Superplasticity of fine-grained Mg-10Li alloy prepared by severe plastic deformation and understanding its deformation mechanisms

The superplastic behavior and associated deformation mechanisms of a fine-grained Mg-10.1 Li-0.8Al-0.6Zn alloy(LAZ1011)with a grain size of 3.2μm,primarily composed of the BCCβphase and a small amount of the HCPαphase,were examined in a temperature range of 473 K to 623 K.The microstructural refinement of this alloy was achieved by employing high-ratio differential speed rolling.The best superplasticity was achieved at 523 K and at strain rates of 10^(-4)-5×10^(-4)s^(-1),where tensile elongations of 550±600%were obtained.During the heating and holding stage of the tensile samples prior to tensile loading,a significant increase in grain size was observed at temperatures above 573 K.Therefore,it was important to consider this effect when analyzing and understanding the superplastic deformation behavior and mechanisms.In the investigated strain rate range,the superplastic flow at low strain rates was governed by lattice diffusion-controlled grain boundary sliding,while at high strain rates,lattice diffusion-controlled dislocation climb creep was the rate-controlling deformation mechanism.It was concluded that solute drag creep is unlikely to occur.During the late stages of deformation at 523 K,it was observed that grain boundary sliding led to the agglomeration of theαphase,resulting in significant strain hardening.Deformation mechanism maps were constructed forβ-Mg-Li alloys in the form of 2D and 3D formats as a function of strain rate,stress,temperature,and grain size,using the constitutive equations for various deformation mechanisms derived based on the data of the current tests.

Emerging two-dimensional Mo-based materials for rechargeable metal-ion batteries:Advances and perspectives

With the rapid development of rechargeable metal-ion batteries(MIBs)with safety,stability and high energy density,significant efforts have been devoted to exploring high-performance electrode materials.In recent years,two-dimensional(2D)molybdenum-based(Mo-based)materials have drawn considerable attention due to their exceptional characteristics,including low cost,unique crystal structure,high theoretical capacity and controllable chemical compositions.However,like other transition metal compounds,Mo-based materials are facing thorny challenges to overcome,such as slow electron/ion transfer kinetics and substantial volume changes during the charge and discharge processes.In this review,we summarize the recent progress in developing emerging 2D Mo-based electrode materials for MIBs,encompassing oxides,sulfides,selenides,carbides.After introducing the crystal structure and common synthesis methods,this review sheds light on the charge storage mechanism of several 2D Mo-based materials by various advanced characterization techniques.The latest achievements in utilizing 2D Mo-based materials as electrode materials for various MIBs(including lithium-ion batteries(LIBs),sodium-ion batteries(SIBs)and zinc-ion batteries(ZIBs))are discussed in detail.Afterwards,the modulation strategies for enhancing the electrochemical performance of 2D Mo-based materials are highlighted,focusing on heteroatom doping,vacancies creation,composite coupling engineering and nanostructure design.Finally,we present the existing challenges and future research directions for 2D Mo-based materials to realize high-performance energy storage systems.

The Fabrication and Detection Performance of High Sensitivity Au-Ag Alloy Nanostar/Paper Flexible Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Sensors

Au-Ag alloy nanostars based flexible paper surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy sensors were fabricated through simple nanostar coating on regular office paper,and the surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy detection performances were investigated using crystal violet dye analyte.Au-Ag nanostars with sharp tips were synthesized via metal ions reduction method.Transmission electron microscope images,X-Ray diffraction pattern and energy dispersive spectroscopy elemental mapping confirmed the nanostar geometry and Au/Ag components of the nanostructure.UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectrum shows wide local surface plasmon resonance induced optical extinction.In addition,finite-difference time-domain simulation shows much stronger electromagnetic field from nanostars than from sphere nanoparticle.The effect of coating layer on Raman signal intensities was discussed,and optimized 5-layer coating with best Raman signal was obtained.The Au-Ag nanostatrs homogeneously distribute on paper fiber surface.The detection limit is 10-10 M,and the relationship between analyte concentrations and Raman signal intensities shows well linear,for potential quantitative analysis.The calculated enhancement factor is 4.795×10^(6).The flexible paper surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy sensors could be applied for trace chemical and biology molecule detection.

Coupling of Adhesion and Anti‑Freezing Properties in Hydrogel Electrolytes for Low‑Temperature Aqueous‑Based Hybrid Capacitors

Solid-state zinc-ion capacitors are emerging as promising candidates for large-scale energy storage owing to improved safety,mechanical and thermal stability and easy-to-direct stacking.Hydrogel electrolytes are appealing solid-state electrolytes because of eco-friendliness,high conductivity and intrinsic flexibility.However,the electrolyte/electrode interfacial contact and anti-freezing properties of current hydrogel electrolytes are still challenging for practical applications of zinc-ion capacitors.Here,we report a class of hydrogel electrolytes that couple high interfacial adhesion and anti-freezing performance.The synergy of tough hydrogel matrix and chemical anchorage enables a well-adhered interface between hydrogel electrolyte and electrode.Meanwhile,the cooperative solvation of ZnCl2 and LiCl hybrid salts renders the hydrogel electrolyte high ionic conductivity and mechanical elasticity simultaneously at low temperatures.More significantly,the Zn||carbon nanotubes hybrid capacitor based on this hydrogel electrolyte exhibits low-temperature capacitive performance,delivering high-energy density of 39 Wh kg^(-1)at-60°C with capacity retention of 98.7%over 10,000 cycles.With the benefits of the well-adhered electrolyte/electrode interface and the anti-freezing hydrogel electrolyte,the Zn/Li hybrid capacitor is able to accommodate dynamic deformations and function well under 1000 tension cycles even at-60°C.This work provides a powerful strategy for enabling stable operation of low-temperature zinc-ion capacitors.

Impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on liver health:Current understanding and future research directions

With continuous population and economic growth in the 21st century,plastic pollution is a major global issue.However,the health concern of microplastics/nanoplastics(MPs/NPs)decomposed from plastic wastes has drawn public attention only in the recent decade.This article summarizes recent works dedicated to understanding the impact of MPs/NPs on the liver-the largest digestive organ,which is one of the primary routes that MPs/NPs enter human bodies.The interrelated mechanisms including oxidative stress,hepatocyte energy re-distribution,cell death and autophagy,as well as immune responses and inflammation,were also featured.In addition,the disturbance of microbiome and gut-liver axis,and the association with clinical diseases such as metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease,steatohepatitis,liver fibrosis,and cirrhosis were briefly discussed.Finally,we discussed potential directions in regard to this trending topic,highlighted current challenges in research,and proposed possible solutions.

Selective Laser Melting of Novel SiC and TiC Strengthen 7075 Aluminum Powders for Anti-Cracks Application

The aerospace and military sectors have widely used AA7075, a type of 7075 aluminum alloy, due to its exceptional mechanical performance. Selective laser melting (SLM) is a highly effective method for producing intricate metallic components, particularly in the case of aluminum alloys like Al-Si-Mg. Nevertheless, the production of high-strength AA7075 by SLM is challenging because of its susceptibility to heat cracking and elemental vaporization. In this study, AA7075 powders were mechanically mixed with SiC and TiC particles. Subsequently, this new type of AA7075 powder was effectively utilized in green laser printing to create solid components with fine-grain strengthening microstructures consisting of equiaxial grains. These as-printed parts exhibit a tensile strength of up to 350 MPa and a ductility exceeding 2.1%. Hardness also increases with the increasing content of mixed powder, highlighting the essential role of SiC and TiC in SLM for improved hardness and tensile strength performance. .

Influence of Non-Natural Ageing Temperature on the Microstructural Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Cast Aluminum 6063 Alloy

This research considered the effect of non-natural aging on the microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties of as-cast aluminum 6063 alloys. The samples were developed through a sand casting process and machined into tensile and impact test samples before carrying out solution heat treatment at 550?C (0.83 Tm) on two parts of the samples while retaining one part as the control. The two parts were further divided into sets denoted A and B and were aged at 180?C (0.27 Tm) and 160?C (0.24 Tm), respectively, for 12 hours. The results showed that sample A has the optimal yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of 192 and 206 MPa, respectively. Likewise, the sample gave the highest impact strength value of about 9.63 J/mm2. The observed results were supported by the optical micrograph, which revealed that the sample has evenly dispersed precipitates in its microstructure. This is deemed responsible for the observed increase in strength of the sample.

Research perspective and prospective of additive manufacturing of biodegradable magnesium-based materials

Biodegradable metals such as magnesium(Mg)and its alloys have attracted extensive attention in biomedical research due to their excellent mechanical properties and biodegradability.However,traditional casting,extrusion,and commercial processing have limitations in manufacturing components with a complex shape/structure,and these processes may produce defects such as cavities and gas pores which can degrade the properties and usefulness of the products.Compared to conventional techniques,additive manufacturing(AM)can be used to precisely control the geometry of workpieces made of different Mg-based materials with multiple geometric scales and produce desirable medical products for orthopedics,dentistry,and other fields.However,a detailed and thorough understanding of the raw materials,manufacturing processes,properties,and applications is required to foster the production of commercial Mg-based biomedical components by AM.This review summarizes recent advances and important issues pertaining to AM of Mg-based biomedical products and discusses future development and application trends.

Interface Engineering and Anion Engineering of Mo-Based Heterogeneous Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Development and utilization of hydrogen energy is an effective way to achieve carbon neutrality,only hydrogen production through electrolytic water splitting meets the goal of zero carbon emission.To facilitate the large-scale commercialization of water splitting devices,the development of highly efficient and low-cost catalysts to reduce the energy consumption is essential.MoS_(2)has been regarded as a promising electrocatalyst to replace platinum in hydrogen evolution reaction due to its low price and unique 2D layered structure.However,the poor conductivity and inert basal planes of MoS_(2)limited its wide-spread application.Recently,researches have demonstrated that the conductivity and active sites of MoS_(2)can be improved by heteroatoms doping or constructing of heterogeneous structures.In this review,the recent progress of Mo-based catalysts are summarized centered on MoS_(2)based on interface engineering and anion engineering,including MoS_(2)–MoO_(2),MoS_(2)–Mo_(2)C,MoS_(2)–MoN_(x),MoS_(2)–MoP,and MoS_(2)–MoSe_(2).The preparation method,structure,and performance of the catalysts are introduced and the possible mechanism behind the improved catalytic activity are revealed to give readers an overall comprehension on the progress of the Mo-based electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction.In addition,an outlook on future opportunities and development directions of Mo-based catalysts are proposed to facilitate the development of Mo-based catalysts for hydrogen production.

High piezo/photocatalytic efficiency of Ag/Bi_(5)O_(7)I nanocomposite using mechanical and solar energy for N2 fixation and methyl orange degradation

In this work,Ag/Bi_(5)O_(7)I nanocomposite was prepared and firstly applied in piezo/photocatalytic reduction of N2 to NH3 and methyl orange(MO)degradation.Bi_(5)O_(7)I was synthesized via a hydrothermal-calcination method and shows nanorods morphology.Ag nanoparticles(NPs)were photo deposited on the Bi_(5)O_(7)I nanorods as electron trappers to improve the spatial separation of charge carriers,which was confirmed via XPS,TEM,and electronic chemical analyses.The catalytic test indicates that Bi_(5)O_(7)I presents the piezoelectric-like behavior,while the loading of Ag NPs can strengthen the character.Under ultrasonic vibration,the optimal Ag/Bi_(5)O_(7)I presents high efficiency in MO degradation.The degradation rate is determined to be 0.033 min
1,which is 4.7 folds faster than that of Bi_(5)O_(7)I.The Ag/Bi_(5)O_(7)I also presents a high performance in piezocatalytic N2 fixation.The piezocatalytic NH3 generation rate reaches 65.4 μmol L^(-1)g^(-1)h^(-1)with water as a hole scavenger.The addition of methanol can hasten the piezoelectric catalytic reaction.Interestingly,when ultrasonic vibration and light irradiation simultaneously act on the Ag/Bi_(5)O_(7)I catalyst,higher performance in NH3 generation and MO degradation is observed.However,due to the weak adhesion of Ag NPs,some Ag NPs would fall off from the Bi_(5)O_(7)I surface under long-term ultrasonic vibration,which would greatly reduce the piezoelectric catalytic performance.This result indicates that a strong binding force is required when preparing the piezoelectric composite catalyst.The current work provides new insights for the development of highly efficient catalysts that can use multiple energies.

Translational bioengineering strategies for peripheral nerve regeneration:opportunities,challenges,and novel concepts

Peripheral nerve injuries remain a challenging problem in need of better treatment strategies.Despite best efforts at surgical reconstruction and postoperative rehabilitation,patients are often left with persistent,debilitating motor and sensory deficits.There are currently no therapeutic strategies proven to enhance the regenerative process in humans.A clinical need exists for the development of technologies to promote nerve regeneration and improve functional outcomes.Recent advances in the fields of tissue engineering and nanotechnology have enabled biomaterial scaffolds to modulate the host response to tissue repair through tailored mechanical,chemical,and conductive cues.New bioengineered approaches have enabled targeted,sustained delivery of protein therapeutics with the capacity to unlock the clinical potential of a myriad of neurotrophic growth factors that have demonstrated promise in enhancing regenerative outcomes.As such,further exploration of combinatory strategies leveraging these technological advances may offer a pathway towards clinically translatable solutions to advance the care of patients with peripheral nerve injuries.This review first presents the various emerging bioengineering strategies that can be applied for the management of nerve gap injuries.We cover the rationale and limitations for their use as an alternative to autografts,focusing on the approaches to increase the number of regenerating axons crossing the repair site,and facilitating their growth towards the distal stump.We also discuss the emerging growth factor-based therapeutic strategies designed to improve functional outcomes in a multimodal fashion,by accelerating axonal growth,improving the distal regenerative environment,and preventing end-organs atrophy.

Effect of gas blowing nozzle angle on multiphase flow and mass transfer during RH refining process

A three-dimensional mathematical model was developed to investigate the effect of gas blowing nozzle angles on multiphase flow,circulation flow rate,and mixing time during Ruhrstahl-Heraeus(RH) refining process.Also,a water model with a geometric scale of 1:4 from an industrial RH furnace of 260 t was built up,and measurements were carried out to validate the mathematical model.The results show that,with a conventional gas blowing nozzle and the total gas flow rate of 40 L·min^(-1),the mixing time predicted by the mathematical model agrees well with the measured values.The deviations between the model predictions and the measured values are in the range of about 1.3%–7.3% at the selected three monitoring locations,where the mixing time was defined as the required time when the dimensionless concentration is within 3% deviation from the bath averaged value.In addition,the circulation flow rate was 9 kg·s^(-1).When the gas blowing nozzle was horizontally rotated by either 30° or 45°,the circulation flow rate was found to be increased by about 15% compared to a conventional nozzle,due to the rotational flow formed in the up-snorkel.Furthermore,the mixing time at the monitoring point 1,2,and 3 was shortened by around 21.3%,28.2%,and 12.3%,respectively.With the nozzle angle of 30° and 45°,the averaged residence time of 128 bubbles in liquid was increased by around 33.3%.

Effect of whisker alignment on microstructure,mechanical and thermal properties of Mg-SiC_(w)/Cu composite fabricated by a combination of casting and severe plastic deformation(SPD)

In this research,microstructure evaluation,mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of the Mg-SiC_(w)/Cu composite with laminar structure were investigated.For this purpose,SiC whiskers were added to magnesium alloy by using stir-casting,then the Mg-SiC_(w)composite was bonded to copper layers by warm accumulative roll bonding(ARB).Based on the results of optical microscopy(OM)and scanning electron microscopy(SEM),SiC whiskers were well distributed in the magnesium matrix and they were aligned parallelly when the composites were plastically deformed at higher rolling passes.Furthermore,all layers remained continuous with localized necking sites.Also,no intermetallic compounds and phases were detected by XRD and EDS analyzes.Apart from the significant effect of severe plastic deformation on mechanical properties,the findings of mechanical tests point to the usefulness of reinforcements in improving up to 60%microhardness,Young’s modulus,yield,and up to 41%tensile strengths.Further,thermal conductivities of composites increased by adding reinforcement and above all by increasing the number of rolling passes.This growth is attributed to the higher thermal diffusivity of copper and whiskers as well as the increased number of conductive layers within composite.

Use of various MgO resources for high-purity Mg metal production through molten salt electrolysis and vacuum distillation

A green and effective electrolytic process was developed to produce high-purity Mg metal using primary and secondary resources containing Mg O as a feedstock. The electrolysis of various Mg O resources was conducted using a Cu cathode in MgF2– LiF – KCl molten salt at 1043 K by applying an average current of 1.44 A for 12.5 h. The electrolysis of calcined North Korean magnesite and seawater Mg O clinker yielded Mg alloys of MgCu2and(Cu) phases with current efficiencies of 89.6–92.4%. The electrolysis of oxidized Mg O-C refractory brick, aged ferronickel slag, and ferronickel slag yielded Mg alloys of MgCu2and(Cu) phases with current efficiencies of 59.3–92.3%. The vacuum distillation of Mg alloys obtained was conducted at 1300 K for 10 h to produce high-purity Mg metal. After vacuum distillation, Mg metal with a purity of above 99.994% was obtained. Therefore, this study demonstrates the feasibility of the production of high-purity Mg metal from various Mg O resources using a novel electrolytic process with a Cu cathode, followed by vacuum distillation.

Synthesis and electrochemical performance of YF_3-coated LiMn_2O_4 cathode materials for Li-ion batteries

Spinel LiMn2O4 cathodes were coated with 1 mol% YF3.X-ray diffraction(XRD) analyses showed that Y and/or F did not enter the lattice of the LiMn2O4 crystal.Transmission electron microscopy(TEM) showed that a compact YF3 layer of 5-20 nm in thickness was coated onto the surface of LiMn2O4 particles.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM) observation showed that the YF3 coating caused the agglomeration of LiMn2O4 particles.The cycling test demonstrated that the YF3 coating can improve the electrochemical performance of LiMn2O4 at both 20 and 55°C.Moreover,YF3-coated LiMn2O4 exhibited an improved rate capability compared with the uncoated one at high rates over 5C.The immersion test in electrolytes showed that YF3-coated LiMn2O4 is more erosion resistant than the uncoated one.

Recent Progress of MXene-Based Nanomaterials in Flexible Energy Storage and Electronic Devices

The increasing demands for wearable electronics have stimulated the rapid development of flexible energy storage devices.MXenes are considered as promising flexible electrodes due to the ultrahigh volumetric specific capacitance,metallic conductivity,superior hydrophily,and rich surface chemistry.

Effect of milling process on the core-shell structures and dielectric properties of fine-grained BaTiO_3-based X7R ceramic materials

Fine-grained BaTiO3-based X7R ceramic materials were prepared and the effects of milling process on the core-shell structures and dielectric properties were investigated using scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). As the milling time extends, the dielectric constant of the ceramics increases, whereas the temperature coefficient of capacitance at 125°C drops quickly. The changes in dielectric properties are considered relevant to the micro-structure evolution caused by the milling process. Defects on the surface of BaTiO3 particles increase because of the effects of milling process, which will make it easier for additives to diffuse into the interior grains. As the milling time increases, the shell region gets thicker and the core region gets smaller; however, EDS results show that the chemical inhomogeneity between grain core and grain shell becomes weaker.

In situ TEM observations and molecular dynamics simulations of deformation defect activities in Mg via nanoindentation

In this work, we performed in situ nanoindentation in TEM to capture the real-time dislocation and twinning activities in pure Mg during loading and unloading. We demonstrated that the screw component of dislocations glides continuously, while the edge components rapidly become sessile during loading. The twin tip propagation is intermittent, whereas the twin boundary migration is more continuous. During unloading, we observed the elastic strain relaxation causes both dislocation retraction and detwinning. Moreover,we note that the plastic zone comprised of dislocations in Mg is well-defined, which contrasts with the diffused plastic zones observed in face-centered cubic metals under the nanoindentation impressions. Additionally, molecular dynamics simulations were performed to study the formation and evolution of deformation-induced crystallographic defects at the early stages of indentation. We observed that,in addition to dislocations, the I1stacking fault bounded with a <1/2c+p> Frank loop can be generated from the plastic zone ahead of the indenter, and potentially serve as a nucleation source for abundant dislocations observed experimentally. These new findings are anticipated to provide new knowledge on the deformation mechanisms of Mg, which are difficult to obtain through conventional ex situ approaches. These observations may serve as a baseline for simulation work that investigate the dynamics of dislocation slip and twinning in Mg and alloys.

Properties and microstructure of NiO/SDC materials for SOFC anode applications

NiO/SDC composites and Ni/SDC cermets for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anode applications were prepared from nickel oxide(NiO)and samaria doped ceria (SDC) powders by the powder metallurgy process. The physical and mechanical properties, as well as the microstructure of the NiO/SDC composites and the Ni/SDC cermets were investigated. It is shown that the sintering temperature of the NiO/SDC composites and NiO content plays an important role in determining the microstructure and properties of the NiO/SDC composites, which, in turn, influences the microstructure,electrical conductivity, and mechanical properties of the Ni/SDC cermets. The present study demonstrated that composition and tprocess parameters must be appropriately selected to optimize the microstructure and the properties of NiO/SDC materials for solid oxide fuel cell applications.

Elucidating the evolution of long-period stacking ordered phase and its effect on deformation behavior in the as-cast Mg-6Gd-1Zn-0.6Zr alloy

Herein,the evolution of long-period stacking ordered(LPSO)phases in the as-cast Mg-6Gd-1Zn-0.6Zr(wt.%)alloy are investigated via transmission electron microscopy(TEM)and atom probe tomography(APT).The TEM results reveal that two types of LPSO phase(a bulky interdendritic phase and a plate-like matrix LPSO phase)are formed in the as-cast sample.Most of the LPSO phases are confirmed to be of the 14H type,with a smaller proportion being of the 18R LPSO.Further,the APT results reveal that the composition of the interdendritic LPSO phase is closer to that of the ideal 14H phase compared to the matrix LPSO phase,and both the interdendritic and matrix LPSO phases exhibit a Gd/Zn ratio of 2.5,thereby indicating a deficient Zn content compared to the ideal 14H phase(i.e.,1.3).In addition,the influence of the LPSO phases on the deformation behavior is investigated at different compressive plastic strains using electron backscatter diffraction(EBSD)analysis to reveal twinning and slip behavior during deformation.The results indicate that the LPSO phase induces additional work hardening in the late stage of deformation via the suppression of{1011}compressive twinning and the activation of non-basal slip systems.