An Assessment of Rare Earth Aluminates as Possible Radiation Shields for Artificial Satellites in Low Earth Orbit

Charged particles injected into dielectric material of artificial satellites may cause data flipping, command errors and charges in dielectric material properties. In this work we report the results of an evaluation of rare earth aluminates as possible radiation shields for its application in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite construction. With help of Geant4 software, we calculated the radiation dose that a target receives at a typical LEO (685 km) as a function of the shield thickness. The target used was a silicon plate, the shields used were hollow cubes of rare earth aluminate walls (YAlO3, LaAlO3, NdAlO3 and GdAlO3), and we also used aluminium oxide (Al2O3). The radiation source was the measured fluxes of electron and proton with a spectrum corresponding to a LEO. We found that of the total radiation dose received by the target without shield is 5847 microGy/hour, of which, the electrons contribute with 94.9% and the protons with 5.1%. The rare earth aluminates are a better shield than the Al2O3 to protect a target against the radiation that permeates a LEO near to equator.

Roles of Eu^(2+), Dy^(3+) Ions in Persistent Luminescence of Strontium Aluminates Phosphors

The polycrystalline Eu^2＋ and Dy ^3＋ co-doped strontium aluminates SrAl2O4： Eu^2＋, Dy^3＋ with different compositions were prepared by solid state reactions. The UV-excited photoluminescence, persistent luminescence and thermo-luminescence were studied and compared. Results show that the doped Eu^2＋ ion in SrAl2O4： Eu^2＋, Dy^3＋ phosphors works as not only the UV-excited luminescent center but also the persistent luminescent center. The doped Dy^3＋ ion can hardly yield any luminescence under UV-excitation, but effectively enhance the persistent luminescence and thermo-luminescence of SrAl2O4： Eu^2＋. Dy^3＋ co-doping can help form electron traps with appropriate depth due to its suitable electro-negativity, and increase the density and depth of electron traps. Based on above observations, a persistent luminescence mechanism, electron transfer model, is proposed and illustrated.

ON STRUCTURE,HYDRATION ACTIVITY AND CHEMICAL BOND OF ALUMINATES CA AND CA_2 OF CEMENT MINERALS

Structures and hydration activities of alumi-nates CA and CA2 of cement minerals are studied by SCF —DV —Xa method, one of the molecular orbital calculating method in quantum chemistry. The calculated results of net charges,energy levels of molecular orbitals and covalent bond orders are all consistent with the experimental result that the hydration activity of CA is higher than that of CA2.

Dry reforming reaction over nickel catalysts supported on nanocrystalline calcium aluminates with different CaO/Al_2O_3 ratios

Nanocrystalline calcium aluminates with different CaO/Al2O3 ratios were prepared by a facile co-precipitation method using Poly（ethylene glycol）-block-poly（propylene glycol）-block-poly（ethylene glycol） （PEG-PPG-PEG, MW： 5800） as a surfactant. They were employed as catalyst support for nickel catalysts in methane reforming with carbon dioxide. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, N2 adsorption （BET）, temperature-programmed reduction and oxidation （TPR-TPO）, and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） techniques. Catalysts showed a relatively high catalytic activity and stability. TPR analysis revealed that the catalysts with higher CaO content are more difficult to be reduced. TPO analysis showed that the 5 wt%Ni/CA and 5 wt%Ni/C12A7 catalysts with higher CaO amount were effective against coke deposition.

Assessing the energy release characteristics during the middle detonation reaction stage of aluminized explosives

Afterburning behind the detonation front of an aluminized explosive releases energy on the millisecond timescale,which prolong the release of detonation energy and the energy release at different stages also shows significant differences.However,at present,there are few effective methods for evaluating the energy release characteristics of the middle reaction stage of such explosives,which can have a duration of tens to hundreds of microseconds.The present work demonstrates an approach to assessing the midstage of an aluminized explosive detonation based on a water push test employing a high degree of confinement.In this method,the explosive is contained in a steel cylinder having one end closed that is installed at the bottom of a transparent water tank.Upon detonation,the gaseous products expand in one direction while forcing water ahead of them.The resulting underwater shock wave and the interface between the gas phase products and the water are tracked using an ultra-high-speed framing and streak camera.The shock wave velocity in water and the expansion work performed by the gaseous detonation products were calculated to assess the energy release characteristics of aluminized explosives such as CL-20 and RDX in the middle stage of the detonation reaction.During the middle stage of the detonation process of these aluminized explosives,the aluminum reaction reduced the attenuation of shock waves and increased the work performed by gas phase products.A higher aluminum content increased the energy output while the presence of oxidants slowed the energy release rate.This work demonstrates an effective means of evaluating the performance of aluminized explosives.

Research on the quasi-isentropic driving model of aluminized explosives in the detonation wave propagation direction

Taking CL-20(Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane)-based aluminized explosives with high gurney energy as the research object, this research experimentally investigates the work capability of different aluminized explosive formulations when driving metal flyer plates in the denotation wave propagation direction.The research results showed that the formulations with 43 μm aluminum(Al) powder particles(The particle sizes of Al powder were in the range of 2~43 μm) exhibited the optimal performance in driving flyer plates along the denotation wave propagation direction. Compared to the formulations with Al powder 13 μm, the formulations with Al powder 2 μm delivered better performance in accelerating metal flyer plates in the early stage, which, however, turned to be poor in the later stage. The CL-20-based explosives containing 25% Al far under-performed those containing 15% Al. Based on the proposed quasi-isentropic hypothesis, relevant isentropy theories, and the functional relationship between detonation parameters and entropy as well as Al reaction degree, the characteristic lines of aluminized explosives in accelerating flyer plates were theoretically studied, a quasi-isentropic theoretical model for the aluminized explosive driving the flyer plate was built and the calculation methods for the variations of flyer plate velocity, Al reaction degree, and detonation product parameters with time and axial positions were developed. The theoretical model built is verified by the experimental results of the CL-20-based aluminized explosive driving flyer plate. It was found that the model built could accurately calculate the variations of flyer plate velocity and Al reaction degree over time. In addition, how physical parameters including detonation product pressure and temperature varied with time and axial positions was identified. The action time of the positive pressure after the detonation of aluminized explosives was found prolonged and the downtrend of the temperature was slowed down and even reversed to a slight rise due to the aftereffect reaction between the Al powder and the detonation products.

Cu-Zn-based alloy/oxide interfaces for enhanced electroreduction of CO_(2) to C_(2+) products

The electrochemical CO_(2)reduction reaction to produce multi-carbon(C_(2+)) hydrocarbons or oxygenate compounds is a promising route to obtain a renewable fuel of high energy density.However,producing C_(2+)at high current densities is still a challenge.Herein,we develop a Cu-Zn alloy/Cu-Zn aluminate oxide composite electrocatalytic system for enhanced conversion of CO_(2)to C_(2+)products.The Cu-Zn-Al-Layered Double Hydroxide(LDH) is used as a precursor to decompose into uniform Cu-Zn oxide/Cu-Zn aluminate pre-catalyst.Under electrochemical reduction,Cu-Zn oxide generates Cu-Zn alloy while Cu-Zn aluminate oxide remains unchanged.The alloy and oxide are closely stacked and arranged alternately,and the aluminate oxide induces the strong electron interaction of Cu,Zn and Al,creating a large number of highly active reaction interfaces composed of 0 to+3 valence metal sites.With the help of the interface effect,the optimized Cu_(9)Zn_(1)/Cu_(0.8)Zn_(0.2)Al_(2)O_(4)catalyst achieves a Faradaic efficiency of 88.5% for C_(2+)products at a current density of 400 mA cm^(-2)at-1.15 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode.The in-situ Raman and attenuate total reflectance-infrared absorption spectroscopy(ATR-IRAS) spectra show that the aluminate oxide at the interface significantly enhances the adsorption and activation of CO_(2)and the dissociation of H2O and strengthens the adsorption of CO intermediates,and the alloy promotes the C-C coupling to produce C_(2+)products.This work provides an efficient strategy to construct highly active reaction interfaces for industrial-scale electrochemical CO_(2)RR.

Research of detonation products of RDX/Al from the perspective of composition

Aluminized explosives exhibit excellent performance because the oxidation of aluminum(Al)powders enhances the pressure and temperature of detonation products.However,the equation of state(EOS)of detonation products has not been understood well.In the present study,we conducted long-time tests(approximately 1 ms)of a metal rod driven by detonation products of RDX,RDX/Li F,and RDX/Al.In addition,we used laser velocimetry(PDV)to measure the freesurface velocity of the rod.Thermochemical code DLCHEQ was successfully applied to the hydrodynamic program SSS to perform the roddriven test,and a novel method was established to study the EOS of detonation products from the perspective of composition.The reliability of DLCEHQ was validated by a small deviation(<10%)between the experimental rod free-surface velocity of RDX and the calculated results;the deviation was considerably less than that from the results obtained using the JWL EOS and ideal-gas EOS.The endothermic process and the reaction of Al powders(Al+H_(2)O+NO+CO_(2)→CO+H_(2)+N_(2)+Al_(2)O_(3))were analyzed by calculating the rod free-surface velocity of RDX/Li F and RDX/Al,respectively.The results of the present study demonstrated that the thermodynamic state of Al powders has notable influence on the EOS of aluminized detonation products,and the findings were compared with those of previous studies.First,the temperature equilibrium between Al powders and CHNO products is not always achieved,and the disequilibrium is more obvious when the reaction of Al powders is stronger.Second,the reaction rate of Al powders depends on pressure and Al content.Finally,the endothermic process of Al powders has a high contribution to the decrease in the work ability of RDX/Al instead of the gasconsumption mechanism of the Al reaction.More than half of the reaction heat of Al powders is used to heat itself,whereas the gas consumption during the reaction is negligible.

Effect of Hydrated Calcium Aluminate Cement on the Chloride Immobilization of Portland Cement Paste

To improve the efficiency and stability of chloride immobilization of portland cement paste,hydrated calcium aluminate cement(HCAC)prepared by wet grinding of CAC was added into portland cement paste as an additive.The immobilized chloride ratio(ICR)was evaluated,and the mechanism of chloride immobilization was researched by XRD,DTG,NMR,and MIP tests.The analysis results demonstrated that HCAC could improve the chloride immobilization capacity of portland cement paste.The mechanism was attributed to the following aspects:chemical binding capacity was enhanced via producing more Kuzel’s salt;physical adsorption capacity was reduced by decreasing the C-S-H gel;migration resistance was enhanced through refining the pore structure.

Chloride Corrosion of Reinforced Calcium Aluminate Cement Mortar

This paper describes a study on the corrosion behavior of steel reinforcement in CAC mortars via electrochemical methods including corrosion potential,electrochemical impedance,and linear polarization evaluation.Results indicate that there is a non-linear relationship between the corrosion degree of steel reinforcement in CAC mortar and the concentration of NaCl solution.The electrochemical parameters of specimens immersed in 3%NaCl solution suddenly drop at 40 days,earlier than 60 days of the reference.And the charge transfer resistivity of the specimen has decreased by 11 orders of magnitude at 40 days,showing an evident corrosion on steel reinforcement.However,it is interesting to notice that the corrosion is delayed by high external chloride concentration.The specimens immersed in 9%and 15%NaCl solutions remain in a relatively stable state within 120 days with slight pitting.The great corrosion protection of CAC concrete to embedded steel bars enables its wide application in marine.

Post-mortem Microstructural Study of Aluminous Refractory Brick Used in Channels of Blast Furnaces

Aluminous refractory materials with high alumina contents are widely used in the steel industry,and the higher the alumina content,the higher the working temperature.Properties such as high refractoriness and thermal shock resistance lead these refractory materials to be used as channel linings of blast furnaces,where they are exposed to the attack by slag,molten steel,working cycles and sudden temperature changes between 25℃(room temperature)and 1520℃(the temperature of molten pig iron).In this work,microstructural changes in post-mortem aluminous refractory bricks were investigated by apparent porosity,X-ray diffraction analysis(XRD),Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),scanning electron microscopy,and X-ray dispersion energy spectrometry(SEM/EDS).The results showed an increase in the apparent porosity and the bulk density and the presence of the phases mullite,sillimanite,alumina,and quartz in the post-mortem brick.Calcium and magnesium were not detected in the microstructure of the post-mortem brick,indicating that slags did not corrode these refractory materials.Therefore,the microstructural changes that occurred in the post-mortem bricks must be due to thermal cycling.In the X-ray diffraction(XRD)test,mullite,sillimanite,quartz,andα-alumina phases were identified.These results indicate that the aluminous refractory was obtained from sillimanite.In infrared spectroscopy(FTIR)it was possible to identify the vibration bands referring to the Si-O and Al-O bonds.The increase in the porosity is a result of cracks caused by work cycles at high temperatures and the temperature gradient to which the refractory was subjected during use.Through the micrograph it was possible to identify the presence of acicular mullite.The absence of magnesium and calcium in the microanalysis results by energy dispersed X-ray spectrometry(EDS)indicates that there was no infiltration by slag or liquid iron.These results indicate that the microstructural changes that occurred in the post-mortem aluminous refractory were of a thermal nature.

Fluoride Ion Adsorption Effect and Adsorption Mechanism of Self-Supported Adsorbent Materials Based on Desulfurization Gypsum-Aluminate Cement

The adsorption method has the advantages of low cost,high efficiency,and environmental friendliness in treating fluorinated wastewater,and the adsorbent material is the key.This study combines the inherent anion-exchange adsorption properties of layered double hydroxides(LDHs).Self-supported porous adsorbent materials loaded with AFm and AFt were prepared from a composite cementitious system consisting of calcium aluminate cement(CAC)and flue gas desulfurization gypsum(FGDG)by chemical foaming technique.The mineral composition of the adsorbent material was characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD)and Scanning electron microscopy(SEM).Through the static adsorption experiment,the adsorption effect of the mineral composition of the adsorbent on fluoride ions was deeply analyzed,and the adsorption mechanism was revealed.XRD and SEM showed that the main hydration phases of the composite cementitious system consisting of CAC and FGDG are AFm,AFt,AH_(3),and CaSO_(4)·2H_(2)O.FGDG accelerates the hydration process of CAC and inhibits the transformation of AFt to AFm.The AFt content increased,and the AFm content decreased or even disappeared as the amount of FGDG increased.Static adsorption experiment results showed that AFm and AFt in adsorbent materials could significantly enhance the adsorption of fluoride ions.The adsorption of F^(−)in aqueous solution by PAG tends more towards monolayer adsorption with a theoretical maximum capacity of 108.70 mg/g and is similar to the measured value of 112.77 mg/g.

Effect of Al Powder and Si Powder Additions on Structure and Properties of Unburned Magnesium Aluminate Spinel Refractories

Unburned magnesium aluminate spinel refractories were prepared using sintered magnesium aluminate spinel as the main raw material,phenolic resin as the binder,aluminum powder(2%,4%,and 6%by mass)and silicon powder(when Al powder addition is 4%,Si powder addition varies:1%and 2%,by mass)as additives.The effects of the Al powder and Si powder additions on the properties and microstructure of the refractories heat treated at different temperatures(1000,1400,and 1600℃for 3 h)were studied.The results show that the Al powder addition can greatly enhance the cold modulus of rupture of the samples fired at 1000 or 1400℃,and meanwhile AlN reinforcement phase forms in the matrix,which greatly improves the hot modulus of rupture of the samples at 1400℃;however,the heat treatment at 1600℃has little influence on the strength;the addition of Al powder and Si powder results in the formation of low melting point phases,greatly reducing the hot modulus of rupture.However,the low melting point phases promote sintering,which enhances the density and the cold modulus of rupture,and decreases the volume change during heating.The samples added with Al and Si all have higher cold modulus of rupture than those added with Al powder only.

Effect of ZrO_(2)Addition on Lanthanum Aluminate-based High Emissivity Coating Materials

In order to enhance the sintering resistance of lanthanum aluminate based high emissivity coatings,Ca^(2+)-Fe^(3+)doped LaAlO_(3)/ZrO_(2)specimens were prepared by solid state sintering using La_(2)O_(3),Al_(2)O_(3),CaCO_(3) and Fe_(2)O_(3) as raw materials,extra-adding fused Y_(2)O_(3)-stabilized ZrO_(2)(0,5%,10%,and 15%,by mass),ball milling,pre-calcining,pressing into shapes and sintering at 1600℃for 2 h.The effect of the ZrO_(2)addition on the properties of lanthanum aluminate based high emissivity coatings was explored.It is concluded that ZrO_(2)does not react with LaAlO_(3),which can inhibit the sintering of the specimens.With the increase of the ZrO_(2),addition,the linear shrinkage rate and the thermal conductivity decrease significantly,while the emissivity decreases,but the emissivity of all the specimens is all higher than 0.9.The optimal addition of ZrO_(2),is 10%.

Geochemical Mobility Associated to Gold and Base Metal Occurrences of Mangodara Sector, in Southern Burkina Faso, Banfora Greenstone Belts (West African Craton)

In the Mangodara area within the Banfora greenstone belts (Baoulé-Mossi domain of the West African Craton), our study focused on geochemical assessment of the mobility of major and trace elements. Gold and base metal occurrences are hosted in highly metamorphic felsic (metarhyolite) and intermediate (metadacite and metaandesite) formations. Common mineral assemblages made up of staurolite - kyanite - pyrophyllite are interpreted to represent the metamorphosed equivalent of aluminous hydrothermal alteration. Associated felsic and intermediate volcanic rocks are enriched in Fe2O3, K2O (metaandesite, metarhyolite) and depleted in MgO, Al2O3, CaO, P2O5, Na2O (metarhyolite) and Fe2O3, MgO, CaO (metaandesite). Al2O3 depletion in mineralized kyanite-staurotide bearing metarhyolites suggests corroded minerals. Mineralized metarhyolites show enrichment in Au, Ag, Ba, Bi, Cr, Cu, Eu, La, Mo, Ni, Pb, S, Sc, V and depletion in As Sb Co, Sn, Zn while mineralized metaandesites show enrichment in Au, Ag, As, Mo, S, Sb and depletion in Co, Sn, Zn, Bi, Cr, Cu, Eu, Ni, Pb, Sc. Ba, La, V are immobile in metaandesites. Finally, Ag, As, Sn appear as geochemical vectors for gold exploration in the study area since gold mineralization is characterized by Au + Ba + Cu + Eu + La + Mo + Ni + S association in metarhyolites and Au + S + Sb + As + Ag + Bi in metaandesites.

Preparation of Phosphors MAl_2O_4∶Eu^(2+)(M=Ca,Sr,Ba) by Microwave Heating Technique and Their Phosphorescence

The phosphors of the alkaline earth aluminates coactivated with europium and other rare earths were successfully obtained by microwave radiation heating technique.These phosphors have bright phosphorescence and maintain their afterglow for a fairly long duration.

Preparation and luminescent properties of CaAl_2O_4:Eu^(3+),R^+(R=Li,Na,K) phosphors

CaAl2O4:Eu3+,R+(R=Li+,Na+,K+) red phosphors were synthesized by solid state reaction method.X-ray diffraction(XRD) and photoluminescence(PL) were employed to characterize their structural and luminescent properties.It was found that the optimal sintering temperature and sintering time were 1200 °C and 4 h,respectively.The optimal concentration of doped Eu3+ was 3 mol.%.Furthermore,under ultraviolet excitation with a wavelength of 254 nm,these samples showed red luminescence which were probably attributed to...

Luminescence of Eu ^(3+) in LnAlO_3 (Ln=Gd,Y) under UV and VUV Excitation

Single phases of LnAlO 3:Eu 3+ (Ln=Gd,Y) were obtained by the process of evaporation of their nitric acid solution, and then pyrolysis of their nitrate salts. On monitoring by 613 nm emission, broad bands at around 270 and 170 nm were observed in the excitation spectrum of Gd 0.95Eu 0.05AlO 3. These peaks could be assigned to charge transfer (CT) transitions of Eu 3+-O 2- and Gd 3+-O 2- respectively. All the transitions observed in Gd 0.95Eu 0.05AlO 3 are faithfully reproduced in the Y 0.95Eu 0.05AlO 3, but with an exception of the 8S 7/2→ 6I 11/2 transition of Gd 3+. The 153 nm broad band could be the CT transition of Y 3+-O 2-. Accordingly, the efficiency luminescence of (Gd,Y)BO 3:Eu 3+ was explained as a result of CT transitions of Gd 3+-O 2- and Y 3+-O 2- under 147 nm excitation. Under VUV excitation, Gd 0.95Eu 0.05AlO 3 exhibits a bright red luminescence with CIE chromaticity coordinates of (0.623, 0.335) with a PL intensity of 30 of the commercial phosphor (Gd,Y)BO 3:Eu 3+ (KX-504A). The PL spectrum of Y 0.95Eu 0.05AlO 3 is similar to that of Gd 0.95Eu 0.05AlO 3. Calculation of the color coordinates gives x=0.636, y=0.340 with a PL intensity of 50 of the (Gd,Y)BO 3:Eu 3+ (KX-504A) for Y 0.95Eu 0.05AlO 3, and confirms that it has the appearance of pure spectral red, corresponding approximately to 608 nm. It can be concluded that LnAlO 3:Eu 3+ is a promising red VUV phosphor.

Band-gap engineering of La1-xNdxAlO3(x = 0,0.25,0.50,0.75,1)perovskite using density functional theory：A modified Becke Johnson potential study

The structural,electronic,and magnetic properties of the Nd-doped Rare earth aluminate,La1-xNdxAlO3（x = 0%to 100%） alloys are studied using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave（FP-LAPW） method within the density functional theory.The effects of the Nd substitution in La AlO3 are studied using the supercell calculations.The computed electronic structure with the modified Becke–Johnson（m BJ） potential based approximation indicates that the La1-xNdxAlO3 alloys may possess half-metallic（HM） behaviors when doped with Nd of a finite density of states at the Fermi level（EF）.The direct and indirect band gaps are studied each as a function of x which is the concentration of Nddoped La AlO3.The calculated magnetic moments in the La1-xNdxAlO3 alloys are found to arise mainly from the Nd-4f state.A probable half-metallic nature is suggested for each of these systems with supportive integral magnetic moments and highly spin-polarized electronic structures in these doped systems at EF.The observed decrease of the band gap with the increase in the concentration of Nd doping in La AlO3 is a suitable technique for harnessing useful spintronic and magnetic devices.

A STUDY ON ALUMINIDE COATINGS ON TiAl ALLOYS BY PACKCEMENTATION METHOD

The halide-activated pack cementation method is utilized to deposit aluminide coat- ings on TiAl alloys. Emphasis is placed on the effect of alloying elements on the aluminizing behavior of TiAl alloy. The addition of a small amount of Nb or Cr in the TiAl improves significantly the aluminizing kinetics of TiAl alloys by increasing the solid-state division of Al through the formation of stable TiAl3 layer. The TiAl3 layer formed on the TiAl alloyed with Nb or Cr has better toughness than the TiAl3 formed on the non-alloyed TiAl. The reason for better toughness of the coating formed on TiAl is that partial TiAl3 with tetragonal structure was changed to high symmetry cubic L12 structure since Nb or Cr was dissolved into TiAl3. The TiAl3 layer formed on the TiAl alloyed with Nb or Cr has much better oxidation resistance than the TiAl3 layer formed on the non-alloyed TiAl. It is attributed to change in the crystal structure of TiAl3 from the brittle tetragonal DO22 to the ductile cubic L12 by addition of small amount of Nb or Cr.