Vol. 2 No. 1 (2024)

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 461

Structural and electrical characteristics of Zr-doped HfO2 (HZO) thin films deposited by atomic layer deposition for RRAM applications

by P. R. Sekhar Reddy

Materials Technology Reports, Vol.2, No.1, 2024; 3990 Views, 274 PDF Downloads

In this study, Zr-doped HfO 2 (HZO) based resistive random-access memory (RRAM) device were fabricated. The Hf:Zr (1:1) ratio in the HZO films were controlled by changing the HfO 2 and ZrO 2 cycle ratio during the atomic layer deposition (ALD) process. Next, we studied the structural and electrical properties of the Au/HZO/TiN RRAM device structure. The RRAM devices exhibits an excellent resistance ratio of the high resistance state (HRS) to the low resistance state (LRS) of ~10 3 A, and as well as good endurance (300 cycles) and retention (>10 3 s), respectively. Further, the device showed different conduction mechanism in LRS and HRS modes. The lower biased linear region is dominated by ohmic conductivity, whereas the higher biased nonlinear region is dominated by a space charge limited current conduction. This device is suitable for application in future high-density nonvolatile memory RRAM devices.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 483

Electrochemical performance of Pr0.6Sr0.4Fe0.8Co0.2O3−δ as potential cathode material for IT-SOFC

by M. Shamshi Hassan

Materials Technology Reports, Vol.2, No.1, 2024; 228 Views, 133 PDF Downloads

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are renowned for being effective energy sources that have potential to influence how energy is developed in future. SOFCs operate at low temperatures provides different benefits for widespread commercialization. In the present study a perovskite material Pr 0.6 Sr 0.4 Fe 0.8 Co 0.2 O 3−δ (PSFCo) was investigated as cathode for SOFC in intermediate temperature range. Glycine nitrate process was used for the preparation of the samples. PSFCo exhibited cubic structure having small particle size (100–200 nm). The electrical conductivity of the PSFCo was measured as function of temperature up to 850 ℃. The sample displayed maximum electrical conductivity of 370 Scm −1 at around 550–600 ℃. The polarization behavior of PSFCo was calculated by means of AC impedance with Sm 0.8 Ce 0.2 O 2 (SDC) as electrolyte. The value of area specific resistance (ASR) was calculated as 0.146 Ωcm 2 at 800 ℃ and 0.248 Ωcm 2 at 700 ℃.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 1603

Performance assessment of particle board developed from organic wastes using polymer matrix

by Joseph Abutu, Tsotsi Rikwen Tsoji, Areo Stephen, Aliyuda Dedan Araye, Sunday Albert Lawal, Ayuba Kitaka Rimamtaatang

Materials Technology Reports, Vol.2, No.1, 2024; 2176 Views, 90 PDF Downloads

In this work, sugarcane bagasse and rice husk were used as filler material for the production of agro-based particle board along with low-density polyethylene and coconut shell, with the aim of investigating the effects of varying compositions of constituents on the performance of the developed composite using constant process parameters of moulding pressure (10 MPa), moulding temperature (140 ℃), curing time (10 min) and heat treatment time (1 h). Experimental design was conducted using box-Behnken design (L1533) while multi-response optimization was carried out using grey relational analysis (GRA). The experimental results revealed that changes in percentage composition affect the performance of the composite, and the multi-response optimal performance of the developed bagasse-based particle board (BPB) and rice husk-based particle board (RPB) can be achieved with bagasse or rice husk (30 wt%), coconut shell (30 wt%), and low-density polyethylene (40 wt%). The results of the analysis of variance showed that the performance of the two particle boards is most influenced by the presence of low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Finally, compared to rice husk, bagasse can effectively serve as a preferred substitute for wood in the production of particle board.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 1556

The negative differential resistance of nitrogen implanted TiO2

by Chun-Ming Liu

Materials Technology Reports, Vol.2, No.1, 2024; 135 Views, 84 PDF Downloads

The microstructure and negative differential resistance (NDR) effect of nitrogen implanted rutile TiO 2 were investigated by measuring the XPS, Raman spectra and current voltage curves. It was found that the light illumination has large influence on the NDR effect. Under the illumination of 60 mW laser light, a large NDR with a small electric field (1250 V/cm) is obtained. This electric field is about three orders smaller than that reported in literature (1×10 6 V/cm). The electric field induced tunneling is the possible mechanism of electric transport at higher field region. The NDR is thought to be related to the light and nitrogen dopant induced reaction including the destroying of water, the scavenging of electron, and the surface oxidation transform of non-stoichiometric TiO 2− x to stoichiometric insulating state. The results of this paper are not only useful in understanding the mechanism of NDR, but also useful in providing an effective method in manipulation NDR.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 1650

Physico-mechanical characterization of compressed earth blocks reinforced with waste fibers from calamus rotang: Case of the elastic soil of western region of Cameroon

by Fabien Kenmogne, Emmanuel Foadieng, Olivier Lekeufack Tiokeng, Roger Eno, Martial Nde Ngnihamye, Alphonse Tchoukouabe, Sorel Holsen Wafo Wafo, Moussa Sali, Emmanuel Yamb Bell, Sévérin Nguiya

Materials Technology Reports, Vol.2, No.1, 2024; 47 Views, 20 PDF Downloads

In order to enhance the value of local materials and contribute to reducing construction costs in Cameroon, rattan waste is used to reinforce compressed earth blocks (CEB). This main work’s objective is the study of the effect of rattan waste on the physical and mechanical properties of CEB. For this, a soil sample taken in the western region of Cameroon, more precisely in Bangangté, was analyzed, the analysis includes the granulometric analysis, the Atterberg limits, and the Proctor test. Then the CEB samples with different rattan waste contents, that is 0%, 2%, 4% and 6%, were developed for a compaction stress of 7.5 MPa. These different samples were characterized through mechanical and physical tests carried out in the laboratory. It appears that the blocks reinforced with 2% of rattan waste have better mechanical characteristics, respectively 0.70 MPa in three-point bending and 3.04 MPa in compression. On the other hand, the presence of rattan wastes has a positive effect on the mechanical behavior of the composite, by increasing its ductility compared to the fragile behavior of the control block, which is observed during crushing. Thus the mechanical properties of CEB improve with the incorporation of rattan waste, which is optimal for a content of 2%. But they increase the material's porosity, and then its sensitivity to water unlike the control CEB.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 1654

Comparative study of fibers extracted from the stems and roots of the Cameroonian pennissetum purpureum for their applications in compressed earth brick reinforcement and textile engineering

by Fabien Kenmogne, Roger Eno, Adoum Danao Adile, Blaise Ngwem Bayiha, Gilbert Tchemou, Martial Nde Ngnihamye, Olivier Lekeufack Tiokeng, Steven Kevin Donfang Nobisse, Emmanuel Yamb Bell

Materials Technology Reports, Vol.2, No.1, 2024; 26 Views, 13 PDF Downloads

This work focuses on the extraction and experimental characterization of pennisetum purpureum fibers extracted from stems and roots, harvested in the Batié Kingdom, in the West Region of Cameroon. After extracting fibers using the boiling water technique, they are chemically treated to improve their properties and performance and to facilitate their incorporation into various composite materials. For the physical characterizations, it is measured: the absolute and apparent densities, the linear mass, the water absorption rate, and the diameter via the microscope. The mean values of the diameters and the measure of their frequency distributions are calculated, followed by the statistical analysis using the maximum entropy principle, in order to find the most probable diameter necessary for technological applications. For the mechanical properties, only the tensile tests are performed, with the determination of the young modulus of both the stems and roots. The results thus obtained showed that the fibers of the stems have an absolute density of (1.35 g/cm 3 ), a linear mass of (54.6 tex), an apparent density of (0.45 g/cm 3 ), a water content of (12.73%), an absorption rate of (142.46%), a porosity of (65.91%), a mean diameter of (7 mm), an elastic modulus of (3.98 GPa), a tensile strength of value of (1186.59 MPa) and an elongation of 16.17%, while the root fibers have an absolute density of (1.34 g/cm 3 ), a linear mass (16.76 tex), an apparent density of (0.37845 g/cm 3 ), a water content of (12.25%), an absorption rate of (193.16%), a porosity of (71.92%), a diameter of (4 mm), an elastic modulus of (1.55 GPa), a tensile strength of a value of (1960.35 MPa) and an elongation of 60.6%. Thus, the fibers of the stems have good mechanical properties, which make them an appropriate material in several applications, such as the reinforcement of composite materials.

Open Access

Review

Article ID: 1518

Current research status of high-performance UHMWPE fiber: A review

by Lei Li, Fanmin Kong, Ang Xiao, Hao Su, Xiaolian Wu, Ziling Zhang, Yutian Duan

Materials Technology Reports, Vol.2, No.1, 2024; 120 Views, 38 PDF Downloads

In the relentless evolution of technological innovation, the incorporation of engineered materials across numerous sectors is becoming increasingly widespread. Among them, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber, as a novel type of engineered material, has emerged as a critical hot topic in industries such as aerospace, national defense, and new energy due to its exceptional physical and chemical properties. This article attempts to introduce the characteristics of UHMWPE fibers, including their advantages and areas for enhancement, to provide researchers with a comprehensive overview and research trajectory of UHMWPE. Moreover, this article succinctly elucidates the preparation methodologies and advances of UHMWPE fibers, encompassing mainstream dry and wet spinning methods, revealing their research trajectories, pivotal positions, and practical significance in the realm of engineered materials. In summary, this review briefly discusses the research overview and recent advances in UHMWPE fibers, which contribute to accelerating comprehensive and sustainable progress in this field.

Open Access

Editorial

Article ID: 460

What lower the development of nanodrug?

by Chong Qiu

Materials Technology Reports, Vol.2, No.1, 2024; 126 Views, 92 PDF Downloads

Only a few nanomedicines have entered clinical application after over a decade and billions of dollars of investments in nanoscience and nanotechnology around the world. So, what lower the development of nanodrug? Recently, at our recent Editorial and Editorial Advisory Board meeting, we asked ourselves to address these questions and accelerate the development of nano pharmaceuticals. We will work with leaders in the area of drug supply to share our experiences and compare efforts around the world.