14 Externe wissenschaftliche Einrichtungen
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Item Open Access Reinforcement of precursor-derived Si-(B-)C-N ceramics with carbon nanotubes(2005) Katsuda, Yuji; Aldinger, Fritz (Prof. Dr.)Incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into the precursor-derived Si-(B-)C-N ceramics has been investigated for the reinforcement of the materials. Different types of CNTs consisting of multi-wall (MW) and single-wall (SW) were examined as the reinforcement of the Si-(B-)C-N ceramics to make a comparison of the effect. Mechanical properties demonstrated in the Si-(B-)C-N/CNT nanocomposites have been discussed in connection with their microstructural features characterized by scanning electron (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Other material properties of the nanocomposites as revealed on the thermal stability and the crystallization behavior have been also considered in relation to the microstructural characteristics of the nanocomposites. Dense Si-C-N/CNT nanocomposites containing different types of MWCNTs were successfully prepared by casting of a mixture of MWCNTs and a liquid precursor polymer followed by cross-linking and thermolysis. In these processes, the sonication for deagglomeration and dispersion of CNTs in the precursor polymer as well as the thermolysis condition for ceramization of the cross-linked precursor/CNT nanocomposites was examined to obtain homogeneously CNT distributed Si-C-N ceramics. Fracture toughness behavior of the Si-C-N/CNT nanocomposites has been evaluated by a thermal loading technique on the disc shaped materials. The results reveal a dependence of the fracture toughness on the type of the MWCNTs. The MWCNTs showing high integrity in the tube structure exhibit a remarkable increase in the fracture toughness at the CNT content of 1 – 2 mass %, whereas the other ones possessing amorphous nature exhibits no effect. The microstructural analyses at the fracture surfaces have demonstrated different features of CNTs between both nanocomposites, where pulling out and breaking of CNTs are considered to be reasons for the observed fracture toughness increase. No significant influences observed on the material properties of the Si-C-N/CNT nanocomposites besides the toughening indicates that CNTs can simply work as the reinforcement for the Si-C-N ceramics. SWCNTs incorporation into the Si-C-N materials has revealed toughening effect with similar microstructural features to the MWCNT reinforced Si-C-N nanocomposites. In this system, it was found that the deagglomeration and debundle of the SWCNTs are major issues to make the best use of SWCNTs as the reinforcements. Concerning the Si-B-C-N/CNT nanocomposites, preparation processes via a casting and a warm pressing from different types of boron-containing precursors have been investigated to produce rigid MWCNT nanocomposites. The observed pulling out and breaking CNTs structure at the fracture surfaces of the Si-B-C-N/CNT nanocomposites indicate the toughening effect of CNTs similar to Si-C-N/CNT ceramics. Moreover, the interaction between CNTs and the matrix has appeared to be changed with increasing thermolysis temperature. However, the crystallization of the Si-B-C-N matrix and the deterioration of thermal stability have been disclosed in the Si-B-C-N/CNT nanocomposites. It is revealed that embedded CNTs have an effect to accelerate or to generate nucleation sites for the crystallization of Si-B-C-N matrix.Item Open Access Low temperature sintering additives for silicon nitride(2003) Matovic, Branko; Aldinger, Fritz (Prof. Dr.)Pressureless sintering of Si3N4 with two new additives based on the Li2O-Y2O3 system (LiYO2) and on the Li2O-Al2O3-SiO2 system (LiAlSiO4) were investigated in this study. Experiments were conducted in the areas of powder processing, sintering optimization, phase transformation characterization and microstructural development. Sintered materials were characterized by fracture toughness and thermal diffusivity measurements. The experimental results are summarized in the following: Using three different mechanical mixing processes (attrition milling, ball milling and vibratory milling) for the introduction of additives (LiYO2) into Si3N4 powders, the best results are obtained for attrition milling. This method yields a good dispersion of the additive powder in fine unagglomerated Si3N4 without contamination. It also yields good sintering characteristics. For the LiYO2 system, the densification depends largely on the content of sintering additive. A larger amount of additive means a higher volume of liquid phase, which is favorable for efficient particle rearrangement resulting in higher values of density rate. In case of the LiAlSiO4 additive, it is found that the densification is less dependent on the additive content. The overall sintering kinetics at the low temperatures is less retarded when using the LiYO2 additive in comparison to the LiAlSiO4 additive, resulting in higher densities obtained at lower temperatures and shorter annealing times. With prolonged heating time, the differences in the degree of densification become smaller. The kinetics of phase transformation in the both systems are found to be of first order. In the LiYO2 system, the transformation rate constant increases with increasing additive content. While the opposite behavior is noticed in case of the LiAlSiO4 additive, i.e. the rate constant decreases with higher additive content. The phase transformation is always completed at a later stage than the densification. The lag between the two phenomena in the sintering process is more pronounced with the Li2O-Al2O3-SiO2 additive system. The alpha to beta Si3N4 transformation is accompanied by grain growth. Upon prolongation of the annealing time the grain size and the morphology of the growing beta-Si3N4 particles are significantly changed from equiaxed to elongated. The grain growth becomes anisotropic, leading to rod-like betaƒ{Si3N4 crystals. The growth rate is higher in the LiYO2 system than in the LiAlSiO4 system. At 1600„aC, the microstructure of Si3N4 ceramics sintered with both the additives is characterized by a homogeneous distribution of elongated beta Si3N4 grains and glassy phase located in thin layers at grain boundaries and at triple points. The maximum values obtained for fracture toughness are 6.8 and 6.2 for the materials sintered with LiYO2 and LiAlSiO4 additives, respectively, at 1600„aC for 8 h. The higher value of fracture toughness in the LiYO2 system is attributed to its microstructure with a higher aspect ratio of the elongated beta-Si3N4 grains. Thermal conductivity of the material sintered with the LiYO2 additive is higher in comparison to that sintered with LiAlSiO4 additive. In the LiAlSiO4 system, partial dissolution of Al3+ in the beta-Si3N4 grains results in increasing phonon scattering and hence decreases the thermal conductivity.Item Open Access Segregation and phase transformations at interfaces(2004) López, Gabriel Alejandro; Mittemeijer, Eric Jan (Prof. Dr. Ir.)Important properties of metallic materials are strongly influenced by the behavior of interfaces, e.g. grain boundaries and free surfaces. Therefore the understanding of processes, which can change this behavior, have become of great importance from both the theoretical and the practical point of view. To these processes belong the grain boundary and surface segregation, the discontinuous precipitation as well as the grain boundary wetting. A particular goal of this work was to investigate the grain boundary and surface segregation in the Cu-Bi system under exactly the same conditions. The diffusivities of moving grain boundaries was determined in the Cu-In system applying, for the first time, a local analysis of growth kinetics of the discontinuous precipitation reaction. The Al-MG and Al-Zn systems were studied systematically regarding grain boundary wetting, in order to find an explanation for the enormous superplastic behavior of alloys based on these systems. The grain boundary and surface segregation were studied in the Cu-Bi system under identical conditions by using a special sample preparation procedure. After annealing of the samples at temperatures between 1073 and 1223 K segregation of Bi at grain boundaries and internal free surfaces in Cu bicrystals was accomplished. For the first time, Bi segregation at free surfaces was determined under equilibrium conditions. The segregation of Bi at the free surfaces was clearly stronger than at the grain boundaries. The morphology and kinetics of the discontinuous precipitation reaction were comprehensively studied in a Cu-4.5 At,% in alloy. Special attention was given to the determination of the concentration gradients remaining in the solute-depleted matrix. The grain boundary diffusion coefficient was determined applying a local interpretation of growth kinetics and thus the discrepancy between two differently models was eliminated. Finally the wetting behavior in Al-Mg and Al-Zn alloys was studied by a metallographic investigation. With this purpose cross-sections of samples with different compositions, which had been annelaed at different temperatures, were prepared and examined afterwards. The wetting behavior plays a substantial role regarding the mechanical characteristics of these alloys. For the first time, the formation of a second solid layer at the grain boundaries was disccussed in terms of wetting by a solid phase. During the accomplished investigations the possibilities of the analytic transmission electron microscopy were mainly used. Concentration profiles within nm range could be determined thanks to the high resolution of this technique. Furthermore Auger electron spectroscopy, light and scanning electron microscopy, as well as microanalysis and X-ray diffraction analyses were used, in order to achieve the above-mentioned goals of this work.Item Open Access Precipitation of nitrides in iron-based binary and ternary alloys; influence of defects and transformation-misfit stresses(2015) Akhlaghi, Maryam; Mittemeijer, Eric Jan (Prof. Dr. Ir.)The initial microstructure of the unnitrided specimen has a significant influence on the nitriding response of binary Fe-Me (Me: Mo or Al) alloys specimens. This effect was not investigated until now for the case of nitrided ternary Fe-Me1-Me2 alloys, the role of the initial microstructure was studied upon nitriding Fe-4.1 at.% Cr-7.9 at.% Al specimens. To this end, the recrystallized and cold-rolled specimens were nitrided at low nitriding temperature of 400 °C. Upon precipitation of misfitting coherent nitrides during nitriding of thin-foils of binary Fe-Me (Me: Cr and V) alloys, a hydrostatic tensile lattice-stain component results from the elastic accommodation of volume misfit of nitrides and ferrite matrix. The change of the ferrite-matrix lattice parameter can be traced upon precipitation of the nitrides by X-ray diffraction measurements. The theory originally developed for the case of imperfections (by Eshelby) in solids can be applied for quantitatively describing the lattice-parameter changes of the matrix, the nitrides and the aggregate (matrix+ nitrides) as function of volume fraction and type of nitrides.Item Open Access Elektrische und magnetische Eigenschaften metallreicher Seltenerdmetallhalogenide(2004) Ryazanov, Mikhail; Simon Arndt (Prof. Dr.)Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurden metallreiche Seltenerdmetallhalogenide unterschiedlicher Valenzelektronenkonzentration dargestellt und ihre physikalischen Eigenschaften untersucht. Dafür wurde sowohl der Weg des Einbaus von Interstitialwasserstoffatomen in die Kristallstruktur als auch die Möglichkeit der Kationen- bzw. Anionensubstitution beschritten. Es wurden Hydridiodide und ternaere Iodidtelluride von Y, La und Gd synthetisiert und charakterisiert. Magnetische und elektrische Messungen weisen auf eine erhebliche Änderung der physikalischen Eigenschaften in Abhängigkeit vom Wasserstoffgehalt hin. Es wurden verschiedene auffallende Effekte, wie z.B. Kolossal-Magnetwiderstand sowie auch Spinclusterglas-Verhalten, beobachtet.Item Open Access Formation of lath martensite(2015) Löwy, Sarah; Mittemeijer, Eric Jan (Prof. Dr. Ir.)In this thesis the formation of different lath martensites was investigated upon cooling, particularly with regard to the mechanisms contributing to the transformation process. Upon very slow cooling of different Fe-Ni alloys and a maraging steel, all forming lath martensite, a discontinuous transformation behaviour was observed. This modulation of the transformation rate is ascribed to the interplay of chemical driving force, developing strain energy and its relaxation upon slow cooling. It is proposed that the modulation is caused by simultaneous formation of blocks in different martensite packages. Additionally, the influence of the Ni content on the transformation behaviour is presented as well as the influence of an externally applied force.Item Open Access Polymer electrolyte membrane degradation and mobility in fuel cells : a solid-state NMR investigation(2010) Ghassemzadeh Khoshkroodi, Lida; Müller, Klaus (Prof. Dr.)It is generally believed that fuel cells will play an important role in energy technology already in the near future. Operating polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) at temperatures higher than 100 °C and reduced humidity is anticipated to avoid most of the shortcomings associated with the low-temperature fuel cell operation, such as CO poisoning of the electrode catalysts, slow electrode kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction and expensive water/thermal management. To date, the operation temperature of PEMFCs is limited to about 90 °C, and this limit is given by the properties of the perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) ionomer, Nafion, which is commonly used as a separator material. Apart from the proton conductivity decay at higher temperature and lower humidification, it is also the limited stability of Nafion preventing it from long term operation. Despite the high stability of the PTFE backbone in Nafion, severe deterioration is observed during fuel cell operation. Formation of pinholes and cracks, thinning of the membranes and decrease of ion exchange capacity were reported. The fluorine release indicated that the bond cleavage process takes place under fuel cell operating conditions. Bond cleavage was initially believed to proceed from radical attacks to the carboxyl groups terminating the PTFE backbone of Nafion, and it was claimed to be controlled by the endcapping of the polymer backbone with a CF3 group. However, the release of fluoride was reported even after endcapping of the materials. The observations proved that bond cleavage limits the stability of PFSA membranes, but the elementary reactions and consequences on the membrane microstructure are not fully understood yet. In this work, it has been tried to get new insights into the problems of long term stability of polymer electrolytes for low temperature fuel cells. The aim was to identify the changes in the chemical structure of the membrane after operating in a fuel cell. This understanding is essential for extending the operation limit of PFSA-type membranes by either improving the membrane properties or adjusting the conditions within the running fuel cell. In the present work, therefore the changes taking place in PFSA membranes after applying in-situ and ex-situ aging protocols have been investigated. While the in-situ experiments provide a global picture, the analysis of membranes after ex-situ tests, with various conditions, allows the separation of different types of reactions. In previous studies the degradation changes were mainly monitored by analyzing the released water of the fuel cell or by using the liquid ionomers. In this work with the help of solid-state NMR spectroscopy, the direct study of the chemical structure and dynamics of the polymer membranes before and after the degradation tests became possible. The structural changes in different parts of the PFSA membranes were first inspected after an in-situ aging test. These examined membranes (Nafion and Hyflon Ion) differed by the length of the side chains. The comparison of the solid-state 13C and 19F NMR data of polymers before and after the in-situ degradation test showed that changes can take place not only in the main chain of the polymer, but also within the polymer side chains, as reflected by changes of NMR signals associated with CFSO3, CF3, OCF2 and CF groups. The degree of degradation is found to decrease with increasing membrane thickness while for a given thickness the short side chain polymer, Hyflon Ion, appears to degrade less than Nafion. In order to understand the reason for these observations, a new ex-situ method has been developed to mimic the degradation of polymer electrolyte membranes in PEM fuel cells (caused by the cross-leakage of H2 and O2). In this ex-situ setup, it was possible to expose membranes to flows of different gases with controlled temperature and humidity. H+-form Nafion films with and without electrode layer (Pt) have been treated in the presence of different gases in order to simulate the anode and cathode side of a PEMFC. The changes of the chemical structure occurring during the degradation tests were primarily examined by solid-state 19F NMR spectroscopy. For completion, liquid-state NMR studies and ion exchange capacity measurements were performed. It was found that degradation occurs only when both H2 and O2 are present (condition of gas cross-leakage), and when the membrane is coated with Pt catalyst. The chemical degradation rate is found to be highest for H2-rich mixtures of H2 and O2, which corresponds to the conditions at the anode under OCV. It is further shown that side chain disintegration is very important for chemical degradation, although backbone decomposition also might take place. The fact that in-situ degradation effects were reproduced by the present ex-situ experiments, suggest that membrane degradation in a running fuel cell is mainly the consequence of chemical aging. Detecting the degradation for the membranes coated with Pt in the presence of both gases, H2 and O2, points toward the importance of radicals in the degradation process, which in a running fuel cell (in-situ conditions) may only form in the presence of some gas cross-over, allowing H2 and O2 to react at the Pt catalyst of the anode or cathode structure. Since the gas cross-over increases for the thinner Nafion membrane, these results indirectly explain the higher degradation rate of thin Nafion in the in-situ degradation test. The chemical degradation and stability of PFSA membranes against radical attacks was also investigated in a Fenton ex-situ degradation test. Liquid and solid-state NMR as well as ATR-FTIR spectroscopy were applied to the samples before and after the Fenton reaction. A Comparison of the degradation rate of Nafion and Hyflon Ion in the ex-situ Fenton test again proved that the Hyflon Ion membrane is more stable than Nafion. Comparing the degradation rate of the side chain in these two polymers showed that the stability of Hyflon Ion is mainly due to the shortening of the side chain in this polymer. Hence, the absence of one ether group and the tertiary carbon reduces the degradation rate of the side chain and makes this polymer less sensitive to the radical attacks than Nafion. For the performance of a membrane not only the chemical structure but also the polymer dynamics is important. Therefore the molecular mobility of the ionomer was investigated by variable temperature 19F NMR lineshape, T1 and T1ρ relaxation experiments. The decrease of the temperature dependent linewidth was explained by the reduction of static disorder in the Nafion membrane. From the relaxation data there was evidence for structural annealing, which is independent of the chemical degradation. Chemical degradation is considered to reduce the chain flexibility (i.e. the motional amplitudes), which may be explained by chain cross-linking and condensation reaction for the side chains. To overcome the problem of Nafion's low conductivity at temperatures above 100 °C and low relative humidity, also composite membranes were introduced. These membranes consist of Nafion modified by inorganic oxide additives. It has been reported that under dry conditions, these membranes show enhanced water uptake and water diffusion when compared with filler-free Nafion. In order to understand the reason for the better performance of these polymers, the impact of the oxide particles on the polymer dynamics has been investigated. [Nafion/(SiO2)x] composite membranes in the dry and wet state with x ranging from 0 to 15 w/w% were investigated by variable temperature solid-state 19F NMR spectroscopy. 19F T1 and T1ρ relaxation times and NMR lineshapes were analyzed in order to get details about the polymer mobility. It is concluded that solid oxide SiO2 particles play an important role in stabilizing the chemical structure and morphology of the polymer especially in the dry state. The filler particles lead to higher mobility of polymer chains, if the filler content has an optimized value of about 9 w/w%. The results were further supported by comparing the sideband intensity as well as the linewidth in 19F NMR and recording the 19F{1H} CP/MAS NMR spectra. Furthermore, it has been shown that the structure of composite membranes is more stable after dehydration and possible condensation reactions are less likely in these membranes. The presence of filler particles decrease the chance for morphology changes and close packing of polymer chains in the dry state. Also the decrease of ionic exchange capacity after dehydration is less severe for the composite membrane as compared to filler-free Nafion. In conclusion, the present results provide a complete picture of solid membrane before and after degradation and of possible mechanisms for radical formation and radical attacks to the polymer. In addition, it is shown which changes can occur in the morphology of polymer chains in low humidification and high temperature. Some general suggestions for the better performance of polymer electrolyte membrane are therefore: For improving the performance of polymer electrode membrane, the sources for the radical formation in the fuel cell should be controlled. This can be possible to some extend by avoiding the use of iron end plates in the fuel cells. Also the chance for the gas crossover through the membrane should be decreased. Thicker membranes show less gas cross-over. By taking into account the higher resistivity of thicker membranes, an optimized membrane thickness should be selected. Hydrocarbon sulfonated polyetherketones possess narrower hydrophilic channels which significantly reduce electroosmotic drag, water permeation as well as gas cross-over. Also the short side chain perfluorinated polymer, Hyflon Ion, with lower electroosmotic drag of water should possess a reduced gas cross-over though the membrane. The more efficient way for decreasing degradation is to use membranes which are stable against radical attacks. At this point the perfluorinated polymers are still the best available membranes. Endcapping of the backbone in these polymers and decreasing the concentration of reactive end groups like COOH during the polymer manufacturing process can significantly decrease degradation. To minimize degradation of the side chains in perfluorinated polymers, short side chain polymers are suggested because of less reactive groups for the radical attacks and higher concentration of acidic groups. When higher operation temperatures are required, composite Nafion membranes might be used. The higher stability of these membranes makes them advantageous for operating at evaluated temperatures and low relative humidity. The novel results from the present work lead to a better understanding of membrane degradation, which still represents a serious problem for fuel cells under operation conditions, and provide important indications for future developments of membranes with improved performance for alternative energy conversion devices.Item Open Access Hochtemperatur-Thermochemie im System Al-Cr-Ni-O(2003) Saltikov, Pavlo; Aldinger, Fritz (Prof. Dr.)Das System Al-Cr-Ni ist von großer Bedeutung in der Energieerzeugungs- und der Luftfahrttechnik als Basis für die Superlegierungen. Zur Steigerung des Wirkungsgrads einer Gasturbine müssen die neuen Herstellungstechniken (z.B. gerichtete Erstarrung) bzw. Konstruktionskonzepte (keramische Wärmedämmschichten) eingeführt werden, die den Betrieb bei höheren Verbrennungstemperaturen ermöglichen. Obwohl die Ni-Basis-Superlegierungen in den letzten Jahren sehr ausgiebig untersucht worden waren, bleiben immer noch viele offene Fragen bezüglich der Herstellung, des Betriebs und des Schutzes dieser Legierungen. In dieser Arbeit wurde ein Beitrag zum Verständnis dieser unterschiedlicher Aspekte geleistet. Da die auftretende Probleme sehr vielschichtig sind, wurden hier unterschiedliche Methoden der Thermochemie eingesetzt. Die für die Simulation der gerichteten Erstarrung notwendigen thermodynamischen Daten flüssiger Al-Cr-Ni-Legierungen wurden in dieser Arbeit bestimmt. Die partiellen Mischungsenthalpien flüssiger Al-Cr-Ni-Legierungen wurden mittels der Hochtemperatur-Mischungskalorimetrie gemessen. Die experimentelle Ergebnisse wurden ausgewertet und zur Ermittlung der Werte der integralen Mischungsenthalpie im ganzen Konzentrationsbereich verwendet. Zum Vergleich der Mischungsfunktionen wurden diese auch thermodynamisch berechnet. Weiterhin wurden die experimentellen Daten nach dem Assoziatmodell behandelt. Auf diese Weise wurden die Mischungsfunktionen sowie die thermodynamische Aktivitäten berechnet. Außerdem wurden die Beziehungen zwischen den thermodynamischen Funktionen und der chemischen Nahordnung in der Schmelze mit dem Assoziatmodell beschrieben. Aus diesen Untersuchungen hat sich ergeben, dass nur die schwache Wechselwirkungen zwischen den Spezies in binären Al-Cr- und Cr-Ni-Schmelzen vorliegen. Die stärkste chemische Nahordnung im System Al-Cr-Ni bei 1727 K wurde nahe der Zusammensetzung Al2Cr1Ni1 beobachtet. Es wurde festgestellt, dass die flüssigen Al-Ni-Legierungen eine größere Tendenz zur Bildung von chemischer Nahordnung als flüssige Cr-Ni- und Al-Cr-Legierungen aufweisen, was ein Grund für einen starken Einfluss des Al-Ni-Systems auf die Mischungsfunktionen in einem weiten Konzentrationsbereich darstellt. Um die Versagensursachen eines Wärmedämmschichtsystems besser zu verstehen, wurde die Oxidation einer Ni-Cr-Al-Haftvermittlerschicht bei 1373 K thermodynamisch modelliert. Die Berechnungen von lokalen Phasengleichgewichten haben Aufschlüsse darüber gegeben, in welcher Reihenfolge sich die Phasen in der Oxidschicht bilden. Dazu wurde in dieser Arbeit eine neue Art von Phasenmengendiagrammen vorgeschlagen. Sie wurden mit Hilfe von computergestützten thermodynamischen Berechnungen konstruiert und zur Erörterung der Grenzflächenreaktionen verwendet. Es wurde gezeigt, dass die Entstehung des (Al,Cr)2O3-Mischoxids und der Ni(Al,Cr)2O4-Spinell-Mischphase in den unteren bzw. mittleren Zonen der Oxidschicht sowie des Nickeloxids mit der Spinell-Mischphase in der Deckschicht des thermisch gewachsenen Oxids möglich ist. Es wurde auch gezeigt, dass das Al2O3 sich nur auf der Oberfläche der beta-reichen Körner bilden kann. Nach einer ausreichend langen Oxidationsdauer kommt es zur Al-Verarmung sowie zur Abschnürung der beta-Phase und zur Erhöhung der Anteile der gamma- und gamma'-Phasen im Oberflächenbereich der Haftvermittlerschicht.Item Open Access Characterization of the CO sensitivity of electrode materials by solid electrolyte galvanic cells(2004) Plashnitsa, Vladimir; Aldinger, Fritz (Prof. Dr.)The voltage of a galvanic cell using stabilized zirconia as a solid electrolyte can exhibit deviations from the equilibrium value given by the Nernst equation, if oxygen together with traces of an oxidizable gas like CO is exposed to one of the electrodes of the cell. This is called the non-Nernstian voltage behaviour. The basic principle of operation is not yet finally cleared since the experimental results are in accordance with two theoretical approaches. Aiming at a better understanding of the background of this phenomenon the mechanism of functioning of solid electrolyte galvanic cells with various sensing electrode materials (Pt1-xAux alloys) in oxygen containing atmospheres with different CO concentrations at moderate temperatures has been studied by means of electrochemical methods. The characterization of the CO sensitivity and understanding the behaviour of the Pt1-xAux sensing electrodes was done by means of the one-electrolyte galvanic cell and by new approaches based on the bi-electrolyte measuring principle. The CO sensitivity, defined as the difference between the experimental voltage at finite CO concentrations and that under zero CO content, was characterized by the cell voltage measurements within the temperature range of 400-700 °C as a function of the CO concentration in the measuring gas (0-40 000 ppm), the composition of the Pt1-xAux sensing electrodes as well as the reference electrode potential (under O2 and H2/H2O). The dependence of voltage of the one–electrolyte cell with Pt0.2Au0.8 and pure Au sensing electrodes repeats practically that for the Pt electrode, which is close to the theoretical curve. On the other hand, the voltage response of the cell with Pt0.8Au0.2 and Pt0.5Au0.5 sensing electrodes differs greatly from that expected theoretically. The CO sensitivity for the same sensing electrodes varies slightly using different reference electrode potentials. The Pt1-xAux (0Item Open Access In situ tensile testing at the limits of x-ray diffraction : a new synchrotron based technique(2004) Böhm, Jochen; Arzt, Eduard (Prof. Dr. phil.)Stress measurements in crystalline solids by diffraction techniques are limited so far by measuring time, gauge volume or penetration depth. To improve this situation, a new synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction technique allowing in situ tensile tests has been developed. This method is capable of producing non-destructive stress- and strain information at the limits of X-ray diffraction. A new procedure for data acquisition was established which accelerates the measurements by orders of magnitude (seconds or minutes compared to several hours per data point). The technique reported in this work uses high-energy synchrotron radiation which penetrates the bulk within the range of several millimeters. It is shown experimentally that even coarse-grain materials can be investigated if an enlarged experimental setup is used. Such a setup allows for performing fast in situ experiments with excellent time and strain resolution. High-temperature in situ tensile tests have been performed on a TiAl-based material. The method is capable of recording strains deep in the bulk as well as in ultrathin metallic films. A new approach is presented which uses tunable low-energy synchrotron radiation in combination with a CCD area detector. With this technique the evolution of the biaxial stress state in ultrathin film was measured during deformation with one single X-ray exposure per data point. In situ tensile tests were carried out on copper and gold films with film thicknesses below 100 nm. A high stress resolution in longitudinal- and transverse direction was achieved. The strain rate of tensile tests was increased at least by a factor of 6 compared to laboratory X-rays. The high-energy experiments were carried out at the Hamburger Synchrotronstrahlungslabor (HASYLAB, Hamburg, Germany), low-energy X-rays were used at the dedicated MPI-MF beamline at ANKA (Angströmquelle Karlsruhe) located at the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe (Germany).