Elevated Temperatures Research Articles

Efficient adsorptive removal of methyl green using Fe3O4/sawdust/MWCNT: Explaining sigmoidal behavior

The 4R concept (reduce, reuse, recycle and repurpose) in water management necessitates innovative adsorption techniques that utilize sustainable and natural materials. This study investigates the use of natural sawdust embedded in magnetic iron oxide to treat wastewater. The performance of the newly synthesized Fe3O4/sawdust adsorbent was also compared to the native Fe3O4 and Fe3O4/MWCNT. Methyl Green (MG) was used as a model pollutant due to its wide use and potential toxicity. The new adsorbents demonstrated a high removal efficiency that exceeds 97 % under ambient conditions. The study investigates the effect of pH on adsorption, revealing a significant shift in removal efficiency as pH increases, with an optimal pH of around 7. The pH dependence is explained based on the point-of-zero-charge of the Fe3O4 adsorbent and the structure of the dye. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH°, ΔS°, and ΔG°) of adsorption were determined through a temperature study. The adsorption equilibrium was found to be endothermic, therefore preferring elevated temperatures. Because the adsorption data of the study exhibited S-shaped-like curves, sigmoidal models were used to describe the adsorption isotherms. This provided new insights into the competitive adsorption mechanisms acting on the heterogeneous Fe3O4/sawdust surfaces. The kinetics study indicates rapid and efficient adsorption with pseudo-second-order reaction. The half-life of the reaction was as low as 4.8 min. The findings suggest a rapid, highly efficient and sustainable method to remove organic pollutants from wastewater.

Orientation effect of chopped steel fiber on tribological performance of very low metallic brake pads: An interface study

The orientation effect of chopped tiny steel fibres (length < 3 mm; diameter < 200 µm) in brake pads parallel (NAPA) to the sliding direction is studied using two different methods. Inverting the specimen during testing yields fibre perpendicular (NAPE) to the sliding direction, which is compared to commercial random-oriented fibre pads (NARA). The orientation coefficient value of near unity is achieved only in NAPA. NAPA and NAPE have a lower density than NARA by 13.2% due to less than 54.55% of steel fibres in the formulation. More and larger plateaus stabilized friction in NARA, utilising the elongation properties of parallel steel fibres, than in NAPE, which produced only tiny plateaus. However, the wear resistance decreases when the sliding path or direction changes from parallel to perpendicular. The measurement of thickness loss is misleading during wear because of the swelling effect, and hence energy requirements are considered. The energy required to wear 1 cc of specimen in the NAPE is 23.78% greater than that in the NAPA, and hence wear resistance is better. Adhesion followed by delamination at elevated temperatures are the dominant wear mechanisms in NAPA, whereas abrasion is dominant in NAPE. Thus, semi-metallic performance can be obtained in a very low metallic pad by orienting these fibres.

Electrostatically Self-Assembled Magnetic Nanoparticles for High-Temperature Resistant and Friction-Controlled Lubrication System.

Magnetic-responsive surfactants are considered promising smart lubricating materials due to their significant stimulation response to applied magnetic fields. In this study, four magneto-responsive surfactants are successfully fabricated and encapsulated on the surface of molybdenum disulfide nanosheets (MoS2@C18H37N+(CH3)3[XCl3Br]-, X=Fe, Ce, Gd, and Ho) as base-oil components using electrostatic self-assembly, thereby constructing a multi-functional magnetic lubrication system (MoS2@STAX). Magnetorheological measurements confirm the remarkable responsiveness of MoS2@STACe lubricants at high shear rates and applied magnetic fields, which is further corroborated by the constant proximity of the magnet. The formation of dense carbon and tribo-chemical films between the friction interfaces at elevated temperatures is the primary factor contributing to the significant reduction in frictional wear. Notably, the magnetic lubricant demonstrates a pronounced response behavior when subjected to an applied magnetic field in the ceramic tribopair, even at lower magnetic fields. This work presents concepts for the development of high-temperature resistant and tunable lubrication additives by designing the material structure and controlling the magnetic stimulation.

Surface Vibration‐Mediated and Multiphonon Relaxation‐Assisted Antithermal‐Quenching Shortwave Infrared Emission in Ho‐Based Double Perovskite With Long Lifetime

AbstractThermal quenching generally predominates in Er3+ 1540 nm luminescence quenching at elevated temperatures, due to intensified lattice vibration and efficient overtone vibrational relaxation by O─H stretch. This issue impedes practical device applications of shortwave infrared Er‐doped phosphors. Herein, with the mediation of surface vibrational phonons, anti‐thermal quenching of Er3+ 1540 nm emission is reported in (220)‐dominated Er3+‐doped Cs2NaHoCl6 double perovskite. The downshifting emissions can be boosted with rising temperatures from 303 to 543 K, reaching 225%@483 K of the initial intensity at 303 K, accompanied with a long lifetime of 33.02 ms at 483 K. By combining temperature‐dependent in situ Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies with the excited‐state dynamics results, the coordination role of water molecules is verified, serving as promoters instead of quenchers on the (220) facet at high temperatures. Furthermore, efficient energy transfer from Ho3+ to Er3+ enables intense 1540 nm emission with a photoluminescence quantum yield of 78.1% under 450 nm excitation. Finally, a compact thermally stable phosphor‐converted light‐emitting diode (LED) is designed as a narrowband shortwave infrared light source with a blue LED chip. This work pushes the improved understanding of achieving thermal‐enhanced Er3+ luminescence for potential broad applications.

Machine learning assisted design of new ductile high-entropy alloys: Application to Al-Cr-Nb-Ti-V-Zr system

The search for new high-entropy alloys (HEAs) with desired properties is an urgent problem that is hardly solvable experimentally due to the extremely large number of possible alloy compositions. Thus, methods for theoretical prediction of HEA's properties play a key role. Currently, effective predictive models are based on machine learning methods and modern data analysis algorithms. Here we address developing data-driven machine learning models (DDML) to predict the ductility of HEAs. We have built several DDMLs and found that the best approach is based on the Support Vector Classifier, which significantly outperforms phenomenological models (balanced accuracy of 0.784 and F-score of 0.824). By combining this model with a previously developed yield strength prediction model, we have predicted and fabricated novel HEAs of the Al-Cr-Nb-Ti-V-Zr system with good mechanical properties. An obtained Al1Cr9Nb35Ti5V40Zr10 alloy demonstrates a combination of high strength at room and elevated temperature, combined with good ductility at room temperature.

Effect of High-Pressure Torsion Temperatures on the Precipitation and Properties of Cu-Cr Alloy.

This study examines the impact of high-pressure torsion (HPT) processing at various temperatures on the precipitation behavior of Cu-Cr alloys. The introduction of defects through HPT is observed to promote the precipitation of Cr atoms. Unlike the traditional large-scale precipitation that typically occurs around 400 °C, HPT can induce the precipitation of solute atoms even at room temperature. Furthermore, the temperature at which HPT is performed significantly influences the behavior of the precipitated phase during subsequent aging, ultimately affecting the alloy's overall properties. At elevated temperatures (ETs) and room temperature (RT), Cr atoms tend to aggregate, forming Guinier-Preston (GP) zones or precipitates, which coarsen into incoherent precipitates after annealing. In contrast, when HPT is conducted at liquid nitrogen temperature (LNT), Cr atoms are retained in their original positions, leading to the formation of uniformly distributed, high-density small precipitates post-annealing. This phenomenon results in superior properties for HPT-LNT-treated samples, evidenced by a microhardness of 191.8 ± 3.2 HV and an electrical conductivity of 84.6 ± 1.8% IACS.

An investigation of CO generation path upon loading coal from perspective of macromolecular simulation.

CO is a hazardous and pollutant gas that can be produced in many scenarios of coal-related operations. The study mainly investigated CO production process and mechanism when coal is subject to external forces. The effects of coal type, particle size, temperature, and inlet atmosphere on CO production from coal body fragmentation were investigated through coal loading experiments. Materials Studio software was used to carry out coal macromolecular mechanics simulation and molecular dynamics simulation, and the gas production mechanism of coal under loading was explored at the molecular level. It was found that under air atmosphere, the low degree of deterioration, small particle size, and elevated temperature are all more likely to cause coal samples to fragment and decompose to produce CO. The carbonyl group in the molecular structure of coal is shed or broken free radical fragments react with oxygen which may lead to CO formation.

Permeability Evolution of Rough Fractures in Gonghe Granite Subjected to Cyclic Normal Stress at Elevated Temperatures: Experimental Measurements and Analytical Modeling

Permeability Evolution of Rough Fractures in Gonghe Granite Subjected to Cyclic Normal Stress at Elevated Temperatures: Experimental Measurements and Analytical Modeling

Lithium Volatilization and Phase Changes during Aluminum-Doped Cubic Li6.25La3Zr2Al0.25O12 (c-LLZO) Processing

Stabilized Li6.25La3Al0.25 Zr2O12 (cubic LLZO or c-LLZO) is a Li+-conducting ceramic with ionic conductivities approaching 1 mS-cm. Processing c LLZO so that it is suitable for use as a solid state electrolyte in all solid state batteries, however, is challenging due to the formation of secondary phases at elevated temperatures. The work described in this manuscript examines the formation of one such secondary phase La2Zr2O7 (LZO) formed during sintering c LLZO at 1000 °C. Specifically, spatially resolved Raman spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) measurements have identified gradients in Li distributions in the Li ion (Li+)-conducting ceramic Li6.25La3Al0.25 Zr2O12 (cubic LLZO or c-LLZO) created by thermal processing. Sintering c-LLZO under conditions relevant to solid state Li+ electrolyte fabrication conditions lead to Li+ loss and the formation of new phases. Specifically, sintering for 1 h at 1000 °C leads to Li+ depletion and the formation of the pyrochlore lanthanum zirconate (La2Zr2O7 or LZO), a material known to be both electronically and ionically insulating. Circular c-LLZO samples are covered on the top and bottom surfaces, exposing only the 1.6 mm-thick sample perimeter to the furnace’s ambient air. Sintered samples show a radially symmetric LZO gradient, with more LZO at the center of the pellet and considerably less LZO at the edges. This profile implies that Li+ diffusion through the material is faster than Li+ loss through volatilization, and that Li+ migration from the center of the sample to the edges is not completely reversible. These conditions lead to a net depletion of Li+ at the sample center. Findings presented in this work suggest new strategies for LLZO processing that will minimize Li+ loss during sintering, leading to a more homogeneous material with more reproducible electrochemical behavior.

Synthesis of Inherently Chiral Homo-heteracalixaromatics.

There is a resurgence of research interest in inherently chiral calixarenes and heteracalixaromatics. However, the examples of macrocyclic ring-expanded homocalixarenes and heterocalixaromatics of inherent chirality are not known. Here we report an efficient method to construct inherently chiral N2,O2-linked homo-heteracalixaromatics from reductive amination reactions between bis-aldehydes and aliphatic diamines. Examples of post-macrocyclization derivatization were also demonstrated. Enantiomers were obtained from resolution and did not undergo racemization at an elevated temperature. This study provides a new strategy to design novel and functional inherently chiral macrocycles that have potential applications in supramolecular chemistry.

Ultrahigh Thermal Robustness of High‐Entropy Spectrally Selective Absorbers for Next‐Generation Concentrated Solar Power System

AbstractSpectrally selective absorbers (SSAs) are a critical component in concentrated solar power (CSP) systems, as they maximize sunlight absorption while suppressing heat radiative loss. Despite various SSAs being demonstrated, the challenges remain on the limitations of thermal instability at elevated operating temperatures especially above 650 °C due to component oxidation and diffusion in the absorption layer. To address these challenges, herein a high‐entropy strategy is resorted. By utilizing high‐entropy nitride film as an absorption layer, a double‐layer SSA is prepared by a facile magnetron sputtering method. High‐entropy engineering intensifies and complicates the localized electronic bands, concurrently exhibiting relatively flat bands around the Fermi level, which can significantly enhance 3d interband transition. The resultant SSA delivers the desired spectral selectivity (α/ɛ82 °C = 92.7%/8.4%). Benefitting from the high‐entropy effect, the SSA maintains outstanding optical properties (α/ɛ82 °C = 93.3%/9.4%) even after a 750 °C vacuum thermal treatment for 120 h. Under 1 kW m−2 simulated illumination, the surface temperature of the absorber can easily rise to 95.3 °C, suggesting its remarkable solar‐thermal performance. Furthermore, its effectiveness in parabolic trough collectors (PTCs) is validated. All these competitive performances make the high‐entropy SSA a potentially promising candidate for PTCs.

A New Structural Motif in Aggregation of Methylalumoxanes: Non-Hydrolytic Route by the Alkylation of Dicarboxylic Acids.

Alumoxanes are typically produced via controlled hydrolysis of short-chain alkyl aluminium compounds which leads to oligomeric species that are usually difficult to obtain in crystalline form. Simultaneously, various alternative non-hydrolytic approaches to alumoxanes have also been used. In this work, we report on a new methylalumoxane scaffold derived from the alkylation of a series of dicarboxylic acids: itaconic acid (HO2CCH2C(=CH2)CO2H), succinic acid (HO2CCH2CH2CO2H) and homophthalic acid (HO2CCH2C6H4CO2H). The reactions of AlMe3 with a selected dicarboxylic acid in the molar ratio 4 : 1 conducted at elevated temperature occur with double methylation of each carboxylic group and provide to the formation of a new methylalumoxane aggregate, Me10Al6O4, flanked by methylaluminium diolate units. We also aimed to obtain dialkylaluminium derivatives of dicarboxylic acids by the controlled reaction of the appropriate acid with AlMe3 in the 1 : 2 stoichiometry. While the synthesis of organoaluminium derivatives of flexible aliphatic dicarboxylic acids (itaconic and succinic acids) is challenging due to their insolubility, the related homophtalate compound readily forms a molecular tetranuclear cluster, [([(O2CCH2C6H4CO2)(μ-AlMe2)2]2. The molecular and crystal structures of the resulting compounds were determined via NMR spectroscopic analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction crystallography.

Experimental investigation of the after fire mechanical properties of both fibre and lightweight concrete

ABSTRACT Concrete stands as a fundamental material in the construction industry. However, it encounters challenges such as cracking, crumbling, or disintegration at elevated temperatures, attributed to high thermal stresses and low tensile strength. This study addresses these issues by reinforcing concrete samples with steel and polypropylene fibres, exposing them to temperatures ranging from 25 to 800°C, and conducting mechanical tests. In order to provide a comprehensive examination, a concrete mixture containing lightweight aggregate was also prepared and tested along with other mixtures. The test results showed that adding steel and polypropylene fibres enhanced or maintained compressive strength up to 200°C compared to the control sample. Furthermore, samples containing steel fibres exhibited the highest tensile strength across all temperatures. Notably, at 600°C and above, the lightweight concrete sample demonstrated comparable or superior compressive strength as well as tensile strength compared to the control sample. In addition, it was observed that polypropylene fibres began to melt at 400°C, leading to a decline in compressive and tensile strength in samples containing this fibre type at temperatures exceeding 400°C.

Enhancing Reliability and Regeneration of Single Passivated Emitter Rear Contact Solar Cell Modules through Alternating Current Power Application to Mitigate Light and Elevated Temperature‐Induced Degradation

The study explores a novel method to combat the Light and Elevated Temperature‐Induced Degradation (LeTID) in solar cell modules, which significantly reduces their efficiency and lifespan. This method involves applying alternating current (AC) of various waveforms (triangular, sinusoidal, and square) and frequencies (5 and 100 kHz) to boron‐doped p‐type passivated emitter rear contact (p‐PERC) solar cell modules. This approach effectively lowers the series resistance at the critical junction between the silver (Ag) contact and the silicon emitter layer of the PERC solar cell, thereby reducing charge recombination hindered by high resistance, especially at elevated temperatures. As a result, there is an improved flow of electrical charges, leading to decreased energy loss and increased solar cell efficiency. The study's findings indicate that a slow, smooth sinusoidal AC waveform at 100 kHz is particularly effective, restoring about 100% of the original performance of the panel. Moreover, oscillations at 5 kHz also show considerable efficacy, recovering more than 96% of the performance. The sinusoidal waveform is noted to surpass both triangular and square waveforms in recovery efficiency. This research highlights the use of high‐frequency AC electricity as a viable strategy to extend the lifespan and enhance the performance of solar panels.

Effect of compositional undulation on the mechanical behavior of atomic-scale planar-faulted Ni-Mo-W films

Ni exhibits exceptional resistance to heat and corrosion, making it a sought-after material for harsh environment applications. The introduction of low interfacial energy planar defects (e.g., nanotwins and stacking faults) can greatly enhance the mechanical properties of Ni at elevated temperatures, but this strategy generally remains difficult due to Ni's high stacking fault energy (120–130 mJ/m2). Here, we apply HRSTEM, APT characterization, and DFT calculation to discover that inhomogeneous distribution of Mo atoms can facilitate the nucleation and stabilization of atomic-scale stacking faults in Ni-Mo-W thin films, in addition to the increase in global concentration. Micro-tensile experiments confirm the exceptionally high tensile strength up to 3 GPa. Post-mortem TEM analysis reveals that de-faulting followed by selective activation of dislocation emission and glide are the strength-limiting deformation mechanism. This work provides a practical strategy for designing ultrahigh strength, stable nanostructured materials by local chemical undulation.

CO2 trapping dynamics in tight sandstone: Insights into trapping mechanisms in Mae Moh's reservoir

The reliance on fossil fuels is a major contributor to increased anthropogenic CO2 emissions, driving global challenges such as climate change through the greenhouse effect. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a promising interdisciplinary technology aimed at mitigating these emissions by securely sequestering gigatons of CO2. This study focuses on the feasibility of storing point-source CO2 emissions in saline formations, with a particular emphasis on the Mae Moh coal-fired power plant in Lampang, Thailand, which is located near its associated coal mine. The region presents challenges due to tight sandstone reservoirs buried over 2000 m deep. With reservoir simulation, this study evaluates the impact of various factors on CO2 containment and trapping in these geological settings. Results show that elevated temperatures decrease structural trapping of 43.0%–28.9% and increase solubility trapping of 28.55%–46.5%, at 40 °C and 80 °C respectively. Hysteresis is found to enhance residual trapping by immobilizing up to 31.1% of CO2 within pore spaces at 0.5. Permeability heterogeneity has a minimal impact on overall trapping efficiency due to the less heterogeneity of the tight sandstone. However, the kV/kH ratio significantly influences vertical CO2 migration which resulted in residual trapping at its highest at the ratio of 0.1, while lower ratios support lateral dispersion. Moderate rock compressibility values are identified as optimal for structural and residual trapping, while extreme compressibility enhances solubility trapping by up to 30%. These findings emphasize the complexity of CO2 trapping mechanisms in tight sandstone formations, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of key factors in CCS projects.

Sandwich-structured polymer dielectrics exhibiting significantly improved capacitive performance at high temperatures by roll-to-roll physical vapor deposition

Electrostatic capacitors with ultrahigh power density are the key components in modern electrical and electronic systems. Polymers are preferred dielectrics for high-voltage electrostatic capacitors, however, unable to meet the ever-growing high-temperature requirements in emerging applications, such as electric vehicles, and photovoltaic power generation. In this work, sandwich-structured Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) films with Al2O3 as the coating layer have been prepared by using roll-to-roll magnetron sputtering. The incorporation of Al2O3 coating layers enhances the potential barrier height at the electrode/dielectric interface, thereby impeding charge injection from electrodes and suppressing high-temperature electrical conduction. Consequently, the sandwich-structured PPS films demonstrate significantly improved breakdown strengths and enhanced capacitive performance at elevated temperatures compared to neat PPS films. The roll-to-roll magnetron sputtering process employed in fabricating these sandwich-structured dielectric films is highly compatible with large-scale capacitor film production. Thus, sandwich-structured PPS films hold promise in addressing the challenge of scalable fabrication of high-performance, high-quality polymer films required for high-temperature capacitive energy storage.

Electrochemically induced interface by LiBOB to enhance cycling performance of LiFe0.4Mn0.6PO4 cathode for lithium-ion batteries

Olivine-type lithium iron manganese phosphate (LFMP) combines the high energy density of LiMnPO4 with the high safety of LiFePO4, is considered to be one of the most promising cathode materials for the next generation. However, the Mn dissolution behavior due to the Jahn-Teller effect of Mn3+ irreversibly causes loss of active material during electrochemical cycling, accompanied by severe capacity decay and structural degradation, which is more severe at elevated temperature. Herein, in order to enhance the cycling performance of LFMP cathode material, the cathode-electrolyte interface is stabilized by inducing bis(oxalate)borate (LiBOB) decomposition electrochemically to form a CEI layer. Specifically, the capacity retention of the battery in the electrolyte containing 0.75 wt% LiBOB is 95.37 % after 200 cycles at 25 °C and 1C. (1C = 170 mA g−1) The capacity retention is 89.17 % after 200 cycles at 55 °C and 1C, compared to only 72 % in the electrolyte without LiBOB. The superior cycling performance is attributed to the formation of a uniform CEI layer induced by LiBOB electrochemically, which inhibits the parasitic reaction between the cathode and electrolyte, reduces the dissolution of Mn in the active substance, enabling superior and safer cycling performance even at elevated temperature.

Evaluating dynamic modulus of cold in-place recycling mixture with foamed bitumen using field core samples

This study evaluates the dynamic modulus of Cold In-Place Recycling with Foamed Bitumen (FB-CIR) pavements, focusing on the influence of various recycled materials—reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), reclaimed inorganic binder stabilized aggregate (RAI), and their combination (RAP+RAI). Core samples from three representative FB-CIR projects in China were tested using the MTS-130 system across temperatures of −10°C, 5°C, 20°C, 35°C, and 50°C, and frequencies ranging from 25 Hz to 0.1 Hz. Statistical analysis and the Sigmoidal model were employed to analyze the viscoelastic behavior and establish the master curve for the FB-CIR dynamic modulus. The dynamic modulus of the three FB-CIR mixtures showed pronounced frequency-dependence, decreasing with reduced frequencies, and exhibited temperature sensitivity, with lower values at elevated temperatures. FB-RAI consistently demonstrated higher modulus values due to the hydration of previously unhydrated cement particles, while FB-RAP and FB-RAP+RAI displayed lower values, as RAP behaves similarly to unbound granular material. The construction of the master curve, based on the time-temperature superposition principle, enhanced our understanding of FB-CIR mixtures' mechanical behavior and enabled accurate extrapolation of dynamic modulus values across diverse conditions. Furthermore, FB-RAI's narrow phase angle variation indicates its superior mechanical stability and reduced sensitivity to external changes, making it ideal for areas with extreme climate fluctuations or heavy traffic. The study also identified three distinct phase angle variation patterns in FB-CIR mixtures, underscoring the importance of nuanced pavement design strategies that consider temperature, frequency, and material composition to optimize the performance and durability of FB-CIR pavements.

Mechanical property, oxidation resistance, and ceramization mechanism of MoSi2-SiB6 reinforced phenolic resin matrix composites

Ceramizable phenolic resin matrix composites have a significant potential for widespread applications in the field of aerospace ablation. However, due to the sharp decrease of mechanical properties at elevated temperatures, the composite fails to meet the requirements of thermal protection as well as load-bearing of aircraft in a wide temperature range. In this study, boron phenolic composites modified by MoSi2 and SiB6 with high strength in a wide temperature range are prepared. The flexural strength of composites after ablation within the temperature range of 800 °C to 1600 °C ranges from 48.07 to 82.49 MPa. In particular, a significant increase of 224.9% is obtained at 1400 °C with 6 wt% SiB6. The mass ablation rate and line ablation rate of the composites are increased to 0.054 g/s and 0.013 mm/s, respectively. The cooperation effect of oxygen consumption, carbon fixation, oxygen barrier, and liquid phase bonding produced by ceramization reactions involving SiB6, MoSi2, O2, and pyrolytic carbon at different temperatures, resulting in an improvement of the mechanical property and the oxidation resistance of the composite. These composites have a potential in long term thermal protection and load-bearing of new ablation materials.