Search

The present paper focuses on the direct synthesis of NiGa layered double hydroxides (LDHs) by concomitant addition of Ni and Ga chloride in solution with NaOH solution, at a constant pH value of 6.5. Various Ni/Ga ratios (Ni/Ga = 2, Ni/Ga = 4, or Ni/Ga = 6) were investigated, and samples were collected after successive additions. Each sample was then analyzed by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to derive information about the shape of the objects formed upon synthesis. In parallel Ni K-edge and Ga K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis were carried out on relevant samples to obtain information on the local structure of the species in suspension. SAXS curves reveal significant changes. At the beginning of the synthesis, for low added volumes (V(s)), the suspension appears to contain both monodimensional and bidimensional objects. For higher V(s), the monodimensional objects disappear and only platelike particles are detected in the suspension. EXAFS results show that all the added gallium atoms are involved in a solid Ni-Ga LDH phase throughout the whole synthesis. In contrast, some nickel cations do not precipitate in the Ni-Ga LDH. At the beginning of the synthesis, for low added volumes they are also involved in the formation of fibrous polycations. For higher added volumes, the fibers are not observed anymore and monomeric nickel species are then present in the suspension.

The peculiar behaviour of zinc depending on whether it is used pure or alloyed in Cu 63 Zn 37 wire electrodes leads either to nanosheets or to nanoparticles when it is processed by nanosecond pulsed discharges in liquid nitrogen. Using one electrode of copper and one electrode of zinc gives core-shell Cu@Zn nanoparticles but no alloy for the smallest nanoparticles (typically below 20 nm). Once nitrogen is evaporated, their oxidization in air produces Cu 2 O@ZnO nanoparticles. If both electrodes are made of Cu 63 Zn 37 , then the smallest nanoparticles are made of Cu and Zn and oxidized next in air to give Cu 2 O and ZnO nanoparticles. No alloy is formed either. Time-resolved optical emission spectroscopy gives clues on the origin of such behaviours, explaining why no alloy is formed when electrodes are made of different materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have characterized by transmission electron microscopy several new phases that we have discovered in bulk alloys of the Al–Cr–Fe system. These structures are an icosahedral compound and several approximants of the decagonal phase. According to the indexation of the electron diffraction patterns (EDPs), some of the approximants are not of Fibonacci type. These EDPs correspond to nanodomains, which are due to disorder introduced by quenching the alloys after melting the pure constituent metals. For these new types of approximant, we propose a crystallographic description related to the usual Fibonacci description. In addition, we suggest a construction of the corresponding tilings. The orientation relationships between these structures are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metallurgical and mechanical responses of alloys 16NiCrMo13 and 23MnCrMo5 to the addition of carbon and/or nitrogen were investigated. Diffusion profiles of these interstitial elements were established by atmospheric pressure carburizing, austenitic nitriding, and a sequence of carburizing and nitriding – the carbonitriding. All treatments were performed at 1173 K under CO-H 2 and/or NH 3 based atmospheres. After enrichment, each sample was (i) room-temperature oil-quenched and (ii) immersed in boiling nitrogen prior to (iii) the stress relief treatment. Cross-section hardness profiles were evaluated after each of these steps. Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) allowed for the determination of both carbon and nitrogen diffusion profiles after quenching. In order to estimate the fraction of nitrides formed during the enrichment of the alloys, these measured profiles were employed in the simulation of local equilibrium at each evaluated position. This allowed for the computation of total solid solution interstitial content, which was expressed in atomic fraction. Plots of as-quenched hardness against the square root of the computed interstitial content, i.e. the sum of solution carbon and the remaining nitrogen, show the complementary character of these elements in determining the mechanical properties of the materials prior to stress relief treatment. Tempering of carbon-nitrogen martensite resulted in hardness drop to a lesser degree than the one measured on carbon martensite with equivalent interstitial content. In order to investigate this behavior, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses were performed. Results showed the precipitation of two morphologies of Fe 16 N 2 in the nitrogen-rich case and image analysis confirmed the simulated fraction of nitrides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nature of trace element carriers contained in sewage and combined sewer overflow (CSO) was investigated by TEM-EDX-Electron diffraction and SEM-EDX. During dry weather, chalcophile elements were found to accumulate in sewer sediments as early diagenetic sulfide phases. The sulfurization of some metal alloys was also evidenced. Other heavy metal carriers detected in sewage include metal alloys, some iron oxihydroxide phases and neoformed phosphate minerals such as anapaite. During rain events, the detailed characterization of individual mineral species allowed to differentiate the contributions from various specific sources. Metal plating particles, barite from automobile brake, or rare earth oxides from catalytic exhaust pipes, originate from road runoff, whereas PbSn alloys and lead carbonates are attributed to zinc-works from roofs and paint from building siding. Soil contribution can be traced by the presence of clay minerals, iron oxihydroxides, zircons and rare earth phosphates. However, the most abundant heavy metal carriers in CSO samples were the sulfide particles eroded from sewer sediments. The evolution of relative abundances of trace element carriers during a single storm event, suggests that the pollution due to the “first flush” effect principally results from the sewer stock of sulfides and previously deposited metal alloys, rather than from urban surface runoff. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]