Electrical-percolation effects in micellar solutions of alkyltrimethylammonium bromides

Specific conductivity K of aqueous solutions of alkyltrimethylammonium bromides has been studied in a wide range of concentrations c of surfactants containing 10, 12, 14, and 16 carbon atoms in alkyl chains. In general, three break points have been observed in the K(с) dependences. The first point observed upon increasing overall solution concentration corresponds to critical micelle concentration CMC₁. The CMC₁ values of alkyltrimethylammonium bromides decrease with an increase in the alkyl chain length. They are in satisfactory agreement with the published data. It has been supposed that the second break point in the K(с) dependences corresponds to the formation micellar structures as clusters and the appearance of channels with a higher specific conductivity, which is provided by the contribution from the overlap of electrical double layers existing in the vicinities of micelles. Surfactant concentrations corresponding to these break points have been called “critical percolation concentrations” (CPCs). The position of a CPC in the concentration scale strongly depends on alkyl radical length. All K(с) curves exhibit a third break, which corresponds to second critical micelle concentration CMC₂, at which the properties of ionic-surfactant solutions may substantially change because of the appearance of supramicellar structures. The experimental data obtained have been used to evaluate the parameters of the model of electrical percolation for micellar solutions, i.e., effective conductivity \({\tilde K_m}\) and effective micelle radius r ₀.     

Dielectric properties of films of Ag-ED20 epoxy nanocomposite synthesized in situ. Temperature dependence of direct current conductivity

The influence of silver myristate used as a precursor of silver nanoparticles on the direct current conductivity σ _dc of epoxy polymer within the concentration range of ≤0.8 wt % was investigated. The value of direct current conductivity was determined on the basis of analysis of the frequency dependence of complex permittivity within the frequency range of 10^?2–10⁵ Hz. The temperature dependence of σ _dc is composed of two regions. The dependence corresponds to the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann empirical law σ _dc = σ _dc0exp{?DT ₀/(T-T ₀)} (where T ₀ is the Vogel temperature and D is the strength parameter) at temperatures higher than the glass transition temperature T _g. At the same time, T ₀ does not depend on the concentration of nanoparticles. The Arrhenius temperature dependence characterized by activation energy about 1.2 eV is observed at temperatures lower than T _g. The observed shape of the temperature dependence is related to the change in the mechanism of conductivity after “freezing” of ionic mobility at temperatures lower than T _g. The value of σ _dc is increased as the concentration of nanoparticles is raised within the temperature range of T > T _g. The obtained dependence of σ _dc on silver myristate concentration is similar to the root one, indicating the absence of percolation within the studied range of concentrations.     

Percolation in the model of random successive adhesion of anisotropic particles

Numerical studies of random successive adsorption (the RSA model) of rectangular particles on a flat substrate are performed and the dependences of saturation concentration and the percolation threshold on the parameters of a model are determined. The dependences of saturation concentration φ _j∞ on the particle diameter-to-length ratio r and the parameter of orientational order S are found. Correlations between the ? _j∞(r) function and excluded surface area are discussed. It is revealed that for highly ordered systems (S ≈ 1), the saturation concentration φ _j∞ is equal to 0.557 ± 0.005 and is virtually independent of r. For partially ordered systems, the ? _j∞ value decreases with an increase in r and in the r → ∞, ? _j∞ → 0. Percolation transition and electrical connectivity for the systems studied can take place only under the assumption of the tunnel mechanism of conductivity through gaps with finite thicknesses. The minimum thickness of tunnel gaps, at which percolation can occur, rises with increasing r and decreasing S.     

Simulation of electrical percolation in disperse systems at a small difference between specific conductivities of components

The possibility of development of electrical percolation upon variations in the contents of components in a disperse system has been studied in terms of Bruggeman’s ideas of an effective medium and the continual model of the electrical conductivity of composite materials. The case of a small difference between the specific conductivities of a dispersed phase K_m and a dispersion medium K_d has been considered. It has been shown that the dependence of electrical conductivity K of a disperse system on volume fraction p of a wellconducting component may exhibit an inflection in the vicinity of the p* value, which depends on the K_m/K_d ratio. Different methods for determining the p* value have been described. At low ratios between the conductivities of a dispersed phase and a dispersion medium, the inflection is very weakly pronounced. However, the representation of the K(p) dependences in semilog coordinated substantially facilitates its identification.     

Thermal and dielectric characterization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes−thermoplastic polyurethanes composites

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes–thermoplastic polyurethanes composites were characterized by means of differential scanning calorimetry and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy. The composite is characterized by two glass transition temperatures T _g . The T _g associated with the soft segment decreases by increasing of carbon nanotubes content, while carbon nanotubes content has practically no effect on the value of the T _g associated with the hard segments. It was observed that rising the temperature and carbon nanotubes content resulted in the increased of both the dielectric permittivity and the loss factor. The presence of carbon nanotubes produces an enhancement of charge carriers trapping, increasing the electrical conductivity. The electrical conductivity of the composite was found to exhibit an insulator to conductor transition at a carbon nanotubes critical content, i.e., the percolation threshold, near 6 wt %.     

Magnetic,Electrical and Thermal Studies of Polypyrrole-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Nanocomposites

This research paper comprises of the synthesis of polypyrrole (PPy)-Fe₂O₃ nanocomposites by employing the in situ chemical oxidative polymerization method. The concentration of the filler material was adjusted between 10–50 wt % of PPy. The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Magnetic analysis and DC electrical conductivity of the samples were carried out using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and two probe DC conductivity method, point towards magnetically active and electrically conductive samples. The magnetic parameters under applied magnetic field demonstrated that the values of coercivity (H _c ), saturation magnetization (M _s ) and remanence (M _r ) can be tailored by carefully controlling the amount of dopant material into the nanocomposites indicating their suitability for controllable switching devices and microwave absorption applications. The DC electrical conductivity showed an increase up to 20 wt % of filler material and thereafter a decrease in the conductivity of nanocomposites with increase in filler content is observed. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed an increase in thermal stability with an increase in ferrite content in nanocomposites.     

Production and characteristics of substituted lanthanum niobate LaNb<Subscript>1–<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>W<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>4 + δ</Subscript>

Solid solutions LaNb_1–x W _x O_{4 + δ} (x = 0.02–0.10, Δx = 0.02) were investigated, which crystallize in the monoclinic system (space group I2/c) at room temperature and undergo a phase transition into the tetragonal modification with increasing temperature. The stability of various modifications was analyzed by high-temperature X-ray powder diffraction analysis. The electrical conductivity of sintered samples was studied by impedance spectroscopy. Insertion of tungsten into the niobium sublattice leads to an increase in the conductivity of the solid solutions.     

Oxygen Nonstoichiometry and Transport Properties of Mixed-Conducting Ce<Subscript>0.6–<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>La<Subscript>0.4</Subscript>Pr<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>2–δ</Subscript>

The oxygen nonstoichiometry and electrical conductivity of fluorite-type solid solutions Ce_0.6?xLa_0.4Pr _x O_2–δ (x = 0.1–0.2) were studied in the oxygen partial pressure range 10^–19–0.35 atm at 1023–1223 K. It was confirmed that the Pr^4+/3+ and Ce^4+/3+ redox pairs, which determine the concentration of p- and n-type electron charge carriers, play the dominant roles under oxidizing and reducing conditions, respectively. The conductivity vs. charge carrier concentration dependencies in these conditions are almost linear. Increasing praseodymium content leads to a substantially higher hole conductivity and an expanded range of the oxygen nonstoichiometry variations at high oxygen partial pressures. Under reducing conditions when praseodymium cations become trivalent opposite trends are observed on doping.     

RBaCuCoO<Subscript>5 + δ</Subscript> (R = Nd,Sm, Gd) layered cuprocobaltites: Synthesis,structure, and properties

Cuprocobaltites RBaCuCoO_{5 + gd}(R = Nd, Sm, Gd) were prepared. Their unit cell parameters were determined, and thermal expansion, electrical conductivity (σ), and Seebeck coefficient (S) were studied in air in the range 300–1100 K. The compounds have tetragonal structures (space group P4/mmm, Z = 1). Their unit cell parameters are a = 0.3906(2) nm, c= 0.7648(7) nm for NdBaCuCoO_5.21; a = 0.3904(2) nm, c = 0.7609(6) nm for SmBaCuCoO_5.06; and a = 0.3891(2), c = 0.7592(6) nm for GdBaCuCoO_5.02. The RBaCuCoO_{5 + δ} cuprocobaltites at room temperature are p-type semiconductors, whose electrical conductivity and linear thermal expansion coefficient (LTEC) increase with increasing R³⁺ ionic radius, whereas the Seebeck coefficient decreases. The LTECs of RBaCuCoO_{5 + δ} phases in the range 500–575 K increase by a factor of 1.2–1.5 because of the elimination of weakly bound oxygen. S = f(T) curves for RBaCuCoO_{5 + δ} (R = Nd, Sm, Gd) feature maxima at 510 K for R = Sm and 365 K for R = Gd, probably, due to the change in the spin state of cobalt cations in these phases.     

Preparation,structure, and charge transport characteristics of BIFEVOX ultrafine powders

Existence boundaries, structure, and transport parameters of ultrafine powders were studied in Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Fe _x O_{11 ? x} (BIFEVOX) solid solutions. The details of synthesis of the solid solutions via liquid precursors are analyzed comparatively. In general, BIFEVOX formation via liquid precursors is similar to phase formation in solid-phase synthesis. With low iron levels (x = 0.05–0.1), solid solutions are formed in the monoclinic α phase (space group C2/m) The compositions with x = 0.125 and 0.15 are mixtures of α- and β phases. In the range 0.2 < x < 0.7, the Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Fe _x O_{11 ? x} solid solution has the structure of the γ phase of Bi₄V₂O₁₁ (space group I4/mmm). The β phase in the system in question has a very narrow existence range in the vicinity of x = 0.175. The average particle sizes of the powders prepared by various methods are within 0.5–3 μm. In the powders prepared via liquid precursors, however, the distribution peak shifts toward smaller sizes, to 0.3–1 μm. Mechanical activation conserves the structure of the γ phase of BIFEVOX, and unit cell parameters change only insignificantly; however, the crystal lattice is slightly distorted. The electrical conductivity of BIFEVOX was studied as a function of temperature, preparation technology, and composition using impedance spectroscopy. Equivalent circuits of cells were analyzed. The conductivity of samples prepared by solution technology is always higher than for samples prepared by the solid-phase process. Features of electrical conductivity versus temperature for various phases are noted. All transitions on the conductivity curves match the features of linear thermal expansion curves. Compositions with doping levels x= 0.1–0.3 have the highest total conductivities.     

Interaction Between an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Ionic Liquid Benzalkonium Salicylate and Small Biomolecules in Aqueous Solution: UV Absorption,Conductivity, and Volumetric Study

UV absorption spectroscopy, electrical conductivity and density experiments have been used to investigate the interactions of some small biomolecules (amino acids/dipeptides) with an active pharmaceutical ingredient in ionic liquid form (API-IL), benzalkonium salicylate (BaSal), in aqueous solution. A number of useful parameters, such as critical micellar concentration (cmc), aggregation number (N_agg) and limiting molar conductivity (Λ₀) of BaSal, standard partial molar volumes (\(V_{2,\phi }^{ \circ }\)), corresponding volumes of transfer from water to aqueous BaSal solutions (Δ_trV^o), standard partial molar expansibilities (\(E_{\phi }^{ \circ }\)), hydration number (n_H) of small biomolecules, as well as the binding constants (K_b) for small biomolecule–BaSal complexes have been evaluated. The dependence of the properties on concentration, temperature and alkyl chain length of amino acids/dipeptides is examined. The results are used to identify the solute–solvent physicochemical interactions occurring in the studied systems.     

Structure and properties of solid solutions based on bismuth niobate Bi<Subscript>3</Subscript>NbO<Subscript>7</Subscript>

Solid solutions Bi₃Nb_1–yW_yO_{7 ± δ}, Bi₃Nb_1–yV_yO_{7 ± δ}, Bi₃Nb_1–yFe_yO_{7 ± δ} (y = 0.1–0.5; Δy = 0.1), and Bi_3–xY_xNb_1–yW_yO_{7 ± δ} (x = 0.05, 0.1; y = 0–0.3; Δy = 0.1) have been studied. The homogeneity ranges of the solid solutions and crystal-chemical parameters have been determined by means of X-ray powder diffraction. The electrical conductivity of sintered samples has been studied by impedance spectroscopy. The joint introduction of yttrium and tungsten into the niobium sublattice does not lead to an increase in the conductivity of solid solutions, and the change of the dopant type has no noticeable effect on this conductivity.     

The Effect of a Background Electrolyte on the Viscosity of Aqueous Dodecyltrimethylammonium Bromide Solutions

Conductometry and viscometry have been employed to study the effect of a background electrolyte (KBr) taken in concentrations of 0.03 and 0.1 M on the critical micelle concentration of dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (С₁₂ТАB) and the dependence of relative viscosity η/η₀ of С₁₂ТАB micellar solutions on the overall surfactant concentration. It has been found that, as a first approximation, each of these dependences may be represented as the sum of two linear portions. Concentrations c* of С₁₂ТАB micellar solutions, which correspond to the inflections between the two linear portions in the concentration curves of relative viscosity, have been determined. The Einstein equation η/η₀ = 1 + 2.5p (p is the volume fraction of the dispersed phase and 2.5 is a theoretical parameter that takes into account the spherical shape of the particles) has been transformed into a form corresponding to the concentration dependence of the relative viscosity on the overall surfactant concentration to make it applicable to the consideration of low-concentration systems, which are uncomplicated by intermicellar interaction. In particular, the applicability of the above equation for estimating micelle radii has been studied. It has been shown that the (η/η₀–1) = f(c/с₀₁–1) concentration dependences represented in bilogarithmic coordinates (c is the overall С₁₂ТАB concentration and c₀₁ is the critical micelle concentration) are linear in the absence of a significant intermicellar interaction and have slopes equal to unity. This fact may be considered as a criterion for the applicability of the Einstein equation to micellar solutions.     

Effect of γ-irradiation on conductivity of cadmium-mercury-tellurium single crystals in weak and strong electric fields

The effect of γ-radiation on electrical conductivity of Cd _x Hg_{1 ? x} Te (0.25 ≤ x ≤ 0.95) single crystals in weak and strong electric fields has been investigated. It has been shown that at relatively low fields in which charge carriers are still warm, the dependence (Δσ/σ₀) ～ E ² is observed because of the dominance of scattering on acoustic lattice vibrations with the increasing electric field strength; with a further increase in the field strength, the carriers become hot and the dependence of σ upon E becomes linear. The effect of irradiation by Γ-rays on the dependence of σ upon E in these samples is explained by a significant concentration of the intrinsic impurity centers in the crystals and their redistribution with the increasing radiation dose.     

High-temperature proton conductors with structure-disordered oxygen sublattice

Data on the thermogravimetry, spectroscopy, and electrical charge transfer as functions of T, aH₂O, and aO₂ for niobates and tantalates of alkali-earth metals with structure disordering of the oxygen sublattice, which can show high-temperature proton conduction, are summarized. It is shown that in the solid solution series with decreasing x (that is, with the increasing of the oxygen vacancies concentration) the proton conductivity increase, which is caused by the increasing of both the concentration of proton defects formed in the structure (in compliance with the formula Sr_{6 ? 2x} M _{2 + 2x} ⁺⁵ O₁₀(OH)_2?6x and their mobility. The proton transfer dominates for the compositions with x < 0.15 at temperatures below 550°C. In the solid solutions (Ba_1?y Ca _y )₆Nb₂O₁₁ (0.23 ≤ y ≤ 0.47) characterized by equal concentration of oxygen vacancies, with the increasing of barium content (correspondingly, with the increasing of the lattice parameter) the oxygen-ion conductivity (at aH₂O = 3 × 10^?5) grows monotonically, which is caused by the decreasing of the oxygen atom migration energy and increasing of their mobility. In this series, the proton conductivity (at aH₂O = 2 × 10^?2) increased. It was shown, by using IR-spectroscopy and the ¹H NMR method, that the protons exist in the complex oxide structure mainly as energy-wise nonequivalent OH^? groups: isolated, closely set, and paired, whose quantitative ratios are determined by the coordination preference of the B-sublattice elements.     

Synthesis and properties of quaternary ammonium Gemini surfactants with hydroxyl groups

The article describes synthesis of four hydroxyethyl alkylene–double alkyl bromide through substitution of nucleophilic d iethanolamine, 1-bromododecane, and 1,4-dibromobutane. The structure of the new hydroxyl cationic surfactant (HDCS) was characterized by ¹H NMR and FTIR spectra. The aqueous solution of HDCS showed critical micelle concentration, i.e., 5.6 × 10^?2 mM, and could reduce oil/water interfacial tension to 3.28 × 10^?3 mN m^?1. The surface tension measurements provided a series of parameters, including critical micelle concentration (CMC), surface tension at the CMC (γ_CMC), adsorption efficiency (pC₂₀), and effectiveness of surface tension reduction (Π_CMC). In addition, maximum surface excess concentration (Г_max) and minimum surface area/molecule (A_min) at the air/water interface were obtained by the Gibbs adsorption isotherm. The influence of inorganic salts (sodium chloride, calcium chloride) and organic salts (sodium benzoate) on the surface tension of HDCS in aqueous solution was investigated. For wettability alteration measurement, contact angle measurement as a quantitative method was utilized. Meanwhile, foam ability, foam stability, and emulsifying property of the synthesized surfactant were also examined at different concentration. HDCS also had excellent viscosity property.     

Crystal structure and conduction of BICUTIVOX

Existence boundaries, structure, and transport parameters were studied for Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Cu _x/2Ti _x/2O_{11 ? x} solid solutions. Doping levels within x = 0.025–0.15 distort the C2/m crystal lattice (this lattice is characteristic of individual the Bi₄V₂O₁₁ phase) and lowers its symmetry to triclinic. The solid solutions with 0.25 ≤ x ≤ 0.30 crystallize in tetragonal space group I4/mmm. High-temperature X-ray diffraction and dilatometry measurements for Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Cu _x/2Ti _x/2O_{11 ? x} (x ≤ 0.35) solid solutions verified the existence of three structural varieties within 298–1023 K. Electrical conductivity of BICUTIVOX was studied by impedance spectroscopy as a function of temperature, composition, and oxygen partial pressure. Equivalent circuits of cells were analyzed. Features of electrical conductivity versus temperature for the structural varieties are noted. Above 873 K, the solid solutions samples with x = 0.05 have the highest conductivity. At lower temperatures, higher conductivities are in the solid solutions that retain the γ phase in the low-temperature region. The dominant oxygen-ion conduction mechanism was discovered in the solid solutions.     

A study of the interaction between polyvinylpyrrolidone and gemini surfactant G12-3-12 by NMR

The interaction between a water-soluble polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and a gemini surfactant N,N'-didodecyl-N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-N,N'-propanediyl-diammonium dibromide (G12-3-12) was investigated by means of NMR in a D₂O solution at 298 K. The critical micelle concentration (СMC), critical aggregation concentration (СAC) and adsorption reached the saturated concentration (C2) were confirmed by chemical shift and self-diffusion coefficients, respectively. The results of the relaxation time ratio (T_R = T₂/T₁) of G12-3-12 show that the motion of the ionic head N⁺–CH₃^* proton (G6) is seriously restricted, and thus, it can be proved that the cationic head groups are situated in the hydrophilic layer of the micelle. The size of the mixed-aggregates in the G12-3-12/PVP solution is larger than pure G12-3-12 micelles according to self-diffusion coefficients, indicating that the G12-3-12 and PVP has formed mixed micelles, and ionic heads N⁺–CH₃^* become more tightly packed in the hydrophilic layer of the micelle shell. On the other hand, strong cross peaks, such as G1-P2, G1-P3, and G2-P3, appear in the 2D nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (2D NOESY) spectra of the G12-3-12/PVP system, further indicating that the interaction sites are located between the hydrophobic tail of G12-3-12 and PVP ring.     

The solid solutions based on lanthanum manganite as the cathod materials for bismuth-containing solid electrolytes

Substituted lanthanum manganites with the general composition La_1–x Bi _x Mn_1–y Fe(Ni,Cu)yO_{3 + δ} and unit cells in rhombohedral (space group (sp. gr.) R-3c) and/or orthorhombic (sp. gr. Pnma) symmetry are synthesized and attested. They are characterized by permanent excessive oxygen nonstoichiometry within a single structure type at room temperature, independent of the dopant concentration. These materials are adequately mechanically compatible with bismuth niobates. The interval of their chemical compatibility with bismuth-containing compounds is limited by 700–800°C. In this region, the conductivity of composites of substituted lanthanum manganites and bismuth-containing electrolytes is higher as compared with individual compounds. The use of individual manganites or their composites as the electrodes in cells with bismuthcontaining electrolytes increases the total conductivity of the cells.     

Electron transport properties of thermoelectrics based on layered substituted transition metal dichalcogenides

Temperature dependences of the electrical conductivity are studied in the range 4.2’300 K and Seebeck coefficient at room temperature of bulk samples of tungsten dichalcogenide polycrystals with niobium substitutions for tungsten and selenium substitutions for sulfur – W_1–x Nb _x (S_1–y Se _y )₂. The two-dimensionalization of electron transport properties is detected at niobium concentrations x ≥ 0.1 in W_1–x Nb _x S₂ and x ≥ 0.05 in W_1–x Nb _x Se₂. In samples with additional partial selenium substitution for sulfur the electron transport remains three-dimensional. At room temperature the Seebeck coefficient (at equal electrical conductivities) is several times higher in the samples with quasi-two-dimensional transport than in the samples with three-dimensional transport. The calculation of the power factor at room temperature shows its nine times increase.