Use of exfoliated graphite filler to enhance polymer physical properties

Preparation, mechanical and anti-friction performance of MXene/polymer composites

The high cost and limited supply of platinum (Pt) represent barriers to large-scale commercial applications of several electrochemical devices that utilize Pt as electrocatalysts. In this Perspective we discuss opportunities to replace all but the top atomic layer, or monolayer (ML), of Pt with low-cost, “Pt-like” tungsten carbide (WC). These ML Pt-WC catalysts represent the lower limit of Pt loading, allowing for a significant decrease in Pt costs in devices such as fuel cells and electrolyzers. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and experimental measurements indicate that the ML Pt-WC surface exhibits chemical and electronic properties that are very similar to bulk Pt for simple reactions such as the hydrogen evolution reaction, although deviation in behavior is observed for more complex reactions such as the electrooxidation of methanol. In order to further improve the performance of ML Pt-WC electrocatalysts and transfer knowledge gained from thin films to high surface area catalysts, a better understanding of the electronic, electrochemical, and catalytic properties of ML Pt-WC is needed. This Perspective provides an overview of these promising ML Pt-WC electrocatalysts and discusses approaches to overcoming limitations based on a better understanding of the Pt-WC interface and its behavior in electrochemical environments.

Monolayer platinum supported on tungsten carbides as low-cost electrocatalysts: opportunities and limitations

The electronic, mechanical properties and theoretical hardness of chromium carbides by first-principles calculations

Friction and wear of low nanometer Si3N4 filled epoxy composites

Theoretical study on the stability, elasticity, hardness and electronic structures of W-C binary compounds

Anisotropic elastic and thermal properties of titanium borides by first-principles calculations

Theoretical calculations on the adhesion, stability, electronic structure, and bonding of Fe/WC interface

The effect of heat treatment temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a Fe–4.0C–18.0Cr–1.0Mo–1.0Ti (wt.%) hypereutectic high chromium white cast iron was investigated. The response of the alloy to heat treatment and, therefore, the microstructures developed, differed significantly. With the increase of the heat treatment temperature, the precipitated secondary carbides changed from M 3 C to M 7 C 3 and the retained austenite content increased. With the increase of the heat treatment temperature, the bulk hardness and matrix microhardness both increased and reached peak values of 64.6 HRC and 850 HV, respectively at the temperature of 1000 °C. But they all decreased at the heat treatment temperature of 1050 °C. The impact toughness of the alloy increased significantly compared with the conventional cast hypereutectic high chromium white iron (containing 4.0 wt.% C and 17.0 wt.% Cr) without titanium and inoculation and its value was in the range of 6.1–6.9 J/cm 2 , but it did not change very much with the increase of heat treatment temperature.

Yimin Gao

Papers

The electronic, mechanical properties and theoretical hardness of chromium carbides by first-principles calculations

Theoretical study on the stability, elasticity, hardness and electronic structures of W-C binary compounds

Anisotropic elastic and thermal properties of titanium borides by first-principles calculations

Theoretical calculations on the adhesion, stability, electronic structure, and bonding of Fe/WC interface

Effect of heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of a Ti-bearing hypereutectic high chromium white cast iron