Coupling an organic photosensitizer and an inorganic framework into a single-phase material that shows visible-light photocurrent response

A rare hybrid of a 3D Sn–Se type framework and a ruthenium(ii) photosensitizer has been synthesized, and exhibits visible light photocurrent response.

Synthesis and Characterization of Bismuth Nickel Tantalate Pyrochlore

Bi3Ni2Ta3O14 pyrochlores and related materials were prepared by solid state reaction at sintering temperatures ranging from 900°C to 1150°C. The BNT cubic pyrochlores could be represented by a general formula Bi3Ni2-xTa3O14-x and phase pure sample was obtained at temperature 1050°C with x = 0.6. This was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis and detailed lattice refinement. The single phase material crystallized in a cubic system, space group Fd3m with a = b = c = 10.5134 Å, α = β = γ = 90o, respectively. The sample was further characterized using a combination of techniques including Fourier-Transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and inductively coupled plasma – atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The material was thermally stable without any thermal events being observed. Electrical properties of the single phase material were studied by ac impedance spectroscopy starting from room temperature to 800 oC over a frequency range of 5 Hz to 13 MHz. The phase formation and solid solutions of cubic pyrochlores in the Bi2O3-NiO-Ta2O5 (BNT) ternary system were studied thoroughly via combination of characterization techniques.

Research on a New Type of Metal Composite Material in Hot Forming and its Application

A new type of metal composite material can be manufactured by controlling heating temperature and designing the layout of cooling pipes in hot forming process of ultra high strength steel. The yield strength of this type of metal material varies from 380 MPa to 1000 MPa continuously, and its strength limitation varies from 480 MPa to 1600 MPa continuously. In this new hot forming technology, boron steel named as 22MnB5 is stamped by one-step process of hot forming to obtain the metal composite material and manufacture the part consisting of the metal composite at the same time. The hot forming technology of U-shaped part consisting of the metal composite material is provided. Then the microstructure of the U-shaped metal composite material is analyzed and the tensile test is also implemented. The experimental results show the material properties have the characteristics of continuous distribution along the main direction of energy absorption during crash process, which indicates the feasibility of hot forming technology of the metal composite material. The top-hat thin-wall structure consisting of U-shaped metal composite material is employed to analyze the crashworthiness of the new type of metal composite material. By distributing the single phase material of U-shaped composite part properly, the energy absorption ability is increased by 58.7% and the crash force is decreased by 23.4%, which indicate the new type of metal composite material has the comprehensive performance of every single phase material. So the metal composite is a good alternative material in application of crash resistance.