Microstructural evaluation and nanohardness of an AlCoCuCrFeNiTi high-entropy alloy

An AlCoCuCrFeNiTi high-entropy alloy(HEA) was prepared by mechanical alloying and sintering to study the effect of Ti addition to the widely studied AlCoCuCrFeNi system. The structural and microstructural characteristics were investigated by X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). The formation of four micrometric phases was detected: a Cu-rich phase with a face-centered cubic(fcc) structure, a body-centered cubic(bcc) solid solution with Cu-rich plate-like precipitates(fcc), an ordered bcc phase, and a tetragonal structure. The XRD patterns corroborate the presence of a mixture of bcc-, fcc-, and tetragonal-structured phases. The Vickers hardness of the alloy under study was more than twice that of the AlCoCuCrFeNi alloy. Nanoindentation tests were performed to evaluate the mechanical response of the individual phases to elucidate the relationship between chemical composition, crystal structure, and mechanical performance of the multiphase microstructure of the AlCoCuCrFeNiTi HEA.

钎焊工艺参数对复合翅片−微通道管接头焊角尺寸和显微组织的影响

研究钎焊连接微型多端口铝管和AA4343/AA3003/AA4343翅片,模拟汽车热交换器核心的微型组件,并优化钎焊条件。考虑5种工艺参数,用Taguchi法设计实验,目的是使钎焊接头的焊角尺寸最大化,因为焊角尺寸对钎焊接头的热完整性和力学性能有重要影响。采用金相显微镜测量钎焊接头的焊角长度,通过统计分析获得工艺参数的最佳值(峰值温度、保温时间、加热速率、微通道管类型和焊剂)。在95%置信水平下,焊角长度的变化受钎焊峰值温度(77%)、保温时间(15%)和加热速率(7%)的影响最为显著。预测的最大焊角长度为(152±11)μm,并得到实验验证。对管−翅片接头的显微组织分析表明,峰值温度和保温时间的变化只影响焊角共晶区的大小,而对组成相的性质和成分无影响。

Effect of Using Two Different Types of Carbon Nanotubes for Blackberry (Rubus adenotrichos) in Vitro Plant Rooting, Growth and Histology

Nanoparticles are able to interact with biomolecules, creating functional nanosystems for transportation within in vivo cells, and leading to the study of their potential applications in the field of plant biotechnology. Therefore, the aim of this research was to determine the growth and rooting effect of functionalized (SWCNTs-COOH) and non-functionalized nanoparticles with iron residue inner particles (SWCNTs-Fe) in blackberry (Rubus adenotrichos) in vitro plants. Two types of SWCNTs were used, both of them characterized in a solid sample through Raman spectroscopy (λ = 532 nm) showing differences in the G band between SWCNT + Fe and SWCNT + COOH. The in vitro plants (approximately 15 mm length) were inoculated in a rooting medium. Six treatments were established: 4, 8, 12 μg/ml for each type of SWCNTs and a control without nanotubes. The assessed variables consisted of the average number of days for root emergence, average number of roots per plant, average root length per plant and the average stem length. This study determined that, in general, the SWCNTs-COOH promoted the growth of the in vitro plants under this assay, when compared to the SWCNTs-Fe trials. The lowest SWCNTs-COOH dose evidenced the best results for the assessed variables. Additionally, the histological analysis also evidenced that the plants treated with SWCNTs-COOH nanotubes (4 μg/ml) increased their cellular metabolism when compared to the control group.

Influence of ZnO nanoparticles on the microstructure of a CoCrFeMoNi matrix via powder metallurgy

In the last decade,extensive research has been carried out on the microstructural behavior of high-entropy alloys(HEA),for which the in-situ formation of nanoparticles has been reported.However,studies of the incorporation of nanoparticles in HEA have been rarely reported.In this work,the addition of zinc oxide nanoparticles(ZnO NP)as reinforcement in a CoCrFeMoNi high-entropy alloy matrix,as well as the morphological,structural,and microstructural evolution of composites synthesized via powder metallurgy,were studied.Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis were performed in order to study the microstructural and phase characterization of the composites.After sintering,it was found that the ZnO NP addition(0.5 wt%,1 wt%and 2 wt%)had a significant influence on the microstructure and hardness of the CoCrFeMoNi high-entropy alloy.Stronger bonding among metal particles was promoted with the additions of Zn O NP.A reduction in porosity as a function of ZnO NP content was also observed.The microhardness results showed that the composite reached its highest reinforcement in bulk samples with 1 wt%ZnO NP(HV 870),which represented a 20%improvement over the unreinforced HEA matrix.

TiO₂Films Synthesis over Polypropylene by Sol-Gel Assisted with Hydrothermal Treatment for the Photocatalytic Propane Degradation

The present investigation shows experimental results obtained with TiO2 thin films synthesized by the sol-gel method assisted with hydrothermal treatment over polypropylene, using the dip coating technique. Obtained coatings were characterized through SEM, XRD, UV-Vis and the photo- catalytic activity was monitored by GC. According to results, the hydrothermal treatment facilitates the crystallization of the TiO2 anatase phase, which is present in all synthesized films. Crystal size formed from precursor solutions (estimated by the Scherrer’s equation) depends on the time and temperature of the hydrothermal treatment, wherein solution exposed to a higher temperature treatment of 150。C for 1.5 h (H150/1.5) exhibited a larger crystal size compared to those synthesized at 80。C for 1.5 h and 3 h (H80/1.5 and H80/3). Sample H150/1.5 over polypropylene resulted in a uniform and crack free coating. This behavior was attributed to the precursor solution being denser than those synthesized at 80。C. Additionally, the photocatalytic activity of the coatings was evaluated through the degradation of propane. Coating H150/1.5 reached 100% conversion after 3 h of UV light irradiation.

Sintering and Wear Behavior of a FeCrCB Hardfacing Alloy Applied by Tape Casting: A Study of Cooling Rate Effect

This study presents a simple process to deposit a hardfacing coating on a steel substrate, based on the sintering of metallic powder applied by tape casting (by a slurry of metallic powder suspension onto a steel substrate) thus avoiding the use of traditional welding processes and their variants. The effect of the cooling of hardfacing after the sintering process, by air at room temperature or by quenching in water, was studied. This new method ensures a good metallurgical bonding between the substrate steel and the hardfacing layer and shows mechanical property improvement on coated pieces, similar to those exhibited by hardfacing coatings produced by several kinds of welding processes. The characterization of the hardfacing coatings was made by X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, microhardness and wear resistance according to the ASTM G65 standard. The characterization results show that the presented faces are: M7C3, M3C, MC, M2B and M23B6;there are three different phases in the micrograph glass phase, eutectic phase and hard phase with a volumetric fraction of 0.14, 0.20 and 0.66, respectively, for the air cooled and 0.15, 0.16 and 0.69 when quenched in water. The average microhardness value for the parts cooled in air was 832.5 HV and for that cooled in water was 958.9 HV, and the wear resistance was a mass loss of 0.219 and 0.128 g for parts cooled in air and water, respectively. These results show that the hardfacing coating could have twice the hardness and wear resistance than that observed for the boron steel used as a substrate.

Irbesartan desmotropes:Solid-state characterization,thermodynamic study and dissolution properties

Irbesartan (IBS) is a tetrazole derivative and antihypertensive drug that has two interconvertible structures, 1H- and 2H-tautomers. The difference between them lies in the protonation of the tetrazole ring. In the solid-state, both tautomers can be isolated as crystal forms A (1H-tautomer) and B (2H-tautomer). Studies have reported that IBS is a polymorphic system and its forms A and B are related monotropically. These reports indicate form B as the most stable and less soluble form. Therefore, the goal of this contribution is to demonstrate through a complete solid-state characterization, thermodynamic study and dissolution properties that the IBS forms are desmotropes that are not related monotropically. However, the intention is also to call attention to the importance of conducting strict chemical and in solid-state quality controls on the IBS raw materials. Hence, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and Raman spectroscopy (RS) at ambient and non-ambient conditions, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), hot stage microscopy (HSM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were applied. Furthermore, intrinsic dissolution rate (IDR) and structural stability studies at 98% relative humidity (RH), 25℃ and 40 ℃ were conducted as well. The results show that in fact, form A is approximately four-fold more soluble than form B. In addition, both IBS forms are stable at ambient conditions. Nevertheless, structural and/or chemical instability was observed in form B at 40℃ and 98% RH. IBS has been confirmed as a desmotropic system rather than a polymorphic one. Consequently, forms A and B are not related monotropically.

Structural and Magnetic Properties of Monophasic Maghemite (<i>γ</i>-Fe₂O₃) Nanocrystalline Powder

Structural and magnetic studies of monophasic maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) magnetic nanocrystallites (MNCs) synthesized by the co-precipitation chemical route are reported in this paper. For the synthesis, a starting precursor of magnetite (Fe3O4) in basic medium was oxidized at room temperature by adjusting the pH = 3.5 at 80°C in an acidic medium without surfactants. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern shows widened peaks indicating nanometric size and Rietveld Refinement confirms only one single-phase assigned to γ-Fe2O3 MNCs. High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM) demonstrates the formation of nanoparticles with diameter around D ≈ 6.8 ± 0.1 nm which is in good agreement with Rietveld Refinement (6.4 ± 1 nm). A selected area electron diffraction pattern was carried out to complement the study of the crystalline structure of the γ-Fe2O3 MNCs. M(H) measurements taken at different temperatures show almost zero coercivity and remanence indicating superparamagnetic domain and high magnetic saturation.

Sol-Gel Silica Matrix as Reservoir for Controlled Release of Paracetamol: Characterization and Kinetic Analysis

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are usually suitable candidates for the development of drug delivery devices. Sol-gel chemistry represents an easy method to obtain porous silica nanoparticles. Mesoporous silica nanomaterials have been widely used for drug delivery purposes. In this work we synthesized silica based materials using two molar alkoxide:water ratios 1:4 and 1:8, incorporating paracetamol to develop a nano-sized matrix for controlled release purposes. The samples exhibited different values for surface area, porosity, particle size and distinct punctual defects. Infrared and UV-visible spectroscopic studies were carried out to demonstrate the effect of water concentration and the adequate incorporation of paracetamol molecules. Nitrogen adsorption characterization was realized and the estimated BET surface values were from 532 to 825 m2/g. Kinetic analysis of drug release profiles was performed using the hyperbola model. Transmission electron micrographs showed that all the materials formed aggregates of small particles with size between 10 - 60 nm. Mesoporous SiO2 materials were proved to be a suitable system for controlled release of paracetamol.

Electrochemical reduction of Cr(Ⅵ)in the presence of sodium alginate and its application in water purification

Chromium(Cr)is used in many manufacturing processes,and its release into natural waters is a major environmental problem today.Low concentrations of Cr(Ⅵ)are toxic to human health and living organisms due to the carcinogenic and mutagenic nature of this mineral.This work examined the conversion of Cr(Ⅵ)to Cr(Ⅲ)via electrochemical reduction using gold electrode in an acidic sodium alginate(SA)solution and subsequent removal of the produced Cr(Ⅲ)-SA by the polymer-enhanced ultrafiltration(PEUF)technique.A solution of SA in nitric acid was used both as an electrolytic medium during the voltammetric measurements and bulk electrolysis and as an extracting agent during the PEUF technique.The electroanalysis of Cr(Ⅵ)was performed by linear sweep voltammetry in the presence of acidic SA solution to study its voltammetric behavior as a function of the Cr(Ⅵ)concentration,pH,presence of Cr(Ⅲ),SA concentration and scan rate.In addition,the quantitative reduction of Cr(Ⅵ)to Cr(Ⅲ)was studied through the bulk electrolysis technique.The results showed efficient reduction with well-defined peaks at approximately 0.3 V vs.Ag/AgCl,using a gold working electrode.As the pH increased,the reduction signal strongly decreased until its disappearance.The optimum SA concentration was 10 mmol/L,and it was observed that the presence of Cr(Ⅲ)did not interfere in the Cr(Ⅵ)electroanalysis.Through the quantitative reduction by bulk electrolysis in the presence of acidic SA solution,it was possible to reduce all Cr(Ⅵ)to Cr(Ⅲ)followed by its removal via PEUF.