Accelerated discovery of perovskite solid solutions through automated materials synthesis and characterization.

Accelerating perovskite solid solution discovery and sustainable synthesis is crucial for addressing challenges in wireless communication and biosensors. However, the vast array of chemical compositions and their dependence on factors such as crystal structure, and sintering temperature require time-consuming manual processes. To overcome these constraints, we introduce an automated materials discovery approach encompassing machine learning (ML) assisted material screening, robotic synthesis, and high-throughput characterization.

Origin of Polarization in Bismuth Sodium Titanate-Based Ceramics.

The classical view of the structural changes that occur at the ferroelectric transition in perovskite-structured systems, such as BaTiO, is that polarization occurs due to the off-center displacement of the B-site cations. Here, we show that in the bismuth sodium titanate (BNT)-based composition 0.2(BaSrTiO)-0.

Antiferroelectric-like Behavior in a Lead-Free Perovskite Layered Structure Ceramic.

Antiferroelectric (AFE) materials have been intensively studied due to their potential uses in energy storage applications and energy conversion. These materials are characterized by double polarization-electric field (-) hysteresis loops and nonpolar crystal structures. Unusually, in the present work, SrLaTaTiO (STLT32), SrLaTaTiO (STLT36), and SrCaTaO (SCT15), lead-free perovskite layered structure (PLS) materials, are shown to exhibit AFE-like double - hysteresis loops despite maintaining a polar crystal structure.

Effect of the Processing Route on the Thermoelectric Performance of Nanostructured CuPbSbTe.

The quaternary AgPbSbTe compound (abbreviated as LAST) is a prominent thermoelectric material with good performance. Endotaxially embedded nanoscale Ag-rich precipitates contribute significantly to decreased lattice thermal conductivity (κ) in LAST alloys. In this work, Ag in LAST alloys was completely replaced by the more economically available Cu.

Effect of Heat Treatment on the Properties of Wood-Derived Biocarbon Structures.

Wood-derived porous graphitic biocarbons with hierarchical structures were obtained by high-temperature (2200⁻2400 °C) non-catalytic graphitization, and their mechanical, electrical and thermal properties are reported for the first time. Compared to amorphous biocarbon produced at 1000 °C, the graphitized biocarbon-2200 °C and biocarbon-2400 °C exhibited increased compressive strength by ~38% (~36 MPa), increased electrical conductivity by ~8 fold (~29 S/cm), and increased thermal conductivity by ~5 fold (~9.5 W/(m·K) at 25 °C).

Investigation of Electrochemical, Optical and Thermal Effects during Flash Sintering of 8YSZ.

This paper reports the electrochemical, optical and thermal effects occurring during flash sintering of 8 mol % yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ). In-situ observations of polycrystalline and single crystal specimens revealed electrochemical blackening/darkening during an incubation period prior to flash sintering. The phenomenon is induced by cathodic partial reduction under DC fields.

Using graphene networks to build bioinspired self-monitoring ceramics.

The properties of graphene open new opportunities for the fabrication of composites exhibiting unique structural and functional capabilities. However, to achieve this goal we should build materials with carefully designed architectures. Here, we describe the fabrication of ceramic-graphene composites by combining graphene foams with pre-ceramic polymers and spark plasma sintering.

Ultrafast-Contactless Flash Sintering using Plasma Electrodes.

This paper presents a novel derivative of flash sintering, in which contactless flash sintering (CFS) is achieved using plasma electrodes. In this setup, electrical contact with the sample to be sintered is made by two arc plasma electrodes, one on either side, allowing current to pass through the sample. This opens up the possibility of continuous throughput flash sintering.