Alloy-based Materials Research Articles

Electrochemical evaluation of the real surface area of copper-zinc alloys

Accurate measurements of real surface area (RSA) are essential in fundamental electrocatalysis for evaluating the intrinsic activity of various materials. However, existing electrochemical methods for determining RSA values in metallic alloys, particularly those containing active metals, remain underexplored. This study critically assesses the efficacy of capacitance measurement techniques for calculating RSA values in copper-zinc alloys, which are commonly employed as electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction. We investigate optimal conditions for estimating RSA through cyclic voltammetry, focusing on electrolyte selection and appropriate potential ranges to ensure reliable RSA assessments. Additionally, we emphasize the necessity of using suitable reference samples for accurate specific capacitance calculations. Our findings reveal that potential uncertainties arising from the use of inappropriate reference samples across different Cu-Zn compositions can reach an order of magnitude, rendering them unsuitable for electrocatalytic studies. This research highlights the need for robust surface area quantification techniques to reduce uncertainties in reporting the activities of alloy-based materials in various electrochemical applications.

Effect of strain rates on stress corrosion sensitivity of 7085-T7452 thick-plate friction stir welding joint

The stress corrosion behavior of 7085-T7452 high-strength aluminum alloy base material (BM) and its friction stir welding (FSW) joints under varying strain rates during slow strain rate tensile (SSRT) was investigated. The results show that the stress corrosion sensitivity (ISSRT) of both the BM and FSW joints decreases with the increase of strain rate from 10−7 s−1 to 10−5 s−1. Moreover, the BM demonstrates lower ISSRT than the joints. The cracks in the joints exhibit dendritic paths along grain boundaries, with evidence of crack arrest marking (CAM) at localized areas in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution, suggesting both anodic dissolution and hydrogen-induced cracking simultaneously govern the propagation of stress corrosion cracks. There is the forced more test time in the slower strain rate, and the accumulation of stress corrosion coupling damage accelerates with the time, eventually leading to the greater degradation in the stress corrosion resistance and the higher ISSRT.

A New Process of Chemical Plating Ni-P Electromagnetic Induction Heating Activation on the Surface of Aluminium Alloy Base Material

Nowadays, there are many surface treatment methods for aluminium alloys; the most commonly used of these is the chemical dip galvanizing process, which is complicated due to its use of large quantities of corrosive drugs. In order to simplify the process, this paper proposes a new electromagnetic induction heating activation method instead of the zinc dipping process. The method works as follows: The substrate is first degreased and then activated. The activation process starts by soaking the degreased substrate in an activation solution, taking it out after ten minutes, and placing it into an induction heating unit. The activation solution is sprayed onto the surface of the substrate while heating, using the energy generated by high temperatures to complete the activation reaction. The surface of the activated substrate forms a nanoscale film of nickel, which is finally utilised as a catalytic centre for ENP (an advanced surface treatment process that deposits a very uniform layer). The optimisation of important parameters of the non-destructive activation process was determined using the L9 Taguchi method. The main parameters ranged from 0.15 L/min to 0.25 L/min for spray rate, 200 °C to 400 °C for heat treatment temperature, and 1:4, 1:5, and 1:6 for Ni2+ and H2PO4− ion concentration ratios. The above data were derived from a single variable and were analysed using Minitab 20 software. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy spectrometry (EDS), and ultrasonic experiments were used to characterize and analyse the surface morphology, composition, and bond strength of the coatings. The results show that the nanoscale nickel particles can completely cover the surface of the substrate, forming a layer of nano-film. After activation and ultrasonic cleaning for 30 s at an ultrasonic frequency of 40 KHz and a power of 80 W, the surface nano-film was not destroyed, which proves that it had a high bonding strength. After the application of the plating, the plated surface had a compact microstructure, and the continuity was good. Therefore, compared with the currently commonly used zinc dipping process, this process has the advantages of being a low-cost, simple operation, and non-destructive and environmentally friendly activation process for the substrate.

The Influence of Deep Cryogenic Treatment (DCT) on the Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of TC4 Titanium Alloy.

Deep cryogenic treatment (-196 °C, DCT) is an emerging application that can make significant changes to many materials. In this study, DCT was applied to Ti6Al4V (TC4) titanium alloy, and we delved into an examination of the impact on its microstructural morphologies and mechanical properties. It was observed that DCT has a significant effect on the grain refinement of the TC4 titanium alloy base material. Obvious grain refinement behavior can be observed with 6 h of DCT, and the phenomenon of grain refinement becomes more pronounced with extension of the DCT time. In addition, DCT promotes the transformation of the β phase into the α' phase in the TC4 titanium alloy base material. XRD analysis further confirmed that DCT leads to the transformation of the β phase into the α' phase. The element vanadium was detected by scanning electron microscopy, and it was found that the β phase inside the base material had transformed into the α' phase. It was observed that DCT has a positive influence on the hardness of the TC4 titanium alloy base material. The hardness of the sample treated with 18 h of DCT increased from 331.2 HV0.5 to 362.5 HV0.5, presenting a 9.5% increase compared to the sample without DCT. Furthermore, it was proven that DCT had little effect on the tensile strength but a significant impact on the plasticity and toughness of the base material. In particular, the elongation and impact toughness of the sample subject to 18 h of DCT represented enhancements of 27.33% and 8.09%, respectively, compared to the raw material without DCT.

Improved forming height and reduced energy consumption through an optimized hybrid quasi-static and high-speed forming strategy

It is widely accepted that aluminum alloy-based materials exhibit improved formability and enhanced ductility under high-speed impact. However, in this study, the experimental results were not entirely similar to the traditional theoretical results. Thus, this study once again confirms the conclusion that high-rate forming can increase the forming limit of materials, and simultaneously supplements the conclusion. Herein, a hybrid process combining quasi-static hydraulic forming and electromagnetic hydraulic forming was proposed. The effects of the forming sequence and pre-deformation amount on sheet bulging and fracture morphology were analyzed via experiments and simulation. It was found that when the electromagnetic hydraulic forming is pre-deformation and the quasi-static hydraulic forming is post-deformation, the forming height of aluminum alloy does not improve significantly. Conversely, when the quasi-static hydraulic forming is pre-deformation and the electromagnetic hydraulic forming is post-deformation, the forming height of aluminum alloy improves significantly. In case of pre-deformation quasi-static liquid pressure P0 = 2 MPa, and post-deformation electromagnetic hydraulic forming, the limit forming height is 22.4 % higher than that under quasi-static hydraulic forming. Moreover, the limiting voltage decreases with increasing pre-deformation quasi-static liquid pressure P0, and the energy consumption reduces by 42.9 %. The deformation behavior and damage characteristics of quasi-static hydraulic forming, electromagnetic hydraulic forming, and hybrid forming were accurately predicted by multi-physics coupling analysis. Compared with quasi-static hydraulic forming, void nucleation and growth are inhibited due to high-speed impact. In particular, when the sheet is about to crack during high-speed forming, the voids that should have grown sharply are significantly inhibited. Therefore, the improved formability mainly acts at the post-deformation stage during high-speed forming, with the analytical results corroborating the experimental and simulation ones.

Comparative corrosion behavior of three titanium alloy base materials and their welds in a simulated chimney environment

This study investigates the corrosion behavior of titanium alloys (TA2, TC4, TB6) in a 3 % sulfuric acid flue gas environment using electrochemical tests and microscopic analyses (SEM/EDS, XRD, metallographic microscopy). Results show that TA2 base metal has lower corrosion resistance compared to its weld metal, while TC4 and TB6 exhibit opposite trends. Specifically, TC4 and TB6 base metals have lower corrosion current densities (0.9 and 0.5 μA/cm2) and higher corrosion potentials then their weld metals (1.93 and 2 μA/cm2). In contrast, TA2 base metal showed higher corrosion current density (2 μA/cm2) than its weld metal (0.35 μA/cm2) and HAZ metal (0.16 μA/cm2).Microscopic analyses reveal β phase transitions in TC4 and TB6 weld areas, leading to larger grain sizes and reduced corrosion resistance. Conversely, TA2 retains finer grains post-welding, enhancing its corrosion resistance. These insights clarify weld corrosion effects and provide valuable guidance for industrial applications of titanium alloys, particularly in designing and maintaining titanium alloy chimneys.

Identification and time evolution of thionyl chloride (SOCl2) radiolysis products

Abstract Innovative solutions are needed to reduce the amount of high-level waste generated by used nuclear fuel recycling strategies to support the widespread adoption of sustainable nuclear fission energy technologies. To this end, a new sulfur chloride-based process has been developed to recycle zirconium alloy-based materials, which make up a significant fraction of high-level radioactive waste. To support the continued development of this process, we present new data on the potential reaction pathways over time of the products arising from the gamma and electron beam radiolysis of neat thionyl chloride (SOCl2). Interrogation of the gamma irradiated liquid by Raman spectroscopy provided more conclusive identification of the SOCl2 degradation products, specifically sulfur dichloride (SCl2), molecular chlorine (Cl2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and sulfuryl chloride (SO2Cl2). In comparison, the high dose rate (∼107 Gy s−1) electron beam irradiations formed significantly more degradation products. For both cobalt-60 gamma and electron beam irradiations, the observed degradation products were found to evolve as a function of time post-irradiation via the same reaction pathways, with indication of a solvent regeneration mechanism. These findings are fortuitous for process development, as such a mechanism would be beneficial for process longevity and cost effectiveness.

Localizing bismuth single atoms around tin nanoparticles for efficient CO2 reduction and fabrication of high-performance sodium-ion batteries

The utilization of Bi/Sn alloy-based materials has garnered significant interest as a promising avenue for the development of sodium-ion batteries and the achievement of electrocatalytic CO2 reduction. This is due to their notable attributes of high theoretical specific capacity and low working potential, as well as their abundance and high catalytic activity. Nevertheless, the practical application potential of these alloys is restrained by their inadequate electrical conductivity without incorporating conductive carbon networks to improve the electrical conductivity of the composite material and consequential volumetric fluctuations, which ultimately lead to unsatisfactory cycle life and the depletion of active components. A single-atom Bi-coated Sn nanoparticle was synthesized utilizing metal-organic framework (MOF) compounds as precursors. The resulting composite exhibits the ability to mitigate volume changes that arise during charge and discharge processes, while also enhancing the catalytic activity of the system for CO2 reduction through synergistic effects. Upon pyrolysis of the MOFs at elevated temperatures, a carbon matrix "protective layer" is formed to prevent the loss of active substances under conditions of electrode pulverization. This leads to improved cycle stability and coulomb efficiency of the battery. The ion permeation and gas diffusion are facilitated by the three-dimensional porous structures of composites. The conductive networks further improve the conductivity of materials, prevent the shedding of electrode material from electrodes, and facilitate electron transport. Consequently, the electrode demonstrates exceptional electrochemical performance, as evidenced by a high capacity of 510 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles and a reversible capacity of 497 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles. Furthermore, the composite material demonstrates a notable degree of selectivity towards CO2 reduction, as evidenced by a coulombic efficiency of 95.7% for HCOOH at a potential of −1.1 V but only a coulombic efficiency of 2.3% for H2. Furthermore, the composite material exhibits commendable stability. The findings presented in this study offer valuable technical insights towards the attainment of carbon neutrality and carbon peaking.

Effect of Weight Percent Mg and Heat Treatment on the Mechanical Properties of Al10Si Aluminum Alloy Casting Products Car Chassis Materials

Innovation in the automotive field is now growing rapidly. New materials are considered to be incorporated in automotive design if they have economic and vehicle performance benefits. This research investigates the change of the Magnesium (Mg) addition and heat treatment to the mechanical properties and microstructure of the car chassis prototype with Al10Si Aluminum alloy base material. The process of casting using the High-Pressure Die Casting method. Variation of Mg (3, 4, 5 wt%) to increase the strength of mechanical properties of Al10Si aluminum alloy material. In the casting process, the first Al10Si heated up to 690°C. Mg is incorporated into the heating furnace, then stirred by a mechanical stirrer. Stirring speed of 90 rpm and stirring time of 120 seconds. After it has poured into the mold, the casting temperature is 740°C. Then cools the room to room temperature 39°C. Then performed, heat treatment, using the method of age hardening and artificial aging. The test results prove that the hardening heat treatment makes the grain size smaller. Small grain size, then increase the strength of the material with the addition of Mg elements.

Influence of Femtosecond Laser Surface Modification on Tensile Properties of Titanium Alloy.

Titanium alloy components often experience damage from impact loads during usage, which makes improving the mechanical properties of TC4 titanium alloys crucial. This paper investigates the influence of laser scanning irradiation on the tensile properties of thin titanium alloy sheets. Results indicate that the tensile strength of thin titanium alloy sheets exhibits a trend of initial increase followed by a decrease. Different levels of enhancement are observed in the elongation at break of a cross-section. Optimal improvement in the elongation at break is achieved when the laser fluence is around 8 J/cm2, while the maximum increase in tensile strength occurs at approximately 10 J/cm2. Using femtosecond laser surface irradiation, this study compares the maximum enhancement in the tensile strength of titanium alloy base materials, which is approximately 8.54%, and the maximum increase in elongation at break, which reaches 25.61%. In addition, the results verify that cracks in tensile fractures of TC4 start from the middle, while laser-induced fracture cracks occur from both ends.

ZnSe/SnSe Heterostructure Incorporated with Selenium/Nitrogen Co-Doped Carbon Nanofiber Skeleton for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Effective strategies toward building exquisite nanostructures with enhanced structural integrity and improved reaction kinetics will carry forward the practical application of alloy-based materials as anodes in batteries. Herein, a free-standing 3D carbon nanofiber (CNF) skeleton incorporated with heterostructured binary metal selenides (ZnSe/SnSe) nanoboxes is developed for Na-ion storage anodes, which can facilitate Na+ ion migration, improve structure integrity, and enhance the electrochemical reaction kinetics. During the carbonization and selenization process, selenium/nitrogen (Se/N) is co-doped into the 3D CNF skeleton, which can improve the conductivity and wettability of the CNF matrices. More importantly, the ZnSe/SnSe heterostructures and the Se/N co-doping CNFs can have a synergistic interfacial coupling effect and built-in electric field in the heterogeneous interfaces of ZnSe/SnSe hetero-boundaries as well as the interfaces between the CNF matrix and the selenide heterostructures, which can enable fast ion/electron transport and accelerate surface/internal reaction kinetics for Na-ion storage. The ZnSe/SnSe@Se,N-CNFs exhibit superior Na-ion storage performance than the comparative ZnSe/SnSe, ZnSe and SnSe powders, which deliver an excellent rate performance (882.0, 773.6, 695.7, 634.2, and 559.0mAhg-1 at current rates of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, and 2Ag-1) and long-life cycling stability of 587.5mAhg-1 for 3500 cycles at 2Ag-1.

Heterostructure Design of Anode Materials for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Batteries

The growing global demand for carbon neutrality has led to an increase in the use of electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage systems, which rely heavily on lithium-ion batteries. However, there are concerns about the limited availability of lithium resources, which may result in depletion and price increases in the near future. To solve this issue, researchers are actively exploring alternative next-generation secondary battery systems to replace current lithium-ion batteries. Sodium-ion batteries have received significant attention as one of promising candidates, as sodium is abundant in the earth's crust and economically viable compared to lithium.Although hard carbon has been considered a reversible anode material capable of sodium-ion insertion and extraction, high-capacity anode materials are required to increase the energy density of sodium-ion batteries. Among various candidates, conversion- and alloy-based materials are highly regarded due to their high theoretical capacity. However, challenges such as huge volume changes of active materials, sluggish reaction rates, and interfacial instability that occur during charging and discharging need to be overcome for these materials to be applied in high-performance sodium-ion batteries.To address these challenges, herein, we designed heterostructured anodes with a unique structure by combining conversion- or alloy-based materials with a porous silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) nanocoating layer, which possesses high surface capacitive reactivity and mechanical strength. We controlled the dispersion of the precursors in silicon oil and performed heat treatment to synthesize high-capacity heterostructured composites (MoS2@SiOC and Sn@SiOC). Subsequently, we conducted extensive physicochemical and electrochemical characterization as well as post-mortem analysis to investigate the properties of these composites, with a specific focus on the impact of the heterostructure on their battery performance. We anticipate that this heterostructure approach will pave the way for the development of novel, high-performance anode materials for sodium-ion batteries in the future.

Facile synthesis of antimony-embedded nitrogen-rich carbon composites using sacrificial template: Enhanced stability for high-performance sodium-ion hybrid capacitors

Sodium-ion hybrid capacitors (SIHCs) offer a cost-efficient, high-energy, high-power solution for next-generation energy storage. The primary challenge is the development of suitable active materials. Ideal anodes should possess high capacity, low operating voltage, excellent rate performance, and cycling stability. In particular, alloy-based materials have the potential to serve as efficient anodes if their volume changes during cycling can be suppressed. In this work, we developed a facile and simple approach for the synthesis of alloy-based Sb nanoparticles embedded in a nitrogen-enriched carbon matrix (denoted as Sb@NC) through a straightforward chelation process. By incorporating NaCl as a sacrificial template, we successfully reduced the overall size of the carbon matrix, further mitigating volume change during charge–discharge process, and formed pores in the composite that facilitate the transport of sodium ions (denoted as s-Sb@NC). The material exhibited a high capacity (544.4 mAh g−1@0.1 A g−1), superior rate performance (238.9 mAh g−1@5 A g−1), and robust stability, with the capacity of 224.2 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles. Through in-situ analyses, we determined the charge–discharge mechanism, and ex-situ cross-sectional imaging revealed the causes behind the decreased performance of commercial Sb and Sb@NC with the progress of the charge–discharge cycle. SIHC device was assembled with our developed materials and activated carbon and it exhibited outstanding energy/power density and cycle stability compared with recently reported results. SHIC delivered a maximum energy and power density of 192.6 Wh kg−1 and 18.6 kW kg−1, and showed a capacity fade of only 0.0028 % per cycle over 20,000 cycles at a high current density of 5 A g−1.

Higher mechanical stability and mutual-stabilizing/confining effect enables anti-pulverization SbSn alloy/N-doped porous carbon with high-performance in sodium-based dual-ion batteries

Alloy-based materials with suitable operating potential and remarkable theoretical specific capacity have captured rising attention in sodium-ion energy storage devices. However, their giant volumetric effect is generally susceptible to irreparable crack and pulverization, ultimately leading to electrode failure. Herein, a hybrid of SbSn alloy nanoparticles implanted in honeycomb-like N-doped porous carbon (SbSn/NPC) is delicately designed through in-situ self-template-assisted pyrolysis method. In such a configuration, the “mutual-stabilizing/confining” behavior of SbSn during Na+ storage can effectively offset partial volume effects and cushion the overall stress, and the NPC can produce dozens of edges/defects for Na+ adsorption and significantly alleviate particle agglomeration. Theoretical calculation combined with structural evolution analysis further demonstrate that the SbSn/NPC electrode exhibits remarkable mechanical strength and toughness, which can resist severe cracking and crushing during cycling, thereby maintaining structural stability/integrity. As a result, the SbSn/NPC served as anode exhibits outstanding performance in sodium-ion half/full-cells, and endows SbSn/NPC||expanded graphite (EG) sodium-based dual-ion batteries (SDIBs) with superior energy/power density (136 Wh kg−1/2623 W kg−1) and persistent stability over ultralong cycling (99 mAh/g at 1.0 A/g after 1000 cycles). This work sheds new horizons to surmount the inherent boundedness of alloying-based materials for application in emerging energy storage devices.

Investigation of wt.% Si and Heat Treatment on the Mechanical Properties of Al6063 Aluminum Alloy by the Casting Product Propeller Shaft Model

Shaft propeller is one of the most important parts of ship propulsion installations. To produce a good quality shaft propeller, the ship propeller designer must consider various parameters, in order to produce the type and size of the propeller that has the value of effectiveness and high propulsion efficiency. Shaft propellers are usually made of steel but, in this study the propeller shaft model is made of Aluminum Alloy base material. So the material must have good mechanical properties. The purpose of this study is to see the mechanical properties of the sheller propeller with aluminum alloy base material with the addition of silicon elements and magnesium by going through the heat treatment process. The main base material used is 6063 aluminum alloy, with variations in the addition of Si (1, 2, 4 wt%). The addition of Mg can improve the mechanical properties of the casting. Alloy Al6063 is heated to a temperature of 790°C to reach a complete liquid state. Then the temperature is lowered to 645°C, then the Si element is inserted into the heating furnace and stirred. Then the temperature is lowered to 615°C, then the Mg element is added, then stirred thoroughly by a mechanical stirrer. The rotational speed of the stirrer is 70 rpm and the stirring time is 240 seconds. Then heated to a pouring temperature of 670°C. The mold is heated to a temperature of 265°C. Then poured into the mold and pressed 7 MPa. After that, it was allowed to stand for 600 seconds, and then removed from the mould. The cast propeller shaft is cooled at room temperature. Then the propeller shaft was heat treated with a solution treatment temperature of 485°C for 3600 seconds and then quenched using a fluid. After that, the casting products were treated with artificial aging. The results of the study are, Porosity will decrease along with the addition of Silicon elements. The lowest porosity level is in addition of 3% wt Silicon that is equal to 1.15%. Tensile test with the addition of 1% wt Silicon ie, 106.882 MPa, in addition of 2% wt Silicon that is, 128.713 MPa, and in addition of 3% wt Silicon ie 132.668 MPa. So the highest tensile stress value is at 3% wt. Hardness values will increase with the addition of Silicon elements. The highest hardness value found in the variation of 3% wt Silicon ie, 69.9 HB. While in the variation (0, 1, 2% wt) that is, 43.75 HB, 51.24 HB and 56.45 HB. So this study, proving that the addition of silicon elements can improve the mechanical properties of the shaft propeller.

Analysis of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AZ31B Thick Plate Magnesium Alloy Stir Friction Welded Joints

Welding of 10 mm thick AZ31B magnesium alloy by stir friction welding technique. The effects of process parameters on the microstructure, tensile strength and impact resistance of the joints were analyzed. The results showed that the joints were formed with good quality and no obvious defects, and the joints were fine-grained and accompanied by grain dislocations. The grain dislocation in the hot machine influence zone is more obvious there is a dense grain dislocation zone, and the distribution is not uniform. When the spindle speed is 800 and 1000 rpm, respectively, the best impact resistance of the welded joint impact work is 8.02 J, which is about 94.2% of the impact resistance of AZ31B magnesium alloy base material. When the spindle speed is 1000r/min and the welding speed is 150 mm/min, the tensile strength of the welded joint is the largest, reaching 85.8% of the base material and the post-break elongation is 1.9 times that of the base material. Thick plate magnesium alloy plate welded joints overall performance is not uniform, welded plate bottom mechanical properties of the worst, weld core area doped magnesium alloy oxide, joint tensile fracture crack source from the bottom of the plate to the weld surface expansion.

Research on Performance Test of New Carbon Fiber Nano Antifouling Materials in Offshore Oil Field

Firstly, zinc dioxide and titanium dioxide were prepared from zinc acetate and butyl titanate. A nanometer ZnO/TiO2 film with different morphologies was prepared by doping the two materials. A new type of aluminum alloy base material which can be used in offshore oil exploitation was prepared by using a variety of proportioning methods. The results show that the modification agent can improve the corrosion resistance of the material. The results show that nano-ZnO composite titanium oxide coating has better antifouling and antifouling performance.

Construction of a robust solid electrolyte interphase on Ge anode to achieve a superior long-term cycle life of lithium-ion battery

Alloy-based materials are suffering a huge volume expansion/shrink during the repeated lithium-ion intercalation/deintercalation process, so they always display an unsatisfied electrochemical performance, especially for the cycle life. In this work, we design a localized highly concentrated electrolyte (LHCE) for Ge anode, by dissolving LiFSI in DME/TTE (3:7 by volume). Raman spectra illustrate that most FSI- anions in LHCE coordinate with Li+ ions, producing the solvated structure in form of AGGs or CIPs. XPS spectra prove that the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is rich in inorganic phase, such as Li2CO3, Li3N, LiF and Li2O. So the SEI is more stable and thinner, and it can keep the integrity of Ge particles and avoid their crushing during a long-term cycle. Although a serious capacity decrease at around the 30th cycle is found in esters electrolytes, the similar phenomenon is never seen in LHCE. The PM-550 @Ge in LHCE remains a reversible capacity of 1040 mAh g−1 after 300 cycles at 0.5 A g−1, and the capacity retention ratio is as high as 84%. Even after a long cycling of 500 cycles, the PM-550 @Ge delivers a high reversible capacity of 951 mAh g−1 at 1.0 A g−1.

Preparation and characterization of Al8011 TiO2 and nano Graphene hybrid composite mechanical and wear behavior

Aluminum Metal Matrix Composite (AMMC) materials are advantageous in a wide range of engineering applications, most notably due to their lightweight strength, among other factors. The present research focuses on determining the mechanical and wear behavior of Aluminum 8011 (Al8011) reinforced with (30 µm particle size) Graphite (Gr) by 3% by weight fraction and titanium oxide (TiO2) 5%, 10% and 15% weight. Stir casting was chosen as the cheapest approach in this investigation because it was readily available and cost-effective. Distinct samples of the newly developed composites were used in conjunction with a control sample of the aluminum alloy base material. Al8011 reinforced with (Gr) and TiO2 is being investigated in order to better understand how these materials interact with one another when heat treated and without treatment. With increasing TiO2 and Gr content, the hardness improved as well as the hardness up to specific limitations; the microstructure shows the compounds distribution uniformity for Al8011 with 10% TiO2 and 2% wt Gr. The hardness also improved with the same compositions, according to the test findings (10% TiO2 and it was identified that the heat treatment created a strong bond between the compound reinforcement. The wear resistance also increaseswith the hardness.

Morphological & Structural Control of Electrodeposited Sb Anodes through Solution Additives and Their Influence on Electrochemical Performance in Na-Ion Batteries

Alloy-based materials such as antimony (Sb) are of interest for both Li/Na-ion batteries due to their theoretical capacity and electronic conductivity. Of the various ways to fabricate Sb films (slurry casting, sputtering, etc.) one promising route is through the use of electrodeposition. Electrodeposition is an industrially relevant synthetic technique that allows for the use of solution additives to control different characteristics such as film uniformity, morphology, and electrical conductivity. Solution additives such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and bis-(3-sulfopropyl) disulfide (SPS) have been used to control characteristics such as particle morphology, and electrical conductivity in various applications but have not been applied to the electrodeposition of Sb for battery applications. In this study, Sb films were electrodeposited with various concentrations of CTAB and SPS and the structure, morphology, composition, and electrochemical performance in Na-ion batteries were compared. We report that CTAB and SPS additives can significantly influence electrodeposited Sb films by altering the morphology and reducing the crystallinity of the Sb films, affecting the electrochemical performance. These studies provide valuable insight into the tunability of alloy-based films through electrodeposition and solution additives.