Reduction In Electrical Resistance Research Articles

Electrostatic Dissipation in 3D-Printable Silicone.

In this report, we describe the incorporation of single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into 3D printable siloxane elastomers for electrostatic dissipation. The composite was characterized, focusing on how rheological and mechanical properties of the siloxane are affected at various CNT loading levels. Electrical properties were also characterized to develop materials with effective electrostatic dissipation. We demonstrate that low loadings (<1 wt %) of CNTs can be sufficiently dispersed into silicone resins that can be 3D printed, and the resulting material shows a significant improvement in electrostatic dissipation through the reduction in electrical resistivity with minimal effect on its mechanical properties.

Enhancement in power factor through rare-earth samarium doping in Cu2SnSe3 system

Cu2SnSe3 has drawn enough attention as a potential thermoelectric material due to its unique electronic and thermal properties. We present the impact of Sm doping on the Cu2SnSe3 system’s Sn site. The polycrystalline samples of Cu2Sn1-x Sm x Se3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.08) were prepared using the solid-state reaction technique followed by conventional sintering. The crystal structure was characterized using XRD and the results reveal that the samples have a diamond cubic structure with a space group of F4̄3m. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis indicates a uniform surface homogeneity within the sample. Furthermore, the introduction of Sm causes a reduction in porosity. The electrical transport characteristics were studied in the mid temperature range of 300–650 K. The Seebeck coefficient of all the samples were found to be positive within the temperature range under study, suggesting that holes constitute the majority charge carriers. This is also confirmed by the Hall measurements as the carrier concentration was positive for all the samples. The inclusion of Sm has led to a reduction of electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient and hence power factor of ~539 μW mK−2 for x = 0.08 at 630 K which is ten times greater as compared to x = 0 whose power factor is ~56 μW mK−2 at 630 K is achieved which makes it suitable for thermoelectric applications.

Intrinsic self-sensing piezoresistive behaviors of ultra-high strength alkali-activated concrete

In this work, the self-sensing piezoresistive behaviors of carbon fiber (CF)-reinforced ultra-high strength concrete (UHSC) are investigated using alternating current impedance spectroscopy (ACIS) technique. The effects of different fiber contents, fiber lengths, and curing ages are considered. The electrical behaviors of alkali-activated slag (AAS)-based UHSC (AAS-UHSC) and ordinary Portland cement (OPC)-based UHSC (OPC-UHSC) at similar strength from 80 to 110 MPa are compared. The findings reveal that the intrinsic electrical resistivity of AAS-UHSC is significantly lower than that of OPC-UHSC, approximately 1/30 of the latter. The addition of CF results in a substantial reduction in electrical resistivity for both UHSC types, with reductions of up to 96 %, and shows better compatibility with the AAS-UHSC matrix. The piezoresistive properties of CF-reinforced UHSC are investigated using ACIS at a fixed frequency and further evaluated by parameters including sensitivity, linearity, repeatability, and hysteresis. The results indicate that plain OPC-UHSC does not exhibit piezoresistivity, whereas the addition of CF enhances both the sensitivity and linearity of piezoresistivity. In contrast, AAS-UHSC demonstrates inherent piezoresistive behaviors even without CF. The introduction of 0.5 wt% CF improves the sensitivity (by up to 50 %) and linearity (R2 increased from 0.76 to above 0.90) of piezoresistivity in AAS-UHSC. However, increasing the CF content to 1.0 wt% diminishes the sensitivity (by up to 62.5 %) due to decreased fiber dispersion uniformity. Moreover, the addition of 1.0 wt% 8-mm CF reduces the hysteresis of UHSC regardless of the binder type, with the maximum reduction reaching 62.2 %.

High performance poly(lactic acid)/poly(ether-block-amide) blend-based bionanocomposites containing carbon nanotubes and/or organoclay

High-performance poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blend-based composites were fabricated with a poly(ether-block-amide) (PEBA) elastomer acting as the blend counterpart. It was confirmed that a compatibilizer (ADR) enhanced the interaction between PLA and PEBA. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and organoclay (30B) were added individually and simultaneously into the blend to produce bionanocomposites. Morphological results showed that CNTs were mainly dispersed in PEBA domains, whereas 30B was mainly localized at the interfacial region of PLA and PEBA phases. The selective localization of added CNTs and 30B led to significant modification of the properties of the compatibilized PLA/PEBA blend. The brittleness and flammability of PLA were evidently improved after forming the bionanocomposites. Differential scanning calorimetry results revealed that CNTs and 30B assisted the crystallization of both PLA and PEBA in the composites, with CNTs providing superior nucleation efficiency to 30B. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed the thermal stability enhancement of the blend after adding CNTs and/or 30B, with up to 16 °C increase at 20 wt% loss with inclusion of 2 phr 30B. Addition of CNTs and/or 30B improved the blend's anti-dripping performance during burning tests, and CNT exhibited better anti-dripping efficiency. Ductility of PLA was drastically improved after forming the compatibilized blend, and further improved with incorporation of CNTs and/or 30B (increased from 9 % for neat PLA to 252 % for the hybrid composite containing CNT/30B). The impact strength of 1 phr CNTs-added composite was about 3 times that of PLA. Rheological properties indicated the (pseudo)network formation of added filler(s), leading to a significant reduction in electrical resistivity, up to six orders of magnitude with addition of 3 phr CNTs.

Enhancing the thermoelectric performance of Sr0.6La0.4Nb2O6-δ-based ceramics through composite effects

Donor-doped SrNb2O6-based materials are regarded as highly promising candidates for high-temperature thermoelectric applications. The Sr0.6La0.4Nb2O6-δ/x wt% Ti (x = 1, 5, 10, 15) composite ceramics thermoelectric materials were prepared and the mechanism for enhancing their thermoelectric properties was investigated. The experimental results demonstrate that during sintering, nano-additive titanium powder undergoes oxidation to form TiO2. The inclusion of a secondary phase ultimately leads to successful reduction in electrical resistivity within the composite oxides. Due to crystal defects, complex structure and phonon scattering at grain boundaries, the samples consistently exhibit low thermal conductivity values below 3.0 W m−1K−1. Among them, the sample doped with 10 wt% Ti shows the highest PF value (470.0 μW/mK2 at 1073 K), demonstrating a significant increase in power factor of 280 % compared to Sr0.6La0.4Nb2O6 without the Ti composite. Consequently, the Sr0.6La0.4Nb2O6-δ/10 wt% Ti composite material achieved a maximum ZT value of 0.20, representing a fifty-three percent enhancement compared to the undoped sample.

Incorporation of Ni in Cu2SnSe3: An insight into the reduction in electrical resistivity

In the present study, Cu2SnSe3/x% Ni (x = 0, 1, 2 and 3 wt%) composite thermoelectric were synthesized using solid-state reaction followed by sintering in the mid-temperature range 300–570 K. XRD studies revealed that the samples have a diamond cubic structure with the F4¯3m space group. Scanning Electron Microscopy indicates that the synthesized samples possess homogeneous surfaces with fewer pores. The sample with 3% Ni exhibits an approximately eight-fold increase in electrical conductivity than the pure sample at 307 K. However, the addition of Ni decreased the Seebeck coefficient, resulting in a lower overall power factor (PF) for the composites. The highest PF of ∼420 μW/mK2, was observed in the pristine sample at 570 K. Although Ni addition improves electrical properties, it negatively impacts the overall thermoelectric performance due to the significant reduction in Seebeck coefficient, thereby lowering the overall power factor.

Enhancing the strength, microstructural integrity, and shrinkage performance of cement-based mortar using pulverised carbon and glass FRP composite waste

Adopting sustainable materials is a pressing concern for the construction industry to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, driving ongoing research to address environmental challenges. With a particular focus on the fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) byproducts and wastes generated by various industries, this paper investigates the viability of pulverising and repurposing waste materials from electrical cross-arms and aerospace composite parts in cementitious materials as a partial substitute for cement. Micro fibres with crushed resin particles (passing through a 600 μm sieve) were incorporated into the mortar, up to 10 % relative to the mass of cement. A series of tests was conducted to evaluate the effects of varying FRP recyclates on the mechanical, durability and electrical performance of mortars. The results indicated that at the 28-day curing age, the inclusion of FRP recyclates led to a 19 % reduction in water absorption and significant enhancement in the compressive (up to 67 %) and flexural strength (up to 43 %). The optimal restraint of drying shrinkage was observed when replacing 5 % by weight of cement with FRP recyclates from electrical cross-arms. The inclusion of FRP recyclates from aerospace offcuts resulted in a 25 % reduction in electrical resistivity, indicating a potential for reusing aerospace recyclates for electrically conductive cementitious composites (ECCCs). Further analyses were conducted to assess the effects of FRP recyclate addition on the microstructural properties of the cementitious matrix. This research offers a promising pathway to repurpose composite wastes from utility and aerospace industries as valuable additions to construction materials.

Mechanically flexible graphene oxide network for highly-sensitive and ultra-long fire warning

Graphene oxide (GO)-based intelligent fire alarm sensor (FAS) has recently been a sought-after research topic in fire prevention fields. However, it remains a challenge to facilely construct GO-based composite that simultaneously possess mechanical flexibility, excellent flame resistance, highly-sensitive temperature-responsive behavior, rapid fire response and ultra-long fire alarming durability. Here, a nacre-like ternary hybrid paper is conveniently obtained by integrating GO with hexachlorophosphazene-based multi‑hydroxyl molecule (HHACP) and tannic acid (TA) via a facile and eco-friendly water evaporation-induced self-assembly method. The resultant composite paper (TA-GO/HHACP) exhibits mechanically flexible property with tensile strength of 103.7 MPa and toughness of 1.51 MJ/m3, comparable to 2.52 and 5.39 times higher than those of pure GO paper. Further, the TA-GO/HHACP paper displays excellent nonflammability and high-temperature resistance that can withstand continuous butane flame attack (∼ 1200 °C), resulting in ultra-long sustained alarming period of > 1600 s under an open fire. More importantly, benefiting from its rapid electrical resistance reduction capability, such TA-GO/HHACP paper demonstrates ultra-fast fire-triggered response time of ∼ 0.6 s, and ultra-sensitive early fire alarm responses to abnormal high temperatures during pre-combustion process, e.g., ∼ 1 s at 250 °C and ∼ 19 s at 200 °C, respectively, outperforming the best reported GO‑based FAS counterparts. This work provides an inventive paradigm to develop high-performance GO-based intelligent materials with reliable and sensitive early fire-warning function.

Electromechanical response of smart ultra-high-performance concrete under uniaxial load: Experimental investigation and electric field analysis

This study explores the electromechanical response of smart ultra-high-performance concrete (S-UHPC) under uniaxial tension and compression using both attached and embedded electrodes with direct current. Within the linear elastic region, the response of S-UHPC was influenced by the type of electrode due to the deformation of the silver paste used in the attached electrodes. Furthermore, although the electromechanical response of S-UHPC beyond the linear elastic region showed minimal variation between different electrode types, their self-sensing capabilities were significantly affected by the choice of electrode. Under uniaxial tension, the electrical resistivity of S-UHPC decreased marginally up to the limit of proportionality and then more substantially beyond it, primarily owing to the formation of matrix cracks. This reduction in electrical resistivity associated with crack formation was corroborated through electrical field analysis performed using COMSOL MultiphysicsⓇ. A key finding was that the decrease in electrical resistivity (from 0.1788 to 0.0286 kΩ·cm, -84.0 %) in the tensile strain-hardening region could be attributed to an increase in electrical current density within steel fibers; specifically, the current density increased from 0.2417 to 0.7047 A/mm2 as the number of matrix cracks increased from zero to seven.

Electrodeposition modification of heterogeneous cation exchange membrane using expanded polystyrene waste: Enhanced electrochemical properties and electrodialytic performance

In this study, surface modification of a cation exchange membrane based on polyvinyl chloride was accomplished via electrochemical deposition of post-sulfonated waste-expanded polystyrene aiming to enhance its electrochemical properties and electrodialytic performance. The membrane was synthesized by the phase inversion method, modified with different concentrations of polyelectrolyte, characterized by FTIR and SEM analyses, and applied for electrodialytic desalination of NaCl solution. Deposition of sulfonated polystyrene with polyelectrolyte concentration of 2 g/l, current of 8 mA/cm2, and period time of 30 min caused a reduction in electrical resistance up to 52 %. Furthermore, the sodium ionic flux through electrodialytic desalination was improved by 58 % as a result of the promotion of the electrochemical properties of the membrane.

Blended Copper and Nano-Silver Screen-Printed Circuits on FTO-Coated Glass

Using a mixture of micro-copper and nano-silver in the production of screen-printed circuits has the potential to reduce material costs and cost variability. The fundamental premise of this study involved dispersing silver nanoparticles among the larger copper microparticles at selected ratios and subsequently sintering in order to establish their resultant electrical and physical performance. Commercial materials were mixed, printed, and sintered at two thermal regimes on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO)-coated glass substrate. The inclusion of 25% silver provided an appreciable reduction in electrical resistance from 4.21 Ω to 0.93 Ω, with further silver additions having less impact. The thermal regime used for sintering had a secondary impact on the final electrical performance. The addition of silver reduced the adhesion to the FTO substrate, with reduced film integrity. The results show that blending inks offers the advantage of enhancing material conductivity while simultaneously reducing costs, making it a compelling area for exploration and advancement in the field of electronics manufacturing.

Mechanisms of methanol detection in graphene oxide and conductive polymer active layers for gas sensing devices

The admixture of PEDOT:PSS with Graphene Oxide (GO) in precise proportions achieves a substantial reduction in electrical resistivity, thereby augmenting its suitability as an electrode in organic devices. This study explores the electrical and morphological attributes of commercial PEDOT:PSS and chemically synthesized aqueous PEDOT ink when both are combined with GO. The investigation extends to the application of these conductive inks as active layers in flexible methanol sensing devices. Notably, a resistivity minimum is observed in the case of GO:PEDOT:PSS 78%, while the highest response to methanol is attained with GO:PEDOT:PSS 68%. To establish a theoretical underpinning for these findings, and to understand the interaction between gas/vapors with nanostructured materials, a model rooted in Kirchhoff’s Circuit approach is developed, with the aim of elucidating the factors behind the resistivity minimum and response maximum at distinct specific mass ratios between PEDOT and GO. Calculating the equivalent resistivity and response of the systems, the positions of minimum and maximum points are in agreement with the experimental data. Furthermore, the influence of PSS in the samples is examined, unveiling diverse interaction mechanisms between methanol molecules and the active layer, resulting in varying signals during the exposure to alcoholic vapor. The theoretical model is subsequently applied to these systems, demonstrating qualitative and quantitative agreement with the experimental results.

Effect of Process Parameters in Additively Manufactured Sensors prepared via Material Extrusion Processes: Correlation among Electrical, Mechanical and Microstructure Properties

Fusion-based Material Extrusion (MEX) Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes have been extensively used for the fabrication of smart structures with embedded sensors, proving to have several benefits such as reduction in cost, manufacturing time, and assembly. A major issue negatively affecting 3D printed sensors is related to their poor electrical conductivity, as well as inconsistent electrical performance, which leads to electrical power losses amongst other issues. In the present paper, a set of process parameters (ironing, printing temperature, and infill overlap) has been analyzed by performing a Design of Experiment (DoE) factorial plan to minimize the electrical resistance. The best process parameters configuration involves a remarkable reduction of electrical resistance of 47.9%, as well as an improvement of mechanical properties of 31.9% (ultimate tensile strength), 25.8% (elongation at break) and 28.14% (flexural stress). The microstructure of the obtained results has also been analyzed by employing a high-resolution, X-ray Computed Tomography (X-Ray CT) system showing a reduction of intralayer voids of 19.5%. This work demonstrates a clear correlation between process parameters and the corresponding electrical properties, mechanical properties, and internal microstructure. In the present research, it has been shown that i) it is possible to significantly improve the overall 3D printed sensors performance by process parameter selection, and ii) small changes in the microstructure lead to remarkable improvements in electrical and mechanical performance.

Synthesis of nickel particles for use in nickel/silicone rubber composites for the application of electromagnetic interference shielding gaskets

The effectiveness of electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding is valuable for construction materials and can be enhanced by the addition of nickel particles to silicone rubber. This investigation reports the chemical reduction process employed to produce nickel powders. The resulting powders were analyzed through SEM imaging and X-ray diffraction analysis, which indicated the production of crystalline, pure nickel powders with spherical morphology. Subsequently, the study delves into nickel filler content enhances the shielding effectiveness (1.2–2.6 GHz) of gaskets by increasing the absorption loss SEA, due to the increase in electrical conductivity. The experimentation was conducted using three samples, revealing that increasing the weight percentage of filler from 30 to 70 % resulted in a considerable reduction in electrical resistivity to 0.6 Ω cm. Moreover, the shielding effectiveness was observed to increased to above 55 dBm when tested across a frequency range of 1.2–2.6 GHz.

Fabrication of predesigned 3D carbon based microstructures via two-photon vat photopolymerization and susceptor-assisted microwave post-processing

This study presents a fabrication strategy for 3D carbon microstructures using via two-photon vat photopolymerization (2p-VPP) and susceptor-assisted microwave pyrolysis (SMWP). Fabricating carbon-based electrode materials with miniaturized functional structures is pivotal for developing high-performance electrochemical microdevices. However, efficiently producing these structures in the submicron regime with desired materials is still challenging. To address this, a hybrid microfabrication strategy was developed, and 3D carbon-based microstructures with submicron resolution were successfully produced. A carbon nanotube nanocomposite photoresist (SCNT-PR1) with improved dispersibility was first prepared. After a comprehensive printability assessment, 3D microstructures with a resolution of 833 ± 54 nm were produced using 2p-VPP. Through SMWP, the microstructures were transformed into pyrolytic carbon (PyC) nanocomposite microstructures with retained geometrical features. SMWP was shown to produce PyC with a less disordered carbon atomic structure, thanks to the accelerated pyrolysis reaction under MW irradiation, when compared to pyrolysis using a conventional furnace. The resistivity was reduced by over 75% from 0.69 ± 0.13 Ω cm to 0.16 ± 0.01 Ω cm, and enhanced electrochemical performance was confirmed. The fabricated PyC nanocomposite showed a further 12% reduction in electrical resistivity and a 20% lower charge transfer resistance for the redox reaction when using SCNT-PR1 as the precursor. Overall, this hybrid fabrication strategy demonstrates the advantages of producing 3D carbon microstructures with precise control over the geometric features and enhancing electrical and electrochemical properties compared to the conventional pyrolysis method. Its potential could be extended to the fabrication of miniaturized electrochemical devices, including microelectronics and point-of-care devices.

Fabrication and characterization of copper and copper alloys reinforced with graphene

The consistent rise in current density within electrical wires leads to progressively more substantial heat losses attributed to the Joule effect. Consequently, mitigating the electrical resistivity of copper wires becomes imperative. To attain this objective, the development of a composite material that incorporates a more conductive reinforcement, like graphene, holds great promise. The conception of a copper/graphene composite using a powder metallurgy-based approach is presented. An optimum graphene quantity of 0.06 vol.% was obtained by calculation in order to limit the phenomenon of overlapping layers. This synthesis technique enables the dispersion of graphene and the meticulous control of the interface through the growth of CuO(Cu) nanoparticles that are tightly bonded to the reinforcement. The increase in the hardness of the various materials with separation of the graphene sheets by ultrasonic treatment (55.3 to 67.6 HV) was obtained. It is an indicator of the correct distribution of the reinforcement. The influence on the electrical properties of dendritic copper (ρe = 2.30 µΩ.cm) remains limited, resulting in a modest reduction in electrical resistance of around 1.4%. Nevertheless, for flake copper (2.71 µΩ.cm) and brass (7.66 µΩ.cm), we achieved a more substantial reduction of 2.7% and 10%, respectively. With the improvement of graphene quality, there exists a greater potential for further enhancing the electrical properties.

Upper glycolytic components contribute differently in controlling retinal vascular endothelial cellular behavior: Implications for endothelial-related retinal diseases.

Retinal degenerative diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema are characterized by impaired retinal endothelial cells (RECs) functionality. While the role of glycolysis in glucose homeostasis is well-established, its contributions to REC barrier assembly and cell spreading remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the importance of upper glycolytic components in regulating the behavior of human RECs (HRECs). Electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) technology was employed to analyze the real-time impact of various upper glycolytic components on maintaining barrier functionality and cell spreading of HRECs by measuring cell resistance and capacitance, respectively. Specific inhibitors were used: WZB117 to inhibit Glut1/3, lonidamine to inhibit hexokinases, PFK158 to inhibit the PFKFB3-PFK axis, and TDZD-8 to inhibit aldolases. Additionally, the viability of HRECs was evaluated using the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assay. The most significant reduction in electrical resistance and increase in capacitance of HRECs resulted from the dose-dependent inhibition of PFKFB3/PFK using PFK158, followed by aldolase inhibition using TDZD-8. LDH level analysis at 24- and 48-hours post-treatment with PFK158 (1 μM) or TDZD-8 (1 and 10 μM) showed no significant difference compared to the control, indicating that the disruption of HRECs functionality was not attributed to cell death. Conversely, inhibiting Glut1/3 with WZB117 had minimal impact on HREC behavior, except at higher concentrations (10 μM) and prolonged exposure. Lastly, inhibiting hexokinase with lonidamine did not noticeably alter HREC cell behavior. This study illustrates the unique impacts of components within upper glycolysis on HREC functionality, emphasizing the crucial role of the PFKFB3/PFK axis in regulating HREC behavior. Understanding the specific contributions of each glycolytic component in preserving normal REC functionality will facilitate the development of targeted interventions for treating endothelial cell dysfunction in retinal disorders while minimizing effects on healthy cells.

Simple Iron Halides Enable Electrochemically Mediated ATRP in Nonpolar Media.

An electrochemically controlled atom transfer radical polymerization (eATRP) was successfully carried out with a minimal amount (ppm-level) of FeBr3 catalyst in a nonpolar solvent, specifically anisole. Traditionally, nonpolar media have been advantageous for Fe-based ATRP, but their low conductivity has hindered any electrochemical application. This study introduces the application of electrocatalytic methods in a highly nonpolar polymerization medium. Precise control over the polymerization was obtained by employing anhydrous anisole with only 400 ppm of FeBr3 and applying a negative overpotential of 0.3 V. Additionally, employing an undivided cell setup with two simple iron wire electrodes resulted in a significant 15-fold reduction in electrical resistance compared to traditional divided cell setups. This enabled the production of polymers with a dispersity of ≤1.2. Lastly, an examination of kinetic and thermodynamic aspects indicated that the ppm-level catalysis was facilitated by the high ATRP equilibrium constant of Fe catalysts in nonpolar environments.

Studying the Effects of Annealing and Surface Roughness on Both the Magnetic Property and Surface Energy of Co60Fe20Sm20 Thin Films on Si(100) Substrate

In this study, Co60Fe20Sm20 alloy was employed for sputter deposition onto Si(100) substrate within a high vacuum environment, and subsequent thermal treatment was conducted using a vacuum annealing furnace. Thorough measurements and analyses were carried out to evaluate how various film thicknesses and annealing temperatures affect the material. The investigations encompassed observations of structural and physical properties, magnetic traits, mechanical behavior, and material adhesion. The results from the four-point probe measurements clearly demonstrate a trend of decreasing resistivity and sheet resistance with increasing film thickness and higher annealing temperature. Analysis through atomic force microscopy (AFM) shows that heightened annealing temperature corresponds to decreased surface roughness. Furthermore, when analyzing low-frequency alternating current magnetic susceptibility (χac), it became evident that the maximum magnetic susceptibility value consistently rises with increased film thickness, regardless of the annealing temperature. Through magnetic force microscopy (MFM) observations of magnetic domain images in the films, it became apparent that there was a noticeable reduction in the brightness contrast of the magnetic domains. Furthermore, nanoindentation analysis reveals a clear trend. Elevating the film thickness leads to a reduction in both hardness and Young’s modulus. Contact angles range between 67.7° and 83.3°, consistently under 90°, highlighting the hydrophilic aspect. Analysis of surface energy demonstrates an escalation with increasing film thickness, and notably, annealed films exhibit a substantial surge in surface energy. This signifies a connection between the reduction in contact angle and the observed elevation in surface energy. Raising the annealing temperature causes a decline in surface roughness. To summarize, the surface roughness of CoFeSm films at different annealing temperatures significantly impacts their magnetic, electrical, and adhesive properties. A smoother surface reduces the pinning effect on domain walls, thus enhancing the χac value. Furthermore, diminished surface roughness leads to a decline in the contact angle and a rise in surface energy. Conversely, rougher surfaces exhibit higher carrier conductivity, contributing to a reduction in electrical resistance.

Utilizing cluster percolation theory to analyze electrical resistivity jumps in high-entropy alloy thin films containing small atoms

The high-entropy alloy thin films (HEATFs) with non-metal small atoms have obvious characteristics of adjustable properties. However, the mismatch phenomenon of phase-transition and electrical resistivity jump usually occur during the interstitial-filling. To explain this phenomenon, a new method is proposed that transforms the multi-color percolation of HEATFs to two-color percolation. The [N/O-M6] clusters with high electrical resistivity and [▫-M6] clusters with low electrical resistivity in (NbMoTaW)100-xNx and (NbMoTaWV)100-xOx films are equivalent to black and white spheres, respectively (M and ▫ ▫-M6]) reaches the face-centered-cubic and amorphous percolation thresholds of 0.198 and 0.27, respectively, a conductive percolation path is formed, contributing to a significant reduction in electrical resistivity. This work enables it possible to predict the composition at sudden change in electrical resistivity of HEATFs with non-metallic small atoms, which has great significance for the functional composition design.