Influence of Fe_2O_3 Impurity on the Crystalline Structure of Cordierite Synthesized from Waste Aluminum Slag

The influence of Fe2O3 impurity on the crystalline structure of cordierite synthesized from waste aluminum slag is discussed. XRD and SEM techniques were employed to characterize the crystalline structure and microstructure of each specimen. Philips X’pert plus software was used to determine the lattice parameters of each specimen. The results show that the Fe2O3 content of 0.8～1.6wt% is beneficial to the formation of cordierite, with the cordierite amount reaching 90wt%. So 0.8～1.6wt% is considered as the allowable Fe2O3 content in the specimens and 0.8wt% is determined to be the best after overall analysis. Plus software analysis shows that the cordierite in each specimen has the same symmetrical hexagonal structure as the single crystal, and the lattice parameters as well as the lattice dimensions change slightly.

Microstructure and evolution of(TiB_2+Al_2O_3)/NiAl composites prepared by self-propagation high-temperature synthesis

（TiB2＋Al2O3）/NiAl composites were synthesized by self-propagation high-temperature synthesis, and their phase compositions, microstructures and evolution modes were studied. The microstructures and shapes vary with the TiB2＋Al2O3 content in the NiAl matrix. TiB2 particles take a great variety of elementary shapes such as white bars, plates, herringbones, regular cubes and cuboids. These results outline a strategy of self-assembly processes in real time to build diversified microstructures. Some TiB2 grains in sizes of 2-5μm are embeded in Al2O3 clusters, while a small number of TiB2 particles disperse in the NiAl matrix. It is believed that the higher the TiB2＋Al2O3 content is, the more the regular shapes and homogeneous distributions of TiB2 and Al2O3 will be present in the NiAl matrix.

Thermodynamics on formation of C, Al_4C_3 and Al_2O_3 in AlCl disproportionation process in vacuum to produce aluminum

The formation conditions of C, Al4C3 and Al2O3 in the Al Cl disproportionation process in vacuum to produce aluminum was investigated by thermodynamics analysis. It is demonstrated that the required temperatures for the reactions to form these impurities, the disproportionation of CO and the reactions of metallic aluminum with CO, decrease with decreasing pressure. The lg pCO-1/T diagram of metallic aluminum-CO system agrees with the experimental results, indicating that the reaction rate is very high and this system in vacuum is approximately in equilibrium; therefore, the equilibrium diagram can be used to predict the possible reactions in this system in vacuum.

Preparation of Al_2O_3/Au nano-laminated composite coatings and their oxidation resistance on stainless steel

Al2O3/Au nano-laminated composite coatings were prepared by means of magnetron sputtering. The coating was compact and comprised of nano-laminated Al2O3 and Au layers. High temperature cyclic oxidation test was employed to investigate the oxidation resistance of the composite coatings. The results revealed that the applied Al2O3/Au nano-laminated composite coatings improved the oxidation and spallation resistance of the stainless steel substrate significantly. The mechanism accounting for oxidation resistance was related with the suppression of inward oxygen diffusion and selective oxidation of Cr in the substrate. The mechanism accounting for spallation resistance was attributed to the relaxation of thermal stress by the nano-laminated structure.

Effect of CuO particle size on synthesis temperature and microstructure of Al_2O_(3p)-Al composites from Al-CuO system

Al2O3p-Al composites were synthesized using an in-situ reaction in the 80%Al-20%CuO （mass fraction） system. The effects of the CuO particle size on the synthesis temperature and microstructure of the composites were investigated by various methods. The results indicate that the CuO particle size has a significant effect on the temperature at which the complete reaction in the Al-CuO system occurs：the temperature is 200 ℃ lower in the Al-CuO system containing CuO particles with sizes less than 6μm than that containing CuO particles with sizes less than 100μm. The interfacial bonding between Al2O3 particles and Al is not complete when the temperature is below a critical value. The morphology of the Al2O3 particles varies from ribbon-like shape to near spherical shape when the temperature is above a critical value. These two critical temperatures are affected by the particle size of CuO, and the critical temperature of the sample containing CuO particles with sizes less than 6μm is 100 ℃ lower than that of the sample containing CuO particles with sizes less than 100μm.

Modification of Nano-α-Al2O3 and Its Influence on the Surface Properties of Waterborne Polyurethane Resin Composite Passivation Films

Silane coupling agent KH560 was used to modify the surface of nano-α-Al2O3 in ethanol-aqueous solution with different proportions. The particle size of nano-α-Al2O3 was determined by nano-particle size analyzer, and the effects of nano-α-Al2O3 content, ethanol-aqueous solution ratio and KH560 dosage on the dispersion and particle size of nano-α-Al2O3 were investigated. The material structure before and after modification was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Aqueous polyurethane resin and inorganic components are combined with modified nano-α-Al2O3 dispersion to form chromium-free passivation solution. The solution is coated on the galvanized sheet, the adhesion and surface hardness are tested, the bonding strength of the coating and the surface hardness of the substrate are discussed. The corrosion resistance and surface morphology of the matrix were investigated by electrochemical test, neutral salt spray test and scanning electron microscope test. The chromium-free passivation film formed after the modification of nano-α-Al2O3 increases the surface hardness of galvanized sheet by about 85%. The corrosion resistance of the film is better than that of a single polyurethane film. The results show that the surface hardness and corrosion resistance of polyurethane resin composite passivation film are significantly improved by the introduction of nano-α-Al2O3.

Microstructure of nanometer Al_2O_3 dispersion strengthened Ni-based high-temperature protective coatings by laser cladding

The nanometer Al2O3 dispersion strengthened NiCoCrAlY high-temperature protective coatings by crosscurrent CO2 laser on Ni-based superalloy GH4033 were produced. Microscopic morphologies, phase constitutions of cladding coatings and distribution of nano-Al2O3 particles were examined using SEM and XRD. The results show that the interface grains, after adding proper nano-Al2O3, grow from epitaxial to non-epitaxial shape gradually, and the columnar dendrites become thinner and denser with cellular shape. Cracks in the substrate close to the interface are eliminated. Moreover, dispersive nano-Al2O3 particles mainly distribute around cellular substructure and on grain-boundaries, which prevents the diffusion of alloying elements and restrains the formation of new phase. There is a critical value of nano-Al2O3 addition, and the most suitable content of nano-Al2O3 is 1% (mass fraction) in this experimental conditions. The "nanometer effect" of nano-Al2O3 particles plays an important role in the improvement of coating microstructure.

Local structural evolutions of CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst for methanol synthesis under operando conditions studied by in situ quick X-ray absorption spectroscopy

In situ quick X-ray absorption spectroscopy(QXAFS) at the Cu and Zn K-edge under operando conditions has been used to unravel the Cu/Zn interaction and identify possible active site of CuO/ZnO/Al_2O_3 catalyst for methanol synthesis. In this work, the catalyst, whose activity increases with the reaction temperature and pressure, was studied at calcined, reduced, and reacted conditions. TEM and EDX images for the calcined and reduced catalysts showed that copper was distributed uniformly at both conditions. TPR profile revealed two reduction peaks at 165 and 195 °C for copper species in the calcined catalyst. QXAFS results demonstrated that the calcined form consisted mainly of a mixed Cu O and Zn O, and it was progressively transformed into Cu metal particles and dispersed Zn O species as the reduction treatment. It was demonstrated that activation of the catalyst precursor occurred via a Cu^+intermediate, and the active catalyst predominantly consisted of metallic Cu and Zn O evenunder higher pressures. Structure of the active catalyst did not change with the temperature or pressure, indicating that the role of the Zn was mainly to improve Cu dispersion.This indicates the potential of QXAFS method in studying the structure evolutions of catalysts in methanol synthesis.

In-situ Synthesis of Ti_3AlC2/TiC-Al_2O_3 Composite from TiO_2-Al-C System

Ti3AlC2/TiC-Al2O3 composite was synthesized by a combustion reaction in TiO2-Al-C system. The effect of the compositions in raw materials on the products was investigated. Ti3AlC2/TiC-Al2O3 composite was obtained at the molar ratio of TiO2：Al：C=3.0：5.0～5.1：1.8～2.0. The reaction path for the 3TiO2-5Al- 2C system was proposed. Al3Ti, Ti203, TiO, and 6-Al2O3 are found to be transitional phases. Finally, Ti3AlC2/TiC-Al2O3 composite forms at～900℃ of furnace temperature. The measured Vickers hardness, fracture toughness, and flexural strength of the nearly dense sample from 3TiO2-5Al-2C are 13.3±1.1 GPa, 5.8±0.3 MPa.m^1/2, and 466±39 MPa, respectively.

Investigation of the characteristics and deactivation of catalytic active center of Cr-Al_2O_3 catalysts for isobutane dehydrogenation

Deactivation mechanism of Cr-Al2O3catalyst and the interaction of Cr-A1 in the dehydrogenation of isobutane, as well as the nature of the catalytic active center, were studied using XRD, SEM, XPS, H2-TPR, isobutane-TPR and TPO techniques. The results revealed that the deactivation of Cr-Al2O3 catalyst was mainly caused by carbon deposition on its surface. The Cr3＋ ion could not be reduced by hydrogen but could be reduced to Cr2＋ by hydrocarbons and monoxide carbon. The active center for isobutane dehydrogenation could be Cr2＋/Cr3＋ produced from Cr6＋ by the on line reduction of hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide. The binding energy of Al3＋ was strongly affected by the state of chromium cations in the catalysts.

Effect of Al_2O_3 Binder on the Precipitated Iron-Based Catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis

A series of iron-based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis （FTS） catalysts incorporated with Al2O3 binder were prepared by the combination of co-precipitation and spray drying technology. The catalyst samples were characterized by using N2 physical adsorption, temperature-programmed reduction/desorption （TPR/TPD） and MSssbauer effect spectroscopy （MES） methods. The characterization results indicated that the BET surface area increases with increasing Al2O3 content and passes through a maximum at the Al2O3/Fe ratio of 10/100 （weight basis）. After the point, it decreases with further increase in Al2O3 content. The incorporation of Al2O3 binder was found to weaken the surface basicity and suppress the reduction and carburization of iron-based catalysts probably due to the strong K-Al2O3 and Fe-Al2O3 interactions. Furthermore, the H2 adsorption ability of the catalysts is enhanced with increasing Al2O3 content. The FTS performances of the catalysts were tested in a slurry-phase continuously stirred tank reactor （CSTR） under the reaction conditions of 260 ℃, 1.5 MPa, 1000 h^-1 and molar ratio of H2/CO 0.67 for 200 h. The results showed that the addition of small amounts of Al2O3 affects the activity of iron-based catalysts to a little extent. However, with further increase of Al2O3 content, the FTS activity and water gas shift reaction （WGS） activity are decreased severely. The addition of appropriate Al2O3 do not affect the product selectivity, but the catalysts incorporated with large amounts of Al2O3 have higher selectivity for light hydrocarbons and lower selectivity for heavy hydrocarbons.

Preparation of Al2O3 nanowires on 7YSZ thermal barrier coatings against CMAS corrosion

The commonly-employed material for thermal barrier coatings(TBCs)is 7 wt.%Y2O3 ZrO2(7YSZ),generally deposited by electron beam-physical vapor deposition(EB-PVD).Due to the increasing demand for higher operating temperature in aero-derivative gas turbines,a lot of effort has been made to prevent the premature failure of columnar 7YSZ TBCs,which is induced by the microstructure degradation,sintering and spallation after the deposition of infiltrated siliceous mineral(consisting of calcium magnesium aluminum silicate(CaO MgO Al2O3 SiO2,i.e.,CMAS)).A new method called Al-modification for columnar 7YSZ TBCs against CMAS corrosion was present.The Al film was magnetron-sputtered on the surface of the columnar 7YSZ TBCs,followed by performing vacuum heat treatment of the Al-deposited TBCs.During the heat treatment,the molten Al reacted with ZrO2 to formα-Al2O3 overlay that effectively hindered CMAS infiltration.Moreover,the Al film could evaporate and re-nucleate,leading to the generation of Al2O3 nanowires,which further restrained the moving of molten CMAS.

The effect of Al3+ coordination structure on the propane dehydrogenation activity of Pt/Ga/Al2O3 catalysts

The effect of the Al2O3 structure on the performance of Pt/Ga/Al2O3 catalysts is investigated for the direct dehydrogenation of propane. The study unveils that the structure of Al3+determines the bulk structure of catalysts, particularly a high content of coordinatively unsaturated Al3+sites(penta-coordinated Al3+,denoted as Al3+penta) could lead to a remarkably improved dehydrogenation activity of the catalyst. The bulk characterization reveals that the sufficient amount of Al3+pentain Al2O3 benefit the dispersion of Pt and Ga2O3 on the Al2O3 support. At the same time, TPR results reveal that the presence of Pt facilitates the reduction of Ga2O3, likely due to the hydrogen spillover between the well dispersed Pt and Ga2O3,which consequently enhances the synergistic function between Pt and Ga2O3 in the dehydrogenation of propane. Recyclability tests demonstrate that the dehydrogenation activity stabilizes after three cycles over the Pt/Ga/Al2O3 catalyst.

Preparation of Fe_2P/Al_2O_3 and FeP/Al_2O_3 catalysts for the hydrotreating reactions

A 60%Fe/Al_2O_3 catalyst was prepared by the co-precipitation method.It was reduced by H_2 to produce metallic Fe,which was then sulfided by CS_2 to Fe_(0.96) S and Fe_3S_4 or phosphided by triphenylphosphine(PPh3) in liquid phases to Fe2 P and Fe P.It was found that the iron sulfides(Fe0.96 S and Fe_3S_4) exhibited the low activity for the hydrodesulfurization(HDS) reactions.The HDS activity was also low on the Fe(metal)/Al_2O_3 and Fe_2 P/Al_2O_3 catalysts since they were converted into Fe0.96 S and Fe_3S_4 during the HDS reactions.In contrast,the FeP/Al_2O_3 was found to be stable and active for the HDS reactions.In particular,Fe P/Al_2O_3 possessed significantly smaller Fe P particles than Fe P/C,leading to the significant higher HDS activity of FeP/Al_2O_3 than Fe P/C.

Thermal shock fatigue behavior of TiC/Al_2O_3 composite ceramics

The thermal shock fatigue behaviors of pure hot-pressed alumina and 30 wt.% TiC/Al2O3 composites were studied. The effect of TiC and Al2O3 starting particle size on the mechanical properties of the composites was discussed. Indentation-quench test was conducted to evaluate the effect of thermal fatigue temperature difference （ΔT） and number of thermal cycles （Ⅳ） on fatigue crack growth （Δa）. The mechanical properties and thermal fatigue resistance of TiC/Al203 composites are remarkably improved by the addition of TiC. The thermal shock fatigue of monolithic alumina and TiC/Al2O3 composites is due to a ＂true＂ cycling effect （thermal fatigue）. Crack deflection and bridging are the predominant reasons for the improvement of thermal shock fatigue resistance of the composites.

DBD coupled with MnOx/γ-Al2O3 catalysts for the degradation of chlorobenzene

This paper investigates the degradation of chlorobenzene by dielectric barrier discharge(DBD)coupled with MnOx/γ-Al2O3 catalysts.MnOx/γ-Al2O3 catalysts were prepared using the impregnation method and were characterized in detail by N2 adsorption/desorption,x-ray diffraction and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.Compared with the single DBD reactor,the coupled reactor has a better performance on the removal rate of chlorobenzene,the selectivity of COx,and the inhibition of ozone production,especially at low discharge voltages.The degradation rate of chlorobenzene and selectivity of COx can reach 96.3%and 53.0%,respectively,at the specific energy density of 1350 J l-1.Moreover,the ozone concentration produced by the discharge is significantly reduced because the MnOx/Al2O3 catalysts contribute to the decomposition of ozone to form oxygen atoms for the oxidation of chlorobenzene.In addition,based on analysis of the byproducts,the decomposition mechanism of chlorobenzene in the coupled reactor is also discussed.

The nature of the deactivation of hydrothermally stable Ni/SiO2–Al2O3 catalyst in long-time aqueous phase hydrogenation of crude 1,4-butanediol

The deactivation of Ni/SiO2-Al2 O3 catalyst in hydrogenation of crude 1,4-butanediol was investigated.During the operation time of 2140 h,the catalyst showed slow activity decay.Characterization results,for four spent catalysts used at different time,indicated that the main reason of the catalyst deactivation was the deposition of carbonaceous species that covered the active Ni and blocked mesopores of the catalyst.The TPO and SEM measurements revealed that the carbonaceous species included both oligomeric and polymeric species with high C/H ratio and showed sheet.Such carbonaceous species might be eliminated through either direct H2 reduction or the combined oxidation-reduction methodologies.

Microstructure and compression properties of fine Al2O3 particles dispersion strengthened molybdenum alloy

The Mo alloys reinforced by Al2O3 particles were fabricated by hydrothermal synthesis and powder metallurgy. The microstructures of Mo-Al2O3 alloys were studied by using XRD, SEM and TEM. The results show that Al2O3 particles, existing as a stable hexagonal phase(α-Al2O3), are uniformly dispersed in Mo matrix. The ultrafine α-Al2O3 particles remarkably refine grain size and increase dislocation density of Mo alloys. Moreover, a good interfacial bonding zone between α-Al2O3 and Mo grain is obtained. The crystallographic orientations of the interface of the Al2O3 particles and Mo matrix are [111]a-Al2O3//[111]Mo and(112)a-Al2O3//(0 11)Mo. Due to the effect of secondary phase and dislocation strengthening, the yield strength of Mo-2.0 vol.%Al2O3 alloy annealed at 1200 ℃ is approximately 56.0% higher than that of pure Mo. The results confirm that the addition of Al2O3 particles is a promising method to improve the mechanical properties of Mo alloys.

Sub-nanometer-thick Al2O3 Overcoat Remarkably Enhancing Thermal Stability of Supported Gold Catalysts

Supported gold nanoparticle catalysts show extraordinarily high activity in many reactions. While the relative poor thermal stability of Au nanoparticles against sintering at elevated temperatures severely limits their practical applications. Here atomic layer deposition （ALD） of TiO2 and Al2O3 was performed to deposit an Au/TiO2 catalyst with precise thickness con-trol, and the thermal stability was investigated. We surprisingly found that sub-nanometer-thick Al2O3 overcoat can su ciently inhibit the aggregation of Au particles up to 600 C in oxygen. On the other hand, the enhancement of Au nanoparticle stability by TiO2 overcoat is very limited. Di use reffectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy （DRIFTS） of CO chemisorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements both con rmed the ALD overcoat on Au particles surface and suggested that the presence of TiO2 and Al2O3 ALD overcoat on Au nanoparticles does not considerably change the electronic properties of Au nanoparticles. The catalytic activities of the Al2O3 overcoated Au/TiO2 catalysts in CO oxidation increased as increasing calcination temperature, which suggests that the embed-ded Au nanoparticles become more accessible for catalytic function after high temperature treatment, consistent with our DRIFTS CO chemisorption results.

Dynamic recrystallization behavior and mechanical properties of bimodal scale Al2O3 reinforced AZ31 composites by soild state synthesis

In this paper,(500 nm 1%+5μm 3%)bimodal scale Al2O3p/AZ31 composites was fabricated by solid state synthesis and the effect of bimodal scale Al2O3 particulates on its dynamic recrystallization behavior and mechanical properties was investigated.The optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy,transmission electron microscopy and electron universal strength tester composites were used to characterize the composites.The results indicate that the grains size of the composites are significantly refined and the mechanical properties are obviously improved.Due to the presence of the bimodal scale Al2o3 particulates,the high-density dislocation zone is formed around nano-Al2o3p and the particle deformation zone is formed near micron-ABOap.These zones are ideal sites for the formation of recrystallization nucleus.Meanwhile,the addition of the bimodal scale Al2o3 particulates may delay or hinder the growth of matrix grain through the pining effect on the grain boundaries,resulting in significantly improving the yield strength and tensile strength of Al2O3p/AZ31 composites.