Abstract:In this study, copolymers based on 1,3-bis(carbazol-9-yl)benzene (BCz) and three 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene derivatives (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT), 3,4-(2,2-dimethylpropylenedioxy) thiophene (ProDOT-Me 2 ), and 3,4-ethylenedithiathiophene (EDTT)) were electrochemically synthesized and their electrochemical and electrochromic properties were characterized. The anodic copolymer P(BCz-co-ProDOT) with BCz/ProDOT-Me 2 = 1/1 feed molar ratio showed high optical contrast (∆T%) and coloring efficiency (η), measured as 52.5% and 153.5 cm 2 ·C −1 at 748 nm, respectively. Electrochromic devices (ECDs) based on P(BCz-co-EDOT), P(BCz-co-ProDOT), and P(BCz-co-EDTT) as anodic polymer layers, and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PEDOT-PSS) as cathodic polymer layer were fabricated. P(BCz-co-ProDOT)/triple-layer PEDOT-PSS ECD showed three different colors (light yellow, yellowish-blue, and dark blue) at different applied potentials. In addition, the highest optical contrast (∆T%) of P(BCz-co-ProDOT)/triple-layer PEDOT-PSS ECD was found to be 41% at 642 nm and the coloration efficiency was calculated to be 416.5 cm 2 ·C −1 at 642 nm. All ECDs showed satisfactory optical memories and electrochemical cyclic stability.

No abstract

The quenching and partitioning (Q&P) process of advanced high strength steels results in a significant enhancement in their strength and ductility. The development of controlled rolling and cooling technology provides an efficient tool for microstructural design in steels. This approach allows to control phase transformations in order to generate the desired microstructure in steel and, thus, to achieve the required properties. To refine grain structure in a Fe-Si-Mn-Nb steel and to generate the microstructure consisting of martensitic matrix with embedded retained austenite grains, hot rolling and pressing combined with ultrafast cooling and Q&P process is employed. The slender martensite in hot rolled Q&P steel improves the strength of test steel and the flake retained austenite improves the plasticity and work hardening ability through the Transformation Induced Plasticity (TRIP) effect.

No abstract

No abstract