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This paper reports the synthesis of nanosized Ag/Co3O4 composite catalysts using a silver-mirror reaction and the calibration of their catalytic activities towards methyl blue (MB) dye degradation with peroxymonosulfate (PMS) under visible light. The nanosized Ag/Co3O4 composites were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV–vis spectroscopy. The experimental evidence indicated that the hydrothermal synthesis approach lead to the exposure of the {1 1 2} facets of the Co3O4 nanoflakes. Compared to Co3O4 nanoflakes, Co3O4 doped with Ag nanoparticle (average diameters of 10–15 nm) presented lower band gap energy and photoluminescent (PL) intensity. Meanwhile, the Ag/Co3O4 exhibited high stability and excellent dispersion property in dye solution. Experimental data suggested that 3.06 wt% Ag nanoparticle-doped Ag/Co3O4 nanocomposite catalyst possessed the highest catalytic activity towards MB degradation in aqueous solution at the tested concentration level of 15 mg/L, about 2.4 times higher than that of pure Co3O4. Complete decolorization of the 15 mg/L MB solution can be achieved by 3.06 wt% Ag-doped Ag/Co3O4 nanocomposite within 20 min of visible light irradiation.

Using hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) monomer, the magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) of nickel oxide (NiO) were modified by using an atmospheric room-temperature plasma fluidized bed (ARPFB). The plasma gas temperature of the ARPFB was not higher than 325 K, which was favorable for organic polymerization. The plasma optical emission spectrum (OES) of the gas mixture consisting of argon (Ar) and HMDSO was recorded by a UV–visible monochromator. The as-treated NPs were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results show that the assembling NPs were isolated greatly after modified by the organosilicon polymer. Moreover, this treatment process changed the wettability of the NPs from super-hydrophilicity to super-hydrophobicity, and the contact angle (CA) of water on the modified NPs surface exceeded 150°. Therefore, the ARPFB is a prospective technology for the NPs surface modification according to the different requirements.

Hard films prepared by pulsed high energy density plasma (PHEDP) are characterized by high film/substrate adhesive strength, and high wear resistance. Titanium carbonitride (TiCN) films were deposited onto YG11C (ISO G20) cemented carbide cutting tool substrates by PHEDP at room temperature. XRD, XPS, SEM, AES, etc. were adopted to analyze the phases (elements) composition, microstructure and the interface of the films, respectively. The results show that, the uniform dense films are composed of grains ranging from 70 to 90 nm. According to the AES result, there is a broad transition layer between the film and the substrate, due to the ion implantation effect of the PHEDP. The transition layer is favorable for the film/substrate adhesion.

Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) is a cost-effective technique that can be used to prepare ceramic coatings on metals such as Ti, Al, Mg, Nb, etc., and their alloys, but this promising technique cannot be used to modify the surface properties of steels, which are the most widely used materials in engineering. In order to prepare metallurgically bonded ceramic coatings on steels, a combined technique of arc spraying and plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) was adopted. In this work, metallurgically bonded ceramic coatings on steels were obtained using this method. We firstly prepared aluminum coatings on steels by arc spraying, and then obtained the metallurgically bonded ceramic coatings on aluminum coatings by PEO. The characteristics of duplex coatings were analyzed by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The corrosion and wear resistance of the ceramic coatings were also studied. The results show that, duplex Al2O3/aluminum coatings have been deposited on steel substrate after the combined treatment. The ceramic coatings are mainly composed of alpha-Al2O3, gamma-Al(2)o(3), theta-Al2O3 and some amorphous phase. The duplex coatings show favorable corrosion and wear resistance properties. The investigations indicate that the combination of arc spraying and plasma electrolytic oxidation proves a promising technique for surface modification of steels for protective purposes. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The in-situ titanium nitride (TiN) coating with a great thickness was reactive plasma sprayed in a nitrogen-containing environment. The microhardness of the coating was measured, and the indentations were used to determine the fracture toughness of the coating. The toughening mechanism was characterized by analyzing the SEM morphologies of TiN coating's fracture surfaces. Results show that the coating possesses a high hardness and toughness. The average hardness of the coating is 1200H(V) (100) (g); and the fracture toughness (K-IC) of it is 4.51 MPa center dot m(0.5). The cross-section of the TiN coating shows an obvious phenomenon of indentation size effect (ISE). The toughening mechanisms of the coating are crack deflection and pores, etc. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.