Zirconium oxides were deposited using plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) involving (2-(N-methylamino)1-MethylEthyleneCyclopentadienyl)Bis(DiMethylAmino)Zr (abbreviated as CMEN-Zr) and oxygen plasma as zirconium and oxygen sources. The zirconium oxide thin films demonstrate temperature-independent growth rates per cycle of 0.94 A/cycle at 150–215 °C. The deposited ZrO₂ thin films were characterized using numerous analytical tools, i.e., X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for chemical bonding state and composition, X-ray diffraction for crystallinity, atomic force microscopy for surface morphology, field-emission scanning electron microscopy for cross-sectional analysis, spectroscopic ellipsometry and UV–visible spectrophotometry for optical characterization, capacitance–voltage measurements for dielectric constants and atomic defects, and current–voltage characteristics for electrical information. The insulating features of the crystalline and stoichiometric ZrO₂ films were implemented in the anode composites to evaluate the influence of ALD-based nano-features on the electrochemical performance of solid oxide fuel cells, with the main emphasis on anode performance. The presence of nanomaterials on Ni/YSZ anode composites is analyzed to determine the negative effects on electrochemical performance and the degradation of cell performance of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The artificial design was proven to be effective in controlling the cell performance as long as proper material design was adopted in SOFC electrodes.

Self-healing is an essential property of smart concrete structures. In contrast to other structural metals, shape memory alloys (SMAs) offer two unique effects: shape memory effects, and superelastic effects. Composites composed of SMA wires and conventional cements can overcome the mechanical weaknesses associated with tensile fractures in conventional concretes. Under specialized environments, the material interface between the cementitious component and the SMA materials plays an important role in achieving the enhanced mechanical performance and robustness of the SMA/cement interface. This material interface is traditionally evaluated in terms of mechanical aspects, i.e., strain–stress characteristics. However, the current work attempts to simultaneously characterize the mechanical load-displacement relationships synchronized with impedance spectroscopy as a function of displacement. Frequency-dependent impedance spectroscopy is tested as an in situ monitoring tool for structural variations in smart composites composed of non-conducting cementitious materials and conducting metals. The artificial geometry change in the SMA wires is associated with an improved anchoring action that is compatible with the smallest variation in resistance compared with prismatic SMA wires embedded into a cement matrix. The significant increase in resistance is interpreted to be associated with the slip of the SMA fibers following the elastic deformation and the debonding of the SMA fiber/matrix.

In this work, loess-based materials were designed based on a multicomponent composite materials system for ecofriendly natural three-dimensional (3D) printing involving quick lime, gypsum, and water. The 3D printing process was monitored as a function of gypsum content; in terms of mechanical strength and electrical resistance, in the cube-shaped bulk form. After initial optimization, the 3D printing composition was refined to provide improved printability in a 3D printing system. The optimal 3D fabrication allowed for reproducible printing of rectangular columns and cubes. The development of 3D printing materials was scrutinized using a multitude of physicochemical probing tools, including X-ray diffraction for phase identification, impedance spectroscopy to monitor setting behaviors, and mercury intrusion porosimetry to extract the pore structure of loess-based composite materials. Additionally, the setting behavior in the loess-based composite materials was analyzed by investigating the formation of gypsum hydrates induced by chemical reaction between quick lime and water. This setting reaction provides reasonable mechanical strength that is sufficient to print loess-based pastes via 3D printing. Such mechanical strength allows utilization of robotic 3D printing applications that can be used to fabricate ecofriendly structures.