bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extended x-ray absorption fine structure study on amorphous Nd–Fe–B alloys
Authors: Kageyama Hiroyuki , Kadono Kohei , Fukumi Kohei , Saito Tetsuji , Kuji Toshiro
Published: March 2008

The local structure and crystallization behavior of Nd15Fe77Bx (x = 2−14) melt-spun alloys were studied by Nd L3 extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). The conventional x-ray powder diffractometry studies showed that the Nd–Fe–B melt-spun ribbons had the amorphous structure regardless of the boron content. EXAFS studies of the local structure around the Nd atom confirmed that the Nd–Fe–B melt-spun alloys had the amorphous structure and virtually the same nearest neighbor distance from the Nd atom. The amorphous alloys were heated by a differential scanning calorimetry in order to investigate the variation in the local structure during the crystallization process by EXAFS measurements. Although no appreciable difference was found in the nearest neighbor distance of the Nd atom between the amorphous alloys and the crystallized alloys, the small variation in the nearest neighbor distance during the crystallization process was detected by EXAFS measurements.
Durability of cement-based materials in simulated radioactive liquid waste: Effect of phosphate, sulphate, and chloride ions
Authors: Guerrero A. , Hérnandez S. , Goñi S.
Published: March 2008

The durability of a specific backfilling pozzolanic cement mortar, which is employed in Spain, in concrete containers for the storage of low (LLW) and medium level wastes (MLW), has been studied by means of the Köch–Steinegger test at the temperature of 40 °C during a period of 365 days. Mortar samples were immersed in a simulated radioactive liquid waste very rich in sulphate (0.68 M), phosphate (0.89 M), and chloride (0.51 M) ions. The changes of the microstructure were followed by x-ray diffraction (XRD), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Pore solution was extracted at different periods in order to see the changes of the chemical composition caused by the diffusion of those ions inside the microstructure.
Transmission electron microscopy and x-ray structural investigation of La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 thin films
Authors: Li Y. H. , Thomas K. A. , de Silva P. S. I. P. N. , Cohen L. F. , Goyal A. , Rajeswari M. , Mathur N. D. , Blamire M. G. , Evetts J. E. , Venkatesan T. , MacManus-Driscoll J. L.
Published: March 2008

The structural changes and magnetoresistance (MR) properties of as-grown and post-annealed La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 films were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The data for the films were compared to that for bulk La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 post-annealed under the same conditions. The main structure of the as-grown films was face-centered pseudo-cubic with a doubled perovskite unit cell, of size ∼2ap × ∼2ap × 2ap, where ap is the single perovskite parameter. The phase showed a cube-on-cube epitaxy with the underlying LaAlO3 substrate. Upon annealing to a saturation point, a minor primitive pseudo-tetragonal structure evolved, of cell parameters . A total of four possible orientations of the two structures was observed by TEM, comprised of one orientation of the ∼ 2ap × ∼ 2ap × ∼ 2ap cell, i.e., the cube-on-cube epitaxy, giving rise to (00l) peaks in x-ray, and three orientations of the cell, giving rise to a single (00l)/(hk0) peak in x-ray. The bulk La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 sample also contains the × structure. The difference between the bulk and the film and the effects of annealing on films can be ascribed to the influence of strain between the film and substate, induced by lattice mismatch.
Kinetics of formation of the pyrochlore and perovskite phases in sol-gel derived lead zirconate titanate powder
Authors: Tiwari V. S. , Kumar Arun , Wadhawan V. K. , Pandey Dhananjai
Published: March 2008

Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) powder is prepared by the sol-gel method. The formation of pyrochlore and perovskite phases is investigated by high temperature x-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal analysis techniques. The pyrochlore phase first appears in x-ray amorphous form, and then gets converted to crystalline state on annealing in air. We show that vacuum annealing of the pyrolyzed amorphous PZT gel suppresses the formation of the crystalline pyrochlore phase. This, in turn, enhances the kinetics of conversion of pyrochlore to perovskite, such that a pyrochlore-free perovskite phase can be obtained by annealing at about 500 °C. On the other hand, if annealing is carried out in air, a crystalline pyrochlore phase is formed, which requires annealing temperatures higher than 600 °C for transformation to the perovskite phase. These observations are explained tentatively in terms of the oxygen stoichiometry of the two phases.
Structural and morphological features of MgO powders. The key role of the preparative starting compound
Authors: Ardizzone S. , Bianchi C. L. , Vercelli B.
Published: March 2008

The present paper reports data concerning magnesia samples obtained by calcination of different precursor salts at different increasing temperatures (873–1253 K). The oxides are characterized by x- ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and N2 adsorption at subcritical temperatures. The samples appear to be composed, at any temperature, of pure periclase with a degree of crystallinity which increases with the temperature of calcination. Morphologically, the products have the shape either of lamellas or of cubes of variable dimensions, depending on the nature and route of preparation of the precursor salts. The variation of the specific surface area and the degree of porosity with the nature of the precursors and the temperature is discussed.
A micromechanistic model of the combustion synthesis process: Influence of intrinsic kinetics
Authors: He Cheng , Blanchetiere Chantal , Stangle Gregory C.
Published: March 2008

A micromechanistic model of the combustion synthesis of NbC has been developed by combining the results of an experimental study of the intrinsic, pore-level kinetic mechanism [C. He. and G. C. Stangle, J. Mater. Res. 10, 2829–2841 (1995)] and a theoretical model developed previously [Y. Zhang and G. C. Stangle, J. Mater. Res. 9, 2592–2604 (1994); 9, 2605–2619 (1994)], in order to account for the various physical and chemical processes that take place during the combustion synthesis process. Results of the present investigation are interpreted from both a macroscopic and a microscopic point of view. Moreover, the relationship between the microscopic processes and macroscopic features of the combustion synthesis process is discussed. The results show that the formation of a combustion wave in the Nb-C system corresponded to establishment of a proper balance between the rates of enthalpy redistribution within the sample. Furthermore, the pore size had a significant influence on the combustion synthesis process: smaller pores gave rise to a higher area of contact between the reactants, which in turn gave rise to a higher rate of enthalpy increase due to the enhanced rate of product formation. The influence of the pore size distribution on the process is also discussed.
Synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of tungsten oxynitride
Authors: Lucy Toby E. , Clair Todd P. St. , Oyama S. Ted
Published: March 2008

High surface area tungsten oxynitride has been prepared by the temperature programmed reaction (TPR) of WO3 with NH3. All samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen physisorption, CO chemisorption, and elemental analysis. Samples were prepared at different heating rates (β), and a Redhead analysis yielded an activation energy for nitridation of 109 kJ mol−1. A heating rate of 0.016 K s−1 gave optimal synthesis conditions. Solid state intermediates were studied by interrupting the temperature program at various stages. No distinct suboxide phases were found using XRD. The nitridation step was determined to be a continuous transformation from oxide to oxynitride. Surface area, CO uptake, and nitrogen weight % were all found to increase as the reaction progressed. Reactivity experiments showed reasonable hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) and hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) activity, but little hydrogenation (HYD) or hydrodesulfurization (HDS) activity.
Constrained-film sintering of cordierite glass-ceramic on silicon substrate
Authors: Calata Jesus Noel , Matthys Allen , Lu Guo-Quan
Published: March 2008

The densification behavior of cordierite glass-ceramic films constrained on a rigid silicon substrate was studied in the temperature range from 900 °C to 1000 °C. An optical setup was used to obtain the thickness versus time profiles and in-plane stresses of the constrained glass-ceramic during isothermal sintering. The thickness profiles showed a rapid shrinkage due to sintering followed by an expansion corresponding to crystallization of the glass-ceramic. Measurements of in-plane stresses in constrained-sintering films showed a rapidly rising tensile stress during densification followed by a slight drop during crystallization. In films sintered above 950 °C, the tensile stress rose rapidly again near the end of crystallization, suggesting a further densification in a mostly crystallized film. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs of the film cross sections revealed the formation and growth of large pores along the interface between the glass-ceramic and silicon substrate that may have contributed to the observed film expansion. These pores are substantially larger than the initial pore size in the films, indicating that they were formed during sintering. We believe that poor wetting of the glass-ceramic on silicon may have contributed to the formation of the porous structure at the interface.
Photovoltaics characterization: A survey of diagnostic measurements
Authors: Kazmerski Lawrence L.
Published: March 2008

The advancement of the photovoltaic technology is closely linked to the standard evaluation of the product, the diagnosis of problems, the validation of materials and cell properties, and the engineering and documentation of the ensemble of device properties from internal interfaces through power outputs. The focus of this paper is on some of the more common, visible, and important techniques dealing with physical-chemical through electro-optical parameters, which are linked intimately to the performance quality of materials and devices. Two areas, defined by their spatial-resolution qualities, are emphasized: macroscale and microscale measurement technologies. The importance, strengths, and limitations of these techniques are stressed, especially their significance to photovoltaics. Included are several techniques that have been developed specifically to address problems and requirements for photovoltaics. The regime of measurement literally covers arrays through atoms.
Advances in amorphous silicon photovoltaic technology
Authors: Carlson D. E. , Rajan K. , Arya R. R. , Willing F. , Yang L.
Published: March 2008

With the advent of new multijunction thin film solar cells, amorphous silicon photovoltaic technology is undergoing a commercial revival with about 30 megawatts of annual capacity coming on-line in the next year. These new a−Si multijunction modules should exhibit stabilized conversion efficiencies on the order of 8%, and efficiencies over 10% may be obtained in the next several years. The improved performance results from the development of amorphous and microcrystalline silicon alloy films with improved optoelectronic properties and from the development of more efficient device structures. Moreover, the manufacturing costs for these multijunction modules using the new large-scale plants should be on the order of $1 per peak watt. These modules may find widespread use in solar farms, photovoltaic roofing, as well as in traditional remote applications.
Crystalline silicon thin films: A promising approach for photovoltaics?
Authors: Slaoui A. , Monna R. , Poortmans J. , Vermeulen T. , Evrard O. , Said K. , Nijs J.
Published: March 2008

In this paper we review the achievements in the field of silicon crystalline thin film solar cells and correlate these with the different types of growth techniques and substrates. As a starting point we discuss the characteristics of photovoltaic devices based on the use of highly doped monocrystalline substrates as mechanical carriers for the thin films. These films are epitaxially deposited from the gas (CVD) or liquid phase (LPE). The comparison of both techniques is extended to growth on defective silicon substrates, i.e., multicrystalline wafers or silicon ribbons. The intrinsic grain boundary recombination activity in the thin films is assessed as a function of the deposition technique. Bulk passivation by hydrogenation considerably improves the recombination properties. The optimization of the hydrogen passivation conditions is looked at in conjunction with the used surface passivation process. This review is completed with the approaches to realize thin film cells on nonsilicon substrates, including recrystallization in solid and liquid phases.
Electrorheological fluids using bidispersed particles
Authors: Wen Weijia , Tam Wing Yim , Sheng Ping
Published: March 2008

We report very large enhancement of static yield stress for electrorheological fluids by adding ferroelectric nanoparticles of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) or lead titanate (PbTiO3) to ER fluids consisting of 50 μm glass spheres. It is found that the enhancement peaks at certain nanoparticle/microparticle ratios for fixed solid/liquid volume fractions. The results are explained by calculations using an effective medium approach, based on the physical picture that the nanoparticles modify the properties of the liquid and solid components.
Floating zone partial melting and solidification of SmBCO superconductor under low oxygen partial pressure
Authors: Sumida M. , Matsuoka S. , Shiohara Y. , Umeda T.
Published: March 2008

Microstructure control of SmBCO superconductor was carried out using the floating zone partial melting and solidification method under 0.01 atm oxygen partial pressure which is a preferable atmosphere to obtain a crystal with stoichiometric SmBCO. The growth rate, initial composition, and addition of small amount of platinum dependences on the microstructure formations of the (Sm211 + L) mixture during melting and the Sm123 or Sm123/211 during solidification were investigated. Furthermore, superconductive properties of the solidified Sm123/211 were measured by SQUID after appropriate oxygen annealing. Estimated critical current density of the single crystalline Sm123/211 was 3.6 × 104 A/cm at 77 K, 1 T.
Highly adherent diamond coatings deposited onto WC-Co cemented carbides via barrier interlayers
Authors: Lopez J. M. , Babaev V. G. , Khvostov V. V. , Albella J. M.
Published: March 2008

Diamond coatings have been deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PCVD) onto WC-Co cemented carbides by use of specially developed barrier interlayers, well compatible with cemented carbides. The barrier interlayer comprises a Ti-based layer adjacent to the substrate, which completely prevents both substrate decarburization and Co diffusion from the substrate, and a diamond-bonding layer needed to obtain high adhesion to the diamond coating. The diamond-bond layer is obtained by seeding the surface with nanograined diamond particles by laser ablation. Diamond deposition under controlled parameters allows one to obtain fine-grained and uniform diamond coatings. The diamond coating obtained in this way has a high adhesion to the cemented carbide substrate due to the enhanced interaction through the nanograined diamond interlayer.
Porous NiTi alloy prepared from elemental powder sintering
Authors: Li Bing-Yun , Rong Li-Jian , Li Yi-Yi
Published: March 2008

An elemental powder sintering (EPS) technique has been developed for the synthesis of porous NiTi alloy, in which Ni and Ti powders are used as the reactants and TiH2 powder is added as a pore-forming agent and active agent. Effects of various experimental parameters (sintering temperature, sintering time, and TiH2 content) on the porosity, pore size, and pore distribution as well as phase composition in experimental alloys are investigated. It is found that in order to avoid the formation of carcinogenic pure Ni phase, the porous NiTi alloy should be synthesized over a temperature of 1223 K. This gives NiTi as the main phase without any elemental phase. Substitution of Ti by TiH2 is more economic and more favorable to obtain homogeneous porous NiTi alloy. A proper selection of initial powders, ball-milling, pressing, and sintering process makes it possible to achieve the porous NiTi alloy with desired properties.
Young's modulus and tensile strength of CuNi(Mn) thin films on polyimide foils by tensile testing
Authors: Macionczyk F. , Brückner W. , Pitschke W. , Reiss G.
Published: March 2008

Force-strain curves were measured for 1.0 μm and 1.5 μm thick Cu0.57Ni0.42Mn0.01 films on 8 μm thick polyimide foils by tensile testing. By separating the force working on the polyimide foil from that working on the metal-polyimide compound, stress-strain curves for the CuNi(Mn) films were obtained. Young's modulus and tensile strength were determined for as-deposited and annealed [350 °C, 1 h, N2/H2(5 vol%) atmosphere] films by this method. Crack propagation starts at the end of the elastic region at 0.2 to 0.7% strain, depending on the film thickness and the thermal treatment. The cracking behavior is described by a steady-state approximation.
Crystallography and microstructural studies of phase transformations in the Dy2O3 system
Authors: Kim Youn Joong , Kriven Waltraud M.
Published: March 2008

The crystallography, microstructures, and phase transformation mechanisms in dysprosia (Dy2O3) have been studied. The lattice parameters of B and C phases were refined by x-ray diffraction (XRD). The modulated structures and decomposed structures in the CaO-doped samples were characterized by transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM). A new twin was observed in the modulated B phase. Contrary to the previous studies, the B to C transformation was induced by grinding. The A to B transformation was considered to be ferroelastic and the spontaneous strain was calculated. The major driving force for the B (monoclinic) to C (cubic) transformation is suggested to be the release of lattice strains and cation charge repulsions in the B structure, which is analogous to the β (monoclinic) to γ (orthorhombic) transformation in Ca2SiO4. This transformation can be displacive, if some conditions are provided to overcome the bonding energy of the interlayer oxygens in the B structure.
Mechanical properties from instrumented indentation: Uncertainties due to tip-shape correction
Authors: Seitzman L. E.
Published: March 2008

The quality of hardness H and indentation modulus E* measurements from instrumented indentation is investigated. Load-displacement data from glass and sapphire are obtained by Vickers indentation and converted to H and E* through a series of equations, including those for tip-shape correction. The quality of H and E* is determined by calculating the statistical uncertainty at each step and propagating the uncertainty to the next step. Conventional tip-shape corrections, assuming either constant hardness or constant modulus, introduce significant errors in H and E* when single, continuous correction functions are used. Piecewise correction functions are shown to improve the quality of H and E*. This investigation demonstrates the importance of calculating and propagating uncertainty at each step when converting instrumented indentation load-displacement data to mechanical properties.
Effects of Nd2O3 on the microwave dielectric properties of BiNbO4 ceramics
Authors: Choi Whan , Kim Kyung-Yong , Moon Myung-Rip , Bae Kyoo-Sik
Published: March 2008

Effects of Nd substitution with Bi on the microwave dielectric properties of BiNbO4 were studied. Bi1−xNdxNbO4 ceramics sintered at 920–980 °C consisted of orthorhombic and triclinic phases. The amount of triclinic phase increased with the increase in the Nd content, x, and sintering temperature. The apparent density and the dielectric constant decreased with the Nd content, but increased with sintering temperature, reached the peak values at 960 °C and then rapidly decreased. The Q × f0 value was between 11,000 and 13,000 GHz over all sintering temperatures for x < 0.05, but for x ≥ 0.05 it reached the peak value at 950 °C and then rapidly decreased. The temperature coefficient of resonance frequency increased in the positive direction with the Nd content and showed the minimum value of −1.82 ppm/°C for x = 0.025 sintered at 940 °C. However, it rapidly increased in the negative direction for sintering temperature over 960 °C.
Composition tunable memory and threshold switching in Al20AsxTe80−x semiconducting glasses
Authors: Murugavel S. , Asokan S.
Published: March 2008

I-V studies indicate a composition dependent switching behavior (Memory or Threshold) in bulk Al20AsxTe80−x glasses, which is determined by the coordination and composition of aluminum. Investigations on temperature and thickness dependence of switching and structural studies on switched samples suggest thermal and electronic mechanisms of switching for the memory and threshold samples, respectively. The present results also show that these samples have a wider composition range of threshold behavior with lower threshold voltages compared to other threshold samples.
Hydrogen embrittlement of B-doped Ni3Al-based alloy
Authors: Su Jian-Qing , Gao Shu-Jun , Hu Zhuang-Qi
Published: March 2008

Environmental and internal-hydrogen embrittlements in stress-relieved and recrystallized Ni−16.5Al−8Cr−0.8Hf−0.1B−0.03Y (at. %) have been studied. The stress-relieved Ni3Al-based alloy showed environmental embrittlement when tested in air or in hydrogen gas. The embrittlement is more severe in hydrogen gas than that in air. The recrystallized Ni3Al-based alloy was not susceptible to air, but it was embrittled severely by hydrogen gas and exhibited not only a grain interior but a severer grain boundary embrittlement. When tested in air, the stress-relieved Ni3Al was insensitive to internal hydrogen; however, the recrystallized Ni3Al showed a certain susceptibility to internal hydrogen. With increasing the internal hydrogen content in the alloy, the ductility of the recrystallized Ni3Al decreased steadily and a certain degree of grain boundary embrittlement was observed.
Synthesis of ultrafine nickel aluminide particles by the hydrogen reduction of vapor-phase mixtures of NiCl2 and AlCl3
Authors: Sohn H. Y. , PalDey S.
Published: March 2008

Fine particles of nickel aluminides were synthesized for the first time by reducing mixtures of AlCl3 + NiCl2 vapors by hydrogen. A thermodynamic equilibrium calculation was carried out in the Ni–Al–H–Cl–Ar system to evaluate the effect of the reactant partial pressures and temperature on the formation of intermetallic phases. A single intermetallic phase was found to be feasible only in a very narrow range of the reactant partial pressures. For all other conditions the predicted solid product was a mixture of two phases. Experimentally, Ni3Al was formed along with metallic Ni. Though the coreduction of NiCl2 and AlCl3 by H2 to form Ni3Al is thermodynamically favorable at 1100 °C, it did not happen experimentally under the conditions of this work. However, with a small addition of aluminum vapor, the coreduction reaction proceeded as expected by thermodynamics. The effects of reactant partial pressures and temperature were studied. The content of Ni3Al was maximized to 52 mol% at 1050 °C under the partial pressures of H2, AlCl3, and NiCl2 at 57, 1.5, and 0.5 kPa, respectively. The product particles, as observed by TEM, were very fine, but usually agglomerated. The electron diffraction analysis identified the particles of NiAl and NiAl3 along with Ni3Al and metallic Ni.
Electromechanical study of carbon fiber composites
Authors: Wang Xiaojun , Fu Xuli , Chung D. D. L.
Published: March 2008

Electromechanical testing involving simultaneous electrical and mechanical measurements under load was used to study the fiber-matrix interface, the fiber residual compressive stress, and the degree of marcelling (fiber waviness) in carbon fiber composites. The interface study involved single fiber pull-out testing while the fiber-matrix contact electrical resistivity was measured. The residual stress study involved measuring the electrical resistance of a single fiber embedded in the matrix while the fiber was subjected to tension through its exposed ends. The marcelling study involved measuring the electrical resistance of a composite in the through-thickness direction while tension within the elastic regime was applied in the fiber direction.
Effect of volume fraction of dispersed SiO2 particles on intermediate-temperature embrittlement in Cu–SiO2 polycrystals
Authors: Miura Hiromi , Sakai Taku , Gottstein Günter
Published: March 2008

Several kinds of Cu polycrystals with dispersed SiO2 particles of different volume fractions were tensile tested at high temperatures from 473 K to 1023 K. All of the alloys showed clear intermediate-temperature embrittlement (ITE). Although the temperature of minimum elongation was almost the same in all the alloys, temperature dependence of fracture strain depended strongly on the SiO2 volume fraction: (1) At a fixed temperature, the fracture strain tended to first decrease with increase in SiO2 volume fraction, showed minimum in an alloy with certain volume fraction, and increased again with increase in volume fraction. (2) With increase in SiO2 volume fraction, the temperature range of ITE became narrower and sharper. These results were reasonably understood by considering the occurrence of stress concentration at grain-boundary particles induced by grain-boundary sliding (GBS) and occurrence of dynamic recrystallization and stress relaxation by Cu/SiO2 interfacial diffusion.
Growth structure of yttria-stabilized-zirconia films during off-normal ion-beam-assisted deposition
Authors: Iijima Y. , Hosaka M. , Tanabe N. , Sadakata N. , Saitoh T. , Kohno O. , Takeda K.
Published: March 2008

Biaxially aligned YSZ thin films with strong [100] fiber texture were formed on a polycrystalline Ni-based alloy by off-normal ion-beam-assisted deposition. Growth structures were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), etc., and the alignment mechanism was discussed using a selective growth model. Peculiar structural evolution of the crystalline orientation was observed and its development was well described by an exponential equation. It was explained as a collaboration of an anisotropic growth condition and epitaxial crystallization. The [100] fiber texture was formed by columnar structures of diameter of 30–100 nm, which were composed of 5–10 nm diameter crystallites. Very smooth surfaces were observed by AFM imaging with a roughness of 2–3 nm and a peculiar ripple structure. The origin of the azimuthal alignment was discussed with emphasis on the surface structure of YSZ films produced using ion-beam-assisted deposition (IBAD) and the etching rate measurements of (100) surfaces of YSZ single crystals.
Diamond growth by hollow cathode arc plasma chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Liang Gou-Tsau , Hong Franklin Chau-Nan
Published: March 2008

Hollow cathode arc plasma chemical vapor deposition was employed to grow crystalline diamond films using 1.5% to 7% of methane in hydrogen. The growth rate was as high as 3.2 μ/h when using 5% CH4/H2 at a pressure of 15 Torr and a substrate temperature of 1083 K. However, an intermediate layer of several hundred nanometers was observed at the film-substrate interface by cross-section SEM. Raman and XPS characterizations showed that the interfacial layer consisted of sp2 carbon and TaC with Ta vaporized from the hot cathode tube. XRD and XPS results further showed that the deposited diamond films also contained TaC. Ta composition in the film increased with the increase of growth pressure, the reduction of substrate temperature, and the increase of H2 flow in the Ta tube. The diamond films deposited by using CHCl3 as carbon source had Ta concentrations one order of magnitude higher than those using CH4, as shown by XPS results, but the nucleation densities using CHCl3 were always higher than those using CH4.
Synthesis of BaAl2Si2O8from solid Ba–Al–Al2O3–SiO2precursors: Part III. The structure of BaAl2Si2O8formed by annealing at ≤650 °C and at 1650 °C
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Dong , Sandhage Kenneth H. , Fraser Hamish L.
Published: March 2008

Analytical TEM and HREM have been used to examine the structure of BaAl2Si2O8crystals produced within oxidized Ba–Al–Al2O3–SiO2precursors upon annealing: (i) at ≤650 °C and (ii) up to 1650 °C. A BaAl2Si2O8polymorph with ac-axis parameter of 15.6 Å was detected after annealing at ≤650 °C. Stacking faults and antiphase boundaries were detected within this polymorph after the 650 °C treatment. After a 15 h heat treatment at 1650 °C, convergent beam diffraction patterns and HREM confirmed that the predominant phase wasβ–hexacelsian. Although antiphase boundaries were absent in theβ–hexacelsian crystals, dislocations and stacking faults were detected after the 1650 °C anneal. The generation of defects in BaAl2Si2O8crystals within specimens annealed at ≤650 °C and at 1650 °C is discussed in light of prior structural analyses.
Synthesis of sinteractive single-phase microstructure yttrium disilicate precursor powder using hydrothermal processing
Authors: Trusty P. A. , Chan K. C. , Ponton C. B.
Published: March 2008

This paper is the first report of the synthesis of a sinteractive single-phase microstructure yttrium disilicate precursor powder using hydrothermal processing. The effect of the pH of the precursor chemicals on the ease of formation of a single-phase material was investigated using x-ray diffraction, TEM, and SEM. Under very acidic conditions (pH 1), the formation of yttrium chloride, in addition to the yttrium disilicate precursors, produced a powder that absorbed moisture, did not sinter well, and produced a two-phase interpenetrating microstructure after sintering. At pH 6, yttrium chloride no longer formed, but the interpenetrating network persisted after sintering. Only under basic conditions (pH 10) did single-phase yttrium disilicate form after sintering. This work is noteworthy because the calcination time of 1 h required for the formation of this ceramic at 1050 °C is over an order of magnitude lower than the calcination times of over 100 h required when calcined in the temperature range 900 °C to 1150 °C, as reported previously by other workers.
Growth mechanism of biaxially textured YSZ films deposited by ion-beam-assisted deposition
Authors: Wiesmann J. , Dzick J. , Hoffmann J. , Heinemann K. , Freyhardt H. C.
Published: March 2008

Biaxially textured YSZ films have a large technical relevance for power or electronic applications of HTS films. The YSZ serves as a diffusion barrier and as a template for an epitaxial growth of the HTS. On polycrystalline substrates the biaxial alignment is achieved by using an ion-beam-assisted deposition method. The best obtained textures were characterized by a full width at half maximum of 7° in an 〈111〉 x-ray diffraction Φ scan. The FWHM decreases with increasing film thickness. The growth mechanism is investigated with respect to three important effects: nucleation, growth selection, and homoepitaxial growth. It could be shown that during nucleation at the beginning of deposition the angle between the assisting beam and the substrate normal has to be fixed at 55°, whereas during the growth selection this angle can be varied. Especially the homoepitaxial effects allow changes in the deposition conditions without destroying the already achieved texture quality.
Enhanced solid-state reaction kinetics of shock-compressed titanium and carbon powder mixtures
Authors: Lee Jong-Heon , Thadhani Naresh N.
Published: March 2008

The effect of shock compression on the solid-state chemical reactivity of titanium and carbon powder mixtures was investigated with the objective of forming net-shaped TiC ceramics with a fine-grain microstructure. The combination of defect states and intimate interparticle contacts introduced during shock compression results in significant enhancement of the otherwise sluggish solid-state diffusion of Ti and C through the TiCx boundary layer. The apparent activation energy for TiCx formation was determined using solid-state reaction kinetics models, and was found to be reduced by four-to-six times that of diffusion of Ti into TiCx and two-to-three times that of diffusion of C in TiCx. As a result, net-shaped sections of shock-densified compacts (˜85% dense) were reaction synthesized via solid-state diffusion, producing microstructures with grain size <6 μm and microhardness of ˜2000 kg/mm2, in contrast to statically pressed powder compacts which reacted by a combustion process resulting in a highly porous product.
Microinstruments for submicron material studies
Authors: Saif M. T. A. , MacDonald N. C.
Published: March 2008

We present two microinstruments for submicron scale material characterization. One of the instruments applies torsion on two single crystal silicon bars with square cross sections,1 and 2.25 μm2, until fracture. The maximum shear stress prior to fracture is found tobe 5.6 and 2.6 GPa, respectively. The second instrument applies tension on a composite (aluminum-silicon dioxide) beam, 1 × 1.5 μm2 in cross section. The beam fails at 220 μN.In both the experiments, the samples are designed, patterned, and cofabricated with the instruments. The microinstruments' small size, low thermal mass, vacuum compatibility, and built-in vibration isolation allow material characterization to be performed over a wide range of environmental conditions: high vacuum (electron microscopy and surface analysis), high humidity, high pressure, and high and low temperatures.
Surface analysis of a heat-treated, Al-containing, iron-based superalloy
Authors: López M. F. , Gutiéerrez A. , García-Alonso M. C. , Escudero M. L.
Published: March 2008

The surface composition of MA 956 superalloy both as-received and after four exposure times at 1100 °C has been investigated by energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry (EDX) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The passive layer of the as-received sample is mainly formed by Cr- and Fe-oxides. Heat treatment leads to the formation of an alumina layer on which small nodules grow. XPS spectra evidence the presence of titanium and yttrium oxides at the surface of the heat-treated samples, suggesting Y and Ti outward diffusion through the alumina layer. Iron and chromium oxides at the topmost surface layers are observed only for short heat-treatment times.
The effect of oxygen partial pressure during cooling on lead zirconate titanate thin film growth by using rf magnetron sputtering method
Authors: Kim Dong Joo , Kim Tae Song , Lee Jeon Kook , Jung Hyung Jin
Published: March 2008

The lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin film was deposited on platinized silicon wafer substrate by the rf magnetron sputtering method. In order to investigate the effect of cooling ambient, oxygen partial pressure was controlled during cooling PZT films. The PZT films cooled at lower oxygen partial pressure had perovskite phase and pyrochlore phase in both as-grown and postannealed films, but in the PZT films cooled at higher oxygen partial pressure, pyrochlore phases were not detected by XRD. As the oxygen partial pressure became lower during cooling, the capacitors had low values of remanent polarization and coercive field for as-grown films. The PZT capacitor with such a low value was recovered by postannealing in air, but its electrical properties had the same tendency before and after annealing. Microstructure was also affected by cooling ambient. Higher oxygen partial pressure on cooling reduced the number of very fine grains, and enhanced uniform grain distribution. Fatigue characteristics were also enhanced by cooling at higher oxygen partial pressure. However, the imprint was negligible irrespective of oxygen partial pressure upon cooling. The cooling procedure at higher oxygen ambients is believed to reduce the amounts of nonferroelectric second phases and oxygen vacancies. We find that oxygen partial pressure during cooling is a considerable process parameter. Therefore, care should be taken in treating the parameter after depositing films.
Grain boundary structure in TiO2-excess barium titanate
Authors: Yamamoto Takahisa , Ikuhara Yuichi , Hayashi Katsuro , Sakuma Taketo
Published: March 2008

Grain boundary structure was examined in 0.1 mol% TiO2-excess BaTiO3 by high-resolution electron microscopy (HRTEM) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). Their grain boundaries were mostly faceted with {210} type habit. The faceted boundaries were characterized to be associated with an extra Ti–O2 bond with the rutile-like structure. The grain growth behavior in a small TiO2-excess BaTiO3 is discussed from the viewpoint of grain boundary structure.
Effect of sintering additive composition on the thermal conductivity of silicon nitride
Authors: Okamoto Y. , Hirosaki N. , Ando M. , Munakata F. , Akimune Y
Published: March 2008

The thermal conductivity of silicon nitride prepared with varying sintering additive compositions was studied. Samples of Si3N4 + 0.5 mol% Y2O3 + 0.5 mol% Nd2O3 and a further additional agent were gas pressure sintered at 2173 K. MgO or Al2O3 was employed as the additional agent. While both agents improved sinterability, the former promoted grain growth and the latter suppressed it. Thermal conductivity increased with increasing MgO content, and a maximum value of 128 Wm-1 K-1 was attained when 2 mol% MgO was added. In contrast, addition of Al2O3 degrades thermal conductivity. This is probably due to the suppression of grain growth and the dissolution of Al2O3 into Si3N4 grains.
Mechanochemical reactions in the system FeTiO3–Si
Authors: Chen Ying , Williams J. S.
Published: March 2008

Mechanochemical reactions in the system FeTiO3 –Si have been investigated as functions of the powder composition and milling conditions, using x-ray diffraction and thermal analyses. Reduction reactions of FeTiO3 by Si were observed during room-temperature milling with the formation of α–Fe, amorphous SiOx, nanocrystalline TiO2, or intermetallic compounds, depending on the Si content. The mechanochemical reaction process consists of a mechanical activation stage and a reaction stage. Higher milling intensity leads to a shorter activation step and a higher reaction rate.
Crystal structure and dielectric property of epitaxially grown (Ba, Sr)TiO3 thin film prepared by molecular chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Funakubo Hiroshi , Takeshima Yutaka , Nagano Daisuke , Shinozaki Kazuo , Mizutani Nobuyasu
Published: March 2008

Epitaxially grown (Ba, Sr)TiO3 thin films were prepared on (100)MgO and (100)Pt ║ (100)MgO substrates by molecular chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The lattice parameter increased with increasing Ba/(Ba + Sr) ratio in the film and was higher than the reported value for bulk (Ba, Sr)TiO3. The dielectric constant at room temperature reached the maximum value at a lower Ba/(Ba + Sr) ratio compared to the reported one for bulk (Ba, Sr)TiO3. The temperature showing the maximum dielectric constant was higher than the reported value for bulk (Ba, Sr)TiO3. These results can be explained by the compressive stress applied to the film under the cooling process after the deposition.
A transmission electron microscopy investigation of SiC films grown on Si(111) substrates by solid-source molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Kaiser U. , Newcomb S. B. , Stobbs W. M. , Adamik M. , Fissel A. , Richter W.
Published: March 2008

The effects of different growth parameters on the microstructure of the SiC films formed during simultaneous two-source molecular-beam-epitaxial (MBE) deposition have been investigated. Substrate temperatures as low as 750–900 °C have been used. The relationship between a number of different growth morphologies and deposition conditions has been established. The formation of single-crystal 3C films has been found to occur at low growth rates but within a limited Si: C adatom ratio. A combination of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to examine the different films, and the results of these investigations are described.
Preparation of conducting film composed of polyaniline and metal oxide by sol-gel method
Authors: Hori Takuya , Kuramoto Noriyuki , Tagaya Hideyuki , Karasu Masa , Kadokawa Jun-ichi , Chiba Koji
Published: March 2008

Conducting thin films were prepared by entrapping water-suspended polyaniline into a silica matrix by a sol-gel route. Without metal oxide, the conductivity of the film decreased after heat treatment. However, in the presence of metal oxides such as TiO2 and Al2O3, the conductivity increased after heat treatment at 85 °C and reached 17 Scm−1 The conductivity of the film depended on the kinds and amounts of metal oxides and the temperature of heat treatment.
A high specific strength, deformation-processed scandium-titanium composite
Authors: Russell A. M. , Tian Y. , Rose J. D. , Ellis T. W. , Chumbley L. S.
Published: March 2008

A 59% Sc–41% Ti deformation-processed metal-metal composite was produced by rolling to a true strain of 2.3 at 873 K followed by cold rolling to a total true strain of 3.6. Rolling reduced the original eutectoid microstructure to lamellae of α–Sc and α–Ti with average lamellar thicknesses of 150 nm (Sc) and 120 nm (Ti). The cold-rolled
material had an ultimate tensile strength of 942 MPa and a specific strength of 259 J/g. The Sc matrix was oriented with the 〈0001〉 tilted 22° from the sheet normal direction toward the rolling direction, an unusual texture for an HCP metal with a low c/a ratio, which suggests Sc may deform primarily by basal slip.
Expedient route to volatile zirconium metal-organic chemical vapor deposition precursors using amide synthons and implementation in yttria-stabilized zirconia film growth
Authors: Belot John A. , McNeely Richard J. , Wang Anchuan , Reedy Charles J. , Marks Tobin J. , Yap Glenn P. A. , Rheingold Arnold L.
Published: March 2008

This communication reports rapid, efficient syntheses of the zirconium-organic metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) precursors Zr(acac)4 and Zr(dpm)4 (acac = acetylacetonate; dpm = dipivaloylmethanate) as well as a new, highly volatile, air- and moisture-stable Zr precursor based on a tetradentate Schiff-base ligand, Zr(tfacen)2 (tfacen = bis-trifluoroacetylacetone-ethylenediiminate). The improved one-step synthetic routes employ tetrakis(dimethylamido)zirconium as a common intermediate and represent a major advance over previous methods employing ZrCl4 or diketonate metathesis. Furthermore, Zr(tfacen)2 is shown to be an effective metal-organic precursor for the MOCVD-mediated growth of (100) oriented yttria-stabilized zirconia thin films.
Investigation of crystal growth on (111) InSb thin films to produce high performance Hall elements
Authors: Fukunaka Toshiaki , Matsui Takek , Matsuno Shin-ya
Published: March 2008

The crystal growth of InSb thin films on mica substrates was investigated by conventional three temperature vacuum evaporation with varied Sb/In flux ratios and temperature programming for the substrate. The Sb/In flux ratio was varied from higher than 1.0 (about 2.0 is optimum), to less than 1.0 (about 0.7 is optimum), to again much higher than 1.0 during the stages of evaporation. The electromagnetic characteristics were investigated and x-ray analysis of the films at various stages was undertaken. The films obtained contained no excess In and they were (111) highly oriented in x-ray analysis, showing high electron mobility. These films were used to prepare high performance Hall elements.
Annealing effects on phase transformation and powder microstructure of nanocrystalline zirconia polymorphs
Authors: Ramamoorthy R. , Ramasamy S. , Sundararaman D.
Published: March 2008

Nanocrystalline zirconia powders in pure form and doped with yttria and calcia were prepared by the precipitation method. In the as-prepared condition, all the doped samples show only monoclinic phase, independent of the dopants and dopant concentration. On annealing the powders at 400 °C and above, in the case of 3 and 6 mol% Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2 (3YSZ and 6YSZ), the monoclinic phase transforms to tetragonal and cubic phases, respectively, whereas in 3 and 6 mol% CaO stabilized ZrO2 (3CSZ and 6CSZ), the volume percentage of the monoclinic phase gradually decreases up to the annealing temperature of about 1000 °C and then increases for higher annealing temperatures. The presence of monoclinic phase in the as-prepared samples of doped zirconia has been attributed to the lattice strain effect which results in the less symmetric lattice. For the annealing temperatures below 1000 °C, the phenomenon of partial stabilization of the tetragonal phase in 3CSZ and 6CSZ can be explained in terms of the grain size effect. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) observations reveal the lattice strain structure in the as-prepared materials. The particles are found to be a tightly bound aggregate of small crystallites with average size of 10 nm. The morphology of the particles is observed to be dependent on the dopants and dopant concentration.
Grain boundary effects in NTC-PTC composite thermistor materials
Authors: Wang D. J. , Qiu J. , Guo Y. C. , Gui Z. L. , Li L. T.
Published: March 2008

Yttrium-doped (Sr0.45Pb0.55)TiO3 ceramics have been studied by complex impedance analysis. As a sort of NTC-PTC composite thermistor, it exhibited a significantly large negative temperature coefficient of resistivity below Tc in addition to the ordinary PTC characteristics above Tc. It is found that the NTC effect in NTC-PTC materials was not originated from the deep energy level of donor (bulk behavior), but from the electrical behavior of the grain boundary. Therefore, the NTC-PTC composite effect was assumed to be a grain boundary effect, and yttrium was a donor at shallow energy level. The NTC-PTC ceramics were grain boundary controlled materials.
Effect of the species of substituted ion on ferroelastic domain switching of rare-earth ion-doped ZrO2 pseudo-single crystals
Authors: Kiguchi Takanori , Saiki Atsushi , Shinozaki Kazuo , Mizutani Nobuyasu
Published: March 2008

The difference of domain switching amount of 3 mol% R2O3−ZrO2 (R = Yb, Y, Dy, Gd, Eu, Sm) pseudo-single crystals with additive cation species was investigated from the microstructural aspect. The switching amount of Yb, Y, Dy, and Gd substituted ZrO2 was three times higher than that of Eu and Sm. The amount corresponded to the volume fraction of the t′-phase, and it indicated that phase separation proceeded, especially in Eu and Sm substituted ZrO2.
Determination of creep behavior of thermal barrier coatings under laser imposed high thermal and stress gradient conditions
Authors: Zhu Dongming , Miller Robert A.
Published: March 2008

A laser sintering/creep technique has been established to determine the creep behavior of thermal barrier coatings under steady-state high heat flux conditions. For a plasma sprayed zirconia–8 wt.% yttria coating, a significant primary creep strain and a low apparent creep activation energy were observed. Possible creep mechanisms involved include stress induced mechanical sliding and temperature and stress enhanced cation diffusion through the splat and grain boundaries. The elastic modulus evolution, stress response, and total accumulated creep strain variation across the ceramic coating are simulated using a finite difference approach. The modeled creep response is consistent with experimental observations.