Search

Bismuth antimony telluride (Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3) is a ternary compound with good thermoelectric properties at near room temperature. In this research, Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 powders were hydrothermally synthesized at different temperatures (100, 150, 190, and 230°C) for 24 h. The deposition procedure of Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 thin films was done by using thermal evaporation. The phases and microstructures of powders and thin films were investigated by x-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, the size distribution of powders was investigated using a particle size analyzer. The phase and microstructural results of the different synthesized powders confirmed that the Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 thin film prepared by powder synthesis at 150°C for 24 h is the best choice for manufacturing with good thermoelectric properties because of its nano-sized grains and high purity. The results showed that the Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 thin film fabricated by powders synthesized at 150°C has a single rhombohedral phase with a good semiconductor performance. The results of thermoelectric tests confirmed that the Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 thin film fabricated using a hydrothermal method and thermal evaporation deposition approach shows a high Seebeck coefficient (183.5 μV/K) and low electronic thermal conductivity (1.32 × 10−4 W/m k−1) at 298 K. Besides, the power factor values of 0.7, 2.59 and 2.9 μW/cm K−2 were obtained at 298, 373 K and 473 K, respectively.

Thermodynamic assessment of the ternary system B-Hf-Zr has been conducted by modeling the Gibbs energy of all individual phases using the CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse Diagrams) approach. There is no ternary compound in this system. The individual solution phases, i.e., liquid, (βHf,βZr), HfB and (Hf,Zr)B2 have been modeled. The modeling covers the whole composition and temperature ranges. The Gibbs energies of HfB2 and HfB in the B-Hf system were reassessed using the two-sublattice models (B,Hf)1(B,Hf)2 and (Hf)1(B,Hf)1, respectively. A set of self-consistent thermodynamic parameters for the B-Hf-Zr system was obtained by considering the phase diagram data in the ternary system. Comprehensive comparisons between the calculated and measured phase diagram and thermodynamic data show that the experimental information was satisfactorily accounted for by the present thermodynamic description. The liquidus projection and reaction scheme of the B-Hf-Zr system are also presented.

Cd1−xZnxTe (CZT)-based matrices have highest absorption capabilities and tunable band gap, so it can be utilized as the central most significant photon absorption layer. In this research, we have briefly investigated the effect of annealing dynamics over the phosphorus ion (P+) implanted Cd1−xZnxTe on different stoichiometric ratios. The P+ ions are introduced at 800 keV in order to tailor/tune the electro-optical characteristics of said ternary compound matrix for its utilization as an active medium in photovoltaic and related application. In this specific study, the annealing dynamics of P+ implanted Cd1−xZnxTe scheme have been studied, and three temperature ranges were chosen ~ 300, 350, and 400 °C for such purpose. The impact of annealing behavior has been envisaged by electrical and electro-optical characterization techniques, i.e., current–voltage (I–V), activation energy, charge-based deep-level transient spectroscopy (Q-DLTS) and transient of photo-voltage (TPV). From Q-DLTS study, one has obtained different defect levels that may limit the overall performance of the as-implant CZT matrix. By adopting RTA process, the damage content in form of trap levels has shifted themselves near premises to their respective band edges i.e., for as-implant cases, the trap level placed near the Fermi level and when the RTA process subjected the trap levels localized themselves to the close proximity to either of its band edge (valance/conduction level), e.g., the trap level of CdTe shift from 0.123 to 0.005 eV, i.e., near the valance band edge which may enhance the trap characteristics. Also, the activation energy and transient of photo-voltage analysis direct the physical importance of RTA process because this process may provide significant increase of carrier’s generation by reduction in activation energy and elevation of photo-voltage by utilizing the appropriate annealing sequence to subject CZT crystal. The TPV analysis of Cd0.75Zn0.25Te sample shows higher extent of physical voltages ~ 63 mV at 400 °C annealing sequences, whereas for as-implant case provides just ~ 10 mV.

The increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries has stimulated the investigation of new compounds in order to reduce the costs and the toxicity of their cathodes. Materials constituted of ternary lithiated oxide compounds are a successful alternative to cobalt-rich cathodes. The main disadvantage of ternary compound materials (TCM) is that the maximum amount of electrical charge is only achieved at high redox potentials, a limiting factor if we consider the current development in electrolyte technology. In this work, we investigated the influence of sputtering deposition parameters on the charge capacity of TCM thin films, restraining their electrochemical potential to conventional values. To do so, we analyzed the impact that small changes in crystalline and morphological structures have on the charge capacity at low cell potentials. For this, we performed the RF magnetron sputtering of TCM thin films, and carried out a factorial design of experiments to investigate their electrochemical properties, while limiting the charging potential to 4.20 V vs. Li|Li+. The films were deposited onto a rigid and conductive substrate with different parameters (power and pressure at room temperature). Electrochemical results showed that the discharge capacity is strongly influenced by the deposition parameters, reaching 250 mAh g− 1 even at 4.20 V vs. Li. This value is superior to the ones of the conventional cobalt cathode and the bulk ternary electrode. Both deposition parameters exhibited a synergic dependency, which means that they need to be simultaneously varied for a response optimization. The discharge capacity of the analyzed samples was highly affected by the surface morphology of the film and its crystallographic properties, and not by its elemental composition. High discharge capacity was obtained without additional thermal treatments, which favors the manufacture of films over polymeric substrates for future electronic applications.

Desulfurization ability and hydration resistance of CaO-MgO mixture were studied by comparing CaO-MgO, CaO and MgO rods. In desulfurization experiment, Ni-base superalloy and NiS powder were melted together, and each rod was held in the melt for a prescribed time under 1600 °C. S content in the alloy was lower in CaO-MgO desulfurization than that in CaO desulfurization in every holding time up to 300 seconds. Almost no desulfurization effect was confirmed in MgO. From EPMA and XRD analyses, it is considered that CaO-Al2O3-MgO ternary compound and CaS were generated and coexisted in the CaO-MgO rod during the desulfurization process. In the CaO-MgO desulfurization, the compound contained MgO as its component, and that decreased the liquidus temperature of the compound. Therefore, it is considered that the fraction of liquid increased, and the effective diffusion coefficient of S in the compound was larger than in the CaO desulfurization. In hydration experiment, each rod was maintained in an enclosed vessel with weighing paper and a cup with water for a certain period. The mass increasing ratio of the CaO-MgO was almost equal to that of the CaO. From the above, it is clear that CaO-MgO is a better desulfurization agent than CaO.

Demand for simple and effective gas sensing sensors is growing rapidly due to the growing threat of triethylamine (TEA). Semiconductor tin oxide (SnO2) is one of the most widely used sensing materials for metal oxide gas sensors. In recent years, a lot of binary ternary compound researches have been carried out. In this paper, five different SnO2 samples were synthesized by simple synthesis method to understand the internal relationship and obtain different gas sensing characteristics. Based on the low temperature nitrogen adsorption tests and the atomic arrangement model, it can be inferred that different exposed surfaces play a key role in TEA sensing properties. In addition, the TEA sensing activity relationship of SnO2 exposed crystal faces is proposed as listed: (200) > (101) > (110).

The magnesium-rich intermetallic ternary compound NdNiMg15 in space group P-4/nmm (no. 26) space group in trigonal phase is studied theoretically using hybrid functional theory (HP-B3PW91) in the density functional theory (DFT) framework. The calculation results are in good agreement with experimental data. The metallic nature of the compound is estimated from the electronic properties. The magnetic as well as metallic character of the compound is due to the Nd 4f electrons. The title compound exhibits good conductivity as revealed by the thermoelectric analysis. The magnetic phase of the material indicates its stability within the G-type antiferromagnetic phase (G-AFM), governed by direct Nd–Nd exchange interactions with a magnetic moment of 3.57µB/Nd per unit cell. The AFM phase of the studied compound is also confirmed by post-DFT measurements at TN = 8.15 K as well as θ = −2.5 K. The antiferromagnetic nature of this compound could enable its use in magnetic probes to read data stored in antiferromagnetic moments while leaving them unaffected by disturbing magnetic fields.

A new ternary compound, Al2Fe3Nd, was prepared via arc melting using a non-consumable tungsten electrode under an argon atmosphere with subsequent annealing at 923 K for 30 days. Its crystal structure was determined using the Rietveld refinement of powder X-ray diffraction data. The results show that Al2Fe3Nd has a hexagonal structure in a space group of P6/mmm (No. 191). It is isostructural with the Al2.5Ni2.5Y compound. It has lattice parameters of a = 8.8625(3) Ǻ and c = 4.1475(2) Ǻ with a calculated density Dcalc = 6.460 g/cm3. The residual factors converge to Rp = 0.0946 and Rwp = 0.1214. In the temperature range of 2–500 K, magnetic susceptibility has been measured. The magnetic susceptibility of Al2Fe3Nd follows the Curie–Weiss law in the temperature range of 410–500 K. The effective magnetic moment μeff and paramagnetic Curie temperature θP were estimated to be 8.59 μB and 399.8 K, respectively. The saturation magnetic moment and magnetic hysteresis loop for the compound were measured under room- and low-temperature conditions. The measurements indicate that the saturation magnetization moment declines with increasing temperature, and the compound is ferrimagnetic in the analytical temperature range of 2–300 K.

Zinc tin phosphide (ZTP) has attracted recent research interest as a low-cost light sensing material, alternative to III–V and II–III-based compounds, for photo-detector and solar cell applications. In this study, a versatile chemical route for the synthesis of ZTP nanoparticles starting from commercially available alkyl-zinc and tin, alkyl-phosphoramides and trioctylphosphine at a relatively low temperature of 160 °C is reported, which can straightforwardly be extended to other analogous II–IV-P2 group ternary compounds. The particles displayed high stability and can be deposited as layers with few monolayers of thickness. The structural and chemical analysis revealed that the particles are of sub-10 nm size with chalcopyrite structure and ZnSn-phosphide composition. The particles exhibited optical band-gap in the range of 1.65–1.75 eV and a broadband photo-response in the visible wavelengths (400–700 nm) with excellent response to red light.

A ternary compound of Li6NiNb2O9 with a rock-salt structure was prepared by the conventional mixed oxide route, and after the ceramic preparation processes, its microwave dielectric properties were investigated. Ceramics with a single phase and a rock-salt crystal structure can be obtained under our optimized sintering conditions, and a disordered rock-salt structure for Li6NiNb2O9 compound can be confirmed by the Rietveld method. Relatively dense microstructures can be obtained under the sintering conditions of 1080°C/2.0 h, with microwave dielectric properties of e = 13.5, Q × f = 20,600 GHz (9.4 GHz) and τf = −33.9 ppm/°C. Although decomposition of such phase occurred when high sintering temperature was applied (> 1100°C), the density and microwave dielectric properties of the ceramics showed anomalous increases.

Phase equilibria during solidification in the Al-Cr-Co system in the range of compositions 0-70 at.% Al were studied using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis, differential thermal analysis and x-ray diffraction. Solidus and liquidus surfaces, a melting diagram as their superposition, a Scheil diagram for solidification, as well as series of isopleths were constructed for the first time. Solid solutions based on Cr, αCo, Cr5Al8 (γ3 and γ1 phases), CoAl, Co2Al5 binary compounds and the ternary compound τ5 take part in phase equilibria. The monoclinic ternary compound τ5 forms by peritectic reaction L + γ1 + Co2Al5 ↔ τ5 at 1065 °C. Four invariant four–phase reactions and one invariant three–phase reaction involving liquid take place at 1280, 1175, 1110, 1065 and about 1480 °C, respectively. Isopleths 10, 20, 30 and 40 at.% Al as well as 40 at.% Cr demonstrate peculiarities of the phase diagram.

The isothermal sections of the Al–Cr–Ta ternary system at 1000 and 1200 °C have been determined by means of electron probe microanalysis and x-ray diffraction. The results show that eleven and nine three-phase regions are determined in the isothermal sections at 1000 °C and 1200 °C, respectively. No ternary compound exists at both two isothermal sections. The addition of Cr makes the Al69Ta39 phase be stable at 1000 °C. The Cr2Ta(HT) phase has a large composition range at both two isothermal sections. The experimental information obtained in the present work could be significant for alloy design and the complement of the thermodynamic database.

The 450 and 600 °C isothermal sections of the Ni-V-Zn ternary system have been investigated through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and x-ray Diffraction (XRD) technique. Eight three-phase regions have been confirmed at the 450 °C section and nine three-phase regions exist at the 600 °C one. Experimental results indicate that it is difficult for Ni to dissolve in VZn3 and V4Zn5. The solid solubilities of V in γ(Ni2Zn11) and β1(NiZn) are 1.4 and 3.7 at.% at 450 °C, respectively, while V in γ and β1 are 2.5 and 4.0 at.% at 600 °C, respectively. The solid solubilities of Zn in Ni2V7, σ(Ni2V3), Ni2V and Ni3V are 0.5, 4.7, 2.3 and 2.6 at.% at 450 °C as well as 0.5, 9.5, 2.2 and 2.8 at.% at 600 °C, respectively. No ternary compound has been found in this work.

The thermodynamic modeling of the ternary system C-Cr-Zr has been obtained by modeling the Gibbs energy of all individual phases using the CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse Diagrams) approach. There is no ternary compound in this system. The liquid is modeled as a substitutional solution phase, while the solid solution phases including ZrC, (αZr), (βCr), (βZr), Cr3C2, Cr7C3, Cr23C6, C14, C15 and C36 are described by sublattice models. The modeling covers the whole composition and temperature ranges. A set of self-consistent thermodynamic parameters for the C-Cr-Zr system is obtained by considering the phase diagram data in the ternary system. Comprehensive comparisons between the calculated and measured phase diagram and thermodynamic data show that the experimental information is satisfactorily accounted for by the present thermodynamic description. The liquidus projection and reaction scheme of the C-Cr-Zr system are also presented.

Cathodic electrodeposition technique has been successfully used to achieve the growth of polycrystalline CdMnTe ternary compound thin films at different cathodic potentials. The choice of various cathodic potentials used in this work was made from the cyclic voltammogram results. The CdMnTe thin films were electroplated from electrolytes containing CdSO4, TeO2 and MnSO4·H2O in an acidic aqueous medium. The electrodeposition was carried out on glass/fluorine-doped tin oxide {FTO} substrates. The structural, optical, morphological and electrical properties of the CdMnTe thin films were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), current–voltage (I–V) characteristics and photo-electro-chemical (PEC) cell measurements respectively. The materials investigated in this work were explored under three different conditions namely: as-deposited (AD), heat-treated ordinarily in air (HT) and heat-treated in air in the presence of CdCl2 surface treatment (CC). Results from the XRD showed that the electrodeposited films are polycrystalline with the presence of CdTexOy and CdMnTe peaks. The electroplated films have cubic crystal structures and the preferred orientation was found to be along the (111) plane. The optical energy bandgaps of the thin films were found to be deposition potential dependent. Electrical conductivity types namely p- and n-type conductivity were also obtained at different cathodic potentials using photo-electro-chemical cell measurement technique for as-deposited and heat-treated materials.

Equilibrated alloys were characterized using SEM/EDX and XRD methods to identify the Co-Nb-Ni phase equilibria at 1100 °C and 900 °C. The isothermal section at 1100 °C was re-constructed and the partial phase relationships at 900 °C were further validated. The crystal structure of the ternary compound τ was proved to be of the Mg3Cd type with Pearson symbol hP8 and space group P63/mmc. The addition of nickel can increase the phase stability of Co7Nb2. The Co-Nb, Ni-Nb, and Co-Nb-Ni systems were assessed using the CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse Diagram) method. The present experimental and calculated results can be used as a reference for developing and designing Co/Ni-based intermetallics and superalloys.

Using CALPHAD method, the Al-Zr, Al-Li and Al-Li-Zr systems have been reassessed based on the latest experimental phase relations from literatures and the first-principle calculation of the formation enthalpy for ternary compound T1(AlLi2Zr) in this work. The excess Gibbs energies of solution phases, including liquid, bcc, fcc and hcp, were expressed by the Redlich–Kister polynomial. The stoichiometric compounds, i.e. Al4Zr5, Al3Zr5, AlZr2, AlZr3, Al2Li3, Al4Li9 and T1(AlLi2Zr), were modeled as stoichiometric model and the non-stoichiometric compounds, i.e. Al3Zr, Al2Zr, Al3Zr2, AlZr, Al3Zr4, Al2Zr3, AlLi2 and T2(AlLix+yZr5−x), were described with different sublattice models. Finally, a set of reasonable thermodynamic parameters for Al-Li-Zr ternary system have been obtained, which notes a clear improvement on the self-consistency. The calculated isothermal section at 470 K of Al-Li-Zr system was in reasonable agreement with the experimental one.

The diamond-like compound Cu3PSe4 with low lattice thermal conductivity is deemed to be a promising thermoelectric material, which can directly convert waste heat into electricity or vice versa with no moving parts and greenhouse emissions. However, its performance is limited by its low electrical conductivity. In this study, we report an effective method to enhance thermoelectric performance of Cu3PSe4 by defect engineering. It is found that the carrier concentrations of Cu3−xPSe4 (x = 0, 0.03, 0.06, 0.09, 0.12) compounds are increased by two orders of magnitude as x > 0.03, from 1 × 1017 to 1 × 1019 cm−3. Combined with the intrinsically low lattice thermal conductivities and enhanced electrical transport performance, a maximum zT value of 0.62 is obtained at 727 K for x = 0.12 sample, revealing that Cu defect regulation can be an effective method for enhancing thermoelectric performance of Cu3PSe4.

The Pb-Se-Sn ternary system is of interest to thermoelectric applications. Nevertheless, no phase diagram exists for the entire compositional regime at any temperature. Ternary Pb-Se-Sn alloys are equilibrated at 350°C and 500°C, and their equilibrium phases are determined. The isothermal sections of the equilibrium Pb-Se-Sn phase diagram at 350°C and 500°C are proposed based on the phase diagrams of the three constituent binary systems and ternary phase equilibria results in the literature and those determined in this study. No ternary compound is found. The phase relationships are similar at 350°C and 500°C. At both temperatures, binary compounds, α-PbSe and γ-SeSn, have very significant ternary solubility, but the ternary solubility of Pb in the Se2Sn phase is negligible. There are still unresolved questions about the type and shape of the liquid phase at the Se corner.

Phase equilibria in the Co–Fe–La system were studied using differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). Liquidus and solidus projections and a melting diagram for this system over the whole concentration range and a Scheil diagram for solidification were constructed. The ternary compound (Co,Fe)17La2 (τ) (Th2Zn17-type structure) forms by peritectic reaction L + (γCo,Fe) + Co13La ⇄ τ at 978 °C. This ternary compound is located along the isoconcentrate of 11 at.% La and extends from 45.8 to 79.3 at.% Co. The Co13La phase has the widest homogeneity region and dissolves up to 43.3 at.% Fe. The solubilities of Fe in Co5La, Co7La2, Co19La5, and Co3La2 were established to be 10.3, 9.2, 4.7, and 3.2 at.%, respectively. The solubility of Fe in Co1.7La2 and CoLa3 according to EPMA does not exceed 1 at.%. The maximum solubility of La in (γCo,Fe) and (αCo,Fe) is determined to be less than 1 at.%.

The phase relationships of the Ce-Pr-Fe ternary system at 600 °C were experimentally investigated using equilibrated alloys and diffusion junction samples with the use of electron probe microanalysis, x-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The isothermal section of the Ce-Pr-Fe system at 600 °C consists of 7 single-phase, 11 two-phase, and 5 three-phase regions. No ternary compound was found. The PrFe2 phase was observed in both ternary alloys and diffusion samples at normal pressure. The solid solubility of Ce in PrFe2 and Pr2Fe17 is 1.76 and 3.75 at.%, respectively. The solid solubility of Pr in CeFe2 and Ce2Fe17 is 13.21 and 0.77 at.%, respectively.

Phase transformations in the Zr-Co-Sn ternary system have been studied at crystallization using differential thermal analysis (DTA), x-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and electron probe microanalysis. The solidus surface of this system over the whole concentration range is constructed for the first time, involving 20 three-phase regions. Four ternary compounds, viz. ZrCo2Sn (τ1), ZrCoSn (τ2), Zr6Co1.65Sn1.35 (τ3), and Zr5Co6Sn18 (τ4), are confirmed. It is shown that they exist at the solidus temperatures. The crystal structure of the compound τ4 is first established as Tb5Rh6Sn17-type (cF116-Fm-3m) with lattice parameter a =13.376(6) A. Only one ternary compound (ZrCo2Sn, τ1, Heusler phase) has a rather wide homogeneity range at solidus temperature (43.5–50 at.% Co along the 50Zr50Sn-Co ray). Binary compounds Zr5Sn3+x and ZrCo2 dissolve up to 9 at.% Co and 14.5 at.% Sn, respectively. All other compounds are practically linear phases. The above six phases define the character of the solidus projection, taking part in all three-phase equilibria, except for those with participation of Sn.

Phase relationships in the Nd-Ce-Fe ternary system at 773 K have been investigated mainly by x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy with energy disperse spectroscopy techniques. The isothermal section consists of 6 single-phase regions, 7 two-phase regions and 3 three-phase regions. No ternary compound is observed in this system. Nd2Fe17 and Ce2Fe17 are found to form a continuous solid solution (Nd,Ce)2Fe17, and the solubilities of Ce in Nd5Fe17 and Nd in CeFe2 are determined.

In this study, the phase equilibria of the Cr-Mo-Hf ternary system at 1100 and 1300 °C were experimentally investigated by means of back-scattered electron, electron probe microanalysis and x-ray diffraction. The two C15 phases (α(HfMo2) and α(HfCr2)) link up with each other from Mo-Hf side to Cr-Hf side across the isothermal sections both at 1100 and 1300 °C. The isothermal section at 1300 °C consists of one three-phase region and three two-phase regions, while no ternary compound is found. One single-phase region of bcc(βHf) not connected with Mo-Hf binary boundary is found unexpectedly at 1100 °C, which results in the appearance of two extra three-phase regions.

The 600 and 800 °C isothermal sections of the Al-Ni-Sn ternary system were determined based on examination of equilibrated alloys by SEM spectroscopy and x-ray powder diffraction. Nine and Six three-phase regions exist in the Al-Ni-Sn system at 600 and 800 °C respectively. All the Al-Ni and Sn-Ni binary compounds except Al3Ni4 were confirmed at 600 °C, no ternary compound exists in Al-Ni-Sn system. The Ni3Sn2, Ni3Sn and AlNi3 phases show a large solubility of the third element. No ternary compound exists in Al-Ni-Sn system.

CuSbSe2 is emerging as an alternative absorber for thin-film photovoltaics owing to its intrinsic p-type conductivity, proper band gap (~ 1.1 eV), high-absorption coefficient (> 104 cm−1) and low cost. Moreover, it is nontoxic and its compositional elements (Cu, Se and Sb) are abundant in the crust of earth. In the present work, Sb2Se3/Cu multilayers were deposited by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) followed by magnetron sputtering (MS). After that, the as-prepared multilayers were annealed in-suit in the MS chamber at different temperatures and times to obtain high-quality CuSbSe2 ternary compound. Five intermetallic compounds were generated in this process, including CuSbSe2, Sb2Se3, CuSe2, Cu2Se and Cu3SbSe3. Besides, it was found out that most CuSbSe2 ternary compound was generated when the as-prepared multilayers were annealed at 420 °C for 10 min. The crystallite size of CuSbSe2 phase increased with elevating annealing temperature, while more holes and gaps occurred when the annealing temperature exceeded 420 °C. The results of energy-dispersive spectrometer indicated the film was highly developed with nearly stoichiometric atomic ratio of 27.91:22.72:49.37 (Cu:Sb:Se). The electrical measurement results revealed the semiconducting nature of the film and gave the conductivity activation energy of 0.26 eV, 0.08 eV and 0.13 eV, respectively. The direct band gap of the annealed film was revealed as 1.13 eV, which fulfilled the Shockley–Queisser requirements for the efficient harvesting of the solar spectrum.

The isothermal section of the Al-Si-Ti ternary system at 550 °C has been determined using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction. Results show that there are 12 three-phase equilibrium regions in the isothermal section of the system. The maximum solubility of Si in Al3Ti is 16.4%, and the solubility of Al and Ti in Si is small. There exists only one ternary compound in the isothermal section with a composition of Al7.1-13.9Ti33.5-34.2Si51.9-59.1.

The fission product strontium (Sr), after generation in the reactor due to fission of 233U, might exist as SrF2 in the molten fluoride medium of molten salt reactor (MSR) using fluoride carrier salts. The high temperature interactions between the strontium fluoride (SrF2) with the fertile fuel component and thorium fluoride (ThF4) leads to form single ternary compound SrThF6(s). The Gibbs energy of formation is the driving force for formation of any compound. In the present study, standard molar Gibbs energy of formation SrThF6(s) has been determined using an e.m.f. technique using CaF2(s) as solid electrolyte. Using the experimental thermodynamic data, to study the stability domain of SrThF6(s), the chemical potential diagram of Sr-Th-F-O system and ternary phase diagram of Sr-Th-F2 system have been calculated.

The effect of calcium content on the microstructure and subsequent mechanical properties of ZK60 magnesium alloy in the cast and extruded conditions were precisely studied. Alloys containing 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 2% (wt%) Ca were cast, were homogenized, and then were extruded by an extrusion ratio of 12:1. The base alloy (free of Ca) exhibited partially divorced-eutectic morphology, whereas the Ca containing alloys displayed lamellar or rod-like shaped morphologies. Along with the totally different morphology, the addition of Ca to the base alloy also gave rise to a gradual replacement of the Mg–Zn binary compound with the Ca2Mg6Zn3 ternary compound. It is realized that the Ca-containing intermetallic compound considerably restricted the grain growth during solidification, and the cast structure was efficaciously refined. Applying the hot extrusion procedure, as an effective thermomechanical processing route, not only modified the cast microstructure by decreasing grain size, breaking the eutectic network and changing the size and morphology of Ca-rich intermetallic phases, but also significantly mitigated the population of casting defects. The higher capability of Ca-containing Mg alloys in grain refinement in extruded samples was attributed to the activation of the particle-stimulated nucleation mechanism, especially adjacent to the large ternary Mg–Zn–Ca phases. Additionally, the room temperature tensile properties and corresponding fracture surfaces were also assessed and correlated with the microstructural evolutions.

The 600 and 800 °C isothermal sections of the Al-Sb-Cr ternary system were studied by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction. No ternary compound was found in this system at either 600 or 800 °C. AlSb can equilibrate with all phases in both the 600 and 800 °C isothermal sections except Cr. Ten three-phase regions were clearly identified in the Al-Sb-Cr ternary system at 600 °C and seven three-phase regions were confirmed in the 800 °C isothermal section.

The phase equilibria of the Co-Ti-Ru ternary system at 1000, 1100, and 1200 °C were studied using the electron probe microanalyzer and x-ray diffraction. The results show that: (1) no ternary compound exists in the isothermal sections from 1000 to 1200 °C; (2) the phases of CoTi and TiRu form the continuous solid solution phase (Co,Ru)Ti; (3) the solubility of Ru in the Co3Ti phase is less than 5 at.% at isothermal sections 1000-1100 °C. These experimental results will provide useful information for the foundation for alloy design and the supplement for thermodynamic databases.

Despite the improvements seen in efficiency of GaAs cells over the years, there remains room for improvement for it to approach the theoretical single junction limit posited by Shockley and Quiesser decades ago. One of the more pursued options is the growth of quantum wells within the structure of GaAs to enhance its photon absorption below its bandgap. Multiple Quantum Wells (MQW) have been an ongoing topic of research and discussion for the scientific community with structures like InGaAs/GaAs and InGaP/GaAs quantum wells producing promising results that could potentially improve overall energy conversion. Here, we used WEIN2K, a commercial density functional theory package, to study the ternary compound Ga1-xTlxAs and determine its electronic properties. Using these results combined with experimental confirmation we extend these properties to simulate its application to form a MQW GaAs/ Ga1-xTlxAs solar cell. Ga1-xTlxAs is a tunable ternary compound, with its bandgap being strongly dependent on the concentration of Tl present. Concentrations of Tl as low as 7% can reduce the bandgap of Ga1-xTlxAs to roughly 1.30 eV from GaAs’s 1.45 eV at room temperature with as little as a 1.7% increase in lattice constant. The change in bandgap, accompanied by the relatively small change in lattice constant makes Ga1-xTlxAs a strong candidate for a MQW cell with little to no strain balancing required within the structure to minimize unwanted defects that impede charge collection within the device. Our GaAs photodiode with TlGaAs MQWs shows an expanded absorption band and improved conversion efficiency over the standard GaAs photovoltaic cell with dilute concentrations of Tl incorporated into the compound.

CdSe@CdS@TiO2 microsheet array (MSA) ternary core–shell heterojunctions were prepared by successive electrodeposition of CdS and CdSe onto TiO2 microsheets using cyclic voltammetry. The photoelectrochemical performance of CdSe@CdS@TiO2 MSAs ternary core–shell heterojunctions is significantly improved. This structure not only greatly enhances the utilization efficiency of visible light but also greatly extends the spatial separation of photoinduced charge. This is because CdSe@CdS@TiO2 MSAs ternary core–shell heterojunctions have an inherent cascade energy band structure and a high-quality contact between each other at the interface. After annealing, CdSe@CdS@TiO2 MSAs ternary core–shell heterojunctions show a further improved photoelectrochemical performance because the formation of ternary compound CdS1−xSex enhances the quality of the contact interface between CdSe and CdS layers and consequently increases the transportation efficiency of photoinduced charges and injection efficiency of photoinduced electrons to the TiO2 layer. The maximum photocurrent density of 3.5 mA/cm2 was observed in the CdSe@CdS@TiO2 MSAs ternary core–shell heterojunctions after annealing at 350 °C, which is 9.46, 3.18 and 2 times higher than that observed in CdS@TiO2 MSA, CdSe@TiO2 MSA, and as-prepared CdSe@CdS@TiO2 MSA photoelectrodes, respectively.

The thermodynamic description of the ternary system B-Ti-Zr has been obtained by modelling the Gibbs energy of all individual phases using the CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse Diagrams) approach. There is no ternary compound in this system. The individual solution phases, i.e. Liquid, (βTi, βZr), TiB, (Ti, Zr)B2 and ZrB12 have been modeled. The modeling covers the whole composition and temperature ranges. The Gibbs energy of ZrB2 in the B-Zr system was reassessed using the two-sublattice model (B, Zr)1(B, Zr)2. A set of self-consistent thermodynamic parameters for the B-Ti-Zr system was obtained by considering the phase diagram data in the ternary system. Comprehensive comparisons between the calculated and measured phase diagram and thermodynamic data showed that the experimental information was satisfactorily accounted for by the present thermodynamic description. The liquidus projection and reaction scheme of the B-Ti-Zr system have also been presented.

In this paper, the TeMo5O16 ternary and MoO3-TeO2 binary compounds were prepared by using the solid-state reaction method and with MoO3-TeO2 oxide precursor solutions. The effect of pH and annealing temperature on the structure especially formation of TeMo5O16 ternary phase and optical properties of nanoparticles have been investigated. Ammonia (NH3) and nitric acid were used to adjust low and high pH, respectively. Synthesis and the formation of TeMo5O16 ternary compound were carried out at two processes: (A) chemical reduction with NaBH4 under nitrogen atmosphere and (B) annealing at temperatures T = 350 °C and 400 °C in air. These two temperatures were chosen because of the proximity to Te’s melting point. The results of X-ray diffraction showed that with increasing the annealing temperature, the MoO3-TeO2 binary composition is increased and an additional Te2O5 phase is observed. Also, with decreasing pH, the TeMo5O16 ternary phase is increased. The field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) images showed that the morphology of the nanoparticles is sphere-like, polyhedral forms, which indicates the presence of particles in different phases. The UV–Vis spectroscopy results showed that the energy gap of nanoparticles is varied in the range of 2.83–2.94 eV. The bonding structure of nano-particle was also studied by FT-IR spectroscopy.

Phase equilibria of the Al-Mn-Sn system were investigated by means of x-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Two isothermal sections of the Al-Mn-Sn system at 450 and 800 °C were experimentally established. No ternary compound was found at those two temperatures. The low-temperature phase Mn3Sn2 was observed at 450 °C. The solubility of Al in Mn3Sn, Mn3Sn2, MnSn2 and that of Sn in Al8Mn5 at 450 °C is about 3.1, 2.9, 0.6, and 1.7 at.%, respectively. The high-temperature phase Mn2-xSn was observed at 800 °C. The solubility of Al in Mn3Sn, Mn2−xSn and that of Sn in Al8Mn5 at 800 °C was measured to be 2.8, 3.6 and 1.0 at.%, respectively. Al12Mn, also named G phase, was proved to be stable at 450 °C.

In this work, the phase relationship of V-Si-Y ternary system at 1073 K has been experimentally investigated using the combination of x-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray analyses using equilibrated alloy method. The existence of eight binary compounds, namely, VSi2, V6Si5, V5Si3, V3Si, Y3Si5, YSi, Y5Si4, and Y5Si3 has been confirmed. Y2Si3 and YSi2 were not found at 1073 K. No ternary compound was found at 1073 K in this system. The maximum solid solubility of Si in the (V) phase is about 4.0 at.%. The range of homogeneity of V3Si was from 20.4 to 25.4 at.% Si. No remarkable solid solubility of the elements in any other phase was observed. This isothermal section consists of nine three-phase regions, 19 two-phase regions and 11 single-phase regions.

The phase equilibria of the Co-Cu-Mo ternary system at 900 and 1100 °C have been studied by using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Three and five three-phase regions have been confirmed in the system at 900 and 1100 °C, respectively. No ternary compound has been found in these two isothermal sections. At 900 °C, the maximum solubilities of Co and Cu in the μ phase are 56.5 and 4.4 at.%, respectively. As the temperature rises to 1100 °C, their solubilities decrease slightly. Moreover, with the temperature increases from 900 to 1100° C, in the αCo phase, the solubility of Mo increases from 6.5 to 11.9 at.% and the solubility of Cu increases from 8.3 to 12.1 at.%.

Ternary compound Cu2SnS3 (CTS) was fabricated by simple, low cost and high efficient spray pyrolysis and rapid thermal annealing route. The influences of annealing temperature and annealing duration on the properties of the prepared CTS thin film were investigated in detail. X-ray diffraction spectrometer, Scanning Electron Microscope, UV–Vis–IR spectrophotometer and I–V test system were employed for the analysis of the structural, morphological, optical and photoelectric properties of the prepared CTS thin film, respectively. The characterization results show that the CTS thin film prepared under the optimal annealing condition of 500 °C and 15 min presents as tetragonal structure with preferential (1,1,2), bandgap value of 1.44 eV, crystal grain size of around 80 nm and photoelectric conversion efficiency as high as 1.24%.

The toxicity of the organic dyes presents in the environment due to polluted discharge from industries is a real dilemma in the world. Here, the problem was addressed with the synthesis of new quaternary mineral cupric antimony oxychloride (CAO) during the study of Cu–Sb–O–Cl system in absence of solvents. The morphological analysis showed that synthesized matrix is rough and uneven with round and cylindrical shapes. The composition of nanomaterial verified the elemental composition as Cu, Sb and Cl. The XRD analysis revealed that synthesized product CAO is crystalline in nature where crystallite size was estimated in the range of 2–8 nm. The bond vibrations were studied through Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy to confirm the symmetric and asymmetric vibrations in the matrix. The material parameters (grain size, dislocation line density, stresses and miller indices) of the synthesized material CAO were calculated using powder X-ray diffraction analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis was performed to study the decomposition behaviour and stability of the CAO. The copper ternary compound was used to mitigate the effect of organic dyes like Sunset yellow (26%), Methylene blue (23%), Brilliant green (20%), Methyl orange (14%) in the dyes polluted wastewater.

The ternary compound BiFeO3–BiCoO3–BaTiO3 (BFO–BCO–BT) was prepared using the solid-state reaction method. The dielectric studies display strong frequency-dependent anomaly in the vicinity of Curie temperature (TC) ≈ 350 °K and exhibit strong diffusive relaxor behavior with (γ ≈ 1.61). The dielectric measurements confirm stabilization in BFO–BT solid solution due to BCO addition. The P–E loops display strong ferroelectric behavior and frequency variation indicating major dominant domain wall movement on high dielectric constant in the BFO–BCO–BT ternary compound. The magnetic field variation in the P–E loop displays strong magnetoelectric coupling originating from interfacial polarization with maximum coupling coefficient of 115 mV/cm-Oe at field of 500 Oe. The temperature variation of P–E shows enhanced configurational entropy due to increase in activation energy, with the highest isothermal energy (ΔS) = 0.15 J/kg/K obtained for E = 15 kV/cm and T = 125 °C. These studies provide tunable ferroelectric properties of BFO–BCO–BT for exploration of promising applications such as refrigeration and magnetoelectricity.

The phase equilibria of the Ho-Zr-Si ternary system were experimentally determined at 973 K (700 °C) in the entire concentration range by using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results show that there are 13 single-phase regions, 23 two-phase regions, and 11 three-phase regions in the investigated isothermal section, and no ternary compound is found. The composition ranges of all phases are extremely small. Among these, there are ten extensions of the binary compounds, i.e., ZrSi2, α-ZrSi, α-Zr5Si4, Zr3Si2, Zr2Si, β-HoSi2-a, α-HoSi2-b, HoSi, Ho5Si4, and Ho5Si3, in the ternary system. They are Zr1–xHoxSi2 (x ≤ 0.084), α-Zr1–xHoxSi (x ≤ 0.156), α-Zr5–xHoxSi4 (x ≤ 0.945), Zr3–xHoxSi2 (x ≤ 0.550), Zr2–xHoxSi (x ≤ 0.180), β-Ho1–xZrxSi2–a (x ≤ 0.124), α-Ho1–xZrxSi2–b (x ≤ 0.147), Ho1–xZrxSi (x ≤ 0.220), Ho5–xZrxSi4 (x ≤ 1.368), and Ho5–xZrxSi3 (x ≤ 0.592), respectively. In the present work, the phase transformation temperatures of β-HoSi2-b → α-HoSi2–b and Ho3Si4 → β-HoSi2–b + HoSi are determined to be 979.7 K (706.7 °C) and 1479.3 K (1206.3 °C), respectively, by analyzing the DSC results.

The isothermal section of the Zr-Si-Y ternary system at 900 °C has been investigated using x-ray power diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-/wave-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Nine three-phase equilibrium regions were determined experimentally. No ternary compound was observed in the present work. The 9 binary compounds Zr2Si, Zr3Si2, Zr5Si4, ZrSi, ZrSi2, Y5Si3, Y5Si4, YSi and Y3Si5 were confirmed to exist in the Zr-Si-Y ternary system at 900 °C. The solubility of the third component in the binary compound was determined experimentally.

A ternary compound of magnesium diniobate (MgNb2O6) was prepared by solid–state reactions in order to understand the role of transition metal oxides as a promoter/catalyst for hydrogen storage in Mg/MgH2 systems. MgNb2O6 was prepared in almost pure form in oxidizing conditions by annealing a stoichiometric mixture of MgO and Nb2O5. The effect of calcination temperatures on phase formation, reaction kinetics, and heat of reaction of the solid–state product was investigated by ex situ, in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Hydrogen sorption properties of the compound were investigated by mass spectrometer. The crystallographic parameters of binary and ternary Mg–Nb–O phases were extracted by Rietveld method. During solid–state synthesis, the formation of MgNb2O6 provides single-step reaction between precursor materials proved by in situ experiment and the heat of formation as well as driving force was calculated from calorimetric analysis.

The microstructure of the Er-Fe-V ternary system at 773 K was investigated by means of x-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The isothermal section at 773 K was obtained, consisting of 9 single-phase regions, 15 two-phase regions, and 8 three-phase regions. The homogeneity range of the ternary compound ErFe12−xVx was determined to be x = 1.1 to 2.6. The maximum solid solubility of V in Fe, ErFe2, and Er2Fe17 was found to be about 13.0 at.%, 5.3 at.%, and 2.5 at.%, respectively. The maximum solid solubility of Fe in V was found to be about 25 at.%. Regarding the microwave absorbing properties of V-doped Er2Fe17 alloy, the absorption peak of the Er2Fe17−xVx alloys moved toward the low frequency region while the minimal reflection loss decreased upon V addition, with absorption frequency bandwidth (R

Phosphate compound with mixed cations, NaBaPO4 can be a new candidate of microwave dielectric ceramics with the basis of the systematically investigations of the ternary compound series of AMPO4 (A = Li, Na, K; M = Ca, Sr, Ba). Ceramics with single phase of NaBaPO4 can be obtained under our optimized experimental sintering conditions for this compounds above, whereas its microstructures and microwave dielectric properties are strongly influenced by the sintering temperatures and holding times. Relatively dense microstructures can be obtained under the sintering conditions of 910 °C/0.5 h, with unique combination of microwave dielectric properties as e = 8.279, Q × f = 10237 GHz (11.4 GHz) and τf = + 19.07 ppm/°C, and fast sintering characteristics (0.25 – 0.5 h) are the inherent properties of such phosphate compound.

The main environmental problems associated with water body pollution are typically those caused by the discharge of untreated effluents released by various industries. Wastewater from the textile dye industry is itself a large contributor and contains a huge number of complex components, a wide spectrum of organic pollutants with high concentration of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)/chemical oxygen demand (COD) and other toxic elements. One of several potential techniques to degrade such reactive dyes before being discharged to water bodies is photocatalysis, and bismuth-based photocatalysts are rapidly gaining popularity in this direction. Bismuth oxyhalides, BiOX (X=Cl, Br, I, F), as a group of ternary compound semiconductors (V-VI-VII), have been explored extensively for their photocatalytic activity due to their unique crystal lattice with special layered structure in pure as well as modified form. With suitable band gap and band edge positions, which are a required condition for efficient water breakup and high photon absorption, BiOCl scores over other oxyhalides. Photocatalytic activity depends on many factors such as synthesis method, morphology, size, illumination type, dye choice among others. This paper gives a critical review on bismuth oxyhalides as a family on various aspects of modifications such as doping (with unique and interesting metals as well), morphology and synthesis parameters, polymer and carbon assisted composites in order to further enhance the photocatalytic efficiency in UV/visible region of solar spectrum.

The interaction of components in the Dy-Sm-Ge system at 873 K was investigated by means of x-ray phase and structural analyses, microstructural analysis and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The existence of the continuous solid solutions between the isostructural binary germanides of the Dy1−xSmxGe (CrB-type), Dy5-xSmxGe4 (Sm5Ge4-type) and Dy5-xSmxGe3 (Mn5Si3-type) were established. The limited solid solutions based on the binary germanides of the SmGe2 (α-ThSi2-type), DyGe2 (TbGe2-type) and Dy11Ge10 (Ho11Ge10-type) are formed. The solubility of Dy in SmGe2 is 15 at.%, Sm in DyGe2 and Dy11Ge10 − 10 at.%, Sm. Two ternary SmxDy1−xGe1.5 (x = 0.15-0.50) and Sm2Dy2Ge7 compounds were found. SmxDy1−xGe1.5 crystallizes in AlB2 structure type. The crystal structure of the new ternary compound of the Sm2Dy2Ge7 (ordered superstructure to Nd4Ge7-type, Pearson symbol oS44, space group C2221, a = 0.5942(1), b = 1.3823(4), c = 1.1801(3) nm, V = 0.9694 nm3) was investigated by means of x-ray single crystal diffraction. The germanium atoms form 3D anionic network the existence of which was confirmed by electronic structure calculations.

The 650 and 750 °C isothermal sections of the Cr-Sb-Fe ternary system were determined by means of scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction. More than 40 alloys were prepared by a powder metallurgy method. Two continuous solid solution phases (Fe, Cr)Sb and (Fe, Cr)Sb2 were clearly identified. Two three-phase regions have been confirmed in the Cr-Sb-Fe ternary system at 650 and 750 °C isothermal sections. No ternary compound was found in this system.

Insight into the phase equilibria, intermetallic compounds, solid solution and thermodynamic properties of the system of Zr, Si and rare earth elements is of academic interest for development of key structural materials in many fields. In this work, the solid state phase equilibria of the Si-Y-Zr ternary system at 1173 K were experimentally investigated by using x-ray powder diffraction and backscattered electron with energy dispersive x-ray analysis. The existence of 10 binary compounds namely, SiZr2, α-Si4Zr5, Si2Zr3, Si2Zr, α-SiZr, α-Si2Y, β-Si5Y3, SiY, Si4Y5 and Si3Y5, have been confirmed in this system at 1173 K, respectively. No binary compound was found in the Y-Zr binary system, and no ternary compound was found in current ternary system. The solid solubility of Y in the phases SiZr2, α-Si4Zr5, Si2Zr3, Si2Zr, α-SiZr, and Zr in α-Si2Y, β-Si5Y3, SiY, Si4Y5 and Si3Y5 was determined at 1173 K.