Nanoscale mechanism and intrinsic structure related deformation of Ti-alloys

A series of Ti–Nb–Ta–(In/Cr) and Ti–Fe–(Sn) alloys containing a bcc β-Ti phase with a grain size ranging from the nanometer/ultrafine regime to the micrometer scale has been prepared by slow cooling from the melt. The plastic deformation behavior has been investigated under compression and the deformation-induced microstructure evolution was checked by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The data reveal that the underlying mechanisms related to plasticity or brittleness of the β-phase depends significantly on the supersaturation, the local lattice strain, the ease of dislocation slip, as well as twinning and diffusionless transformation triggering grain refinement. The intrinsic structure, the short-range order and the stability of the β-Ti phase have a strong influence on the mode of plastic deformation of the investigated Ti-alloys.8 page(s

Bifunctional Electrocatalysis in Pt−Ru Nanoparticle Systems

Pt-Ru alloys are prominent electrocatalysts in fuel cell anodes as they feature a very high activity for the oxidation of reformate and methanol. The improved CO tolerance of these alloys has been discussed in relation to the so-called ligand and bifunctional mechanisms. Although these effects have been known for many years, they are still not completely understood.Anew approach that bridges the gap between single crystals and practical catalysts is presented in this paper. Nanoparticulate model systems attached to an oxidized glassy carbon electrode were prepared by combining both ligand-stabilized and spontaneously deposited Pt and Ru nanoparticles. These electrodes showed very different voltammetric responses for CO and methanol oxidation. The cyclic voltammograms were deconvoluted into contributions attributed to Pt, Ru, and Pt-Ru contact regions to quantify the contribution of the latter to the bifunctional mechanism. Scanning transmission electron microscopy confirmed the proximity of Pt and Ru nanoparticles in the different samples