The use of aluminum-based hybrid metal matrix composite (HMMC) materials, especially in engine components like pistons, is intended to improve wear resistance and overall performance. Crucial tribological indicators, such as wear and friction coefficients, underscore the significance of these materials. However, present aluminum alloys have limited wear because of clustered reinforced particles and relatively high coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE), resulting in inadequate anti-seizure properties during dry sliding conditions. This research introduces a novel “Hybrid Metal Matrix Composite of Al7068 Reinforced with Fly Ash-SiC-Al2O3”. Al7068 is employed for its superior strength-to-weight ratio and specific modulus, which is ideal for components exposed to cyclic loads and varying temperatures. The integration of fly Ash (FA), silicon carbide (SiC), and alumina (Al2O3) as reinforcements enhances wear resistance, diminishes particle clustering, improves stiffness, mitigates CTE discrepancies, and fortifies the composite against strain and corrosion, thereby enhancing its overall performance. The Stir-casting method was used with optimized reinforcement percentages (10 % total), and comprehensive evaluations through wear tests and mechanical property analyses determined the composite's optimal composition. The proposed HMMC variant with the most suitable reinforcement percentage exhibited enhanced engine piston functionality, reduced wear, low deformation of 0.20 mm, and a comparatively higher ultimate tensile strength of 190 megapascals (Mpa).
Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) offer a viable alternative to partially or fully replace lithium ion batteries (LIBs) due to their lower cost and increased safety. This paper outlines the compositional optimizations, crystallographic evaluations, and electrochemical behavior of a novel mixed NASICON polyanionic compound, NaFe2PO4(SO4)2 (NFPS). X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS) results showed that cobalt doping produces a higher concentration of oxygen defects compared to undoped samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis results revealed that the modified sample has more uniform pores and pore distribution. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) measurements showed that doping of Co2+ reduces the specific surface area of NFPS-Co0.08 compared to NFPS. This shortens the sodium ion diffusion pathway and promotes ion dynamics. The addition of Co2+ to the sample significantly improved its performance during galvanostatic charge-discharge tests. The electrochemical activity also is significantly enhanced by Co2+ doping. Na0.84Co0.08Fe2PO4(SO4)2 exhibits superior rate and cycling performance compared to pristine NFPS. After 80 cycles at 25 mA g-1, NFPS-Co0.08 retained discharge specific capacity of 60.8 mA h g-1, which is 1.24 times greater than that of NFPS.
Efficient donor-acceptor (D-A) molecular scaffolds should be developed for the advancement of organic solar cells (OSCs). Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) studies provide an effective methodology to perform initial studies to design and investigate D-A molecular systems. Two fluorine-substituted bis-benzothiadiazoles (FBBTs) are designed and optimized using the DFT method. The results show better planarity for FBBT2, which is attributed to π-extension between the FBBT units. A series of D-A small molecules CB1-4 are designed utilizing FBBT2 to study the effect of systematically substituting carbazole donor and cyano-based acceptor groups on the optoelectronic properties of FBBT. DFT calculations are performed using the B3LYP functional. The designed D-A scaffolds exhibit systematic tuning of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), HOMO-LUMO gap (from 2.333 eV to 1.825 eV). The observed HOMO-LUMO gap follows the trend CB1 > CB2 > CB4 > CB3. The Voc (open-circuit voltage) and power conversion efficiency (PCE) for CB1-4 are presented with the PC71BM acceptor. The overall trend observed for the Voc follows the order CB1 < CB4 < CB2 < CB3. The PCE trend observed using the Scharber model follows the trend CB3 > CB4 > CB2 > CB1. The results show that end cap modeling of π-extended FBBT with cyano-based acceptor groups significantly improves the observed PCE and Voc.
A high-pressure in-situ permeation measuring system was developed to evaluate the hydrogen permeation properties of polymer sealing materials in hydrogen environments up to 100 MPa. This system employs the manometric method, utilizing a compact and portable manometer to measure the permeated hydrogen over time, following high-pressure hydrogen injection. By utilizing a self-developed permeation-diffusion analysis program, this system enables precise evaluation of permeation properties, including permeability, diffusivity and solubility. To apply the developed system to high-pressure hydrogen permeation tests, the hydrogen permeation properties of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) materials containing silica fillers, specifically designed for gas seal in high-pressure hydrogen environments, were evaluated. The permeation measurements were conducted under pressure conditions ranging from 5 MPa to 90 MPa. The results showed that as pressure increased, hydrogen permeability and diffusivity decreased, while solubility remained constant regardless of pressure. Finally, the reliability of this system was confirmed through uncertainty analysis of the permeation measurements, with all results falling within an uncertainty of 11.2 %.