Dielectric relaxation and ion transport in silver–boro-tellurite glasses

Glass systems of composition xAg₂SO₄–20Ag₂O–(80?x) [0.50 B₂O₃–0.50 TeO₂], where x = 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 mol% have been prepared by melt-quenching technique. Frequency- and temperature-dependent conductivity measurements have been carried out in the frequency range 10 Hz to 10 MHz and at a temperature range of 303–353 K, respectively. DC conductivities exhibit Arrhenius behavior over the entire temperature range with a single activation barrier. Addition of Ag₂SO₄ expands the glass network and, consequently, conductivity increases. This suggests that the structure and network expansion are the key parameters for enhancing conductivity. Impedance spectra of these glasses show a single semicircle, indicating one type of conduction. AC conductivity behavior of the glasses was analyzed using both single power law and Kolhrauh–William–Watts (KWW) stretched exponential relaxation function. The power law exponent (s) is temperature-dependent, while the stretched exponent (β) is insensitive to temperature. Scaling behavior has also been carried out using reduced plots of conductivity with frequency, which suggests the ion transport mechanism remains unaffected by temperature and composition.     

A comparative study on the effects of salt and filler on transport and structural properties of organic–inorganic hybrid electrolytes

Organic–inorganic hybrid electrolytes based on the reaction of tri-block copolymer poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol) bis(2-aminopropyl ether), poly(ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, and (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane doped with LiClO₄ and SiO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized by a sol–gel process. The structural and dynamic properties of the materials thus obtained were systematically investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, alternate current impedance, and ¹³C solid-state NMR measurements. A maximum ionic conductivity of 3.2?×?10^?5 S cm^?1 was obtained at 30 °C for the solid hybrid electrolyte with a [O]/[Li] ratio of 16 and 7 wt% of SiO₂ nanoparticles. A Vogel–Tamman–Fulcher-like temperature dependence of ionic conductivity was observed for the hybrid electrolytes, implying that the diffusion of charge carriers was assisted by the segmental motions of the polymer chains.     

Aqueous electrolytes’ transport through nanopores of polymeric membrane

Ion permeation and the selectivity of sodium and potassium ions through the nanopores of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) have been investigated at room temperature using the conductometric technique. The nanopores in PET with the high aspect ratio have been created using the ion track technology. The passive (due to the concentration gradient) and active transport (due to the applied potential) of aqueous electrolytes (i.e.; NaClO₄ and KClO₄ and their different combinations) has been studied. Along with the effect of concentration and electric field gradient, the effect of anion accumulation outside the nanopores on the transport of electrolytes has also been analysed using time series and current–voltage measurements. The transportation and selection of ions also depends on the hydration energy of the ions. A detailed study of transport of ions through the nanopores explains their I–V and I–t behaviour due to the inter- and intra- molecular interaction and their effective interaction with the walls of the nanopores.     

Magnetic properties and relaxation dynamics of a frustrated Ni? molecular nanomagnet

The Ni? nanomagnet represents an ideal model system for investigating the effects of geometrical frustration in magnetic interactions. The Ni ions in the magnetic core are arranged on two corner-sharing tetrahedra and interact through antiferromagnetic exchange couplings. We show that the high degree of frustration leads to a magnetic energy spectrum with large degeneracies which result in unusual static and dynamical magnetic properties. In particular, the relaxation dynamics of the magnetization is characterized by several distinct characteristic times. We also discuss the possible interest of Ni? for magnetocaloric refrigeration.     

Strain effect on transport properties of hexagonal boron—nitride nanoribbons

<正>The transport properties of hexagonal boron-nitride nanoribbons under the uniaxial strain are investigated by the Green's function method.We find that the transport properties of armchair boron-nitride nanoribbon strongly depend on the strain.In particular,the features of the conductance steps such as position and width are significantly changed by strain.As a strong tensile strain is exerted on the nanoribbon,the highest conductance step disappears and subsequently a dip emerges instead.The energy band structure and the local current density of armchair boron-nitride nanoribbon under strain are calculated and analysed in detail to explain these characteristics.In addition,the effect of strain on the conductance of zigzag boron-nitride nanoribbon is weaker than that of armchair boron nitride nanoribbon.     

Dipole relaxation and proton transport in polycrystalline γ-cyclodextrin hydrate: A dielectric spectroscopy study

The polycrystalline γ-cyclodextrin hydrate (γ-CD·12.2H₂O) has been investigated via dielectric spectroscopy over a frequency range of 0-100 kHz and the temperature ranges of 108.0-298.5 K (cooling) and 109.0-433.0 K (heating). At T < 250.0 K, the electrical properties of the sample accept a great contribution from the flip-flop proton orientational disorder and a much lesser one from the positional fluctuations of the water molecules. Moreover, a strong synergy is observed between the stability of the γ-CD molecules and the dynamic disorder of the infinite flip-flop chains. This type of disorder disappears upon cooling (T_trans = 186.7 K) and reappears upon heating (T_trans = 194.5 K). At T > 250.0 K, the dielectric permittivity ε′ and loss ε″ increase abruptly due to the proton dc-conductance of γ-CD·12.2H₂O which has been interpreted in terms of a theoretical model (Pnevmatikos, 1988) being consistent with the generation of ionic defects and their combination with the dipole reorientations in a collective motion of soliton-type. The influence of the simultaneous dehydration process on this charge transport mechanism relies on the very sensitive balance between the diffusive motion of water molecules (exchange between symmetry related positions) and their removal from the crystal lattice. The Arrhenius semiconductive behavior of the ac-conductivity in the ranges of 257.1-313.2 K (E_a = 0.42 eV) and 331.2-385.1 K (E_a = 0.39 eV) implies the dominance of water diffusion which conserves the structural integrity of the endless hydrogen-bonded chains and the proton transfer along them. The limited decrease of the ac-conductivity from 313.2 to 331.2 K along with its rapid decrease above 385.1 K, indicates that the removal of the water molecules rules out their diffusive motion. The Cole-Cole diagrams (ε″ vs. ε′) make clear that during the heating process the grain boundary polarization gradually becomes more significant than the grain interior one. In the range of 348.0-385.1 K, the constrictive grain boundary resistances are totally eliminated allowing the extensive proton transport through the grains of the polycrystalline specimen.     

Electron–electron scattering and the transport properties of two-dimensional ballistic contacts

Recent results on the effect of electron–electron collisions on the electric properties of contacts to a twodimensional electron gas with a direct conductivity in the absence of scattering by impurities and boundaries have been reviewed. A correction to the conductance of such contacts owing to the electron–electron scattering can be either positive or negative depending on the contact geometry. The magnitude of this correction strongly depends on the magnetic field.     

Structural,optical and transport properties of PbxHg1−xTe alloys

It has been shown that the plasma frequency for polycrystalline PbxHg_1−xTe samples with x = 0.93 and x = 0.85 decreases unexpectedly compared with that of pure high-quality PbTe. At the same time the free-carrier concentration is lower than for the high-quality single-crystal samples of pure PbTe treated in the literature.     

Growth and transport properties of CaFeAsF_(1-x) single crystals

Using self-flux method,we have successfully grown the parent phase of the single crystals of CaFeAsF1-x.The X-ray di?raction indicates good crystallinity.In-plane resistivity shows a bad metallic behavior with a sharp drop of resistivity at about T SDW=119K.This anomaly is associated with the possible spin density wave(SDW)order.Interestingly near T SDW,the resistivity exhibits a cusp-like feature,which may be understood as the strong coupling effect between the electrons and the antiferromagnetic(AF)spin fluctuations.A reduction of fluorine or application of a high pressure will suppress the SDW feature and induce superconductivity.Hall effect measurements reveal a positive Hall coefficient below T SDW indicating a dominant role of the hole-like charge carriers in the parent phase.Strong magnetoresistance has been observed below T SDW suggesting multiple conduction channels of the charge carriers.     

Polymer cation effect on the stability to electrolytes of an ethanol-acrylate methacrylate—water,coacervated system

Colloidal, aqueous dispersions of certain acrylate-methacrylate copolymers with cationic groups have been prepared by a coacervation technique using ethanol as solvent and water as nonsolvent. Stability of the dispersions to electrolytes (sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, and sodium carbonate) increased markedly (up to 10 times) with a small (2-fold) increase in polymer cation content. The polymer dispersions were most sensitive to sodium sulfate and least sensitive to sodium chloride. Sodium carbonate was, in turn, less effective than the sulfate in flocculating the dispersions; this observation relates to the partial hydrolysis of the CO₃ ^2- anion to less readily adsorbed OH^? and HCO₃ ^? anions.     

Magnetic and transport properties of CuCr1−x VxS2 compounds

A comparison of experimental and calculated effective magnetic moments shows that the sulfur in CuCr_1−x V_xS₂ compounds has two different oxidation states, S¹⁻ and S²⁻, while the vanadium has a higher degree of oxidation (V³⁺) than the chromium (Cr²⁺). A model is proposed to explain the reduction in the activation energy for defect formation in the Cu-sublattice and the rise in the Cu⁺-cation conductivity when chromium is replaced by vanadium. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 1450–1451 (August 1999)     

Structural,transport and some optical properties of PbxPt1−xTe alloys

A solid solution of PtTe in PbTe was investigated. The method of preparing crystalline samples using the Czochralski procedure is described. A detailed microprobe analysis was also made. The transport properties in the 10–300 K range and the room temperature reflectivity coefficient in the FIR range were measured. Free-carrier mobility at room temperature was 0.12m²V⁻¹s⁻¹, but at 15K it increased to a value of about 14 m² V⁻¹s⁻¹. The optical results indicated that the plasma frequency was lower (and had moved into the FIR range) compared with the value for pure PbTe.     

Crystal structure and electrical transport properties of polycrystalline TbMn1−xFexO3

Polycrystalline TbMn_1−xFe_xO₃ (x=0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1) were synthesized by solid sintering method. The Rietveld refinement results based on the X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) data showed that all samples were identified as orthorhombic perovskite structure with space group Pbnm (62). The lattice parameters a and c increased, while the b decreased with increasing of Fe content, indicating the crystal unit cell shrinks in the ab-plane and extends along c-axis with increasing concentration of Fe. Temperature dependent resistance (R–T) was also measured. The transition temperature of TbMn_1−xFe_xO₃ samples increased monotonically with increase of x. The activation energy of TbMn_1−xFe_xO₃ decreased with increasing Fe content (x≤0.5) and increased with increasing Fe content when x>0.5, meaning that the TbMn_0.5Fe_0.5O₃ has the lowest activation energy. These results implied that the transition temperature and conductivity could be controlled by impuring different elements, especially to obtained better performance as for the semiconductor materials working at broad temperature.     

Graphene's photonic and optoelectronic properties——A review

Due to its remarkable electrical and optical properties,graphene continues to receive more and more attention from researchers around the world.An excellent advantage of graphene is the possibility of controlling its charge density,and consequently,the management of its conductivity and dielectric constant,among other parameters.It is noteworthy that the control of these properties enables the obtaining of new optical/electronic devices,which would not exist based on conventional materials.However,to work in this area of science,it is necessary to have a thorough knowledge regarding the electrical/optical properties of graphene.In this review paper,we show these graphene properties very well detailed.     

Optical and transport properties of δ-doped pseudomorphic AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs structures

We investigate the effects of spacer layer thickness on the optical and transport properties of the n-type-doped pseudomorphic Al_0.30Ga_0.70As/In_0.15Ga_0.85As / GaAs structures. A-doped AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs structure with a 6nm spacer layer yields a sheet carrier concentration of 1.5×10¹² cm^–2 at 77K with electron mobility of 6.4×10³ cm²/Vs, 3.11×10⁴ cm²/Vs, and 3.45×10⁴ cm²/Vs at room temperature, 77 and 20K, respectively. The effects of the different scattering mechanisms on luminescence linewidth and electron mobility have also been discussed.     

Polymer–Polymer and Single Polymer Composites Involving Nanofibrillar Poly(vinylidene Fluoride): Manufacturing and Mechanical Properties

Nanofibrillar polymer–polymer composites (NFCs) and single polymer composites (SPCs) were produced using linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). The NFCs were fabricated by means of a microfibrillar composite concept comprising melt blending, cold drawing, and compression molding retaining the highly oriented PVDF reinforcing nanofibrils (diameter of approximately 250 nm) dispersed without any agglomeration in the isotropic LLDPE matrix. The SPC films were prepared by partial surface premelting of neat PVDF nanofibrils (diameter of about 130 nm) using hot compaction at 148°C (about 20°C below the complete melting of PVDF), thus preserving the PVDF nanofibrillar identity. Tensile testing of NFCs based on LLDPE and PVDF showed an increase in the tensile modulus by 135% and in the tensile strength at break by 211%, as compared to those of an isotropic LLDPE film. Furthermore, the PVDF SPCs showed an enhancement of tensile modulus of 30% and strength at break of 305% when compared to those of an isotropic PVDF film.     

Dielectric loss,conductivity relaxation process and magnetic properties of Mg substituted Ni–Cu ferrites

The dielectric properties, dc and ac electrical resistivities of Mg substituted Ni–Cu ferrites with general formula Ni_0.5Cu_0.5−xMg_xFe₂O₄ (0.0≤x≤0.5) have been investigated as a function of frequency, temperature and composition. ac resistivity of all the samples decreases with increase in the frequency exhibiting normal ferrimagnetic behavior. The frequency dependence of dielectric loss tangent showed a maximum in between 10 Hz and 1 kHz in all the ferrites. The conductivity relaxation of the charge carriers was examined using the electrical modulus formulism, and the results indicate the presence of the non-Debye type of relaxation in the prepared ferrites. Similar values of activation energies for dc conduction and for conductivity relaxation reveal that the mechanism of electrical conduction and dielectric polarization is the same in these ferrites. A single ‘master curve’ for normalized plots of all the modulus isotherms observed for a given composition indicates that the distribution of relaxation time is temperature independent. The saturation magnetization and coercivity as calculated from the hysteresis loop measurement show striking dependence on composition.     

Influence of polarization and iron content on the transport properties of praseodymium–barium manganite

Polarization and iron effects on the electrical properties of Pr_0.67Ba_0.33Mn_1−xFe_xO₃ have been studied using impedance measurements. When iron is introduced, the insulator–metal transition (MI), observed in free compound, disappears and destroying such transition needs an iron concentration less than 5%. We also found that electrical conductance decreases when increasing Fe content. Such results are attributed to the decrease of Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ ratio. Also, they are ascribed to the high probability of encountering Fe³⁺–O–Fe³⁺ and Mn³⁺–O–Fe³⁺ interactions, which greatly weakens the influence of Mn³⁺–O–Mn⁴⁺ interactions. The AC conductivity studies indicate that different types of hopping are involved. The contribution of hopping mechanism is confirmed by the temperature dependence of the frequency exponent ‘s’. Conductivity analysis shows that small polaron hopping (SPH) and variable range hopping (VRH) models are present in the conduction process. For small iron concentrations (x<0.1), we found that activation energy (E_a) does not changes significantly. Such result is in good agreement with the literature. But, for high iron concentrations (x>0.1), we found that E_a depend strongly in Fe content. We also found in this work that DC-bias does not affect the conduction process but proves its thermal activation. The variation of the conductance with polarization is a proof of an electro-resistance effect.     

Concentration dependence of thermodynamic,transport and surface properties in Ag–Cu liquid alloys

Thermodynamic, transport and surface properties of Ag–Cu liquid alloys have been investigated on the basis of a simple statistical model. The free energy of mixing, heat of mixing and entropy of mixing have been computed to understand the thermodynamic properties of Ag–Cu alloys in liquid state at 1,423 K. The concentration–concentration fluctuations in the long wavelength limit and the chemical short range order parameter have been determined to comprehend the microscopic and structural information of the alloy. The viscosity and surface tension of the alloy have been evaluated to analyze the transport and surface properties. The theoretical analysis reveals that the energy parameter is temperature dependent, and that Ag–Cu liquid alloy is a weakly interacting-phase separating system.     

Structure and transport properties of AgI–AgCl–CsCl glasses: molecular dynamics study

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation have been performed to investigate the structure and transport properties of molten and glass state of silver alkali halide, AgI–AgCl–CsCl. The screened Born-Mayer type potentials including the polarizability of ions have been used in MD. The temperature dependence of the structure, conductivity, share viscosity, and relaxation times have been discussed by MD results. Electrical density of states for molten and glass states have also been examined using ab initio calculation.