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Editor’s Choice Articles

Editor’s Choice articles are based on recommendations by the scientific editors of MDPI journals from around the world. Editors select a small number of articles recently published in the journal that they believe will be particularly interesting to readers, or important in the respective research area. The aim is to provide a snapshot of some of the most exciting work published in the various research areas of the journal.

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13 pages, 4908 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of Yttrium Oxide Hollow Films for Efficient Passive Radiative Cooling
by Heegyeom Jeon, Sohyeon Sung, Jeehoon Yu, Hyun Kim, Yong Seok Kim and Youngjae Yoo
Materials 2023, 16(23), 7373; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16237373 - 27 Nov 2023
Viewed by 641
Abstract
In recent years, many parts of the world have researched the transition to renewable energy, reducing energy consumption and moving away from fossil fuels. Among the studies to reduce energy consumption, passive radiative cooling can reduce the energy used for building cooling, and [...] Read more.
In recent years, many parts of the world have researched the transition to renewable energy, reducing energy consumption and moving away from fossil fuels. Among the studies to reduce energy consumption, passive radiative cooling can reduce the energy used for building cooling, and to improve this, the optical properties of atmospheric window emissivity and solar reflectance must be increased. In this study, hollow yttrium oxide (H-Y2O3) was fabricated using melamine formaldehyde (MF) as a sacrificial template to improve the optical properties of passive radiative cooling. We then used finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations to predict the optical properties of the fabricated particles. This study compares the properties of MF@Y(OH)CO3 and H-Y2O3 particles derived from the same process. H-Y2O3 was found to have a solar reflectance of 70.73% and an atmospheric window emissivity of 86.24%, and the field tests revealed that the temperature of MF@Y(OH)CO3 was relatively low during the daytime. At night, the temperature of the H-Y2O3 film was found to be 2.6 °C lower than the ambient temperature of 28.8 °C. The optical properties and actual cooling capabilities of the particles at each stage of manufacturing the hollow particles were confirmed and the cooling capabilities were quantified. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Electronic Devices for Biomedical Applications)
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18 pages, 5364 KiB  
Article
Study of the Chemical Vapor Deposition of Nano-Sized Carbon Phases on {001} Silicon
by Teodor Milenov, Dimitar Trifonov, Dobromir A. Kalchevski, Stefan Kolev, Ivalina Avramova, Stoyan Russev, Kaloyan Genkov, Georgi Avdeev, Dimitar Dimov, Desislava M. Karaivanova and Evgenia Valcheva
Materials 2023, 16(22), 7190; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16227190 - 16 Nov 2023
Viewed by 871
Abstract
Different nano-sized phases were synthesized using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes. The deposition took place on {001} Si substrates at about 1150–1160 °C. The carbon source was thermally decomposed acetone (CH3)2CO in a main gas flow of argon. We [...] Read more.
Different nano-sized phases were synthesized using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes. The deposition took place on {001} Si substrates at about 1150–1160 °C. The carbon source was thermally decomposed acetone (CH3)2CO in a main gas flow of argon. We performed experiments at two ((CH3)2CO + Ar)/Ar) ratios and observed that two visually distinct types of layers were deposited after a one-hour deposition process. The first layer type, which appears more inhomogeneous, has areas of SiO2 (about 5% of the surface area substrates) beside shiny bright and rough paths, and its Raman spectrum corresponds to diamond-like carbon, was deposited at a (CH3)2CO+Ar)/Ar = 1/5 ratio. The second layer type, deposited at (CH3)2CO + Ar)/Ar = a 1/0 ratio, appears homogeneous and is very dark brown or black in color and its Raman spectrum pointed to defect-rich multilayered graphene. The performed structural studies reveal the presence of diamond and diamond polytypes and seldom SiC nanocrystals, as well as some non-continuously mixed SiC and graphene-like films. The performed molecular dynamics simulations show that there is no possibility of deposition of sp3-hybridized on sp2-hybridized carbon, but there are completely realistic possibilities of deposition of sp2- on sp2- and sp3- on sp3-hybridized carbon under different scenarios. Full article
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14 pages, 2807 KiB  
Article
Influence of NF3 Plasma-Treated HfO2 Gate Insulator Surface on Tin Oxide Thin-Film Transistors
by Christophe Avis and Jin Jang
Materials 2023, 16(22), 7172; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16227172 - 15 Nov 2023
Viewed by 697
Abstract
We studied the impact of NF3 plasma treatment on the HfO2 gate insulator of amorphous tin oxide (a-SnOx) thin-film transistors (TFTs). The plasma treatment was for 0, 10, or 30 s. The HfO2 insulator demonstrated a slightly higher [...] Read more.
We studied the impact of NF3 plasma treatment on the HfO2 gate insulator of amorphous tin oxide (a-SnOx) thin-film transistors (TFTs). The plasma treatment was for 0, 10, or 30 s. The HfO2 insulator demonstrated a slightly higher breakdown voltage, whereas the capacitance value remained almost constant (~150 nF/cm2). The linear mobility slightly increased from ~30 to ~35 cm2/Vs when the treatment time increased from 0 to 10 s, whereas a 30 s-treated TFT demonstrated a decreased mobility of ~15 cm2/Vs. The subthreshold swing and the threshold voltage remained in the 100–120 mV/dec. range and near 0 V, respectively. The hysteresis dramatically decreased from ~0.5 V to 0 V when a 10 s treatment was applied, and the 10 s-treated TFT demonstrated the best stability under high current stress (HCS) of 100 μA. The analysis of the tin oxide thin film crystallinity and oxygen environment demonstrated that the a-SnOx remained amorphous, whereas more metal–oxygen bonds were formed with a 10 s NF3 plasma treatment. We also demonstrate that the density of states (DOS) significantly decreased in the 10 s-treated TFT compared to the other conditions. The stability under HCS was attributed to the HfO2/a-SnOx interface quality. Full article
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11 pages, 4019 KiB  
Article
Study on the Stability of Cu-Ni Cluster Components and the Effect of Strain on Its Structure
by Xiaochuan Zeng, Cuizhu He, Xuejun Li and Qiaodan Hu
Materials 2023, 16(21), 6952; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16216952 - 30 Oct 2023
Viewed by 646
Abstract
Solute clusters are one of the important mechanisms of irradiation embrittlement of ferritic steels. It is of great significance to study the stability of solute clusters in ferritic steels and their effects on the mechanical properties of the materials. Molecular dynamics was used [...] Read more.
Solute clusters are one of the important mechanisms of irradiation embrittlement of ferritic steels. It is of great significance to study the stability of solute clusters in ferritic steels and their effects on the mechanical properties of the materials. Molecular dynamics was used to study the binding energy, defect energy, and interaction energy of 2 nm-diameter Cu-Ni clusters in the ferritic lattice, which have six categories of Cu-Ni clusters, such as the pure Cu cluster, the core–shell structural cluster with one layer to four layers of Ni atoms and the pure Ni cluster. It was found that Cu-Ni clusters have lower energy advantages than pure Ni clusters. Through shear strain simulation of the three clusters, the structure of 2 nm diameter clusters does not undergo phase transformation. The number of slip systems and the length of dislocation lines in the cluster system are positively correlated with the magnitude of the critical stress of material plastic deformation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Key Materials in Nuclear Reactors)
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11 pages, 627 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Stress Concentration in Functionally Graded Plates with Linearly Increasing Young’s Modulus
by Hassan Mohamed Abdelalim Abdalla, Daniele Casagrande and Francesco De Bona
Materials 2023, 16(21), 6882; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16216882 - 26 Oct 2023
Viewed by 673
Abstract
In this article, the strain and stress analyses of functionally graded plates with circular holes that are subject to a uniaxial far-field traction load are analytically considered. The Young’s modulus is assumed to vary linearly along the radial direction around the hole. The [...] Read more.
In this article, the strain and stress analyses of functionally graded plates with circular holes that are subject to a uniaxial far-field traction load are analytically considered. The Young’s modulus is assumed to vary linearly along the radial direction around the hole. The adoption of such a type of inhomogeneity variation can be justified as follows. Firstly, and among all the possible variations of stiffness, the linear one is indeed the simplest inhomogeneity distribution. Surprisingly however, according to our knowledge extent, the associated elastic fields were not yet addressed in the literature. Secondly, a linearly varying stiffness could reasonably imply a remarkable advantage from a technological point of view. In fact, unlike nonlinearly varying stiffness plates, manufacturing routes are only required to handle constant variations throughout the radial domain. After recalling the basic equations for plane stress elasticity, the displacement, strain, and stress fields around the hole were numerically tackled and discussed for different stiffness ratios. A comparison was also carried out with other Young’s modulus distributions that have been commonly employed in the literature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Advanced Composites)
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16 pages, 4388 KiB  
Article
Durability Analysis of CFRP Adhesive Joints: A Study Based on Entropy Damage Modeling Using FEM
by Yutong Li, Huachao Deng, Maruri Takamura and Jun Koyanagi
Materials 2023, 16(20), 6821; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16206821 - 23 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 800
Abstract
Experimental methodologies for fatigue lifetime prediction are time-intensive and susceptible to environmental variables. Although the cohesive zone model is popular for predicting adhesive fatigue lifetime, entropy-based methods have also displayed potential. This study aims to (1) provide an understanding of the durability characteristics [...] Read more.
Experimental methodologies for fatigue lifetime prediction are time-intensive and susceptible to environmental variables. Although the cohesive zone model is popular for predicting adhesive fatigue lifetime, entropy-based methods have also displayed potential. This study aims to (1) provide an understanding of the durability characteristics of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) adhesive joints by incorporating an entropy damage model within the context of the finite element method and (2) examine the effects of different adhesive layer thicknesses on single-lap shear models. As the thickness of the adhesive layer increases, damage variables initially increase and then decrease. These peak at 0.3 mm. This observation provides a crucial understanding of the stress behavior at the resin–CFRP interface and the fatigue mechanisms of the resin. Full article
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30 pages, 5370 KiB  
Article
A Method for Predicting the Creep Rupture Life of Small-Sample Materials Based on Parametric Models and Machine Learning Models
by Xu Zhang, Jianyao Yao, Yulin Wu, Xuyang Liu, Changyin Wang and Hao Liu
Materials 2023, 16(20), 6804; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16206804 - 22 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1048
Abstract
In view of the differences in the applicability and prediction ability of different creep rupture life prediction models, we propose a creep rupture life prediction method in this paper. Various time–temperature parametric models, machine learning models, and a new method combining time–temperature parametric [...] Read more.
In view of the differences in the applicability and prediction ability of different creep rupture life prediction models, we propose a creep rupture life prediction method in this paper. Various time–temperature parametric models, machine learning models, and a new method combining time–temperature parametric models with machine learning models are used to predict the creep rupture life of a small-sample material. The prediction accuracy of each model is quantitatively compared using model evaluation indicators (RMSE, MAPE, R2), and the output values of the most accurate model are used as the output values of the prediction method. The prediction method not only improves the applicability and accuracy of creep rupture life predictions but also quantifies the influence of each input variable on creep rupture life through the machine learning model. A new method is proposed in order to effectively take advantage of both advanced machine learning models and classical time–temperature parametric models. Parametric equations of creep rupture life, stress, and temperature are obtained using different time–temperature parametric models; then, creep rupture life data, obtained via equations under other temperature and stress conditions, are used to expand the training set data of different machine learning models. By expanding the data of different intervals, the problem of the low accuracy of the machine learning model for the small-sample material is solved. Full article
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14 pages, 2178 KiB  
Article
Dual-Emissive Monoruthenium Complexes of N(CH3)-Bridged Ligand: Synthesis, Characterization, and Substituent Effect
by Si-Hai Wu, Zhe Zhang, Ren-Hui Zheng, Rong Yang, Lianhui Wang, Jiang-Yang Shao, Zhong-Liang Gong and Yu-Wu Zhong
Materials 2023, 16(20), 6792; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16206792 - 20 Oct 2023
Viewed by 663
Abstract
Three monoruthenium complexes 1(PF6)23(PF6)2 bearing an N(CH3)-bridged ligand have been synthesized and characterized. These complexes have a general formula of [Ru(bpy)2(L)](PF6)2, where L [...] Read more.
Three monoruthenium complexes 1(PF6)23(PF6)2 bearing an N(CH3)-bridged ligand have been synthesized and characterized. These complexes have a general formula of [Ru(bpy)2(L)](PF6)2, where L is a 2,5-di(N-methyl-N’-(pyrid-2-yl)amino)pyrazine (dapz) derivative with various substituents, and bpy is 2,2′-bipyridine. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of these compounds have been examined. The solid-state structure of complex 3(PF6)2 is studied by single-crystal X-ray analysis. These complexes show two well-separated emission bands centered at 451 and 646 nm (Δλmax = 195 nm) for 1(PF6)2, 465 and 627 nm (Δλmax = 162 nm) for 2(PF6)2, and 455 and 608 nm (Δλmax = 153 nm) for 3(PF6)2 in dilute acetonitrile solution, respectively. The emission maxima of the higher-energy emission bands of these complexes are similar, while the lower-energy emission bands are dependent on the electronic nature of substituents. These complexes display two consecutive redox couples owing to the stepwise oxidation of the N(CH3)-bridged ligand and ruthenium component. Moreover, these experimental observations are analyzed by computational investigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Luminescent Applications)
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16 pages, 7283 KiB  
Article
Network Structure and Luminescent Properties of ZnO–B2O3–Bi2O3–WO3:Eu3+ Glasses
by Aneliya Yordanova, Margarita Milanova, Reni Iordanova, Margit Fabian, Lyubomir Aleksandrov and Petia Petrova
Materials 2023, 16(20), 6779; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16206779 - 20 Oct 2023
Viewed by 936
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the influence of Bi2O3 and WO3 on both structure and optical properties of 50ZnO:(49 − x)B2O3:1Bi2O3:xWO3; x = 1, 5, 10 glasses doped with [...] Read more.
In this study, we investigated the influence of Bi2O3 and WO3 on both structure and optical properties of 50ZnO:(49 − x)B2O3:1Bi2O3:xWO3; x = 1, 5, 10 glasses doped with 0.5 mol% Eu2O3. IR spectroscopy revealed the presence of trigonal BØ3 units connecting superstructural groups, [BØ2O] metaborate groups, tetrahedral BØ4 units in superstructural groupings (Ø = bridging oxygen atom), borate triangles with nonbridging oxygen atoms, [WO4]2− tetrahedral, and octahedral WO6 species. Neutron diffraction experimental data were simulated by reverse Monte Carlo modeling. The atomic distances and coordination numbers were established, confirming the short-range order found by IR spectra. The synthesized glasses were characterized by red emission at 612 nm. All findings suggest that Eu3+ doped zinc borate glasses containing both WO3 and Bi2O3 have the potential to serve as a substitute for red phosphor with high color purity. Full article
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24 pages, 8416 KiB  
Article
Comparison of Grain-Growth Mean-Field Models Regarding Predicted Grain Size Distributions
by Marion Roth, Baptiste Flipon, Nathalie Bozzolo and Marc Bernacki
Materials 2023, 16(20), 6761; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16206761 - 19 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 628
Abstract
Mean-field models have the ability to predict the evolution of grain size distribution that occurs through thermomechanical solicitations. This article focuses on a comparison of mean-field models under grain-growth conditions. Different microstructure representations are considered and discussed, especially regarding the consideration of topology [...] Read more.
Mean-field models have the ability to predict the evolution of grain size distribution that occurs through thermomechanical solicitations. This article focuses on a comparison of mean-field models under grain-growth conditions. Different microstructure representations are considered and discussed, especially regarding the consideration of topology in the neighborhood construction. Experimental data obtained with a heat treatment campaign on 316L austenitic stainless steel are used for the identification of material parameters and as a reference for model comparisons. Mean-field models are also applied to both mono- and bimodal initial grain size distributions to investigate the potential benefits of introducing neighborhood topology in microstructure prediction models. This article demonstrates that improvements in the predictions can be obtained in monomodal cases for topological models. In the bimodal test, no comparison with experimental data was performed as no data were available. But relative comparisons between models indicated few differences in the predictions. Although of interest, the consideration of neighborhood topology in grain-growth mean-field models generally results in only small improvements compared to classical mean-field models, especially in terms of implementation complexity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modeling and Simulation of Solid State Phenomena in Metals and Alloys)
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13 pages, 6242 KiB  
Article
Improved Energy Storage Density and Efficiency of Nd and Mn Co-Doped Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 Ceramic Capacitors Via Defect Dipole Engineering
by Hyunsu Choi, Srinivas Pattipaka, Yong Hoon Son, Young Min Bae, Jung Hwan Park, Chang Kyu Jeong, Han Eol Lee, Sung-Dae Kim, Jungho Ryu and Geon-Tae Hwang
Materials 2023, 16(20), 6753; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16206753 - 18 Oct 2023
Viewed by 888
Abstract
In this paper, we investigate the structural, microstructural, dielectric, and energy storage properties of Nd and Mn co-doped Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 [(Ba0.7Sr0.3)1−xNdxTi1−yMnyO3 (BSNTM) ceramics ( [...] Read more.
In this paper, we investigate the structural, microstructural, dielectric, and energy storage properties of Nd and Mn co-doped Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 [(Ba0.7Sr0.3)1−xNdxTi1−yMnyO3 (BSNTM) ceramics (x = 0, 0.005, and y = 0, 0.0025, 0.005, and 0.01)] via a defect dipole engineering method. The complex defect dipoles (MnTiVO) and (MnTiVO) between acceptor ions and oxygen vacancies capture electrons, enhancing the breakdown electric field and energy storage performances. XRD, Raman, spectroscopy, XPS, and microscopic investigations of BSNTM ceramics revealed the formation of a tetragonal phase, oxygen vacancies, and a reduction in grain size with Mn dopant. The BSNTM ceramics with x = 0.005 and y = 0 exhibit a relative dielectric constant of 2058 and a loss tangent of 0.026 at 1 kHz. These values gradually decreased to 1876 and 0.019 for x = 0.005 and y = 0.01 due to the Mn2+ ions at the Ti4+- site, which facilitates the formation of oxygen vacancies, and prevents a decrease in Ti4+. In addition, the defect dipoles act as a driving force for depolarization to tailor the domain formation energy and domain wall energy, which provides a high difference between the maximum polarization of Pmax and remnant polarization of PrP = 10.39 µC/cm2). Moreover, the complex defect dipoles with optimum oxygen vacancies in BSNTM ceramics can provide not only a high ΔP but also reduce grain size, which together improve the breakdown strength from 60.4 to 110.6 kV/cm, giving rise to a high energy storage density of 0.41 J/cm3 and high efficiency of 84.6% for x = 0.005 and y = 0.01. These findings demonstrate that defect dipole engineering is an effective method to enhance the energy storage performance of dielectrics for capacitor applications. Full article
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14 pages, 10278 KiB  
Article
The Characteristic of {101¯2}<101¯1¯> Twin of Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al under Planar Wave Detonation
by Tong Wang, Ping Yang, Jin Zhang and Xin-Fu Gu
Materials 2023, 16(20), 6739; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16206739 - 18 Oct 2023
Viewed by 647
Abstract
The microstructure evolution of the twin of TB6 (Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al) under planar wave detonation was studied. The initial microstructure of the alloy consists of an α and β phase. It is found that twin deformation is operated in only the α phase due to [...] Read more.
The microstructure evolution of the twin of TB6 (Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al) under planar wave detonation was studied. The initial microstructure of the alloy consists of an α and β phase. It is found that twin deformation is operated in only the α phase due to the limited slip system in this phase. α grains are mainly rotated from {101¯0} to {0002} during the deformation due to the {101¯2}<101¯1¯> twin. Twin variant selection is found in this study, and the orientation of all {101¯2} twins is oriented at {0002} in different α grains with different deformation degrees. The twin variant selection is well explained based on the strain relaxation along the loading axis and the Schmid factor for twinning shear. Full article
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14 pages, 2510 KiB  
Article
Machine Learning Prediction of the Redox Activity of Quinones
by Ilia Kichev, Lyuben Borislavov, Alia Tadjer and Radostina Stoyanova
Materials 2023, 16(20), 6687; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16206687 - 14 Oct 2023
Viewed by 724
Abstract
The redox properties of quinones underlie their unique characteristics as organic battery components that outperform the conventional inorganic ones. Furthermore, these redox properties could be precisely tuned by using different substituent groups. Machine learning and statistics, on the other hand, have proven to [...] Read more.
The redox properties of quinones underlie their unique characteristics as organic battery components that outperform the conventional inorganic ones. Furthermore, these redox properties could be precisely tuned by using different substituent groups. Machine learning and statistics, on the other hand, have proven to be very powerful approaches for the efficient in silico design of novel materials. Herein, we demonstrated the machine learning approach for the prediction of the redox activity of quinones that potentially can serve as organic battery components. For the needs of the present study, a database of small quinone-derived molecules was created. A large number of quantum chemical and chemometric descriptors were generated for each molecule and, subsequently, different statistical approaches were applied to select the descriptors that most prominently characterized the relationship between the structure and the redox potential. Various machine learning methods for the screening of prospective organic battery electrode materials were deployed to select the most trustworthy strategy for the machine learning-aided design of organic redox materials. It was found that Ridge regression models perform better than Regression decision trees and Decision tree-based ensemble algorithms. Full article
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12 pages, 9218 KiB  
Article
Characterization of the Metal Fused Filament Fabrication Process for Manufacturing of Pure Copper Inductors
by Philipp Schüßler, Jonas Franke, Steffen Czink, Steffen Antusch, Daniel Mayer, Stephan Laube, Thomas Hanemann, Volker Schulze and Stefan Dietrich
Materials 2023, 16(20), 6678; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16206678 - 13 Oct 2023
Viewed by 828
Abstract
This work presents a comprehensive investigation into the optimization of critical process parameters associated with metal fused filament fabrication (Metal-FFF) for the production of copper-based components. The study focused on three different commercial and one self-manufactured filament, each with unique chemical compositions. These [...] Read more.
This work presents a comprehensive investigation into the optimization of critical process parameters associated with metal fused filament fabrication (Metal-FFF) for the production of copper-based components. The study focused on three different commercial and one self-manufactured filament, each with unique chemical compositions. These filaments were systematically optimized and the density was characterized for all processing steps, as well as the electrical conductivity on the specimen scale. Remarkably, two of the studied filaments exhibited exceptional properties after sintering with forming gas (up to 94% density and 55.75 MS/m electrical conductivity), approaching the properties measured for established manufacturing methods like metal injection molding. Finally, the research was extended to component-scale applications, demonstrating the successful fabrication of inductors with integrated cooling channels. These components exhibited water tightness and were used in induction hardening experiments, validating the practical utility of the optimized Metal-FFF process. In summary, the results show great promise in advancing the utilization of Metal-FFF in industrial contexts, particularly in the production of high-performance copper components. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Metals and Alloys)
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12 pages, 2179 KiB  
Article
Anisotropic Properties of Epitaxial Ferroelectric Lead-Free 0.5[Ba(Ti0.8Zr0.2)O3]-0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 Films
by Nicholas Cucciniello, Alessandro R. Mazza, Pinku Roy, Sundar Kunwar, Di Zhang, Henry Y. Feng, Katrina Arsky, Aiping Chen and Quanxi Jia
Materials 2023, 16(20), 6671; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16206671 - 13 Oct 2023
Viewed by 772
Abstract
As the energy demand is expected to double over the next 30 years, there has been a major initiative towards advancing the technology of both energy harvesting and storage for renewable energy. In this work, we explore a subset class of dielectrics for [...] Read more.
As the energy demand is expected to double over the next 30 years, there has been a major initiative towards advancing the technology of both energy harvesting and storage for renewable energy. In this work, we explore a subset class of dielectrics for energy storage since ferroelectrics offer a unique combination of characteristics needed for energy storage devices. We investigate ferroelectric lead-free 0.5[Ba(Ti0.8Zr0.2)O3]-0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 epitaxial thin films with different crystallographic orientations grown by pulsed laser deposition. We focus our attention on the influence of the crystallographic orientation on the microstructure, ferroelectric, and dielectric properties. Our results indicate an enhancement of the polarization and strong anisotropy in the dielectric response for the (001)-oriented film. The enhanced ferroelectric, energy storage, and dielectric properties of the (001)-oriented film is explained by the coexistence of orthorhombic-tetragonal phase, where the disordered local structure is in its free energy minimum. Full article
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14 pages, 27546 KiB  
Article
Ce/Mn/Cr: (Re,Y)3Al5O12 Phosphor Ceramics (Re = Gd, Tb and Lu) for White LED Lighting with Significant Spectral Redshift and Improved Color-Rendering Index
by Yukun Li, Svenja Hanson, Cheng Heng Pang, Peng Lyu and Jun Jiang
Materials 2023, 16(20), 6667; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16206667 - 12 Oct 2023
Viewed by 773
Abstract
In order to attain phosphor ceramics with a high Color-Rendering Index (CRI), samples with the composition of Y0.997−xRexCe0.003)3(Al0.9748 Mn2+0.024Cr3+0.0012)5O12(Rex = 0, Gd0.333 [...] Read more.
In order to attain phosphor ceramics with a high Color-Rendering Index (CRI), samples with the composition of Y0.997−xRexCe0.003)3(Al0.9748 Mn2+0.024Cr3+0.0012)5O12(Rex = 0, Gd0.333, Gd0.666, Gd0.997, Tb0.333, Tb0.666, Tb0.997 and Lu0.997 were prepared by solid-state reaction and vacuum sintering, and exhibited potential for high-quality, solid-state lighting. Doping with Cr3+ and Mn2+ effectively enhanced the red component of Ce3+ spectra through the intense energy transfer from Ce3+ ions to Mn2+/Cr3+ ions. The crystal field splitting of [GdO8] and [TbO8] was more extensive than that of [YO8], causing a massive redshift in the Ce3+ emission peaks from 542 to 561 and 595 nm, while [LuO8] had an opposite effect and caused a blueshift with a peak position at 512 nm. White LED devices incorporating Ce/Mn/Cr: (Gd0.333Y0.664)3Al5O12 phosphor ceramic exhibited a high CRI of 83.97, highlighting the potential for enhancing the red-light component of white LED lighting. Full article
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17 pages, 2966 KiB  
Review
Molecular Design Concept for Enhancement Charge Carrier Mobility in OFETs: A Review
by Yang Zhou, Keke Zhang, Zhaoyang Chen and Haichang Zhang
Materials 2023, 16(20), 6645; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16206645 - 11 Oct 2023
Viewed by 883
Abstract
In the last two decades, organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) have garnered increasing attention from the scientific and industrial communities. The performance of OFETs can be evaluated based on three factors: the charge transport mobility (μ), threshold voltage (Vth), and current on/off [...] Read more.
In the last two decades, organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) have garnered increasing attention from the scientific and industrial communities. The performance of OFETs can be evaluated based on three factors: the charge transport mobility (μ), threshold voltage (Vth), and current on/off ratio (Ion/off). To enhance μ, numerous studies have concentrated on optimizing charge transport within the semiconductor layer. These efforts include: (i) extending π-conjugation, enhancing molecular planarity, and optimizing donor–acceptor structures to improve charge transport within individual molecules; and (ii) promoting strong aggregation, achieving well-ordered structures, and reducing molecular distances to enhance charge transport between molecules. In order to obtain a high charge transport mobility, the charge injection from the electrodes into the semiconductor layer is also important. Since a suitable frontier molecular orbitals’ level could align with the work function of the electrodes, in turn forming an Ohmic contact at the interface. OFETs are classified into p-type (hole transport), n-type (electron transport), and ambipolar-type (both hole and electron transport) based on their charge transport characteristics. As of now, the majority of reported conjugated materials are of the p-type semiconductor category, with research on n-type or ambipolar conjugated materials lagging significantly behind. This review introduces the molecular design concept for enhancing charge carrier mobility, addressing both within the semiconductor layer and charge injection aspects. Additionally, the process of designing or converting the semiconductor type is summarized. Lastly, this review discusses potential trends in evolution and challenges and provides an outlook; the ultimate objective is to outline a theoretical framework for designing high-performance organic semiconductors that can advance the development of OFET applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in π-Conjugated Materials)
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16 pages, 3821 KiB  
Article
Mg, Zn Substituted Calcium Phosphates—Thermodynamic Modeling, Biomimetic Synthesis in the Presence of Low-Weight Amino Acids and High Temperature Properties
by Diana Rabadjieva, Rumiana Gergulova, Kostadinka Sezanova, Daniela Kovacheva and Rositsa Titorenkova
Materials 2023, 16(20), 6638; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16206638 - 11 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 899
Abstract
The preparation of specially doped calcium phosphates (CaPs) is receiving a great deal of attention from researchers due to CaPs’ enhanced capabilities for application in medicine. Complexation and precipitation in a complicated electrolyte system including simulated body fluids that are enriched with Mg [...] Read more.
The preparation of specially doped calcium phosphates (CaPs) is receiving a great deal of attention from researchers due to CaPs’ enhanced capabilities for application in medicine. Complexation and precipitation in a complicated electrolyte system including simulated body fluids that are enriched with Mg2+ and Zn2+ ions and modified with glycine, alanine and valine were first evaluated using a thermodynamic equilibrium model. The influence of the type and concentration of amino acid on the incorporation degree of Mg and Zn into the solid phases was predicted. Experimental studies, designed on the basis of thermodynamic calculations, confirmed the predictions. Amorphous calcium phosphates double-doped with Mg and Zn were biomimetically precipitated and transformed into Mg, Zn-β—tricalcium phosphates (TCP) upon calcination. The Rietveld refinement confirmed that Mg2+ and Zn2+ substituted Ca2+ only at the octahedral sites of β-TCP, and in some cases, fully displacing the Ca2+ from them. The resulting Mg, Zn-β–TCP can serve as a reservoir for Mg and Zn ions when included in the formulation of a biomaterial for bone remodeling. The research conducted reveals the effect of combining mathematical models with experimental studies to pre-evaluate the influence of various additives in the design of materials with predetermined properties. Full article
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18 pages, 4700 KiB  
Article
Ultra-High-Temperature Ceramic-Doped Inorganic Polymers for Thermo-Structural Fiber-Reinforced Composites
by Valentina Medri, Annalisa Natali Murri, Elettra Papa, Claudio Mingazzini, Matteo Scafè and Elena Landi
Materials 2023, 16(20), 6649; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16206649 - 11 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1081
Abstract
New inorganic nanostructured matrices for fiber-reinforced composites with enhanced high-temperature stability were developed from alkali aluminosilicate polymers doped with different ultra-high-temperature ceramic (UHTC) particles. The alkali aluminosilicate matrices were synthesized at room temperature with a high SiO2:Al2O3 ratio [...] Read more.
New inorganic nanostructured matrices for fiber-reinforced composites with enhanced high-temperature stability were developed from alkali aluminosilicate polymers doped with different ultra-high-temperature ceramic (UHTC) particles. The alkali aluminosilicate matrices were synthesized at room temperature with a high SiO2:Al2O3 ratio and then further functionalized by doping with 4–5 wt % of micrometric SiC, ZrB2, ZrC, and HfC powders and finally thermally stabilized as glass–ceramics at 750 °C. The different UHTC-doped matrices were characterized according to their dimensional and microstructural changes after thermal cycling in air flux at 1000 °C. The first results showed that carbide-based UHTC powders improved the thermal stability of the matrices, preventing the excessive swelling of the material and the formation of detrimental voids that might result in the lack of adhesion with reinforcing fibers. Contrarily, the addition of ZrB2 resulted in an excessive matrix swelling at high temperature, thus proving no efficacy compared to the undoped matrix. Impregnation tests carried out on C-fiber fabrics showed good processability, adhesion to the fibers, and fracture pull-out, especially for carbide-based matrices. Full article
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16 pages, 6647 KiB  
Article
Carbon-Based Composites with Mixed Phosphate-Pyrophosphates with Improved Electrochemical Performance at Elevated Temperature
by Sonya Harizanova, Trajche Tushev, Violeta Koleva and Radostina Stoyanova
Materials 2023, 16(19), 6546; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16196546 - 04 Oct 2023
Viewed by 2263
Abstract
Sodium iron phosphate-pyrophosphate, Na4Fe3(PO4)2P2O7 (NFPP) emerges as an excellent cathode material for sodium-ion batteries. Because of lower electronic conductivity, its electrochemical performance depends drastically on the synthesis method. Herein, we provide a [...] Read more.
Sodium iron phosphate-pyrophosphate, Na4Fe3(PO4)2P2O7 (NFPP) emerges as an excellent cathode material for sodium-ion batteries. Because of lower electronic conductivity, its electrochemical performance depends drastically on the synthesis method. Herein, we provide a simple and unified method for synthesis of composites between NFPP and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and standard carbon black, designed as electrode materials for both sodium- and lithium-ion batteries. The carbon additives affect only the morphology and textural properties of the composites. The performance of composites in sodium and lithium cells is evaluated at elevated temperatures. It is found that NFPP/rGO outperforms NFPP/C in both Na and Li storage due to its hybrid mechanism of energy storage. In sodium half-cells, NFPP/rGO delivers a reversible capacity of 95 mAh/g at 20 °C and 115 mAh/g at 40 °C with a cycling stability of 95% and 88% at a rate of C/2. In lithium half-cells, the capacity reaches a value of 120 mAh/g at 20 and 40 °C, but the cycling stability becomes worse, especially at 40 °C. The electrochemical performance is discussed on the basis of ex situ XRD and microscopic studies. The good Na storage performance of NFPP/rGO at an elevated temperature represents a first step towards its commercialization. Full article
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41 pages, 12583 KiB  
Review
Enhancing Fatigue Life and Strength of Adhesively Bonded Composite Joints: A Comprehensive Review
by Hossein Malekinejad, Ricardo J. C. Carbas, Alireza Akhavan-Safar, Eduardo A. S. Marques, Fernando Castro Sousa and Lucas F. M. da Silva
Materials 2023, 16(19), 6468; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16196468 - 28 Sep 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1928
Abstract
Adhesive bonding is widely seen as the most optimal method for joining composite materials, bringing significant benefits over mechanical joining, such as lower weight and reduced stress concentrations. Adhesively bonded composite joints find extensive applications where cyclic fatigue loading takes place, but this [...] Read more.
Adhesive bonding is widely seen as the most optimal method for joining composite materials, bringing significant benefits over mechanical joining, such as lower weight and reduced stress concentrations. Adhesively bonded composite joints find extensive applications where cyclic fatigue loading takes place, but this might ultimately lead to crack damage and safety issues. Consequently, it has become essential to study how these structures behave under fatigue loads and identify the remaining gaps in knowledge to give insights into new possibilities. The fatigue life of adhesively bonded composite joints is influenced by various parameters, including joint configuration and material properties of adherends and adhesive. Numerous studies with varying outcomes have been documented in the literature. However, due to the multitude of influential factors, deriving conclusive insights from these studies for practical design purposes has proven to be challenging. Hence, this review aims to address this challenge by discussing different methods to enhance the fatigue performance of adhesively bonded composite joints. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive overview of the existing literature on adhesively bonded composite joints under cyclic fatigue loading, focusing on three main aspects: Adherends modification, adhesive modification, and joint configurations. Since the effect of modifying the adhesive, adherends, and joint configurations on fatigue performance has not been comprehensively studied in the literature, this review aims to fill this gap by compiling and comparing the relevant experimental data. Furthermore, this review discusses the challenges and limitations associated with the methods that can be used to monitor the initiation and propagation of fatigue cracks. Full article
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15 pages, 6282 KiB  
Article
Hot-Cracking Mechanism of Laser Welding of Aluminum Alloy 6061 in Lap Joint Configuration
by Km Rakhi, Seunggu Kang and Joonghan Shin
Materials 2023, 16(19), 6426; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16196426 - 27 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1099
Abstract
Laser welding, known for its distinctive advantages, has become significantly valuable in the automotive industry. However, in this context, the frequent occurrence of hot cracking necessitates further investigation into this phenomenon. This research aims to understand the hot-cracking mechanism in aluminum alloy (AA) [...] Read more.
Laser welding, known for its distinctive advantages, has become significantly valuable in the automotive industry. However, in this context, the frequent occurrence of hot cracking necessitates further investigation into this phenomenon. This research aims to understand the hot-cracking mechanism in aluminum alloy (AA) 6061, welded using a laser beam in a lap joint setup. We used an array of material characterization methods to study the effects of processing parameters on the cracking susceptibility and to elucidate the hot-cracking mechanism. A laser power of 2000 W generated large hot cracks crossing the whole weld zone for all welding speed conditions. Our findings suggest that using a heat input of 30 J/mm significantly mitigates the likelihood of hot cracking. Furthermore, we observed that the concentrations of the alloying elements in the cracked region markedly surpassed the tolerable limits of some elements (silicon: 2.3 times, chromium: 8.1 times, and iron: 2.7 times, on average) in AA6061. The hot-cracking mechanism shows that the crack initiates from the weld root at the interface between the two welded plates and then extends along the columnar dendrite growth direction. Once the crack reaches the central region of the fusion zone, it veers upward, following the cooling direction in this area. Our comprehensive investigation indicates that the onset and propagation of hot cracks are influenced by a combination of factors, such as stress, strain, and the concentration of alloying elements within the intergranular region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Welding and Joining Processes of Metallic Materials)
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14 pages, 1477 KiB  
Article
Pt-Coated Ni Layer Supported on Ni Foam for Enhanced Electro-Oxidation of Formic Acid
by Antanas Nacys, Dijana Simkunaitė, Aldona Balciunaite, Ausrine Zabielaite, Daina Upskuviene, Ramunas Levinas, Vitalija Jasulaitiene, Vitalij Kovalevskij, Birute Simkunaite-Stanyniene, Loreta Tamasauskaite-Tamasiunaite and Eugenijus Norkus
Materials 2023, 16(19), 6427; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16196427 - 27 Sep 2023
Viewed by 633
Abstract
A Pt-coated Ni layer supported on a Ni foam catalyst (denoted PtNi/Nifoam) was investigated for the electro-oxidation of the formic acid (FAO) in acidic media. The prepared PtNi/Nifoam catalyst was studied as a function of the formic acid (FA) concentration [...] Read more.
A Pt-coated Ni layer supported on a Ni foam catalyst (denoted PtNi/Nifoam) was investigated for the electro-oxidation of the formic acid (FAO) in acidic media. The prepared PtNi/Nifoam catalyst was studied as a function of the formic acid (FA) concentration at bare Pt and PtNi/Nifoam catalysts. The catalytic activity of the PtNi/Nifoam catalysts, studied on the basis of the ratio of the direct and indirect current peaks (jd)/(jnd) for the FAO reaction, showed values approximately 10 times higher compared to those on bare Pt, particularly at low FA concentrations, reflecting the superiority of the former catalysts for the electro-oxidation of FA to CO2. Ni foams provide a large surface area for the FAO, while synergistic effects between Pt nanoparticles and Ni-oxy species layer on Ni foams contribute significantly to the enhanced electro-oxidation of FA via the direct pathway, making it almost equal to the indirect pathway, particularly at low FA concentrations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Catalytic Materials)
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16 pages, 3283 KiB  
Article
Effect of B2O3 on the Structure, Properties and Antibacterial Abilities of Sol-Gel-Derived TiO2/TeO2/B2O3 Powders
by Albena Bachvarova-Nedelcheva, Reni Iordanova, Angelina Stoyanova, Nelly Georgieva, Veronica Nemska and Tsvetelina Foteva
Materials 2023, 16(19), 6400; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16196400 - 25 Sep 2023
Viewed by 731
Abstract
This paper studies the influence of B2O3 on the structure, properties and antibacterial abilities of sol-gel-derived TiO2/TeO2/B2O3 powders. Titanium(IV) butoxide, telluric(VI) acid and boric acid were used as precursors. Differences were observed in [...] Read more.
This paper studies the influence of B2O3 on the structure, properties and antibacterial abilities of sol-gel-derived TiO2/TeO2/B2O3 powders. Titanium(IV) butoxide, telluric(VI) acid and boric acid were used as precursors. Differences were observed in the degree of decomposition of Ti butoxide in the presence of H3BO3 and H6TeO6 acids. The phase transformations of the obtained gels in the temperature range of 200–700 °C were investigated by XRD. Composite materials containing an amorphous phase and different crystalline phases (metallic Te, α-TeO2, anatase, rutile and TiTe3O8) were prepared. Heating at 400 °C indicated a crystalline-to-amorphous-phase ratio of approximately 3:1. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed the preparation of plate-like TiO2 nanoparticles. The IR results showed that the short-range order of the amorphous phases that are part of the composite materials consists of TiO6, BO3, BO4 and TeO4 structural units. Free B2O3 was not detected in the investigated compositions which could be related to the better connectivity between the building units as compared to binary TiO2/B2O3 compositions. The UV-Vis spectra of the investigated gels exhibited a red shift of the cut-off due to the presence of boron and tellurium units. The binary sample achieved the maximum photodegradation efficiency (94%) toward Malachite green dye under UV irradiation, whereas the ternary sample photoactivity was very low. The compositions exhibited promising antibacterial activity against E. coli NBIMCC K12 407. Full article
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11 pages, 3088 KiB  
Article
Tailoring of the Structural, Optical, and Electrical Characteristics of Sol-Gel-Derived Magnesium-Zinc-Oxide Wide-Bandgap Semiconductor Thin Films via Gallium Doping
by Chien-Yie Tsay, Shih-Ting Chen and Hsuan-Meng Tsai
Materials 2023, 16(19), 6389; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16196389 - 25 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 705
Abstract
The Ga-doped Mg0.2Zn0.8O (GMZO) transparent semiconductor thin films were prepared using the sol-gel and spin-coating deposition technique. Changes in the microstructural features, optical parameters, and electrical characteristics of sol-gel-synthesized Mg0.2Zn0.8O (MZO) thin films affected by [...] Read more.
The Ga-doped Mg0.2Zn0.8O (GMZO) transparent semiconductor thin films were prepared using the sol-gel and spin-coating deposition technique. Changes in the microstructural features, optical parameters, and electrical characteristics of sol-gel-synthesized Mg0.2Zn0.8O (MZO) thin films affected by the amount of Ga dopants (0–5 at%) were studied. The results of grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) examination showed that all as-prepared MZO-based thin films had a wurtzite-type structure and hexagonal phase, and the incorporation of Ga ions into the MZO nanocrystals refined the microstructure and reduced the average crystallite size and flatness of surface roughness. Each glass/oxide thin film sample exhibited a higher average transmittance than 91.5% and a lower average reflectance than 9.1% in the visible range spectrum. Experimental results revealed that the optical bandgap energy of the GMZO thin films was slightly higher than that of the MZO thin film; the Urbach energy became wider with increasing Ga doping level. It was found that the 2 at% and 3 at% Ga-doped MZO thin films had better electrical properties than the undoped and 5 at% Ga-doped MZO thin films. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue ZnO Materials: Synthesis, Properties and Applications (Second Volume))
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10 pages, 4177 KiB  
Article
Understanding the Effect of Electron Beam Melting Scanning Strategies on the Aluminum Content and Materials State of Single Ti-6Al-4V Feedstock
by Katie O’Donnell, Maria J. Quintana and Peter C. Collins
Materials 2023, 16(19), 6366; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16196366 - 23 Sep 2023
Viewed by 822
Abstract
Research on the additive manufacturing of metals often neglects any characterization of the composition of final parts, erroneously assuming a compositional homogeneity that matches the feedstock material. Here, the composition of electron-beam-melted Ti-6Al-4V produced through three distinct scanning strategies (linear raster and two [...] Read more.
Research on the additive manufacturing of metals often neglects any characterization of the composition of final parts, erroneously assuming a compositional homogeneity that matches the feedstock material. Here, the composition of electron-beam-melted Ti-6Al-4V produced through three distinct scanning strategies (linear raster and two point melting strategies, random fill and Dehoff fill) is characterized both locally and globally through energy-dispersive spectroscopy and quantitative chemical analysis. As a result of the different scanning strategies used, differing levels of preferential vaporization occur across the various parts, leading to distinct final compositions, with extremes of ~5.8 wt.% Al and ~4.8 wt.% Al. In addition, energy-dispersive spectroscopy composition maps reveal specific features in both the XY and XZ planes (with Z being the build direction) as a result of local inhomogeneous preferential vaporization. The subsequent change in composition significantly modifies the materials’ state of parts, wherein parts and local regions with higher aluminum contents lead to higher hardness levels (with a ~50 HV difference) and elastic property values and vice versa. While varying scan strategies and scan parameters are known to modify the microstructure and properties of a part, the effect on composition cannot, and should not, be neglected. Full article
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22 pages, 13530 KiB  
Article
Comparison of Various Intrinsic Defect Criteria to Plot Kitagawa–Takahashi Diagrams in Additively Manufactured AlSi10Mg
by Mohammed Intishar Nur, Meetkumar Soni, Mustafa Awd and Frank Walther
Materials 2023, 16(18), 6334; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186334 - 21 Sep 2023
Viewed by 961
Abstract
Selective laser melting is a form of additive manufacturing in which a high-power density laser is used to melt and fuse metallic powders to form the final specimen. By performing fatigue and tensile tests under various loading conditions, the study sought to establish [...] Read more.
Selective laser melting is a form of additive manufacturing in which a high-power density laser is used to melt and fuse metallic powders to form the final specimen. By performing fatigue and tensile tests under various loading conditions, the study sought to establish the impact of internal defects on the specimens’ fatigue life. Scanning electron microscopy and finite element simulation were conducted to determine the defect characteristics and the stress intensity factor of the specimens. Four different methods were used to determine the intrinsic defect length of the specimen, using data such as grain size, yield strength, and hardness value, among others. Kitagawa–Takahashi and El-Haddad diagrams were developed using the results. A correction factor hypothesis was established based on the deviation of measured data. Using Paris law, fatigue life was determined and compared to the experimental results later. The study aims to select one or more approaches that resemble experimental values and comprehend how internal defects and loading situations affect fatigue life. This study’s findings shed light on how internal defects affect the fatigue life of selective laser-melted AlSi10Mg specimens and can aid in improving the fatigue life prediction method of additively manufactured components, provided an appropriate intrinsic crack criterion is selected. Full article
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19 pages, 16020 KiB  
Article
Microstructure Evolution at Ni/Fe Interface in Dissimilar Metal Weld between Ferritic Steel and Austenitic Stainless Steel
by Xiaogang Li, Junfeng Nie, Xin Wang, Kejian Li and Haiquan Zhang
Materials 2023, 16(18), 6294; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186294 - 20 Sep 2023
Viewed by 714
Abstract
The formation and evolution of microstructures at the Ni/Fe interface in dissimilar metal weld (DMW) between ferritic steel and austenitic stainless steel were investigated. Layered martensitic structures were noted at the nickel-based weld metal/12Cr2MoWVTiB steel interface after welding and post-weld heat treatment (PWHT). [...] Read more.
The formation and evolution of microstructures at the Ni/Fe interface in dissimilar metal weld (DMW) between ferritic steel and austenitic stainless steel were investigated. Layered martensitic structures were noted at the nickel-based weld metal/12Cr2MoWVTiB steel interface after welding and post-weld heat treatment (PWHT). The formation of the interfacial martensite layer during welding was clarified and its evolution during PWHT was discussed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), focused ion beam (FIB), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), transmission kikuchi diffraction (TKD), phase diagrams, and theoretical analysis. In as-welded DMW, the Ni/Fe interface structures consisted of the BCC quenched martensite layer and the FCC partially mixed zone (PMZ), which was the result of inhomogeneous solid phase transformation due to the chemical composition gradient. During the PWHT process, the BCC interfacial microstructure further evolved to a double-layered structure of tempered martensite and quenched martensite newly formed by local re-austenitization and austenite–martensite transformation. These types of martensitic structures induced inhomogeneous hardness distribution near the Ni/Fe interface, aggravating the mismatch of interfacial mechanical properties, which was a potential factor contributing to the degradation and failure of DMW. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Metallurgy of Metals and Alloys II)
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13 pages, 6112 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Al and Ti Additions on Solid Solution Strengthening and Precipitation Hardening in CoNiFe Medium-Entropy Alloys
by Piotr Bała, Kamil Górecki, Rafał Dziurka and Tomasz Kozieł
Materials 2023, 16(18), 6297; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186297 - 20 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 855
Abstract
The effect of Al and Ti additions on the microstructure and properties of CoNiFe alloys was studied in this paper. The investigations were conducted on four specially designed and produced arc furnace alloys (from 3 to 5 components, with medium to high entropy). [...] Read more.
The effect of Al and Ti additions on the microstructure and properties of CoNiFe alloys was studied in this paper. The investigations were conducted on four specially designed and produced arc furnace alloys (from 3 to 5 components, with medium to high entropy). Samples in various states were analyzed, i.e., as-cast, after homogenization, after solution heat treatment, and after solution heat treatment and aging. The obtained samples were characterized by: SEM observations, EDS, XRD, TEM analyses, and finally, hardness measurements. The solid solution strengthening coming from the addition of 5 at. pct. Al was negligible, while the effect from the 5 at. pct. of Ti addition was significant. The precipitation hardening effect related to the presence of the (CoNi)3Ti phase caused by the Ti addition is comparable with the total effect of the Al and Ti addition, which caused the precipitation of (NiCo)3AlTi. Full article
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13 pages, 7400 KiB  
Article
Thermodynamic and Microstructural Analysis of Lead-Free Machining Aluminium Alloys with Indium and Bismuth Additions
by Simon Rečnik, Maja Vončina, Aleš Nagode and Jožef Medved
Materials 2023, 16(18), 6241; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186241 - 16 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 683
Abstract
The present study comprises an investigation involving thermodynamic analysis, microstructural characterisation, and a comparative examination of the solidification sequence in two different aluminium alloys: EN AW 6026 and EN AW 1370. These alloys were modified through the addition of pure indium and a [...] Read more.
The present study comprises an investigation involving thermodynamic analysis, microstructural characterisation, and a comparative examination of the solidification sequence in two different aluminium alloys: EN AW 6026 and EN AW 1370. These alloys were modified through the addition of pure indium and a master alloy consisting of indium and bismuth. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the potential suitability of indium, either alone or in combination with bismuth, as a substitute for toxic lead in free-machining aluminium alloys. Thermodynamic analysis was carried out using Thermo-Calc TCAL-6 software, supplemented by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments. The microstructure of these modified alloys was characterised using SEM–EDS analysis. The results provide valuable insights into the formation of different phases and eutectics within the alloys studied. The results represent an important contribution to the development of innovative, lead-free aluminium alloys suitable for machining processes, especially for use in automatic CNC cutting machines. One of the most important findings of this research is the promising suitability of indium as a viable alternative to lead. This potential stems from indium’s ability to avoid interactions with other alloying elements and its tendency to solidify as homogeneously distributed particles with a low melting point. In contrast, the addition of bismuth does not improve the machinability of magnesium-containing aluminium alloys. This is primarily due to their interaction, which leads to the formation of the Mg3Bi2 phase, which solidifies as a eutectic with a high melting point. Consequently, the presence of bismuth appears to have a detrimental effect on the machining properties of the alloy when magnesium is present in the composition. Full article
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15 pages, 6250 KiB  
Article
From Transparent to Opaque: A Route towards Multifunctional Parts Injected with a Single Material
by Luís D. Pedroso, António J. Pontes, António Alves, Fernando M. Duarte and Olga S. Carneiro
Materials 2023, 16(18), 6219; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186219 - 15 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 768
Abstract
The technological, social and economic development observed in recent decades brought an exponential increase in consumption and inherent new challenges. Recycling is one of the best solutions to minimize the environmental impact of raw materials. However, multi-material components are difficult or even impossible [...] Read more.
The technological, social and economic development observed in recent decades brought an exponential increase in consumption and inherent new challenges. Recycling is one of the best solutions to minimize the environmental impact of raw materials. However, multi-material components are difficult or even impossible to recycle. The present work focuses on the reduction in the number of different materials used in multifunctional components. In particular, it intends to assess the potential of injecting molding grades of polypropylene (PP) to produce parts with transparency (haze) gradients. Firstly, several polypropylene grades of different types were identified and injected under various thermal processing conditions, i.e., injection temperature and mold temperature, in order to vary the cooling rate, influencing the growth rate of the spherulites and eventually the presence/absence of α and β crystalline zones. The injected parts’ optical properties were then characterized, and the most promising PP grades were identified and selected for subsequent work, namely grade DR 7037.01, showing the widest range of haze (from 29.2 to 68.7%). and PP070G2M, presenting the highest haze value (75.3%). Finally, in an attempt to understand the origin of the haze variations observed, the parts injected with the selected PP grades were further characterized through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized light microscopy. It was concluded that the main factor causing the observed haze difference was, apart from the size of the spherulites, the presence of internal layers with different birefringence and, therefore, different refractive indices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Polymeric Materials)
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16 pages, 5555 KiB  
Article
Automated Fiber Placement Path Planning and Analysis of Pressure Vessels
by Bo Wang, Lihua Wen, Jinyou Xiao, Shiyu Wang, Ping Ren, Liqiang Wang, Lei Zu and Xiao Hou
Materials 2023, 16(18), 6187; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186187 - 13 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 881
Abstract
The automated fiber placement (AFP) process faces a crucial challenge: the emergence of out-of-plane buckling in thermoplastic prepreg tows during steering, significantly impeding the quality of composite layup. In response, this study introduces a novel approach: the development of equations for wrinkle-free fiber [...] Read more.
The automated fiber placement (AFP) process faces a crucial challenge: the emergence of out-of-plane buckling in thermoplastic prepreg tows during steering, significantly impeding the quality of composite layup. In response, this study introduces a novel approach: the development of equations for wrinkle-free fiber placement within composite pressure vessels. The investigation encompasses a detailed analysis of prepreg trajectories in relation to shell geometry, accompanied by an in-depth understanding of the underlying causes of wrinkling on dome surfaces. Moreover, a comprehensive model for shell coverage, grounded in placement parameters, is meticulously established. To validate the approach, a simulation tool is devised to calculate press roller motions, ensuring the uniform fiber dispersion on the mandrel and achieving flawless coverage of the shell without wrinkles. This innovative strategy not only optimizes the AFP process for composite layup but also remarkably enhances the overall quality of composite shells. As such, this research carries significant implications for the advancement of composite manufacturing techniques and the concurrent improvement in material performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Manufacturing Technologies of Thermoplastic Composites)
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13 pages, 3774 KiB  
Article
Double-Forming Mechanism of TaOx-Based Resistive Memory Device and Its Synaptic Applications
by Dongyeol Ju, Sunghun Kim, Subaek Lee and Sungjun Kim
Materials 2023, 16(18), 6184; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186184 - 13 Sep 2023
Viewed by 676
Abstract
The bipolar resistive switching properties of Pt/TaOx/InOx/ITO-resistive random-access memory devices under DC and pulse measurement conditions are explored in this work. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to confirm the structure and chemical compositions of the [...] Read more.
The bipolar resistive switching properties of Pt/TaOx/InOx/ITO-resistive random-access memory devices under DC and pulse measurement conditions are explored in this work. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to confirm the structure and chemical compositions of the devices. A unique two-step forming process referred to as the double-forming phenomenon and self-compliance characteristics are demonstrated under a DC sweep. A model based on oxygen vacancy migration is proposed to explain its conduction mechanism. Varying reset voltages and compliance currents were applied to evaluate multilevel cell characteristics. Furthermore, pulses were applied to the devices to demonstrate the neuromorphic system’s application via testing potentiation, depression, spike-timing-dependent plasticity, and spike-rate-dependent plasticity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Semiconductor/Memory Materials and Devices)
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17 pages, 7526 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Oxidation Susceptibility in Ambient Air of the Semiconductor Kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 Nanopowders Made by Mechanochemical Synthesis Method
by Katarzyna Lejda, Magdalena Ziąbka, Zbigniew Olejniczak and Jerzy Franciszek Janik
Materials 2023, 16(18), 6160; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186160 - 11 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 730
Abstract
The often overlooked and annoying aspects of the propensity of no-oxygen semiconductor kesterite, Cu2ZnSnS4, to oxidation during manipulation and storage in ambient air prompted the study on the prolonged exposure of kesterite nanopowders to air. Three precursor systems were [...] Read more.
The often overlooked and annoying aspects of the propensity of no-oxygen semiconductor kesterite, Cu2ZnSnS4, to oxidation during manipulation and storage in ambient air prompted the study on the prolonged exposure of kesterite nanopowders to air. Three precursor systems were used to make a large pool of the cubic and tetragonal polytypes of kesterite via a convenient mechanochemical synthesis route. The systems included the starting mixtures of (i) constituent elements (2Cu + Zn + Sn + 4S), (ii) selected metal sulfides and sulfur (Cu2S + ZnS + SnS + S), and (iii) in situ made copper alloys (from the high-energy ball milling of the metals 2Cu + Zn + Sn) and sulfur. All raw products were shown to be cubic kesterite nanopowders with defunct semiconductor properties. These nanopowders were converted to the tetragonal kesterite semiconductor by annealing at 500 °C under argon. All materials were exposed to the ambient air for 1, 3, and 6 months and were suitably analyzed after each of the stages. The characterization methods included powder XRD, FT-IR/UV-Vis/Raman/NMR spectroscopies, SEM, the determination of BET/BJH specific surface area and helium density (dHe), and direct oxygen and hydrogen-content analyses. The results confirmed the progressive, relatively fast, and pronounced oxidation of all kesterite nanopowders towards, mainly, hydrated copper(II) and zinc(II) sulfates, and tin(IV) oxide. The time-related oxidation changes were reflected in the lowering of the energy band gap Eg of the remaining tetragonal kesterite component. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanostructured Materials for Solar Energy Conversion)
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29 pages, 9500 KiB  
Review
Zirconium Carbide for Hypersonic Applications, Opportunities and Challenges
by Glenn R. Peterson, Ryan E. Carr and Ernesto E. Marinero
Materials 2023, 16(18), 6158; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186158 - 11 Sep 2023
Viewed by 945
Abstract
At ultra-high temperatures, resilient, durable, stable material choices are limited. While Carbon/Carbon (C/C) composites (carbon fibers and carbon matrix phases) are currently the materials of choice, zirconium carbide (ZrC) provides an option in hypersonic environments and specifically in wing leading edge (WLE) applications. [...] Read more.
At ultra-high temperatures, resilient, durable, stable material choices are limited. While Carbon/Carbon (C/C) composites (carbon fibers and carbon matrix phases) are currently the materials of choice, zirconium carbide (ZrC) provides an option in hypersonic environments and specifically in wing leading edge (WLE) applications. ZrC also offers an ultra-high melting point (3825 K), robust mechanical properties, better thermal conductivity, and potentially better chemical stability and oxidation resistance than C/C composites. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms behind ZrC mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties and evaluate: (a) mechanical properties: flexure strength, fracture toughness, and elastic modulus; (b) thermal properties: coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), thermal conductivity, and melting temperature; (c) chemical properties: thermodynamic stability and reaction kinetics of oxidation. For WLE applications, ZrC physical properties require further improvements. We note that materials or processing solutions to increase its relative density through sintering aids can have deleterious effects on oxidation resistance. Therefore, improvements of key ZrC properties for WLE applications must not compromise other functional properties. We suggest that C/C-ZrC composites offer an engineering solution to reduce density (weight) for aerospace applications, improve fracture toughness and the mechanical response, while addressing chemical stability and stoichiometric concerns. Recommendations for future work are also given. Full article
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22 pages, 17392 KiB  
Article
Characterization and Design of Three-Phase Particulate Composites: Microstructure-Free Finite Element Modeling vs. Analytical Micromechanics Models
by Sebak Oli and Yunhua Luo
Materials 2023, 16(18), 6147; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186147 - 10 Sep 2023
Viewed by 692
Abstract
Three-phase particulate composites offer greater design flexibility in the selection of phase materials and have more design variables than their two-phase counterparts, thus providing larger space for tailoring effective properties to meet intricate engineering requirements. Predicting effective elastic properties is essential for composite [...] Read more.
Three-phase particulate composites offer greater design flexibility in the selection of phase materials and have more design variables than their two-phase counterparts, thus providing larger space for tailoring effective properties to meet intricate engineering requirements. Predicting effective elastic properties is essential for composite design. However, experimental methods are both expensive and time intensive, whereas the scope of analytical micromechanics models is limited by their inherent assumptions. The newly developed microstructure-free finite element modeling (MF-FEM) approach has been demonstrated to be accurate and reliable for two-phase particulate composites. In this study, we investigate whether the MF-FEM approach can be applied to three-phase particulate composites and, if applicable, under which conditions. The study commences with a convergence analysis to establish the threshold ratio between the element size and the RVE (representative volume element) dimension. We then validate the MF-FEM approach using experimental data on three-phase composites from the existing literature. Subsequently, the MF-FEM method serves as a benchmark to assess the accuracy of both traditional and novel analytical micromechanics models, in predicting the effective elasticity of two distinct types of three-phase particulate composites, characterized by their small and large phase contrasts, respectively. We found that the threshold element-to-RVE ratio (1/150) for three-phase composites is considerably smaller than the ratio (1/50) for two-phase composites. The validation underscores that MF-FEM predictions align closely with experimental data. The analytical micromechanics models demonstrate varying degrees of accuracy depending on the phase volume fractions and the contrast in phase properties. The study indicates that the analytical micromechanics models may not be dependable for predicting effective properties of three-phase particulate composites, particularly those with a large contrast in phase properties. Even though more time-intensive, the MF-FEM proves to be a more reliable approach than the analytical models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Finite Element Modeling of Microstructures in Composite Materials)
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21 pages, 6351 KiB  
Article
From Bioresources to Thermal Insulation Materials: Synthesis and Properties of Two-Component Open-Cell Spray Polyurethane Foams Based on Bio-Polyols from Used Cooking Oil
by Krzysztof Polaczek, Maria Kurańska, Elżbieta Malewska, Małgorzata Czerwicka-Pach and Aleksander Prociak
Materials 2023, 16(18), 6139; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186139 - 09 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 868
Abstract
Open-cell spray polyurethane foams are widely used as highly efficient thermal insulation materials with vapor permeability and soundproofing properties. Unfortunately, for the production of commercial foams, mainly non-renewable petrochemical raw materials are used. The aim of this study was to determine the possibility [...] Read more.
Open-cell spray polyurethane foams are widely used as highly efficient thermal insulation materials with vapor permeability and soundproofing properties. Unfortunately, for the production of commercial foams, mainly non-renewable petrochemical raw materials are used. The aim of this study was to determine the possibility of completely replacing petrochemical polyols (the main raw material used in the synthesis of polyurethanes, alongside isocyanates) with bio-polyols obtained from used cooking oils, classified as waste materials. The research consisted of three stages: the synthesis of bio-polyols, the development of polyurethane foam systems under laboratory conditions, and the testing of developed polyurethane spray systems under industrial conditions. The synthesis of the bio-polyols was carried out by using two different methods: a one-step transesterification process using triethanolamine and a two-step process of epoxidation and opening oxirane rings with diethylene glycol. The obtained bio-polyols were analyzed using gel chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The developed polyurethane foam formulations included two types of fire retardants: halogenated tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP) and halogen-free triethyl phosphate (TEP). In the formulations of polyurethane systems, reactive amine catalysts were employed, which become incorporated into the polymer matrix during foaming, significantly reducing their emission after application. The foams were manufactured on both a laboratory and industrial scale using high-pressure spray machines under conditions recommended by commercial system manufacturers: spray pressure 80–100 bar, component temperature 45–52 °C, and component volumetric ratio 1:1. The open-cell foams had apparent densities 14–21.5 kg/m3, thermal conductivity coefficients 35–38 mW/m∙K, closed-cell contents <5%, water vapor diffusion resistance factors (μ) <6, and limiting oxygen indexes 21.3–21.5%. The properties of the obtained foams were comparable to commercial materials. The developed polyurethane spray systems can be used as thermal insulation materials for insulating interior walls, attics, and ceilings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Development and Characterization of Polyurethane Foams)
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15 pages, 6302 KiB  
Article
Advanced Fabrication Method and Mechanical Properties of Silicon Nitride/Boron Nitride Fibrous Monolithic Ceramics
by Qingqing Chen, Yuan Zhang, Liuxin Chao, Ningning Dong, Yu Zhou and Guobing Ying
Materials 2023, 16(18), 6130; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186130 - 08 Sep 2023
Viewed by 744
Abstract
Silicon nitride ceramics are regarded as a promising material for high-temperature structural applications due to their remarkable characteristics, including high strength, hardness, thermal conductivity, low dielectric properties, and resistance to creep at elevated temperatures. However, their susceptibility to catastrophic fracture at high temperatures [...] Read more.
Silicon nitride ceramics are regarded as a promising material for high-temperature structural applications due to their remarkable characteristics, including high strength, hardness, thermal conductivity, low dielectric properties, and resistance to creep at elevated temperatures. However, their susceptibility to catastrophic fracture at high temperatures remains a concern. Herein, Si3N4/BN fibrous monolithic ceramics have been successfully prepared by employing wet-spinning and hot-pressing techniques. We delved into the design and optimization of the spinning slurry and examined how the Si3N4/BN fiber diameter affects the ceramics’ microstructure and mechanical properties. The spinning slurry exhibited exceptional stability and spinnability. Decreasing the fiber diameter contributed to material densification and improved mechanical properties. Notably, when the fiber diameter is 0.9 mm, the fabricated Si3N4/BN fibrous monolithic ceramics demonstrate a carbon content of 0.82%, a three-point bending strength of 357 ± 24 MPa, and a fracture toughness of 8.8 ± 0.36 MPa·m1/2. This investigation offers valuable insights into producing high-performance Si3N4/BN composite ceramics utilizing hot-pressing technology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Ceramics Composites and Its Applications)
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9 pages, 2255 KiB  
Article
DFT Calculation of Carbon-Doped TiO2 Nanocomposites
by Kim Robert Gustavsen, Tao Feng, Hao Huang, Gang Li, Urszula Narkiewicz and Kaiying Wang
Materials 2023, 16(18), 6117; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186117 - 07 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 866
Abstract
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been proven to be an excellent material for mitigating the continuous impact of elevated carbon dioxide concentrations. Carbon doping has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the CO2 reduction performance of TiO2. In [...] Read more.
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been proven to be an excellent material for mitigating the continuous impact of elevated carbon dioxide concentrations. Carbon doping has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the CO2 reduction performance of TiO2. In this study, we investigated the effects of carbon doping on TiO2 using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Two carbon doping concentrations were considered (4% and 6%), denoted as TiO2-2C and TiO2-3C, respectively. The results showed that after carbon doping, the band gaps of TiO2-2C and TiO2-3C were reduced to 1.58 eV and 1.47 eV, respectively, which is lower than the band gap of pure TiO2 (2.13 eV). This indicates an effective improvement in the electronic structure of TiO2. Barrier energy calculations revealed that compared to pure TiO2 (0.65 eV), TiO2-2C (0.54 eV) and TiO2-3C (0.59 eV) exhibited lower energy barriers, facilitating the transition to *COOH intermediates. These findings provide valuable insights into the electronic structure changes induced by carbon doping in TiO2, which can contribute to the development of sustainable energy and environmental conservation measures to address global climate challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Materials Physics)
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13 pages, 799 KiB  
Article
Numerical Simulation of PFRC Fracture Subjected to High Temperature by Means of a Trilinear Softening Diagram
by Fernando Suárez, Alejandro Enfedaque, Marcos G. Alberti and Jaime C. Gálvez
Materials 2023, 16(17), 6048; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16176048 - 03 Sep 2023
Viewed by 655
Abstract
Fibre-reinforced concrete (FRC) has been used for decades in certain applications in the construction industry, such as tunnel linings and precast elements, but has experienced important progress in recent times, boosted by the inclusion of guidelines for its use in some national and [...] Read more.
Fibre-reinforced concrete (FRC) has been used for decades in certain applications in the construction industry, such as tunnel linings and precast elements, but has experienced important progress in recent times, boosted by the inclusion of guidelines for its use in some national and international standards. Traditional steel fibres have been studied in depth and their performance is well-known, although in recent years new materials have been proposed as possible alternatives. Polyolefin macro-fibres, for instance, have been proven to enhance the mechanical properties of concrete and the parameters that define their behaviour (fibre length, fibre proportion or casting method, for instance) have been identified. These fibres overcome certain traditional problems related to steel fibres, such as corrosion or their interaction with magnetic fields, which can limit the use of steel in some applications. The behaviour of polyolefin fibre-reinforced concrete (PFRC) has been numerically reproduced with success through an embedded cohesive crack formulation that uses a trilinear softening diagram to describe the fracture behaviour of the material. Furthermore, concrete behaves well under high temperatures or fire events, especially when it is compared with other construction materials, but the behaviour of PFRC must be analysed if the use of these fibres is to be extended. To this end, the degradation of PFRC fracture properties has been recently experimentally analysed under a temperature range between 20 °C and 200 °C. As temperature increases, polyolefin fibres modify their mechanical properties and their shape, which reduce their performance as reinforcements of concrete. In this work, those experimental results, which include results of low (3 kg/m3) and high (10 kg/m3) proportion PFRC specimens, are used as reference to study the fracture behaviour of PFRC exposed to high temperatures from a numerical point of view. The experimental load-deflection diagrams are reproduced by modifying the trilinear diagram used in the cohesive model, which helps to understand how the trilinear diagram parameters are affected by high temperature exposure. Finally, some expressions are proposed to adapt the initial trilinear diagram (obtained with specimens not exposed to high temperature) in order to numerically reproduce the fracture behaviour of PFRC affected by high temperature exposure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Materials Simulation and Design)
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12 pages, 17002 KiB  
Article
Influence of Lattice Mismatch on Structural and Functional Properties of Epitaxial Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 Thin Films
by Jonas Wawra, Kornelius Nielsch and Ruben Hühne
Materials 2023, 16(17), 6036; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16176036 - 02 Sep 2023
Viewed by 681
Abstract
Substrate-induced strains can significantly influence the structural properties of epitaxial thin films. In ferroelectrics, this might lead to significant changes in the functional properties due to the strong electromechanical coupling in those materials. To study this in more detail, epitaxial Ba0.7Sr [...] Read more.
Substrate-induced strains can significantly influence the structural properties of epitaxial thin films. In ferroelectrics, this might lead to significant changes in the functional properties due to the strong electromechanical coupling in those materials. To study this in more detail, epitaxial Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 films, which have a perovskite structure and a structural phase transition close to room temperature, were grown with different thicknesses on REScO3 (RE–rare earth element) substrates having a smaller lattice mismatch compared to SrTiO3. A fully strained SrRuO3 bottom electrode and Pt top contacts were used to achieve a capacitor-like architecture. Different X-ray diffraction techniques were applied to study the microstructure of the films. Epitaxial films with a higher crystalline quality were obtained on scandates in comparison to SrTiO3, whereas the strain state of the functional layer was strongly dependent on the chosen substrate and the thickness. Differences in permittivity and a non-linear polarization behavior were observed at higher temperatures, suggesting that ferroelectricity is supressed under tensile strain conditions in contrast to compressive strain for our measurement configuration, while a similar reentrant relaxor-like behavior was found in all studied layers below 0°C. Full article
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13 pages, 5756 KiB  
Article
Microstructure and Corrosion Behavior of Laser-Welded Al–Mn–Zr Alloy for Heat Exchanger
by Jeong-Min Lim, Yoon-Sik So and Jung-Gu Kim
Materials 2023, 16(17), 6009; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16176009 - 01 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 924
Abstract
In this study, an Al–Mn–Zr alloy was designed and its microstructure and corrosion behavior compared after laser welding to that of AA3003. As the results of immersion and electrochemical tests showed, both alloys had a faster corrosion rate in the fusion zone than [...] Read more.
In this study, an Al–Mn–Zr alloy was designed and its microstructure and corrosion behavior compared after laser welding to that of AA3003. As the results of immersion and electrochemical tests showed, both alloys had a faster corrosion rate in the fusion zone than in the base metal. Laser welding caused interdendritic segregation, and spread the intermetallic compounds (IMCs) evenly throughout in the fusion zone. This increased the micro-galvanic corrosion sites and destabilized the passive film, thus increasing the corrosion rate of the fusion zone. However, Zr in the Al–Mn alloy reduced the size and number of IMCs, and minimized the micro-galvanic corrosion effect. Consequently, Al–Mn–Zr alloy has higher corrosion resistance than AA3003 even after laser welding. Full article
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28 pages, 7377 KiB  
Review
A Review of Metamaterials in Wireless Power Transfer
by Cancan Rong, Lihui Yan, Long Li, Yunhui Li and Minghai Liu
Materials 2023, 16(17), 6008; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16176008 - 31 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1404
Abstract
Wireless power transfer (WPT) is a technology that enables energy transmission without physical contact, utilizing magnetic and electric fields as soft media. While WPT has numerous applications, the increasing power transfer distance often results in a decrease in transmission efficiency, as well as [...] Read more.
Wireless power transfer (WPT) is a technology that enables energy transmission without physical contact, utilizing magnetic and electric fields as soft media. While WPT has numerous applications, the increasing power transfer distance often results in a decrease in transmission efficiency, as well as the urgent need for addressing safety concerns. Metamaterials offer a promising way for improving efficiency and reducing the flux density in WPT systems. This paper provides an overview of the current status and technical challenges of metamaterial-based WPT systems. The basic principles of magnetic coupling resonant wireless power transfer (MCR-WPT) are presented, followed by a detailed description of the metamaterial design theory and its application in WPT. The paper then reviews the metamaterial-based wireless energy transmission system from three perspectives: transmission efficiency, misalignment tolerance, and electromagnetic shielding. Finally, the paper summarizes the development trends and technical challenges of metamaterial-based WPT systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metamaterials for Wireless Power Transfer)
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20 pages, 3751 KiB  
Article
Molecular Mechanism of the Piezoelectric Response in the β-Phase PVDF Crystals Interpreted by Periodic Boundary Conditions DFT Calculations
by Gianluca Serra, Alessia Arrigoni, Mirella Del Zoppo, Chiara Castiglioni and Matteo Tommasini
Materials 2023, 16(17), 6004; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16176004 - 31 Aug 2023
Viewed by 888
Abstract
A theoretical approach based on Periodic Boundary Conditions (PBC) and a Linear Combination of Atomic Orbitals (LCAO) in the framework of the density functional theory (DFT) is used to investigate the molecular mechanism that rules the piezoelectric behavior of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) polymer [...] Read more.
A theoretical approach based on Periodic Boundary Conditions (PBC) and a Linear Combination of Atomic Orbitals (LCAO) in the framework of the density functional theory (DFT) is used to investigate the molecular mechanism that rules the piezoelectric behavior of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) polymer in the crystalline β-phase. We present several computational tests highlighting the peculiar electrostatic potential energy landscape the polymer chains feel when they change their orientation by a rigid rotation in the lattice cell. We demonstrate that a rotation of the permanent dipole through chain rotation has a rather low energy cost and leads to a lattice relaxation. This justifies the macroscopic strain observed when the material is subjected to an electric field. Moreover, we investigate the effect on the molecular geometry of the expansion of the lattice parameters in the (a, b) plane, proving that the rotation of the dipole can take place spontaneously under mechanical deformation. By band deconvolution of the IR and Raman spectra of a PVDF film with a high content of β-phase, we provide the experimental phonon wavenumbers and relative band intensities, which we compare against the predictions from DFT calculations. This analysis shows the reliability of the LCAO approach, as implemented in the CRYSTAL software, for calculating the vibrational spectra. Finally, we investigate how the IR/Raman spectra evolve as a function of inter-chain distance, moving towards the isolated chain limit and to the limit of a single crystal slab. The results show the relevance of the inter-molecular interactions on the vibrational dynamics and on the electro-optical features ruling the intensity pattern of the vibrational spectra. Full article
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31 pages, 7958 KiB  
Review
Electrospun Nanofibers for Functional Food Packaging Application
by Meng Zhang, Adnan Ahmed and Lan Xu
Materials 2023, 16(17), 5937; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16175937 - 30 Aug 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2002
Abstract
With the strengthening of the public awareness of food safety and environmental protection, functional food packaging materials have received widespread attention. Nanofibers are considered as promising packaging materials due to their unique one-dimensional structure (high aspect ratio, large specific surface area) and functional [...] Read more.
With the strengthening of the public awareness of food safety and environmental protection, functional food packaging materials have received widespread attention. Nanofibers are considered as promising packaging materials due to their unique one-dimensional structure (high aspect ratio, large specific surface area) and functional advantages. Electrospinning, as a commonly used simple and efficient method for preparing nanofibers, can obtain nanofibers with different structures such as aligned, core-shell, and porous structures by modifying the devices and adjusting the process parameters. The selection of raw materials and structural design of nanofibers can endow food packaging with different functions, including antimicrobial activity, antioxidation, ultraviolet protection, and response to pH. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the application of electrospun nanofibers in functional food packaging. Advances in electrospinning technology and electrospun materials used for food packaging are introduced. Moreover, the progress and development prospects of electrospun nanofibers in functional food packaging are highlighted. Meanwhile, the application of functional packaging based on nanofibers in different foods is discussed in detail. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Cellulosic Materials)
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18 pages, 4899 KiB  
Review
Wearable Temperature Sensors Based on Reduced Graphene Oxide Films
by Xinyue Li, Tianrui Cui, Xin Li, Houfang Liu, Ding Li, Jinming Jian, Zhen Li, Yi Yang and Tianling Ren
Materials 2023, 16(17), 5952; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16175952 - 30 Aug 2023
Viewed by 935
Abstract
With the development of medical technology and increasing demands of healthcare monitoring, wearable temperature sensors have gained widespread attention because of their portability, flexibility, and capability of conducting real-time and continuous signal detection. To achieve excellent thermal sensitivity, high linearity, and a fast [...] Read more.
With the development of medical technology and increasing demands of healthcare monitoring, wearable temperature sensors have gained widespread attention because of their portability, flexibility, and capability of conducting real-time and continuous signal detection. To achieve excellent thermal sensitivity, high linearity, and a fast response time, the materials of sensors should be chosen carefully. Thus, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) has become one of the most popular materials for temperature sensors due to its exceptional thermal conductivity and sensitive resistance changes in response to different temperatures. Moreover, by using the corresponding preparation methods, rGO can be easily combined with various substrates, which has led to it being extensively applied in the wearable field. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art advances in wearable temperature sensors based on rGO films and summarizes their sensing mechanisms, structure designs, functional material additions, manufacturing processes, and performances. Finally, the possible challenges and prospects of rGO-based wearable temperature sensors are briefly discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Growth and Applications of Oxide Thin Films and Heterostructures)
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11 pages, 16037 KiB  
Article
Human Bone-Marrow-Derived Stem-Cell-Seeded 3D Chitosan–Gelatin–Genipin Scaffolds Show Enhanced Extracellular Matrix Mineralization When Cultured under a Perfusion Flow in Osteogenic Medium
by Gabriele Boretti, Emanuele Giordano, Mariana Ionita, George Mihail Vlasceanu, Ólafur Eysteinn Sigurjónsson, Paolo Gargiulo and Joseph Lovecchio
Materials 2023, 16(17), 5898; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16175898 - 29 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 988
Abstract
Tissue-engineered bone tissue grafts are a promising alternative to the more conventional use of natural donor bone grafts. However, choosing an appropriate biomaterial/scaffold to sustain cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation in a 3D environment remains one of the most critical issues in this [...] Read more.
Tissue-engineered bone tissue grafts are a promising alternative to the more conventional use of natural donor bone grafts. However, choosing an appropriate biomaterial/scaffold to sustain cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation in a 3D environment remains one of the most critical issues in this domain. Recently, chitosan/gelatin/genipin (CGG) hybrid scaffolds have been proven as a more suitable environment to induce osteogenic commitment in undifferentiated cells when doped with graphene oxide (GO). Some concern is, however, raised towards the use of graphene and graphene-related material in medical applications. The purpose of this work was thus to check if the osteogenic potential of CGG scaffolds without added GO could be increased by improving the medium diffusion in a 3D culture of differentiating cells. To this aim, the level of extracellular matrix (ECM) mineralization was evaluated in human bone-marrow-derived stem cell (hBMSC)-seeded 3D CGG scaffolds upon culture under a perfusion flow in a dedicated custom-made bioreactor system. One week after initiating dynamic culture, histological/histochemical evaluations of CGG scaffolds were carried out to analyze the early osteogenic commitment of the culture. The analyses show the enhanced ECM mineralization of the 3D perfused culture compared to the static counterpart. The results of this investigation reveal a new perspective on more efficient clinical applications of CGG scaffolds without added GO. Full article
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18 pages, 4178 KiB  
Article
Photo- and Thermocatalytic CO2 Methanation: A Comparison of Ni/Al2O3 and Ni–Ce Hydrotalcite-Derived Materials under UV and Visible Light
by Rafael Canales and Victoria Laura Barrio
Materials 2023, 16(17), 5907; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16175907 - 29 Aug 2023
Viewed by 725
Abstract
Catalysts derived from Ni/Al/Mg/Ce hydrotalcite were prepared via a co-precipitation method, varying the Ce/Al atomic ratio. All of the catalytic systems thus prepared were tested for CO2 methanation under dark and photocatalytic conditions (visible and ultraviolet) under continuous flow with the light [...] Read more.
Catalysts derived from Ni/Al/Mg/Ce hydrotalcite were prepared via a co-precipitation method, varying the Ce/Al atomic ratio. All of the catalytic systems thus prepared were tested for CO2 methanation under dark and photocatalytic conditions (visible and ultraviolet) under continuous flow with the light intensity set to 2.4 W cm−2. The substitution of Al by Ce formed a solid solution, generating oxygen vacancies and Ce3+/Ce4+ ions that helped shift the dissociation of CO2 towards the production of CH4, thus enhancing the activity of methanation, especially at lower temperatures (<523 K) and with visible light at temperatures where other catalysts were inactive. Additionally, for comparison purposes, Ni/Al2O3-based catalysts prepared via wetness impregnation were synthesized with different Ni loadings. Analytical techniques were used for the characterization of the systems. The best results in terms of activity were as follows: Hydrotalcite with Ce promoter > Hydrotalcite without Ce promoter > 25Ni/Al2O3 > 13Ni/Al2O3. Hydrotalcite, with a Ce/Al atomic ratio of 0.22 and a Ni content of 23 wt%, produced 7.74 mmol CH4 min−1·gcat at 473 K under visible light. Moreover, this catalyst exhibited stable photocatalytic activity during a 24 h reaction time with a CO2 conversion rate of 65% and CH4 selectivity of >98% at 523 K. This photocatalytic Sabatier enhancement achieved activity at lower temperatures than those reported in previous publications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for CO2 Conversion)
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16 pages, 7674 KiB  
Article
Two-Dimensional Microstructure-Based Model for Evaluating the Permeability Coefficient of Heterogeneous Construction Materials
by Jiaqi Chen, Shujun Yu, Wei Huang and Hao Wang
Materials 2023, 16(17), 5892; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16175892 - 28 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 724
Abstract
The permeability coefficient of construction materials plays a crucial role in engineering quality and durability. In this study, a microstructure model based on real aggregate shape and digital image technology is proposed to predict the permeability coefficient of concrete. A two-dimensional, three-component finite [...] Read more.
The permeability coefficient of construction materials plays a crucial role in engineering quality and durability. In this study, a microstructure model based on real aggregate shape and digital image technology is proposed to predict the permeability coefficient of concrete. A two-dimensional, three-component finite element model of cement concrete was established considering the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between aggregate and mortar. The permeability coefficient prediction model was developed by the finite element method. The accuracy of the model was verified by experimental data, and the influence of the water−cement ratio on the permeability coefficient of concrete was analyzed. The results show that this method has good prediction accuracy with a relative error of 1.73%. According to the verified model, the influences of aggregate content, aggregate characteristics, aggregate location, ITZ thickness, and other factors on the permeability of concrete were explored. The higher the water−cement ratio, the higher the permeability coefficient. With the increase in aggregate content, the permeability coefficient decreases. Aggregate permeability has a significant influence on the effective permeability coefficient of concrete within a certain range. The greater the roundness of aggregate, the greater the permeability of concrete. On the contrary, the larger aggregate size causes lower permeability. The permeability coefficient of concrete with segregation is lower than that with uniform distribution. At the same time, the permeability increases with the increase of ITZ thickness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental Tests and Numerical Analysis of Construction Materials)
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18 pages, 6806 KiB  
Article
Determination of Thermal Properties of Mineral Wool Required for the Safety Analysis of Sandwich Panels Subjected to Fire Loads
by El Mehdi Ablaoui, Michał Malendowski, Wojciech Szymkuc and Zbigniew Pozorski
Materials 2023, 16(17), 5852; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16175852 - 26 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 772
Abstract
The paper presents theoretical, experimental and numerical studies on the thermal behavior of mineral wool used in sandwich panels. The aim of this study is to investigate the thermal properties of mineral wool at elevated temperatures and provide a simple model that would [...] Read more.
The paper presents theoretical, experimental and numerical studies on the thermal behavior of mineral wool used in sandwich panels. The aim of this study is to investigate the thermal properties of mineral wool at elevated temperatures and provide a simple model that would allow us to determine the heat propagation in sandwich panels during a fire. The paper proposes a new method to experimentally evaluate thermal diffusivity, derived from theoretical premises. Experiments are conducted in a laboratory furnace where specimens are placed and temperatures inside specimens are measured. Different methods are used to process the test results and calculate the thermal diffusivity of mineral wool. Finally, a numerical analysis of heat transfer using the finite element method (FEM) is performed to validate the obtained thermal properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Sandwich Structures)
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