In this study, we construct a type II heterojunction by anchoring WO3-x (WO) quantum dots (QDs) on Zn2.77Cd7.23S10 (ZnCdS) nanoparticles. The activity of the resultant WO QDs-decorated ZnCdS (WO/ZnCdS) heterojunction is evaluated by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) photosynthesis from pure water under visible-light irradiation. The optimized 3WO/ZnCdS heterojunction achieves a remarkable H2O2 production rate of 53.53 +/- 2.26 & micro;M in pure water after visible-light irradiation for 1 h, which is 58.18-fold greater than bare ZnCdS. This exceptional performance is attributed to the construction of the Zn-O-W interfacial electron bridge and optimal intermediate adsorption/desorption capability. Through combined band structure analysis and theoretical calculation, we confirm that the WO/ZnCdS heterojunction follows the type II charge transfer mechanism during photocatalytic H2O2 production. Further investigations via electron paramagnetic resonance, radical trapping experiments, and in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy test reveal that the two-step single-electron oxygen reduction reaction is a main pathway to photosynthesize H2O2 over WO/ZnCdS heterojunction. This work provides a design paradigm for advanced photocatalysts in visible-light-driven H2O2 production. (c) 2026 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science & Technology.
Ammonia-based selective catalytic reduction (NH3-SCR) stands as the preeminent strategy for NOx mitigation in industrial flue gases. Nonetheless, incumbent V2O5–WO3/TiO2 catalysts are beset by constrained temperature operability, toxicity concerns, inadequate hydrothermal endurance, and susceptibility to SO2/H2O deactivation. Contemporary investigations have converged on advanced structural modulation—encompassing dimensionality, morphology, and pore hierarchy—to augment active-site utilization, acid-base equilibrium, and mass/electron conveyance. Diverging from recent reviews that predominantly address material-centric themes (e.g., Cu-based zeolites or core–shell motifs) or isolated attributes, this contribution furnishes a holistic, multiscale amalgamation of advancements in dimensional modulation (1D nanowires, 2D nanosheets, 3D scaffolds), morphological constructs (rod-like, laminar, core–shell, yolk-shell, hollow configurations), and hierarchical porosity (micro-meso-macro integration). We delineate core mechanisms, including pore-caliber-mediated molecular sieving, steric impediments, diffusion orchestration, and confinement-driven phenomena such as reactant sequestration, oriented translocation, and amplified adsorption-redox sequences. Merging these elements with state-of-the-art in situ/operando spectroscopic elucidations, we extrapolate pragmatic design tenets for low- to medium-temperature NOx abatement catalysts that harmonize exceptional efficacy, longevity, and antitoxin fortitude. This synoptic vista not only expedites the conception of resilient industrial NOx abatement architectures but also proffers an adaptable schema for structure–property refinement in heterogeneous catalysis writ large.
This paper reveals severe liquation cracks induced by borides in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of fourthgeneration 9Cr martensitic heat-resistant steel, despite the general assumption that martensitic steels exhibit greater resistance to hot cracking. The brittle fracture induced by liquation cracking in HAZ has impeded the development of ultra-supercritical power units. The thermal simulations were performed to reproduce liquation cracks in the simulated HAZ, and the dual-phase M2 B boride-induced constitutional liquation was explicitly identified via multiscale characterization and thermodynamic calculations. The high liquation cracking susceptibility is mainly due to the liquefaction of aggregated micron-scale primary W2 B borides. To mitigate this, electroslag remelting (ESR) was conducted on the as-cast materials to facilitate microstructural refinement and boride dispersion, coupled with compositional regulation of lowering B content to reduce boride precipitation. It is demonstrated that liquation crack susceptibility can be completely suppressed. This study offers theoretical guidance for inhibiting boride-dominated constitutional liquation in novel 9Cr martensitic heat-resistant steels. (c) 2026 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science & Technology.
Cu matrix composites are widely used in advanced tribological components, but achieving mechanical compatibility between the soft matrix and hard reinforcements to mitigate adhesive wear remains challenging. In this work, Fe-based metallic glass-reinforced Cu matrix composite coatings (0–35 wt%) were fabricated on Al-alloy substrates via cold spraying. The impact of hard metallic glass particles induced a pronounced tamping effect, thereby reducing the coating porosity from 0.47% to 0.12%. Simultaneously, the synergistic effects of dispersion strengthening and work hardening increased the microhardness from 149.23 HV to 171.64 HV. The coating–substrate interfacial shear strength increased from 44.93 MPa for the pure Cu coating to 100.43 MPa for the 35 wt% MG composite coating, demonstrating a significant enhancement in interfacial bonding reliability. Reciprocating dry sliding tests revealed that the 35 wt% metallic glass composite coating achieved superior wear performance, with the coefficient of friction decreasing from 0.78 to 0.65 and the specific wear rate dropping by nearly 50% to 2.34 × 10−5 mm3/N·m. Subsurface and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses confirmed a transition in the wear mechanism from severe adhesive wear to mild oxidative self-lubricating wear. The embedded metallic glass particles functioned as a load-bearing framework, effectively inhibiting substantial plastic deformation of the Cu matrix. Under the combined influence of frictional heating and contact stress, a mechanically mixed layer approximately 4 μm thick developed. Moreover, Mo species from the metallic glass fragments underwent in-situ oxidation, forming a lubricious glaze layer composed of MoO3 and CuO atop the Cu2O/SiO2-rich mechanically mixed layer. This structural synergy provides both rigid mechanical support and intrinsic lubricity, effectively stabilizing the sliding interface. This work elucidates the tribochemical evolution of metallic glass-reinforced composites and provides a feasible strategy for developing durable self-lubricating coatings for extreme service conditions.
Although aluminum alloys possess high specific strength, excellent machinability and superior electrical and thermal conductivity, they suffer from poor wear resistance. Anodic oxidation (AO)/electroless Ni-P duplex coatings on aluminum alloys with a favorable mechanical gradient are expected to exhibit superior interfacial durability and wear resistance. However, pre-activation treatment is always required for the deposition of Ni-P layer due to the lack of catalytic activity of the AO layer. Different from conventional activation strategies relying on the introduction of additional active particles, this work proposes a novel activation method by modifying the AO layer using laser scanning for direct electroless Ni-P deposition. Laser-AO layer interactions, Ni-P deposition behavior and the mechanical and tribological properties of the duplex coating were systematically investigated. Results show that instantaneous high-temperature vaporization and thermomechanical forces are the primary mechanisms responsible for oxide removal from the AO layer. Laser irradiation can create Al defective sites, providing active centers for Ni-P nucleation. The laser-activated duplex coating (L-NiP) exhibits outstanding interfacial adhesion without delamination under 150 N scratch load. Benefiting from this outstanding interfacial adhesion and reduction of the maximum principal stress in the Ni-P subsurface enabled by the gradient structure, the duplex coating present superior wear resistance, with its specific wear rate reduced to only 8.3%, 13.2% and 20.9% of those of the single Ni-P coating under contact stresses of 0.7, 0.9 and 1.1 GPa.
