Herein,a first-principles investigation was innovatively conducted to research the surface oxidation of ZnS-like sphalerite in the absence and presence of H_(2)O .The findings showed that single O_(2) was preferred to be dissociated adsorption on sphalerite surface by generating SAO and Zn AO bonds,and the S atom on the surface was the most energy-supported site for O_(2) adsorption,on which a≡Zn-O-S-O-Zn≡structure will be formed.However,dissociated adsorption of single H_(2)O will not happen.It was preferred to be adsorbed on the top Zn atom on sphalerite surface in molecular form through Zn-O bond.Besides,sphalerite oxidation can occur as if O_(2) was present regardless of the presence of H_(2)O ,and when H_(2)O and O_(2) coexisted,the formation of sulfur oxide(SO_(2) )needed a lower energy barrier and it was easier to form on sphalerite surface than that only O_(2) existed.In the absence of H_(2)O ,when SO_(2) was generated,further oxidation of which would form neutral zinc sulfate.In the presence of H_(2)O ,the formation of SO_(2) on sphalerite surface was easier and the rate of further oxidation to form sulfate was also greater.Consequently,the occurrence of sphalerite oxidation was accelerated.
Molecular hydrogen(H_(2))may be an important form of water in nominally anhydrous minerals in the Earth’s mantle and plays a critical role in mantle water cycle,but the transport properties of H2 remain unclear.Here,the diffusion of H2 in Fe-free olivine lattice is investigated at pressures of 1-13 GPa and temperatures of 1300-1900 K by first-principles molecular dynamics.The activation energy and activation volume for H2 diffusion in Fe-free olivine are determined to be 55±8 kJ/mol and 3.6±0.2 cm3/mol,respectively.H2 diffusion in Fe-free olivine is faster than H+by 1-4 orders of magnitude and therefore it is more favorable for hydrogen transportation under upper mantle conditions.H2 can be carried to the mantle transition zone by subducting slabs without releasing to the surrounding mantle.The upper mantle may act as a lid,preventing the releasing of H2 produced in the deep mantle to the surface.
The mechanical and thermodynamic properties of W-Ti alloys(including W_(15)Ti_(1),W_(14)Ti_(2),W_(12)Ti_(4) and W_(8)Ti_(8) alloys)were investigated by the first-principles approach based on density functional theory.The results indicate that W-Ti alloys except W_(8)Ti_(8) are thermodynamically stable.The modulus and hardness of W-Ti alloys are smaller than those of pure tungsten and gradually decrease with increasing Ti concentration.However,their B/G ratios and Poisson's ratios exceed those of pure tungsten,suggesting that the introduction of Ti decreases the mechanical strength while enhancing the ductility of W-Ti alloys.The thermal expansion coefficients for W-Ti alloys all surpass those of pure tungsten,indicating that the introduction of titanium exacerbates the thermal expansion behavior of W-Ti alloys.Nevertheless,elevated pressure has the capacity to suppress the thermal expansion tendencies in titanium-doped tungsten alloys.This study offers theoretical insights for the design of nuclear materials by exploring the mechanical and thermodynamic properties of W-Ti alloys.
ZHANG JianNIE WeiHUANG JinZHU KeLIU RuxiaZHANG RuizhiLUO GuoqiangSHEN Qiang
To explain the influence mechanism of MgO on the consolidation and reduction characteristics of roasted iron pellets,the properties and structure of pellets were investigated from multi-dimensions.It indicated that the MgO addition decreased the reduction swelling index(RSI)and reduction degree of pellets in both CO and H_(2)atmospheres.During the stepwise reduction process of Fe2O3→Fe3O4→FeO,the reduction behaviour of pellets in CO and H_(2)was similar,while the reduction rate of pellets in H_(2)atmosphere was almost twice as high as that in CO atmosphere.During the stepwise reduction process of FeO→Fe,the RSI of pellets showed a logarithmic increase in CO atmosphere and a linear decrease in H_(2)atmosphere.As investigated by first-principles calculations,C and Fe mainly formed chemical bonds,and the CO reduction process released energy,promoting the formation of iron whiskers.However,H and Fe produced weak physical adsorption,and the H_(2)reduction process was endothermic,inhibiting the generation of iron whiskers.With Mg2+doping in FexO,the nucleation region of iron whiskers expanded in CO reduction process,and the morphology of iron whiskers transformed from“slender”to“stocky,”reducing RSI of the pellets.
Hong-ming LongJing-shu AnXing-wang LiTing WuSheng-ping HeJie Lei
The mechanical,thermodynamic properties and electrical conductivities of L1_(2)-Al_(3)X(X=Zr,Sc,Er,Yb,Hf)structural phases in aluminum conductors were investigated through a first-principles study.The results demonstrate that all structural phases have good alloy-forming ability and structural stability,where Al_(3)Zr is the most superior.Al_(3)Zr,Al_(3)Hf and Al_(3)Sc have enhanced shear and deformation resistance in comparison to other phases.Within the temperature range of 200−600 K,Al_(3)Er and Al_(3)Yb possess the greatest thermodynamic stability,followed by Al_(3)Hf,Al_(3)Zr and Al_(3)Sc.Al_(3)Er and Al_(3)Yb have higher thermodynamic stability than Al_(3)Hf,Al_(3)Zr and Al_(3)Sc.All structural phases exhibit substantial metallic properties,indicating their good electrical conductivity.The electrical conductivities of Al_(3)Hf and Al_(3)Zr are higher than those of Al_(3)Er,Al_(3)Yb and Al_(3)Sc.The covalent bond properties in Al_(3)Sc,Al_(3)Er and Al_(3)Yb enhance the hardness,brittleness and thermodynamic stability of the structural phase.The thermodynamic stability of Al_(3)Sc is significantly reduced by ionic bonds.
