Fabrication of Core-Shell Hydrogel Bead Based on Sodium Alginate and Chitosan for Methylene Blue Adsorption

A novel core-shell hydrogel bead was fabricated for effective removal of methylene blue dye from aqueous solutions.The core,made of sodium alginate-g-polyacrylamide and attapulgite nanofibers,was cross-linked by Calcium ions(Ca^(2+)).The shell,composed of a chitosan/activated carbon mixture,was then coated onto the core.Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the grafting polymerization of acrylamide onto sodium alginate.Scanning electron microscopy images showed the core-shell structure.The core exhibited a high water uptake ratio,facilitating the diffusion of methylene blue into the core.During the diffusion process,the methylene blue was first adsorbed by the shell and then further adsorbed by the core.Adsorption tests showed that the coreshell structure had a larger adsorption capacity than the core alone.The shell effectively enhanced the adsorption capacity to methylene blue compared to the single core.Methylene blue was adsorbed by activated carbon and chitosan in the shell,and the residual methylene blue diffused into the core and was further adsorbed.

CoSnO_(3)/C nanocubes with oxygen vacancy as high-capacity cathode materials for rechargeable aluminum batteries

Rechargeable aluminum batteries(RABs)are attractive cadidates for next-generation energy storage and conversion,due to the low cost and high safety of Al resources,and high capacity of metal Al based on the three-electrons reaction mechanism.However,the development of RABs is greatly limited,because of the lack of advanced cathode materials,and their complicated and unclear reaction mechanisms.Exploring the novel nanostructured transition metal and carbon composites is an effective route for obtaining ideal cathode materials.In this work,we synthesize porous CoSnO_(3)/C nanocubes with oxygen vacancies for utilizing as cathodes in RABs for the first time.The intrinsic structure stability of the mixed metal cations and carbon coating can improve the cycling performance of cathodes by regulating the internal strains of the electrodes during volume expansion.The nanocubes with porous structures contribute to fast mass transportation which improves the rate capability.In addition to this,abundant oxygen vacancies promote the adsorption affinity of cathodes,which improves storage capacity.As a result,the CoSnO_(3)/C cathodes display an excellent reversible capacity of 292.1 mAh g^(-1) at 0.1 A g^(-1),a good rate performance with 109 mAh g^(-1) that is maintained even at 1 A g^(-1) and the provided stable cycling behavior for 500 cycles.Besides,a mechanism of intercalation of Al^(3+)within CoSnO_(3)/C cathode is proposed for the electrochemical process.Overall,this work provides a step toward the development of advanced cathode materials for RABs by engineering novel nanostructured mixed transition-metal oxides with carbon composite and proposes novel insights into chemistry for RABs.

Enhanced thermal- and impact-initiated reactions of PTFE/Al energetic materials through ultrasonic-assisted core-shell construction

A facile and economical approach was developed for the large-scale production of powdered core-shell structured PTFE/Al (CS-PA) energetic materials through ultrasonic-assisted mixing. The low-cost micrometer-sized PTFE and Al particles were used as starting materials. Under high-power ultrasonic waves, the PTFE powder was dispersed into nano-to sub-micrometer-sized particles and then encapsulated the Al microparticles to form the core-shell structure. The heat of combustion, burning rate, and pressurization rate of the powdered CS-PA were measured. The thermal-initiated reaction behavior was further evaluated using thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry. Subsequently, the bulk CS-PA with a uniform microstructure was obtained via cold isostatic pressing of the powdered CS-PA followed by vacuum sintering. For the bulk CS-PA, the quasi-static compression behavior was characterized, and the impact-initiated reaction processes were conducted using the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) and evaluated by a high-speed camera. Compared to physically mixed PTFE/Al materials, the powdered and bulk CS-PA demonstrated enhanced thermal- and impact-initiated reaction characteristics respectively, proving the effectiveness of our approach for constructing core-shell structures.

Synthesis of the Core-Shell Structure Materials as the Controlled-Release Drug Carrier

We have developed a controlled-release drug carrier. Smartly controlled-release polymer nanoparticles were firstly synthesized through RAFT polymerization as the controlled-release core. The structural and particle properties of polymer nanoparticles were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Mesoporous materials were selected as the shell materials to encapsulate the smart core as the stable shell. The mesoporous shell was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). All the results showed that a well-defined core-shell structure with mesoporous structure was obtained, and this controllable delivery system will have the great potential in nanomedicine.

Carbon nanotube-hyperbranched polymer core-shell nanowires with highly accessible redox-active sites for fast-charge organic lithium batteries

Organic electrode materials are promising for lithium-ion batteries(LIBs) because of their environmental friendliness and structural diversity.However,they always suffer from limited capacity,poor cycling stability,and rate performance.Herein,hexaazatrinaphthalene-based azo-linked hyperbranched polymer(HAHP) is designed and synthesized as a cathode for LIBs.However,the densely stacked morphology lowers the chance of the active sites participating in the redox reaction.To address this issue,the singlewalled carbon nanotube(SWCNT) template is used to induce the growth of nanosized HAHP on the surface of SWCNTs.The HAHP@SWCNT nanocomposites have porous structures and highly accessible active sites.Moreover,the strong π-π interaction between HAHP and highly conductive SWCNTs effectively endows the HAHP@SWCNT nanocomposites with improved cycling stability and fast charge-discharge rates.As a result,the HAHP@SWCNT nanocomposite cathode shows a high specific capacity(320.4 mA h g^(-1)at 100 mA g^(-1)),excellent cycling stability(800 cycles;290 mA h g^(-1)at 100 mA g^(-1),capacity retained 91%) and outstanding rate performance(235 mA h g^(-1)at 2000 mA g^(-1),76% capacity retention versus 50 mA g^(-1)).This work provides a strategy to combine the macromolecular structural design and micromorphology control of electrode materials for obtaining organic polymer cathodes for high-performance LIBs.

Template synthesis of copper azide primary explosive through Cu2O@HKUST-1 core-shell composite prepared by “bottle around ship” method

Copper azide(CA), as a primary explosive with high energy density, has not been practically used so far because of its high electrostatic sensitivity. The Cu2O@HKUST-1 core-shell structure hybrid material was synthesized by the “bottle around ship” methodology in this research by regulating the dissolution rate of Cu2O and the generation rate of metal-organic framework(MOF) materials. Cu2O@HKUST-1 was carbonized to form a Cu O@porous carbon(CuO@PC) composite material. CuO@PC was synthesized into a copper azide(CA) @PC composite energetic material through a gas-solid phase in-situ azidation reaction.CA is encapsulated in PC framework, which acts as a nanoscale Faraday cage, and its excellent electrical conductivity prevents electrostatic charges from accumulating on the energetic material’s surface. The CA@PC composite energetic material has a CA content of 89.6%, and its electrostatic safety is nearly 30times that of pure CA(1.47 mJ compared to 0.05 mJ). CA@PC delivers an outstanding balance of safety and energy density compared to similar materials.

DIFFUSION COUPLE BETWEEN HIGHSTRENGTH WEAR-RESISTING ALUMINUM BRONZE AND MACHINING TOOLS MATERIALS

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Electrical Conductivity and Corrosion Resistanceof ZnFe _(2)O _(4) Based Materials Used as Inert Anodefor Aluminum Electrolysis

ZnFe 2O 4 and ZnFe 2O 4 based materials were tested to obtain the electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance in melting bath for aluminum electrolysis. The results proved that adequate additives, such as Ni 2O 3 CuO, Cu, ZnO and CeO 2 would increase the electrical conductivity, and the ZnFe 2O 4 based anodes with these additives were of good corrosion resistance. The current density on anode, the mole ratio of NaF/AlF 3 (MR) and the content of alumina in the bath effect the anode corrosion rate in different way.

A MOLD MATERIAL USED FOR TITANIUM-ALUMINUM ALLOY-CALCIA

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Powder Metallurgical Fabrication and Microstructural Investigations of Aluminum/Steel Functionally Graded Material

Aluminum/steel electric transition joints (ETJs) are used in aluminum reduction cell for the purpose of welding aluminum rod and steel bracket components. Solid state welding process used for joining aluminum and steel at the electric transition joints have the drawbacks of cracking and separation at the interface surfaces. Cracking and separation at the electric transition joints are caused by the stress singularities that developed due to the mismatch in thermal and mechanical properties of each material. To overcome the drawback of electric transition joints, aluminum/steel functionally graded may be used as electric transition joints or proposed. Therefore manufacturing and investigation of aluminum/steel functionally graded materials fabricated by powder metallurgy process were carried out through the current work. Different samples with different layers of aluminum/steel functionally graded materials were compacted using steel die and punch at the same compacted pressure and sintered temperature. After investigating the different samples of aluminum/steel functionally graded materials under different fabrication conditions, the suitable fabrication regime was determined with the aid of microscopic observations.

Influence of melt-treatment on material constants of aluminum sheet used for easy-open can during hot deformation

The isothermal compression test at elevated temperature was carried out for aluminum sheets prepared by different melt-treatment methods with aid of dynamic hot/mechanical simulation experimental technology. The material constants of hot deformation have been solved by multivariate regression directly. Influence of metallurgy factors on the constants was analyzed. The results show that at some strain, the relationship of sheets’ flow stress with deformation temperature and strain rate can be expressed more suitably with Arrhenius equation modified by hyperbolic sine function. Structure factor A1, stress-level coefficient α, strain rate sensibility exponent m and deformation activation energy Q all increase with increment of strain, while stress exponent n decreases gradually. The bigger α value or the smaller n value is, the more obvious the dynamic softening is, but the α value will increase for the metallurgy defects existing in the sheets. Influence of melt-treatment on Q depends upon the synthesis effect of all kinds of metallurgy defects. The Q and n values of the sheet prepared by high-efficient melt-treatment are the least, while the m value is the biggest, and the sheet can deform easily and evenly.

Effect of mould material on aluminum alloy ingot quality under low frequency electromagnetic casting

With the aid of ANSYS software, the effect of different mould external part materials on magnetic flux density and electromagnetic body force in the liquid aluminum was investigated. Calculated results showed that magnetic flux density and electromagnetic body force in the aluminum melt are greatly increased when the external part of mould is made from A3 steel. A low-frequency electromagnetic casting 6063 aluminum alloy experiment was conducted in the laboratory with the current value of 120 A and frequency value of 15 Hz. The experiment showed that the microstructure and surface quality of ingots with mould outer part made from A3 steel under low-frequency electromagnetic field are better than that of ingots with mould outer part made from austenitic stainless steel. The surface of the ingots with mould outer part made from A3 steel is smooth and free from exudations and cold shut defects. The as-cast microstructure consists of fine, uniformly distributed equiaxed grains.

New Technique for Making Composite Materials—Field Assisted Diffusion Bonding of Alumina to Aluminum

There are two ways to join ceramics to metals: brazing and bonding. However, brazing processes are time-comsuming and energy-comsuming and is limited by the low working temperature. Generally speaking, bonding, or specifically, Diffusion Bonding performs better than brazing. Besides diffusion bonding, a more specialized technique is Field Assisted Diffusion Bonding (FADB).

Exploring material flow in friction stir welding using stacked structure of 2024 and 6061 aluminum alloys

An experimental technique based on stacked structures was developed to observe the material flow behavior of the friction stir welding （FSW） process. Analysis of section views along different directions revealed important new details of the material flow in FSW process. In this work, a general flow model of FSW was constructed based on the analysis of different static section views of stacked structure weld. The formation of onion rings was found to be a geometric effect due to layered deposition attd the extrusion occurred at the interface between flow arm （FA） and stirring zone （SZ）.

Material flow behavior and microstructural evolution during refill friction stir spot welding of alclad 2A12-T4 aluminum alloy

In this study, we used the stop-action technique to experimentally investigate the material flow and microstructural evolution of alclad 2A12-T4 aluminum alloy during refill friction stir spot welding.There are two material flow components, i.e., the inward-or outward-directed spiral flow on the horizontal plane and the upward-or downward-directed flow on the vertical plane.In the plunge stage, the flow of plasticized metal into the cavity is similar to that of a stack, whereby the upper layer is pushed upward by the lower layer.In the refill stage, this is process reversed.As such, there is no obvious vertical plasticized metal flow between adjacent layers.Welding leads to the coarsening of S(Al2CuMg) in the thermo-mechanically affected zone and the diminishing of S in the stir zone.Continuous dynamic recrystallization results in the formation of fine equiaxed grains in the stir zone, but this process becomes difficult in the thermo-mechanically affected zone due to the lower deformation rate and the pinning action of S precipitates on the dislocations and sub-grain boundaries, which leads to a high fraction of low-angle grain boundaries in this zone.

Oxidation Kinetics of Aluminum Powders in a Gas Fluidized Bed Reactor in the Potential Application of Surge Arresting Materials

In this technical paper, the oxidation mechanism and kinetics of aluminum powders are discussed in great details. The potential applications of spherical aluminum powders after oxidation to be part of the surging arresting materials are discussed. Theoretical calculations of oxidation of spherical aluminum powders in a typical gas fluidization bed are demonstrated. Computer software written by the author is used to carry out the basic calculations of important parameters of a gas fluidization bed at different temperatures. A mathematical model of the dynamic system in a gas fluidization bed is developed and the analytical solution is obtained. The mathematical model can be used to estimate aluminum oxide thickness at a defined temperature. The mathematical model created in this study is evaluated and confirmed consistently with the experimental results on a gas fluidization bed. Detail technical discussion of the oxidation mechanism of aluminum is carried out. The mathematical deviations of the mathematical modeling have demonstrated in great details. This mathematical model developed in this study and validated with experimental results can bring a great value for the quantitative analysis of a gas fluidization bed in general from a theoretical point of view. It can be applied for the oxidation not only for aluminum spherical powders, but also for other spherical metal powders. The mathematical model developed can further enhance the applications of gas fluidization technology. In addition to the development of mathematical modeling of a gas fluidization bed reactor, the formation of oxide film through diffusion on both planar and spherical aluminum surfaces is analyzed through a thorough mathematical deviation using diffusion theory and Laplace transformation. The dominant defects and their impact to oxidation of aluminum are also discussed in detail. The well-controlled oxidation film on spherical metal powders such as aluminum and other metal spherical powders can potentially become an important part of switch devices of surge arresting materials, in general.

Formation and characterization of core-shell CL-20/TNT composite prepared by spray-drying technique

The core-shell 2,4,6,8,10,12-Hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane/2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene(CL-20/TNT)composite was prepared by spray-drying method in which sensitive high energy explosive(CL-20)was coated with insensitive explosive(TNT).The structure and properties of different formulations of CL-20/TNT composite and CL-20/TNT mixture were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),Transmission electron microscopy(TEM),Laser particle size analyzer,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),X-ray diffraction(XRD),differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),impact sensitivity test and detonation performance.The results of SEM,TEM,XPS and XRD show that e-CL-20 particles are coated by TNT.When the ratio of CL-20/TNT is 75/25,core-shell structure is well formed,and thickness of the shell is about 20e30 nm.And the analysis of heat and impact show that with the increase of TNT content,the TNT coating on the core-shell composite material can not only catalyze the thermal decomposition of core material(CL-20),but also greatly reduce the impact sensitivity.Compared with the CL-20/TNT mixture(75/25)at the same ratio,the characteristic drop height of core-shell CL-20/TNT composite(75/25)increased by 47.6%and the TNT coating can accelerate the nuclear decomposition in the CL-20/TNT composites.Therefore,the preparation of the core-shell composites can be regarded as a unique means,by which the composites are characterized by controllable decomposition rate,high energy and excellent mechanical sensitivity and could be applied to propellants and other fields.

Rechargeable metal(Li, Na, Mg, Al)-sulfur batteries: Materials and advances

Energy and environmental issues are becoming more and more severe and renewable energy storage technologies are vital to solve the problem.Rechargeable metal(Li,Na,Mg,Al)-sulfur batteries with low-cost and earth-abundant elemental sulfur as the cathode are attracting more and more interest for electrical energy storage in recent years.Lithium-sulfur(Li-S),room-temperature sodium-sulfur(RT Na-S),magnesium-sulfur(Mg-S)and aluminum-sulfur(Al-S)batteries are the most prominent candidates among them.Many obvious obstacles are hampering the developments of metal-sulfur batteries.Li-S and Na-S batteries are encumbered mainly by anode dendrite issues,polysulfides shuttle and low conductivity of cathodes.Mg-S and Al-S batteries are short of suitable electrolytes.In this review,relationships between various employed nanostructured materials and electrochemical performances of metal-sulfur batteries have been demonstrated.Moreover,the selections of suitable electrolytes,anode protection,separator modifications and prototype innovations are all crucial to the developments of metal-sulfur batteries and are discussed at the same time.Herein,we give a review on the advances of Li-S,RT Na-S,Mg-S and Al-S batteries from the point of view of materials,and then focus on perspectives of their future developments.

Preparation and Luminescence Properties of Gadolinium Aluminate Phosphor Material Chip

The combinatorial material chip approach is an excellent innovation for inorganic functional material research, and it can discover and screen new materials efficiently. In the present work, the approach was used to find quickly and improve gadolinium aluminate phosphors (Gd_ 1-xAl_yO_z∶RE_x). Under UV lamp excited (λ_ ex=254 nm) the Gd_ 1-xAl_yO_z∶RE_x phosphor material chip evaluation shows that the suitable n(Al)∶n(Gd) in host materials is 1∶1 for Eu and Tb ion activators. The luminescence character coherence between combinatorial material chip and parallelism powder samples produced by nitric-citric process was also confirmed.

Facile synthesis and performance of polypyrrole-coated sulfur nanocomposite as cathode materials for lithium/sulfur batteries

In situ chemical oxidation polymerization of pyrrole on the surface of sulfur particles was carried out to synthesize a sulfur/polypyrrole （SIPPy） nanocomposite with core-shell structure. The composite was characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning/transmission electron microscopy, and electrochemical measurements. XRD and FTIR results showed that sulfur well dispersed in the core-shell structure and PPy structure was successfully obtained via in situ oxidative polymerization of pyrrole on the surface of sulfur particles. TEM observation revealed that PPy was formed and fixed to the surface of sulfur nanoparticle after polymerization, developing a well-defined core-shell structure and the thickness of PPy coating layer was in the range of 20-30 nm. In the composite, PPy worked as a conducting matrix as well as a coating agent, which confined the active materials within the electrode. Consequently, the as prepared SIPPy composite cathode exhibited good cycling and rate performances for rechargeable lithium/sulfur batteries. The resulting cell containing SIPPy composite cathode yields a discharge capacity of 1039 mAh·g^-1 at the initial cycle and retains 59% of this value over 50 cycles at 0.1 C rate. At 1 C rate, the SIPPy composite showed good cycle stability, and the discharge capacity was 475 mAh·g^-1 after 50 cycles.