Staff

Abstract:
Atomic force microscopes could be used in wide range of nanotribology experiments but probes available on the market are only made of silicon or silicon nitride with a stiffness in the range of 0.01–100 N/m, which significantly limits the possible research. We strive to solve this problem by designing all-metal probes. The proposed fabrication method is characterised by the use of a copper substrate and electrodeposition in a mould prepared by indentation and photolithography. Prototype probes fabricated with this method were made of nickel with a stiffness of 20 N/m and 2800 N/m and were used for topography and friction measurements. Both the method and all-metal probes showed flexibility and great potential, especially in the field of nano/microtribology.

Keywords:
Atomic force microscopy, Microfabrication, Cantilever, Metal probe, Friction, Nanotribology

Keywords:
graphene, curcuminoids, poly(vinyl chloride), nanocomposites stability, polymer films

Abstract:
The rapidly growing production and usage of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) dramatically raises the number of harmful wastes. Consequently, the LIBs waste management processes, taking into account reliability, efficiency, and sustainability criteria, became a hot issue in the context of environmental protection as well as the scarcity of metal resources. In this paper, we propose for the first time a functional material—a magnetorheological fluid (MRF) from the LIBs-based liquid waste containing heavy metal ions. At first, the spent battery waste powder was treated with acid-leaching, where the post-treatment acid-leaching solution (ALS) contained heavy metal ions including cobalt. Then, ALS was used during wet co-precipitation to obtain cobalt-doped superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and as an effect, the harmful liquid waste was purified from cobalt. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized with SEM, TEM, XPS, and magnetometry. Subsequently, superparamagnetic nanoparticles sized 15 nm average in diameter and magnetization saturation of about 91 emu g−1 doped with Co were used to prepare the MRF that increases the viscosity by about 300% in the presence of the 100 mT magnetic fields. We propose a facile and cost-effective way to utilize harmful ALS waste and use them in the preparation of superparamagnetic particles to be used in the magnetorheological fluid. This work describes for the first time the second life of the battery waste in the MRF and a facile way to remove the harmful ingredients from the solutions obtained after the acid leaching of LIBs as an effective end-of-life option for hydrometallurgical waste utilization.

Keywords:
environment protection SPION, battery waste, toxic waste management, direct recycling, sustainability, circular economy, critical raw materials

Abstract:
In this work, a method to increase the dispersion of graphene (GN) in the matrix of rigid
poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) by using a natural plant extract from Curcuma longa L. (CE) is proposed. Currently, despite the increasing number of reports on the improvement of GN dispersion in PVC blends, still there is a need to find environmentally friendly and economical dispersion stabilizers. We proposed a stabilizer that can be easily obtained from a plant offering thermal stability and high effectiveness. PVC/GN nanocomposites stabilized with the proposed extract were investigated by SEM, AFM (structure), TGA, and Congo red test (thermal properties). Additionally, static and dynamic mechanical properties and electrical resistivity were measured. The use of CE as a graphene dispersant improved its dispersion in the PVC matrix, influenced tensile properties, increased the storage modulus and glass transition temperature, and extended the thermal stability time of nanocomposites. In this work, a CE extract is proposed as an efficient eco-friendly additive for the production of nanocomposites with an improved homogeneity of a nanofiller in the matrix and promising characteristics.

Keywords:
nanocomposites,graphene,poly(vinyl chloride),curcuma extract

Abstract:
Harsh environments, such as nuclear power plants, require the development of materials with stable properties when exposed to radiation/bombardment conditions. In this work, a bulk high-entropy alloy (HEA) was implanted with nitrogen ions accelerated at 50 kV to induce and study crystal structural defects. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) showed that the studies HEA consisted of two phases—σ and body-centered cubic (BCC)—and underwent the σ to BCC phase transformation due to ion bombardment. Unexpectedly, XRD peaks of implanted samples could not be assigned to any known simple nitride, a finding that suggests the creation of new high- or medium-entropy ceramics. Studies of the mechanical and tribological properties with the use of nanoindentation and scratch tests revealed a hardening of both phases of the implanted surface and higher wear resistance. There were also surprising increases in the hardness-to-Young’s modulus ratio and elastic recovery for both phases. The results are promising not only for the nuclear applications, but also for space applications, mechanical engineering, and tribology.

Keywords:
high-entropy alloys, high-entropy ceramics, ion implantation, irradiation, phase transformation

Abstract:
An in-situ nanoindenter with a flat tip was employed to conduct buckling tests of a single nanowire with simultaneous SEM imaging. A series of SEM images allowed us to calculate deflection. The deflection was confronted with the mathematical model of elastica. The post-buckling behaviour of nanowires is conducted in the framework of the nonlinear elasticity theory. Results show the significant effect of geometrical parameters on the stability of buckled nanowires.

Keywords:
post-buckling, nanowire, nanomechanics

Abstract:
In this study, Atomic Force Microscopy-based nanoindentation (AFM-NI) with diamond-like carbon (DLC) coated tip was used to analyze the mechanical response of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) thin films (thicknesses: 235 and 513 nm) on a silicon substrate. Then, Oliver and Pharr (OP) model was used to calculate hardness and Young’s modulus, while three different Static Linear Solid models were used to fit the creep curve and measure creep compliance, Young’s modulus, and viscosity. Values were compared with each other, and the best-suited method was suggested. The impact of four temperatures below the glass transition temperature and varied indentation depth on the mechanical properties has been analyzed. The results show high sensitivity on experiment parameters and there is a clear difference between thin and thick film. According to the requirements in the nanoimprint lithography (NIL), the ratio of hardness at demolding temperature to viscosity at molding temperature was introduced as a simple parameter for prediction of resist suitability for NIL. Finally, thinner PMMA film was tentatively attributed as more suitable for NIL.

Keywords:
PMMA, atomic force microscopy-based nanoindentation, Young’s modulus, hardness, viscosity, Burger creep model, nanoimprint lithography

Abstract:
In this work, novel W-Zr-B coatings were developed by a hybrid process combining pulsed laser deposited ZrB2 and radio frequency magnetron sputtered W2B5. The influence of the laser power density on the structure and mechanical properties of the deposited films was studied. Addition of zirconium causes a change in the structure of the deposited films from columnar to mainly amorphous. The nanoindentation tests and compression of nanopillars showed that doped W-Zr-B layers are still super-hard and incompressible in comparison to WB2 films without doping, but they change their behaviour from brittle to ductile. Films obtained with a fluence of 1.06 J/cm2 are superhard (H = 40 ± 4 GPa) and incompressible (12 ± 1 GPa), but possess a relatively low Young’s modulus (E = 330 ± 32 GPa) and a high elastic recovery (We = 0.9). Further increase in the fluence causes films to consist of deeply embedded fragments of laser ablated ZrB2 target in the deposited layer. Taking into account that the particles are made of ZrB2 which possess extraordinary thermal properties, and the matrix is made of W-Zr-B, a super-hard material, such a composite can also be interesting for industrial applications.

Keywords:
superhard tungsten borides, hybrid magnetron sputtering – pulsed laser deposition, nanopillar compression

Abstract:
Experiments were conducted to investigate, within the framework of a multiscale approach, the mechanical enhancement, deformation and damage behavior of copper–silicon carbide composites (Cu–SiC) fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) and the combination of SPS with high-pressure torsion (HPT). The mechanical properties of the metal–matrix composites were determined at three different length scales corresponding to the macroscopic, micro- and nanoscale. Small punch testing was employed to evaluate the strength of composites at the macroscopic scale. Detailed analysis of microstructure evolution related to SPS and HPT, sample deformation and failure of fractured specimens was conducted using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. A microstructural study revealed changes in the damage behavior for samples processed by HPT and an explanation for this behavior was provided by mechanical testing performed at the micro- and nanoscale. The strength of copper samples and the metal–ceramic interface was determined by microtensile testing and the hardness of each composite component, corresponding to the metal matrix, metal–ceramic interface, and ceramic reinforcement, was measured using nano-indentation. The results confirm the advantageous effect of large plastic deformation on the mechanical properties of Cu–SiC composites and demonstrate the impact on these separate components on the deformation and damage type.

Keywords:
copper–silicon carbide composite, high-pressure torsion, metal–matrix composites, multiscale analysis, nano-indentation, small punch test

Abstract:
Particulate-reinforced metal matrix composites (PRMMCs) with excellent tribo-mechanical properties are important engineering materials and have attracted constant scientific interest over the years. Among the various fabrication methods used, co-electrodeposition (CED) is valued due to its efficiency, accuracy, and affordability. However, the way this easy-to-perform process is carried out is inconsistent, with researchers using different methods for volume fraction measurement and tribo-mechanical testing, as well as failing to carry out proper interface characterization. The main contribution of this work lies in its determination of the gaps in the tribo-mechanical research of CED PRMMCs. For mechanical properties, hardness is described with respect to measurement methods, models, and experiments concerning CED PRMMCs. The tribology of such composites is described, taking into account the reinforcement volume fraction, size, and composite fabrication route (direct/pulsed current). Interfacial aspects are discussed using experimental direct strength measurements. Each part includes a critical overview, and future prospects are anticipated. This review paper provides an overview of the tribo-mechanical parameters of Ni-based co-electrodeposited particulate-reinforced metal matrix composite coatings with an interfacial viewpoint and a focus on hardness, wear, and friction behavior.

Keywords:
experimental mechanics, tribology, co-electrodeposited composites

Abstract:
This study reports the quantitative, precise and accurate results of nanoscale friction measurements with the use of an Atomic Force Microscope calibrated with a precise nanoforce sensor. For this purpose, three samples of spin-coated thin Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) films were prepared with the following thicknesses: 235, 343, and 513 nm. Three different AFM probes were used for the friction measurements: with diamond-like carbon (DLC) tip with a small (15 nm) or big (2 µm) tip radius, and a reference silicon tip with a small (8 nm) radius. The results show that in all of the studied cases, the coefficient of friction strongly depends on the applied load, being much higher for a lower load. Furthermore, a strong relation of the friction force on the cantilever's geometry, the scanning velocity, and the film thickness was observed.

Keywords:
lateral force microscopy, friction, thin PMMA films, atomic force microscope, DLC coatings, adhesion

Abstract:
Development of high-entropy alloy (HEA) films is a promising and cost-effective way to incorporate these materials of superior properties in harsh environments. In this work, a refractory high-entropy alloy (RHEA) film of equimolar CuMoTaWV was deposited on silicon and 304 stainless-steel substrates using DC-magnetron sputtering. A sputtering target was developed by partial sintering of an equimolar powder mixture of Cu, Mo, Ta, W, and V using spark plasma sintering. The target was used to sputter a nanocrystalline RHEA film with a thickness of ~900 nm and an average grain size of 18 nm. X-ray diffraction of the film revealed a body-centered cubic solid solution with preferred orientation in the (110) directional plane. The nanocrystalline nature of the RHEA film resulted in a hardness of 19 ± 2.3 GPa and an elastic modulus of 259 ± 19.2 GPa. A high compressive strength of 10 ± 0.8 GPa was obtained in nanopillar compression due to solid solution hardening and grain boundary strengthening. The adhesion between the RHEA film and 304 stainless-steel substrates was increased on annealing. For the wear test against the E52100 alloy steel (Grade 25, 700-880 HV) at 1 N load, the RHEA film showed an average coefficient of friction (COF) and wear rate of 0.25 (RT) and 1.5 (300 °C), and 6.4 × 10^–6 mm^3/N m (RT) and 2.5 × 10^–5 mm^3/N m (300 °C), respectively. The COF was found to be 2 times lower at RT and wear rate 10^2 times lower at RT and 300 °C than those of 304 stainless steel. This study may lead to the processing of high-entropy alloy films for large-scale industrial applications.

Keywords:
high-entropy alloys, magnetron sputtering, spark plasma sintering, mechanical properties, wear

Abstract:
In this paper, the mechanical properties of composites consisting of electroplated Ni and co-electrodeposited SiC particles, coated with a thin protective layer of Ni, were studied. The protective layer was on the SiC particles prior to adding them to the electrolyte bath. It was demonstrated that due to the application of the protective layer it was possible to decrease sliding friction force, and improve the wear resistance, of the composite coatings in comparison with standard electroplated composite coatings made of Ni and co-electrodeposited pure SiC particles. Coating SiC particles with Ni was achieved by means of a PVD process. The main advantage of this step is avoiding oxidation of the surface of the particles during the contact with an electrolyte. Particles protected from oxidation lead to stronger interfacial bonding between the matrix and the reinforcement. Furthermore, better bonding protects the SiC particles from being extracted from the matrix by a counter-probe during friction and wear tests. The influence of the particle's concentration is studied. A smaller friction force and constant wear rate was observed.

Keywords:
wear, friction, interfacial bonding strength, metal matrix composites, silicon carbide, electrodeposited nickel