PALS study on the defect structure of yttria-stabilized zirconia

Powders of stabilized ZrO₂–8 mol% Y₂O₃ (YSZ) have been obtained by mechanical milling in zirconia vials. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Positron annihilation lifetime (PALS) measurements were performed to investigate the lattice defects originated by the incorporation of yttria and those mechanically induced. The XRD results indicate the formation of tetragonal YSZ solid solution. PALS results indicate that positron trapping occurs at different kinds of defects such as vacancy-like defects, grain boundary and associated defects.     

Modification of microstructure of the surface and the bulk in ion-irradiated membrane studied using positron annihilation spectroscopy

The effect of ion irradiation and etching on the microstructure of polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) membrane has been studied using positron annihilation spectroscopy. PET membrane of 25 μm thickness was irradiated by 100 MeV ³⁵Cl beam (7×10⁷ ions/cm²) and then etched with NaOH for 45 min. The modification in the microstructure at the surface of the membrane was probed by depth-dependent Doppler-broadened S-parameter and positronium 3γ–2γ annihilation ratio using a slow positron beam, while the free volume properties in the bulk of the membrane were studied using the conventional positron lifetime technique. Positron annihilation parameters were found to be very sensitive to the microstructural changes occurring in the polymer at such a low fluence. It was observed that on ion-irradiation, the surface of the membrane is modified in a different way than the bulk. While the ion-irradiation produces large fraction of excess free volumes at the surface of the membrane due to chain scission, the free volumes are reduced in the bulk of the membrane due to cross-linking. FTIR and XRD measurements were also carried out to investigate the changes occurring in the chemical structure and crystallinity of the polymer samples on ion-irradiation and etching.     

Temperature dependence of the free volume in polytetrafluoroethylene studied by positron annihilation spectroscopy

The temperature dependence of the free volume holes in pure polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and doped with 25% glass have been studied in the temperature range (30–250 °C) using positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. The data clearly revealed the glass transition temperatures for pure and doped PTFE are 130 and 110 °C, respectively. As the temperature increases, the free volume distribution becomes positioned at larger free volume hole size. A good correlation between the electrical conductivity and the o-Ps parameters was achieved.     

Pressure dependence of positron trapping rate,lifetime and defect formation in metals and alloys

In order to determine the pressure dependence of positron annihilation parameters like bulk lifetime and positron trapping rate, positron lifetime and Doppler broadening experiments have been carried out. In aluminium a slight decrease in the bulk lifetime of 3 ps at 530 MPa has been found. Vacancies have been quenched in Fe25at%Al and Fe40at%Al to study the effect of high hydrostatic pressure on the positron trapping rate of vacancies. We like to emphasize that there is no significant pressure dependence of the trapping rate up to 570 MPa shown by these alloys. Measurements of positron annihilation at various temperatures at constant pressure give information about the formation of thermal defects and their enthalpy in metals and alloys. Additionally, the formation volume of the defects can be determined from measurements varying the pressure at constant temperature. The defect formation volumeV _v ^f has been measured in pure Al and in intermetallic phases of the FeAl system at different temperatures. In the ordered B2 structure a effective defect formation volume of 1.42 was observed, in A2 of 0.88 , in DO₃of 0.96 and in pure Al of 0.67 , respectively (=mean atomic volume). While the latter values reflects single vacancy defects, the large formation volume in B2 points to the prevalence of double vacancies and/or, more likely at low temperatures, triple defects.     

Free volumes in liquid-crystalline main-chain polymer probed by positron annihilation

Free volumes in a copolymer consisting of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) were probed by positron annihilation technique. Doppler broadening profiles of the annihilation radiation and lifetime spectra of positrons were measured in the temperature range between 30 and 230°C. Above the glass transition temperature (ca. 60°C), the lifetime of ortho-positronium (o-Ps) annihilated in the free volumes and its annihilation probability were found to increase with increasing specimen temperature. These facts were attributed to the increase both in the size of the free volumes and in the concentration of such regions due to rearrangements of molecules. From the observed lifetime of o-Ps, it was found that the size of the free volumes increases from 0.05 nm³ to 0.1 nm³ in the temperature range between 30 and 230°C. At solid-mesophase transition temperature (150–220°C), the size of the free volumes monotonously increases, while the increase in the concentration of such regions saturates at 174°C. The clear relationship between the data obtained by the positron annihilation and those obtained by differential scanning calorimetry was confirmed. ©1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Free volume evolution in polyoxymethylene studied by positron annihilation spectroscopy

The free volume hole and its distribution in polyoxymethylene have been studied over the temperature range (5–90 °C) by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. At a certain temperature (20 °C) the variation of ortho-positronium lifetime shows a distinct increase in its slope. The hole volume shows a small linear increase with temperature below glass transition temperatue and a steeper increase above it. A linear relation between ln(σT^0.5) and 1/V_h was observed and the critical hole volume was estimated.     

Structural evolution of turbostratic carbon: Implications in H2 storage

Structural evolution of turbostratic carbon samples as a function of annealing temperature has been investigated in detail using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Raman spectroscopic techniques. From these studies, it is established that, samples heated at lower temperatures (700 °C and 800 °C) consist carbon particles with rough surfaces forming structure of surface fractal in nature. Whereas the sample heated at higher temperature (900 °C) consists of larger clusters with nearly smooth surface as well as smaller size particles forming dense mass fractal structure. For this sample, solid state NMR and Raman Spectroscopic studies indicate an increased extent of overlapping of 2p_z orbital of carbon atoms due to improved long range ordering and clustering. Hydrogen adsorption studies further substantiated that energetically more homogeneous surface exists for particles of 900 °C heated sample as compared to those of 700 °C and 800 °C heated samples. A highest hydrogen storage capacity of 0.152 H/M has been observed at 123 K and 45 bar pressure for the sample heated at 900 °C.     

Synthesis and characterization of high-barrier polyimide containing rigid planar moieties and amide groups

A high-performance polyimide was prepared by the dipolymerization of 4,4'-diaminobenzanilide (DABA) and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA). Due to the introduction of rigid planar moieties and amide groups, the polyimide shows outstanding properties, such as high glass transition temperatures (435 °C), excellent thermal stability (T_d5%, 542 °C, coefficient of thermal expansion, −3.2 ppm K⁻¹), and superior mechanical properties. Most importantly, the polyimide exhibits excellent barrier properties, with oxygen transmission rate (OTR) and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) low to 7.9 cm³ (m² day)⁻¹ and 5.1 g (m² day)⁻¹, respectively. Wide angle X-ray diffractograms (WAXD), positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) and molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the excellent barrier properties are mainly attributed to the high crystallinity, high extent of in-plane crystalline orientation, and low free volume, which are resulted from the rigid planar structure and strong interchain hydrogen bonding. The high-barrier and thermally stable polyimide has an attractive potential application prospect in the fields of micro-electronics encapsulation and high grade packaging industry.     

硅胶表面键合物的正电子湮没谱研究

本文在多孔无定形硅胶的表面上键合了不同极性的化学基团, 制成一系列相同基体, 但表面基团不同的样品, 测定了其正电子湮没寿命谱, 发现寿命谱的最长寿命组份随表面键合基不同, 寿命值有明显差别。寿命值与基团的极性及基团的体积有关, 正电子湮没谱的最长寿命组份能灵敏地表征表面的极性和化学性, 可作为表面化学定性分析的有用技术。     

The microstructure and magnetic properties of Ni<Subscript>0.4</Subscript>Zn<Subscript>0.6</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> films prepared by spin-coating method

Nickel zinc ferrite (Ni_0.4Zn_0.6Fe₂O₄) films on Si (100) substrate were synthesized using a spin-coating method. The crystallinity of the Ni_0.4Zn_0.6Fe₂O₄ films with the thickness of about 386 nm became better as the annealing temperature increased. The films have smooth surface, relatively good packing density and uniform thickness. The volatilization of Zn is serious at 900 °C. With the increase of annealing temperature, the saturation magnetization M _s increases in the temperature ranging from 400 to 700 °C, however, decreases above 700 °C, and the coercivity H _c increases in the temperature range 400–800 °C, decreases above 800 °C. After annealed at 700 °C for 2 h in air with the heating rate 2 °C/min, the film shows a maximum saturation magnetization M _s of 349 emu/cc and low coercivity H _c of 66 Oe. The M _s is higher than others which prepared by this method, however, the H _c is lower. The M _s of Ni_0.4Zn_0.6Fe₂O₄ films annealed at 700 °C increases with increasing annealing time and the H _c changes slightly.     

Influence of hydrothermal synthesis temperature on the redox and oxygen mobility properties of manganese oxides in the catalytic oxidation of toluene

A series of MnO_x samples synthesized by hydrothermal methods at different temperatures were investigated as catalysts for the oxidation of toluene. The optimum oxidation performance was achieved with the catalyst prepared at 120 °C (Mn-120), for which complete conversion of toluene was attained at 250 °C. The Mn-120 sample possessed the highest concentration of Mn³⁺ and the highest initial H₂ consumption rate, which are indicative of abundant crystal defects and superior reducibility. In addition, Mn-120 exhibited excellent oxidation ability due to the abundance of lattice oxygen species and excellent oxygen mobility. Therefore, the superior catalytic performance of Mn-120 could be attributed mainly to its redox performance and abundant crystal defects, both of which are determined by the temperature of the hydrothermal synthesis of MnO_x.

     

用正电子湮没寿命谱法研究电沉积镍结构缺陷

应用正电子湮没寿命谱研究了十二种典型镍镀层的结构缺陷。根据电沉积镍含有杂质的特点, 采用四态模型对寿命谱进行理论分析。利用寿命谱二组分拟合结果计算了未退火试样的类空位和类微洞的浓度。研究了第10号试样的退火行为, 根据有关的湮没参数与退火温度的关系曲线, 推断出镀层中的氢既以吸附态形式存在于微洞也以固溶态的形式存在于空位, 同时也观察到在退火过程中空位热迁移并入微洞和镀层杂质发生化学聚团作用的现象。     

Temperature dependence of positron lifetime in ordered porous silica (SBA-3)

The temperature dependence of positron lifetime in uniform mesopores was analyzed. We used SBA-3 as the sample material, which possesses an ordered porous structure with uniform cylindrical mesopores. The positron lifetime corresponding to the annihilation in the mesopores increased gradually with a decrease in temperature down to 100 K, and its relative intensity also increased concomitantly. This result was attributed to the lower probability of the escape of the ortho-positronium (o-Ps) from the mesopores into the intergrain space at lower temperatures. An anomalous and sudden increase in the lifetime was observed at around 100 K; this result was in agreement with an increase in the positron lifetime reported in a previous study. It was revealed that the increase in the lifetime is very steep in cases of uniform mesopores, suggesting that the temperature dependence is influenced by the pore size.     

Contributions of side groups to the water diffusion in cured epoxy resins (2) study on physical aging

Novolac epoxy resins cured with novolac resin, novolac acetate resin, novolac butyrate resin, and novolac phenylacetate resin named as EP, EPA, EPB, and EPP, respectively, were prepared. Their physical aging behavior at a T_g‐30 °C (30 °C below glass‐transition temperature) was examined by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The ortho‐positronium annihilation lifetime τ₃ variation extent of EP is less apparent than that of the other three esterified samples during physical aging. The time dependence of ops intensity I₃ agreed with the Kohlrausch‐Williams‐Watts (KWW) equation. The relaxation time (τ₀) and nonexponential parameter were calculated. The free volume and enthalpy relaxation rate characterized by the reciprocal of τ₀ and ?ΔH/?logt, respectively, exhibit the same order—EPP > EPB > EPA > EP. These results suggest that the extend and rate of relaxation are not only related to the frozen free volume produced by quenching but also significantly influenced by segmental mobility of the network that attributed to the side‐group flexibility and their interaction with networks. This work also supports the fact that side‐group flexibility and the free‐volume fraction and distribution act in concert to control the water‐diffusion behavior in epoxy networks. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 1135–1142, 2003     

Photoluminescence of new Tb3+-intercalated octosilicates depending on phase transition caused by annealing

A new Tb³⁺-intercalated layered octosilicate (Tb-Oct) was prepared through protonation, exfoliation and intercalation processing. Photoluminescence of the Tb-Oct silicates dependant of phase transition has been investigated in detail. The emissions attributed to ⁵D₄-⁷F_J (J = 3, 4, 5, 6) transition of Tb³⁺were observed from the emission spectra of the as-prepared Tb-Oct silicates. After the as-prepared Tb-Oct silicates thermal treatment at 200 °C, all diffraction peaks disappeared, suggesting the collapse of layered structure. With the increase in the annealing temperature from 200 to 1000 °C, no diffraction peaks appeared in all the annealed samples. Photoluminescence spectra show that the green emission ascribed to ⁵D₄-⁷F₅ transition of Tb³⁺ markedly increased as the sample was annealed at 800 °C. However, this green emission disappeared while the sample was annealed at 400, 600, and 1000 °C, which may relate to actual surroundings of Tb³⁺ ions. That is, the amorphous phase formed at 800 °C is more favorable for the green emission of Tb³⁺.     

Oxygen selective ceramic hollow fiber membranes

Oxygen ion conducting Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ hollow fiber membranes with o.d. 1.15 mm and i.d. 0.71 mm were fabricated using a sequence of extrusion, gelation, coating and sintering steps. The starting ceramic powder was synthesized by combined EDTA–citrate complexing followed by thermal treatment at 900 °C. The powder was then dispersed in a polymer solution, and extruded through a spinerette. After gelation, an additional thin coating of the ceramic powder was applied on the fiber, and sintering was carried out at 1190 °C to obtain the final ceramic membrane. The fibers were characterized by SEM, and tested for air separation at ambient pressure and at temperatures between 700 and 950 °C. The maximum oxygen flux measured was 5.1 mL/min/cm² at 950 °C.     

Modifications of pure and Ag doped TiO2 by pre-sulphated and calcination temperature treatments

Pre-sulphated pure and Ag doped TiO₂ photocatalysts were prepared by a modified low cost liquid impregnation method followed by acid (H₂SO₄) treatments. Surface and morphological characterizations of the prepared samples as well as their photocatalytic activity towards methyl orange (MO) were studied. The influence of sulphate pretreatment on the surface of pure TiO₂, the dispersion of deposit metals and the particle size were analyzed for the samples exposed to different calcination temperature (i.e. 500, 600 and 700 °C) treatments. The physical characterizations of the photocatalysts were investigated using diffused reflectance spectroscopy (UV–Vis DRS), XRD, BET, TEM, SEM and EDX analyses. The Kubelka–Munk function was used to determine the band gap energy for all prepared samples, whereby the band gap energy of pre-sulphated 1% Ag doped TiO₂ was found to be reduced to 2.95 eV. Photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of MO was found to be enhanced between 30 and 37% for the 1% Ag/TiO₂-S compared to the undoped TiO₂-S samples. The pre-sulphated sample of 1% Ag/TiO₂-S calcined at 700 °C showed up to 80% degradation of MO under normal compact fluorescent light.

     

Thermally stimulated depolarization currents of crosslinked polyethylene relaxations in the fusion range of temperatures

With thermally stimulated depolarization currents, we researched the relaxations of crosslinked polyethylene as it is used in medium‐voltage cable insulation. Through conventional polarization two heteropolar peaks stand up in the spectra, at 80 and 105 °C. As the sample is annealed, a homopolar peak is developed at about 99 °C. With window polarization, our results indicated that the 80 °C peak is a structured peak related to polar crosslinking subproducts and impurities. The 105 and 99 °C peaks are fitted to the general kinetic‐order model because the 105 °C peak is related to free‐charge detrapping at the crystalline phase, in the bulk and maybe at the amorphous‐crystal interphases, and the peak that is observed at 99 °C is due to injected charge. Annealing at high temperatures promotes the creation of traps in the material. Charge trapping at T < 70 °C seems to be related to the increased insulator resistivity with annealing time. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 1412–1421, 2003     

Y沸石中的正电子湮没

本文测量了NaY、HY和NH_4Y在不同抽空温度下的正电子寿命谱, 得到了四个寿命组份, 并对它们的归属进行了讨论。其中两个长寿命组份τ_s和τ_4归结为沸石内表面和笼内o-Ps的湮没。o-Ps容易被沸石内的质子酸氧化, 而使其湮没寿命τ_3和τ_4缩短。利用正电子寿命谱可以监测NH_4Y沸石的脱氨过程。质子酸的存在对o-Ps的形成并无影响, 但随着质子酸浓度增加, o-Ps在沸石内表面湮没的几率大于笼内, 故I_3大于I_4。o-Ps的在沸石内表面和笼内的湮没速率与质子酸浓度成线性关系, 以一级反应动力学处理得到的o-Ps在沸石内表面和笼内的氧化反应表观速率常数分别为9.67×10~7(mmol/g)_~(-1)s~(-1)和2.36×10~7(mmol/g)~(-1)s~(-1)。     

Nanostructuring at the surface of low‐energy lead‐implanted silicon by electron beam annealing

Low‐energy lead ion implantation and high‐temperature electron beam annealing were used to study the potential of producing Pb nanostructures on Si. Pb⁺ ions were implanted at high dose into p‐type (100) Si to the depth of 8.0 nm. The implanted samples were annealed under high vacuum conditions with an electron beam at 200–700 °C for 15 s. Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) shows rapid out‐diffusion of Pb atoms above 400 °C. However, some Pb atoms are still present in the near‐surface region after annealing the implanted samples at 700 °C. Lead nanostructures were found on samples annealed above 300 °C. Annealing the samples at 450 °C causes the formation of nanostructures as tall as 4.1 ± 0.1 nm. Many of these are arranged in ‘web‐like’ strings that extend over micrometer distances. Occasionally, much larger nano‐features (as wide as 500 nm in diameter, average height of 1.5 nm) appear in the centre of the strings. Annealing samples well above the melting point of lead results in randomly distributed small nanometer‐sized Si nano‐dots. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.