Silica-Metal Composite for Hydrogen Storage Applications
In spite of their favourable chemical characteristics, using AB5 alloys as fixed bed for hydrogen storage devices requires proper management of a number of technological aspects. Among these, the mechanical stability of metal particle grains under hydrogen cycling and the overall thermal conductivity of the material bed constitute crucial features. We developed by High Energy Ball Milling HEBM a mechanically stable silica-based AB5 composite with enhanced thermal conductivity. Here, focusing on the material’s physical-chemical properties, we report on the silica-AB5 composite development and characterization. Particularly, we studied the material consolidation process, the resulting composite morphology and the system behaviour under hydrogen loading/unloading cycling.
Structural and Gas Retention Changes Induced by Ozonization of Cobalt(II) and Manganese(II) Hexacyanocobaltates(III)
Transition metal hexacyanocobaltates are porous materials with open metal sites and a wide variety of pores. In this work, manganese(II) and cobalt(II) hexacyanocobaltates(III) have been selected to explore the interactions between the open metal sites located in their pores and the guest molecules: hydrogen, carbon dioxide, water and methanol. An experimental setup was designed and implemented to conduct post-synthesis modification of the solids with ozone. Samples were dehydrated, ozonized and saturated with methanol in situ. Ozone molecules acted on the open metal sites changing their oxidation state, causing a contraction of the unit cell and inducing a stronger interaction of the molecules of water and methanol with the lattice. This strengthening prevented the lattice from being evacuated without compromising its framework stability. The decomposition temperature decreased in all ozonized samples as a consequence of the elongation and weakening of the cobalt-carbon bond. Active infrared and Raman bands were used to monitor the interaction between the open metal sites at the framework surface and the guest molecules. The cell contraction and the presence of residual methanol molecules in the porosity reduced the hydrogen and carbon dioxide retention capacity of the samples.
Failure analysis for poor solderability of Au surface of PCB
Nonwetting is one of the common problems and is always rejected in electronic assemblies. ENIG pads of a PCBA exhibited nonwetting after lead-free reflow soldering. With the aid of stereomicroscope, SEM&EDS and XRF, a series of analysis was performed. And after visual inspection, surface and cross section analysis, thickness measurement and solderability test, it can be inferred that oxidation of plating surface was the main reason for nonwetting, and corrosion in Ni plating caused an adverse impact on solderalibity.