| 1. |
- Grolig, Jan Gustav, 1986
(författare)
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Coated Ferritic Stainless Steels as Interconnects in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells - Material Development and Electrical Properties
- 2015
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are attracting increasing interest as devices with potentialuses in decentralized and clean electricity and heat production. Several challengeswith respect to materials have to be overcome to achieve efficiencies and life-spansthat are sufficient for long-term applications.An important element of an SOFC stack is the interconnect component, which connectstwo adjacent fuel cell elements. Interconnects, which are commonly composedof ferritic stainless steels, have to be corrosion-resistant, mechanically stable and costoptimized.This work aimed to investigate economic solutions for interconnect materials and tounderstand the underlying mechanisms of degradation and electrical conduction ofthese materials. Mainly two substrates, a commercially available steel (AISI 441) anda ferritic stainless steel that was optimized for an SOFC application (Sandvik SanergyHT) were combined with different barrier coatings and exposed to a cathode-sideatmosphere. A method was developed that allows for the electrical characterizationof promising material systems and model alloys, thereby facilitating a fundamentalunderstanding of the dominant electrical conduction processes linked to the oxidescales that grow on interconnects. The AISI 441 steel coated with reactive elementsand cobalt showed good corrosion and chromium evaporation profiles, while AISI 441coated with cerium and cobalt also had promising electrical properties. The SanergyHT steel was examined with coatings of copper and iron and copper and manganese,respectively. The corrosion and chromium evaporation profiles of Sanergy HT wereimproved by coating with copper and iron. The copper and iron-coated Sanergy HTshowed lower area specific resistance values than cobalt-coated Sanergy HT. Chromia,which is the main constituent of oxide scales, was synthesized using differentmethods. The electrical properties of chromia were found to be sensitive to not onlyimpurities, but also heat treatment. Finally the electrical properties of cobalt- andcobalt cerium-coated Sanergy HT steels were investigated. It was revealed that theaddition of cerium improved the conductivity of the interconnect by both slowingdown chromia growth and preventing the outward diffusion of iron into the spinel.
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| 2. |
- Posada Borbon, Alvaro, 1990, et al.
(författare)
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Initial oxidation of Cu(100) studied by X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations
- 2018
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Ingår i: Surface Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0039-6028 .- 1879-2758. ; 675, s. 64-69
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Density functional theory calculations and ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are used to investigate initial oxidation of Cu(100). Surface stability with respect to oxygen coverage is calculated together with O 1s core level shifts. Oxidation of Cu(100) is found to occur via the formation of a p(2 × 2) overlayer (0.25 ML) followed by a reconstructed r2×r2 R45° -O missing-row (MR) structure (0.50 ML). A c(4 × 6) structure with a 0.3 ML coverage is close in stability for intermediate oxygen chemical potentials. The relative stability is found to be weakly dependent on the applied exchange-correlation functional. The calculated shifts in the O 1s binding energy are in good agreement with the measured evolution of the binding energy. The shift to higher O 1s binding energies with increasing oxygen coverage is found to correlate with the charge on neighboring copper atoms. The O 1s core-level shifts here obtained with CO2 as oxidant, are similar to previous measurements of Cu(100) oxidation with O2.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Hosseini, Seyedehsan, 1994
(författare)
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Additive-Driven Improvements in Interfacial Properties and Processing of TMP-Polymer Composites
- 2023
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Efforts to address environmental concerns have resulted in new regulations designed to plan the reduction of plastic and synthetic polymer usage, necessitating the search for sustainable natural alternatives with comparable cost-effectiveness and mechanical performance. Thermomechanical pulp (TMP) fibres are one of the most affordable natural fibres that have no chemical refining in production, production have a high yield of 90-98% and TMP fibres have been demonstrated to improve the mechanical characteristics (strength, stiffness and toughness) of wood-polymer composites (WPCs) compared to the pure polymer. The integration of TMP fibres with non-polar synthetic polymers remains a challenge due to surface polarity differences. This PhD thesis aims to ease the processing of TMP fibre composites through the incorporation of additives. The hypothesis posits that incorporating magnesium stearate (MgSt), molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) as additives in TMP composites will enhance interfacial properties, resulting in improved processability and flow behaviour at high temperatures. MoS2 is known for its interaction with lignin, which exists in TMP and MgSt is recognised for its ability to improve flow in pharmaceutical processing when combined with cellulose, also a component of TMP. AKD modifies the hydrophilic properties of lignocellulosic surfaces. The experimental work explores the effect of these additives on the properties of TMP composites of ethylene acrylic acid copolymer (EAA) and polypropylene (PP) matrices. The dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and mechanical analysis results reveal that MoS2 exhibits superior interaction with TMP fibres, yielding enhanced interfacial properties compared to MgSt in between EAA and TMP fibres. Rheological studies elucidate the transition from a fluid-like state to a network-like structure upon the incorporation of TMP into the PP matrix. The incorporation of AKD with C18 reduces the viscosity of TMP-PP composites and PP itself, and, as determined through theoretical Hansen solubility parameter (HSP) calculations, increases compatibility between cellulose in TMP fibres and PP. The addition of AKD influences both the colour (lighter) and shape (smoother surface) of the extrudate filaments in the TMP-PP composites, indicative of improved processing. In addition, frictional analysis demonstrates the reduction of the coefficient of friction (COF) between metal and TMP fibre by MgSt and AKD treatments.
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| 5. |
- Hosseini, Seyedehsan, 1994, et al.
(författare)
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Alkyl ketene dimer modification of thermomechanical pulp promotes processability with polypropylene
- 2024
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Ingår i: Polymer Composites. - 1548-0569 .- 0272-8397. ; 45:1, s. 825-835
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Alkyl ketene dimers (AKDs) are known to efficiently react with cellulose with a dual polarity in their structure: a polar component and a nonpolar component. AKD of three different carbon chain lengths, 4, 10, and 16 carbons have been synthesized, and thermomechanical pulp (TMP) fibers were modified by them. The modification of TMP fibers with AKD resulted in an increased water contact angle, showing the presence of the AKDs on the TMP fibers and a new carbonyl peak in the IR spectra, suggesting modification of the TMP fibers with AKD groups. Calculating the Hansen solubility parameters of AKD and AKD conjugated to TMP in polypropylene (PP) indicates improved compatibility, especially of longer chain AKD and TMP AKD. The rheological studies of the composites showed that the AKD with the longest carbon chain decreases the melt viscosity of the PP-TMP-AKD composite, which combined with the shape and the color of the extruded composite filaments indicates improved flow properties and reduced stress build up during processing. The research findings demonstrate the ability of AKD to enhance the dispersibility and compatibility of natural fibers with PP.
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| 6. |
- Komitov, Lachezar, 1944, et al.
(författare)
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Electrically commanded surfaces for nematic liquid crystal displays
- 2005
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Ingår i: Applied Physics Letters. - : AIP Publishing. - 0003-6951 .- 1077-3118. ; 86
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Electrically commanded surfaces (ECS) is a liquid crystal display concept whereby the switching of the alignment layer, which is driven by an electric field applied across the layer, is further transferred to the bulk liquid crystal material via elastic forces. This work presents the electro-optic response of a sandwich cell with alignment layer made of siloxane-based ferroelectric liquid crystal polymer, representing the ECS. The bulk liquid crystal material of choice was an in-house nematic mixture comprising fluorinated liquid crystalline compounds with negative dielectric anisotropy (Delta-epsilon < 0). We report a distinct linear electro-optic response, arising from the field-induced in-plane switching of the nematic which in turn is mediated by the ECS. © 2005 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.1849844]
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| 7. |
- Cantatore, Valentina, 1986, et al.
(författare)
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Towards multifunctional coating in the boron-doped graphene/copper system
- 2017
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Ingår i: Carbon. - : Elsevier BV. - 0008-6223. ; 115, s. 375-379
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A route to achieve multi-functional graphene coating is explored. Chemical bonding between copper substrate and coating results if the graphene is a priori boron doped. After pair-wise binding of boron sites to the Cu(111) surface, co-existence of pseudo-gap property in the graphene subsystem and a metallic density of states in the Cu subsystem at the common Fermi energy emerges. Apparently a paradox is that the two subsystems preserve and even recover their individual integrities upon formation of surface chemical bonds. Sensor capabilities are inferred. Employing pyridine as test molecule, conditioned ability of a nucleophile to offer competitive dative bonding, with the sub-strate, for boron sites is demonstrated. It is shown to occur for the case of half coverage and for adsorption to boron atoms originally bound to the on-top site on Cu(111). The ability of complementary boron sites to compensate for loss of binding between on-top site and boron, resulting from said bonding to the incoming nucleophile, is emphasized. Multifunctional substrate-coating system for catalysis as well as enhanced sensitization is inferred.
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| 8. |
- Tam, Eric, 1980
(författare)
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Tailoring of Transition Metal Silicides as Protective Thin Films on Austenitic Stainless Steel
- 2011
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The objective of this study is to make use of transition metal silicides in a novel way as protective thin films on engineering metals. It can then be possible to take advantage of the potentially good corrosion resistance of metal silicides while compensating for their brittle nature by the ductile bulk material. Transition metal silicide thin films based on the systems of Ti-Si, Cr-Si, Fe-Si, Ni-Si were fabricated by means of ion-beam co-sputter deposition on 304 stainless steel substrates, with or without subsequent annealing treatment. Thin film characterisation was done by means of X-ray photoelectron and X-ray diffraction analysis. For the films in crystalline form after annealing, the silicides were well-characterised by means of both techniques. The co-sputtered films showed short-range ordered structures, but the possible silicide phases could be depicted from the core-level XPS spectra of the transition metal peaks defined by the crystalline forms. Except for the Cr-Si system, the phase formation sequence during annealing processes was possible to predict by means of Pretorius’ effective heat of formation (EHF) model provided that the initial thin film compositions were determined. The corrosion properties of the as-deposited silicide films and the uncoated stainless steel specimens were assessed by means of polarisation measurements in dilute hydrochloric (HCl) and sulphuric (H2SO4) acid solutions. All silicide-coated specimens showed lower current densities along the measured potentials than the uncoated steel, suggesting their lower reactivity. Among the silicide films, the Ti-Si and Ni-Si based films showed the best corrosion properties and Si content above 60 at.% for all films facilitated high integrity Si-oxide layer development, whereby corrosion properties improved. Further studies conducted on the Ni-Si system showed that composition is a more important design factor than structure. When considering their tribological properties, Rockwell-C adhesion tests and reciprocating sliding wear tests proved the silicide films to be well-adhering on the substrates and to show lower specific wear rate (10e-13 m3/Nm) than that (10e-12 m3/Nm) of the uncoated steel. It is supposed that transition metal silicides can act as protective thin films on stainless steel as well as any other engineering materials as far as good adhesion is guaranteed.
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| 9. |
- Zäll, Erik, et al.
(författare)
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Durability of antireflective SiO2 coatings with closed pore structure
- 2023
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Ingår i: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells. - : Elsevier. - 0927-0248 .- 1879-3398. ; 261
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The use of antireflective coatings to increase the transmittance of the cover glass is a central aspect of achieving high efficiencies for solar collectors and photovoltaics alike. Considering an expected lifetime of 20–30 years for solar energy installations, the durability of the antireflective surfaces is essential. Here, a novel antireflective SiO2 coating with a hexagonally ordered closed pore structure, produced with an aerosol-based sol-gel method is benchmarked against two commercial coatings; produced with acid etching and sol-gel roll coating. The optical and mechanical properties together with contact angle characteristics were evaluated before and after various durability tests, including climate chamber tests, outdoor exposure, and abrasion. Compared to the commercial antireflective coatings with open pore structures, the novel coating performed in parity, or better, in all tests. Based on the results of humidity freeze and industrial climate chamber tests, it appears that the coating with closed pore structure has a better ability to prevent water adsorption. Additionally, the closed pore structure of the coating seems to minimize the accumulation of dirt and deposits. The abrasion and cleanability test further confirm the advantages of a closed pore structure, showcasing the coating's mechanical durability. While the coatings exhibit similar hardness and reduced elastic modulus, the closed pore coating proves to be even harder after undergoing the industrial climate chamber test, but also slightly more brittle, as indicated by the probability of crack initiation. In summary the closed pore structure is well suited for tempered and arid climates, making it a truly competitive alternative to existing antireflective coatings.
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| 10. |
- Townsend, Philip, 1991, et al.
(författare)
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Tessellation-based stochastic modelling of 3D coating structures imaged with FIB-SEM tomography
- 2021
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Ingår i: Computational Materials Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0927-0256 .- 1879-0801. ; 197
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- To facilitate printing, coatings are typically applied to paperboard used for packaging to provide a good surface for application. To optimise the performance of the coating, it is important to understand the relationship between the microstructure of the material and its mass transport properties. In this work, three samples of paperboard coating are imaged using combined focused ion beam and scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM) tomography data appropriately segmented to characterise the internal microstructure. These images are used to inform a parametric, tessellation-based stochastic three-dimensional model intended to mimic the irregular geometry of the particles that can be seen in the coating. Parameters for the model are estimated from the FIBSEM image data, and we demonstrate good agreement between the real and virtual structures both in terms of geometrical measures and mass transport properties. The development of this model facilitates exploration of the relationship between the structure and its properties.
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