Rapid low-temperature densification of Ag2Se bulk material: mass transfer through the dissociative adsorption reaction of Ag protrusions and Se saturated vapor.

In materials science, the impact of density on a material's capabilities is profound. Conventional sintering requires high temperatures and is energy-demanding, propelling the pursuit of less intensive, low-temperature densification methods. Electric field-assisted sintering has recently gained attention for its simplicity and effectiveness, offering a new frontier in low-temperature densification. In this study, dense bulk materials were produced by subjecting monophasic Ag2Se powders to electric field-assisted sintering, where a direct current with an average value of 4 A was applied, achieving a peak temperature of 344 K. The novel low-temperature densification mechanism unfolds thus: nanoscale silver protrusions, stimulated by electrical current, engage in a dissociative adsorption reaction with the ambient saturated selenium vapor. This process swiftly engenders the formation of fresh silver selenide (Ag2Se) compounds, initiating nucleation and subsequent growth. Consecutively, these compounds seamlessly occupy and expand, perpetually bridging the interstices amidst the powders. In a scant 8 s, the density swiftly surpassed 99%, yielding a bulk material that exhibited aZTvalue of 1.07 at 390 K. This investigation not only attains an unparalleled density at low temperatures but also charts a pioneering course for material densification in such conditions.

Dual-Cation CuAgSe-Based Material: Rapid Mass Transfer in Synthesis and High Thermoelectric Performance Realization.

Understanding mass transfer mechanisms is vital for developing new material synthesis and densification technologies. Ion transport, serving both mass and charge transfer, is essential for the rapid preparation of high-performance fast ionic conductor thermoelectric materials like Zn4Sb3 and Cu2Q (Q = S, Se). In the case of dual-cation fast ion conductor materials like CuAgSe, exploring the relationship between cation transport becomes pertinent. In this study, copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) undergo a reaction in the presence of an electric field (∼15 A), resulting in the formation of the CuSe compound. Subsequent to this initial reaction, a subsequent thermal environment facilitates the interaction among Cu, CuSe, and Ag2Se, culminating in the rapid formation and densification of CuAgSe (with a relative density exceeding 99%) in just 30 s. Evidently, the diffusion of copper ions substantiates a pivotal role in facilitating mass transfer. As a result, CuAg1+xSe samples with different silver contents (x = 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04 and 0.05) can effectively inhibit cation vacancy, and introduce highly ordered Ag nanotwins to enhance the electrical transport performance. For CuAg1.04Se, a peak ZT value of 1.0 can be achieved at 673 K, which is comparable to the literatures. This work will guide the future electric field-assisted rapid mass transfer of materials.

Formation process of Cu2(OH)2CO3 and CuO hierarchical nanostructures by assembly of hydrated nanoparticles.

Cu2(OH)2CO3 and CuO hierarchical nanostructures with variable morphologies were synthesized by controlled heating hydrated nanoparticles. The growth of nanostructures started with nanoparticles which formed loose aggregates. The nanoparticles within aggregates reorganized to form urchin-like structures which consisted of dense nanorods. With the growth of nanorods, regular microspheres were formed. At the same time, the nanorods coalesced to form wedge-like structures. The various surface subunits were just the outer display of wedge-like structures under different conditions. CuO nanostructures were gained by pyrolysis of malachite precursors. The attractive electrostatic force was responsible for aggregation of nanoparticles. During growth of aggregates, nanorods acted as growing tips which adsorbed adjacent nanoparticles. The Brownian motion was responsible for reorientation of nanoparticles to achieve low-energy configuration. Adsorbed water played an important role during formation of malachite nanostructures. The effect of growing environments on nanostructures was investigated. XRD, SEM, TEM and BET and so on were used to characterize the products.

One-step wet chemical method to Cu(OH)2 nanowires.

Under controlled temperature and pH of solution, Cu(OH)2 nanowires were successfully fabricated by dropping simply NaOH solution into CuSO4 solution. The morphology and composition of as-synthesized products were controllable by adjusting the pH value, reaction temperature and aging time. The influence of reaction conditions on the products was discussed in detail and optimum synthesis conditions were obtained. A mechanism of reconstruction involving dissolution, reprecipitation and transportation of [Cu(OH)4 ]2- was proposed. OH ions played an important role by absorbing on the surface of crystal planes which resulted in anisotropic growth of Cu(OH)2 crystals. This method with mild conditions was simple and repeatable. This route provides a new perspective to synthesize similar 1-D nanomaterials, such as Co(OH)2 and Ni(OH)2 and so on. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the products.

Fabrication of multilayer pancakelike basic magnesium carbonate.

The properties of nanomaterials was strongly affected by their microstructures. Here Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 x 4H2O multilayer pancakelike structures were fabricated successfully by reaction of MgCl2 and Na2CO3 in aqueous solution at 363 K. The growth process of nanostructures was observed by XRD and SEM. Several transition states of multilayer pancakelike basic magnesium carbonates were observed, which help to understand better the formation process of this hierarchical nanostructures. The formation mechanism of Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 x 4H2O multilayer pancakelike structures was discussed and helical growth was proposed. The amorphous nanoparticles were formed firstly. Then nanopartilces aggregated and oriented assembly under the direction of chemical bonds with the help of water molecules. The multilayer pancakelike basic magnesium carbonates was formed by helical growth of wafers along (100) and (001) direction. The diameter and volume decreased with the increasing concentration of reactants.

Main chemical species and molecular structure of deep eutectic solvent studied by experiments with DFT calculation: a case of choline chloride and magnesium chloride hexahydrate.

The infrared spectrum of deep eutectic solvent of choline chloride and magnesium chloride hexahydrate was measured by the FTIR spectroscopy and analyzed with the aid of DFT calculations. The main chemical species and molecular structure in deep eutectic solvent of [MgClm(H2O)6-m]2-m and [ChxCly]x+y complexes were mainly identified and the active ion of magnesium complex during the electrochemical process was obtained. The mechanism of the electrochemical process of deep eutectic solvent of choline chloride and magnesium chloride hexahydrate was well explained by combination theoretical calculations and experimental. Besides, based on our results we proposed a new system for the dehydration study of magnesium chloride hexahydrate.

Preparation and luminescence properties of lanthanide (Eu3+, Sm3+) complexes and their hectorite-based composites.

The complexes of europium and samarium with phthalates ligands were synthesized and characterized. The luminescence behaviors of the lanthanide complexes as well as their hectorite-based composites were investigated by fluorescence spectra. The results indicated that the lanthanide complexes showed slightly lower intensities in hectorite matrix than that of corresponding pure complexes. The lanthanide ion relative fluorescence intensity (LRFI) was enhanced when the lanthanide complexes were doped into hectorite.

Equilibrium models and kinetic for the adsorption of methylene blue on Co-hectorites.

The adsorption of methylene blue (MB) onto the surface of cobalt doping hectorite (Co-hectorite) was systematically studied. The physical properties of Co-hectorites were investigated, where characterizations were carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Electron Diffraction Spectrum (EDS) techniques, and morphology was examined by nitrogen adsorption. The sample with a Co content 5% (m/m) had a higher specific surface area than other Co-hectorites. The pore diameters were distributed between 2.5 and 5.0 nm. The adsorption results revealed that Co-hectorite surfaces possessed effective interactions with MB and bases, and greatest adsorption capacity achieved with Co content 5%, where the best-fit isotherm model was the Langmuir adsorption model. Kinetic studies were fitted to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The intraparticle diffusion was not the rate-limiting step for the whole reaction.

Three novel phases in the Sm-Co-Ga system. Syntheses, crystal and electronic structures, and electrical and magnetic properties.

This paper presents the synthesis, identification, and characterization of three novel phases in the ternary system Sm-Co-Ga: SmCoGa5 (tP7, HoCoGa5 type, tetragonal P4/mmm, Z = 1, a = 4.2419(3) A, and c = 6.8559(5) A), Sm4Co3Ga16 (tP23, tetragonal P4/mmm, Z = 1, a = 6.0620(5) A, and c = 11.1495(9) A), and SmCoGa4 (oC24, YNiAl4 type, orthorhombic Cmcm, Z = 4, a = 4.1246(6) A, b = 15.608(2) A, and c = 6.4556(9) A). The structure of SmCoGa5 was obtained from a multiphase X-ray powder Rietveld refinement whereas the crystal structures of the other two phases were determined from single-crystal X-ray analysis. Electronic structures were calculated for all phases by first-principles DFT methods. The atomic arrangements and bonding are discussed on the basis of the partial anionic networks involving Co and Ga atoms, and a strong structural correlation is observed between SmCoGa5 and Sm4Co3Ga16. The latter, which displays paramagnetic behavior, has a resistivity of 4.2 microOmega.cm at 3 K and undergoes a superconducting transition at 2.8 K.