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At least 1,531 records · Page 85

Coupling computational thermodynamics with density-function-theory based calculations to design L12 precipitates in Fe Ni based alloys

Achieving a high-volume fraction of thermodynamically stable L12-type precipitates that are resistant to coarsening is of great importance for the development of low-cost FeNi based austenitic steels. With the aid of computational thermodynamics, this work designed two model alloys: Fe-37.4Ni-6.1Al-2.9Ti (FNAT) and Fe-45.2Ni-5.9Al-8.5Si (FNAS). Both alloys were designed to contain a similar amount of L1 2 precipitate in Fe-Ni matrix without forming other precipitates. Density-Function-Theory (DFT) calculation was coupled with computational thermodynamics to predict the critical radius at which the precipitates change shape from spherical to cuboidal. The calculation results suggest that critical radius for the FNAT alloy is about two orders of magnitude larger than that for the FeNiAlSi alloy. Phase stability and morphology of the L1 2 precipitates in these two alloys were experimentally investigated through X-ray diffraction, atom probe tomography, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The L1 2 precipitates in the FeNiAlSi system were found to be cuboidal and rod shaped, with much larger size than the spherical ones in the FeNiAlTi system, agreeing with the calculation results. This work suggested that coupling computational thermodynamics with DFT calculations can be reliably used to design L1 2 precipitates in FeNi based alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Analysis of correlations between intrinsic ductility and electronic density of states in refractory alloys

High entropy alloys (HEAs) correspond to a new and emerging class of materials that allows us to explore a large composition space to tune mechanical strength and thermal stability. Therefore, to design better alloys, it is important to scan the high-dimensional space of chemistry, composition and temperature. Here, to facilitate this search, we present a method to screen intrinsically ductile body centered cubic (BCC) refractory alloys from electronic structure calculations by using the density of states (DOS) at the Fermi level, g(μ F ). This correlation between intrinsic ductility and g(μ F ) is tested by analyzing group V (V, Nb, Ta) and VI (Mo, W) refractory metals, binary alloys, such as W-Nb, W-V, Mo-Nb and Mo-V, and refractory alloys for which experimental stress-strain measurements are available. In addition, we perform a high-throughput exploration of the entire composition space of a recently proposed alloy system, CrMoNbV, and identify compositions that exhibit high intrinsic ductility.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Type-II superconductivity at 9K in Pb–Bi alloy

In the present work, we report the synthesis of Pb–Bi alloy with enhanced Tc of up to 9K, which is higher than that of Pb. The alloy is synthesized via a solid-state reaction route in the vacuum-encapsulated quartz tube at 700°C in an automated furnace. The synthesized sample is characterized by X-ray Diffraction(XRD) and Energy dispersive X-ray analysis(EDAX) for its phase purity and elemental composition. Rietveld refinement of XRD reveals that the end product is a majority hexagonal Pb 7 Bi 3 , with minor rhombohedral Bi. The electronic transport measurement shows metallic behavior with the Debye temperature of 108K and a superconductivity transition temperature (T c ) below 9K, which is the maximum to date for any reported Pb–Bi alloy, Pb or Bi at ambient pressure. Partial substitution of Bi at the Pb site may modify the free density of electronic states within the BCS model to attain the optimum T c , which is higher by around 2K from the reported T c of Pb. The superconductor phase diagram derived from magneto-transport measurements reveals that the synthesized alloy is a conventional superconductor with an upper critical field (H c2 ) of 3.9 T, which lies well within the Pauli paramagnetic limit. The magnetization measurements carried out following ZFC(Zero Field Cool) protocols infer that the synthesized alloy is a bulk superconductor below 9K. The isothermal M-H(Magnetization vs. Field) measurements performed below T c establish it as a type-II superconductor. Furthermore, the specific heat capacity measurements show that the Pb–Bi alloy is a strongly coupled bulk superconductor below around 9K with possibly two superconducting gaps.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Effects of Chlorine in Ash on the Corrosion Performance of Ni-Based Alloys in a Simulated Oxy-Fuel Environment

Coal ash can severely attack alloy materials at high temperature. To understand coal ash corrosion, a critical study is needed to determine the effect of the elements in ash on corrosion and find an approach to reduce the corrosion rates in an ash environment at high temperature. Chlorine is a harmful element in coal. The role of chlorine in ash corrosion is investigated in simulated oxy-fuel environments. Long time tests up to 3000 hours were performed on various structural alloys at 750°C. Detailed results are presented on weight change, scale thickness, internal penetration, microstructural characteristics of corrosion products, and the cracking of scales for the alloys after exposure at 750°C for 3000h. In addition, we performed synchrotron nanobeam Furthermore X-ray analysis to study the phase and chemical composition of the oxide layers on the alloy surface. Results from these studies are used to address the role of chlorine in ash in the long-term corrosion performance of alloys. Nanobeam X-ray and SEM analyses indicate that chlorine can modify the diffusion mechanism near alloy surface, and increase corrosion rate.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

Preparation, Structure, and Surface Chemistry of Ni–Au Single Atom Alloys

Ni/Au is an alloy combination that while, immiscible in the bulk, exhibits a rich array of surface geometries that may offer improved catalytic properties. It has been demonstrated that the addition of small amounts of Au to Ni tempers its reactivity and reduces coking during the steam reforming of methane. Herein, we report the first successful preparation of dilute Ni–Au alloys (up to 0.04 ML) in which small amounts of Ni are deposited on, and alloyed into, Au(111) using physical vapor deposition. We find that the surface structure can be tuned during deposition via control of the substrate temperature. By adjusting the surface temperature in the 300–650 K range, we are able to produce first Ni islands, then mixtures of Ni islands and Ni–Au surface alloys, and finally, when above 550 K, predominantly island-free Ni–Au single atom alloys (SAAs). Low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) combined with density functional theory calculations confirm that the Ni–Au SAAs formed at high temperature correspond to Ni atoms exchanged with surface Au atoms. Ni–Au SAAs form preferentially at the elbow regions of the Au(111) herringbone reconstruction, but at high coverage also appear over the whole surface. To investigate the adsorption properties of Ni–Au SAAs, we studied the adsorption and desorption of CO using STM which allowed us to determine at which atomic sites the CO adsorbs on these heterogeneous alloys. We find that small amounts of Ni in the form of single atoms increases the reactivity of the substrate by creating single Ni sites in the Au surface to which CO binds significantly more strongly than Au. These results serve as a guide in the design of surface architectures that combine Au’s weak binding and selective chemistry with localized, strong binding Ni atom sites that serve to increase reactivity.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Computational Study of Short-Pulse Laser-Induced Generation of Crystal Defects in Ni-Based Single-Phase Binary Solid–Solution Alloys

Single-phase concentrated solid–solution alloys exhibit enhanced mechanical characteristics and radiation damage resistance, making them promising candidate materials for applications involving an exposure to rapid localized energy deposition. We use large-scale atomistic modeling to investigate the mechanisms of the generation of vacancies, dislocations, stacking faults, and twin boundaries in Ni, Ni 50 Fe 50 , Ni 80 Fe 20 , and Ni 80 Cr 20 targets irradiated by short laser pulses in the regime of melting and resolidification. The decrease in the thermal conductivity and strengthening of the electron–phonon coupling due to the intrinsic chemical disorder in the solid-solution alloys are found to have important implications on localization of the energy deposition and generation of thermoelastic stresses. The interaction of the laser-induced stress waves with the melting front is found to play a key role in roughening of the crystal–liquid interface and generation of dislocations upon the solidification. A common feature revealed in the structural analysis of all irradiated targets is the presence of high vacancy concentrations exceeding the equilibrium values at the melting temperature by about an order of magnitude. On the basis of the results of molecular dynamics simulations of solidification occurring at fixed levels of undercooling, the generation of vacancies is correlated with the velocity of the solidification front, and the processes responsible for creating the strong vacancy supersaturation are revealed. The suppression of the vacancy generation in the solid–solution alloys is also revealed and related to combined effect of enhanced vacancy mobility and higher energy of the vacancy formation in the alloy systems. The analysis of the first atomic shells surrounding the vacancy sites in Ni–Fe alloys uncovers the preference for the vacancy sites to be surrounded by Fe atoms and suggests that atomic-scale chemical heterogeneities may play an important role in defining the behavior and properties of the single-phase concentrated solid-solution alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Heterovalent B-Site Co-Alloying Approach for Halide Perovskite Bandgap Engineering

Compositional engineering, which can enrich the database of prospective materials and offer new or enhanced properties, represents one of the key focal points within halide perovskite research. Compositional engineering studies often focus on A + and X – site substitutions, within the ABX 3 perovskite structure, due to the relative ease of varying these sites. However, alloying on the B site can play a more important role in generating novel properties and decreasing Pb toxicity for Pb-based systems. To date, B site substitution has primarily been confined to single-element alloying. Herein, a heterovalent co-alloying strategy for the B site of halide perovskites is proposed. Ag I Bi III and Ag I Sb III are co-alloyed into a host crystal of APbBr 3 (A = Cs and methylammonium), leading to a larger range of prospective alloying elements on the perovskite B site. Furthermore, density functional theory-based first-principles calculations provide a possible rational for the red shift of the bandgap and blue shift of the photoluminescence (PL) in the alloying experiments.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Alloying–realloying enabled high durability for Pt–Pd-3d-transition metal nanoparticle fuel cell catalysts

Abstract Alloying noble metals with non-noble metals enables high activity while reducing the cost of electrocatalysts in fuel cells. However, under fuel cell operating conditions, state-of-the-art oxygen reduction reaction alloy catalysts either feature high atomic percentages of noble metals (>70%) with limited durability or show poor durability when lower percentages of noble metals (<50%) are used. Here, we demonstrate a highly-durable alloy catalyst derived by alloying PtPd (<50%) with 3d-transition metals (Cu, Ni or Co) in ternary compositions. The origin of the high durability is probed by in-situ/operando high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction coupled with pair distribution function analysis of atomic phase structures and strains, revealing an important role of realloying in the compressively-strained single-phase alloy state despite the occurrence of dealloying. The implication of the finding, a striking departure from previous perceptions of phase-segregated noble metal skin or complete dealloying of non-noble metals, is the fulfilling of the promise of alloy catalysts for mass commercialization of fuel cells.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Design of high-strength refractory complex solid-solution alloys

Nickel-based superalloys and near-equiatomic high-entropy alloys containing molybdenum are known for higher temperature strength and corrosion resistance. Yet, complex solid-solution alloys offer a huge design space to tune for optimal properties at slightly reduced entropy. For refractory Mo-W-Ta-Ti-Zr, we showcase KKR electronic structure methods via the coherent-potential approximation to identify alloys over five-dimensional design space with improved mechanical properties and necessary global (formation enthalpy) and local (short-range order) stability. Deformation is modeled with classical molecular dynamic simulations, validated from our first-principle data. We predict complex solid-solution alloys of improved stability with greatly enhanced modulus of elasticity (3× at 300 K) over near-equiatomic cases, as validated experimentally, and with higher moduli above 500 K over commercial alloys (2.3× at 2000 K). We also show that optimal complex solid-solution alloys are not described well by classical potentials due to critical electronic effects.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Tunable chemical complexity to control atomic diffusion in alloys

Abstract In this paper we report a new fundamental understanding of chemically-biased diffusion in Ni–Fe random alloys that is tuned/controlled by the intrinsic quantifiable chemical complexity. Development of radiation-tolerant alloys has been a long-standing challenge. Here we show how intrinsic chemical complexity can be utilized to guide the atomic diffusion and suppress radiation damage. The influence of chemical complexity is shown by the example of interstitial atom (IA) diffusion that is the most important defect in radiation effects. We use μs-scale molecular dynamics to reveal sluggish diffusion and percolation of IAs in concentrated Ni–Fe alloys. We develop a mean field diffusion model to take into account the effect of migrating defect energy properties on diffusion percolation, which is verified by a new kinetic Monte Carlo approach addressing detailed processes. We demonstrate that the local variations in the ground state energy of IA configurations in alloys, reflecting the chemical difference between alloying components, drives the percolation effects for atomic diffusion. Percolation, chemically-biased and sluggish diffusion are phenomena that are directly related to the chemical complexity intrinsically to multicomponent alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Active learning of ternary alloy structures and energies

Abstract Machine learning models with uncertainty quantification have recently emerged as attractive tools to accelerate the navigation of catalyst design spaces in a data-efficient manner. Here, we combine active learning with a dropout graph convolutional network (dGCN) as a surrogate model to explore the complex materials space of high-entropy alloys (HEAs). We train the dGCN on the formation energies of disordered binary alloy structures in the Pd-Pt-Sn ternary alloy system and improve predictions on ternary structures by performing reduced optimization of the formation free energy, the target property that determines HEA stability, over ensembles of ternary structures constructed based on two coordinate systems: (a) a physics-informed ternary composition space, and (b) data-driven coordinates discovered by the Diffusion Maps manifold learning scheme. Both reduced optimization techniques improve predictions of the formation free energy in the ternary alloy space with a significantly reduced number of DFT calculations compared to a high-fidelity model. The physics-based scheme converges to the target property in a manner akin to a depth-first strategy, whereas the data-driven scheme appears more akin to a breadth-first approach. Both sampling schemes, coupled with our acquisition function, successfully exploit a database of DFT-calculated binary alloy structures and energies, augmented with a relatively small number of ternary alloy calculations, to identify stable ternary HEA compositions and structures. This generalized framework can be extended to incorporate more complex bulk and surface structural motifs, and the results demonstrate that significant dimensionality reduction is possible in thermodynamic sampling problems when suitable active learning schemes are employed.

Chemistry↗

Computational alchemy clarifies origins of alloy strengthening

Solid solution strengthening (SSS) is widely used to enhance mechanical properties of metals. Originally developed for dilute alloys, classical SSS theories are presently challenged by the rise of complex concentrated alloys (CCA) with nearly equiatomic compositions. Here, we propose and develop a method of “computational alchemy” in which interatomic interactions are modified to systematically vary two key physical parameters defining SSS - atomic size misfit and elastic stiffness misfit - over a maximally wide range of two misfits. The resulting alchemical alloys are subjected to massive (~10 8 atoms) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations reproducing full complexity of plastic strength response. At variance with prevailing views, stiffness misfit is observed to contribute to SSS on par if not more than size misfit. Furthermore, depending on exactly how two misfits are combined, they result in synergistic (amplification) or antagonistic (compensation) effect on alloy strengthening. Unlike real CCAs in which each component element comes with its own specific size and stiffness, our alchemical model alloys span the space of two misfits continuously revealing trends in alloy strengthening unrecognized so far. Our study demonstrates unique value of intentionally unrealistic models for gaining deep physical insights into material behaviors that are difficult to reveal otherwise.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

In situ hydrogenation and decarboxylation of oleic acid into heptadecane over a Cu–Ni alloy catalyst using methanol as a hydrogen carrier

In this paper, supported Cu–Ni bimetallic catalysts were synthesized and evaluated for the in situ hydrogenation and decarboxylation of oleic acid using methanol as a hydrogen donor. The supported Cu–Ni alloy exhibited a significant improvement in both activity and selectivity towards the production of heptadecane in comparison with monometallic Cu and Ni based catalysts. The formation of the Cu–Ni alloy is demonstrated by high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HADDF-STEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS-mapping), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and temperature programmed reduction (TPR). A partially oxidized Cu in the Cu–Ni alloy is revealed by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) following CO adsorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The temperature programmed desorption of ethylene and propane (ethylene/propane-TPD) suggested that the formation of the Cu–Ni alloy inhibited the cracking of C–C bonds compared to Ni, and remarkably increased the selectivity to heptadecane. The temperature programmed desorption of acetic acid (acetic acid-TPD) indicated that the bimetallic Cu–Ni alloy and Ni catalysts had a stronger adsorption of acetic acid than that of the Cu catalyst. Finally, the formation of the Cu–Ni alloy and a partially oxidized Cu facilitates the decarboxylation reaction and inhibits the cracking reaction of C–C bonds, leading to enhanced catalytic activity and selectivity.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Is there such a thing as a molecular organic alloy?

In inorganic materials, an alloy is a mixture of two or more substances that generally exhibits electronic and/or physical properties that differ from those of its constituents. In organic systems, the formation of a “molecular alloy” comprising mixtures of molecular organic materials has also been proposed. We test the validity of this concept via the study of the optoelectronic properties of a ternary system that has previously been identified to form a molecular acceptor alloy, namely a blend of a poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) donor, with two acceptors indene-C 60 bisadduct (ICBA) and phenyl-C 61 -butyric acid methyl ester (PC 61 BM) [R. A. Street, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2013, 135, 986–989]. Using photoelectron spectroscopy, we find that the ICBA:PC 61 BM blend shows the same highest occupied molecular orbital and exciton energies as that of ICBA, indicating the absence of a new exciton state in the blend. Furthermore, charge transfer state spectra of ternary blends are found to comprise a simple linear superposition of the corresponding binaries. From these results, no evidence of new, emergent electronic states is found to support the existence of a molecular alloy in this system. To our knowledge there is as yet no clear evidence of the existence of an alloy in any organic semiconductor system. Finally, we discuss the criteria that should be met by a molecular organic alloy and procedures needed for their unambiguous identification.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Identification of a kinetic length scale which dictates alloy phase composition in Ni-Al interfaces on annealing at low temperatures

Ni-aluminides are an important class of intermetallics from technological point of view. Ni-Al phase diagram has been studied in detail experimentally as well as theoretically. It is known that if annealed at low temperature, the first alloy phase is usually NiAl{sub 3} according to Bené's rule. It is also understood that heat of formation may get modified by local densities of the constituents forming the alloy. In this regard, it is important to identify a kinetic length scale for defining “local density” in a system. We have deposited ultrathin multilayers of Ni and Al of layer thickness in tens of nanometres with Ni:Al stoichiometric ratio as 3:1 and 1:3, respectively. Considering these stoichiometry, Ni{sub 3}Al and NiAl{sub 3} are the thermodynamically favoured alloy phases in these samples. We used x-ray reflectivity, polarized neutron reflectivity, x-ray diffraction, and secondary ion mass spectroscopy to follow the alloy formation after annealing and identified the alloy phases at interfaces with nanometre resolution. Diffusion length of Ni and Al was obtained using Darken's law. Our results predict that ‘diffusion length’ is the unique length scale that connects kinetics to local density. In another interesting observation, using “virtual Kirkendall markers” at the interfaces, we showed asymmetry in consumption of Al for alloy formation, at Al on Ni (Al/Ni) and Ni on Al (Ni/Al) interfaces by comparing as-deposited and annealed states with respect to the markers.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Carbon-rich hexagonal (BN)C alloys

Thin films of hexagonal boron nitride carbon, h-(BN){sub 1−x}(C{sub 2}){sub x}, alloys in the C-rich side have been synthesized by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) on c-plane sapphire substrates. X-ray diffraction measurements confirmed single hexagonal phase of h-(BN){sub 1−x}(C{sub 2}){sub x} epilayers. Electrical transport and Raman spectroscopy measurements results revealed evidences that homogenous h-(BN){sub 1−x}(C{sub 2}){sub x} alloys with x ≥ 95% can be synthesized by MOCVD at a growth temperature of 1300 °C. The variable temperature Hall-effect measurements suggested that a bandgap opening of about 93 meV with respect to graphite has been obtained for h-(BN){sub 1−x}(C{sub 2}){sub x} with x = 0.95, which is consistent with the expected value deduced from the alloy dependence of the energy gap of homogenous h-(BN){sub 1−x}(C{sub 2}){sub x} alloys. Atomic composition results obtained from x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements revealed that the carrier type in C-rich h-(BN){sub 1−x}(C{sub 2}){sub x} alloys is controlled by the stoichiometry ratio between the B and N via changing the V/III ratio during the growth. The demonstration of bandgap opening and conductivity control in C-rich h-(BN){sub 1−x}(C{sub 2}){sub x} alloys provide feasibilities for realizing technologically significant devices including infrared (IR) emitters and detectors active from near to far IR and multi-spectral IR emitters and detectors.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Giant negative thermal expansion in Fe-Mn-Ga magnetic shape memory alloys

Fe-Mn-Ga magnetic shape memory alloys can undergo martensitic transformation (MT) from a paramagnetic cubic phase to a ferromagnetic tetragonal phase. The MT is accompanied by a large volume change; yet, these alloys have never been explored for technological applications as negative thermal expansion (NTE) materials. Here, by careful chemical modification, tunable NTE characteristics including wide operating temperature windows (Delta T) and large negative linear coefficients of thermal expansion (alpha(l)) have been achieved in Fe 44-x Mn 28 Ga 28+x (x = 1, 2, and 2.5) alloys. Typically, a giant NTE Delta T of 81 K and alpha(l =) -50.2 x 10(-6) K-1 were realized in the Fe43Mn28Ga29 alloy upon cooling from 290 K. The relationships between the NTE features, the MT, and the substitution of Ga for Fe were discussed. Furthermore, the Fe-Mn-Ga alloys possess excellent mechanical properties, high electrical conductivity and high thermal conductivity. With these advantages, the Fe-Mn-Ga magnetic shape memory alloys show promising prospects for use as advanced NTE materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Palladium oxidation leads to methane combustion activity: Effects of particle size and alloying with platinum

Pd- and Pt-based catalysts are highly studied materials due to their widespread use in emissions control catalysis. However, claims continue to vary regarding the active phase and oxidation state of the metals. Different conclusions have likely been reached due to the heterogeneous nature of such materials containing various metal nanoparticle sizes and compositions, which may each possess unique redox features. In this work, using uniform nanocrystal catalysts, we study the effect of particle size and alloying on redox properties of Pd-based catalysts and show their contribution to methane combustion activity using operando quick extended x-ray absorption fine structure measurements. Results demonstrate that for all studied Pd sizes (3 nm–16 nm), Pd oxidation directly precedes CH 4 combustion to CO 2 , suggesting Pd oxidation as a prerequisite step to methane combustion, and an oxidation pretreatment shows equal or better catalysis than a reduction pretreatment. Results are then extended herein to uniform alloyed Pt x Pd 1–x nanoparticles, where oxidative pretreatments are shown to enhance low-temperature combustion. In these uniform alloys, we observe a composition-dependent effect with Pt-rich alloys showing the maximum difference between oxidative and reductive pretreatments. In Pt-rich alloys, we initially observe that the presence of Pt maintains Pd in a lower-activity reduced state. However, with time on stream, PdO eventually segregates under oxidizing combustion conditions, leading to a slowly increasing activity. Overall, across particle sizes and alloy compositions, we relate increased catalytic activity to Pd oxidation, thus shedding light on previous contrasting results related to the methane combustion activity of these catalysts.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗