To improve the charge-discharge cycle stability, we adopted a gas-deposition ͑GD͒ method to prepare lithium storage alloy electrodes. The resulting Mg 2 Ge GD film exhibited an increase in both charge and discharge capacities in comparison with the conventional bulk electrode, suggesting improvement of adhesion between the Mg 2 Ge layer and Cu foil. Furthermore, the cyclability of the GD film electrode was noticeably superior to that of the bulk electrode. The discharge capacity of the film electrode maintained 35% of the initial capacity, even at the 200th cycle. It is noteworthy that the GD-film electrode was able to operate at very large current densities.

No abstract

Hydroxyapatite (HAP)-coated implants on metallic substrates have been used as biomaterials. The problem is that HAP coating on metallic substrates is easily exfoliated at the boundary between HAP and metallic substrates, i.e. titanium (Ti). Therefore, Ti-HAP Functionally Graded Coating (FGC) is considered to improve adhesion of Ti-HAP coatings. In this paper, preparation of Ti-HAP FGC is studied in detail by using the well-controlled DC plasma jet. Properties of Ti-HAP FGC films (i.e. the c-axis orientation, the bond strength and the hardness) are also discussed in relation to spraying conditions.

No abstract

No abstract