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Paper des Monats
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Abstract. In power electronics, compound semiconductors with large bandgaps, like silicon carbide (SiC), are increasingly being used as material instead of silicon. They have a lot of advantages over silicon but are also intolerant of nanoscale material defects, so that a defect inspection with high accuracy is needed. The different defect types on SiC samples are measured with various measurement methods, including optical and tactile methods. The defect types investigated include carrots, particles, polytype inclusions and threading dislocations, and they are analysed with imaging ellipsometry, coherent Fourier scatterometry (CFS), white light interference microscopy (WLIM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). These different measurement methods are used to investigate which method is most sensitive for which type of defect to be able to use the measurement methods more effectively. It is important to be able to identify the defects to classify them as critical or non-critical for the functionality of the end product. Once these investigations have been completed, the measurement systems can be optimally distributed to the relevant defects in further work to realize a hybrid analysis of the defects. In addition to the identification and classification of defects, such a future hybrid analysis could also include characterizations, e.g. further evaluation of ellipsometric data by using numerical simulations.
Heterogeneous sandwich immunoassays are widely used for biomarker detection in bioanalysis and medical diagnostics. The high analyte sensitivity of the current “gold standard” enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) originates from the signal-generating enzymatic amplification step, yielding a high number of optically detectable reporter molecules. For future point-of-care testing (POCT) and point-of-need applications, there is an increasing interest in more simple detection strategies that circumvent time-consuming and temperature-dependent enzymatic reactions. A common concept to aim for detection limits comparable to those of enzymatic amplification reactions is the usage of polymer nanoparticles (NP) stained with a large number of chromophores. We explored different simple NP-based signal amplification strategies for heterogeneous sandwich immunoassays
that rely on an extraction-triggered release step of different types of optically detectable reporters. Therefore, streptavidinfunctionalized polystyrene particles (PSP) are utilized as carriers for (i) the fluorescent dye coumarin 153 (C153) and (ii) hemin (hem) molecules catalyzing the luminol reaction enabling chemiluminescence (CL) detection. Additionally, (iii) NP labeling with hemin-based microperoxidase MP11 was assessed. For each amplification approach, the PSP was first systematically optimized regarding size, loading concentration, and surface chemistry. Then, for an immunoassay for the inflammation marker C- eactive protein (CRP), the analyte sensitivity achievable with optimized PSP
ystems was compared with the established ELISA concept for photometric and CL detection. Careful optimization led to a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.1 ng/mL for MP11-labeled PSP and CL detection, performing similarly well to a photometric ELISA (0.13 ng/mL), which demonstrates the huge potential of our novel assay concept.
Irradiation of solid surfaces with high intensity, ultrashort laser pulses triggers a variety of secondary processes that can lead to the formation of transient and permanent structures over a large range of length scales from mm down to the nano‐range. One of the most prominent examples are LIPSS – Laser‐Induced Periodic Surface Structures. While LIPSS have been a scientific evergreen for of almost 60 years, experimental methods that combine ultrafast temporal with the required nm spatial resolution have become available only recently with the advent of short pulse, short wavelength free electron lasers. Here, the current status and future perspectives in this field are discussed by exploiting the unique possibilities of these 4th‐generation light sources to address by time‐domain experimental techniques the fundamental LIPSS‐question, namely why and how laser irradiation can initiate the transition of a “chaotic” (rough) surface from an aperiodic into a periodic structure.
Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) with different charge densities were prepared and investigated by a combination of different complementary techniques sensitive to the structure and molecular dynamics of the system. The morphology of the materials was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS). The latter measurements were quantitatively analyzed yielding to molecular parameters in dependence of the charge density like the diameter of the fibrils, the distance between the fibrils, and the dimension of bundles of nanofibrils, including pores. The influence of water on the properties and the charge density is studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and broadband dielectric spectroscopy. The TGA measurements reveal two mass loss processes. The one at lower temperatures was related to the loss of water, and the second process at higher temperatures was related to the chemical decomposition. The resulting char yield could be correlated to the distance between the microfibrils. The DSC investigation for hydrated CNFs revealed three glass transitions due to the cellulose segments surrounded by water molecules in different states. In the second heating scan, only one broad glass transition is observed. The dielectric spectra reveal two relaxation processes. At low temperatures or higher frequencies, the β-relaxation is observed, which is assigned to localized fluctuation of the glycosidic linkage. At higher temperatures and lower frequencies, the α-relaxation takes places. This relaxation is due to cooperative fluctuations in the cellulose segments. Both processes were quantitatively analyzed. The obtained parameters such as the relaxation rates were related to both the morphological data, the charge density, and the content of water for the first time.
Multiphoton lithography (MPL), an emerging truly 3D microfabrication technique, exhibits substantial potential in biomedical applications, including drug delivery and tissue engineering. Fabricated micro-objects are often expected to undergo shape morphing or bending of the entire structure or its parts. Furthermore, ensuring precise property tuning is detrimental to the realization of the functionality of MPL microstructures. Herein, novel MPL materials based on interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) are presented that effectively combine the advantages of acrylate and epoxy systems. IPNs with varying component ratios are investigated for their microfabrication performance and structural integrity with respect to thermal and micromechanical properties. A variety of high-resolution techniques is applied to comprehensively evaluate IPN properties at the bulk, micron, and segmental levels. This study shows that the MPL laser scanning velocity and power, photoinitiator content, and multi-step exposure can be used to tune the morphology and properties of the IPN. As a result, a library of 3D MPL IPN microstructures with high 3D structural stability and tailored thermal and micromechanical properties is achieved. New IPN microstructures with Young’s moduli of 3–4 MPa demonstrate high-to-fully elastic responses to deformations, making them promising for applications in morphable microsystems, soft micro-robotics, and cell engineering.
Recent publications indicate that the order of electrochemical anodization (before or after the laser processing step) plays an important role for the response of bone-forming osteoblasts—an effect that can be utilized for improving permanent dental or removable bone implants. For exploring these different surface functionalities, multimethod morphological, structural, and chemical characterizations are performed in combination with electrochemical pre- and postanodization for two different characteristic microspikes covered by nanometric laser-induced periodic surface structures on Ti–6Al–4V upon irradiation with near-infrared ps-laser pulses (1030 nm wavelength, ≈1 ps pulse duration, 67 and 80 kHz pulse repetition frequency) at two distinct sets of laser fluence and beam scanning parameters. This work involves morphological and topographical investigations by scanning electron microscopy and white light interference microscopy, structural material examinations via X-ray diffraction, and micro-Raman spectroscopy, as well as near-surface chemical analyses by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results allow to qualify the mean laser ablation depth, assess the spike geometry and surface roughness parameters, and provide new detailed insights into the near-surface oxidation that may affect the different cell growth behavior for pre- or postanodized medical implants.
Development and fundamental understanding of precious-group-metal-free electrocatalysts is hampered by limitations in the quantification of the intrinsic activity of different catalytic sites and understanding the different reaction mechanisms. Comparing isomorphic nitrogen-doped carbons, Zn-N-Cs and Fe-N-Cs with the common tetrapyrrolic motif, a catalyst-independent outer-sphere rate-determining step in the alkaline oxygen reduction reaction is observed. Density functional theory (DFT) simulations on tetrapyrrolic model structures indicate the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level as a good descriptor for the catalytic activity. Contour plots suggest that the electron transfer occurs directly from the tetrapyrrolic coordination site, rather than from the metal center. Metal-free tetrapyrrolic N4 sites are discovered to be highly active oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) active sites in alkaline that reach turnover frequencies (TOF) of 0.33 and 1.84 s−1 at 0.80 and 0.75 VRHE in the order of magnitude of tetrapyrrolic Fe–N4 sites in the acidic ORR. While Zn-coordination lowers the HOMO level and therefore the catalytic activity, Fe-coordination lifts the HOMO level resulting in TOF values of 0.4 and 4 s−1 for tetrapyrrolic Fe–N4 sites at 0.90 and 0.85 VRHE, respectively. At higher mass activities, the peroxide reduction becomes rate-limiting, where highest peroxide production rates are observed for the nitrogen-doped carbon.
AbstractRecent studies have hypothesized that the reinforcing effects of boehmite nanoparticles (BNPs) in polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) are partly related to the particles themselves and partly to the water released from the BNP during curing. In this work, PNCs made from dried BNP (dBNP) with concentrations up to 15 wt% are investigated to differentiate particle and water related effects. The observed trend of the storage modulus in dynamic mechanical thermal analysis measurements was found to be independent of the drying procedure. Stiffness maps from intermodulation atomic force microscopy showed that dBNP leads to a stiffening of the interphase surrounding the particles compared with the unaffected epoxy matrix, while a softer interphase was reported for PNCs with as received BNP. A slight decrease in the glass transition temperature was observed by broadband dielectric spectroscopy related to a lowered crosslink density due to the particles. A significantly higher decrease was reported for PNCs with BNP, attributed to water influencing the curing process. In conclusion, the stiffening of PNC with BNP is related to the particles themselves, while the release of water causes the formation of a soft interphase in the vicinity of the particles and a significant decrease in crosslink density.
Two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (COFs) based on phosphinine and thiophene building blocks have been synthesized with two different side groups. The materials are denoted as CPSF-MeO and CPSF-EtO where CxxF correspond to the covalent framework, whereas P and S are related to heteroatoms phosphorous and sulfur. MeO and EtO indicate the substituents, i.e. methoxy and ethoxy.
Their morphologies were studied by scanning electron microcopy and X-ray scattering. The absence of crystalline reflexes in the X-ray pattern reveal that both materials are amorphous and can be considered as glasses. Furthermore, N2 adsorption measurements indicate substantial Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area values pointing to the formation of three-dimensional pores by stacking of the aromatic 2D layer. An analysis of the porosity of both COFs showed a mean radius of the pores to be of ca. 4 nm, consistent with their chemical structure. The COFs form nanoparticles with a radius of around 100 nm. The thermal behavior of the COFs was further investigated by fast scanning calorimetry. These investigations showed that both COFs undergo a glass transition. The glass transition temperature of CPSF-EtO is found to be ca. 100 K higher than that for CPSF-MeO. This large difference in the glass transition is discussed to be due to a change in the interaction of the COF sheets induced by the longer ethoxy group. It might be assumed that for CPSF-EtO more individual COF sheets assemble to larger stacks than for CPSF-MeO. This agrees with the much larger surface area value found for CPSF-EtO compared to CPSF-MeO. To corroborate the results obtained be fast scanning calorimetry dielectric measurements were conducted which confirm the occurrence of a dynamic glass transition. The estimated temperature dependence of the relaxation rates of the dielectric relaxation and their absolute values agrees well with the data obtained by fast scanning calorimetry. Considering the fragility approach to the glass transition, it was further found that CPSF-MeO is a fragile glass former whereas CPSF-EtO behaves as a strong glass forming material. This difference in the fragility points also to distinct differences in the interaction between the 2D COF molecules in both materials.
In this work, the thermoelectric material calcium cobaltite Ca3Co4O9 (CCO), a promising p-type conducting thermoelectric oxide with anisotropic properties, was processed by the powder aerosol deposition method (PAD) to form a dense ceramic CCO film with a thickness in the µm range. The prepared films were characterized regarding their microstructure and thermoelectric properties between room temperature and 900 °C. After heat treatment at 900 °C, the CCO PAD film in-plane shows excellent properties in terms of electrical conductivity (280 S/cm at 900 °C) and Seebeck coefficient (220 µV/K at 900 °C). The calculated power factor in-plane (ab) reaches with 1125 µW/(m K2) 40 % of the single crystal value, surpassing the known-properties of CCO bulk ceramics. Examination of the microstructure shows a strong fiber texture of the film as well as a strong coarsening of the grains during the first heat treatment up to 900 °C.
A widespread recovery of waste heat requires a cost‐effective production of thermoelectric generators. Thermoelectric oxides are predestined for use at high temperatures. For manufacturing reasons, a multilayer generator design will be easily scalable and cost‐effective. To evaluate the potential of ceramic multilayer technology for that purpose, a multilayer of the promising thermoelectric oxides calcium cobaltite (Ca3Co4O9), calcium manganate (CMO, CaMnO3), and glass–ceramic insulation layers is fabricated. Cracks and reaction layers at the interfaces are observed in the microstructure. The compositions of these reaction layers are identified by energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Mechanical and thermal properties of all layers are compiled from literature or determined by purposeful sample preparation and testing. Based on this data set, the internal stresses in the multilayer after co‐firing are calculated numerically. It is shown that tensile stresses in the range of 50 MPa occur in the CMO layers. The reaction layers have only a minor influence on the level of these residual stresses. Herein, it is proven that the material system is basically suitable for multilayer generator production, but that the co‐firing process and the layer structure must be adapted to improve densification and reduce the tensile stresses in the CMO.
Here, we report a comparative study of different sum parameter analysis methods for the extraction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from manufactured consumer products, which can be measured by combustion ion chromatography (CIC). Therefore, a hydrolysis-based extraction method was further developed, which accounts for the addition of hydrolyzable covalently bound polyfluoroalkylated side-chain polymers (SFPs) to the extractable organic fluorine portion of the mass balance proposed as "hydrolyzable organically bound fluorine" (HOF). To test this hypothesis, the method was applied to 39 different consumer products containing fluoropolymers or monomeric PFAS taken from four different categories: outdoor textiles, paper packaging, carpeting, and permanent baking sheets. We also evaluated the method's efficiency by extracting four synthesized fluorotelomer polyacrylate reference compounds. The total fluorine (TF) and extractable organically bound fluorine (EOF) values were measured through CIC using established protocols. The TF values ranged from sub-ppb to %-levels, depending on the compound class. All samples showed results for hydrolyzed organofluorine (HOF) between 0.03 and 76.3 μg/g, while most EOF values were lower (<LOD to 58.1 μg/g). Moreover, the methods were contrasted with the "total hydrolyzable precursor" (THP) assay analyzed using gas-chromatography coupled mass spectrometry (GC-MS), which yielded concentrations of 6:2–10:2 fluorotelomer alcohols (<LOD-568 μg/g) for textile and paper samples. Furthermore, targeted analytical investigation of 25 compounds via liquid chromatography coupled tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was conducted and accounted for significantly lower sum amounts (<LOD-0.98 μg PFAS/g). To estimate the fluorine mass balance of all methods, the fluorine levels of target analytical data were calculated and compared to the sum parameter values and evaluated. Finally, the efficiency of the extraction method was approximated by the recovery analysis of four selected SFP model compounds compared to their TF values, yielding 36.7–74.0% after extraction and 3.8–36.3% after processing the extract for the HOF sum parameter.
The use of ashes from municipal solid waste incineration as secondary building materials is an important pillar for the circular economy in Germany. However, leaching of potential toxic elements from these materials must be at environmentally acceptable levels. Normally, a three-month ageing period immobilizes most hazardous heavy metals, but antimony (Sb) and vanadium (V) showed previously unusual leaching. In order to clarify the mechanisms, we analyzed the Sb and V species in various bottom and fly ashes from municipal waste incineration by XANES spectroscopy. Antimony oxidizes from Sb(+ III) species used as flame retardants in plastics to Sb(+ V) compounds during waste incineration. However, owing to the similarity of different Sb(+ V) compound in the Sb K- and L-edge XANES spectra, it was not possible to accurately identify an exact Sb(+ V) species. Moreover, V is mainly present as oxidation state + V compound in the analyzed ashes. However, the coarse and magnetic fraction of the bottom ashes contain larger amounts of V(+ III) and V(+ IV) compounds which might enter the waste incineration from vanadium carbide containing steel tools. Thus, Sb and V could be critical potential toxic elements in secondary building materials and long-term monitoring of the release should be taken into account in the future.
Compared to mechanisms like solid solution strengthening, the stacking fault energy (SFE) should be considered as a further factor that influences the material properties. The effect of SFE of alloys or individual elements on strength and resistance can vary considerably. In the high-temperature regime above 700 ◦C, there are still significant gaps in the knowledge about the effect of the SFE on the mechanical properties of single-phase alloys. The effect of SFE on creep resistance of two face-entered cubic equiatomic medium and high entropy alloys, CrCoNi and CrMnFeCoNi, respectively, is evaluated to fill parts of these gaps. Using the Bridgman solidification process, the alloys were produced as single crystals and crept under vacuum at 700 ◦C up to 1100 ◦C. This work shows a significant impact of the lower SFE of CrCoNi on the creep behavior compared to the results of previous investigations of CrMnFeCoNi. The creep resistance of the former is higher over the complete temperature range. At very high temperatures, the strengthening effect of the stacking faults is significantly present. The formation of tetragonal stacking faults and extended dislocation nodes can be identified as the reason for this effect.
High‐temperature KCl‐induced corrosion of high Cr and Ni alloys investigated by in‐situ diffraction
(2024)
High‐temperature KCl‐induced corrosion in laboratory air was observed in situ utilizing X‐ray diffraction. High Cr‐containing model alloys (Fe‐13Cr, Fe‐18Cr‐12Ni, and Fe‐25Cr‐20Ni) were coated with KCl and exposed to dry air at 560°C. KCl‐free alloys were studied in the equivalent atmosphere as a reference. After exposure to KCl‐free environments, all alloys showed the formation of very thin oxide layers, indicating good corrosion resistance. In contrast, KCl‐bearing alloys showed distinct damage after exposure.
Polymers of intrinsic microporosity exhibit a combination of high gas permeability and reasonable permselectivity, which makes them attractive candidates for gas separation membrane materials. The diffusional selective gas transport properties are connected to the molecular mobility of these polymers in the condensed state. Incoherent quasielastic neutron scattering was carried out on two polymers of intrinsic microporosity, PIM-EA-TB(CH3) and its demethylated counterpart PIM-EA-TB(H2), which have high Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area values of 1030 m2 g-1 and 836 m2 g-1, respectively. As these two polymers only differ in the presence of two methyl groups at the ethanoanthracene unit, the effect of methyl group rotation can be investigated solely. To cover a broad dynamic range, neutron time-of-flight was combined with neutron backscattering. The demethylated PIM-EA-TB(H2) exhibits a relaxation process with a weak intensity at short times. As the backbone is rigid and stiff this process was assigned to bendand-flex fluctuations. This process was also observed for the PIM-EA-TB(CH3). A further relaxation process is found for PIM-EA-TB(CH3), which is the methyl group rotation. It was analyzed by a jump-diffusion in a three-fold potential considering also the fact that only a fraction of the present hydrogens in PIM-EATB(CH3) participate in the methyl group rotation. This analysis can quantitatively describe the q dependence of the elastic incoherent structure factor. Furthermore, a relaxation time for the methyl group rotation can be extracted. A high activation energy of 35 kJ mol-1 was deduced. This high activation energy evidences a strong hindrance of the methyl group rotation in the bridged PIM-EA-TB(CH3) structure.
AbstractThe increasing threat of forest fires on a global scale is not only a matter of concern due to the potential harm they may cause to both human and animal life but also due to their significant role in exacerbating climate change. In light of these circumstances, one might inquire as to whether forest soil can self‐ignite and, if so, under what conditions and at what temperatures this phenomenon may occur. This question is being addressed in the German pilot “Fire science of wildfires and safety measures” of the EU project TREEADS, and the first results are presented below. The importance of basic research into the self‐ignition of forest soil cannot be underestimated, as it provides crucial knowledge to prevent forest fires and protect human and animal health. Furthermore, mitigating the occurrence of forest fires can also play a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change. The procedure of the hot storage test is an effective means of determining whether a material can self‐ignite. During the investigation of six soil samples, it was found that five of them were indeed capable of self‐ignition. In addition to determining whether the material ignites, the modified hot storage test also analyzed the resulting smoke gases and measured their concentration. The research question of whether regional forest soil is capable of self‐ignition can be answered with yes based on these initial tests. Further experiments are needed to determine if self‐ignition causes forest fires.
L-Lactide (LA) was polymerized with neat tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (SnOct2) in toluene at 115 °C at low concentration with variation of the LA/Cat ratio. Cyclic polylactides (cPLAs) with number average molecular weights (Mn) between 7 000 and 17 000 were obtained. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry also revealed the formation of a few percent of linear chains. Crystalline cPLAs with Mn around 9 000 and 14 000 were annealed at 140 °C in the presence of ScOct2 or dibutyl-2-stanna-1,3-dithiolane (DSTL). Simultaneously, crystallites of extended linear chains and crystallites of extended cycles were formed regardless of the catalyst, indicating that transesterification reaction proceeded different for linear chains and for cycles, governed by thermodynamic control. The formation of extended chain crystallites with low dispersity indicates the existence of symproportionation of short and long chains. A complementary experiment was carried out with a PLA ethyl ester composed mainly of linear chains with a small fraction of cycles
Cryomyces antarcticus, a melanized cryptoendolithic fungus endemic to Antarctica, can tolerate environmental conditions as severe as those in space. Particularly, its ability to withstand ionizing radiation has been attributed to the presence of thick and highly melanized cell walls, which—according to a previous investigation—may contain both 1,8‐dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) and L‐3,4 dihydroxyphenylalanine (L‐DOPA) melanin. The genes putatively involved in the synthesis of DHN melanin were identified in the genome of C. antarcticus. Most important is capks1 encoding a non‐reducing polyketide synthase (PKS) and being the ortholog of the functionally characterized kppks1 from the rock‐inhabiting fungus Knufia petricola. The co‐expression of CaPKS1 or KpPKS1 with a 4′‐phosphopantetheinyl transferase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae resulted in the formation of a yellowish pigment, suggesting that CaPKS1 is the enzyme providing the precursor for DHN melanin. To dissect the composition and function of the melanin layer in the outer cell wall of C. antarcticus, non‐melanized mutants were generated by CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated genome editing. Notwithstanding its slow growth (up to months), three independent non‐melanized Δcapks1 mutants were obtained. The mutants exhibited growth similar to the wild type and a light pinkish pigmentation, which is presumably due to carotenoids. Interestingly, visible light had an adverse effect on growth of both melanized wild‐type and non‐melanized Δcapks1 strains. Further evidence that light can pass the melanized cell walls derives from a mutant expressing a H2B‐GFP fusion protein, which can be detected by fluorescence microscopy. In conclusion, the study reports on the first genetic manipulation of C. antarcticus, resulting in non‐melanized mutants and demonstrating that the melanin is rather of the DHN type. These mutants will allow to elucidate the relevance of melanization for surviving extreme conditions found in the natural habitat as well as in space.
Managing aging engineering structures requires damage identification, capacity reassessment, and prediction of remaining service life. Data from structural health monitoring (SHM) systems can be utilized to detect and characterize potential damage. However, environmental and operational variations impair the identification of damages from SHM data. Motivated by this, we introduce a Bayesian probabilistic framework for building models and identifying damage in monitored structures subject to environmental variability. The novelty of our work lies (a) in explicitly considering the effect of environmental influences and potential structural damages in the modeling to enable more accurate damage identification and (b) in proposing a methodological workflow for model‐based structural health monitoring that leverages model class selection for model building and damage identification. The framework is applied to a progressively damaged reinforced concrete beam subject to temperature variations in a climate chamber. Based on deflections and inclinations measured during diagnostic load tests of the undamaged structure, the most appropriate modeling approach for describing the temperature‐dependent behavior of the undamaged beam is identified. In the damaged state, damage is characterized based on the identified model parameters. The location and extent of the identified damage are consistent with the cracks observed in the laboratory. A numerical study with synthetic data is used to validate the parameter identification. The known true parameters lie within the 90% highest density intervals of the posterior distributions of the model parameters, suggesting that this approach is reliable for parameter identification. Our results indicate that the proposed framework can answer the question of damage identification under environmental variations. These findings show a way forward in integrating SHM data into the management of infrastructures.
This data article presents a set of primary, analyzed, and digitalized mechanical testing datasets for nine copper alloys. The mechanical testing methods including the Brinell and Vickers hardness, tensile, stress relaxation, and low-cycle fatigue (LCF) testing were performed according to the DIN/ISO standards. The obtained primary testing data (84 files) mainly contain the raw measured data along with the testing metadata of the processes, materials, and testing machines. Five secondary datasets were also provided for each testing method by collecting the main meta- and measurement data from the primary data and the outputs of data analyses. These datasets give materials scientists beneficial data for comparative material selection analyses by clarifying the wide range of mechanical properties of copper alloys, including Brinell and Vickers hardness, yield and tensile strengths, elongation, reduction of area, relaxed and residual stresses, and LCF fatigue life. Furthermore, both the primary and secondary datasets were digitalized by the approach introduced in the research article entitled “Toward a digital materials mechanical testing lab” [1]. The resulting open-linked data are the machine-processable semantic descriptions of data and their generation processes and can be easily queried by semantic searches to enable advanced data-driven materials research.
Ceramic additive manufacturing (AM) requires a complex process chain with various post-processing steps that require expensive machines and special expertise. The key to further market penetration is AM that makes it possible to integrate into an already established ceramic process chain. Most successful AM technologies for ceramics are, however, based on processes that initially have been developed for polymeric materials. For ceramics AM, polymers or precursors are loaded with ceramic particles. This strategy facilitates the entry into AM, however the introduction of organic additives into the ceramic process chain represents a considerable technological challenge to ultimately obtain a ceramic component after additive shaping. In the present communication, two technologies based on ceramic suspensions will be introduced, the “layerwise slurry deposition” (LSD) and “laser induced slip casting” (LIS) technology. Both technologies take advantage of the high packing densities reached by conventional slip casting and moreover enable the processing of fines, even nanoparticles.
This study investigates the room‐ and high‐temperature (650 °C) tensile and low‐cycle‐fatigue behavior of Inconel 718 produced by laser powder bed fusion (PBF‐LB/M) with a four‐step heat treatment and compares the results to the conventional wrought material. The microstructure after heat treatment is characterized on different length scales. Compared to the wrought variant, the elastic and yield properties are comparable at both test temperatures while tensile strength, ductility, and strain hardening capacity are lower. The fatigue life of the PBF‐LB/M variant at room temperature is slightly lower than that of the wrought material, while at 650 °C, it is vice versa. The cyclic stress response for both material variants is characterized by cyclic softening, which is more pronounced at the higher test temperature. High strain amplitudes (≥0.7%) at room temperature and especially a high testing temperature result in the formation of multiple secondary cracks at the transitions of regions comprising predominantly elongated grain morphology and columns of stacked grains with ripple patterns in the PBF‐LB/M material. This observation and pronounced crack branching and deflection indicate that the cracks are controlled by sharp micromechanical gradients and local crystallite clusters.
Investigation on the Durability of a Polypropylene Geotextile under Artificial Aging Scenarios
(2024)
Geosynthetics are widely used in various civil engineering applications, such as geotextiles in coastal protection, and display a sustainable alternative to natural mineral materials. However, the full benefits of using geosynthetics can only be gained with a long service lifetime of the products. With the use of added stabilizers to the polymers, service lifetimes can be achieved in the range of 100 years. Therefore, accelerated aging methods are needed for the assessment of the long-term performance of geotextiles. In the present study, the behavior of geosynthetic materials made of polypropylene was investigated under artificial aging conditions involving elevated temperatures ranging from 30 to 80 °C, increased oxygen pressures ranging from 10 to 50 bar in water-filled autoclaves, and UV irradiation under atmospheric conditions. ATR-IR spectroscopy was employed to detect the increase in the carbonyl index over various aging durations, indicating the oxidative degradation of the geotextile. The most pronounced increase was observed in the case of aging through UV irradiation, followed by thermal aging. Elevated pressure, on the other hand, had a lower impact on oxidation. High-temperature size exclusion chromatography was utilized to follow the reduction in molar mass under different degradation conditions, and the results were consistent with those obtained from ATR-IR spectroscopy. In polyolefins such as polypropylene, Hindered Amine Stabilizers (HAS) are used to suppress oxidation caused by UV radiation. The quantitative analysis of HAS was carried out using a UV/Vis method and HPLC. The degradation of UV stabilizers during the aging of geotextiles is responsible for the oxidation and the reduction in the molar mass of polypropylene. From the results, it can be concluded that applications of PP geotextile without soil or sand cover might cause the risk of the formation of microplastic particles. Material selection, design, and maintenance of the construction must follow best practices, including the system’s removal or replacement at end-of-life. Otherwise, a sustainable use of geotextiles in civil engineering is not possible.
The dripping behaviour of polymers is often observed experimentally through the UL94 flammability standard test. In this work, polymeric dripping under fire is investigated numerically using particle finite element method. A parametric analysis was carried out to observe the influence of a single property on overall dripping behaviour via a UL94 vertical test model. Surrogates and property ranges were defined for variation of the following parameters: glass transition temperature (Tg), melting temperature (Tm), decomposition temperature (Td), density (ρ), specific heat capacity (Cp), apparent effective heat of combustion of the volatiles, char yield (μ), thermal conductivity (k), and viscosity (η). Polyamide, poly(ether ether ketone), poly(methyl methacrylate), and polysulfone were used as benchmarks. Simulated results showed that specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, and char yield allied with viscosity were the properties that most influenced dripping behaviour (starting time and occurrence).
The usefulness of seven different Tin catalysts, Bismuth subsalicylate and Titan tetra(ethoxide) for the polycondensation of ethyl L-lactate (ELA) was examined at 150 °C/6 d. Dibutyltin bis(phenoxides) proved to be particularly effective. Despite the low reactivity of ELA, weight average molecular masses (Mw) up to 12 500 were found along with partial crystallization. Furthermore, polylactides (PLAs) of similar molecular masses were prepared via ELA-initiated ROPs of L-lactide by means of the four most effective polycondensation catalysts. The crystalline linear PLAs were annealed at 140 or 160 °C in the presence of these catalysts. The consequences of the transesterification reactions in the solid PLAs were studied by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI TOF) mass spectrometry, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The results indicate that polycondensation and formation of cycles proceed in the solid state via formation of loops on the surface of the crystallites. In summary, five different transesterification reactions are required to explain all results.
Pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes are used in several industrial applications such as con-struction, railway vehicles and the automotive sector,where the burning behavior is ofcrucial importance. Flame retarded adhesivetapes are developed and provided, however,often without considering the interaction of adhesive tapes and the bonded materialsduring burning nor the contribution of the tapes to fire protection goal of the bondedcomponents in distinct fire tests. This publication delivers an empirical comprehensiveknowledge how adhesive tapes and their flame retardancy effect the burning behaviorof bonded materials. With a special focus on the interaction between the single compo-nents, one flame retarded tape and one tapewithout flame retardant are examined inscenarios of emerging and developing fires, along with their bonds with the commonmaterials wood, zinc-plated steel, mineral wool, polycarbonate, and polymethylmethacry-late. The flame retardant significantly improved the flame retardancy of the tape as afree-standing object and yielded a V-2 rating in UL 94 vertical test and raised the OxygenIndex by 5 vol.%. In bonds, or rather laminates, the investigations prove that the choiceof carrier and substrates are the factors with the greatest impact on the fire propertiesand can change the peak of heat release rate and the maximum average rate of heatemission up to 25%. This research yielded a good empirical overall understanding of thefire behavior of adhesive tapes and bonded materials. Thus, it serves as a guide for tapemanufacturers and applicants to develop tapes and bonds more substrate specific.
In this work we instigated the fragmentation of Au microparticles supported on a thin amorphous carbon film by irradiating them with a gradually convergent electron beam inside the Transmission Electron Microscope. This phenomenon has been generically labeled as ‘‘electron beam-induced fragmentation’’ or EBIF and its physical origin remains contested. On the one hand, EBIF has been primarily characterized as a consequence of beam-induced heating. On the other, EBIF has been attributed to beam-induced charging eventually leading to Coulomb explosion. To test the feasibility of the charging framework for EBIF, we instigated the fragmentation of Au particles under two different experimental conditions. First, with the magnetic objective lens of the microscope operating at full capacity, i.e. background magnetic field 𝐵 = 2 T, and with the magnetic objective lens switched off (Lorenz mode), i.e. 𝐵 = 0 T. We observe that the presence or absence of the magnetic field noticeably affects the critical current density at which EBIF occurs. This strongly suggests that magnetic field effects play a crucial role in instigating EBIF on the microparticles. The dependence of the value of the critical current density on the absence or presence of an ambient magnetic field cannot be accounted for by the beam-induced heating model. Consequently, this work presents robust experimental evidence suggesting that Coulomb explosion driven by electrostatic charging is the root cause of EBIF.
In this work we instigated the fragmentation of Au microparticles supported on a thin amorphous carbon film by irradiating them with a gradually convergent electron beam inside the Transmission Electron Microscope. This phenomenon has been generically labeled as “electron beam-induced fragmentation” or EBIF and its physical origin remains contested. On the one hand, EBIF has been primarily characterized as a consequence of beam-induced heating. On the other, EBIF has been attributed to beam-induced charging eventually leading to Coulomb explosion. To test the feasibility of the charging framework for EBIF, we instigated the fragmentation of Au particles under two different experimental conditions. First, with the magnetic objective lens of the microscope operating at full capacity, i.e. background magnetic field B = 2 T, and with the magnetic objective lens switched off (Lorenz mode), i.e. B = 0 T. We observe that the presence or absence of the magnetic field noticeably affects the critical current density at which EBIF occurs. This strongly suggests that magnetic field effects play a crucial role in instigating EBIF on the microparticles. The dependence of the value of the critical current density on the absence or presence of an ambient magnetic field cannot be accounted for by the beam-induced heating model. Consequently, this work presents robust experimental evidence suggesting that Coulomb explosion driven by electrostatic charging is the root cause of EBIF.
A key aspect in the development of multilayer inductors is the magnetic permeability of the ferrite layers. Here, the effects of different processing steps on the permeability of a NiCuZn ferrite is investigated. Dry pressed, tape cast, and co‐fired multilayer samples are analyzed. An automated data pipeline is applied to structure the acquired experimental data according to a domain ontology based on PMDco (Platform MaterialDigital core ontology). Example queries to the ontology show how the determined process‐property correlations are accessible to non‐experts and thus how suitable data for component design can be identified. It is demonstrated how the inductance of co‐fired multilayer inductors is reliably predicted by simulations if the appropriate input data corresponding to the manufacturing process is used.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
AbstractTwo‐photon polymerization (2PP) additive manufacturing (AM) utilizes feedstocks of ceramic nanoparticles of a few nanometers in diameter, enabling the fabrication of highly accurate technical ceramic design with structural details as small as 500 nm. The performance of these materials is expected to differ from conventional AM ceramics, as nanoparticles and three‐dimensional printing at high resolution introduce new microstructural aspects. This study applies 2PP‐AM of yttria‐stabilized zirconia to investigate the mechanical response behavior under compressive load, probing the influence of smallest structural units induced by the line packing during the printing process, design of sintered microblocks, and sintering temperature and thereby microstructure. We find a dissipative mechanical response enhanced by sintering at lower temperatures than conventional. The pursued 2PP‐AM approach yields a microstructured material with an increased number of grain boundaries that proposedly play a major role in facilitating energy dissipation within the here printed ceramic material. This microplastic response is further triggered by the filigree structures induced by hollow line packing at the order of the critical defect size of ceramics. Together, these unique aspects made accessible by the 2PP‐AM approach contribute to a heterogeneous nano‐ and microstructure, and hint toward opportunities for tailoring the mechanical response in future ceramic applications.
The biogenesis of iron–sulfur (Fe/S) proteins entails the synthesis and trafficking of Fe/S clusters, followed by their insertion into target apoproteins. In eukaryotes, the multiple steps of biogenesis are accomplished by complex protein machineries in both mitochondria and cytosol. The underlying biochemical pathways have been elucidated over the past decades, yet the mechanisms of cytosolic [2Fe-2S] protein assembly have remained ill-defined. Similarly, the precise site of glutathione (GSH) requirement in cytosolic and nuclear Fe/S protein biogenesis is unclear, as is the molecular role of the GSH-dependent cytosolic monothiol glutaredoxins (cGrxs). Here, we investigated these questions in human and yeast cells by various in vivo approaches. [2Fe-2S] cluster assembly of cytosolic target apoproteins required the mitochondrial ISC machinery, the mitochondrial transporter Atm1/ABCB7 and GSH, yet occurred independently of both the CIA system and cGrxs. This mechanism was strikingly different from the ISC-, Atm1/ABCB7-, GSH-, and CIA-dependent assembly of cytosolic–nuclear [4Fe-4S] proteins. One notable exception to this cytosolic [2Fe-2S] protein maturation pathway defined here was yeast Apd1 which used the CIA system via binding to the CIA targeting complex through its C-terminal tryptophan. cGrxs, although attributed as [2Fe-2S] cluster chaperones or trafficking proteins, were not essential in vivo for delivering [2Fe-2S] clusters to either CIA components or target apoproteins. Finally, the most critical GSH requirement was assigned to Atm1-dependent export, i.e. a step before GSH-dependent cGrxs function. Our findings extend the general model of eukaryotic Fe/S protein biogenesis by adding the molecular requirements for cytosolic [2Fe-2S] protein maturation.
Modern dry pressing of ceramic powders using spray‐dried granulates cannot avoid the occurrence of defects related to persisting inter‐ and intra‐granulate interstitial voids. These constitute the parent defect size population limiting the application of polycrystalline ceramics in high‐stress conditions. The mitigation of such defects could widen the range of application in technical and biomedical engineering, reduce the safety range for design, and extend the lifetime of components. Herein, the Weibull size‐effect on strength in size‐partitioned Yttria‐stabilized zirconias (YSZ) feedstocks is used to explore the viability of changing the density distribution of granulate sizes as an effective strategy to obtain a denser particle packing that could reduce the size distribution of strength‐limiting pressing defects. In a direct assessment of critical defect size using multiscale strength testing with a dataset of ≈1300 values, the success of such an approach in increasing the strength reliability for small volume components is demonstrated, along with its ultimate failure in altering the defect size distribution in sintered YSZ ceramics across several length scales. Finally, it is shown that granule morphology (spherical or dimpled) fails to affect the defect density and size distribution in YSZ ceramics.
The current lack of quantitative knowledge on processing-microstructure–property relationships is one of the major bottlenecks in today’s rapidly expanding field of additive manufacturing. This is centrally rooted in the nature of the processing, leading to complex microstructural features. Experimentally-guided modeling can offer reliable solutions for the safe application of additively manufactured materials. In this work, we combine a set of systematic experiments and modeling to address creep anisotropy and its correlation with microstructural characteristics in laser-based powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/M) additively manufactured Inconel-738LC (IN738LC). Three sample orientations (with the tensile axis parallel, perpendicular, and 45° tilted, relative to the building direction) are crept at 850 °C, accompanied by electron backscatter secondary diffraction (EBSD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations. A crystal plasticity (CP) model for Ni-base superalloys, capable of modeling different types of slip systems, is developed and combined with various polycrystalline representative volume elements (RVEs) built on the experimental measurements. Besides our experiments, we verify our modeling framework on electron beam powder bed fusion (PBF-EB/M) additively manufactured Inconel-738LC. The results of our simulations show that while the crystallographic texture alone cannot explain the observed creep anisotropy, the superlattice extrinsic stacking faults (SESF) and related microtwinning slip systems play major roles as active deformation mechanisms. We confirm this using TEM investigations, revealing evidence of SESFs in crept specimens. We also show that the elongated grain morphology can result in higher creep rates, especially in the specimens with a tilted tensile axis.
It is an essential requirement for all building products to ensure durability of their fire safety. Throughout the working life of products, intumescent coatings are aged by certain climatic factors. To predict a lifetime of several years, generally the behaviour of the intumescent coating is extrapolated based on accelerated artificial ageing. The established German and European procedures to assess the durability assume a working life of at least 10 years. For a longer period, additional evidence is required; yet the procedure and the specifications to justify this are not described. In addition to addressing this formal lack, from a scientific point of view it is necessary to investigate the degradation of intumescent coatings in detail and to propose a reliable test concept to assess durability for more than 10 years. This paper summarises the existing knowledge about the ageing of intumescent coatings. The results of various demanding weathering approaches are presented for two intumescent coatings tested in a joint research project. Moreover, formulations with a reduced amount of functionally relevant components were analysed to gain insight into the associated effects. Derived from these research results and knowledge, recommendations are proposed to assess the durability of intumescent coatings for more than 10 years based on a combination of verifications.
The synergistic behavior of different silicon compounds is investigated in flame retardant biocomposites with aluminum trihydroxide (ATH) as the main flame retardant. The paper shows a new approach towards sustainable biocomposites through the implementation of thermoplastic starch (TPS), leather fibers from industrial waste streams, and non-hazardous flame retardants and synergists. In these multicomponent systems, the different components address different modes of action in the fire scenario. When ATH is partially substituted by glass frits or layered silicates, fire performance is enhanced without changing the total amount of filler in the polymer. In a biocomposite with 25 phr of fiber and 90 phr of ATH, substituting 5 phr of ATH for layered silicates increased the LOI from 31.5 vol % to 34.8 vol %, decreased the peak of heat release by 20%, and increased the UL 94 rating from V-1 to V-0.
The systematic transfer of solvent-free, additive flame retardant (FR) formulations from epoxy resins to glass fiber-reinforced epoxy composites (GFRECs) through prepregs is difficult. Additionally, obtaining data on their post-fire mechanics is often challenging. Utilizing melamine polyphosphate (MPP), ammonium polyphosphate (APP), and silane-coated ammonium polyphosphate (SiAPP) FRs with low-melting inorganic silicates (InSi) in an 8:2 proportion and 10% loading by weight in a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) resin, a systematic investigation of the processing properties, room-temperature mechanics, and temperature-based mechanics of the systems was performed. The resin was cured with a dicyandiamide hardener (DICY) and a urone accelerator. The results revealed no substantial impact of these FRs at the current loading on the resin's glass transition temperature or processability. However, the fire residues from cone calorimetry tests of the composites containing FRs were found to be only 15-20% of the thickness of the resins, implying a suppression of intumescence upon transfer. At room temperature, the decrease in the flexural modulus for the composites containing FRs was negligible. Exposure of the composites in a furnace at 400°C as a preliminary study before ignition tests was shown to cause significant flexural moduli reductions after 2.5 min of exposure and complete delamination after 3 min making further testing unviable. This study emphasizes the need for future research on recovering modes of action upon transfer of FR formulations from resins to composites. Based on the challenges outlined in this investigation, sample adaptation methods for post-fire analysis will be developed in a future study.
Sacrifice Few to Save Many: Fire Protective Interlayers in Carbon- Fiber-Reinforced Laminates
(2024)
The fire protection of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates often relies on flame-retardant coatings, but in some applications, their efficacy may diminish upon direct fire exposure due to rapid pyrolysis. This study introduces an innovative approach by integrating protective interlayers within the laminate structure to enhance the fire resistance. Various materials, including ceramic composite WHIPOX, titanium foil, poly(etherimide) (PEI) foil, basalt fibers, rubber mat, and hemp fibers, were selected as protective interlayers. These interlayers were strategically placed within the laminate layout to form a sacrificial barrier, safeguarding the integrity of the composite. Bench-scale fire resistance tests were conducted, where fire (180 kW/m2) was applied directly to the one side of the specimen by a burner while a compressive load was applied at the same time. Results indicate significant prolongation of time to failure for CFRP laminates with protective interlayers, which is up to 10 times longer. This innovative approach represents a potential advance in fire protection strategies for CFRP laminates, offering improved resilience against fire-induced structural failure.
Automated computational workflows are a powerful concept that can improve the usability and reproducibility of simulation and data processing approaches. Although used very successfully in bioinformatics, workflow environments in materials science are currently commonly applied in the field of atomistic simulations. This work showcases the integration of a discrete element method (DEM) simulation of powder pressing in the convenient SimStack workflow environment. For this purpose, a Workflow active Node (WaNo) was developed to generate input scripts for the DEM solver using LIGGGHTS Open Source Discrete Element Method Particle Simulation code. Combining different WaNos in the SimStack framework makes it possible to build workflows and loop over different simulation or evaluation conditions. The functionality of the workflows is explained, and the added user value is discussed. The procedure presented here is an example and template for many other simulation methods and issues in materials science and engineering.
Revolutionizing our polymer industry for adaption to a sustainable carbon circular economy has become one of today’s most demanding challenges. Exploiting renewable resources to replace fossil-fuel—based plastics with biopolymers such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is inevitable while using waste streams as a raw material resource at least is promising. When it comes to using PLA as technical polymer, its high flammability must be addressed by flame retardants compatible with the thermoplastic processing of PLA and its compostability. This study proposes microalgae enriched with phosphorus from wastewater (P-Algae) as an elegant way towards a kind of sustainable organophosphorus flame retardant. The concept is demonstrated by investigating the processing, pyrolysis, flammability, and fire behavior of PLA/P-Algae, while varying the P-Algae content and comparing P-Algae with four alternative bio-fillers (phosphorylated lignin, biochar, thermally treated sewage sludge, and metal phytate) with different P-contents as meaningful benchmarks.
A corrosion study is performed on six variations of titanium grade 5 (Ti6Al4V) samples. Samples are prepared in different conditions by variation of preanodization, postanodization, and picosecond-laser (ps-laser) surface treatment, while polished and anodized samples serve as reference. Microcones and nanosized periodic surface features are successfully produced on Ti6Al4V samples. The morphology and topography of the structures are visualized by scanning electron microscopy and white light interference microscopy. Furthermore, the relative electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) is determined for the ps-laser-treated samples. It is determined that the preanodized and laser-treated sample has 3.5 times larger ECSA than a polished sample, and that the laser-treated sample has 4.1 times larger area. Moreover, Tafel analysis is performed to determine the corrosion properties of the samples. It is shown that the corrosion resistance improves for both laser-structured samples after the anodization. To further study the surface of the samples, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements are conducted. The study indicates that the ps-laser-treated and anodized Ti6Al4V is suitable to be used for the fabrication of bone screws and plates due to its improved corrosion resistance as compared to nonanodized samples.