Attapulgite/polyacrylic acid composite was synthesized by using inverse suspend polymerization method, and the effects of attapulgite content, neutralization degree and crosslinker content on surface morphology, structure and humidity controlling properties were investigated. The results show that attapulgite/polyacrylic acid composite has a loose and porous surface. With the increase of attapulgite content in composite, the humidity absorption and desorption rate increases firstly under the balance of reduction of moisture absorption component and raising of surface porosity and then decreases. The composite with higher neutralization degree has a higher absorption rate but has a lower desorption rate because part of –COOH in acrylic acid changed to –COONa with higher hydrophilicity. The optimum composition of attapulgite/polyacrylic acid composite is : attapulgite content of 10%, neutralization degree of 60%–80% and crosslinker content of 0.10%–0.50%.

In this paper, the dendritic arm spacings and microsegregation of directionally solidified IN718 alloy at various solidification rates have been studied with a LMC directional solidification equipment. The results show that increasing the solidification rate, the primary dendrite arm spacings rise up to the maximum of 257 μm at 20 μm/s, then decrease, while the second dendritic arm spacings are refined continuously. Additionally, the microsegregation is suppressed and the permeability of mush zone decreases with solidification rate increasing.

A nanoindentation was used to investigate nanoscale elasto–plastic and creep behaviors of Calcium Silicate Hydrate (C–S–H) gel of hardened cement pastes at different ages. The test results show that with the growth of age, the elastic energy stored in C–S–H gel decreases gradually and finally approaches to a stable value for the fixed load condition. Moreover, the elastic energy stored in low density (LD) C–S–H gel is greater than that stored in high density (HD) C–S–H gel at the same age. For the same load and same holding–time, the creep of HD C–S–H gel is significantly less than that of LD C–S–H gel at the same age. The deformation difference between two C–S–H gels with different densities was determined in micro–scale by using nanoindentation technique, indicating the elastic energy and creep of C–S–H gel are inversely related to its reduced elastic modulus.

In this paper, the thermal fatigue properties of small scale copper structures on silicon substrate under cyclic thermo–mechanical loads introduced by alternating current have been investigated by in situ observation the evolution of fatigue damage. The effects of alternating current (AC) on the deformation and failure behavior of 60–nm–thick nanocrystalline (NC) Cu lines were studied. Experimental results revealed the current–density dependent failure mechanism of NC Cu lines. Under low current density condition, the failure process was dominated by stress controlled fatigue mechanism of grain extrusion. Under high current density condition, however, the failure mode was Joule–heating dominated thermal activated process.

The effects of Electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG) on the interfacial reaction and solder joints reliability was investigated in this paper. The results show that (Ni_yCu _1−y) ₃Sn₄ forms at the Sn–3.5Ag/ENIG (Ni)/Cu, while (Cu_xNi _1−x)₆ Sn₅ forms at the Sn–3.0Ag–0.5Cu/ENIG/Cu during the reflow. The composition and morphology of the interfacial intermetallic compounds (IMCs) show strong dependency on the Cu concentration in the solder joint. The Ni layer in the ENIG can retard the excessive growth of interfacial IMCs which is the culprit of the solder joints failure during aging. The Au layer in ENIG exerts little influence on the interfacial reaction but reacts with Sn in the solder matrix during the reflow. In the stage of aging the Au migrates towards the interface and in turn changes the composition of the interfacial IMCs as well as the shear strength of the solder joint.

The Cr-doped TiO₂ models were established and the band structures have also been calculated. The similar result is obtained according to the three models: Cr-doping gives intermediate energy of about 1.0eV in the band gap, which means it can shift the absorption edge of TiO₂ to visible region .But too much Cr-doping can also result in recombination center of electron-hole and a decline in photocatalytic activity. Nanocrystalline Cr-doped TiO2 powders with different initial Cr/Ti ratio in starting materials have been prepared by hydrothermal method. The results show that the prepared powders are all composed of anatase TiO₂, the BET specific surface area of the powders are ranged form 178 to 221 m2/g, the averaged grain size is about 9 nm and the size distribution is narrow. Cr ³⁺ has been doped into the lattice of TiO2 instead of Ti. All the absorption edges of Cr-doped TiO₂ powders with different nominal doping concentration of Cr ³⁺ have been red-shifted into visible light region. In our case, Cr-doped TiO₂ with initial Cr/Ti atomic ratio of 2% in starting materials has the best photocatalytic activities when decompose the MB in its aqueous solution, which is consistent with that of the theoretical results.

Graphite fibers of Different nitrogen content was prepared. The element composition and crystallite structure of resulted fibers were investigated by means of element analysis, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The correlation between crystallite structure and nitrogen content of these fibers was investigated. The results show that, with decrease of nitrogen content, the graphite crystallite grow, crystallite orientation degree and graphitization degree increase. Crystallite size, crystallite orientation degree and graphitization degree increase slowly because of the distortion of the graphite layer with nitrogen atom when the fibers contain more than 0.08% nitrogen element. As nitrogen content is below 0.08%, the crystallite size, crystallite orientation degree and graphitization degree increase rapidly. Denitrogenation is control step of the growth of graphite crystallite containing nitrogen atom, but can't lead to the growth of graphite crystallite directly.

High performance AgPbSbTe thermoelectric materials were fabricated by mechanical alloying (MA) and spark plasma sintering (SPS). The effect of preparation technique on the thermoelectric properties was studied. The results showed that the phase composition and thermoelectric properties are related to the mechanical alloying. Appropriate SPS technique could decrease crystal growing, increase phonon scattering and reduce thermal conductivity. A maximum power factor of 18 μW/K²cm and a minimum thermal conductivity of 1.1 W/m K were obtained. A maximum ZT value of 1.2 was obtained at 700 K for the sample fabricated by MA (350 rpm for 4 hrs) and SPS (sintering at 673 K for 5 minute).

Spherical LiNi _0.7 Co _0.15 Mn _0.15 O ₂ powder was synthesized by firing LiOH·H₂O and the spherical Ni _0.7 Co _0.15 Mn _0.15 (OH)₂ prepared by co-precipitation method. The obtained powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electronic microscope (SEM), Thermogravimetric/Differential scanning calorimeter (TG/DSC) and constant current charge-discharge cycling. The results show that the optimal preparation condition of the layered LiNi _0.7 Co _0.15 Mn _0.15 O₂  was 750 under oxygen flowing. The XRD pattern of the sample prepared under the above condition can be identified by a typical structure of hexagonal α-NaFeO₂ type. The SEM micrograph of LiNi _0.7 Co _0.15 Mn _0.15 O₂ shows that the particle size is about 10 μm with narrow grain size. Electrochemical measurements show that it delivered an initial discharge capacity of 185.2 mA·h/g with the voltage range 3–4.3V at the 0.2C rate and initial capacity retention of 98.32% after 30 cycles.

Low–cycle fatigue (LCF) tests of Ti–2Al–2.5Zr samples were performed at 673 K. The cyclic stress response curves show that an initial cyclic hardening followed by cyclic softening was displayed, subsequently second hardening appeared. Furthermore, this alloy displays much higher LCF life at 673 K than that at RT when cyclic strain amplitude (Δεt/2) exceeds 1.0%. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations revealed that the typical dislocation structures were dislocation wall and cell. The improvement in LCF life of Ti–2Al–2.5Zr can be attributed to homogeneity of plastic deformation due to activation of multiple slips.

The static recrystallization of hot-deformed magnesium alloy AZ31 during isothermal annealing were investigated at temperature 503 K by optical and SEM/EBSD metallographic observation. The grain size (D) change during isothermal annealing is categorized into three regions, i.e. an incubation period for grain growth, rapid grain coarsening, and normal grain growth. The number of fine grains per unit area, however, is reduced remarkably even in incubation period. This leads to grain coarsening taking place continuously in the whole period of annealing. In contrast, the deformation texture scarcely changes even after full annealing at high temperatures. It is concluded that the annealing processes operating in hot-deformed magnesium alloy can be mainly controlled by grain coarsening accompanied with no texture change, that is, continuous static recrystallization.

A series of tests of fast-single pass-heavy deformation in low carbon steel was carried out using Gleeble 3500 thermal-mechanical simulation machine at the temperature above Ae3. The mechanical property of material before and after deformation was tested, and the fracture morphology was observed. Results denote that the deformation induced ferrite transformation (DIFT) above Ae₃ is responsible for the ultra-fine grain size (about 3 μm). DIF can be induced when strain rate was 0.1 s⁻¹. With the raise of strain rate, ferrite fraction becomes larger and the grain size smaller until DIF is saturated at the strain rate of 10 s⁻¹. Grain refinement through DIFT leads to an increase in strength and hardness. For low carbon steel Q235, the yield strength can be improved from 250 MPa to 510 MPa and the tensile strength arrives at 625 MPa, and the plasticity decreases slightly which will remains in high level.

SiO2/PSA core–shell particles were prepared by silica (SiO₂) coated with poly(styrene–co–acrylic acid) (PSA) membrane which was performed based on phase inversion principles. Non–solvent was introduced into the mixture of SiO₂ and PSA solution by vapor phase instead of liquid phase in the traditional way, in order to avoid the aggregation of particles. The resulting core–shell particles were characterized by Fourier transfer infrared spectrometry (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laser scattering particle analyzer, thermogravimetric analysis, mercury injection and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms. The results showed that SiO₂/PSA composite particles obtained core–shell structure and the surface morphologies were regulated by the concentration of PSA solution. Compared to the SiO₂ particles, the porosity, surface area, pore volume and pore diameter of SiO₂/PSA core–shell composite particles significantly decreased because of the dense PSA shell on silica.

The effects of experiment conditions on tensile strength and the inner uniformity of Li–B alloy ingot were investigated by using mechanical strength method. The results show that specimen orientation, test temperature and specimen thickness have remarkable influence to test results. The maximum diversity of strength is up to 36%, and texture of LiB compound fiber in the rolled alloy has significant effect to strength. The average strength of Li–B alloy is about 24.5 MPa at 21^oC. For a ingot, strength in the center is higher than that on the edge, and that on the bottom is more than that on the top, but the density on the edge is beyond that in the center, and that on the bottom is more than that on the top too. The reason is the uneven distribution of coarse particle and fine particle of boron powder because of the influence of gravity and centrifugal force in the preparation process of Li–B alloy.

Swelling behavior is an important feature of Ti–Al alloy porous material prepared by reactive synthesis of element powder as raw material, and closely related with its pore structure properties. The influences of reactive synthesis process and restrained sintering on swelling behavior of Ti–Al alloy porous material were investigated thoroughly and detailedly under the given condition of other preparing parameters. The results show Kirkendall pores formed due to the discrepancies of Ti/Al solubility and diffusion rates lead to the wide–range expansion of compact volume. In the first stage of Al diffusion, Ti–Al compact appears volume expansion behavior of more than 60% and near 40% of open porosity; in the second stage of Al diffusion, Ti–Al compact occurs volume expansion of 1%–3% with open porosity of 47%. In earlier stage sintering procedure, swelling behavior of Ti–Al alloy porous material through restrained sintering shows strict linear law; in final sintering procedure, it shows a little shrinkage behavior of volume.

The Ionic Polymer Metal Composites samples were prepared by the electroless plating. The morphology was investigated by SEM firstly, and the formation pattern of Pt layer in the preparation process was discussed. The distributions of metal in the thickness direction were test by EDS. The Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) was used to test IPMC samples in order to acquire some important dynamic mechanical properties of IPMC. A dynamic mechanical model was established based on Kerner model. Comparing model simulation results with experimental results demonstrates that this model is feasible to estimate the properties of IPMC.

C fiber reinforced TaC matrix composites were prepared by isothermal chemical vapor infiltration method. The microstructure, mechanical properties and oxidation behaviors at 1200–1600^oC were tested by scanning electron microscopy, INSTRON universal machine and an Al₂O₃ corundum tube (heated by MoSi2) in natural convection air. The results shown that Cf/TaC composites with density of 5.12 g/cm³ can be prepared by CVI; in which TaC ceramic matrix was composed of needle–like crystal structure. The composites show a good ductibility, but a low flextural strength when compared with C/C composites. The 1200–1600 ^oC oxidation process of Cf/TaC was mainly controlled by the diffusion of oxidation gases in the connected pore–net structure and the reaction at the TaC/Ta₂O₅ interface.

The pure rutile phase nano–TiO2 was prepared by low temperature hydrothermal method using titanium tetrachloride as reaction precursors. The effects of reaction temperature and reaction time on the microstructure and the morphology of the TiO2 samples were investigated. The X–ray diffraction patterns showed that all of the TiO2 samples were pure rutile phase. The average crystallite size was found  to vary in the range of 4.0–11.5 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectra and thermogravimetry analysis showed that the nano–TiO2 samples have surface hydroxyl group and surface adsorbed water. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that the morphology and average size of the synthesized rutile nano– TiO2 were strongly effected by both hydrothermal reaction temperature and time. The rutile nano–TiO2 shows a similar shuttle–like morphology and were bunched together at the reaction temperature of 60–80 ,  however, at the reaction temperature above 120 they tended to resolve into spherical particles andattained larger sizes. The morphology of the rutile nano–TiO2 samples changed form rod–like to shuttle– like and spherical–like with increase of reaction time from 4 h to 40 h.

The red phosphor yttrium aluminoborate doped with Eu ³⁺ was prepared by high temperature ball milling method. The phosphor was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and luminescence spectroscopy. The results show that Y ³⁺ ions are replaced by Eu ³⁺ ions in view of their similar sizes and valence state, the Eu ³⁺ ions are non-centrosymmetric sites in YAl₃(BO₃)₄:Eu³⁺. The synthesis temperature of high temperature ball milling method is 700^oC  , which is obviously decreased in contrast to that of nitrate salts decomposition method (900^oC ) and conventional solid state reaction method (1200^oC ). The particles are approximately nanometer-sized with narrow distribution range and spherical morphology. In the emission spectra under 394 nm excitation, the strongest peak at 618 nm is due to the forced electric dipole transition ⁵D_0→ ⁷F₂ of Eu ³⁺ ions.

Nb–Mo–V micro–alloyed steels with different contents of Mo were tempered at 450–650℃  for 4 h after solution treatment at 1200℃ for 0.5 h, The Influences of Mo on the microstructureand the process of the carbides formation had been investigated by using three dimensional atom probe (3DAP) transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that the hardness maximum of micro–alloyed steel with low Mo–contented appeared for tempering at 550℃, and that of high Mo–content sample appeared for tempering at 600℃; The carbides radius in high Mo–contented sample were smaller than that in low Mo–content sample tempering at 650 under TEM observation. That is due to Mo segregation at the carbides outer layer, inhibited the diffusion of the Nb and V from the matrix into the carbides, and also reduced the diffusion rate of C and alloyed element in matrix, so the growth of the particle was impeded.