ABSTRACT
Nano-structured Mo/Fe intermetallics were synthesized from precursors that contained 72/28% and 30/70% molar ratios of Mo/Fe, which were given as precursors A and B, respectively. These precursors were prepared from the co-precipitation of aqueous hot solutions of ammonium heptamolybdate tetrahydrate (AHM) and ferrous oxalate. The dry precipitates were thermally treated using TG-DSC to follow up their behavior during roasting, in an Ar atmosphere of up to 700 °C (10° K/min). The TG profile showed that 32.5% and 55.5% weight losses were measured from the thermal treatment of precursors A and B, respectively. The DSC heat flow profile showed the presence of endothermic peaks at 196.9 and 392.5-400 °C during the thermal decomposition of the AHM and ferrous oxalate, respectively. The exothermic peak that was detected at 427.5 °C was due to the production of nano-sized iron molybdate [Fe2(MoO4)3]. An XRD phase analysis indicated that iron molybdate was the only phase that was identified in precursor A, while iron molybdate and Fe2O3 were produced in precursor B. Compacts were made from the pressing of the nano-sized precursors, which were roasted at 500 °C for 3 h. The roasted compacts were isothermally reduced in H2 at 600-850 °C using microbalance, and the O2 weight loss that resulted from the reduction reactions was continuously recorded as a function of time. The influence of the reduction temperature and precursor composition on the reduction behavior of the precursors was studied and discussed. The partially and completely reduced compacts were examined with X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), a reflected light microscope (RLM), and a scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDS). Depending on the precursor composition, the reduction reactions of the [Fe2(MoO4)3] and Fe2O3 proceeded through the formation of intermediate lower oxides, prior to the production of the MO/Fe intermetallic alloys. Based on the intermediate phases that were identified and characterized at the early, intermediate, and final reduction degrees, chemical reaction equations were given to follow up the formation of the MoFe and MoFe3 intermetallic alloys. The mechanism of the reduction reactions was predicted from the apparent activation energy values (Ea) that were computed at the different reduction degrees. Moreover, mathematical formulations that were derived from the gas-solid reaction model were applied to confirm the reduction mechanisms, which were greatly dependent on the precursor composition and reduction temperature. However, it can be reported that nano-structured MoFe and MoFe3 intermetallic alloys can be successfully fabricated via a gas-solid reaction technique at lower temperatures.
ABSTRACT
Enhanced non-linearity and asymmetric behavior of the Cr/metal oxide diode is reported, with the addition of two insulator layers of SnO2 and NiO to form the metal-insulator-insulator-metal (MIIM) configuration. Such an MIIM diode shows potential for various applications (rectifiers and electronic equipment) which enable the femtosecond fast intoxication in MIIM diodes. In this work, nanostructured multi-layer Cr/SnO2/NiO/Cr coatings were fabricated via e-beam evaporation with the following thicknesses: 150 nm/20 nm/10 nm/150 nm. Coatings were characterized via Rutherford backscattering (RBS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and two-probe conductivity testing. RBS confirmed the layered structure and optimal stoichiometry of the coatings. A non-linear and asymmetric behavior at <1.5 V applied bias with the non-linearity maximum of 2.6 V−1 and the maximum sensitivity of 9.0 V−1 at the DC bias point was observed. The promising performance of the coating is due to two insulating layers which enables resonant tunneling and/or step-tunneling. Based on the properties, the present multi-layer coatings can be employed for MIIM application.
ABSTRACT
Interfacial bonding highly affects the quality of bimetallic bearing materials, which primarily depend upon the surface quality of a solid metal substrate in liquid-solid compound casting. In many cases, an intermediate thin metallic layer is deposited on the solid substrate before depositing the liquid metal, which improves the interfacial bonding of the opposing materials. The present work aims to develop and optimize the tinning process of a solid carbon steel substrate after incorporating flux constituents with the tin powder. Five ratios of tin-to-flux-i.e., 1:1, 1:5, 1:10, 1:15, and 1:20-were used for tinning process of carbon steel solid substrate. Furthermore, the effect of volume ratios of liquid Al-based bearing alloy to solid steel substrate were also varied-i.e., 5:1, 6.5:1 and 8.5:1-to optimize the microstructural and mechanical performance, which were evaluated by interfacial microstructural investigation, bonding area determination, hardness and interfacial strength measurements. It was found that a tin-to-flux ratio of 1:10 offered the optimum performance in AlSn12Si4Cu1/steel bimetallic materials, showing a homogenous and continuous interfacial layer structure, while tinned steels using other percentages showed discontinuous and thin layers, as in 1:5 and 1:15, respectively. Furthermore, bimetallic interfacial bonding area and hardness increased by increasing the volume ratio of liquid Al alloy to solid steel substrate. A complete interface bonding area was achieved by using the volume ratio of liquid Al alloy to solid steel substrate of ≥8.5.
ABSTRACT
Cu0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanocrystallite powders (average size 13 nm) were synthesized from Cu-Zn spent catalyst (fertilizers) industries and ferrous sulfate wastes formed during iron and steel making. Cu-Zn catalyst (22.4% Cu and 26.4% Zn) was chemically treated with sulfuric acid at temperature 80 degrees C for 1 hr for the complete dissolving of copper and zinc into sulfate solution, then the produced solution was mixed with stoichiometric ratio of ferrous sulfate and the mixture was chemically precipitated as hydroxides followed by hydrothermal processing. The parameters affecting the magnetic properties and crystallite size of the produced ferrites powder e.g., temperature, time, and pH were systemically studied. X-ray diffraction analysis was used in order to determine the average crystallite size and phase identifications of the produced powder. The magnetic properties were studied by vibrating sample magnetometry. The results showed that the average crystallite size of the powder decreased for the ferrites powder formed at 150 degrees C and then increased by increasing the temperature to 200 degrees C. Interestingly, the saturation magnetization (Bs), remanent magnetization (Br) and coercive force (Hc) were 25.03 emu/g, 0.71 emu/g, and 4.83 Oe, respectively at hydrothermal temperature 150 degrees C for 24 hr and changed to 16.38 emu/g, 0.3864 emu/g, and 5.2 Oe at 150 degrees C and 72 hr. The produced nanoferrite powders are used for studying the catalytic activity of CO conversion to CO2 at different temperatures, pH and times. The maximum conversion (82%) is obtained at temperature 150 degrees C for 24 hrs and pH 12.
