Na4MnV(PO4)3 (NMVP) cathode materials have attracted significant attention as potential candidates for grid applications due to their distinctive structure and high theoretical capacity. However, their inadequate electronic conductivity compromises both cycling stability and rate capability, presenting a challenge for practical implementation. To address this issue, we employed a strategy involving Zr4+ doping and dual-carbon coating to enhance the electrochemical performance of NMVP. The resulting Na3.8MnV0.8Zr0.2( PO4)3/C/rGO composite demonstrated markedly improved rate capability (71.9 mAh g− 1 at 60 °C) and sustained cyclic stability (84.8% retention at 2 C after 1000 cycles), as validated through comprehensive kinetics assessments. The enhanced performance can be attributed to the expanded Na-ion pathways facilitated by large size ion doping and the improved electronic conductivity enabled by the dual-layer coating.

La modified lead zirconate titanate ceramics (Pb0.92La0.08)(Zr0.95Ti0.05)O3 = PLZT-8/95/5 were prepared using the conventional solid state reaction method in order to investigate the complex impedance characteristics of the PLZT-8/95/5 ceramic according to temperature. The complex impedance in the PLZT-8/95/5 ceramic was measured over a temperature range of 30~550 °C at several frequencies. The complex dielectric constant anomaly of the phase transition was observed near TU1 = 179 °C and TU2 = 230 °C. A remarkable diffuse dielectric constant anomalous behaviour of the complex dielectric constant was found between 100 °C and 550 °C. The complex impedance spectra below and above TU1 and TU2 were fitted by the superposition of two Cole-Cole types of impedance relaxations. The fast component in the higher frequency region may be due to ion migration in the bulk, and the slow component in the lower frequency region is interpreted to be the formation and migration of ions at the grain boundary or electrode/crystal interfacial polarization.

에너지 패러다임의 변화가 요구되는 현대에 수소는 매력적인 에너지원이다. 이러한 수소를 정제하는 기술 중에서 분리막을 이용한 기술은 저비용으로 고순도의 수소를 정제할 수 있는 기술로 주목받고 있다. 그러나 수소 분리 성능이 뛰어 난 팔라듐(Pd)은 가격이 매우 비싸 이를 대체한 소재가 필요하다. 본 연구에서는 수소 투과 성능은 좋으나 수소 취성에 약한 니오븀(Nb)과 수소 투과 성능은 떨어지나 내구성이 뛰어난 니켈(Ni)과 지르코늄(Zr)을 혼합한 합금으로 분리막을 제조하여 1~4 bar, 350~450 °C 조건에서 수소 투과 특성을 확인하였다. Pd를 코팅하지 않은 Ni48Nb32Zr20 분리막의 경우 최대 0.69 ml/cm2/min의 투과량을 보였으며, Pd가 코팅된 경우에는 최대 13.05 ml/cm2/min의 투과량을 보였다.

Composite-based piezoelectric devices are extensively studied to develop sustainable power supply and selfpowered devices owing to their excellent mechanical durability and output performance. In this study, we design a leadfree piezoelectric nanocomposite utilizing (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Ti0.9Zr0.1)O3 (BCTZ) nanomaterials for realizing highly flexible energy harvesters. To improve the output performance of the devices, we incorporate porous BCTZ nanowires (NWs) into the nanoparticle (NP)-based piezoelectric nanocomposite. BCTZ NPs and NWs are synthesized through the solidstate reaction and sol-gel-based electrospinning, respectively; subsequently, they are dispersed inside a polyimide matrix. The output performance of the energy harvesters is measured using an optimized measurement system during repetitive mechanical deformation by varying the composition of the NPs and NWs. A nanocomposite-based energy harvester with 4:1 weight ratio generates the maximum open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current of 0.83 V and 0.28 A, respectively. In this study, self-powered devices are constructed with enhanced output performance by using piezoelectric energy harvesting for application in flexible and wearable devices.

The effects of La3+ substitution for Sr2+-site on the crystal structure and the dielectric properties of (Ba0.7Sr0.3-3x/2Lax) (Ti0.9Zr0.1)O3 (BSLTZ) (0.005 ≤ x ≤ 0.02) ceramics were investigated. The structural characteristics of the BSLTZ ceramics were quantitatively evaluated using the Rietveld refinement method from X-ray diffraction (XRD) data. For the specimens sintered at 1,550 °C for 6 h, a single phase with a perovskite structure and homogeneous microstructure were observed for the entire range of compositions. With increasing La3+ substitution (x), the unit cell volume decreased because the ionic size of La3+ (1.36 Å) ions is smaller than that of Sr2+ (1.44 Å) ions. With increasing La3+ substitution (x), the tetragonal phase fraction increased due to the A-site cation size mismatch effect. Dielectric constant (εr) increased with the La3+ substitution (x) due to the increase in tetragonality (c/a) and the average B-site bond valence of the ABO3 perovskite. The BSLTZ ceramics showed a higher dielectric loss due to the smaller grain size than that of (Ba0.7Sr0.3)(Ti0.9Zr0.1)O3 ceramics. BSLTZ (x = 0.02) ceramics met the X7R specification proposed by the Electronic Industries Association (EIA).

전고체 전지는 전기 자동차의 안정성을 향상시키기 위해 기존의 리튬 이온 전지를 대체할 주요 후보로 간주되고 있 습니다. 그러나 전고체 전지에 사용되는 황화물계 고체 전해질은 산화 환원 안정성이 부족하며 양극복합전극과 표면 에서 부반응을 이르켜 문제를 야기시킵니다. 때문에 양극 표면 코팅법이 제안되었고 이는 충방전 사이클 안정성 및 속도 특성의 개선에 유용한 효과를 나타낼 수 있습니다. 본 논문에서는 결정학적 분석을 통하여 신규 Li-Zr-O 조성 탐색을 하였고, 다양한 양극 소재 코팅소재 후보군 중 리튬 이온 전도체인 Li6Zr2O7 구조가 매우 유망하다는 연구 결 과를 확인했습니다. 본 논문은 기존에 사용되는 LiNbO3, Li4Ti5O12가 아닌 새로운 다양한 구조 및 조성의 양극 코팅 소 재개발에 대한 필요성 및 가능성을 시사합니다.

In order to broaden the range of application of light weight aluminum alloys, it is necessary to enhance the mechanical properties of the alloys and combine them with other materials, such as cast iron. In this study, the effects of adding small amounts of Cu and Zr to the Al-Si-Mg based alloy on tensile properties and corrosion characteristics were investigated, and the effect of the addition on the interfacial compounds layer with the cast iron was also analyzed. Although the tensile strength of the Al-Si-Mg alloy was not significantly affected by the additions of Cu and Zr, the corrosion resistance in 3.5 %NaCl solution was found to be somewhat lowered in this research. The influence of Cu and Zr addition on the type and thickness of the interfacial compounds layer formed during compound casting with cast iron was not significant, and the main interfacial compounds were identified to be Al5FeSi and Al8Fe2Si phases, as in the case of the Al-Si-Mg alloys.

Recently, high-entropy carbides have attracted considerable attention owing to their excellent physical and chemical properties such as high hardness, fracture toughness, and conductivity. However, as an emerging class of novel materials, the synthesis methods, performance, and applications of high-entropy carbides have ample scope for further development. In this study, equiatomic (Hf-Ti-Ta-Zr-Nb)C high-entropy carbide powders have been prepared by an ultrahigh- energy ball-milling (UHEBM) process with different milling times (1, 5, 15, 30, and 60 min). Further, their refinement behavior and high-entropy synthesis potential have been investigated. With an increase in the milling time, the particle size rapidly reduces (under sub-micrometer size) and homogeneous mixing of the prepared powder is observed. The distortions in the crystal lattice, which occur as a result of the refinement process and the multicomponent effect, are found to improve the sintering, thereby notably enhancing the formation of a single-phase solid solution (high-entropy). Herein, we present a procedure for the bulk synthesis of highly pure, dense, and uniform FCC single-phase (Fm3m crystal structure) (Hf-Ti-Ta-Zr-Nb)C high-entropy carbide using a milling time of 60 min and a sintering temperature of 1,600oC.

The purpose of this study is to develop a zirconium-based alloy with low modulus and magnetic susceptibility to prevent the stress-shielding effect and the generation of artifacts. Zr-7Cu-xSn (x = 1, 5, 10, 15 mass%) alloys are prepared by an arc melting process. Microstructure characterization is performed by microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Mechanical properties are evaluated using micro Vickers hardness and compression test. The magnetic susceptibility is evaluated using a SQUIDVSM. The average magnetic susceptibility value of the Zr-7Cu-xSn alloy is 1.176 × 108 cm3g1. Corrosion tests of zirconiumbased alloys are conducted through polarization test. The average Icorr value of the Zr-7Cu-xSn alloy is 0.1912 A/cm2. The elastic modulus value of 14 ~ 18 GPa of the zirconium-based alloy is very similar to the elastic modulus value of 15 ~ 30 GPa of the human bone. Consequently, the Sn added zirconium alloy, Zr-7Cu-xSn, is very interesting and attractive as a biomaterial that reduces the stress-shielding effect caused by differences of elastic modulus between human bone and metallic implants. In addition, this material has the potential to be used in metallic dental implants to effectively eliminate artifacts in MRI images due to low magnetic susceptibility.

To improve ferroelectric properties of PZT, many studies have attempted to fabricate dense PZT films. The AD process has an advantage for forming dense ceramic films at room temperature without any additional heat treatment in low vacuum. Thick films coated by AD have a higher dielectric breakdown strength due to their higher density than those coated using conventional methods. To improve the breakdown strength, glass (SiO2-Al2O3-Y2O3, SAY) is mixed with PZT powder at various volume ratios (PZT-xSAY, x = 0, 5, 10 vol%) and coating films are produced on silicon wafers by AD method. Depending on the ratio of PZT to glass, dielectric breakdown strength and energy storage efficiency characteristics change. Mechanical impact in the AD process makes the SAY glass more viscous and fills the film densely. Compared to pure PZT film, PZT-SAY film shows an 87.5% increase in breakdown strength and a 35.3 % increase in energy storage efficiency.

The oxidation resistance of the diffusion aluminide bond coat (BC) is compromised largely by interdiffusion (ID) effects on coated turbine blades of aeroengines. The present study is designed to understand the influence of ID on βNiAl coatings or BC. In this regard, nickel substrate and CMSX-4 superalloy are deposited. In total, four sets of BCs are developed, i.e. pure βNiAl (on Ni substrate), simple βNiAl (on CMSX-4 substrate), Zr-βNiAl (on CMSX-4 substrate) and Pt-βNiAl (on CMSX-4 substrate). The main aim of this study is to understand the interdiffusion of Al, Zr and Pt during preparation and oxidation. In addition, the beneficial effects of both Zr and platinum are assessed. Pure βNiAl and simple βNiAl show Ni-outdiffusion, whereas for platinum inward diffusion to the substrate is noticed under vacuum treatment. Interestingly, Zr-βNiAl shows the least ID in all BCs and exhibit stability under both vacuum and oxidation treatments. However, its spallation resistance is slightly lower than that of Pt-βNiAl BC. All BCs show similar oxide growth trends, except for Zr-βNiAl, which exhibits two-stage oxidations, i.e. transient and steady-state. Moreover, it is suggested that the localized spallation in all BCs is caused by βNiAl - γ’-Ni3Al transformation.

We confirm whether Zr powders can restrain a rapid nitrification reaction and offer a stable oxidation reaction according to temperatures in nitrogen gas purification. A pellet-type, porous Zr getter is prepared (diameter: 10 and thickness: 3 mm) using Zr powder with an average particle size of 45 μm. While maintaining the whole system, the Zr getter reaction is confirmed with an increase in temperature from 150 to 550 oC at increments of 100 oC under 99.999 % purity nitrogen atmosphere comprising of 10 ppm of impurity. Surface color, pore size, stabilized layer, and phase change are confirmed with optical microscopy, SEM-EDS, Micro-Raman, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) according to the Zr getter temperature. The surface color of the Zr getter changes from metallic silver to dark gray as temperature increases. In the EDS results, the nitrogen component is not observed, and oxygen content increases from each surface at elevated temperatures. The Raman and XRD results show the oxidation layer as a result of 350 oC annealing. Therefore, the Zr getter can be applied as a nitrogen getter under 5-nine purity nitrogen atmosphere after appropriate oxidized pre-stabilization process to prevent rapid nitrification reaction.

Powder quality, including high flowability and spherical shape, determines the properties of additively manufactured products. Therefore, the cheap production of high-quality powders is critical in additive manufacturing. Radio frequency plasma treatment is an effective method to fabricate spherical powders by melting the surface of irregularly shaped powders; in the present work, mechanically milled Zr powders are spheroidized by radio frequency plasma treatment and their properties are compared with those of commercial Zircaloy-2 alloy powder. Spherical Zr particles are successfully fabricated by plasma treatment, although their flowability and impurity contents are poorer than those of the commercial Zircaloy-2 alloy powder. This result shows that radio-frequency plasma treatment with mechanically milled powders requires further research and development for manufacturing low-cost powders for additive manufacturing.

Recent discoveries of ferroelectric properties in ultrathin doped hafnium oxide (HfO2) have led to the expectation that HfO2 could overcome the shortcomings of perovskite materials and be applied to electron devices such as Fe-Random access memory (RAM), ferroelectric tunnel junction (FTJ) and negative capacitance field effect transistor (NC-FET) device. As research on hafnium oxide ferroelectrics accelerates, several models to analyze the polarization switching characteristics of hafnium oxide ferroelectrics have been proposed from the domain or energy point of view. However, there is still a lack of in-depth consideration of models that can fully express the polarization switching properties of ferroelectrics. In this paper, a Zr-doped HfO2 thin film based metal-ferroelectric-metal (MFM) capacitor was implemented and the polarization switching dynamics, along with the ferroelectric characteristics, of the device were analyzed. In addition, a study was conducted to propose an applicable model of HfO2-based MFM capacitors by applying various ferroelectric switching characteristics models.

A stacked high-voltage (900 V) Al electrolytic capacitor made with ZrO2 coated anode foils, which has not been studied so far, is realized and the effects of Zr-Al-O composite layer on the electric properties are discussed. Etched Al foils coated with ZrO2 sol are anodized in 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (MPD)-boric acid electrolyte. The anodized Al foils are assembled with stacked structure to prepare the capacitor. The capacitance and dissipation factor of the capacitor with ZrO2 coated anode foils increase by 41 % and decrease by 50 %, respectively, in comparison with those of Al anode foils. Zr-Al- O composite dielectric layer is formed between separate crystalline ZrO2 with high dielectric constant and amorphous Al2O3 with high ionic resistivity. This work suggests that the formation of a composite layer by coating valve metal oxide on etched Al foil surface

A lead-free bulk ceramic having a chemical formula Ba0.8Ca0.2(Ti0.8Zr0.1Ce0.1)O3 (further termed as BCTZCO) is synthesized using mixed oxide route. The structural, dielectric, impedance, and conductivity properties, as well as the modulus of the synthesized sample are discussed in the present work. Analysis of X-ray diffraction data obtained at room temperature reveals the existence of some impurity phases. The natural surface morphology shows close packing of grains with few voids. Attempts have been made to study the (a) effect of microstructures containing grains, grain boundaries, and electrodes on impedance and capacitive characteristics, (b) relationship between properties and crystal structure, and (c) nature of the relaxation mechanism of the prepared samples. The relationship between the structure and physical properties is established. The frequency and temperature dependence of the dielectric properties reveal that this complex system has a high dielectric constant and low tangent loss. An analysis of impedance and related parameters illuminates the contributions of grains. The activation energy is determined for only the high temperature region in the temperature dependent AC conductivity graph. Deviation from the Debye behavior is seen in the Nyquist plot at different temperatures. The relaxation mechanism and the electrical transport properties in the sample are investigated with the help of various spectroscopic (i.e., dielectric, modulus, and impedance) techniques. This lead free sample will serve as a base for device engineering.