- Home
- A-Z Publications
- Johnson Matthey Technology Review
- Fast Track Listing
Johnson Matthey Technology Review - Fast Track
Accepted manuscripts have been peer reviewed (where appropriate) and accepted for publication but have not yet been copyedited, house styled, proofread or typeset. The final published version may contain differences as a result of these procedures.
21
Fast Track articles
1 - 20 of 21 Fast Track articles
-
-
Microplasma-Sprayed Titanium and Hydroxyapatite Coatings on Ti6Al4V Alloy: in vitro Biocompatibility and Corrosion Resistance
Available online: 08 July 2024More LessThis paper investigates the bioactivity and mechanical properties of coatings applied to Ti6Al4V, a common titanium alloy used in endoprosthetic implants. Coatings made from hydroxyapatite (HA) powder and commercially pure titanium (CP Ti) wires were applied using microplasma spraying. The study focuses on the responses of rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are essential for bone healing, to these coatings. By adjusting the microplasma spraying process, coatings with varying porosity and surface roughness were achieved. Results show that HA coatings significantly enhance MSC proliferation by 13% compared to the titanium alloy base, while Ti coatings also exhibit an 11% increase. Porosity inversely affects CP Ti's elasticity. Coatings with lower porosity demonstrate better corrosion resistance. HA coatings promote osteogenic activity and angiogenesis, which is crucial for implant integration.
-
-
-
Choosing an Analogue to Digital Converter with Data Safety in Mind
Available online: 08 July 2024More LessIndustry 4.0 is built upon the foundations of converting real world analogue effects into digitised binary data suitable for a computer to process. This needs to be done with care, particularly when the data is ingested by a safety critical system. A numerical study probing the limits of a typical analogue to digital converter is presented here, highlighting some potential issues that should be identified. Initially a Monte Carlo approach is used to probe the impact of digitisation on an analogue to digital converter (ADC) using traditional experimental error analysis. A constant test signal 2.5±0.01"V" is used to understand the optimum level of digitisation. The analogue signal is assumed to have Gaussian noise which is then processed by a 5"V" ADC. This investigation suggests an optimum digitisation level should be related to the standard error of a measured signal. The use of Bayesian inferencing using the Python package PyMC is then used to gain a better estimate of the underlying standard deviation when the signal has been digitised at the 8-bit level.
-
-
-
Structural-Phase State Of Austenitic 20GL Steel After Thermal Treatment by Normalizing and High-Temperature Tempering
Available online: 05 July 2024More LessThe article presents the results of a study of the influence of normalizing at 900 °C and high-temperature tempering at 650 °C on the microstructure and mechanical properties of cast steel 20GL. Heat treatment modes with and without high-temperature tempering were analyzed taking into account the geometric dimensions of the specimens. The microstructure and structural-phase composition of cast steel specimens after heat treatment were studied using transmission and scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. Results showed that the selected mode ensures noticeable changes to ferrite-pearlite, homogeneous, fine-grained structure with grain size number 9 and Brinell hardness 170 HB. Mechanical tests for static tensile and impact strength resulted in selection of the optimal content of manganese in studied cast steel as 1.2 wt. %. It has been established that the processes of final deoxidation have the greatest influence on the mechanical properties of steel determining the nature and character of non-metallic inclusions.
-
-
-
Raman Spectroscopy for Diagnostic Analysis of Fuel Cell Catalyst Coated Membranes
Available online: 18 June 2024More LessRaman spectroscopy is a useful analytical tool for characterising the carbon chemistry of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) catalyst coated membranes (CCMs) and understanding changes in the carbon matrix due to corrosion and degradation processes. However, interpretation of the data is highly sensitive to the sampling and spectral analysis methods employed. Here we critically assess the use of Raman spectroscopy for diagnostic analysis of uncycled PEMFC CCMs and equivalent CCMs subjected to dynamic load cycling. We first consider different approaches to quantitative analysis of Raman spectra, and show that a 2 peak spectral fitting model which only considers the characteristic D1 and G peaks in the Raman spectrum provides an inferior fit to a 4 peak fitting model that includes the minority D3 and D4 peaks associated with amorphous carbon and disordered graphitic domains. We furthermore demonstrate that in specific cases these two models can generate opposing trends. We then compare quantitative Raman metrics generated from spectral maps at different locations of CCMs subjected to different durations of cycling. A large degree of scatter in the data precluded conclusive correlation between Raman data and duration of cycling, highlighting the importance of sufficiently large sample sizes when performing quantitative analysis. However, a difference in behaviour between cathode and anode was observed, characterised most prominently by a higher degree of scatter in the Raman metrics associated with disordered and amorphous carbon, potentially pointing to contrasting ageing phenomena resulting from the different conditions at the cathode and anode. We also demonstrate that spectral differences across the cycled anode appear to be highly spatially heterogeneous, indicating that the associated chemical changes are localised on the <100 µm scale.
-
-
-
Tribological Models for Erosive Wear in Slurry Flow: A Review
Available online: 18 June 2024More LessSlurry erosion (SE) is a mechanically induced wear observed in concerned industries transiting the mixture of liquid and erodent particles, either naturally or affectedly. The kindred equipment and pipelines need frequent monitoring and slurry erosion prediction to check the severity of erosion for implementing preventive measures to minimize the damage of erosion wear. Experimental investigation/online condition monitoring is very high priced and provide fair idea about the extent of slurry erosion wear; nevertheless, precise prediction of slurry erosion wear requires in-situ operating conditions. To minimize expenditure on slurry erosion testing/monitoring and accurate slurry erosion prediction, tribological modeling of slurry erosion wear by mathematical approach or computer-based simulations has proved to be an excellent approach by numerous researchers to foresee the slurry erosion wear and control its severity. Several authors in the past have aligned their efforts in this direction. This review is an attempt to estimate the progress in the variety of tribological modeling (primarily mathematical models) of slurry erosion for its forecasting, monitoring and to suggest the apt approach for the modeling of slurry erosion wear, especially for hydro-turbine components. This article covers the research studies pertaining to mathematical wear models for solid particle erosion recommending a commencing approach for slurry erosion wear modeling.
-
-
-
Recovery and Purification Processes Rare Earth Element from Ni-MH Spent Batteries A Circular Economy: Review
Available online: 30 May 2024More LessDevelopment concept and model economy circular of rare earth element has world attention in recent year. Circular economy optimizing cycle life product for reach pattern sustainable and efficient consumption. REE (Rare Earth Elements) considered as element important because interest high economic value. By considering limited rare earth reserves, cycle repeat from source secondary REEs are very important for push sustainable use. Battery nickel -metal hydride (Ni-MH) is electronic waste with valuable from REEs. Ni-MH batteries that have been reach the age limit use, if thrown away so just will become waste dangerous because content high REEs. Required cycle repeat battery Ni- MH waste efficient for become good move, deep obtain REE that is possible for reusing. The REE recovery process has challenges that must be considered such as efficient REE recovery, low REE concentration, environmental concerns, and scalability thus requiring efficient recovery methods and processes for REE. Currently the hydrometallurgical method is preferred for REE recovery from Ni-MH batteries because it has high yields, has low energy requirements, ease of separation from base metals and low greenhouse gas emissions. One such REE recovery using HCl on a pilot scale yielded 91.6% La.
-
-
-
Magnetron Sputtering of Antibacterial and Antifungal Ta-Cu and Nb-Cu Coatings on 3D-Printed Porous Titanium Alloy Scaffolds
Available online: 15 May 2024More LessThis study evaluates the antimicrobial efficacy of Ta-Cu and Nb-Cu coatings, applied via magnetron sputtering on 3D-printed porous Ti6Al4V alloy scaffolds and gas-abrasive treated Ti6Al4V alloy, against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis verified the application of coatings with 25 wt.% Cu, at thicknesses of 2 μm and 10 μm, to scaffolds (72% porosity) and roughened Ti6Al4V alloy (mean areal roughness of 4.6±1 µm). Thicker coatings showed superior antimicrobial activity; however, thin Nb-Cu coatings and uncoated alloy did not exhibit inhibitory effects. The release dynamics of Cu ions from Ta-Cu coatings into physiological solution, analysed over three days via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, matched the inhibition zone growth. These findings support the potential of these coatings in developing endoprosthesis implants with enhanced antimicrobial properties.
-
-
-
Effectiveness Evaluation of Pyrometallurgy and Hydrometallurgy Methods in The Recycling Process of Nd-Fe-B Permanent Magnet and Rare Earth Metals Recovery : A Review
Available online: 10 May 2024More LessNd-Fe-B is a rare earth element (REE) based permanent magnet material which consist of main magnetic phase Nd2Fe14B and minor phase Nd-rich or α-Fe. Nd-Fe-B permanent magnet has a remarkable maximum energy product (BHMax) reaching 474 kJ/m3 or nearly 60 MGOe, making Nd-Fe-B magnets as the ultimate permanent magnet material and widely used in various technological applications. A commercial Nd-Fe-B magnet contains 22-32 wt% of rare earth elements such as Nd, Dy, Pr, and La, which causes an increasing demand for rare earth elements. As a results, the availability of REE from natural resources are decreasing and several REE such as Nd, Dy, and Pr are in the critical category. The recycling process of Nd-Fe-B magnet waste to recover the containing REE is one possible solution to provide raw materials for permanent magnet industry and minimizing electronical devices waste. Pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical metal extraction process are commonly used for REE recovery process. These two methods are excellent for REE recovery and relatively easy to conduct, allowing pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods to be adopted on industrial scale to the availability of raw materials for Nd-Fe-B magnet industry.
-
-
-
Slurry Jet Erosion Resistance of SS304 Reinforced with High Entropy Alloys through Friction Stir Processing
Available online: 08 May 2024More LessThe present work adopts friction stir processing to process SS304 with CoCrFeCuTi and AlSiBeTiV High Entropy Alloy (HEA) and analyse its erosion performance. The processed samples with CoCrFeCuTi and AlSiBeTiV display refined grain structure with uniform distribution of the reinforced HEAs. The microhardness for the sample with CoCrFeCuTi is 22.1% better than the AlSiBeTiV. The slurry jet erosion test conducted through different process parameters revealed 90° impingement angle and 10 m/s impact velocity with 10 wt% slurry concentration on the processed sample with CoCrFeCuTi offered better erosion resistance. Oblique angle endured high erosion rate due to the ploughing effect of abrasive erodent than normal angle deforming the surface. Increasing velocity increased the erosion rate by increased material removal. Slurry concentration forms a cloud-like layer at higher concentrations lowering the erosion rate. The subsequent microstructural evaluation showed the failure mode through the formation of platelets, micro-cuts, ploughing, and plastic deformation.
-
-
-
Theoretical Study on Copper Adsorption on ZnO Surfaces
Available online: 23 April 2024More LessABSTRACT: The study of Cu on ZnO surfaces is a topic of ongoing research due to the importance of Cu as a promoter in the low-temperature synthesis of methanol, the water-gas shift process, and methanol steam reforming. The role of ZnO in support-ing the stabilization of the Cu atoms and promoting the CO2 hydrogenation reaction is multifaceted and involves a range of physical and chemical factors. In this work, we used density functional theory (DFT) calculations to investigate the Cu adsorp-tion on ZnO surfaces on different sites. Bader charge analysis, adsorption energy, and phonon inelastic neutron scattering (INS) associated with most stable systems were calculated and compared with previous theoretical and experimental results. We found that atomic Cu adsorption on hollow site of ZnO(111) is the most stable site and most favorable site for Cu adsorption compar-ing to other ZnO surfaces. This is due to the strong metal-oxygen interaction between Cu and the ZnO surface. We concluded that further studies are needed to investigate the catalytic activity of this catalyst under realistic reaction conditions with realistic models of Cu supported on ZnO.
-
-
-
Effect of Hf on the Microstructure and Mechanical Property of Pt-15Ir-xHf-0.5Y Alloy
Available online: 23 April 2024More LessThe influence of Hf content on the recrystallization and aging behavior of hot-rolled Pt-15Ir-xHf-0.5Y alloy was investigated by SEM, EBSD and hardness tests. The results show that the alloy texture evolves from a multi-peak one biased towards rolling direction-transverse direction (RD-TD) in the hot rolling state to a multi-peak one symmetrical along the normal direction (ND) after recrystallization annealing. The fibrous grains become equiaxial after recrystallization annealing, increase of Hf content refines the grains. Pt-15Ir-xHf-0.5Y alloy exhibits age-hardening behavior at the temperature range of 600°C~900°C, which is due to the precipitation of (Pt, Ir)5Y phase. Increasing Hf addition effectively improves the hardness through promoting the precipitated amount of (Pt, Ir)5Y phase. However, the internal oxidation within grain boundaries is deteriorated with the high-content Hf addition. The results of this study provide an insight into tailoring the microstructures and mechanical properties of the Pt-Ir high-temperature alloys.
-
-
-
A New Approach to Ti-HA Bio Composite: Pressure-Assisted Coating on the Antibacterial and Electrochemical Properties of Ti6Al4V
Available online: 23 April 2024More LessThis study aims to coat Ti6Al4V alloy with Ti-xHA (x=2.5-10wt.%) mixture to improve its surface properties. A new approach using a powder metallurgical pressure-assisted sintering method was applied to the coating process. The in-situ sintering and coating process was performed at 950°C for 45 min in a vacuum atmosphere of 10-4 mbar. A pressure of 50MPa was applied during the sintering process. Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) cultures were used to determine the antibacterial activity of the sintered and coated samples. The electrochemical properties of the samples were studied by Tafel extrapolation and potentiodynamic polarization tests. The results showed that the coating layer containing wt.%7.5 of HA increased the antibacterial property against gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial cultures. Furthermore, it was determined that the icorr value of the material decreased, and the corrosion resistance improved with an increasing HA ratio. In addition, no active-passive oxidation zone formation was observed up to 2000 mV in the HA-added samples.
-
-
-
A Comprehensive Exploration of Biomass Gasification Technologies Advancing United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Available online: 11 April 2024More LessAbstract: The pursuit of sustainable energy sources on a worldwide scale is a crucial and pressing matter, with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) offering a comprehensive framework for properly addressing this challenge. This paper provides an overview of the various technologies now available for the process of biomass gasification. Compared to other renewable energy sources, which have undergone significant technological advancements in recent years, the field of biomass conversion is still relatively new. Keeping up with the newest breakthroughs becomes increasingly crucial as new conversion techniques are rapidly being created. Keeping up with the latest advancements and potential enhancements in biofuel conversion technology is essential due to their rapid development. In the thermochemical conversion process called "biomass gasification," biomass solid source materials are degraded or incompletely burned in an oxygen-free or oxygen-deficient high-temperature atmosphere, resulting in the production of biomass gas. Biomass gas can be utilized in industry to directly power industrial boilers for steam production, as well as for cooking or heating purposes in rural areas. The purified biomass gas can be utilized to operate a generator set, so facilitating the provision of electricity to areas lacking access to it. The utilization of biomass gasification technology alters the traditional approach of directly igniting biomass to generate power. Gasification technology converts biomass into a clean and combustible gas, significantly improving the efficiency of using biomass energy. This essay will largely concentrate on the methodologies and protocols employed in biomass gasification. The article provides an overview of various gasification procedures and the potential applications of the resulting products. It delves into different biomass gasification techniques, including upstream, gasification, and downstream processes, highlighting their importance in transforming biomass into clean and combustible gases. The review focuses on methodologies and protocols employed in biomass gasification, recognizing its pivotal role in sustainable energy generation. Additionally, the article discusses the challenges associated with gasification technology, such as tar formation, biomass heterogeneity, and uneven biomass supply in different seasons. It emphasizes the need for further research and infrastructure development to overcome these barriers and facilitate the efficient distribution and commercialization of biomass gasification technology. Overall, the scope of the article extends to providing insights into the status, challenges, and future prospects of biomass gasification for achieving sustainable energy goals.
-
-
-
Autonomous Structural Health Monitoring and Remaining Useful Life Estimation of Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Cables
Available online: 08 April 2024More LessAbstract— Floating offshore wind (FOW) farms are key in meeting Europe’s renewable energy targets, harnessing wind energy from waters 60m or deeper, where bottom-fixed farms are unfeasible. Additionally, floating structures allow for the installation of larger turbines than stationary farms, which in turn leads to a greater energy output. However, cable failures dramatically impact the energy transmission from the farms and cause most of the financial losses. Monitoring and maintenance tasks are challenging due to the harsh ocean conditions. The FLOW-CAM project, supported by European Union’s HORIZON 2020 program, studies the structural health monitoring (SHM) of defects in the power cables of the FOW farms which encompass inspection and detection applications. An SHM system integrated with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) was developed for underwater inspection and maintenance, supporting collection and presentation of essential data through an advanced interface. Image data from underwater systems are analyzed using computer vision techniques. Investigations into cable defect detection and the estimation of corrosion and remaining useful life have been held to monitor cable health, achieving results close to reality. FLOW-CAM’s collective works establish a basis for advancing underwater inspection and maintenance, concentrating on the development of practical and effective tools and strategies to optimize the functionality and reliability of FOW farms.
-
-
-
Active Sites of Cu/ZnO-Based Catalysts for CO2 Hydrogenation to Methanol
Available online: 14 March 2024More LessHeterogeneous Cu/ZnO-based catalysts are widely used for CO2 hydrogenation to methanol, but limitations remain for industrial applications. These include achieving high methanol selectivity and conversion, and mitigating deactivation by water poisoning. This review explores the role of active sites on Cu/ZnO-based catalysts in CO2 conversion. The synergistic interaction between Cu and ZnO is emphasized, particularly regarding interfacial effects on CO activation and formate formation. The discussion covers theoretical and experimental perspectives on active site characteristics, including defects, vacancies, steps, and strain. Additionally, the review explores the connection between Cu/ZnO-based catalysts properties and methanol synthesis activity. It examines how preparation methods influence catalyst performance and the impact of doping with elements like CeO2, Al2O3, and ZrO2 on CO2 conversion selectivity. We conclude that ZnO enhances Cu dispersion and promotes a synergistic effect at the interface, leading to improved catalytic performance.
-
-
-
Ultrafast spectroscopy at the Central Laser Facility
Available online: 29 February 2024More LessIn this article, we will examine ultrafast spectroscopy techniques and applications, covering ‘time-resolved IR’ (TR-IR) spectroscopy, time resolved visible (TA) spectroscopy, two-dimensional IR (2D-IR) spectroscopy, Kerr-gated Raman spectroscopy, time-resolved Raman and surface sum-frequency generation (SSFG) spectroscopy. In addition to introducing each technique, we will cover some basics, such as what kinds of lasers are used and discuss how these techniques are applied to study a diversity of chemical problems such as photo-catalysis, photo-chemistry, electro-catalysis, battery electrode characterisation, zeolite characterisation and protein structural dynamics.
-
-
-
Oxidation Kinetics of FeCr and FeCrAl Alloys: Influence of Secondary Processes
Available online: 29 February 2024More LessThe paper presents a mathematical model for describing of thermogravimetric curves of growth of scale with its simultaneous sublimation during oxidation of the surface of a metal or alloy. For alloys FeCr and FeCrAl, a decrease in the effective reaction area as a result of the formation of the oxide of the alloying element - lanthanum or yttrium (together with the formation of the main oxide - Cr2O3 or Al2O3) is considered. For metals, the case of increasing this area is also considered. During the oxidation of the chromia-forming alloy, another secondary process is added - the evaporation of Cr2O3. Therefore, the equations describing the kinetics of changes in mass of these alloys are different. Equations are also considered that make it possible to describe the kinetics of the oxidation process taking into account the initial non-isothermal heating. The formal equations of the oxidation process with an increase in the reaction surface as a result of crushing metal powder are also considered. The resulting equations are used to describe the kinetic curves of changes in the mass of the samples under study. The given equations can be considered as a more accurate approximation to describe the experimental data than the formulas known so far.
-
-
-
Migration of Pt Nanoparticles via Volatile PtO2 during Lean High-Temperature Aging of Diesel Oxidation Catalysts
Available online: 14 February 2024More LessWhen Pt containing diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC) are exposed to high temperatures under lean conditions, the Pt nanoparticles form volatile PtO2 on the catalyst surface. The exhaust flow carries the volatile PtO2 to the downstream aftertreatment catalyst, such as the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst, that is responsible for reducing the NOx emissions, and can negatively impact its performance. Here we investigate the factors such as exposure time, temperature and DOC design characteristics for their impact on the PtO2 migration, by characterizing the amount of Pt deposited on the SCR catalyst at very low levels (< 5ppm), using ICP-OES (Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy) fire assay technique. Our results indicate that well-dispersed Pt, not associated with Pd, is most prone to PtO2 migration. We also compare several methods to suppress the PtO2 migration from the DOC, such as sintering of the Pt nanoparticles, stabilizing the Pt nanoparticles via interaction with Pd or covering the Pt nanoparticles with a high surface area capture layer to trap the volatile PtO2.
-
-
-
Synthesis and Characterization of Cellulose Acetate/Polyethylene Glycol Membrane from Pineapple Hump by Phase Inversion Method
Available online: 12 February 2024More LessCellulose is a natural polymer contained in growing fibers, such as pineapple fibers. Cellulose can be modified into cellulose acetate, a modified polymer that can be used in the synthesis of a cellulose acetate/polyethylene glycol (CA/PEG) membrane. The phase inversion method was used in this study to produce CA/PEG membranes. Variations in PEG concentration with a ratio of 1:1 to cellulose acetate, where variations in PEG concentrations used are 2%, 5%, and 8%. Acetone and dimethylformamide are used as organic solvents. Membrane morphological analysis using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and functional group analysis using a Fourier Transform-Infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer were performed for membrane characterization. The result of the synthesis of the CA/PEG membrane is in the form of a thin white layer. The characterization results of the FT-IR spectrometer showed the vibration of the carbonyl bond at wavenumber 1729 cm-1 and the vibration of the hydroxyl bond torque at the wave number 648 cm-1, where the vibration intensity decreased with each addition to the concentration. The results of SEM characterization show that the increase in PEG concentration increases the percentage porosity of the membrane. The membranes with 2%, 5%, and 8% PEG have porosity percentages of 51.54%, 68.70%, and 73.50%, respectively. As the membrane with 2% PEG has the lowest percent porosity, it is more potential in removing or filtering solutes from a fluid.
-
-
-
Ammonia Sprays for Combustion: A Review
Available online: 07 February 2024More LessAmmonia is a globally transported chemical used for a variety of applications, most notably, the production of fertilizer. Over the past decade, attention has been afforded to the use of ammonia as an energy carrier, coupling global supply of renewable energy to demand regions. Ammonia’s advantages as an energy carrier include its ease of liquefaction and established international transportation routes; overcoming its low reactivity, excessive production of nitrogen oxides, and its toxicity remain as challenges. For energy applications, fuel delivery is a critical aspect of effective combustion in boilers, burners and engines. Due to its adaptable phase change characteristics, ammonia fuel may be injected as a liquid or vapour, each with respective advantages or disadvantages. The focus of this review concerns the characterisation of liquid ammonia fuel injection for combustion, including recent research findings from experimental and simulation studies. Liquid ammonia injection can result in the highly dynamic so-called ‘flashing’ or ‘flash boiling’ phenomena. Research findings have been drawn from other related applications such as accidental hazardous releases. Bespoke optical experimental rigs together with diagnostic techniques and two-phase CFD simulations have enabled studies of the flashing jets under various initial/final conditions, with recent work also examining ammonia spray combustion. The review concludes with an insight into future trends and requirements for liquid ammonia combustion. Reciprocating engines for marine propulsion are cited as potential early adopters of ammonia energy.
-