Ceramic matrix composites containing two-dimensional graphene array show outstanding mechanical and frictional properties.

Integrating functional perovskites on an amorphous microchannel plate (MCP) glass faces challenges regarding the lack of ordered nucleation sites and stringent thermal budgets. Herein, we propose a surface energetics-based atomic layer deposition (ALD) strategy to achieve template-assisted oriented BaTiO₃ growth via a (101)-oriented anatase TiO₂ seed layer. Systematic investigation of the TiCl₄/O₃ process reveals a kinetic-to-thermodynamic transition at 300 °C, triggering a singular (101) preferred orientation. Combined DFT calculations and Wulff construction elucidate that this texture evolution is governed by a thermally activated surface energy minimization mechanism, driven by the intrinsic stability of the (101) facet. Crucially, the optimized seed layer acts as a multifunctional template: it not only transforms BaTiO₃ growth from random polycrystalline morphology to a singular (100) orientation with suppressed bulk carbonate impurities but also ensures excellent conformality and uniformity throughout the high aspect ratio microchannels. This study clarifies the thermodynamic mechanism of oriented growth on amorphous substrates, providing a versatile surface engineering pathway for constructing high-performance MCP-based heterojunction devices.

Protein gel of soy was formed immediately during polymerization of aniline initiated by certain amount of FeCl₃. In order to obtain iron-doped carbon material, this composite was then carbonized at 700°C under nitrogen atmosphere for 5h. SEM, FT-IR, XRD, and isothermal desorption/adsorption technologies were employed to characterize morphology and structure of the material. Electrical capacitance of iron-doped carbon materials and performance of a prototype supercapacitor based on the material as its electrodes were measured by cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry, and A.C. impedance respectively. Results show that morphology of as-obtained material is porous and hierachical, specific surface area of the material is 232.1m²/g, and specific capacitance of the material can reach 475.2F/g in 6 M KOH aqueous solution. Energy density and power density of the cell is 2.1Wh/kg and 2.0kW/kg, respectively. Capacity retention of the device is 100% after 5000 cycles at a current density of 2A/g. The above studies imply that this original iron-doped carbon material will have a good potential application in field of energy storage.

In this paper, an infiltration approach was proposed to generate a Ti₃Si(Al)C₂ transition layer in SiC matrix composites to effectually strengthen SiC ceramics. The infiltration temperature played a significant role in the evolution of the microstructure, phase composition, and flexural behaviours. Molten aluminium base alloy fully penetrated SiC ceramic after infiltration at different experimental temperatures (800–1000 °C). The phases in the reaction layer on the surface of SiC ceramic samples varied with the infiltration temperature. When infiltrated at 800 °C, only SiC and Al phases can be found in SiC composites, whereas at 900 °C, a reaction layer containing Ti₃Si(Al)C₂ and SiC was produced. The Ti₃Si(Al)C₂ phase grew in situ on SiC. At 1000 °C, the Ti₃Si(Al)C₂ phase was unstable and decomposed into TiC and Ti₅Si₃. The cermet phase Ti₃Si(Al)C₂ was synthesized at a relatively low temperature. Consequently, the flexural modulus and three-point bending strength of samples infiltrated at 900 °C was enhanced by 1.4 and 2.4 times for the original SiC ceramic, respectively.