2023 Vol. 30, No. 9

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Invited Review
Flotation separation depressants for scheelite and calcium-bearing minerals: A review
Ziming Wang, Bo Feng, and  Yuangan Chen
2023, vol. 30, no. 9, pp. 1621-1632. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-023-2613-x
Abstract:
Owing to the depletion of wolframite, the focus of tungsten extraction has gradually shifted to scheelite. However, separating the associated minerals (e.g., apatite, fluorite, and calcite) and scheelite is challenging because their surface physicochemical properties are similar to those of scheelite. Fortunately, researchers have made substantial progress in separating the minerals of scheelite by using depressants. This study reviews the application and inhibition mechanism of inorganic depressants in obtaining tungsten from its calcium-bearing minerals. The application of new organic depressants in obtaining tungsten from its calcium-bearing minerals and the associated mechanisms are also summarized. After an objective assessment of inorganic and organic depressants’ advantages and disadvantages, possible future research directions for inorganic and organic depressants are proposed. Herein, we provide a theoretical basis for developing scheelite flotation depressants.
Invited Review
Current situation of carbon emissions and countermeasures in China’s ironmaking industry
Chenmei Tang, Zhengqi Guo, Jian Pan, Deqing Zhu, Siwei Li, Congcong Yang, and  Hongyu Tian
2023, vol. 30, no. 9, pp. 1633-1650. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-023-2632-7
Abstract:
The iron and steel industry (ISI) involves high energy consumption and high pollution. ISI in China, a leading country in the ISI, consumed 15% of the country’s total energy and produced more than 50% of the global ISI’s carbon emissions. Therefore, in the context of global low-carbon economy and emission reduction requirements, low-carbon smelting technology in the ISI has attracted increasingly more attention in China. This review summarizes the current status of carbon emissions and energy consumption in China’s ISI and discusses the development status and prospects of low-carbon ironmaking technology. The main route to effectively reducing carbon emissions is to develop a gas-based direct reduction process and replace sintering with pelletizing, both of which focus on developing pelletizing technology. However, the challenge of pelletizing process development is to obtain high-quality iron concentrates. Consequently, the present paper also summarizes the development status of China’s mineral processing technology, including fine-grained mineral processing technology, magnetization roasting technology, and flotation collector application. This paper aims to provide a theoretical basis for the low-carbon development of China’s ISI in terms of a dressing–smelting combination.
Invited Review
Key issues and progress of industrial big data-based intelligent blast furnace ironmaking technology
Quan Shi, Jue Tang, and  Mansheng Chu
2023, vol. 30, no. 9, pp. 1651-1666. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-023-2636-3
Abstract:
Blast furnace (BF) ironmaking is the most typical “black box” process, and its complexity and uncertainty bring forth great challenges for furnace condition judgment and BF operation. Rich data resources for BF ironmaking are available, and the rapid development of data science and intelligent technology will provide an effective means to solve the uncertainty problem in the BF ironmaking process. This work focused on the application of artificial intelligence technology in BF ironmaking. The current intelligent BF ironmaking technology was summarized and analyzed from five aspects. These aspects include BF data management, the analyses of time delay and correlation, the prediction of BF key variables, the evaluation of BF status, and the multi-objective intelligent optimization of BF operations. Solutions and suggestions were offered for the problems in the current progress, and some outlooks for future prospects and technological breakthroughs were added. To effectively improve the BF data quality, we comprehensively considered the data problems and the characteristics of algorithms and selected the data processing method scientifically. For analyzing important BF characteristics, the effect of the delay was eliminated to ensure an accurate logical relationship between the BF parameters and economic indicators. As for BF parameter prediction and BF status evaluation, a BF intelligence model that integrates data information and process mechanism was built to effectively achieve the accurate prediction of BF key indexes and the scientific evaluation of BF status. During the optimization of BF parameters, low risk, low cost, and high return were used as the optimization criteria, and while pursuing the optimization effect, the feasibility and site operation cost were considered comprehensively. This work will help increase the process operator’s overall awareness and understanding of intelligent BF technology. Additionally, combining big data technology with the process will improve the practicality of data models in actual production and promote the application of intelligent technology in BF ironmaking.
Invited Review
Impact of W alloying on microstructure, mechanical property and corrosion resistance of face-centered cubic high entropy alloys: A review
Na Xiao, Xu Guan, Dong Wang, Haile Yan, Minghui Cai, Nan Jia, Yudong Zhang, Claude Esling, Xiang Zhao, and  Liang Zuo
2023, vol. 30, no. 9, pp. 1667-1679. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-023-2641-6
Abstract:
Face-centered cubic (f.c.c.) high entropy alloys (HEAs) are attracting more and more attention owing to their excellent strength and ductility synergy, irradiation resistance, etc. However, the yield strength of f.c.c. HEAs is generally low, significantly limiting their practical applications. Recently, the alloying of W has been evidenced to be able to remarkably improve the mechanical properties of f.c.c. HEAs and is becoming a hot topic in the community of HEAs. To date, when W is introduced, multiple strengthening mechanisms, including solid-solution strengthening, precipitation strengthening (μ phase, σ phase, and b.c.c. phase), and grain-refinement strengthening, have been discovered to be activated or enhanced. Apart from mechanical properties, the addition of W improves corrosion resistance as W helps to form a dense WO3 film on the alloy surface. Until now, despite the extensive studies in the literature, there is no available review paper focusing on the W doping of the f.c.c. HEAs. In that context, the effects of W doping on f.c.c. HEAs were reviewed in this work from three aspects, i.e., microstructure, mechanical property, and corrosion resistance. We expect this work can advance the application of the W alloying strategy in the f.c.c. HEAs.
Research Article
Microscopic damage evolution of anisotropic rocks under indirect tensile conditions: Insights from acoustic emission and digital image correlation techniques
Chaoqun Chu, Shunchuan Wu, Chaojun Zhang, and  Yongle Zhang
2023, vol. 30, no. 9, pp. 1680-1691. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-023-2649-y
Abstract:
The anisotropy induced by rock bedding structures is usually manifested in the mechanical behaviors and failure modes of rocks. Brazilian tests are conducted for seven groups of shale specimens featuring different bedding angles. Acoustic emission (AE) and digital image correlation (DIC) technologies are used to monitor the in-situ failure of the specimens. Furthermore, the crack morphology of damaged samples is observed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results reveal the structural dependence on the tensile mechanical behavior of shales. The shale disk exhibits compression in the early stage of the experiment with varying locations and durations. The location of the compression area moves downward and gradually disappears when the bedding angle increases. The macroscopic failure is well characterized by AE event location results, and the dominant frequency distribution is related to the bedding angle. The b-value is found to be stress-dependent. The crack turning angle between layers and the number of cracks crossing the bedding both increase with the bedding angle, indicating competition between crack propagations. SEM results revealed that the failure modes of the samples can be classified into three types: tensile failure along beddings with shear failure of the matrix, ladder shear failure along beddings with tensile failure of the matrix, and shear failure along multiple beddings with tensile failure of the matrix.
Research Article
Comprehensive utilization of solid waste resources: Development of wet shotcrete for mines
Yafei Hu, Shenghua Yin, Keqing Li, Bo Zhang, and  Bin Han
2023, vol. 30, no. 9, pp. 1692-1704. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-022-2563-8
Abstract:
The development of solid waste resources as constituent materials for wet shotcrete has significant economic and environmental advantages. In this study, the concept of using tailings as aggregate and fly ash and slag powder as auxiliary cementitious material is proposed and experiments are carried out by response surface methodology (RSM). Multivariate nonlinear response models are constructed to investigate the effect of factors on the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of tailings wet shotcrete (TWSC). The UCS of TWSC is predicted and optimized by constructing Gaussian process regression (GPR) and genetic algorithm (GA). The UCS of TWSC is gradually enhanced with the increase of slag powder dosage and fineness modulus, and it is enhanced first and then decreased with the increase of fly ash dosage. The microstructure of TWSC has the highest gray value and the highest UCS when the fly ash dosage is about 120 kg·m−3. The GPR–GA model constructed in this study achieves high accuracy prediction and optimization of the UCS of TWSC under multi-factor conditions.
Research Article
Comparison of the effects of Ti- and Si-containing minerals on goethite transformation in the Bayer digestion of goethitic bauxite
Guotao Zhou, Yilin Wang, Tiangui Qi, Qiusheng Zhou, Guihua Liu, Zhihong Peng, and  Xiaobin Li
2023, vol. 30, no. 9, pp. 1705-1715. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-023-2628-3
Abstract:
Goethitic bauxite is a widely used raw material in the alumina industry. It is an essential prerequisite to clarify the effect of Ti- and Si-containing minerals on goethite transformation in the Bayer digestion process, which could efficiently utilize the Fe- and Al-containing minerals present in goethitic bauxite. In this work, the interactions between anatase or kaolinite with goethite during various Bayer digestion processes were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that anatase and kaolinite hindered the transformation of goethite. Anatase exerted more significant effects than kaolinite due to the dense sodium titanate layer on the goethite surface after reacting with the sodium aluminate solution. Adding the reductant hydrazine hydrate could eliminate the retarding effect by inducing the transformation of goethite into magnetite. In this process, titanium was embedded into the magnetite lattice to form Ti-containing magnetite. Furthermore, the weakening of the interaction between magnetite and sodium aluminosilicate hydrate reduced the influence of kaolinite. As a validation of the above results, the reductive Bayer method resulted in the transformation of goethite into goethitic bauxite with 98.87% relative alumina digestion rate. The obtained red mud with 72.99wt% Fe2O3 could be further utilized in the steel industry. This work provides a clear understanding of the transformative effects of Ti- and Si-containing minerals on iron mineral transformation and aids the comprehensive use of iron and aluminum in goethitic bauxite subjected to the reductive Bayer method.
Research Article
Effect of traveling-wave magnetic field on dendrite growth of high-strength steel slab: Industrial trials and numerical simulation
Cheng Yao, Min Wang, Youjin Ni, Dazhi Wang, Haibo Zhang, Lidong Xing, Jian Gong, and  Yanping Bao
2023, vol. 30, no. 9, pp. 1716-1728. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-023-2629-2
Abstract:
The dendrite growth behavior of high-strength steel during slab continuous casting with a traveling-wave magnetic field was studied in this paper. The morphology of the solidification structure and composition distribution were analyzed. Results showed that the columnar crystals could deflect and break when the traveling-wave magnetic field had low current intensity. With the increase in current intensity, the secondary dendrite arm spacing and solute permeability decreased, and the columnar crystal transformed into an equiaxed crystal. The electromagnetic force caused by the traveling-wave magnetic field changed the temperature gradient and velocity magnitude and promoted the breaking and fusing of dendrites. Dendrite compactness and composition uniformity were arranged in descending order as follows: columnar-to-equiaxed transition (high current intensity), columnar crystal zone (low current intensity), columnar-to-equiaxed transition (low current intensity), and equiaxed crystal zone (high current intensity). Verified numerical simulation results combined with the boundary layer theory of solidification front and dendrite breaking–fusing model revealed the dendrite deflection mechanism and growth process. When thermal stress is not considered, and no narrow segment can be found in the dendrite, the velocity magnitude on the solidification front of liquid steel can reach up to 0.041 m/s before the dendrites break.
Research Article
Intelligent optimization method for the dynamic scheduling of hot metal ladles of one-ladle technology on ironmaking and steelmaking interface in steel plants
Li Zeng, Zhong Zheng, Xiaoyuan Lian, Kai Zhang, Mingmei Zhu, Kaitian Zhang, Chaoyue Xu, and  Fei Wang
2023, vol. 30, no. 9, pp. 1729-1739. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-023-2625-6
Abstract:
The one-ladle technology requires an efficient ironmaking and steelmaking interface. The scheduling of the hot metal ladle in the steel plant determines the overall operational efficiency of the interface. Considering the strong uncertainties of real-world production environments, this work studies the dynamic scheduling problem of hot metal ladles and develops a data-driven three-layer approach to solve this problem. A dynamic scheduling optimization model of the hot metal ladle operation with a minimum average turnover time as the optimization objective is also constructed. Furthermore, the intelligent perception of industrial scenes and autonomous identification of disturbances, adaptive configuration of dynamic scheduling strategies, and real-time adjustment of schedules can be realized. The upper layer generates a demand-oriented prescheduling scheme for hot metal ladles. The middle layer adaptively adjusts this scheme to obtain an executable schedule according to the actual supply–demand relationship. In the lower layer, three types of dynamic scheduling strategies are designed according to the characteristics of the dynamic disturbance in the model: real-time flexible fine-tuning, local machine adjustment, and global rescheduling. Case test using 24 h production data on a certain day during the system operation of a steel plant shows that the method and system can effectively reduce the fluctuation and operation time of the hot metal ladle and improve the stability of the ironmaking and steelmaking interface production rhythm. The data-driven dynamic scheduling strategy is feasible and effective, and the proposed method can improve the operation efficiency of hot metal ladles.
Research Article
Dissolution of TiO2 and TiN inclusions in CaO–SiO2–B2O3-based fluorine-free mold flux
Dawei Cai, Li Zhang, Wanlin Wang, Lei Zhang, and  Il Sohn
2023, vol. 30, no. 9, pp. 1740-1747. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-023-2622-9
Abstract:
Mold flux serves the crucial metallurgical function of absorbing inclusions, directly impacting the smoothness of the casting process as well as the cast slab quality. In this study, the dissolution behavior and mechanism of TiO2 and TiN inclusions in molten CaO–SiO2–B2O3-based fluorine-free mold flux were explored by in situ single hot thermocouple technology combined with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results showed that TiO2 inclusions are effectively dissolved by the molten slag within 76 s, during which the original octahedral [TiO6]8− structures are destroyed and convert to the networker tetrahedral [TiO4]4− structures. However, the dissolution rate is much lower for TiN inclusions than for TiO2 inclusions. This can be attributed to the fact that the TiN particles need to be oxidized and then dissolved in the molten slag to form tetrahedral [TiO4]4− and octahedral [TiO6]8− structures during the TiN inclusion dissolution process, which is accompanied by the generation of a large amount of N2 gas. Moreover, CaTiO3 crystals tend to nucleate and grow on bubble surfaces with sufficient octahedral [TiO6]8− structures and Ca2+ ions, eventually resulting in the molten slag being in a solid–liquid mixed state.
Research Article
Influences of oxide content and sintering temperature on microstructures and mechanical properties of intragranular-oxide strengthened iron alloys prepared by spark plasma sintering
Deyin Zhang, Xu Hao, Baorui Jia, Haoyang Wu, Lin Zhang, Mingli Qin, and  Xuanhui Qu
2023, vol. 30, no. 9, pp. 1748-1755. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-023-2631-8
Abstract:
How to increase strength without sacrificing ductility has been developed as a key goal in the manufacture of high-performance metals or alloys. Herein, the double-nanophase intragranular yttrium oxide dispersion strengthened iron alloy with high strength and appreciable ductility was fabricated by solution combustion route and subsequent spark plasma sintering, and the influences of yttrium oxide content and sintering temperature on microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated. The results show at the same sintering temperature, with the increase of yttrium oxide content, the relative density of the sintered alloy decreases and the strength increases. For Fe–2wt%Y2O3 alloy, as the sintering temperature increases gradually, the compressive strength decreases, while the strain-to-failure increases. The Fe–2wt%Y2O3 alloy with 15.5 nm Y2O3 particles uniformly distributed into the 147.5 nm iron grain interior sintered at 650°C presents a high ultimate compressive strength of 1.86 GPa and large strain-to-failure of 29%. The grain boundary strengthening and intragranular second-phase particle dispersion strengthening are the main dominant mechanisms to enhance the mechanical properties of the alloy.
Research Article
New role of α phase in the fracture behavior and fracture toughness of a β-type bio-titanium alloy
Ran Wang, Xiu Song, Lei Wang, Yang Liu, Mitsuo Niinomi, Deliang Zhang, and  Jun Cheng
2023, vol. 30, no. 9, pp. 1756-1763. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-023-2635-4
Abstract:
The role of α precipitates formed during aging in the fracture toughness and fracture behavior of β-type bio-titanium alloy Ti–29Nb–13Ta–4.6Zr (TNTZ) was studied. Results showed that the fracture toughness of the TNTZ alloy aged at 723 K decreases to the minimum of 72.07–73.19 kJ·m−2 when the aging time is extended to 4–8 h and then gradually increases and reaches 144.89 kJ·m−2 after 72 h. The decrease in fracture toughness within the aging time of 4–8 h is caused by the large stress concentration at the tip of acicular α precipitates with a high aspect ratio and the preferential crack propagation along the inhomogeneous acicular α precipitates distributed in “V-shape” and “nearly perpendicular shape”. When the aging time is extended to 8–72 h, the precrack tip is uniformly blunted, and the crack is effectively deflected by α precipitates with multi long axis directions, more high homogeneity, low aspect ratio, and large number density. Analysis of the effect of α precipitates on the fracture behavior suggested that the number of long axis directions of α precipitates is the key controlling factor for the fracture behavior and fracture toughness of the TNTZ alloy aged for different times.
Research Article
Significant strengthening of copper-based composites using boron nitride nanotubes
Naiqi Chen, Quan Li, Youcao Ma, Kunming Yang, Jian Song, Yue Liu, and  Tongxiang Fan
2023, vol. 30, no. 9, pp. 1764-1778. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-023-2633-6
Abstract:
Nanotubes, such as boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), exhibit excellent mechanical properties. In this work, high-quality BNNTs were synthesized by ball milling and annealing. Subsequently, well-dispersed 3vol% BNNTs/Cu and 3vol% CNTs/Cu composites were successfully prepared using ball milling, spark plasma sintering, and followed by hot-rolling. Moreover, the mechanical properties and strengthening mechanisms of BNNTs/Cu and CNTs/Cu composites were compared and discussed in details. At 293 K, both BNNTs/Cu and CNTs/Cu composites exhibited similar ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of ~404 MPa, which is approximately 170% higher than pure Cu. However, at 873 K, the UTS and yield strength of BNNTs/Cu are 27% and 29% higher than those of CNTs/Cu, respectively. This difference can be attributed to the stronger inter-walls shear resistance, higher thermomechanical stability of BNNTs, and stronger bonding at the BNNTs/Cu interface as compared to the CNTs/Cu interface. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential of BNNTs as an excellent reinforcement for metal matrix composites, particularly at high temperature.
Research Article
Comparative investigation of microstructure and high-temperature oxidation resistance of high-velocity oxy-fuel sprayed CoNiCrAlY/nano-Al2O3 composite coatings using satellited powders
Pejman Zamani and  Zia Valefi
2023, vol. 30, no. 9, pp. 1779-1791. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-023-2630-9
Abstract:
Satellited CoNiCrAlY–Al2O3 feedstocks with 2wt%, 4wt%, and 6wt% oxide nanoparticles and pure CoNiCrAlY powder were deposited by the high-velocity oxy fuel process on an Inconel738 superalloy substrate. The oxidation test was performed at 1050°C for 5, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 400 h. The microstructure and phase composition of powders and coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The bonding strength of the coatings was also evaluated. The results proved that with the increase in the percentage of nanoparticles (from 2wt% to 6wt%), the amount of porosity (from 1vol% to 4.7vol%), unmelted particles, and roughness of the coatings (from 4.8 to 8.8 µm) increased, and the bonding strength decreased from 71 to 48 MPa. The thicknesses of the thermally grown oxide layer of pure and composite coatings (2wt%, 4wt%, and 6wt%) after 400 h oxidation were measured as 6.5, 5.5, 7.6, and 8.1 µm, respectively. The CoNiCrAlY–2wt% Al2O3 coating showed the highest oxidation resistance due to the diffusion barrier effect of well-dispersed nanoparticles. The CoNiCrAlY–6wt% Al2O3 coating had the lowest oxidation resistance due to its rough surface morphology and porous microstructure.
Research Article
Improvement of hydrogen permeation barrier performance by iron sulphide surface films
Pengpeng Bai, Shaowei Li, Jie Cheng, Xiangli Wen, Shuqi Zheng, Changfeng Chen, and  Yu Tian
2023, vol. 30, no. 9, pp. 1792-1800. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-022-2593-2
Abstract:
Fe–S compounds with hexagonal crystal structure are potential hydrogen permeation barrier during H2S corrosion. Hexagonal system Fe–S films were prepared on carbon steel through corrosion and CVD deposition, and the barrier effect of different Fe–S films on hydrogen permeation was tested using electrochemical hydrogen permeation method. After that, the electrical properties of Fe–S compound during phase transformation were measured using thermoelectric measurement system. Results show that the mackinawite has no obvious barrier effect on hydrogen penetration, as a p-type semiconductor, and pyrrhotite (including troilite) has obvious barrier effect on hydrogen penetration, as an n-type semiconductor. Hydrogen permeation tests showed peak permeation performance when the surface was deposited with a continuous film of pyrrhotite (Fe1–xS) and troilite. The FeS compounds suppressed hydrogen permeation by the promotion of the hydrogen evolution reaction, semiconducting inversion from p- to n-type, and the migration of ions at the interface.
Research Article
Dynamic behavior of tunneling triboelectric charges in two-dimensional materials
Xuan Zhao, Liangxu Xu, Xiaochen Xun, Fangfang Gao, Qingliang Liao, and  Yue Zhang
2023, vol. 30, no. 9, pp. 1801-1808. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-023-2659-9
Abstract:
Although the research history of triboelectrification has been more than 2000 years, there are still many problems to be solved so far. The use of scanning probe microscopy provides an important way to quantitatively study the transfer, accumulation, and dissipation of triboelectric charges in the process of triboelectrification. Two-dimensional materials are considered to be key materials for new electronic devices in the post-Moore era due to their atomic-scale size advantages. If the electrostatic field generated by triboelectrification can be used to replace the traditional gate electrostatic field, it is expected to simplify the structure of two-dimensional electronic devices and reconfigure them at any time according to actual needs. Here, we investigate the triboelectrification process of various two-dimensional materials such as MoS2, WSe2, and ZnO. Different from traditional bulk materials, after two-dimensional materials are rubbed, the triboelectric charges generated may tunnel through the two-dimensional materials to the underlying substrate surface. Because the tunneling triboelectric charge is protected by the two-dimensional material, its stable residence time on the substrate surface can reach more than 7 days, which is more than tens of minutes for the traditional triboelectric charge. In addition, the electrostatic field generated by the tunneling triboelectric charge can effectively regulate the carrier transport performance of two-dimensional materials, and the source–drain current of the field effect device regulated by the triboelectric floating gate is increased by nearly 60 times. The triboelectric charge tunneling phenomenon in two-dimensional materials is expected to be applied in the fields of new two-dimensional electronic devices and reconfigurable functional circuits.
Research Article
Electromagnetic wave absorption and mechanical properties of SiC nanowire/low-melting-point glass composites sintered at 580°C in air
Ranran Shi, Wei Lin, Zheng Liu, Junna Xu, Jianlei Kuang, Wenxiu Liu, Qi Wang, and  Wenbin Cao
2023, vol. 30, no. 9, pp. 1809-1815. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-023-2653-2
Abstract:
SiC nanowires are excellent high-temperature electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbing materials. However, their polymer matrix composites are difficult to work at temperatures above 300°C, while their ceramic matrix composites must be prepared above 1000°C in an inert atmosphere. Thus, for addressing the abovementioned problems, SiC/low-melting-point glass composites were well designed and prepared at 580°C in an air atmosphere. Based on the X-ray diffraction results, SiC nanowires were not oxidized during air atmosphere sintering because of the low sintering temperature. Additionally, SiC nanowires were uniformly distributed in the glass matrix material. The composites exhibited good mechanical and EMW absorption properties. As the filling ratio of SiC nanowires increased from 5wt% to 20wt%, the Vickers hardness and flexural strength of the composite reached HV 564 and 213 MPa, which were improved by 27.7% and 72.8%, respectively, compared with the low-melting-point glass. Meanwhile, the dielectric loss and EMW absorption ability of SiC nanowires at 8.2–12.4 GHz were also gradually improved. The dielectric loss ability of low-melting-point glass was close to 0. However, when the filling ratio of SiC nanowires was 20wt%, the composite showed a minimum reflection loss (RL) of −20.2 dB and an effective absorption (RL ≤ −10 dB) bandwidth of 2.3 GHz at an absorber layer thickness of 2.3 mm. The synergistic effect of polarization loss and conductivity loss in SiC nanowires was responsible for this improvement.
Research Article
Bimetallic Pt–Ru covalently bonded on carbon nanotubes for efficient methanol oxidation
Ting Zhang, Wanzong Wang, Zheng Ma, Lei Bai, Yue Yao, and  Dongqing Xu
2023, vol. 30, no. 9, pp. 1816-1823. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-023-2699-1
Abstract:
Platinum-based nanocomposites have been considered as one of the most promising catalysts for methanol oxidation reactions (MORs), which yet still suffer from low electrochemical activity and electron-transfer properties. Apart from van-der-Waals heterostructures, herein, we report a novel nanocomposite with the structure of Pt–Ru bimetallic nanoparticles covalently-bonded onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (Pt–Ru@MWCNT), which have been successfully fabricated via a facile and green synthesis method. It is demonstrated that the Pt–Ru@MWCNT nanocomposite possesses much enhanced electrocatalytic activity with the electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) of 110.4 m2·g−1 for Pt towards MOR, which is 2.67 and 4.0 times higher than those of 20wt% commercial Pt@C and Pt-based nanocomposite prepared by other method, due to the improved electron-transfer properties originated from M–O–C covalent bonds. This work provides us a new strategy for the structural design of highly-efficient electrocatalysts in boosting MOR performance.
Research Article
Preparation of Y3+-doped Bi2MoO6 nanosheets for improved visible-light photocatalytic activity: Increased specific surface area, oxygen vacancy formation and efficient carrier separation
Hong Qiu, Shujing Liu, Xiaohui Ma, Yajie Li, Yueyan Fan, Wenjun Li, and  Hualei Zhou
2023, vol. 30, no. 9, pp. 1824-1834. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-023-2656-z
Abstract:
Although Bi2MoO6 (BMO) has recently received extensive attention, its visible-light photocatalytic activity remains poor due to its limited photoresponse range and low charge separation efficiency. In this work, a series of visible-light-driven Y3+-doped BMO (Y-BMO) photocatalysts were synthesized via a hydrothermal method. Degradation experiments on Rhodamine B and Congo red organic pollutants revealed that the optimal degradation rates of Y-BMO were 4.3 and 5.3 times those of pure BMO, respectively. The degradation efficiency of Y-BMO did not significantly decrease after four cycle experiments. As a result of Y3+ doping, the crystal structure of BMO changed from a thick layer structure to a thin flower-like structure with an increased specific surface area. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed the presence of high-intensity peaks for the O 1s orbital at 531.01 and 530.06 eV, confirming the formation of oxygen vacancies in Y-BMO. Photoluminescence (PL) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements revealed that the PL intensity and interface resistances of composites decreased significantly, indicating reduced electron–hole pair recombination. This work provides an effective way to prepare high-efficiency Bi-based photocatalysts by doping rare earth metal ions for improved photocatalytic performance.
Research Article
Modified sepiolite stabilized stearic acid as a form-stable phase change material for thermal energy storage
Chuanchang Li, Xinke Peng, Jianjun He, and  Jian Chen
2023, vol. 30, no. 9, pp. 1835-1845. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-023-2627-4
Abstract:
Sepiolite (ST) was used as a supporting matrix in compiste phase change materials (PCMs) due to its unique microstructure, good thermal stability, and other raw material advantages. In this paper, microwave acid treatment were innovatively used for the modification of sepiolite. The modified sepiolite (STm) obtained in different hydrochloric acid concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 mol·L−1) was added to stearic acid (SA) via vacuum impregnation method. The thermophysical properties of the composites were changed by varying the hydrochloric acid concentration. The SA-STm0.5 obtained by microwave acid treatment at 0.5 mol·L−1 hydrochloric acid concentration showed a higher loading capacity (82.63%) than other composites according to the differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) analysis. The melting and freezing enthalpies of SA-STm0.5 were of 152.30 and 148.90 J·g−1, respectively. The thermal conductivity of SA-STm0.5 was as high as 1.52 times that of pure SA. In addition, the crystal structure, surface morphology, and microporous structure of STm were studied, and the mechanism of SA-STm0.5 performance enhancement was further revealed by Brunauere Emmett Teller (BET) analysis. Leakage experiment showed that SA-STm0.5 had a good morphological stability. These results demostrate that SA-STm0.5 has a potential application in thermal energy storage.
Research Article
Experimental and ab initio study of Ba2Na3(B3O6)2F stability in the pressure range of 0–10 GPa
Nursultan E. Sagatov, Tatyana B. Bekker, Yulia G. Vinogradova, Alexey V. Davydov, Ivan V. Podborodnikov, and  Konstantin D. Litasov
2023, vol. 30, no. 9, pp. 1846-1854. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-023-2647-0
Abstract:
Both numerical and experimental studies of the stability and electronic properties of barium–sodium metaborate Ba2Na3(B3O6)2F (P63/m) at pressures up to 10 GPa have been carried out. Electronic-structure calculations with HSE06 hybrid functional showed that Ba2Na3(B3O6)2F has an indirect band gap of 6.289 eV. A numerical study revealed the decomposition of Ba2Na3(B3O6)2F into the BaB2O4, NaBO2, and NaF phases above 3.4 GPa at 300 K. Subsequent high-pressure high-temperature experiments performed using ‘Discoverer-1500’ DIA-type apparatus at pressures of 3 and 6 GPa and temperature of 1173 K confirmed the stability of Ba2Na3(B3O6)2F at 3 GPa and its decomposition into BaB2O4, NaBO2, and NaF at 6 GPa, which was verified by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and Raman spectroscopy. The observed Raman bands of the Ba2Na3(B3O6)2F phase were assigned by comparing the experimental and calculated spectra. The experimental Raman spectra of decomposition reaction products obtained at 6 GPa suggest the origin of a new high-pressure modification of barium metaborate BaB2O4.