Wet oxidation in the AlAs layer sandwiched between two GaAs plates was investigated for the temperature range of 400 to 480 °C. The oxidation rate increased with increasing thickness of the AlAs layer. Theoretical analysis based on the boundary layer diffusion was performed to account for the thickness effect. The theory is in excellent agreement with the experimental measurement.

Three typical interactions of persistent slip bands (PSBs) with different types of grain boundaries (GBs) were investigated and analyzed in fatigued copper crystals. The results show that PSBs cannot transfer through all types of large-angle GBs, regardless of their orientation with respect to the stress axis. Secondary slip was often observed near the GBs, leading to strain incompatibility. When the slip systems of the two adjacent crystals are coplanar, the transmission of a PSB across a GB strongly depends on the slip directions of the two adjacent crystals. It was found that only the low-angle GBs can be passed through by PSBs, and accordingly they are insensitive to intergranular fatigue cracking. For a special copper bicrystal with coplanar slip systems, the ladderlike dislocation arrangements within the adjacent PSBs become discontinuous and a dislocation-affected-zone appears near the GB due to the difference in the slip direction of the two adjacent crystals. Therefore, the necessary conditions for the transmission of a PSB across a GB are that the neighboring grains have a coplanar slip system and identical slip directions.

Results on microstructure and coercivity of current-annealed Fe73.5Cu1Nb3Si13.5B9 amorphous alloy treated at different current densities (12–56 A/mm2) and duration (0.5–720 min) are presented. Saturation magnetization and coercivity dependencies with the current density of the nanocrystalline samples is explained by considering the presence of two phases: nanocrystals of Fe(Si) body-centered cubic (bcc) grains and the residual amorphous matrix. An increase in the magnetic hardness observed when the sample was heated by current densities, giving rise to an increase in the sample temperature above the Curie point of the residual amorphous matrix, could be ascribed to exchange and dipolar decoupling of the Fe(Si)-bcc grains.

Transparent mesoporous silica films were prepared by sol-gel spin coating on silicon wafers at room temperature. An erbium complex, erbium tris 8-hydroxyquinoline (ErQ), was homogeneously impregnated into the pores of the mesoporous silica films, and its concentration was easily controlled by using a solution immersing technique. The ErQ-impregnated mesoporous silica films show a room-temperature photoluminescence at 1.5 µm.

Conventional methods of analysis for depth-sensing indentation test data use the slope of the elastic unloading portion of the load–displacement response in conjunction with the elastic equations of contact for a rigid cone. It is common practice to incorporate the combined modulus of the indenter and specimen in these equations although the validity of this practice never appears to have been verified. This work demonstrates the validity of using the combined elastic modulus in depth-sensing indentation testing in conjunction with the elastic equations of contact for a conical indenter.

Surface properties and photocatalytic oxidation reactions on the hollandite-type compound K2Ga2Sn6O16 (KGSO) were examined for photoinduced hydrophilicity and oxidative decomposition of an endocrine-disrupting chemical, pentachlorophenol (C6Cl5OH, PCP), under ultraviolet (UV) illumination. The thin films and mesoporous powders of hollandite were used for examination of surface properties and photocatalysis, respectively. The photoinduced surface property was examined by measurement of the contact angle of water, ortho-chlorophenol (o-C6H4ClOH), and toluene on the surface of KGSO. The contact angle of H2O and o-C6H4ClOH decreased to 0° under UV illumination. The toluene showed little change in contact angle under UV irradiation. It is concluded that the surface of KGSO shows photoinduced hydrophilicity for H2O and aromatic compounds with hydroxyl groups (−OH). In addition, KGSO clearly showed a photo-oxidative decomposition of PCP under weak UV illumination at room temperature. The decomposition speed of C6Cl5OH on KGSO was much faster than that on previous reported nano-sized SnO2 photocatalysts. It is expected that photo-oxidative decomposition of aromatic compound will be controlled by a combination of optimum composition of the hollandite phase and control of the morphology of the hollandite particles. This suggests that hollandite would be a promising photocatalyst for decomposition of aromatic compounds in endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

Partial-melt processing of Bi2+xSr2-x-yCa1+yCu2O8+δ (Bi-2212) thick-film conductors with additions of nanophase Al2O3 was studied for dual purposes of increasing flux pinning and inhibiting Sr—Ca—Cu—O phase defect formation. Nanophase Al2O3 (<50% mole fraction) was added to Bi:Sr:Ca:Cu:O powders with four different compositions: three with Bi:Cu approximately 2:2 and one (Bi2Sr2.38Ca1.15Cu2.92O9.7+δ) closer to the ideal Bi-2223 composition. The effect of Al2O3 addition on film microstructural and superconducting properties was studied for a range of partial-melt temperatures (865 to 900 °C). Results were compared to Al2O3-free films with compositions lying within the single-phase solid-solution 2212 region. Nanophase Al2O3 reacted with 2212-type precursors to form a composite of micron size or smaller particles of solid-solution (Sr,Ca)3Al2O6 in a solid-solution 2212 superconducting matrix. The Ca content of the (Sr,Ca)3Al2O6 particles formed approximated that of the 2212 precursor (≤6% mole fraction difference). Addition of 6–25% volume fraction of (Sr,Ca)3Al2O6 to Bi-2212 (by reaction between Al2O3 and Bi-2212) only slightly reduced superconducting transition temperatures and c-axis texturing; however this addition improved film quality by reducing Sr—Ca—Cu—O defect volume fraction by factors of 2 to 6 and significantly increased the critical current density by over one order of magnitude for 0 to 2 T applied fields at 20 to 30 K.

Dielectric ceramics in the system (Zn1−xNix)TiO3, x = 0 to 1 were synthesized by the solid-state reaction route. The phase distribution, microstructure, and dielectric properties were characterized using powder x-ray diffraction analysis, electron microscopy, and microwave measurement techniques. Three phase composition regions were identified in the specimens sintered at 1150 °C: [spinel + rutile] at 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5, [spinel + ilmenite + rutile] at 0.5 < x ≤ 0.8, and [ilmenite] phase at 0.8 < x ≤ 1. For the 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5 region, the amount of Ti-rich precipitates incorporated into the spinel phase decreased with the Ni content at 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5, with a concomitant increase of the rutile phase. The microwave dielectric properties depended on the phase composition and volume according to the three typical phase regions, where the relative amount of rutile to the spinel or ilmenite determined the dielectric properties. The dielectric constant as a function of Ni addition was modeled with a Maxwell mixing rule. An optimum phase distribution was determined in this system with dielectric constant of 22, a Q × f of 60,000, and a low temperature coefficient of the resonant frequency.

We fabricated melt-processed (Sm0.33Eu0.33Gd0.33)Ba2Cu3Oy superconductors with fine Gd2BaCuO5 (Gd-211) particles and studied microstructure and magnetic properties as a function of the Gd-211 content and the initial particle size. Microstructure observation by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of submicron secondary-phase particles and nanometer-sized RE1+xBa2-xCu3Oy (x ≫ 0) clusters. At 77 K, the critical current densities of 107 and 83 kA/cm2 were achieved at 0 T (self-field) and 2.2 T, respectively (superconducting quantum interference device data).

An organic–inorganic, hybrid, low-melting glass free of pollution elements such as Pb and F was prepared through nonaqueous acid-base reactions of Si—Cl + P—OH ⇉ Si—O—P + HCl⇈ and Sn—Cl + P—OH ⇉ Sn—O—P + HCl⇈ using phosphonic acid (H3PO3), dimethyldichlorosilane (Me2SiCl2), and tin(II)chloride (SnCl2) as starting materials. Transparent, colorless, and homogeneous phosphite glass was successfully obtained. The formation of P—O—Si linkage and the disappearance of P—OH were confirmed by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. With increasing Si content, the glass-transition temperature decreased, reflecting the decrease of the average linkage number per one cation.

The four-point bend test was used to measure the brittle-to-ductile transition (BDT) temperature in precracked samples of semi-insulating 4H—SiC at four different strain rates. As in other semiconductors, the BDT temperature TBDT was found to be very sharp, within ±15 °C, and to shift to higher temperatures with increasing rates of the applied load (or strain rate). The results appear to be consistent with a transition temperature Tc recently observed in the yield stress of the same material as measured by compression experiments. However, strain-rate measurements in four-point bend tests are not strictly equivalent to those in compression experiments, and therefore it is difficult to directly compare the measured BDT temperatures with the yield stress transitions. Nevertheless, it is believed that the reasonable agreement between TBDT and Tc supports the model recently proposed to explain these transition temperatures.

The structure of C60 and C70 whiskers with diameters between submicrometers and micrometers were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The fullerene whiskers were produced by forming liquid–liquid interfaces between toluene solutions of fullerenes and isopropyl alcohol. The growth fronts of C70 whiskers were observed to be crystalline. The C70 whiskers were assumed to be in a state of order–disorder transition. The whiskers of C60 are very flexible, and C60 whiskers bent strongly were torn into finer C60 whiskers. The C70 whiskers showed a higher crystallinity, though a high density of dislocations was observed in the C60 whiskers.

The crystallographic structure and orientation of iron nanoparticles present in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was studied when iron was used as a catalyst. It was found that while most of the nanoparticles encapsulated inside the CNTs had the expected α–Fe (body-centered-cubic) phase, a significant number of them formed and retained the γ–Fe (face-centered-cubic) phase that is not the normal bulk phase at room temperature (nor even expected to form at the growth temperature used). It was also found iron particles at the tips of the nanotubes were either α–Fe or cementite (Fe3C). On the basis of these observations and thermodynamics, a mechanism for the formation of these particles and insights into CNT growth is proposed.

The change in microstructure associated with the decrease in critical current density (Jc) of Yba2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO) films with increasing thickness was examined. Samples of pulse laser deposited YBCO films varying in thickness from 0.19 to 3.0 μm on rolling-assisted biaxially textured substrates with an architecture of CeO2/YSZ/CeO2/Ni were prepared by tripod polishing for cross-sectional electron microscopy. More randomly oriented grains in the upper portion of the YBCO film surface were observed with increasing film thickness, resulting in less cube texture. In addition, increases in mismatch across the boundaries of the c-axis grains with increasing time during deposition, along with the development of BaCeO3 and Y2BaCuO5 phases at the YBCO/CeO2 interface, contributed to the degradation of film properties. Surface outgrowths of the YBCO film were examined as well as the defect structures and second-phase formations within the films.

This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of column formation mechanisms in Al2O3–TiC ceramics micromachined using excimer lasers. Chemical and structural characterization of columns grown in Al2O3–TiC composite processed with 200 KrF laser pulses at 10 J/cm2 was carried out by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction analysis. Fully developed columns consist of a core of unprocessed material surrounded by an outer layer of Al2TiO5, formed in oxidizing conditions, and an inner layer, formed in reducing conditions, composed of TiC and Al3Ti or an AlTi solid solution. Possible mechanisms of column formation are discussed.

The effect of furfuryl alcohol addition to ordinary cement on its properties, such as heat of hydration, setting time, compressive strength, and tensile strength was studied by adding 0.5–3.0% by weight of cement. Hardness was tested using the Vickers indentation method. Fracture toughness of cementitious bond and bending strength were determined using the three-point bending system. Corrosion resistance of resulting products was tested against 0.1 and 1.0 N HCI and H2SO4 and seawater, respectively. Water absorption/open porosity and microstructure were also determined. It was observed that strength, hardness, toughness, and corrosion resistance increase up to 3.0% addition of furfuryl alcohol in ordinary Portland cement. Polymeric phase was interspersed in cement, causing a decrease in water absorption/open porosity, and its interaction with hydrating cement caused additional bond formation, leading to the increase in strength.

Polypropylene (PP) and amorphous selenium (a-Se) were used as prototype materials at room temperature to explore the problems that may exist in the accurate measurement of the reduced modulus of viscoelastic materials using depth-sensing nanoindentation. As has been reported previously by others, we observed that a “nose” in the load-displacement curve may occur during unloading, indicating significant creep effects at the onset of unloading. To accurately measure the elastic modulus in viscoelastic materials like PP or a-Se, both the contact stiffness and the contact area at the onset of unloading must be determined accurately. The issue of removing the influence of creep on the measurement of the contact stiffness using the Oliver-Pharr method has been addressed in a previous paper by Feng and Ngan. In this work, the effect of creep on contact-depth measurement is considered. Removal of creep effects in both contact stiffness and contact-area measurement leads to satisfactory prediction of the reduced moduli in PP and a-Se.

Monodispersed Sc2O3 precursor particles were synthesized by the urea-based homogeneous precipitation method, with an investigation into the effects of supporting anions (NO3−, Cl−, and SO4 2−) on powder properties. Characterizations of the powders were achieved by elemental analysis, x-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared, differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetry, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy, and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method. Unlike other rare earths, Sc3+ does not precipitate as basic carbonate but instead forms hydrated γ-ScOOH from either nitrate or chloride solution. Particles of the hydrated γ-ScOOH are pumpkin-shaped (approximately 1.0 μm) and are made up of thin-platelike crystallites emanating from a common axis. The presence of complexing SO42− changes the reaction chemistry toward Sc2O3 powders, leading to basic sulfate [Sc(OH)1.6(SO4)0.7 η H2O] precursor particles having hexagonal morphology (approximately 10 μm in diameter and 0.5 μm in thickness). The hydrated γ-ScOOH directly converts to Sc2O3 by calcination at 400 °C or above, while the basic sulfate transforms to oxide at temperatures ≥ 900 °C via an amorphous state and a Sc2(SO4)3 intermediate. The effect of SO42− on powder morphologies and reaction chemistry is discussed. Nanocrystalline Sc2O3 powders comprising monodispersed particles were obtained via thermal decomposition of the precursors.

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) propagation properties of gallium nitride (GaN) epitaxial layers on sapphire were theoretically and experimentally characterized. GaN thin films were grown on a c-plane sapphire substrate using a metalorganic chemical vapor deposition system. The experimental characterization of SAW propagation properties was performed with a linear array of interdigital transducer structures, while SAW velocities were calculated by matrix methods. Experimentally, we found pseudo-SAW and high-velocity pseudo-SAW modes in the GaN/sapphire structure, which had a good agreement with calculated velocities.

This study focused on investigating the role of interfacial microcracking of injection-molded Cr3C2/Al2O3 composite on the erosion mechanism under an impingement erosion test rig. The surface residual strain (stresses) as well as damage were compared in both airborne and wet erosion. The delays in crack propagation at interfacial or triple points and the crack direction changes were frequently observed in the composite. Spontaneous microcracking induced from sintering process, due to thermal expansion mismatch between alumina and chromium carbide, played a key role in erosion mechanism.