地面井固井水泥水化机制研究

随着地面井固井技术发展加快,工程现场对于地面井固井水泥浆的早期流动性及凝结性能有了更高的要求。为了提高固井工程注水泥作业的顶替效率,改善固井工程现场作业应用情况,提出了纳米氧化铝颗粒改性固井水泥的方法,利用核磁共振技术对质量分数为0、0.05%、0.10%、0.15%及0.20%的纳米氧化铝改性水泥浆(水灰比为0.44)在不同水化龄期的水化反应变化特征进行了研究,探究了纳米氧化铝改性水泥的水相分布、物理结合水总信号量变化、峰形指数及迁移速率。结果表明:纳米氧化铝改性水泥浆在水化阶段的T2图谱会出现3个弛豫峰,分别对应絮凝结构填充水(0.1~10 ms)、毛细水(10 ms)、自由水(800~1000 ms);其物理结合水总信号随纳米氧化铝质量分数增加而逐步减少,其中质量分数为0.20%的纳米氧化铝改性水泥浆信号量减少速率最快;峰形指数呈现先上升后下降的趋势,当水化反应进行至600 min时,质量分数为0.20%的改性水泥浆变化速率最快,弛豫峰向短弛豫方向移动速率加快;结合迁移速率将纳米氧化铝改性固井水泥水化反应阶段划分,其水化机制分别作用在4个水化时期:①初始水化期(5~60 min),水化速率未发生明显改变;②加速水化期(60~600 min),纳米氧化铝使水泥浆中物理结合水转化为化学结合水所经历时间变短,水化进程加快,达到促进水泥水化的效果;③稳定水化期(600~1200 min),水泥体系趋于稳定;④延缓水化期(1200~1800 min),物理结合水转化为化学结合水速率变慢,水泥水化进程减慢。研究结论得到,纳米氧化铝改性水泥浆水化时期可以划分为4个阶段,分别起到物理填充、加速、稳定、延缓的作用。在加速期,纳米氧化铝促进水泥的早期流动,有利于水泥浆的泵送及流动,在延缓期,纳米氧化铝延缓水泥的进一步水化进程,利于发展早期强度。其中,质量分数为0.20%的纳米氧化铝改性水泥浆对于水泥水化进程影响最大,促进填充水向结合水的转化,在加速水化期间对于水泥浆水化反应加速程度最大,以此作为依据对现场固井水泥的制备及应用提供指导。

SLA打印制备融合TPMS氧化铝陶瓷支架结构优化设计研究

三周期最小表面(TPMS)结构具有优异的力学性能与生物医学性能,设计制造合适的TPMS骨支架结构能为骨修复、骨替代、骨愈合的临床治疗提供可能。本文基于人体骨组织结构参数分别设计了以P、G、D三种类型为主的TPMS支架及其不同融合系数K值影响下的融合TPMS支架,采用紫外立体光刻技术(SLA)打印制备了陶瓷生坯,通过脱脂与烧结后处理获得了成型氧化铝陶瓷支架,并对支架模型与成型陶瓷试样分别进行了有限元仿真与实验测试。结果表明:1)陶瓷支架具有相对光滑的表面与较高的成型精度,其整体形态与设计模型基本一致,侧面比顶面稍显粗糙。2)与单类型结构相比,融合TPMS结构支架表现出较好的抗压强度与应力分布。其中,当融合系数K=4时,P与G结构融合支架支架的力学性能最优,抗压强度为71.72 MPa,最大应力与平均应力分别为141.90和13.214 MPa;3)融合结构的渗透性均弱于单类型结构,且不同融合系数K值的结构支架渗透性也不同,结合数值模拟与实验数据,当融合系数K=1、2时,P与G结构、P与D结构融合支架渗透性表现较好。综上,当融合系数K=1时,P与G结构融合支架同时具备较优的力学性能和渗透性,适合作为人体骨支架结构类型。

铝灰碱法烧结熟料溶出过程及超声协同作用研究

二次铝灰碱法烧结熟料溶出过程是回收氧化铝的重要环节,当溶出过程关键参数控制不当,会造成氧化铝溶出率低、能耗较高。为了提高氧化铝溶出率,了解氧化铝溶出机制,降低溶出过程能耗,探究了二次铝灰碱法焙烧熟料常压溶出过程中温度、时间、液固比与熟料中氧化铝溶出率的关系及熟料中NaAlO_(2)溶出过程动力学,考察了施加超声对氧化铝溶出率的影响。结果表明:熟料溶出过程优化参数为溶出温度为80℃、溶出时间为15 min、液固比(体积质量比,mL/g)为15,氧化铝溶出率可达92.3%;溶出动力学表明,NaAlO_(2)溶出过程受内扩散控制,表观活化能为13.45 kJ/mol;发现施加超声可在相同氧化铝溶出率下降低溶出温度至70℃并缩短溶出时间至9 min。该研究结果可为二次铝灰碱性焙烧熟料溶出过程降低能耗和提高效率提供新的理论参考和基础数据。

载铁活性氧化铝催化臭氧氧化处理废水COD的工艺研究

为了提高臭氧催化氧化技术对工业废水中有机污染物的去除效率,采用浸渍法,将铁负载于活性氧化铝上。当硝酸铁浓度为0.8 mol/L、臭氧量为5 g/h时,载铁活性氧化铝催化臭氧氧化工业废水有机污染物的去除率最大,约为56%。相比单独使用吸附和臭氧催化氧化技术,它大大提高了废水有机污染物的去除效果。因此载铁活性氧化铝催化臭氧氧化可作为高浓度工业废水去除有机污染物的一种有效方法。