Superalloys offer high temperature strength, excellent creep, corrosion and oxidation resistances, microstructural stability and good fatigue life at elevated temperatures. The composition of the superalloys has been modified continuously to improve the properties. The addition of Pt improves oxidation resistance without compromising the mechanical properties of the superalloys. To further enhance the performance of the superalloy components, various coatings are applied on them. The-(NiPt)Al intermetallic compound bond coats, which are presently utilized, have certain drawbacks. Diffusion of Al from the bond coat to superalloy during service leads to accumulation of stress near the bond coat. The refractory elements present in superalloy precipitate as topological close packed (TCP) phases in the interdiffusion zone. Consequently, a Pt enriched γ(Ni) + γ’(Ni3Al) phase mixture has been proposed as a possible alternative since TCP phases do not form in the interdiffusion zone. In this thesis, diffusion studies are performed on several binary and ternary systems with the primary purpose of understanding the effect of Pt in Ni based superalloys and also in γ + γ’ phase mixture bond coats. Further, a detailed interdiffusion study is conducted in Mo- and W- based binary and ternary systems to understand the growth of the TCP phases. By performing bulk and multifoil diffusion couple experiments, different diffusion parameters like, inter, intrinsic, tracer, impurity diffusion coefficients and activation energy that are necessary to understand the diffusion mechanism are determined. Additionally using the nanoindentation technique on diffusion couples, variation of mechanical properties such as, hardness and modulus with composition is studied. First, interdiffusion in Ni-Pt, Co-Pt, Co-Ni, Ni-Fe and Co-Fe binary systems is examined. In Ni-Pt and Co-Pt, experimental results show that Pt is the slower diffusing species at all compositions. In both the systems, driving force is found to be the reason for higher values of intrinsic diffusion coefficients observed in the range of 40-60 at. % Pt. Contribution of vacancy wind effect on diffusion parameters is found to be negligible. It is found from the multifoil diffusion couple experiments that Ni is the faster diffusing species in the Co-Ni system. Bulk diffusion couple experiments are conducted in the Co-Ni-Pt and Co-Ni-Fe systems, by coupling binary alloys with the third element. Uphill diffusion is observed for Co and Ni in Pt rich corner of the Co-Ni-Pt system. Main and cross interdiffusion coefficients are calculated at the compositions where two diffusion profiles intersect. In both the systems, the main interdiffusion coefficients are positive over the whole composition range and the cross diffusion coefficients show both positive and negative values at different regions. Hardness measured by performing the nanoindentations on diffusion couples of both the systems, shows the higher values at intermediate compositions. The effect of Pt in and’ phases of Ni-Al system are examined by conducting interdiffusion experiments between Ni(xPt) alloys and (NixPt)40Al alloy of β phase, so that both and’ phases grow in the interdiffusion zone. The interdiffusion coefficients in Ni-Al binary system increases with the Al content in the -phase, and they do not vary significantly with composition in the ’ phase. The average effective interdiffusion coefficients of Ni and Al in the and ’ phases increase with the addition of Pt. Nanoindentation studies on diffusion couples show that the hardness of both and ’ phase increases with the addition of Pt. In the +’ phase mixture bond coats, effect of Pt on interdiffusion of major alloying elements of CMSX4 superalloys are discussed. A phase mixture of and ’ with increasing Pt content is coupled with CMSX4 superalloy. The addition of Pt to the +’ phase mixture increases the diffusion rate of Ni, while the diffusion rate of Al, decreases with the addition of 5% Pt, and increases with further addition of Pt. No significant change in the diffusion rates of Co or Cr is observed. The growth kinetics and diffusion in systems (both binary and ternary) with TCP phases are examined. Interdiffusion studies performed in Co-Mo system show significant volume change because of the growth of the phase. Intrinsic diffusion coefficient of Mo is found to be higher than that of Co. Diffusion studies conducted in Ni-Mo system show reasonably low activation energy in the phase, indicating the grain boundary controlled diffusion process. The Co-Ni-Mo and Co-Ni-W ternary phase diagrams are revisited and the phase boundary composition of the TCP phases are found to be different from those reported earlier. Following, the average effective interdiffusion coefficients are calculated and compared with the data calculated in the binary systems to examine the role of the third element. It is noticed that the average effective interdiffusion coefficients in the Co(Ni,Mo) and Co(Ni,W) solid solution increases with the addition of Ni. On the other hand, these diffusion coefficients decrease with the addition of Ni in thephase in both the systems. The role of the driving force for diffusion and possible change in defect concentrations on different sublattices are discussed.

Liquid organic chemical hydride is a promising candidate for hydrogen storage and transport. Methylcyclohexane (MCH) to toluene (TOL) cycle has been considered as one of the feasible hydrogen carrier systems, but selective dehydrogenation of MCH to TOL has only been achieved using the noble Pt-based catalysts. The aim of this study is to develop non-noble, cost-effective metal catalysts that can show excellent catalytic performance, mainly maintaining high TOL selectivity achievable by Pt based catalysts. Mono-metallic Ni based catalyst is a well-known dehydrogenation catalyst, but the major drawback with Ni is its hydrogenolysis activity to cleave C-C bonds, which leads to inferior selectivity towards dehydrogenation of MCH to TOL. This study elucidate addition of the second metal to Ni based catalyst to improve the TOL selectivity. Herein, ubiquitous bi-metallic nanoparticles catalysts were investigated including (Ni–M, M: Ag, Zn, Sn or In) based catalysts. Among the catalysts investigated, the high TOL selectivity (> 99%) at low conversions was achieved effectively using the supported NiZn catalyst under flow of excess H2. In this work, a combined study of experimental and computational approaches was conducted to determine the main role of Zn over Ni based catalyst in promoting the TOL selectivity. A kinetic study using mono- and bimetallic Ni based catalysts was conducted to elucidate reaction mechanism and site requirement for MCH dehydrogenation reaction. The impact of different reaction conditions (feed compositions, temperature, space velocity and stability) and catalyst properties were evaluated. This study elucidates a distinctive mechanism of MCH dehydrogenation to TOL reaction over the Ni-based catalysts. Distinctive from Pt catalyst, a nearly positive half order with respect to H2 pressure was obtained for mono- and bi-metallic Ni based catalysts. This kinetic data was consistent with rate determining step as (somewhat paradoxically) hydrogenation of strongly chemisorbed intermediate originating from TOL. DFT calculation indicated that Zn metal prefers to occupy the step sites of Ni where unselective C–C bond breaking was considered to preferentially occur, explaining suppression of hydrogenolysis activity. Additionally, it confirmed that the H-deficient species at methyl position group (C6H5CH2) was stable on the surface, making its hydrogenation being rate determining step, consistent with positive order in H2 pressure on TOL formation rate. This may explain the conclusive role by H2 in facilitating desorption of the H-deficient surface species that was produced through further dehydrogenation of TOL.

The Master´s thesis deals with description of the influence of cobalt additive on positive electrode parameters for Ni-Cd accumulators. Trough the use of Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance are analysed the effects which decline effective life of positive electrode during accelerated cycling. Theoretical part describes important characteristics of Ni-Cd accumulators, the working principle and effects which are in progress on positive electrode during cycling. The next part deals with description of system EQCM and the pricnciples of doping active mass with cobalt additive. Practical part consists of EQCM system calibration and electrochemical measurements. The principal aim is detection of the influence of cobalt additve on active mass during cycling in different electrolytes. From the results of measurements is set the optimal amount of cobalt additive.

The electronic and vibrational spectra of Ni+(H2O) were measured using photofragment spectroscopy. In the electronic spectrum, photodissociation is observed at photon energies above 16875 cm-1. The only fragment observed is Ni+. The electronic spectrum consists of well-resolved peaks spaced by ~340 cm-1, due to a vibrational progression in the excited electronic state. These peaks have complex sub-structure, consisting of a triplet, spaced by ~30 cm-1. The sub-structure is due to rotational structure in a perpendicular transition of a prolate top molecule. In addition to this major progression, there is a series of less intense, single peaks spaced by ~340 cm-1. These may be due to a vibrational progression in a second electronic state, this time due to a parallel transition. The O-H stretching vibrations of Ni+(H2O) were measured using vibrationally mediated photodissociation (VMP) in a depletion experiment, only monitoring transitions from K’’=1. This revealed a O-H symmetric stretch at 3629 cm-1 and antisymmetric O-H stretch at 3692 cm-1. Several electronic structure calculations complement the experiments using the BHandHLYP hybrid density functional and the 6-311++G(3dp, f) basis set. At this level of theory, Ni+(H2O) is predicted to have C2v symmetry and 2A1 ground state. The Ni-O bond length is 1.95, the O-H bond lengths are .955 and the H-O-H angle is 108.2˚ The molecule is a near-prolate top, with rotational constants A=13.98 cm-1, B=0.297 cm-1 and C=0.296 cm-1 . Analysis of the electronic and vibrational spectra reveals that binding to Ni+ removes electron density from the oxygen lone pairs, increasing the H-O-H bond angle from its value in bare H2O. The electronic and vibrational spectra corresponds to 4s ¬3d transistion in Ni+. As a result of electronic excitation, the Ni-O bond stretches by .20 Å, and the H-O-H bond angle is reduced.

No description available.

No description available.

The functionality of a novel 3-dimensional betavoltaic battery design will be investigated to improve conversion efficiency over existing planar devices. A beta-emitting isotope of nickel, Ni-63, is embedded in the volume of empty space between self-assisted p-i-n junction gallium phosphide nanowires to improve the beta capture efficiency. Parameters such as nanowire pitch, diameter, and height will influence the efficiency and were investigated thoroughly. Material selection was performed based on the following considerations. Gallium phosphide is chosen to achieve a high open circuit voltage under beta exposure. Ni-63 has an optimal beta energy spectrum for a nanowire device and a half-life of 101 years for long term application. The majority of the work focused on the development of the fabrication process, particularly the radioactive source deposition. The method used for embedding the source was a citrate-based sol-gel which was spun onto the sample. This method was modified for this nanowire application and specific challenges to the process are outlined. Furthermore, the obstacles of working with radioactive materials will be discussed. The first nanowire-based betavoltaic device is reported to produce beta-generated current and achieved a beta conversion efficiency of 0.03%. Investigation of the junction was performed to provide future improvements to the efficiency. Additionally, simulated IV curves for a non-active sample exhibited a possible conversion efficiency of 1.92%. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

I present a detailed study of the magnetic propertie of electron-beam evaporated Pdo.4Nio.6 alloy thin films by means of ferromagnetic resonance measurements on extended films of varying thickness and anisotropic magnetoresistance measurements lithographically patterned high aspect-ratio ferromagnetic electrodes, respectively. The results reveal that the direction of the magnetization with respect to the film plane strongly depends on the electrode lateral dimensions, transitioning from in-plane magnetization for extended films to out of the plane magnetization for electrode width below 2-3 microns, reaching ~58 degrees for electrode widths of about 100nm (nanowires). This behavior arises from a competition between the film demagnetizing vector, which leads to in-plane magnetization for extended films , and an intrinsic uniaxial anisotropy, which overcomes the magnetostatic energy for laterally constrained films, pulling the magnetization off plane.

Ce travail a pour but l’acquisition de connaissances fondamentales dans les équilibres de phases et les transformations de phases des alliages ternaires contenant du fer, du nickel et du cuivre.Cette étude est composée de trois parties : la première est consacrée aux équilibres de phase entre600°C et 1000°C dans le coin riche en fer du système ternaire Cu-Fe-Ni, la seconde concerne l’analyse des transformations de phases dans des alliages modèles suivant deux vitesses de refroidissement et la troisième étudie les alliages industriels.Cette approche expérimentale est appuyée par des calculs thermodynamiques. Une comparaison est effectuée avec les données issues de la littérature. Les sections isothermes à 600°C, 800°C et1000°C ont été reconfirmées. Les domaines triphasés αFe/γFe/γCu ont été déterminés à 600°C et800°C et semblent décalés vers de plus fortes teneurs en Ni. La lacune de miscibilité est moins étendue que celle calculée et ce particulièrement du côté du binaire Cu-Ni.Les transformations de phase γ→α apparaissant lors du refroidissement d’alliages Fe-xCu-10Ni et Fe-10Cu-xNi (0<x<15 % en masse) ont été étudiées. Elles sont observées dans tous les alliages refroidis lentement par dilatométrie sauf dans l’alliage binaire Fe-Cu. Les températures de transformation sont systématiquement inférieures aux températures d’équilibre et cet écart augmente lorsque les teneurs en Ni et Cu augmentent. La formation de la ferrite bainitique est favorisée par l’addition de Cu dans les alliages trempés Fe-xCu-10Ni et par l’addition de Ni dans les alliages Fe-10Cu-xNi tandis que la ferrite massive se forme préférentiellement lors du refroidissement lent. Une diminution des températures de transformation se produit lorsque la taille de grains est affinée et est reliée au processus d’accommodation plastique liée à la transformation.La composition et la vitesse de refroidissement jouent un rôle sur la dureté de ces alliages via la présence de Ni en solution solide ainsi que le nombre et la taille des précipités de Cu. / This work aims in getting fundamental knowledge of phase equilibria and microstructures of ternary alloys containing copper, nickel and iron. The thesis is composed of three parts: a first part is devoted to phase equilibria in the Fe-rich corner of the ternary Cu-Fe-Ni system between 600°C and 1000°C, a second part is devoted to the microstructures in these materials for model alloys, for two cooling rates and a third part is devoted to industrial alloys.Phase equilibria of the system are investigated in the range 600-1000°C using diffusion multiples in conjunction with selected equilibrated alloys. This experimental approach is supplemented by thermodynamic calculations. A comparison is drawn with data reported in the literature. The isothermal sections at 600°C, 800°C and 1000°C have been reconfirmed. The three-phase regions αFe/γFe/γCu are determined at 600°C and 800°C and appear shifted to a higher Ni content. The miscibility gap is narrower than the calculated, particularly on the Cu-Ni binary sides.Austenite/ferrite phase transformations occurring on cooling in Fe-xCu-10Ni and Fe-10Cu-xNi alloys,0<x<15 (mass%), have been studied. The influence of copper and nickel additions and of the cooling rate on the microstructure is discussed. Metastable transformations in slowly cooled alloys have been detected by dilatometry in all alloys except in the binary Fe-10Cu alloy: all the cooling transformation temperatures are systematically lower than the equilibrium temperature and the Ni and Cu addition decrease this transformation temperature. The formation of bainitic ferrite is favoured by copper additions in quenched Fe-xCu-10Ni alloys and by Ni addition in Fe-10Cu-xNi alloys while massive ferrite form preferentially during slow cooling. A decrease of the transformation temperatures is recorded when the alloys have a finer grain size likely related to plastic accommodation processes.The composition and cooling rate influence the hardness of the alloys mostly dependant on the amount of Ni in solid solution and on the rate and size of Cu precipitates.

The evolution of materials at an atomistic level may have vital consequences for the properties of materials. Therefore, modelling long time scale behaviour of defects in a material is very important, particularly for those used in nuclear power plants. The materials used in nuclear power plants should have good mechanical properties to overcome the corrosive environment and high temperature. Examples of these materials are the austenitic stainless steel and the Ni-based alloys due to their high temperature properties. Molecular Dynamics (MD) and on the fly Kinetic Monte Carlo (otf-KMC) techniques have been used to model the radiation damage in austenitic stainless steel and the Ni-based alloys. This thesis represents the main findings obtained. Three potentials were implemented and used to study radiation damage in austenitic stainless steel. Structural properties such as the elastic constants for the point defects in the pure metals were first calculated. This was followed by calculating the formation energies and migration energies of vacancy and self interstitial defects in the pure metals. Different calculations were performed using each potential on the ternary alloy (Fe with 10 at.% Ni and 20 at.% Cr) and the binary alloy (Ni with 20 at.% Cr) . For example, the segregation in these alloys was investigated using Monte Carlo simulations and results obtained for both alloys at high temperature MD. Furthermore, the vacancy formation energies were calculated for both alloys using all the potentials. Radiation damage at Grain Boundaries (GBs) in fcc Ni and a Ni-Cr binary alloy has been studied using MD and otf-KMC techniques. From the results obtained, the mobility of interstitials were found to be higher than that of vacancies and tend to move quickly to the GB. Vacancies are found to migrate to the GB if they are near otherwise they tend to form clusters in the bulk. During the simulations, interesting mechanisms were observed for the point defects migration and recombinations. Large roughening at the GB was observed, especially in the alloy system and overall the total number of defects accumulated on the GB after multiple collision cascades were relatively small. The radiation in fcc Ni resulting from low energy collision cascades was also modelled using MD and otf-KMC techniques. This part of work aimed replicating the observations seen in experiment and trying to understand them. Recombinations between vacancies and interstitials were found to happen from large distances with low barriers. Most defects produced from low energy collision cascades were found to recombine or interstitials were found to form clusters. Modelling the evolution of the vacancies shows the possibility of producing Stacking Fault Tetrahedra (SFT) which were found to dissociate at 200°C.