Open Access

Prussian blue (PB) and its analogs (PBAs) are interesting materials for electrochemical applications due to their tunable redox chemistry and open framework structure. In this study, hexacyanoferrates (HCF) containing iron (FeHCF), cobalt (CoHCF), and nickel (NiHCF) were synthesized via potentiostatic electrodeposition. Cyclic voltammetry revealed distinct redox behaviors. Morphological characterization (SEM, EDX) demonstrated uniform, pyramidal film growth for FeHCF and CoHCF. Otherwise, NiHCF presented a cracked film with cubic clusters on top due to residual stress. Despite this, homogeneous element distribution was found for all samples. Structural characterization (TEM and XRD) confirmed a cubic lattice crystal structure for all films, with systematic lattice contraction from Fe to Co to Ni due to decreasing atomic radius. Raman and XPS data revealed a shift toward Fe2+ dominant oxidation states and modifications in C≡N bonding, with the influence of K+ and water occupancy in the PBAs framework. These findings illustrate how metal substitution and deposition parameters can tune the structural and electrochemical properties of PBA films, presenting a strategic route to design tailored electrodes.

Understanding the fracture mechanisms in brazed joints offers opportunities to improve joint design and brazing processes. Traditional ex-situ methods cannot capture the material behavior in real-time, making in-situ observation during mechanical testing, such as in SEM, invaluable. In the present work, in-situ bending tests were used to observe the crack propagation in brazed joints exhibiting both ductile and brittle fracture mechanisms. Samples were prepared with precise geometries and notched to initiate cracks in the joining zone. These in-situ tests provide valuable data on the mechanical behavior of brazed joints, offering insights into their failure processes. Three different joints were analyzed: AISI 304 brazed with AgCu filler metal, Mar M 509 brazed with Co-based filler metal and mixed joints of AA 6082 and AISI 304 brazed with AlGeSi filler metal. In the medium strength joint brazed with Ag 272 filler metal, the fracture occurred by slipping through the eutectic. In the high strength joint brazed with Co 900 filler metal, the crack propagated transgranularly through the intermetallic phases and stopped at the interface between the intermetallic and Co solid solution. The AA 6082 / AISI 304 joint was studied using an overlap geometry, showing that microcracks formed as the bending stress increased, finally leading to a failure at the Al7Fe2Si intermetallic layer, a critical microstructural feature. The used test procedure is suitable for further observations on the fracture mechanism in joints brazed in specific geometries as well as using different brazing process parameters and comparing the results with existing investigations. [Chemische Formeln nicht adäquat darstellbar.]

Both the ability to suppress disturbances and the simplicity of plant modeling within the active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) approach are enabled by its observer and largely dependent on its sufficiently fast tuning. This, however, may require high observer gain values, which increase the controller’s susceptibility to measurement noise. To reduce the noise sensitivity without requiring any change to the controller structure, this article transfers the results of a continuous-time method called half-gain tuning to the discrete-time domain. Applied only to ADRC’s observer, the closed-loop dynamics will remain almost unaffected. Explicit tuning equations for the discrete-time observer gains are derived. A detailed examination performed analytically, in simulation, and in experiment reveals how much of the theoretical noise reduction promised by the continuous-time method can still be achieved in the discrete-time domain. In summary, an observer tuning method is presented that delivers a substantial reduction in noise sensitivity in practically relevant scenarios and can be applied minimally invasively to existing ADRC control loops.

This work presents a comprehensive analysis of the variability and reliability of the resistive switching (RS) behavior in Prussian Blue (a mixed-valence iron(III/II) hexacyanoferrate compound) thin films, used as the active layer. These films are fabricated through a simple and scalable electrochemical process, and exhibit robust bipolar resistive switching, making them suitable both for neuromorphic computing applications and hardware cryptography. A detailed statistical evaluation was conducted over 100 consecutive switching cycles using multiple parameter extraction techniques to assess cycle-to-cycle (C2C) variability in key RS parameters, including set/reset voltages and corresponding currents. One and two-dimensional coefficients of variation (1DCV and 2DCV) were calculated to quantify variability and identify application potential. Results demonstrate moderate variability compatible with neuromorphic computing and cryptographic functionalities, including physical unclonable functions and true random number generation. These findings position Prussian Blue-based memristors as promising candidates for low-cost, stable, and multifunctional memory.