Nonaqueous Sol-Gel Synthesis of Anatase Nanoparticles and Their Electrophoretic Deposition in Porous Alumina.

Titanium dioxide (TiO) nanoparticles were synthesized by nonaqueous sol-gel route using titanium tetrachloride and benzyl alcohol as the solvent. The obtained 4 nm-sized anatase nanocrystals were readily dispersible in various polar solvents allowing for simple preparation of colloidal dispersions in water, isopropyl alcohol, dimethyl sulfoxide, and ethanol. Results showed that dispersed nanoparticles have acidic properties and exhibit positive zeta-potential which is suitable for their deposition by cathodic electrophoresis.

Micromechanics of Amorphous Metal/Polymer Hybrid Structures with 3D Cellular Architectures: Size Effects, Buckling Behavior, and Energy Absorption Capability.

By designing advantageous cellular geometries and combining the material size effects at the nanometer scale, lightweight hybrid microarchitectured materials with tailored structural properties are achieved. Prior studies reported the mechanical properties of high strength cellular ceramic composites, obtained by atomic layer deposition. However, few studies have examined the properties of similar structures with metal coatings.

The electrodeposition of FeCrNi stainless steel: microstructural changes induced by anode reactions.

The FeCrNi alloy, whose composition is close to that of stainless steel 304, was prepared by electrodeposition and characterized. Nanocrystalline FeCrNi (nc-FeCrNi) was obtained by employing a double-compartment cell where the anode is separated from the cathode compartment, while amorphous FeCrNi (a-FeCrNi) was deposited in a conventional single electrochemical cell. The carbon content of nc-FeCrNi was found to be significantly lower than that of a-FeCrNi, suggesting that carbon inclusion is responsible for the change in the microstructure.

Stabilization mechanism of electrodeposited silicon thin films.

Amorphous composite silicon thin films electrodeposited in tetrahydrofuran, containing up to 80 at% of Si and exhibiting an homogeneous dispersions of O, C and Cl in the amorphous Si matrix, have been successfully stabilized against oxidation using a post-annealing step in inert atmosphere. In order to understand the impact of the annealing step on their stabilization against oxidation, their composition and structure have been investigated upon heat treatments. It has been shown that the presence of impurities such as O, C and Cl does not have any impact on the stabilization process, which is rather linked to the presence of hydrogen in the Si composites.