Journal of Materials Research

Magnetically aligned YBa2Cu3O7-δ ceramics show resistivities approaching that of single crystals and improved transport critical currents in a magnetic field. Reduced microcracking and increased transport along the ab-plane are believed responsible for the improved performance over nonaligned ceramics. Aligned and nonaligned samples were prepared in parallel using a range of sintering and annealing temperatures. A rapid rise in density for samples sintered above 900°C in oxygen is accompanied by rapid grain growth, improved alignment, a drop in the room temperature resistivity, and an increase in the critical current. The presence of low melting point (i.e., Ba–Cu–O-rich) phases at grain boundaries is believed responsible for the rapid densification. However, the presence of this phase does not appear to be the most important factor limiting Jc. A high temperature oxygen anneal at 900°C improved performance as compared to anneals at 500°C, possibly due to the removal of carbon. For aligned samples sintered at 980°C, critical currents are over 200 A/cm2 at 77 K, ¼ tesla, and room temperature resistivities are below 350 μΩ-cm.

Mesoporous silicon sponge (MSS) is considered as a promising anode material for lithium ion batteries because of its preformed meso/macro porous structures that can accommodate large volume expansion during the lithiation process and its superior electrochemical performance. Temperature dependent hyperpolarized (HP) 129Xe NMR was applied to characterize the structure and porosity of MSS materials with varying pores and particle sizes. Our results reveal irregular pore structures with the presence of micropores inside the larger meso/macropore channels and each MSS material has its own characteristic pore environment with a varying degree of nonuniformity and connectivity of pores. This study demonstrates that HP 129Xe NMR is a potentially useful tool for providing a fingerprint of the structure and connectivity of the pores for each material, complementary to other characterization techniques.

Tungsten wire for incandescent lamp filaments must operate at high temperatures and for long times. To meet these requirements, the grain morphology of the wire must be controlled to reduce the propensity for grain boundary sliding. The morphology is a function of the distribution of very small pockets of potassium in the wire and the mechanical processing from ingot to wire. The behavior of the filament is directly related to the grain morphology. This paper describes the mechanism by which the potassium is incorporated into and distributed in the ingot. The elongation and spheroidization of the bubbles during hot rolling and swaging are also examined and related to the grain morphology of wire. Some indications of the relationship between grain morphology and filament behavior are also given.

Nonstoichiometric mixed ionic and electronic conductors (MIECs) find use as oxygen permeation membranes, cathodes in solid oxide fuel cells, oxygen storage materials in three-way catalysts, and chemoresistive gas sensors. Praseodymium–cerium oxide (PrxCe1-xO2-δ) solid solutions exhibit MIEC behavior in a relatively high and readily accessible oxygen partial pressure (PO2) regime and as such serve as model systems for investigating the correlation between thermodynamic and kinetic properties as well as exhibiting high performance figures of merit in the above applications. In this paper, we extend recently published results for Pr0.1Ce0.9O2-δ to include values of x 5 0, 0.002, 0.008, 0.1, and 0.20 (in PrxCe1-xO2-δ) to test how both defect and transport parameters depend on Pr fraction. Important observed trends with increasing x include increases in oxygen ion migration energy and MIEC and reductions in vacancy formation and Pr ionization energies. The implications these changes have for potential applications of PrxCe1-xO2-δ are discussed.

Two Ni-modified Al3Ti alloys (Al65Ni10Ti25 and Al62Ni8Ti30) were rapidly solidified by melt spinning. The resulting microstructure was studied using light microscopy and analytical electron microscopy. Significant variations in the microstructure and phases were observed between the two ribbons and through the thickness of each ribbon.A single-phase γ-TiAl structure was seen near the wheel side of the Al62Ni8Ti30 ribbon, having microcrystalline grains ∼ 100 nm in diameter. Second-phase particles of Λ-AlNiTi were found in the remaining regions of that ribbon as the structure became columnar due to reduced rates of cooling. The Al65Ni10Ti25 alloy exhibited a primary phase of π-Al6.5 NiTi2.5. A second phase of μ-Al2NiTi formed with morphology and distribution varying through thickness. Microchemistry measurements on the phases indicated substantial deviations (up to 14 at. %) from the stoichiometric compositions. Further, the π, γ, and μ are low-temperature phases that do not form by solidification under equilibrium conditions. The observation of these phases thus suggests significant undercoolings achieved during the melt-spinning processing of the present alloys. Both ribbons are brittle as spun.

Temperature-dependent (173–373 K) hyperpolarized 129Xe nuclear magnetic resonance (129Xe NMR) analyses along with transmission electron microscopy and N2 adsorption measurements have been applied to understand pore structure and interconnectivity of bare and grafted mesoporous silicon sponge (MSS) materials. The Xe NMR chemical shift data indicate the existence of micropores inside the larger mesopore channels and the effects of grafting on the pore surfaces. The grafted layer estimated at 2 nm in thickness blocks the micropores on the surfaces of mesoporous channels. Partitioning of Xe between the micropores and the mesopores in the MSS materials is temperature-dependent, with Xe principally occupying the micropores at lower temperatures. In addition, the temperature-dependent Xe peak shift of MSS materials verifies the increased uniformity and interconnectivity of mesopores after surface grafting. The results from this study provide useful information for design and development of novel materials.

Superconducting Tl–Ca–Ba–Cu–oxide films have been prepared on yttria stabilized zirconia substrates via the reaction of Tl2O vapor with precursor Ca–Ba–Cu–oxide films prepared by the spray pyrolysis of a solution of the metal nitrates. The vapor reaction process, evaluated in both air and oxygen ambients, was carried out in a two-zone reactor which permitted the independent control of the temperatures of the sample and of a boat containing thallium oxide. Sample temperatures of 865–905 °C and boat temperatures of 775–870 °C were investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis of the best samples, which were prepared in an oxygen ambient at sample temperatures of 895–900 °C and boat temperatures of 805–810 °C, revealed the presence of a highly oriented Tl2Ca2Ba2Cu3O10+y phase with a trace of the Tl2CaBa2Cu2O8+y phase. FWHM’s of ∼2°θ were obtained in x-ray rocking curve analyses of the oriented 2223 phase. Tc (0) values of 95–105 K were measured for the better samples, and a zero field critical current density of 28 800 amps/cm2 was measured at 77 K for the best sample. SEM micrographs taken of the highest Jc samples reveal a highly textured structure consisting of platelike crystals.

Spark erosion is a method for producing fine powders of metals, alloys, semiconductors, and compounds. The technique involves maintaining repetitive spark discharges among chunks of material immersed in a dielectric liquid. As a result of the spark discharge there is highly localized melting or vaporization of the material. The powders are produced by the freezing of the molten droplets or the condensation and freezing of the vapor in the dielectric liquid. Since the powders are quenched in situ, they may be extremely rapidly cooled. Particles can be produced in sizes ranging from 5 nm to 75 μm. The average powder size and production rate depend on the power parameters, material used, and the dielectric liquid.

In Jiang et al.,1 the contributing editor was improperly listed as Ellen Kracht. The contributing editor should have been Sanjay Mathur. The original has since been corrected.