Search Results (42)

Recently, due to the rapid increase in the demand for artificial graphite, there has been a strong need to improve the productivity of artificial graphite. In this study, we propose a new efficient process by eliminating the carbonation stage from the existing process. The conventional graphite manufacturing process usually involves a series of stages: the pulverization of needle-type coke, the granulation of pitch and coke premix, carbonation, graphitization, and surface treatment to compensate voids formed within particles. The process seems time-consuming and costly. Therefore, in our proposed shortened process, we have eliminated the carbonization stage. Instead of petroleum-derived pitch, coal tar pitch was employed. Coal tar pitch has a lower softening point than binder pitch. Apart from the cost-effectiveness of the process, it has enhanced the properties of artificial graphite by a uniform coating using a lower amount of hard carbon. In addition, the whole manufacturing time and cost was reduced by 12 h and 20% due to the skipped manufacturing step, respectively. It was observed that the artificial graphite produced by the newly proposed shortened process had improved physical properties related to the density and graphitization degree, and also showed an improvement in electrochemical performance. Raman 3D mapping and the electrochemical evaluation of artificial graphite were mainly used to compare the physical properties. This shortened process not only reduces the manufacturing cost, but also contributes to the improved performance of lithium-ion battery anode material. Full article

In recent years, Golden Hard Anodizing (G.H.A.^®) has been developed as a variant of the traditional hard anodizing process with the addition of Ag⁺ ions in the nanoporous structure. The tribological properties of this innovative surface treatment are still not well understood. In this study, ball-on-disk tests were conducted in dry sliding conditions using 100Cr6 (AISI 52100) bearing steel balls as a counterbody and GHA^®-anodized EN AW-6082 aluminum alloy disks. The novelty of this work lies in the mapping of the wear properties of the tribocouple under different test conditions for a better comparison of the results. Three different normal loads (equal to 5, 10, and 15 N) and three different reciprocating frequencies (equal to 2, 3, and 4 Hz) were selected to investigate a spectrum of operating conditions for polished and unpolished G.H.A.^®-anodized EN AW-6082 aluminum alloy. Quantitative wear maps were built based on the resulting wear rate values to define the critical operating limits of the considered tribocouple. The results suggest that the coefficient of friction (COF) was independent of test conditions, while different wear maps were found for polished and non-polished surfaces. Polishing before anodizing permitted the acquisition of lower wear for the anodized disks and the steel balls. Full article

Exploring high-performance carbon anodes that are low-cost and easily accessible is the key to the commercialization of sodium-ion batteries. Producing carbon materials from bio by-products is an intriguing strategy for sodium-ion battery anode manufacture and for high-value utilization of biomass. Herein, a novel hard carbon (PPHC) was prepared via a facile pyrolysis process followed by acid treatment using biowaste pomegranate peel as the precursor. The morphology and structure of the PPHC were influenced by the carbonization temperature, as evidenced by physicochemical characterization. The PPHC pyrolyzed at 1100 °C showed expanded interlayer spacing and appropriate oxygen group content. When used as a sodium ion battery anode, the PPHC-1100 demonstrated a reversible capacity of up to 330 mAh g⁻¹, maintaining 174 mAh g⁻¹ at an increased current rate of 1 C. After 200 cycles at 0.5 C, the capacity delivered by PPHC-1100 was 175 mAh g⁻¹. The electrochemical behavior of PPHC electrodes was investigated, revealing that the PPHC-1100 possessed increased capacitive-controlled energy storage and improved ion transport properties, which explained its excellent electrochemical performance. This work underscores the feasibility of high-performance sodium-ion battery anodes derived from biowaste and provides insights into the sodium storage process in biomass-derived hard carbon. Full article

The anodization or thermal treatments applied to alloys of titanium and zirconium have a substantiated effect on the mixed-oxide layer formation compared to the naturally occurring one. A Ti–Zr 50%/50% alloy was chosen for a comparative study. Controlled, thermally treated, and anodized samples obtained with controlled procedures were analyzed in terms of morphological and compositional analysis (using SEM and EDX analysis) as well as for the determination of hardness variations. Substantial differences were observed depending on the applied functionalization method (compact of structured mixed-oxide nanotubes when the samples are subjected to the anodization procedure); there was an increase of more than six folds in the mixed-oxide layer hardness and D Shore scale, when subjected to thermal treatment, and hence, this lead to the conclusion that one may control the morphology, composition and/or the hardness of the mixed-oxide layer by applying one or another or a combination of functionalization methods. Full article

The paper investigates the feasibility of plasma electrolytic treatment (PET) of 90CrSi tool steel to enhance hardness and wear resistance. The influence of electrophysical parameters of PET (polarity of the active electrode, chemical-thermal treatment, and polishing modes) on the composition, structure, morphology, and tribological properties of the surface was studied. Tribological tests were carried out under dry friction conditions according to the shaft-bushing scheme with fixation of the friction coefficient and temperature in the friction contact zone, measurements of surface microgeometry parameters, morphological analysis of friction tracks, and weight wear. The formation of a surface hardened to 1110–1120 HV due to the formation of quenched martensite is shown. Features of nitrogen diffusion during anodic PET and cathodic PET were revealed, and diffusion coefficients were calculated. The wear resistance of the surface of 90CrSi steel increased by 5–9 times after anodic PET followed by polishing, by 16 times after cathodic PET, and up to 32 times after subsequent polishing. It is shown that in all cases, the violation of frictional bonds occurs through the plastic displacement of the material, and the wear mechanism is fatigue wear during dry friction and plastic contact. Full article

Hard anodizing is used to improve the anodic films’ mechanical qualities and aluminum alloys’ corrosion resistance. Applications for anodic oxide coatings on aluminum alloys include the space environment. In this work, the aluminum alloys 2024-T3 (Al-Cu), 6061-T6 (Al-Mg-Si), and 7075-T6 (Al-Zn) were prepared by hard anodizing electrochemical treatment using citric and sulfur acid baths at different concentrations. The aim of the work is to observe the effect of citric acid on the microstructure of the substrate, the mechanical properties, the corrosion resistance, and the morphology of the hard anodic layers. Hard anodizing was performed on three different aluminum alloys using three citric–sulfuric acid mixtures for 60 min and using current densities of 3.0 and 4.5 A/dm². Vickers microhardness (HV) measurements and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were utilized to determine the mechanical characteristics and microstructure of the hard anodizing material, and electrochemical techniques to understand the corrosion kinetics. The result indicates that the aluminum alloy 6061-T6 (Al-Mg-Si) has the maximum hard-coat thickness and hardness. The oxidation of Zn and Mg during the anodizing process found in the 7075-T6 (Al-Zn) alloy promotes oxide formation. Because of the high copper concentration, the oxide layer that forms on the 2024-T6 (Al-Cu) Al alloy has the lowest thickness, hardness, and corrosion resistance. Citric and sulfuric acid solutions can be used to provide hard anodizing in a variety of aluminum alloys that have corrosion resistance and mechanical qualities on par with or better than traditional sulfuric acid anodizing. Full article

Aluminum (Al) components of high quality often require an optimal ratio of lightness and favorable mechanical properties. In order to improve the physical-mechanical properties of Al, an aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) film is usually formed on the surface of Al, which itself is characterized by high strength, hardness, corrosion resistance, and other technical properties. Unfortunately, depending on the conditions, the oxide film may be formed from different crystal phases on the Al surface, which are not always of desirable quality, i.e., the α-Al₂O₃ phase. The present review demonstrates that the properties of the Al₂O₃ film may be improved by Al processing with a laser beam according to the scheme: Al (Al alloy) → electrochemical anodizing → treatment with laser irradiation → α-Al₂O₃. Both Al substrate and the anodizing electrolyte affect the phase transformation of anodic Al₂O₃. Laser irradiation of the Al₂O₃ surface leads to high heating and cooling rates, which may promote the formation of a highly crystalline α-Al₂O₃ phase on anodic Al₂O₃. Full article

Multiple advantages, such as good formability, high specific strength, excellent thermal conductivity, and high corrosion resistance, enable aluminum alloy wide application in various fields; however, low surface hardness and poor wear resistance limit its further development. In this study, three surface modification coatings were successfully prepared on the surface of 7A04 aluminum alloy by microarc oxidation (MAO) and a combination of hard anodizing treatment (HA) and physical vapor deposition (PVD), named MAO, HA+W+DLC, and HA+Ti+ta-C, respectively. The microstructure, hardness, and tribological properties of the three coatings and the 7A04 aluminum alloy substrate were studied. The results show that the surface quality and hardness of the coated samples were higher than those of the 7A04 aluminum alloy and that the HA+Ti+ta-C coating possessed the highest hardness of 34.23 GPa. Moreover, the wear resistance of the two multilayer coatings was significantly improved during the ring-block wear tests under oil lubrication, exhibiting a wear rate of 1.51 × 10⁻⁷ mm³/N·m for HA+W+DLC and 1.36 × 10⁻⁷ mm³/N·m for HA+Ti+ta-C. Full article

Recently, potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) have attracted significant interest due to a number of factors, including the growing demand for energy and limited lithium resources. However, their practical use is hampered by poor cycling stability due to the large size of K⁺. Therefore, it is critical to develop a structural design that effectively suppresses large volume changes. This study presents a simple method of using a salt template to fabricate porous microspheres (p-MoSe₂@C MS) of MoSe₂ and a carbon matrix as anode materials in KIBs. These microspheres have a distinct porous design, with uniformly distributed MoSe₂ nanocrystals embedded in the carbon matrix to prevent MoSe₂ overgrowth due to material diffusion during heat treatment. The manufacturing process combined one-step spray drying with recyclable NaCl as a hard template. Through a two-step thermal process under an inert atmosphere, the initial dextrin, NaCl, and Mo salt microspheres were converted into a p-MoSe₂@N MS composite. The carbon structure derived from the dextrin maintained the shape of the microspheres when NaCl was removed, ensuring no overgrowth of MoSe₂. This well-designed porous structure improves the interaction with the electrolyte, facilitating the transport of ions and electrons and reducing the K⁺ diffusion distances. In addition, the porous carbon structure accommodates large volume changes during cycling and maintains its structural strength. As a result, p-MoSe₂@C MS composite exhibits superior electrochemical properties, with remarkable capacity, long-term cycling stability (193 mA h g⁻¹ after 500 cycles at 2.0 A g⁻¹), and rate capability. Full article

Hard carbons are one of the most promising anode materials for next-generation sodium-ion batteries due to their high reversible capacity, long cycle life, and low cost. The advantage in terms of price of hard carbons can be further improved by using cheaper resources such as biomass waste as precursors. Lignin is one of the richest natural bio-polymer in the earth which can be obtained from woods. As the lignin has three-dimensional amorphous polymeric structure, it is considered as good precursor for producing carbonaceous materials under proper carbonization processes for energy storage devices. In this study, structural properties of lignin-derived hard carbons such as interlayer spacing, degree of disorder and surface defects are controlled. Specifically, lignin-derived hard carbons were synthesized at 1000 °C, 1250 °C, and 1500 °C, and it was confirmed that the structure gradually changed from a disordered structure to ordered structure through X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Hard carbons exhibit sloping regions at high voltage and plateau region at low voltage during the electrochemical processes for sodium ions. As the heat treatment temperature increases, the contribution to the overall reversible capacity of the sloping region decreases and the contribution of the plateau region increases. This trend confirms that it affects reversible capacity, rate-capability, and cycling stability, meaning that an understanding of structural properties and related electrochemical properties is necessary when developing hard carbon as a negative electrode material for sodium ion batteries. Full article

Herein, we design a cathode material based on layered Na_2/3(Mn_1/2Fe_1/2)O₂ for practical application by combining the Co substitution and MgO treatment strategies. The oxides are prepared via solid-state reactions at 900 °C. The structure, morphology, and oxidation state of transition metal ions for Co-substituted and MgO-treated oxides are carefully examined via X-ray diffraction, IR and Raman spectroscopies, FESEM with EDX, specific surface area measurement, and XPS spectroscopy. The ability of oxides to store sodium reversibly is analyzed within a temperature range of 10 to 50 °C via CV experiments, galvanostatic measurements, and EIS, using half and full sodium ion cells. The changes in the local structure and oxidation state of transition metal ions during Na⁺ intercalation are monitored via operando XAS experiments. It is found that the Co substituents have a positive impact on the rate capability of layered oxides, while Mg additives lead to a strong increase in the capacity and an enhancement of the cycling stability. Thus, the highest capacity is obtained for 2 at.%-MgO-treated Na_2/3(Mn_1/2Fe_1/2)_0.9Co_0.1O₂ (175 mAh/g, with a capacity fade of 28% after 100 cycles). In comparison with Co substituents, the Mg treatment has a crucial role in the improvement of the lattice stability during the cycling process. The best electrode materials, with a chemical formula of 2 at.%-MgO treated Na_2/3(Mn_1/2Fe_1/2)_0.9Co_0.1O₂, were also used for the full cells design, with hard carbon as an anode. In the voltage window of 2–4 V, the capacity of the cells was obtained as 78 mAh/g and 51 mAh/g for applied current densities of 12 mA/g and 60 mA/g, respectively. Full article

To further improve the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of the biodegradable magnesium (Mg) alloy, the Mg-4Zn-0.5Sr-xAg alloy (x = 0.2 wt.%, 0.5 wt.%, 1.0 wt.%, and 2.0 wt.%) was smelted in vacuum under the protection of inert gas. The effect of the Ag content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-4Zn-0.5Sr was tested. The results show that the comprehensive properties of Mg-4Zn-0.5Sr-0.5Ag are best. The grain size of the Mg-4Zn-0.5Sr-0.5Ag alloy is minimal, that is, 83.28 μm. The average tensile strength (σ_b), yield strength (σ_s), elongation (ε), and hardness for the Mg-4Zn-0.5Sr-0.5Ag alloy is 168.00 MPa, 88.00 MPa, 12.20%, and 59.90 HV, respectively. To further improve the properties of cast Mg-4Zn-0.5Sr-0.5Ag alloy, extruding treatment was conducted. After extrusion deformation, the grain size of the alloy was significantly refined to 9 μm; at the same time, fine second phases were formed and evenly distributed in the matrix. And then, the mechanical properties of the alloy are significantly enhanced due to the effect of fine crystal strengthening and dispersion strengthening. The σ_b, σ_s, ε, and hardness value for the extruded Mg-4Zn-0.5Sr-0.5Ag alloy are 236.00 MPa, 212.00 MPa, 18.97%, and 65.42 HV, respectively. Under the synergistic action of adding the Ag element and extrusion treatment, the grain size of the alloy was significantly refined and the coarse second phase in the alloy became refined to disperse in the matrix, which benefits the formation of electric couples characterized as small cathode–large anode between the second phase and Mg matrix. During full immersion, corrosion products covered on the large anode surface could reduce the galvanic corrosion tendency. Full article

This work focuses on different surface treatment processes of the 6061 aluminum alloy profile coatings in the construction industry, mainly including the sand powder film coating, the flat powder coating, the hard anodized film, and the ordinary heat-sealing oxidized coating. The corrosion resistance of the coated aluminum alloy in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution (pH 6.5–7.5) and the influence of different surface treatment processes on the corrosion resistance of different samples were studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electrochemical workstation. The result shows that with the increase in corrosion time, the corrosion inhibition performance of the four coated aluminum alloy materials decreased significantly, and the order of decline is: sand powder film coating > hard anodized film > flat powder coating > ordinary heat-sealing oxidized coating. When corroded in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution for 2 h, the corrosion inhibition performances of the flat powder coating and ordinary heat-sealing oxidized coating are poor, while the inhibition performances of the sand powder film coating and hard anodized film are good, and the inhibition performance follows the following sequence: the sand powder film coating > hard anodized film> the flat powder coating > ordinary heat-sealing oxidized coating. When corroded in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution for 200 h, the corrosion inhibition performances of the sand powder film coating and the flat powder coating are poor, while the inhibition performances of hard anodized film and ordinary heat-sealing oxidized coating are good, and the inhibition performance follows the following sequence: hard anodized film > ordinary heat-sealing oxidized coating > the sand powder film coating > the flat powder coating. Full article

Hard carbon materials are considered to be the most practical anode materials for sodium ion batteries because of the rich availability of their resources and potentially low cost. Here, the conversion of corn leaf biomass, a largely available agricultural waste, into carbonaceous materials for Na-ion storage application is reported. Thermal analysis investigation determines the presence of exothermic events occurring during the thermal treatment of the biomass. Accordingly, various temperatures of 400, 500, and 600 °C are selected to perform carbonization treatment trials, leading to the formation of various biocarbons. The materials obtained are characterized by a combination of methods, including X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, surface evaluation, Raman spectroscopy, and electrochemical characterizations. The Na-ion storage performances of these materials are investigated using water-soluble carboxymethyl cellulose binder, highlighting the influence of the carbonization temperature on the electrochemical performance of biocarbons. Moreover, the influence of post-mechanochemical treatment on the Na-ion storage performance of biocarbons is studied through kinetic evaluations. It is confirmed that reducing the particle sizes and increasing the carbon purity of biocarbons and the formation of gel polymeric networks would improve the Na-ion storage capacity, as well as the pseudocapacitive contribution to the total current. At a high-current density of 500 mA g⁻¹, a specific Na-ion storage capacity of 134 mAh g⁻¹ is recorded on the biocarbon prepared at 600 °C, followed by ball-milling and washing treatment, exhibiting a reduced charge transfer resistance of 49 Ω and an improved Na-ion diffusion coefficient of 4.8 × 10⁻¹⁹ cm² s⁻¹. This article proposes a simple and effective technique for the preparation of low-cost biocarbons to be used as the anode of Na-ion batteries. Full article

The possibility of improving dental restorative materials is investigated through the addition of two different types of fillers to a polymeric resin. These fillers, consisting of porous alumina and TiO₂ nanotubes, are compared based on their common physicochemical properties on the nanometric scale. The aim was to characterize and compare the surface morphological properties of composite resins with different types of fillers using analytical techniques. Moreover, ways to optimize the mechanical, surface, and aesthetic properties of reinforced polymer composites are discussed for applications in dental treatments. Filler-reinforced polymer composites are the most widely used materials in curing dental pathologies, although it remains necessary to optimize properties such as mechanical resistance, surface characteristics, and biocompatibility. Anodized porous alumina nanoparticles prepared by electrochemical anodization offer a route to improve mechanical properties and biocompatibility as well as to allow for the controlled release of bioactive molecules that can promote tissue integration and regeneration. The inclusion of TiO₂ nanotubes prepared by hydrothermal treatment in the resin matrix promotes the improvement of mechanical and physical properties such as strength, stiffness, and hardness, as well as aesthetic properties such as color stability and translucency. The surface morphological properties of composite resins with anodized porous alumina and TiO₂ nanotube fillers were characterized by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and X-ray chemical analysis. In addition, the stress–strain behavior of the two composite resins is examined in comparison with enamel and dentin. Full article