High-efficiency 2D nanosheet exfoliation by a solid suspension-improving method

Two-dimensional (2D) materials with mono or few layers have wide application prospects, including electronic, optoelectronic, and interface functional coatings in addition to energy conversion and storage applications. However, the exfoliation of such materials is still challenging due to their low yield, high cost, and poor ecological safety in preparation. Herein, a safe and efficient solid suspension-improving method was proposed to exfoliate hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets (hBNNSs) in a large yield. The method entails adding a permeation barrier layer in the solvothermal kettle, thus prolonging the contact time between the solvent and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanosheetand improving the stripping efficiency without the need for mechanical agitation. In addition, the proposed method selectively utilizes a matching solvent that can reduce the stripping energy of the material and employs a high-temperature steam shearing process. Compared with other methods, the exfoliating yield of hBNNSs is up to 42.3% at 150°C for 12 h, and the strategy is applicable to other 2D materials. In application, the ionic conductivity of a PEO/hBNNSs composite electrolytes reached 2.18×10−4 S cm−1 at 60°C. Overall, a versatile and effective method for stripping 2D materials in addition to a new safe energy management strategy were provided.

Steam Degradation of Ytterbium Disilicate Environmental Barrier Coatings: Effect of Composition, Microstructure and Temperature

Recession of environmental barrier coatings (EBC) in environments containing steam is a pressing concern that requires further research before their implementation in gas turbine engines can be realized. In this work, free-standing plasma sprayed Yb2Si2O7 coatings were exposed to flowing steam at 1350 °C and 1400 °C for 96 h. Three samples were investigated, one coating with a low porosity level (< 3 %) and 1 wt.% Al2O3 representing traditional EBCs; and two coatings with higher porosity levels (~20 %) representing abradable EBCs. Phase composition and microstructural evolution were studied in order to reveal the underlying mechanism for the interaction between high temperature steam and ytterbium disilicate. The results show depletion of Yb2SiO5 near the surface and formation of ytterbium garnet (Yb3Al5O12) on top of all three coatings due to the reaction with gaseous Al-containing impurities coming from the alumina furnace tubes. The 1 wt.% Al2O3 added to the EBC sample exacerbated the formation of garnet at 1400 °C compared to the abradable samples, which presented lower quantities of garnet. Additionally, inter-splat boundaries were visible after exposure, indicating preferential ingress of gaseous Al-containing impurities through the splat boundaries.

Study on Using High Temperature Steam Preparation of Ultra Light Foam TPU Pellets Based Supercritical CO2

This paper mainly introduces the technology of supercritical CO2 pretreatment and high temperature steam preparation of super mild foaming TPU pellets. Mainly discusses the supercritical CO2 pretreatment preparation ultra mild foaming TPU pellets process in high temperature steam condition change of TPU micro foaming granule structure and properties of impact. Experimental results show that the high temperature steam temperature, processing time will influence TPU granules of microporous quantity, structure, resulting in pellets of different physical properties.

Coupling effect of temperature and Cr content on the steam oxidation of Ni-Fe-Cr alloys

Excellent resistance to steam oxidation is a key required property for heat-resistant alloys used in next-generation fossil power plants. In order to clarify the degradation mechanism of Ni-Fe-Cr alloys in high temperature steam, four kinds of Ni-Fe-Cr model alloys with various Cr content were prepared and their long-term steam oxidation were investigated at 650 oC and 700 oC. The microstructure and composition of oxide scales were characterized by SEM equipped with EDS, and the oxide phases were identified by XRD. The results showed significant dependence of temperature and Cr content in alloys on the oxidation kinetics, cross-section morphology and elemental section-distribution. For Ni-Fe-Cr alloys with low Cr contents (12~16 wt.%), the increase of temperature made the oxide scale change from breakaway scale morphology (nodule-crater microstructure with external exfoliation) to protective scale morphology (uniform layer and internal oxidation). For Ni-Fe-Cr alloy with 18wt.% Cr, the effect of temperature was greatly reduced. The oxidation mechanism was discussed from the perspectives of selective oxidation and the effect of alloying elements.