Effect of methanolic plant extract on copper electro-polishing in ortho-phosphoric acid

The behavior of copper electro-polishing in ortho-phosphoric acid using the galvanostatic polarization method was ascertained. This was examined via measuring and comparing anode potential –limiting current relationship in solution of regularly mounting concentrations (from 50 to 1800 ppm of methanolic Allium sativum (garlic extract), Tilia cordata (Tilia leafs), Foeniculum vulgare (fennel seeds), and Lablab purpureus (Dolichos lablab extract) and weight loss method. Influence of temperature on the dissolution kinetics were investigated. First order kinetic is applicable to the copper dissolution in solution containing plant extracts. Surface morphologies, brightness and roughness of polished specimens were examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), reflectance and atomic force microscope (AFM). Addition of methanolic plant extract to electro-polishing solution produce a lesser limiting current. According to SEM, UV–VIS-NIR spectra and surface roughness measurements, addition of high concentration (1800 ppm) of methanolic plant extract to the electrolytic solution is highly effective to enhance surface quality. High reflection property is obtained when the different type of methanolic plant extract is added to the electro-polishing electrolyte. The minimum Ra and PV values are achieved by garlic extract, which records the highest reflectance value and inhibition efficiency. Weight loss data obtained is excellent conformity with the result obtained by electrochemical measurements.     

Preparation of superhydrophobic silica films with honeycomb-like structure by emulsion method

Silica films with honeycomb-like structure were successfully obtained by emulsion method. Emulsion films prepared by the Dip-Withdrawing method were dried at 180 °C for 2 h and sintered at 500 °C, the films turned from superhydrophilic to superhydrophobic after being modified by octyltrimethoxysilane (OTMS) to form a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) with low surface energy. The surface structures and the thickness of the silica emulsion films were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the results showed that the emulsion method had a similar effect to the phase separation one on producing the honeycomb-like structure that highly influenced the wettability of solid surface.     

钯纳米线电极的制备及其应用于乙醇的电化学氧化研究

纳米线作为纳米科学领域中的重要一员,因其优异的光学、电学及磁学等特性引起了凝聚态物理学界、化学界以及材料科学界科学家们的极大关注,并己成为当今纳米科技研究的热点领域[1].纳米线的制备方法有多种,本文提及的模板法制备纳米线结构技术是20世纪90年代初发展起来的一种既经济又简便实用的新工艺[2].     

A Study of Nickel Electrodeposition on Paraffin‐Impregnated Graphite Electrode

The aim of the present work was to elucidate the mechanism of electrolytic deposition of Ni on paraffin‐impregnated graphite electrode (PIGE). This process is influenced by H₂ evolution, which occurs in the same potential region. On the basis of the results obtained by linear and cyclic voltammetry, elimination voltammetry with linear scan (EVLS) was used to evaluate both processes. H₂ Evolution alone was studied in sulfate supporting electrolyte, and the previously suggested mechanism for this process according to Volmer–Heyrovsky was confirmed by EVLS. It was found that both the Ni²⁺ concentration and pH affect the polarization behavior of PIGE significantly. Two separated cathodic peaks were observed at low Ni²⁺ and high H⁺ concentrations, and the separation was better at higher scan rates. EVLS confirmed the most‐probable mechanism of Ni deposition as being controlled by slow transfer of the first electron under formation of [NiOH]⁺ as an intermediate. EVLS also indicated slow reduction of H⁺ preceding the reduction of Ni²⁺. The same was confirmed by studying the anodic dissolution at different switching potentials. The results were complemented by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Morphology assessment of chemically modified cryostructured poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel

The morphology of hydrogels based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) in their frozen hydrated state, modified with biologically active di- and multifunctional molecules was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with cryo-attachment. The porosity of samples was found to be more regular and ordered in the case of samples containing difunctional, and especially multifunctional carboxylic acids as compared to the neat PVA hydrogel. The morphology is dependent not only from the hydrogel composition but also the number of freezing-thawing cycles. Resulted highly porous and oriented structure has significant influence on materials properties, such as compressive stress and crosslinking density.     

Reflection and structural analyses of mirror-bright metal coatings

Reflection and structural analyses of different copper and zinc coatings were performed. The copper coatings were electrodeposited from a sulfate solution in the presence of thiourea, as well as in the presence of modified polyglycol ether, PEG 6000 and 3-mercaptopropanesulfonate. The zinc coating was electrodeposited from a sulfate solution in the presence of a dextrin/salicylaldehyde mixture. They were examined by STM and X-ray diffraction analysis, and measurements of the reflection of light from their surfaces were taken. The mean sizes of atomically flat parts of these surfaces were estimated by the STM software measurements, using options for the determination of the autocovariance function and the power spectral density function. It was shown that the mean sizes of atomically flat parts of the copper coatings were several times greater than the mean size of atomically flat parts of the zinc coating. This difference probably leads to the difference in the maximum degrees of mirror reflection between copper and zinc coatings.     

Characterization of nanomaterials in food by electron microscopy

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are increasingly being used in the food industry. In order to assess the efficacy and the risks of these materials, it is essential to have access to methods that not only detect the nanomaterials, but also provide information on the characteristics of the materials (e.g., size and shape).This review presents an overview of electron microscopy (EM)-based methods that have been, or have the potential to be, applied to imaging ENMs in foodstuffs. We provide an overview of approaches to sample preparation, including drying, chemical treatment, fixation and cryogenic methods. We then describe standard and non-standard EM-based approaches that are available for imaging prepared samples. Finally, we present a strategy for selecting the most appropriate method for a particular foodstuff.     

Remediation of Wastewater with Ultraviolet Irradiation Using a Novel Titanium (IV) Oxide Photocatalyst

Photocatalysis has become common and nanomaterials having photocatalytic functions have been widely characterized. At present, among the many candidates for photocatalysis, TiO₂ is almost the only material suitable for industrial use. In this paper, we present a TiO₂ synthesis starting from Ti sheets put in contact with a mixture of 0.1 N NaOH and acetone for 72?hours under ambient conditions. The obtained sheets were washed with distilled water and ethanol, and the surface was analyzed for its structural and morphological properties. Thus, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) investigations indicated the formation of TiO₂ on the edges of nanometer circles on the surface of the Ti sheets. For characterizing the photocatalytic capacity for wastewater treatment, Ti sheets with TiO₂ on the surface contacted with methylene blue solutions at room temperature under ultraviolet light. The degradation of the methylene blue concentration was measured by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, demonstrating 99.94% efficiency for wastewater treatment using the obtained material.     

自生氧化铝颗粒增强铝基复合材料的扫描电镜和原子力显微镜的对比研究

用扫描电镜（ＳＥＭ）、原子力显微镜（ＡＦＭ）等分析技术研究了一种Ａｌ／Ａｌ２Ｏ３自生颗粒复合材料的微观形貌，结果表明，７００～７５０℃气－液反应生成的氧化铝自生颗粒的典型尺寸为亚微米级，颗粒与基体之间具有热力学稳定性。     

Polyvinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene based nanocomposite polymer electrolytes (NCPE) complexed with LiPF3(CF3CF2)3

Merck KGaA, Germany recently tested a new electrolyte salt LiPF₃(CF₃CF₂)₃ (lithium fluoroalkyl phosphate (LiFAP)) for lithium ion power packs and suggested that it can be replaced with commercially used LiPF₆. LiFAP, for the first of its kind, was incorporated into polyvinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVdF-HFP) matrix with ethylene carbonate and diethyl carbonate mixtures as plasticizing agents and SiO₂ nanoparticles as filler. Nanocomposite polymer electrolyte (NCPE) membranes were prepared by solvent casting technique. All NCPE membranes were subjected to a.c. impedance, fluorescence and morphological studies. NCPE membranes containing 2.5 wt% of SiO₂ exhibited enhanced conductivity of 1.13 mS cm⁻¹ at ambient temperature. Molecular motion in the polymeric media was supported by fluorescence studies. The percentage of crystallinity and activation energy has also been calculated.     

Statistical evaluation of potash-lime-silica glass weathering

Two potash-lime-silica model glasses with compositions similar to those of medieval stained glass were exposed at 26 test sites all over Europe and in North America for 3–6 years. The objectives of this large-scale field exposure programme were: (a) a qualitative analysis of the weathering products formed on the surface of the samples in the (environmental) scanning electron microscope in combination with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (ESEM/EDX or SEM/EDX, respectively); (b) a statistical evaluation of the weathering phenomena by applying a multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis to find correlations between the degree of weathering, which was measured in terms of surface coverage with reaction products, and environmental parameters such as the concentration (c) of the acidifying gases SO₂, NO₂ and O₃, the temperature (T) and the relative humidity (RH); and (c) the calculation of a time-dependence function of the weathering process of these glasses. Mainly sulfates of calcium and potassium such as gypsum (CaSO₄·2 H₂O), arcanite (K₂SO₄) and syngenite (CaSO₄·K₂SO₄·H₂O) could be identified in the SEM and ESEM. Carbonates, nitrates and many particles deposited on the glass surface were found as well. MLR calculations exhibit significant dependencies of the degree of weathering on T, RH, c(NO_x), c(SO₂) and c(O₃). Applying a time-dependence function of the general form y=a·t^b (t=time) results in a value of approximately 0.42 for the exponent b, which comes close to values expected from various studies in the literature.     

Study of the copper electrodeposition process from low molecular weight polymer electrolyte media

The characteristics of the copper deposition process from electrochemical cells using a solution of Cu(CF₃SO₃)₂ in low molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol), PEG, have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry, potential steps and impedance spectroscopy. The results suggest that under non-equilibrium at the cathodic side the process mainly involves the reduction of Cu(II) ions to copper metal while at the anodic side a chemical reaction competes with the electrochemical dissolution.     

Properties,Morphology and Structure of BPDA/PPD/TFMB Polyimide Fibers

The mechanical properties of fibers were notably improved by incorporating 2,2′-bis(trifluoromethyl)- benzidine(TFMB) into 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride(s-BPDA) and p-phenylenediamine(PPD) backbone. The best strength and modulus of BPDA/PPD/TFMB polyimide(PI) fiber(diamine molar ratio of PPD/TFMB= 90/10) were 1.60 and 90 GPa, respectively, which was over two times that of BPDA/PPD PI fiber. SEM image showed that the cross-section of fibers at each stage was round and voids free. Besides, the “skin-core” and microfibrillar structure were not observed. The thermal properties of PI fibers were also investigated. The results showed that the fibers owned excellent thermal stability, moreover, the structural homogeneity of fibers were significantly improved by heat-drawn stage. The T_g values were found to be around 300℃ by dynamic mechanical analysis(DMA). Wide angle X-ray diffraction(WAXD) and small angle X-ray scattering(SAXS) experiments indicated that the order degree of longitudinal and lateral stacks, the molecular orientation and the structural homogeneity of fibers were improved in the preparation process of fibers.     

渣油加氢处理前后沥青质的微观结构研究

采用元素分析、扫描电镜和透射电镜等分析方法对渣油原料中的沥青质、加氢处理后的沥青质及添加高芳香性轻循环油(LCO)反应后的沥青质进行对比研究。结果发现,渣油加氢处理前后沥青质的表面呈现出光滑表面和多孔的球形颗粒表面两种完全不同的形貌。渣油加氢前后沥青质的芳核堆砌表现出明显的长程无序局部有序的特征;加氢处理后的沥青质芳核片层易于堆砌,出现了多层堆砌、长程有序的类石墨结构。渣油中高芳香性LCO的添加有利于促进沥青质的加氢反应、改善沥青质芳核系统在渣油加氢处理过程中的聚集行为。     

Synthesis and electrocatalytic properties of a dinuclear copper(II) complex for generating hydrogen from acetic acid or water

The reaction of CuCl₂?2H₂O and a tetradentate amine phenol ligand affords a dinuclear Cu(II) complex, 1, a new molecular electrocatalyst, whose structure has been determined by X-ray crystallography. Electrochemical studies show that 1 can efficiently produce hydrogen from acetic acid with a turnover frequency (TOF) of 50.1 (in DMF) or from water with a TOF of 104.3 (pH 7.0) moles of hydrogen per mole of catalyst per hour.     

Self-assembly and crystal structure of a three-dimensional copper(II) complex

A copper(II) complex of a sulfonate derivative of chrysin, 5,7-bihydroxyflavone-6-sulfonate, Cu(C₁₅H₈O₇S)(3H₂O), has been prepared. The complex was characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic measurements and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c, with a?=?16.036(18), b?=?6.944(8), c?=?28.03(3)?Å, β?=?94.463(17)°, V?=?3112(6)?ų, Z?=?8. In the complex, Cu(II) is five-coordinate and all donors are oxygen atoms. Hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions in the crystal lead to the formation of a three-dimensional supramolecular motif.     

PROPERTIES OF THERMO-MOLDED GLUTEN/GLYCEROL/SILICA COMPOSITES

Environmentally friendly thermosetting composites were successfully prepared by conventional blending wheat gluten as matrix,glycerol as plasticizer and silica as filler followed by thermo-molding of the mixture at 120℃.The strong interfacial interaction between silica particles and gluten proteins leaded to an increase in storage modulus and a decrease in loss factor as revealed by dynamic mechanical analysis.The moisture absorption and elongation at break decrease while Young's modulus and tensile stre...     

Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive analysis: applications in the field of cultural heritage

Scanning electron microscopy has been extensively used for the material characterization of objects of artistic and archaeological importance, especially in combination with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (SEM/EDX). The advantages and limitations of SEM/EDX are presented in a few case studies: analysis of pigments in cross-sections of paint layers, quantitative analysis of archaeological glass from the Roman period excavated in Ephesos/Turkey, and investigations on glasses with medieval composition concerning their weathering stability and degradation phenomena.