Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (中国有色金属学报)•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(26)67064-1
The influence of thickness and annealing treatment on the microstructure and soft magnetic properties of Fe−Si−B−Cu−Nb alloy (Finemet) thin films prepared by magnetron sputtering was systematically investigated. As-deposited films are amorphous; coercivity decreases and saturation magnetization increases with thickness, stabilizing at 400 nm. Annealing at 773 K and 873 K precipitates nanocrystalline α-Fe within the amorphous matrix. Exchange coupling between nanocrystals and the amorphous matrix enhances soft magnetic properties. Rapid thermal processing (RTP) controls the heating rate to minimize grain size and optimize nanocrystal distribution, achieving low coercivity and high saturation magnetization without additional transition metals. The film annealed at 873 K for 30 min with a heating rate of 25 K/s exhibits a coercivity of 0.8 A/m and saturation magnetization of 1.45 T. Compared to the 773 K annealed film, the 873 K annealed film shows significantly lower coercivity due to smaller precipitated nanocrystals. RTP with controlled thermal gradient enables even smaller nanocrystals, further enhancing magnetic properties. These results demonstrate that RTP-treated Finemet films are promising for high-frequency, miniaturized, and integrated electronic devices.
China Foundry•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s41230-025-4147-5
The effects of the high pressure die casting (HPDC) processes on porosity, microstructure, and mechanical properties of heat-treatment-free aluminum silicon (Al-Si) alloys have long been a focal point in automotive die-casting research. In this work, the combined effect of shot sleeve materials and slow shot speeds on porosity, microstructure and mechanical properties of a newly designed HPDC Al-Si alloy was investigated. Results show that employing a ceramic shot sleeve or increasing the slow shot speed significantly reduces both the average size and area fraction of externally solidified crystals (ESCs), as well as the average pore size and volume fraction. When the slow shot speed is increased from 0.05 m·s-1 to 0.1 m·s-1, the pore volume fraction decreases by 10.2% in steel-shot-sleeve samples, compared to a substantial 67.1% reduction in ceramic-shot-sleeve samples. At a slow shot speed of 0.1 m·s-1, castings produced with a ceramic shot sleeve exhibit superior mechanical properties: 8.3% higher yield strength, 17.4% greater tensile strength, and an 81.4% improvement in elongation, relative to those from a steel shot sleeve. These findings provide valuable insights for minimizing porosity and coarse ESCs in die castings, offering promising potential for broader industrial applications.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01682-8
Renewable 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid-based polyesters are one of the most promising materials for achieving plastic replacement in the age of energy and environmental crisis. However, their properties still cannot compete with those of petrochemical-based plastics, owing to insufficient molecular and/or microstructure designs. Herein, we utilize the Ti3C2Tx-based MXene nanosheets for decorating carbon nanotube (CNT) and obtaining the structurally stable and highly dispersed dendritic heterostructured MXene@CNT, that can act as multi-roles, i.e., polycondensation catalyst, crystal nucleator, and interface enhancer of polyester. The bio-based MXene@CNT/polybutylene furandicarboxylate (PBF) (denoted as MCP) nanocomposites are synthesized by the strategy of “in situ catalytic polymerization and hot-pressing”. Benefiting from the multi-scale interactions (i.e., covalent bonds, hydrogen bonds, and physical interlocks) in hybrid structure, the MCP presents exceptional mechanical strength (≈101 MPa), stiffness (≈3.1 GPa), toughness (≈130 MJ m−3), and barrier properties (e.g., O2 0.0187 barrer, CO2 0.0264 barrer, and H2O 1.57 × 10−14 g cm cm−2 s Pa) that are higher than most reported bio-based materials and engineering plastics. Moreover, it also displays satisfactory multifunctionality with high reprocessability (90% strength retention after 5 recycling), UV resistance (blocking 85% UVA rays), and solvent-resistant properties. As a state-of-art high-performance and multifunctional material, the novel bio-based MCP nanocomposite offers a more sustainable alternative to petrochemical-based plastics in packaging and engineering material fields. More importantly, our catalysis-interfacial strengthening integration strategy opens a door for designing and constructing high-performance bio-based polyester materials in future.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01649-9
Practical Zn metal batteries have been hindered by several challenges, including Zn dendrite growth, undesirable side reactions, and unstable electrode/electrolyte interface. These issues are particularly more serious in low-concentration electrolytes. Herein, we design a Zn salt-mediated electrolyte with in situ ring-opening polymerization of the small molecule organic solvent. The Zn(TFSI)2 salt catalyzes the ring-opening polymerization of (1,3-dioxolane (DOL)), generating oxidation-resistant and non-combustible long-chain polymer (poly(1,3-dioxolane) (pDOL)). The pDOL reduces the active H2O molecules in electrolyte and assists in forming stable organic–inorganic gradient solid electrolyte interphase with rich organic constituents, ZnO and ZnF2. The introduction of pDOL endows the electrolyte with several advantages: excellent Zn dendrite inhibition, improved corrosion resistance, widened electrochemical window (2.6 V), and enhanced low-temperature performance (freezing point = −34.9 °C). Zn plating/stripping in pDOL-enhanced electrolyte lasts for 4200 cycles at 99.02% Coulomb efficiency and maintains a lifetime of 8200 h. Moreover, Zn metal anodes deliver stable cycling for 2500 h with a high Zn utilization of 60%. A Zn//VO2 pouch cell assembled with lean electrolyte (electrolyte/capacity (E/C = 41 mL (Ah)−1) also demonstrates a capacity retention ratio of 92% after 600 cycles. These results highlight the promising application prospects of practical Zn metal batteries enabled by the Zn(TFSI)2-mediated electrolyte engineering.
New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)•2025•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2024-39-04-05)
The preparation of a synthetic pitch from aromatic monomers could easily regulate structure orientation at the molecular level, which would be useful in fabrication. An isotropic synthetic pitch was prepared by a chlorine- and/or nitrogen-induced substitution polymerization reaction method using aromatic hydrocarbon precursors containing Cl and N, which for this study were chloromethyl naphthalene and quinoline. This method was verified by investigating the structural changes under different synthesis conditions, and the synthesis mechanism induced by aromatics containing Cl was also probed. The result shows that the pyridinic N in quinoline contains a lone pair of electrons, and is an effective active site to induce the polymerization reaction by coupling with aromatic hydrocarbons containing Cl. The reaction between such free radicals causes strong homopolymerization and oligomerization. A higher reaction temperature and longer reaction time significantly increased the degree of polymerization and thus increased the softening point of the pitch. A linear molecular structure was formed by the Cl substitution reaction, which produced a highly spinnable pitch with a softening point of 258.6 °C, and carbon fibers with a tensile strength of 1 163.82 MPa were obtained. This study provides a relatively simple and safe method for the preparation of high-quality spinnable pitch.
Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2025•DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25010015
Graphene has garnered significant attention in photodetection due to its exceptional optical, electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. However, the practical application of two-dimensional (2D) graphene in optoelectronic fields is limited by its weak light absorption (only 2.3%) and zero bandgap characteristics. Increasing light absorption is a critical scientific challenge for developing high-performance graphene-based photodetectors. Three-dimensional (3D) graphene comprises vertically grown stacked 2D-graphene layers and features a distinctive porous structure. Unlike 2D-graphene, 3D-graphene offers a larger specific surface area, improved electrochemical activity, and high chemical stability, making it a promising material for optoelectronic detection. Importantly, 3D-graphene has an optical microcavity structure that enhances light absorption through interaction with incoming light. This paper systematically reviews and analyzes the current research status and challenges of 3D-graphene-based photodetectors, aiming to explore feasible development paths for these devices and promote their industrial application.
Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (中国有色金属学报)•2025•DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(25)66952-4
The effects of artificial aging (T6) on the creep resistance with tensile stresses in the range of 50−80 MPa at 175 °C were investigated for an extruded Mg−1.22Al−0.31Ca−0.44Mn (wt.%) alloy. The Guinier-Preston (G.P.) zones primarily precipitate in the sample aged at 200 °C for 1 h (T6-200°C/1h), while the Al2Ca phases mainly precipitate in the sample aged at 275 °C for 8 h (T6-275°C/8h). The T6-200°C/1h sample exhibits excellent creep resistance, with a steady-state creep rate one order of magnitude lower than that of the T6-275°C/8h sample. The abnormally high stress exponent (~8.2) observed in the T6-200°C/1h sample is associated with the power-law breakdown mechanism. TEM analysis illuminates that the creep mechanism for the T6-200°C/1h sample is cross-slip between basal and prismatic dislocations, while the T6-275°C/8h sample exhibits a mixed mechanism of dislocation cross-slip and climb. Compared with the Al2Ca phase, the dense G.P. zones effectively impede dislocation climb and glide during the creep process, demonstrating superior creep resistance of the T6-200°C/1h sample.
Int. Journal of Mining Science and Technology (采矿与安全工程)•2025•DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2025.08.005
Under external disturbances, the shear mechanical responses and debonding failure mechanisms at anisotropic interfaces of anchoring system composed of multiphase media are inherently difficult to characterize due to the concealment nature of interfacial interactions. This study establishes an equivalent shear model for a bolt-resin-rock anchoring system and conducts direct shear tests under dynamic normal load (DNL) boundary from both laboratory experiments and discrete element method (DEM) simulations. The research investigates the influence of normal dynamic load amplitude (An) and rock type on shear strength parameters, elucidating the evolutionary characteristics and underlying mechanisms of shear load and normal displacement fluctuations induced by cyclic normal loading, with maximum shear load decreasing by 36.81% to 46.94% as An increases from 10% to 70% when rock type varies from coal to limestone. Through analysis of strain field evolution, the critical impact of rock type on localization of shear failure surface is revealed, with systematic summarization of differentiated wear characteristics, failure modes, and key controlling factors associated with shear failure surface. Mesoscopic investigations enabled by DEM simulations uncover the nonuniform distribution of contact force chains within the material matrix and across the anisotropic interfaces under various DNL boundaries, clarify rock type dependent crack propagation pathways, and quantitatively assess the damage extent of shear failure surface, with the anisotropic interface damage factor increasing from 34.9% to 56.6% as An rises from 10% to 70%, and decreasing from 49.6% to 23.4% as rock type varies from coal to limestone.
Int. Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials (矿物冶金与材料学报)•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s12613-025-3161-3
This study investigated the mechanical responses and debonding mechanisms of a bolt–resin–rock composite anchoring system subjected to cyclic shear loading. A systematic analysis was conducted on the effects of the initial normal load (Fsd), cyclic shear displacement amplitude (ud), frequency (f), and rock type on the shear load, normal displacement, shear wear characteristics, and strain field evolution. The experimental results showed that as Fsd increased from 7.5 to 120 kN, both the peak and residual shear loads exhibited increasing trends, with increments ranging from 1.98% to 35.25% and from 32.09% to 86.74%, respectively. The maximum shear load of each cycle declined over the cyclic shear cycles, with the rate of decrease slowing and stabilizing, indicating that shear wear primarily occurred at the initial cyclic shear stage. During cyclic shearing, the normal displacement decreased spirally with the shear displacement, implying continuous shear contraction. The spiral curves display sparse upwards and dense downward trends, with later cycles dominated by dynamic sliding along the pre-existing shear rupture surface, which is particularly evident in coal. The bearing capacity of the anchoring system varies with the rock type and is governed by the coal strength in coal, resin–rock bonding in sandstone#1 and sandstone#2, combined resin strength and resin–rock bonding in sandstone#3 (sandstone#1, sandstone#2 and sandstone#3, increasing strength order), and resin strength and bolt–resin bonding in limestone. Cyclic shear loading induces anisotropic interfacial degradation, characterized by escalating strain concentrations and predominant resin–rock interface debonding, with the damage severity modulated by the rock type.
Int. Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials (矿物冶金与材料学报)•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s12613-024-3041-2
Strong and ductile Al alloys and their suitable design strategy have long been desired in selective laser melting (SLM). This work reports a non-equilibrium partitioning model and a correspondingly designed Al–7.5Mg–0.5Sc–0.3Zr–0.6Si alloy. This model effectively quantifies the influence of Mg and Si on hot cracking in aluminum alloy by considering the non-equilibrium partitioning under high cooling rates in SLM. The designed Al–7.5Mg–0.5Sc–0.3Zr–0.6Si alloy exhibits no hot cracks and achieves a remarkably enhanced strength–ductility synergy (a yield strength of (412 ± 8) MPa and a uniform elongation of (15.6 ± 0.6)%), superior to previously reported Al–Mg–Sc–Zr and Al–Mn alloys. A tensile cracking model is proposed to explore the origin of the improved ductility. Both the non-equilibrium partitioning model and the novel Al–7.5Mg–0.5Sc–0.3Zr–0.6Si alloy offers a promising opportunity for producing highly reliable aluminum parts through SLM.