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  • Haicheng LIU, Jingwei CHEN
    Journal of the Chinese Ceramic Society. 2026, 54(4): 1439-1450.

    Coagulation is a critical step in the water treatment process. As an important component of coagulation technology, the development and application of coagulants have always been a core focus of the industry. To address the challenges posed by complex water quality and improve the efficiency of coagulation, titanium-based coagulants are evolving from single-component formulations towards composite formulations. By optimizing synthesis conditions (such as molar ratio, alkalinity, reaction temperature, and reaction time) to alter the structure of single-component titanium-based coagulants, composite titanium salt coagulants can be prepared. These composite variants not only effectively overcome the limitations of single titanium salts and combine the coagulation characteristics of multiple reagents but also achieve efficient removal of various pollutants through synergistic effects between components. Consequently, composite titanium salt coagulants demonstrate superior coagulation performance.

    This article provides a comprehensive review of the preparation, classification, application, current challenges, and future development strategies of composite titanium salt coagulants. It begins with an overview of current preparation methods, including slow alkali titration (SAT), electrodialysis (ED), stepwise/copolymerization methods, and the sol-gel method. Each technique has its unique characteristics in terms of control precision, product performance, and suitability for large-scale application. The SAT method is simple to operate, low-cost, and easily scalable, making it the most commonly used method for laboratory and industrial preparation of composite titanium salt coagulants. The ED method allows precise control over hydrolysis and polymerization processes, producing products with excellent performance; however, its higher cost and operational complexity have so far limited its application to laboratory and pilot-scale stages. Copolymerization/stepwise polymerization is suitable for preparing titanium salt-silicate composite coagulants with controlled structures, while copolymerization can produce titanium salt-metal salt composites with stronger synergistic effects. The sol-gel method can prepare dry gel coagulants that are convenient for storage and use, combining both coagulation mechanisms and adsorption. However, this technology is still in the laboratory research stage, and its cost and control techniques are key factors for future large-scale application.

    Based on compositional differences, composite titanium salt coagulants can be classified into several types: titanium salt-metal salt, titanium salt-silicate, and titanium salt-organic polymer composite coagulants. Titanium salt-metal salt composite coagulants mainly include liquid or conventional composite titanium salt coagulants prepared by techniques such as SAT and ED, as well as dry gel-form composite titanium salt coagulants prepared by the sol-gel method. Both types of coagulants form titanium-containing bimetallic or multimetallic composite systems by combining titanium salts with metal salts such as aluminum, iron, and zirconium, thereby incorporating the coagulation advantages of multiple metals. Titanium salt-silicate composite coagulants are formed by copolymerizing/stepwise polymerizing titanium salts and polysilicic acid (PSiA). These coagulants combine the charge neutralization capacity of titanium salts with the adsorption and bridging ability of PSiA, significantly enhancing coagulation efficiency. Titanium salt-organic polymer composite coagulants are a category of composite titanium-based coagulants formed by combining titanium salts with organic polymer compounds (such as polyacrylamide, chitosan, starch, etc.). These coagulants integrate the highly efficient charge neutralization capacity of titanium salts with the adsorption and bridging capabilities of organic polymers, thereby significantly improving coagulation performance. Composite coagulants effectively overcome the problems associated with single titanium salts, such as significant pH fluctuations and poor storage stability. They demonstrate superior performance compared to traditional coagulants in specific areas, including ultrafiltration pretreatment, sludge conditioning, treatment of low-temperature and low-turbidity water, and removal of micropollutants. The sludge generated from their use can serve as a raw material for producing TiO2, providing a new pathway for resource recovery in water treatment processes and highlighting their unique application prospects. However, their adaptability in real water bodies, economic feasibility, and long-term ecological safety still require systematic evaluation.

    Finally, this study outlines the challenges faced in transitioning composite titanium salt coagulants from laboratory research tolarge-scale engineering applications and proposes corresponding strategies to address them.

    Summary and prospects

    Although composite titanium salt coagulants demonstrate excellent performance, there are still some issues and challenges that need to be addressed. Future research can focus on the following aspects: (a) Enhancing Adaptability to Real Water Bodies. Currently, the complex composition of various actual water bodies imposes higher demands on the application of composite titanium salt coagulants. To ensure stable and efficient coagulation performance under complex water quality conditions, future efforts should focus on developing novel composite titanium salt coagulants with stronger specificity and broader applicability, thereby meeting the needs of more complex and demanding application scenarios. (b) Lower- Cost Preparation of Composite Titanium Salt Coagulants. At present, the preparation of composite titanium salt coagulants largely relies on complex processes such as SAT, ED, and sol-gel methods, which hinders their large-scale application. Future research should aim to develop simpler, greener, and more economically viable preparation pathways—for instance, utilizing industrial by-products or waste materials as raw materials—while optimizing the preparation process to reduce energy consumption and production costs. (c) Ensuring Ecological and Health Safety. Current research on the toxicity assessment of titanium-based coagulants has predominantly focused on TiCl4 and Ti(SO4)2. Future studies should strengthen investigations into titanium residue and its ecotoxicological effects during the use of composite titanium salt coagulants. Meanwhile, it is essential to employ a wider range of aquatic organisms (e.g., fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants) for ecotoxicity studies, and to further explore the migration, transformation, and long-term accumulation of residual titanium in water bodies and organisms. This will provide a scientific basis for comprehensively safeguarding water environments and human health.

  • Leikun NI, Wenlong XU, Yuanyong FANG, Jian WU, Jun ZHAO, Mupeng ZHENG, Yudong HOU
    Journal of the Chinese Ceramic Society. 2026, 54(4): 1190-1201.
    Introduction

    High-temperature vibration sensors are indispensable key components for the health detection of core equipment in fields such as aerospace and nuclear energy. The BiScO3-PbTiO3(BS-PT) system has attracted much attention due to its high Curie temperature (TC≈450 ℃) and excellent piezoelectricity (d33≈450 pC/N). However, the poor insulation properties of this material hinder its application in high-temperature vibration sensors because high electrical resistivity (ρ) and a long time constant (τ) are critical to prevent thermal runaway and ensure signal integrity. Manganese (Mn) doping is a commonly used modification method for piezoelectric ceramics. Previous studies on Mn-doped BS-PT were controversial regarding the valence state distribution and substitution positions of Mn ions, which could not be conducive to the design of high-temperature piezoelectric ceramics with the collaborative optimization of multiple electrical parameters. Therefore, this work was to clarify the defect chemical mechanism associated with manganese doping through refined structural characterization combined with electrical performance analysis, and to obtain the modified BS-PT piezoelectric ceramic components suitable for high-temperature vibration sensors.

    Methods

    0.365BiScO3-0.635PbTiO3-x% MnO2 (BSPT-x% MnO2, x=0.00, 0.01, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 2.00) ceramics were synthesized by a conventional solid-state reaction method. The powders were firstly calcined at 800 ℃ for 2 h and then sintered at 1050 ℃ for 2 h. The phase composition was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The rietveld refinements were performed using a software named GSAS. The microstructure and elemental distribution were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The average grain size was estimated by a software named Nano Measurer. The Mn valence states were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). For electrical measurements, poled samples (120 ℃, 5 kV/mm, 30 min) were used. The piezoelectric coefficient (d33) was measured by a model CAS ZJ-6A quasi-static meter. The electromechanical coupling coefficient (kp) was measured by a model Agilent 4294A impedance analyzer. The temperature-dependent dielectric properties were measured by a model Agilent E4980A LCR analyzer. The high-temperature DC resistivity (ρ) was measured by a model Keithley 6517B high-resistance electrometer. The in-situ d33 was measured by a model Julang TZFD-600 variable temperature quasi-static d33 measurement system.

    Results and discussion

    The Mn doping mechanism and high-temperature performance of BS-PT ceramics are systematically clarified. The XPS results confirm the coexistence of Mn2+ and Mn3+. To quantitatively verify the substitution site, the rietveld refinement reveals a non-monotonic evolution of unit cell volume. Based on the EDS evidence of Sc segregation without Ti precipitation, Mn ions preferentially substitute for B-site Sc3+. The dominant aliovalent substitution introduces defect dipoles accompanied with strong local random electric fields, significantly enhancing a relaxor behavior, while triggering a "hardening" effect that reduces tanδ and εr. The decoupling of piezoelectric and dielectric properties is achieved in specific compositions due to the grain boundary effect compensating for the hardening effect, especially obtaining the optimal piezoelectric voltage constant (g33) at the component with x of 1.00. For high-temperature capabilities, the optimal composition (x=1.00) demonstrates a superior stability, with in-situ d33 variation remaining within 20% up to 400 ℃. The thermally stable defect dipoles effectively trap oxygen vacancies, leading to a high resistivity of 109 Ω·cm and an enhanced time constant of 0.072 s at 350 ℃. Consequently, the ceramic with x of 1.00 exhibits a high g33 of 0.012 V·m/N when evaluated at a unified service temperature of 350 ℃, which is 50% higher than that of the undoped counterpart. These results indicate that the modified ceramic achieves an optimal balance of sensitivity and insulation for high-temperature vibration sensors.

    Conclusions

    This work clarified the Mn doping mechanism in BS-PT ceramics. The results of correlative XPS, Rietveld refinement, and EDS analysis confirmed that Mn ions could preferentially substitute for B-site Sc3+. The dominant aliovalent substitution induced a hardening effect, while the recovery of d33 was dominated by grain size restoration. The optimal composition (x=1.00) exhibited a robust stability with d33 variation within 20% at 400 ℃. The thermally stable defect dipoles could obtain a high resistivity (109 Ω·cm) and time constant (0.072 s) at 350 ℃. Meanwhile, a superior piezoelectric voltage coefficient (g33) of 0.012 V·m/N was achieved at 350 ℃, which was 50% higher than that of the undoped counterpart, validating its potential for high-temperature sensors.

  • Hui GU, Malin QI, Dongli HU, Qiang ZHENG, Ji ZOU, Sijia HUO, Yujin WANG
    Journal of the Chinese Ceramic Society. 2026, 54(4): 1245-1256.

    ZrB2-based multiphase ceramics are representative ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTCs). Their service temperature significantly exceeds the sintering temperature, often requiring substantial amounts of SiC as a sintering aid to achieve the densification and enhance the oxidation resistance. The transition metal carbides (MCs) are superior sintering aids for UHTCs, effectively removing the oxygen-impurity and improving high-temperature strength. From some projects supported from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, our studies focus on the effect of MC on controlling the multiphase microstructure of UHTCs. The results obtained reveal the reactive-sintering mechanism engaging the high-viscous liquid-phase and explore the mutual-solution behavior in multiphase ceramics along with the structure-property relationship. The quantitative characterization for microstructures indicates the dominance of bora-carbide sintering-melts on reactive-sintering and densification, and on regulating the multi-level evolution of high-solution microstructures. MC additives are transformed into ZrC grain boundary phases via the sintering-melt, and its exchange-reaction with the primary phase governs the multiphase relationship. The melt as a transient liquid enables a bi-solubility of M to create prevalent core-rim structures. In the later stages of sintering, ZrC second-phase precipitates with a higher solubility of M.

    Summary and Prospects

    The multi-levelled control of multiphase microstructures by the reactive-melt is analogous to "dissolution-reprecipitation" process for liquid-phase sintering in the transformable microstructures of silicon-based ceramics, with silicate-melts and glassy phases at grain boundaries. In contrast to the monolithic ceramics of high-entropy MB2 and MC, the multi-levelled solid-solutions and the associated multiphase microstructures of MB2-MC UHTCs offer ample and novel routes for comprehensive control, better optimization and further enhancement in high-performance UHTCs. The coherent hetero-interfaces created from the multi-levelled solutions via solid-state phase-separations and their interconnected dislocation networks can further improve the high-temperature strength, and those phase-boundaries, grain-boundaries, and solute-segregates allow a precise control over the multiscale semi-coherent microstructures. The research on this synergistic evolution of intergranular phases and sintering-melts at high temperatures along with the multiphase transformation has a promising potential for future advancements in ceramic genomes and levelled structure-property relationship for multiphase UHTCs governed by solid-solutions as enthalpy-regulation.

  • Alexander ELOPOV, Konstantin RIUMKIN, Aleksandr KHEGAI, Sergey ALYSHEV, Sergei FIRSTOV
    Journal of the Chinese Ceramic Society. 2026, 54(4): 1324-1339.

    Tremendous advances in high-speed communications technologies have enabled modern services, including live 4K video streaming, real-time remote surgery, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), cloud storage, and social media. The further development of these digital platforms will inevitably require increased data transmission rate, which significantly exceed the current capabilities of existing high-speed communications systems. To meet the ever-growing data traffic, it is necessary to develop and implement new advanced solutions. Multi-wavelength transmission technology is considered one of the most promising approaches, which can potentially increase a bandwidth of transmission data over optical fiber systems by utilizing an extended range of wavelengths (from O- to U-band), where the optical loss of conventional single-mode fiber is below 0.2-0.3 dB/km. However, the success of this approach depends on the development of new amplification technologies, as traditional optical amplifiers based on fibers doped with rare earth ions, especially Er3+ ions, are inherently incapable of providing effective amplification beyond the C+L telecom bands. This has spurred research into promising amplification media, which began more than 20 years ago.

    Bismuth (Bi)-doped fibers (BDFs) are a unique active medium suitable for optical amplifiers and lasers operating in a spectral range of 1.15-1.78 μm. The progress achieved in the development of BDFs and optical devices based on them gives hope that multi-band technologies capable of operating over the entire available spectral range can be successfully implemented in the near future. This is confirmed by the presence of commercially available devices developed by a number of telecom companies, as well as the start of implementation of bismuth-doped fiber amplifiers (BDFAs) for O-, E-, and S-band data transmission over optical communication systems. However, the progress achieved in the development of BDFA and BDF lasers was due not only to the solution of applied problems, but also to a deeper understanding of the fundamental principles of formation of bismuth active centers (BACs) and their physical nature. This review presents the main achievements in terms of optical characteristics of Bi-doped materials (crystals, ceramics, bulk glasses and optical fibers) and devices developed using these materials. This highlights that the structure and chemical composition of the glass matrix strongly influence the resulting optical properties of these media. Some fabrication strategies such as the modulation of topological order, coordination engineering, smart confined doping, and direct cluster control, and novel approaches for performance analysis (for example, "hidden potential") of BDFs are emphasized and discussed. The peculiar properties of bismuth active centers (BACs), in particular, optical anisotropy and "dark precursors", characterizing their structure and possible process leading to their formation are considered. Also, this review evaluates novel designs of BDFs, especially, heterogeneous glass-core fibers, which can be used for solution of the practical problems. For instance, such designs can be useful for developing a broadband flattop optical amplifier with adopted characteristics. In addition to bismuth-doped materials, this review includes the mainstream results in BDFAs for advanced optical technologies, summarizing the obtained results over two decades. Despite the significant progress the prospects for commercial production of BDFs remain uncertain that primarily due to difficulties in the reproducibility of Bi-doped fiber parameters and the high level of unsaturable loss in highly Bi-concentrated fibers. Addressing these challenges is essential to advancing commercialization and ensuring rapid deployment of this technology.

    Summary and Prospects

    Bismuth-doped fibers (BDFs) have already proven themselves as active materials that can be used to develop optical devices with unique characteristics in previously inaccessible spectral ranges. Optical amplifiers based on these active fibers exhibit high gain and low noise across all telecommunication spectral bands (from O- to U-band), while BDF-based lasers offer the benefits of high efficiency and wide wavelength tunability. However, existing research still faces significant challenges in achieving a reliable technology for reproducing the parameters of BDFs, as well as in fabricating optical fibers with increased Bi concentrations and low unsaturable losses. Developing a high-gain, ultra-wideband amplifier that can be effectively integrated into existing communication systems remains a challenge. Future research should focus on balancing cost, energy efficiency, and device performance, which can be partially addressed by optimizing the BDF design and the device itself. All of this is necessary to meet the growing demand for high-speed data transmission over fiber-optic communication systems, which is crucial in the context of rapidly evolving artificial intelligence technologies. In this regard, the ability to utilize all available telecommunications bands appears very promising. We believe that progress in this area will undoubtedly lead to the development of optical communication systems with significantly increased bandwidth, where bismuth-doped optical amplifiers are key components. Moreover, thanks to ongoing advances in optical materials and process technology, bismuth-doped fiber technology can pave the way for efficient, reliable, and scalable solutions for next-generation fiber-optic systems.

  • Qixiang SU, Qingchun YU
    Journal of the Chinese Ceramic Society. 2026, 54(4): 1451-1465.

    To achieve the 2050 carbon neutrality vision, it is necessary to promote research and development of efficient and economically beneficial green hydrogen production technologies. In the process of global transition to a low-carbon energy system, hydrogen as a key zero carbon energy carrier continues to attract much attention. This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis cell technology, focusing on analyzing some related challenges and potential pathways for large-scale application.

    Compared to low-temperature alternatives such as alkaline and proton exchange membrane electrolysis, SOEC has unique advantages due to its high-temperature operation, It uses ceramic materials without precious alloys and can operate at 650-1000 ℃, and it can improve the electrochemical performance, resulting in an energy conversion efficiency of > 80%, These characteristics make SOEC a promising solution for low-cost production of green hydrogen gas, The existing domestic technology is still in demonstration stage with project scales typically ranging from tens to hundreds of kilowatts. Commercial deployment needs to overcome challenges of "three highs and one low". A key is to improve power density of battery stack, increase its service life, improve system integration, and reduce costs. To solve this problem, collaborative progress is needed in fields of material innovation, structural design, and system integration.

    Collaborative design approach involving electrodes, electrolytes, and sealing components is crucial in development of materials and structures. For precise microstructure control and interface optimization, battery pack can operate stably at a high current density of 2 A/cm2, while controlling attenuation rate of < 1mV/h, and significantly extending actual service life.

    Optimizing multi energy data collaboration system is equally crucial, and SOEC can leverage industrial waste heat and renewable energy resources to utilize medium to low temperature thermal energy (i.e., 200-300 ℃), thereby reducing external power consumption by approximately 30% and improving overall energy utilization efficiency, It is also necessary to build a regional supply chain that covers entire process from raw material and battery preparation to integrated assembly and system integration. The integration cost should be controlled within RMB 2500 kilowatt hours, and the design life should reach 50 000 h. A key is to lay a foundation for widespread application.

    The widespread promotion of SOEC still faces several constraints, i.e., loss of electrode materials under high temperature and high humidity conditions, stability challenges caused due to power input fluctuations, and relatively high initial costs. Future research should focus on developing more durable electrode materials, establishing intelligent management systems that adapt to changes in renewable energy, and promoting standardization and cost control throughout entire industry chain to achieve technological popularization.

    The combination of wind and solar energy with water electrolysis can build a more adaptable clean energy resource system, Integration helps alleviate grid stability issues related to intermittent renewable energy resources and significantly reduces electricity cost of hydrogen production. Hybrid wind and solar energy system can increase hydrogen production, while reducing costs. A key is that when SOEC is matched with fluctuating power sources, oxygen electrode/electrolyte interface will degrade under frequent thermal cycles, which is an important factor affecting long-term stability of system. In global, green hydrogen production driven by renewable resources is gradually known as a key approach of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Electrolytic hydrogen can utilize local wind and solar energy to decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen, reducing production costs. Moreover, solar and wind energy are widely distributed and naturally compatible with electrolysis equipment. Excess electricity can be chemically stored as hydrogen, efficiently regulating spatial and temporal imbalance of energy supply and demand. Therefore, generated hydrogen and oxygen can be directly applied in transportation and industrial fields without conversion, making hydrogen both a primary energy source and a data carrier.

    Compared with conventional methods, the SOEC technology has a better hydrogen production efficiency and a lower unit energy consumption, and its commercialization key lies in increasing lifespan of fuel cell stack from less than 104 h to 5 × 104 h, reducing cost of hydrogen to below $1.5/kg. The current costs of photovoltaics and wind power continue to decline. In combination with growing demand for green hydrogen in industries such as chemical metallurgy, the SOEC is expected to achieve large-scale applications in "electricity hydrogen ammonia/methanol" integrated system, distributed energy network, and sustainable financing model. Its core position lies in serving as a fundamental supporting technology for carbon neutrality goals.

    Summary and Prospects

    In transition towards a decarbonized energy system globally, hydrogen plays a crucial role as a zero carbon energy carrier. In this context, solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) technology with its advantages in high-temperature operation significantly reduces material costs and improves overall system energy efficiency, compared to low-temperature solutions such as alkaline and proton exchange membrane electrolysis. SOEC system adopts a non-precious metal ceramic structure. When operating at 650-1000 ℃, electrochemical kinetics acceleration mechanism achieves a conversion efficiency of > 80%, providing a feasible approach to reduce cost of green hydrogen leveling. The existing domestic demonstration projects are limited to a scale of tens to hundreds of kilowatts, and the commercial implementation needs to break through bottleneck of "three highs and one low", thus increasing power density of fuel cell stack, extending its service life, and optimizing system integration, while reducing assets and operation and maintenance costs. Solving these obstacles requires collaborative efforts in three major fields, and innovation in materials and structures must break through conventional design framework of electrodes, electrolytes, and sealing glass. With precise microstructure design and interface stress control, system can maintain a high current density of 2 A·cm-2, while controlling degradation rate at 1 mV per thousand hours, significantly extending lifespan of battery pack. Multi-energy coupling optimization is crucial, which requires integrating the SOEC with industrial waste heat and renewable resources, thus utilizing low-grade thermal energy (i.e., 200-300 ℃), efficiently offsetting internal heating demand, reducing external electricity consumption by approximately 30%, and comprehensively improving energy utilization efficiency. For those localized supply chains, establishing a complete domestic production capacity from precursor powder to single cell manufacturing, stacking and assembly to system integration is particularly crucial. The goal is to control stacking cost at RMB 2500 per kW and achieve an operating life of 5×104 h, laying a foundation for large-scale applications. At present, although the SOEC has significant energy efficiency advantages, its promotion and application still face multiple constraints, i.e., gradual decay of oxygen electrodes under high temperature and high vapor partial pressure, mechanical and electrochemical damage caused by power fluctuations, and daunting initial capital investment. Subsequent exploration should focus on preparing new electrode materials with a higher stability, establishing flexible thermoelectric synergistic regulation mechanisms to adapt to fluctuating renewable energy, and promoting standardization and cost reduction and efficiency improvement throughout entire industry chain. The cost of photovoltaic and wind power continues to decrease, coupled with increasing demand for green hydrogen in chemical and metallurgical fields. Solid oxide electrolysis cell technology is expected to be widely applied in "electricity hydrogen ammonia/methanol" integrated system, distributed energy system, and sustainable refining scenarios. This technology will undoubtedly become a key pillar technology supporting the dual carbon goals in China.

  • Chenrui LOU, Hong PAN, Lihui XU, Qian LI, Yushen WANG, Yuanhao WU, Zhixiang ZHOU
    Journal of the Chinese Ceramic Society. 2026, 54(4): 1370-1380.
    Introduction

    The issue of electromagnetic pollution has become increasingly severe with the development of the electronic communication technology. The excessive electromagnetic waves pose risks to the national security and the human health in daily life. Consequently, wave-absorbing materials have gradually garnered public attention. Biomass, with its inherent network structure, can be used to produce porous carbon for addressing electromagnetic pollution. Among various biomass sources, coconut shells are widely distributed in China and have long been treated as agricultural by-products or waste. Recycling and utilizing coconut shells to prepare wave-absorbing materials not only helps mitigate electromagnetic pollution but also offers a new approach for the high-value application of agricultural by-products such as coconut shells.

    Methods

    The experimental materials included coconut shells purchased from Hainan Wenchang Coconut Shell Co., Ltd.. Potassium hydroxide (KOH), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), hydrochloric acid (HCl), and paraffin wax (C25H52) purchased from Shanghai Titan Scientific Co., Ltd. The coconut shells were processed into 1-2 cm pieces, cleaned, and dried at 80 ℃ for 24 h. The dried pieces were then ground into powder using a pulverizer and sieved through a mesh with an aperture of 250-300 μm. The coconut shell powder was mixed with CaCO3 and KOH at mass ratios of 1.0∶1.0∶0.5, 1∶1∶1, 1∶1∶2, and 1∶1∶3, respectively. The mixtures were uniformly ground in a pulverizer to obtain alkalized coconut shell powder, which was subsequently dried. The dried alkalized powder was placed in a tube furnace, which was purged with nitrogen gas (N2), and then carbonized at 700 ℃ for 2 h. The resulting product was neutralized with hydrochloric acid (HCl) under magnetic stirring for 12 h, washed with deionized water until neutral, and finally dried at 80 ℃ for 24 h , then the coconut shell-based porous carbon was obtained.

    Results and discussion

    In this study, coconut shell was utilized as the carbon source, based on its inherent multi-level network structure and high carbon content. Using KOH and CaCO3 as dual activators, a one-step carbonization method was employed to prepare coconut shell-based carbon wave-absorbing materials with superior microwave absorption performance. Compared to pure coconut shell carbon and coconut shell carbon activated solely with an equal mass of KOH, the sample prepared with dual activators exhibited more uniform surface pore distribution and hierarchical structure. This specific structure played a critical role in enhancing the electromagnetic wave absorption performance. Consequently, the dual-activator method offered a novel approach for preparing porous carbon materials with complex three-dimensional micro/mesoporous structures. At 700 ℃, the gradual addition of activator resulted in enlarged pores and increased defects in the porous carbon structure, ultimately causing pore collapse. Higher activator concentrations led to larger pore diameters, which reduced electromagnetic wave reflection efficiency and consequently diminished microwave absorption performance.

    Conclusions

    A coconut shell-based porous carbon material with excellent wave-absorbing performance was successfully prepared via a one-step carbonization method combined with a dual-activator (KOH and CaCO3) activation process. By adjusting the mass ratios of KOH to CaCO3, the pore structure of the resulting carbon material was modulated, leading to varied electromagnetic wave absorption properties. The optimal absorption performance was achieved under the conditions of a carbonization temperature of 700 ℃ and a mass ratio of coconut shell powder : CaCO3∶KOH = 1∶1∶1. The material obtained under these conditions exhibited a minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of -45.79 dB at a sample thickness of 5.0 mm and a frequency of 5.12 GHz. This study utilized a simple one-step carbonization process to produce effective wave-absorbing materials with abundant coconut shell waste, providing valuable theoretical guidance for the development of high-performance absorbers and significantly broadening the application prospects for biomass-derived wave-absorbing materials.

  • Il Jung YOON, Jae sung LEE, In-Ho JUNG, Woon Jin CHUNG, Jung-Wook CHO, Yong Gyu CHOI
    Journal of the Chinese Ceramic Society. 2026, 54(4): 1340-1358.

    Abstract The downstream glass industry in South Korea exhibits a distinctive structure compared with that of other non-Asian countries, as its semiconductor and display sectors are tightly integrated with the glass materials supply chain. In this review, the distinct features of glass-related industrial research and development in South Korea are addressed by taking two representative applications of glasses, i.e., glass core substrate for semiconductor packaging applications and ultra-thin glass for use as cover window of flexible display modules. In the case of glass core substrate and glass interposer, the inherent brittleness of glassy materials imposes constraints across the process flow, requiring precise control over laser irradiation, chemical etching, redistribution layer formation, and singulation. Ultra-thin glass needs to be durable during repeated deformations, so that its thickness is typically on the order of several tens of micrometers. At such thickness levels, resistance to mechanical deformations becomes a primary concern, and therefore processing steps from cutting, chamfering, and healing to chemical strengthening play a decisive role in determining mechanical reliability and optical clarity of ultra-thin glass. Flexible display devices with other form factors featuring multi-foldable, slidable or rollable capability would be realized along with advancement of processing technologies associated with ultra-thin glass.

    With an emphasis on the application-oriented research activities directly or indirectly related to glass materials led by South Korean universities, four different topics are introduced in this review: 1) a thermodynamic database for glass-forming systems, 2) mold flux systems used in steel casting, 3) glasses doped with quantum dots and/or perovskite nano-crystals, and 4) chalcogenide glasses for thermal imaging. For each topic, recent advances are described in conjunction with their basic concepts and future perspectives. The CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse Diagrams) thermodynamic database for glass-forming system and glassmaking process has been actively developed to assist glass research and the manufacturing process. In addition, a multi-component diffusion model for glass systems is being actively studied for various kinetic simulations. Recent research focuses on the expansion of the database to address key issues relevant to the decarbonization of the glassmaking process such as water solubility in glass, new redox agents, refractory wear in glass melting furnace, and electrode materials for an electric melting furnace. However, the limited availability of phase diagram and thermodynamic data pose challenging issues for the database development relevant to the decarbonization process.

    In order to meet the demands for advanced glass lubricants for continuous casting of steel, investigations of structural understandings and their effects on non-Newtonian rheology, thermal properties, and glass forming ability are being actively pursued. In particular, application of mixed alkali effect and Mie scattering is believed to be an effective design principle to enhance lubrication without deteriorating heat transfer controlling ability. In consideration of the necessity of increasing scrap recycling to achieve carbon neutrality during steel manufacturing, further investigations should be done on rheological behavior of supercooled silicate glass lubricant melts in order to mitigate the cracking on continuously cast steels with a greater number of accumulated impurities.

    Quantum dots and perovskite nanocrystals are still widely studied for next generation color converters or phosphoric materials for high picture quality displays including micro-LED display and anti-counterfeit applications, thus offering high chances for robust quantum dot or perovskite nanocrystal embedded glasses. However, several issues such as sub-micron sized glass powders with stable PL-QY, Pb-free perovskite nanocrystals, and glass materials for direct driving LED remain as challenging issues for their future applications.

    The thermal imaging market is expected to steadily expand with a conspicuously steep inflection arising in the automobile industry caused by the regulations mandating employment of the autonomous emergence braking system. It is noteworthy that the cost of LWIR image sensors based on microbolometer arrays is decreasing rapidly to meet the demands of the automotive industry, and in this regard a group of well-qualified chalcogenide glasses will be promising as molded lenses for the high-resolution thermal cameras. Specifically, those chalcogenide glasses consisting of environmentally less harmful and relatively cheaper constituents would be preferred in the civilian sectors.

    Summary and Prospects

    Across diverse application domains, glass materials are engineered to meet increasingly stringent criteria with regard to performance, reliability, and sustainability. It is worth mentioning that the most advanced display modules and semiconductor chips are currently manufactured mostly in East Asia. This geographic imbalance provides unique opportunities and challenges for both of the glass industry and academia. New applications such as ultra-thin glass for flexible display modules and glass core substrate for semiconductor packaging will present unprecedented functionalities and benefits to glass materials.

  • Jingxin SU, Linghao ZHANG, Taotao CHENG, Tao ZHANG, Yuanhang WANG, Zhiping WANG
    Journal of the Chinese Ceramic Society. 2026, 54(4): 1381-1395.
    Introduction

    With the continuous pursuit of higher efficiency and larger thrust-to-weight ratio in aero-gas-turbine engines, the turbine inlet temperature has already exceeded 1300 ℃, imposing increasingly stringent requirements on the thermal resistance and protective capability of hot-section structural materials. Environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) have become a crucial technology to ensure efficient and reliable service of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) turbine components under such extreme working conditions. However, the service environment of EBCs is exceptionally complex. Coatings are continuously exposed to corrosive gaseous species within combustion products, among which the ingression and reaction of molten calcium-magnesium-aluminum-silicate (CMAS) deposits represent one of the most detrimental degradation mechanisms.

    To mitigate CMAS-induced deterioration, numerous strategies have been proposed, including compositional modification (doping, high-entropy ceramics), structural design optimization (multilayer or graded coatings), and surface engineering (laser or ion beam treatments). Although these approaches can improve corrosion resistance to some extent, most of them inevitably alter the coating chemistry or structural system, which tends to induce thermal expansion mismatch with the substrate and promotes premature failure during thermal cycling. Therefore, how to enhance CMAS-corrosion resistance while maintaining thermomechanical compatibility remains a critical challenge. Laser glazing (LG) is a surface-modification technique that locally melts and rapidly solidifies the coating surface to form a dense glaze layer. It improves surface compactness and seals microdefects without altering the coating composition, thereby presenting a promising method for improving CMAS-corrosion resistance. In this work, laser glazing is introduced to enhance the CMAS-resistance of EBCs, and the CMAS-corrosion behavior together with the underlying improvement mechanisms are systematically investigated.

    Methods

    SiC ceramic substrates were purchased from Fuzhou Pengkun Optoelectronics Co., Ltd. The samples were cylindrical (diameter 25.4 mm, thickness 3 mm) and mechanically grit-blasted prior to coating deposition. Yb2Si2O7/Si (YbDS) EBCs were deposited on the substrates by atmospheric plasma spraying (APS). Commercial Yb2Si2O7 and Si powders (Shanghai Shuitian Materials Technology Co., Ltd.) were used, and the bond coat consisted of 90% (in mass fraction) Si and 10% Yb2Si2O7. A picosecond ultraviolet pulsed-laser system was subsequently applied to modify the surface microstructure of APS YbDS coatings. Four sets of parameters (L1-L4) were obtained by adjusting the laser power (6 W or 20 W) and scanning speed (100-300 mm/s). CMAS bulk material was synthesized by high-temperature melting. CMAS powder was mixed with ethanol and uniformly brushed onto the coating surface, followed by drying to achieve a coating mass of 5 mg/cm2. The coated samples were exposed at 1350 ℃ for 10, 60 h, and 120 h. After corrosion, the evolution of microstructure and phase composition was analyzed to reveal the degradation behavior.

    Results and discussion

    The APS-prepared YbDS coating exhibited a surface roughness of ~3.7 μm and a porosity of ~4.87%, with typical APS defects such as pores, unmelted particles, and microcracks. After laser glazing, four modified surfaces were obtained. Among them, sample L2 demonstrated the most favorable structural morphology and was selected for subsequent corrosion tests. The L2 coating showed a reduced surface roughness of ~1.824 μm and a homogeneous, dense glaze layer of ~9.6 μm thickness. Moreover, the glazed surface phase completely transformed from Yb2Si2O7 to Yb2SiO5. During CMAS corrosion, the YbDS coating surface was continuously covered by a loose mixture of Ca2Yb8(SiO4)6O2 and CMAS residual glass. In contrast, the laser-modified L2 coating was covered by a compact Ca2Yb8(SiO4)6O2 reaction layer. After corrosion, both coatings displayed Ca2Yb8(SiO4)6O2 and secondary Yb2Si2O7 phases; however, their structural evolution differed significantly. After 120 h of corrosion, the YbDS coating suffered severe structural degradation, including interfacial delamination and partial spallation in cross-sectional observations. Conversely, the L2 coating maintained structural integrity, and its corrosion depth was consistently lower under the same conditions.

    The improved CMAS resistance of the L2 coating can be attributed to three synergistic mechanisms: Surface densification, Laser glazing produced a dense, continuous glaze layer that sealed APS-induced pores and cracks, effectively delaying CMAS infiltration pathways; Protective reaction-layer formation, The Yb2SiO5 glaze reacted with CMAS to form a dense Ca2Yb8(SiO4)6O2 layer, which further hindered molten-salt penetration ;Enhanced non-wettability, Laser glazing significantly reduced surface roughness and improved hydrophobicity. As a result, molten CMAS appeared as aggregated hemispherical droplets rather than fully spreading, making it more easily removed by high-velocity gas flow during service.

    Conclusions

    The findings of this study demonstrate that laser glazing effectively enhances the CMAS-corrosion resistance of YbDS coatings. The improvement originates from the combined effects of surface densification, pore/crack sealing, phase transformation to Yb2SiO5, and subsequent formation of a compact Ca2Yb8(SiO4)6O2 reaction layer during corrosion. Additionally, the smoother and less wettable glazed surface reduces the adhesion and spreading tendency of CMAS, enabling molten deposits to be removed more easily under aerodynamic forces. As a result, the degradation rate of the coating is substantially suppressed, delaying the propagation of corrosion-induced cracks and maintaining structural integrity over prolonged exposure. Moreover, the laser-induced modifications do not alter the coating architecture or introduce thermal expansion mismatch, making the technique compatible with existing EBC design frameworks. Overall, laser glazing represents a promising strategy for improving the durability and service lifetime of EBC systems in next-generation high-temperature aero-engine applications.

  • Yongsheng LIU, Jie REN, Yunzhen LI, Jingxin LI, Yejie CAO
    Journal of the Chinese Ceramic Society. 2026, 54(4): 1257-1273.

    Continuous silicon carbide fiber reinforced silicon carbide ceramic matrix composites (referred to as SiCf/SiC composites) become the preferred high-temperature and lightweight thermal structure materials for high thrust-to-weight ratio aero engines due to their excellent high-temperature properties. However, their poor high-temperature oxidation and corrosion properties limit their long-life use. It is effective to improve the oxidation and corrosion properties of SiCf/SiC composite matrix through matrix modification, and the commonly used modified materials mainly include self-healing components, network intermediate oxides and rare-earth silicates.

    The self-healing components form the liquid phase of B2O3 or borosilicate glass phase in the process of oxidative corrosion that has a certain fluidity and viscosity at a high temperature, which can fill the cracks and holes in the matrix. The volume expansion caused by oxidation makes the small defects heal when the oxidizing medium diffuses in the cracks as the oxidation phase, which can effectively block the diffusion of the oxidizing medium to the key areas that are easy to oxidize such as fibers and interfaces, thus enhancing the oxidation resistance of the material and extending its service life. The network intermediate oxide can absorb the "free oxygen" in the borosilicate glass melt and change its coordination from [MO6] to [MO4], reconstructing the silicate network damaged by water vapor erosion and maintain its integrity, and significantly improving the stability of the self-healing glass phase under high temperature water vapor conditions and the oxidation and corrosion properties of composites. Rare-earth silicate itself has excellent antioxidant corrosion properties, and the rare-earth elements migrate to the near surface of the matrix to form an antioxidant layer during the oxidative corrosion process, which inhibits the penetration of oxidative corrosion medium into the matrix and the reaction between borosilicate glass and water vapor, reduces the generation of gaseous substances, and slows down the oxidative corrosion of the matrix to a certain extent.

    There are two main ways to introduce modified materials into the matrix, i.e., one refers to the direct introduction of antioxidant corrosive materials without changing their phases during use, such as directly introducing rare-earth silicates into the matrix, and another refers to the introduction of the precursor of the modified material or substances containing modified elements into the matrix, and the target modified material is obtained through chemical reactions during the oxidative corrosion process, usually in this way the introduction of self-healing components and oxidation corrosion phases into the matrix. In addition, the synthesis process of modified materials mostly adopts CVI, PIP, RMI, SI, etc., and their advantages and disadvantages of different modification processes are different. For instance, the preparation temperature of CVI process is low, but the densification cycle is long and the cost is high. The RMI process is simple, the cycle is short, and the composite material with a high density is prepared, but the melting temperature is high, which is easy to heat damage to the fiber and interface. Besides a single process, composite processes are mostly used to achieve complementary advantages, introducing modified materials into the matrix and realizing the densification of composite materials.

    Summary and Prospects

    It is effective to introduce self-healing components, network intermediate oxides and rare-earth silicates into the SiCf/SiC composite matrix to fill the pores and cracks of the material via generating self-healing components during the oxidative corrosion process, and forming a dense oxide layer on the surface of the material to resist further erosion by the oxidizing medium, thus improving the water and oxygen corrosion resistance of the composites. However, there are still some challenges. Firstly, the research on the oxidation corrosion mechanism of composite materials is still in-depth, and there is a lack of data on oxidation kinetics, oxidative corrosion rate and oxidative corrosion depth, and the basic research on the damage evolution mechanism of materials in different environments is still relatively weak. It is thus necessary to construct a complete and reliable performance database of SiCf/SiC composites modified with different substrates, clarify the oxidative corrosion damage mechanism, and provide design parameters and theoretical support for the practical application of composites. Secondly, the effective temperature range of a single modified substance to improve the oxidative corrosion performance of composites is limited. The temperature range of B group is below

    1000 ℃, and the temperature range of Al group is 1000-1300 ℃. The synergistic effect of multiple modification strategies is explored via introducing multiple modified substances into the matrix of composites at the same time. It is expected to achieve the oxidation and corrosion properties of SiCf/SiC composites in a wide temperature range and achieve a long-life cycle protection. Finally, it is also worth to develop new preparation processes, such as nano-infiltration and transient eutectic (NITE), or use hybrid processes to achieve material densification and improve the performance of SiCf/SiC composite substrates while modifying them.

  • Jiashuo SUN, Yongchun ZOU, Shuqi WANG, Lei HUANG, Guoliang CHEN, Zhiyun YE, Yaming WANG, Yu ZHOU
    Journal of the Chinese Ceramic Society. 2026, 54(4): 1220-1228.
    Introduction

    Ti-6Al-4V (TC4) titanium alloy is widely used in industrial and biomedical fields due to its excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. However, its inherently poor wear resistance significantly limits its further application. Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) as a green and efficient method for in-situ fabrication of ceramic coatings with strong adhesion to the substrate, offering an excellent solution for surface protection of titanium alloys. However, conventional PEO coatings exhibit a porous outer layer composed mainly of high friction TiO2, resulting in insufficient wear and friction reduction performance. To overcome this limitation, incorporating MoS2 (a solid lubricant with a layered structure) can be introduced to the PEO coating to form a composite coating, which has been demonstrated as an effective approach to enhance its tribological properties. Although previous studies have confirmed the potential value of TiO2/MoS2 composite coatings in antifriction, most studies rely on high concentrations of MoS2 additives or prolonged treatment times, which often lead to particle agglomeration and high energy consumption. Even at lower concentrations, the friction coefficient remains high, and systematic studies on the influence of key process parameters, such as applied voltage are still lacking. Therefore, this study aims to systematically investigate the effects of different PEO voltages on the microstructure, chemical composition, and tribological properties of TiO2/MoS2 composite coatings under low MoS2 concentration and short processing time, so as to provide theoretical and practical guidance for the design and fabrication of high-performance wear resistant and antifriction coatings.

    Methods

    In this study, Ti-6Al-4V alloy was employed as the substrate. TiO2/MoS2 composite coatings were fabricated in a single-step process via PEO with incorporation of MoS2 nanoparticles. The applied voltage was varied at 400, 500 V, and 600 V. The influence of voltage on the coating surface morphology was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). Localized chemical analysis of different regions on the coating surface was performed by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) attached to the SEM. Phase composition was further determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Finally, the tribological properties of the coatings were evaluated using a ball-on-disk friction and wear tester.

    Results and Discussion

    The test results demonstrate that as the PEO applied voltage increases, the pore size, coating thickness, surface roughness, and deposited MoS2 content of the coatings all increase. Tribological tests on samples prepared at different voltages demonstrated that the coating produced at 500 V exhibited the lowest friction coefficient of approximately 0.2, representing a 69.2% reduction compared to the substrate, indicating excellent antifriction performance. In contrast, coatings prepared at 400 V and 600 V exbibited significantly higher friction coefficients of 0.75 and 0.82, respectively, and suffered from severe adhesive and abrasive wear. The primary reasons for this behavior are as follows: At the lower voltage (400 V), the coating thickness is thin and the MoS2 content is insufficient to provide effective lubrication. During the running-in stage, the coating lacks adequate capacity to accommodate wear debris, leading to inadequate debris removal. This results in pronounced abrasive wear, rapid penetration of the coating, and direct interaction between the substrate and the counterface, thereby increasing the friction coefficient. At the higher voltage of 600 V, although the coating thickness and MoS2 content increase substantially, the surface roughness rises significantly ((4.7 ± 0.3) μm). This leads to the generation of large, coarse debris during the initial running-in stage. Before the coating can effectively accommodate these debris particles, they cause rapid spallation of the coating, generating even more debris and accelerating wear. Under these conditions, the MoS2 particles embedded in the outer layer fail to provide any meaningful lubrication, and the coating is quickly worn through, resulting in a sharp increase in the friction coefficient. At the applied voltage of 500 V, the coating exhibits moderate thickness and surface roughness, maintaining adequate coating thickness and MoS2 content without excessive surface roughness. The friction and wear mechanism of the TiO2/MoS2 composite coating under this voltage can be elucidated as follows: The inherent porous outer layer of the PEO coating undergoes initial smoothing of surface asperities during friction, generating wear debris containing embedded MoS2 particles that fill surface depressions and inherent pores. With continued sliding, the MoS2 particles within the debris gradually spread across the contact interface. Owing to their unique two-dimensional layered structure, these particles undergo interlayer sliding under shear stress, forming a continuous surface film with excellent lubricating properties. Furthermore, the porous structure of the coating not only accommodates wear debris but also functions as a reservoir for MoS2 particles, enabling continuous replenishment of lubricant to areas where the surface lubricating film becomes locally depleted, thereby achieving remarkable self-lubricating performance.

    Conclusions

    At the optimized voltage of 500 V, the TiO2/MoS2 composite coating exhibits a moderate thickness ((28.0 ± 0.6) μm) and surface roughness ((3.0 ± 0.2) μm), along with a relatively high MoS2 content. This combination results in the lowest friction coefficient of 0.2, representing a 69.2% reduction compared to the uncoated Ti-6Al-4V substrate; During the friction process, MoS2 particles embedded in the TiO2/MoS2 composite coating are progressively exposed under shear stress and undergo interlayer sliding. This leads to the formation of a lubricating film on the wear track, which provides effective self-lubrication and significantly enhances the tribological performance of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy.