Graphene has unique physical properties,and a variety of proof-of-concept devices based on graphene have been demonstated.A prerequisite for the application of graphene is its production in a controlled manner because...Graphene has unique physical properties,and a variety of proof-of-concept devices based on graphene have been demonstated.A prerequisite for the application of graphene is its production in a controlled manner because the number of graphene layers and the defects in these layers significantly influence transport properties.In this paper,we briefly review our recent work on the controlled synthesis of graphene and graphene-based composites,the development of methods to characterize graphene layers,and the use of graphene in clean energy applications and for rapid DNA sequencing.For example,we have used Auger electron spectroscopy to characterize the number and structure of graphene layers,produced single-layer graphene over a whole Ni film substrate,synthesized well-dispersed reduced graphene oxide that was uniformly grafted with unique gold nanodots,and fabricated graphene nanoscrolls.We have also explored applications of graphene in organic solar cells and direct,ultrafast DNA sequencing.Finally,we address the challenges that graphene still face in its synthesis and clean energy and biological sensing applications.展开更多
Nanotwins form in many metallic materials to improve their strength and toughness.In this study,we thoroughly studied the alloying effects of 10 common metal and nonmetal elements on Cu nanotwins by density functional...Nanotwins form in many metallic materials to improve their strength and toughness.In this study,we thoroughly studied the alloying effects of 10 common metal and nonmetal elements on Cu nanotwins by density functional theory(DFT).We calculated the segregation energies to determine if Cu nanotwins attract both the metal and nonmetal alloying elements;these segregation energies were then decomposed to mechanical and chemical components.The Cu-Sn bonds are different from other metal alloying elements,and the strong bond between Cu and the nonmetal element results in the negative values of the chemical contribution.Furthermore,the temperature and concentration have different effects on the nanotwin formation energy of the metal and nonmetal alloying elements.As determined by the Generalized Stacking Fault Energy,Al and nonmetals can inhibit the migration of Cu nanotwin boundary,and the effects of Li,Mg,and Sn are opposite.Our theoretical study serves as the foundation for the engineering nanotwin structures through alloying elements,the elements that may lead to new alloy compositions and thermomechanical processes,and are important complements to the experimental research.展开更多
Radiation-induced segregation(RIS) is a typical non-equilibrium process that can dramatically alter the behavior of defect sinks and material properties under irradiation. However, RIS mechanisms have been rarely stud...Radiation-induced segregation(RIS) is a typical non-equilibrium process that can dramatically alter the behavior of defect sinks and material properties under irradiation. However, RIS mechanisms have been rarely studied around small He bubbles owing to the technical challenges involved in direct measurements of local chemistry. Here, using state-of-the-art atom probe tomography, we report the RIS behavior near He bubbles in the Fe Ni Co Cr high-entropy alloy that indicates Co segregates most strongly, followed by weaker Ni segregation, whereas Fe and Cr are depleted almost to the same degree. Exceptionally, the magnitude of Co segregation around He bubbles is higher than previously measured values at voids and dislocation loops. Electron energy-loss spectroscopy was used to measure the He density and pressure inside individual bubbles. We demonstrate that He bubbles are over-pressurized at the irradiation temperature that could result in the vacancy bias and the subsequent vacancy-dominated RIS mechanism.First-principles calculations further reveal that there are repulsive interactions between He and Co atoms that may reduce the frequency of Co-vacancy exchange. As a result, He atoms likely retard Co diffusion via the vacancy mechanism and enhance the heterogeneity of RIS in Co-containing multicomponent alloys. These insights could provide the basis for understanding He effects in nuclear materials and open an avenue for tailoring the local chemical order of medium-and high-entropy alloys.展开更多
Nanocrystalline(NC)W metals and alloys often exhibit higher radiation tolerance and strength than their coarse-grained counterparts.However,their thermal stability is low,making it difficult to achieve bulk NC W metal...Nanocrystalline(NC)W metals and alloys often exhibit higher radiation tolerance and strength than their coarse-grained counterparts.However,their thermal stability is low,making it difficult to achieve bulk NC W metals and alloys by consolidation using conventional techniques such as pressure-less sintering,hot-explosive-compaction sintering,and spark plasma sintering.Here we report the synthesis and mechanical properties of bulk NC W_(100-x)Ti_(x)(x=10 at.%-30 at.%)alloys prepared by consolidating mechanically alloyed NC powders under a high-temperature/high-pressure condition.Adding 20 at.%-30 at.%Ti largely improves the sinterability of NC W-Ti alloy powders.The room-temperature microhardness and compressive yield strength of consolidated bulk NC W_(80)Ti_(20) alloy are∼16.9 and 6.0 GPa,respectively,which are mainly caused by grain boundary strengthening and significantly higher than those of previously reported W and W alloys.The ultimate compressive strength of bulk NC W_(80)Ti_(20) measured between 900 and 1100°C deceases with increasing temperature.This behavior can be explained by the activation of Rachinger grain boundary sliding.No grain growth is observed in bulk NC W_(80)Ti_(20) after compression at 1000°C.Theoretical calculation suggests that it is the segregation of Ti at grain boundaries that decreases the specific grain boundary free energy and makes the NC W_(80)Ti_(20) alloy thermodynamically stable.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(50990063,50973095,and51011130028)the Developing Program of Zhejiang Province Key Scientific and Technical Innovation Team(2009R50004)+2 种基金Zhejiang Provincial National Science Foundation of China(Youth Talent Program:R4110030)Science and Technology Department of Zhejiang Province(Qianjiang Talent Program:2011R10077)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2011QNA4030)
文摘Graphene has unique physical properties,and a variety of proof-of-concept devices based on graphene have been demonstated.A prerequisite for the application of graphene is its production in a controlled manner because the number of graphene layers and the defects in these layers significantly influence transport properties.In this paper,we briefly review our recent work on the controlled synthesis of graphene and graphene-based composites,the development of methods to characterize graphene layers,and the use of graphene in clean energy applications and for rapid DNA sequencing.For example,we have used Auger electron spectroscopy to characterize the number and structure of graphene layers,produced single-layer graphene over a whole Ni film substrate,synthesized well-dispersed reduced graphene oxide that was uniformly grafted with unique gold nanodots,and fabricated graphene nanoscrolls.We have also explored applications of graphene in organic solar cells and direct,ultrafast DNA sequencing.Finally,we address the challenges that graphene still face in its synthesis and clean energy and biological sensing applications.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.11832019,51601212,11472313,and 11572355)。
文摘Nanotwins form in many metallic materials to improve their strength and toughness.In this study,we thoroughly studied the alloying effects of 10 common metal and nonmetal elements on Cu nanotwins by density functional theory(DFT).We calculated the segregation energies to determine if Cu nanotwins attract both the metal and nonmetal alloying elements;these segregation energies were then decomposed to mechanical and chemical components.The Cu-Sn bonds are different from other metal alloying elements,and the strong bond between Cu and the nonmetal element results in the negative values of the chemical contribution.Furthermore,the temperature and concentration have different effects on the nanotwin formation energy of the metal and nonmetal alloying elements.As determined by the Generalized Stacking Fault Energy,Al and nonmetals can inhibit the migration of Cu nanotwin boundary,and the effects of Li,Mg,and Sn are opposite.Our theoretical study serves as the foundation for the engineering nanotwin structures through alloying elements,the elements that may lead to new alloy compositions and thermomechanical processes,and are important complements to the experimental research.
基金the funding support from the Hong Kong Research Grant Council (Grant Nos. City U11214820 and City U11205018)the funding support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) under project 11922215+2 种基金the funding support from the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province in China (Grant No. 2019A1515011836)the support from National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 11974156)Guangdong International Science Collaboration Project (Grant No. 2019A050510001)。
文摘Radiation-induced segregation(RIS) is a typical non-equilibrium process that can dramatically alter the behavior of defect sinks and material properties under irradiation. However, RIS mechanisms have been rarely studied around small He bubbles owing to the technical challenges involved in direct measurements of local chemistry. Here, using state-of-the-art atom probe tomography, we report the RIS behavior near He bubbles in the Fe Ni Co Cr high-entropy alloy that indicates Co segregates most strongly, followed by weaker Ni segregation, whereas Fe and Cr are depleted almost to the same degree. Exceptionally, the magnitude of Co segregation around He bubbles is higher than previously measured values at voids and dislocation loops. Electron energy-loss spectroscopy was used to measure the He density and pressure inside individual bubbles. We demonstrate that He bubbles are over-pressurized at the irradiation temperature that could result in the vacancy bias and the subsequent vacancy-dominated RIS mechanism.First-principles calculations further reveal that there are repulsive interactions between He and Co atoms that may reduce the frequency of Co-vacancy exchange. As a result, He atoms likely retard Co diffusion via the vacancy mechanism and enhance the heterogeneity of RIS in Co-containing multicomponent alloys. These insights could provide the basis for understanding He effects in nuclear materials and open an avenue for tailoring the local chemical order of medium-and high-entropy alloys.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 11935004 and 51971195)the Youth Fund Project of Science and Technology Research of Hebei Province (No. QN2020210)+3 种基金the Self Financing Project of Key Research and Development Program of Hebei Province (No. 1621116)the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province (Grant No. E2019203465)the Independent Research Program of Young Teachers of Yanshan University (No. 14LGB007)the High-Level Talents Research Program of Yanshan Universit y (No. 606001101)
文摘Nanocrystalline(NC)W metals and alloys often exhibit higher radiation tolerance and strength than their coarse-grained counterparts.However,their thermal stability is low,making it difficult to achieve bulk NC W metals and alloys by consolidation using conventional techniques such as pressure-less sintering,hot-explosive-compaction sintering,and spark plasma sintering.Here we report the synthesis and mechanical properties of bulk NC W_(100-x)Ti_(x)(x=10 at.%-30 at.%)alloys prepared by consolidating mechanically alloyed NC powders under a high-temperature/high-pressure condition.Adding 20 at.%-30 at.%Ti largely improves the sinterability of NC W-Ti alloy powders.The room-temperature microhardness and compressive yield strength of consolidated bulk NC W_(80)Ti_(20) alloy are∼16.9 and 6.0 GPa,respectively,which are mainly caused by grain boundary strengthening and significantly higher than those of previously reported W and W alloys.The ultimate compressive strength of bulk NC W_(80)Ti_(20) measured between 900 and 1100°C deceases with increasing temperature.This behavior can be explained by the activation of Rachinger grain boundary sliding.No grain growth is observed in bulk NC W_(80)Ti_(20) after compression at 1000°C.Theoretical calculation suggests that it is the segregation of Ti at grain boundaries that decreases the specific grain boundary free energy and makes the NC W_(80)Ti_(20) alloy thermodynamically stable.
