Hybrid Cements. Mechanical Properties, Microstructure and Radiological Behavior

The use of more eco-efficient cements in concretes is one of the keys to ensuring construction industry sustainability. Such eco-efficient binders often contain large but variable proportions of industrial waste or by-products in their composition, many of which may be naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs). This study explored the application of a new gamma spectrometric method for measuring radionuclide activity in hybrid alkali-activated cements from solid 5 cm cubic specimens rather than powder samples. The research involved assessing the effect of significant variables such as the nature of the alkaline activator, reaction time and curing conditions to relate the microstructures identified to the radiological behavior observed. The findings showed that varying the inputs generated pastes with similar reaction products (C-S-H, C-A-S-H and (N,C)-A-S-H) but different microstructures. The new gamma spectrometric method for measuring radioactivity in solid 5 cm cubic specimens in alkaline pastes was found to be valid. The variables involved in hybrid cement activation were shown to have no impact on specimen radioactive content. The powder samples, however, emanated 222Rn (a descendent of 226Ra), possibly due to the deformation taking place in fly ash structure during alkaline activation. Further research would be required to explain that finding.

Redetermination of the crystal structures of rare-earth trirhodium diboride RERh3B2 (RE = Pr, Nd and Sm) from single-crystal X-ray data

The crystal structures of the rare-earth (RE) trirhodium diborides praseodymium trirhodium diboride, PrRh3B2, neodymium trirhodium diboride, NdRh3B2, and samarium trirhodium diboride, SmRh3B2, were refined on the basis of single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The crystal chemistry of RERh3B2 (RE: Pr, Nd, and Sm) compounds has previously been analyzed mainly on the basis of powder samples [Ku et al. (1980). Solid State Commun. 35, 91–96], and no structural investigation by single-crystal X-ray diffraction has been reported so far. The crystal structures of the three hexagonal RERh3B2 compounds are isotypic with that of CeRh3B2; RE, Rh and B sites are situated on special positions with site symmetry 6/mmm (Wyckoff position 1a), mmm (3g) and \overline{6}m2 (2c), respectively. In comparison with the previous powder X-ray study of hexagonal RERh3B2, the present redetermination against single-crystal X-ray data has allowed for the modeling of all atoms with anisotropic displacement parameters (ADPs). The ADPs of the Rh atom in each of the structures result in an elongated displacement ellipsoid in the direction of the stacking of the Rh kagomé-type layer. The features of obtained ADPs of atoms are discussed in relation to RERh3B2-type and analogous structures.

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) in a refugee context in East Africa: Kitchen gardening helps with mineral provision

Kitchen gardening is considered a way to reconnect with agriculture and complement the cereal-based relief food offered to refugees in East Africa. This work aimed at profiling mineral content of okra in four refugee camps and settlements located in Ethiopia and Uganda and its contribution to adequate intake (AIs) or recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for young children and pregnant and lactating women (PLW). The study also evaluated the applicability of portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) as compared with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for mineral profiling of okra powder samples. The contents of minerals (mg kg−1) from the ICP-MS readings were in the following ranges: K (14,385–33,294), Ca (2610–14,090), P (3178–13,248), Mg (3896–7986), Cu (3.81–19.3), Fe (75.7–1243), Zn (33–141) and Mn (23.1–261). Regardless of geographic origin, at low-end consumption probability (17 g day−1 for young children and 68 g day−1 for PLW), okra could contribute ˂ 15% (2.7–12.9%) AI for macro-minerals (K and Ca). In addition, the contributions to RDA values for Fe and Zn, elements of known public health interest, ranged from 4.5 to 34.7% for young children. Interestingly, regression lines revealed strong agreement between ICP-MS and PXRF readings for Mn and Zn, with R2 values > 0.91. This information is useful in support of nutrition-sensitive kitchen gardening programs through scaling culturally important crops in refugee settings.

Production and Characterization of Animal Waste Reinforced Composite Materials By Powder Metallurgy

Boron carbide is a product used for reinforcement in composite production and frequently used in the defense industry. The fact that boron carbide behaves similarly to the mechanical properties of bone and that titanium is strengthened with boron carbide, which is used as a biomaterial, causes it to be preferred among composite materials. It also makes it attractive to use in industrial applications at high temperatures. It is known that Fe-B4C composites are used together with Fe matrix materials to improve the properties of the group in addition to elements such as Cr, especially Ti, Co, Mo and Fe in various application areas. This makes it frequently used in the sintering process. In this study, 98,33%Fe-1,66%B4C, 96.66%Fe-1,66%B4C-1,66%eggshell powders, 95%Fe-1,66%B4C-3,32%eggshell powders, 93,33%Fe-1,66%B4C-5%eggshell powders and 91,66%Fe-1,66%B4C-6,66% eggshell powder samples were prepared using the compositions of. It is formed in a single axis press under 400bar pressure. When the mechanical and metallographic properties of the samples produced after sintering at 1400 ᵒC were examined, the effects of eggshell powders on composite samples produced by adding Fe-B4C composite and eggshell powders in different compositions were observed. 1,66% to 6,66% eggshell powders additive was used in the compositions and mechanical properties were determined in the produced samples. Structural features were tried to be determined by looking at metallographic analyses. The densities of the produced samples were calculated and their hardness and strength were determined. According to the analysis results, 3,33% Egshelters composition and 3,71 gr/cm3 density and 285,5 HV hardness values ​​at 1400 °C were obtained.

Strength properties of biopolymer treated clay/marble powder mixtures

Depending on their unique layer structures and chemical structures, soil problems such as swelling, settlement and loss of strength can be seen especially on clay soils when exposed to water. Settlement occurring on clay soils on which the structure is built, causes various damages in the building. Additionally, in the clay soil interacting with water, strength loss occurs due to the effect of the building load. Today, when soil improvement techniques are developed and diversified, clay soils can be stabilized by using different additives. A clay soil that has been improved by adding waste marble powder within the scope of this study in certain percentages (5%, 15%, 25%), biopolymer added clay / marble powder samples were obtained by interacting with locust bean gum in certain percentages (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%). There are many studies in the literature on improving clay soils using only marble powder or only biopolymer. In this study, marble powder and biopolymer were used together and thus, the feasibility of a more effective soil improvement has been investigated. The results showed that the unconfined compressive strength of the biopolymer added clay-marble powder mixtures are higher when compared with natural clay. Similarly, shear box test results showed that the unconsolidated-undrained cohesions and internal friction angles of the doped clay samples increased. It was observed that the strength values of marble powder-added clay increased after improving with biopolymer.

Automated SEM/EDS Analysis for Assessment of Trace Cross-Contamination in 316L Stainless Steel Powders

Following observations of microcracking in two, out of three, Additive manufactured (AM) 316L steel samples, an investigation was undertaken to ascertain the root cause. Welding diagrams, taking into account composition and process parameters, could not generally account for the experimental observations of non-cracked versus cracked AM 316L samples. EBSD phase maps in all three AM samples exhibited a fully austenitic microstructure not only in the bulk sample but also near-surface. Analysis of microcracked regions in the AM samples showed the presence of local enrichment of Ni, Cu and P. Automated SEM/EDS analysis on feedstock powder samples prepared for cross-section examination revealed a fine, foreign particulate contaminant, expected to arise from NiCrCuP alloy cross-contamination during atomization, to be completely embedded in a 316L powder particle. This type of contamination would not have been revealed on examination of powder mounted onto a SEM stub, a common approach to assess powder quality. Based on this analysis, it is recommended to consider including automated SEM/EDS analysis on powder cross-sections in any standardization protocol for quality control of powders, to increase the chances of detection and identification of fine cross-contaminants. It is also recommended that atomization of NiCrCuP alloy should no longer precede atomization of 316L alloy.

Magnetic properties of iron oxide nanoparticles with a DMSA-modified surface

The magnetic properties of magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) strongly depend on their chemical and physical parameters, which can be regulated by a controlled synthesis process. To improve the quality of the obtained nanoparticles, their surface is often modified with organic compounds (from the group of surfactants, sugars, proteins, or organic acid). In this study, we synthesized magnetite nanoparticles with a surface modified with the organic compound DMSA. Then, the nanocrystallites were characterized in terms of structure and morphology. To investigate the role of DMSA and to understand the adsorption mechanism, FTIR measurements were carried out. Using Mössbauer spectroscopy, we investigated temperature-induced changes in the magnetic properties of prepared samples. The spectra were recorded in a wide temperature range (from 4 K to 390 K) for two types of samples: powders and ferrofluids with various concentrations. In the case of powder samples, the superparamagnetic doublet appeared at room temperature. For magnetic suspensions, the spectra were more complicated. They consisted of superposition of asymmetrically broadened sextets and doublets, which was caused by the occurrence of long-range dipole-dipole interactions. These interactions affected the magnetic properties of the material and increased the blocking temperature. Additionally, the magnetic hysteresis and zero field cooling-field cooling (ZFC/FC) curves were measured with the use of a vibrating sample magnetometer.

Suppressed-moment 2-k order in the canonical frustrated antiferromagnet Gd2Ti2O7

In partially ordered magnets, order and disorder coexist in the same magnetic phase, distinct from both spin liquids and spin solids. Here, we determine the nature of partial magnetic ordering in the canonical frustrated antiferromagnet Gd2Ti2O7, in which Gd3+ spins occupy a pyrochlore lattice. Using single-crystal neutron-diffraction measurements in applied magnetic field, magnetic symmetry analysis, inelastic neutron-scattering measurements, and spin-wave modeling, we show that its low-temperature magnetic structure involves two propagation vectors (2-k structure) with suppressed ordered magnetic moments and enhanced spin-wave fluctuations. Our experimental results are consistent with theoretical predictions of thermal fluctuation-driven order in Gd2Ti2O7, and reveal that inelastic neutron-scattering measurements on powder samples can solve the longstanding problem of distinguishing single-k and multi-k magnetic structures.

Spin liquid and ferroelectricity close to a quantum critical point in PbCuTe2O6

Geometrical frustration among interacting spins combined with strong quantum fluctuations destabilize long-range magnetic order in favor of more exotic states such as spin liquids. By following this guiding principle, a number of spin liquid candidate systems were identified in quasi-two-dimensional (quasi-2D) systems. For 3D, however, the situation is less favorable as quantum fluctuations are reduced and competing states become more relevant. Here we report a comprehensive study of thermodynamic, magnetic and dielectric properties on single crystalline and pressed-powder samples of PbCuTe2O6, a candidate material for a 3D frustrated quantum spin liquid featuring a hyperkagome lattice. Whereas the low-temperature properties of the powder samples are consistent with the recently proposed quantum spin liquid state, an even more exotic behavior is revealed for the single crystals. These crystals show ferroelectric order at TFE ≈ 1 K, accompanied by strong lattice distortions, and a modified magnetic response—still consistent with a quantum spin liquid—but with clear indications for quantum critical behavior.

Effect of Dissolution Temperature on Purity of LaNi5 Powder Synthesized with the Combustion-Reduction Method

The LaNi5 intermetallic phase has been extensively investigated because of its excellent properties, such as attractive hydrogen storage, medium plateau pressure, and easy activation. LaNi5 phase is generally produced by a complicated method, which involves several steps, i.e. melting, alloying, casting, softening and making them into powder. This study aimed to develop a new LaNi5 synthesis process by modifying the combustion-reduction method. In this method it is very important to produce La2NiO4, because LaNi5 is formed from the process of reducing this phase. The precursor powders La(NO3)3.6H2O and Ni(NO3)2.6H2O were reacted with distilled water as a solvent medium and mixed using magnetic stirring. The synthesis process was carried out at room temperature, 60 °C, 70 °C, and 80 °C for 10 minutes until the solution became transparent green. The solution was then dried for 2 hours at 100 °C to form a transparent green gel. The gel was calcined at a temperature of 500 °C for 2 hours, producing a black powder. The optimal black powder was then reduced using CO gas at 600 °C for 2 hours. The powder samples were characterized using XRD, FTIR, and SEM-EDX. The analysis revealed that synthesis at room temperature was the most optimal method for the reduction process because it produced the most La2NiO4, at 12.135 wt%.