Effect of size on momentum distribution of electrons around vacancies in NiO nanoparticles

Very small nickel oxide nanoparticles were prepared by a sol–gel procedure using nickel nitrate hexahydrate and ammonium hydroxide as precursors. The particles are in the range of 5 nm–11 nm. The x-ray diffraction(XRD) crystallography and high resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM) were employed to characterize the samples.They were found to be polycrystalline in nature and fcc(Na Cl-type) in structure, with the lattice parameter varying with annealing temperature. HRTEM pictures show that the as-prepared samples are hexagonal in shape. Positron annihilation spectroscopy was used to investigate the Doppler-broadened spectra of the samples. The S and W parameters revealed that the chemical surroundings and momentum distribution of the vacancy clusters vary with crystallite size.     

Face—Centred—Cubic Artificial Opal Embedded with CdS Quantum Dots

Highly monodispersed colloidal silica spheres in sub-micrometra size with distribution standard deviation less than 5% were synthesized by a chemical method.Using the self-crystallization of the silica spheres,we successfully obtained the three-dimensional close-packed face-centred-cubic silica matrices and artificial opals.Then,a colloidal photonic crystal embedded with CdS quantum dots (QDs) was also chemically prepared by using artificial opals as a template.A reflection spectra study reveals that both artificial opals with and without CdS QDs possess (111) directional photonic bandgap features.     

Structural and photoluminescence properties of terbium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles

We present in this paper a study of the structural and photoluminescence （PL） properties of terbium （Tb） doped zinc oxide （ZnO） nanoparticles synthesized by a simple low temperature chemical precipitation method, using zinc acetate and terbium nitrate in an isopropanol medium with diethanolamine （DEA） as the capping agent at 60 ℃. The as-prepared samples were heat treated and the PL of the annealed samples were studied. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized with X-ray diffraction （XRD）. The XRD patterns show the pattern of typical ZnO nanoparticles and correspond with the standard XRD pattern given by JCPDS card No. 36-1451, showing the hexagonal phase structure. The PL intensity was enhanced due to Tb^3＋ doping, and it decreased at higher concentrations of Tb^3＋ doping after reaching a certain optimum concentration. The PL spectra of Tb^3＋ doped samples exhibited blue, bluish green, and green emissions at 460 nm （5^D3 - 7^F3）, 484 nm （5^D4 - 7^F6）, and 530 nm （5^D4 - 7^F5）, respectively, which were more intense than the emissions for the undoped ZnO sample. Based on the results, an energy level schematic diagram was proposed to explain the possible electron transition processes.     

Multiferroic and enhanced microwave absorption induced by complex oxide interfaces

NiFe_2O_4(NFO)/ZnO composite nanoparticles with different ZnO components were investigated, which were prepared by a simple wet chemical route method. The magnetoelectric coupling between magnetostriction from NFO and piezoelectricity from ZnO was induced by the surface coating NFO nanoparticles of ZnO layer, NFO/ZnO composite showed ferroelectric properties and the remanent electric polarization reached 0.08 μC/cm. Moreover, the changes of resistance at different room temperatures reached about 2% under 3 T magnetic fields comparing with that of zero magnetic fields. Furthermore, multiferroic NFO/ZnO resulted in enhancement of microwave absorption due to magnetoelectric coupling.     

Synthesis and luminescent properties of LuAG : Ce3+ transparent ceramics by solvo-thermal method

The precursor powders of LuAG∶Ce3+ transparent ceramics were synthesized by solvo-thermal method.The crystal structure and morphology of powders were analyzed by means of Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy,X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.The precursor powders were sintered into transparent ceramics in vacuum and then in nitrogen without any additive.The surface morphology of the transparent unpolished ceramics was characterized using scanning electron microscopy.Some factors that af...     

Synthesis and Spectroscopy of Silica Nanoparticles as Scatter Centers in Random Gain Porous Media

This work was carried out to synthesis a silica matrix by sol-gel technique,which used as host to Kiton Red laser dye doped with silica nanoparticles,which also prepared by sol-gel technique,to obtain KRSiO2 nanoparticles confined in silica xerogel matrix.The rods at different pH values were successfully synthesized.The different values of pH cause different size of obtained nanoparticles,these nanoparticles act as scatter centers in the matrix.Amplified spontaneous emission(ASE),threshold pumping energy(Eth),and mean free path(lt)for photons in the rods have been reported.the results show that the values of bandwidth at full width half-maximum(FWHM)and the threshold energy are about 8.7nm and 12 mJ respectively.     

Compact liquid-refractive index measuring equipment

Based on total reflection principle, a compact liquid-refractive index measuring equipment was designed and fabricated, in which a diode laser was used as light source and a charge-coupled device (CCD) as photodetector. The influence on measurement accuracy of the wavelength shift and intensity fluctuation of the diode laser were surmounted by an effective feedback method. It is crucial whether the diode laser could be used in such a system.     

Planar waveguides formed in a new chemically stable Er~(3+)/Yb~(3+) co-doped phosphate glass

A new Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped phosphate glass has been prepared, which exhibits good chemical durability and spectral properties. Planar graded index waveguides have been fabricated in the glass by Ag+-Na+ ion exchange in a mixed melt of silver nitrate and potassium nitrate. Ion exchange is carried out by varying the process parameters such as temperature, diffusion time, and molten salt compositions. The diffusion parameters, diffusion coefficients, and activation energy are determined by the guidelines of fabricated waveguides, which are determined by the input prism coupling technique.     

Planar waveguides formed in a new chemically stable Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped phosphate glass

A new Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped phosphate glass has been prepared, which exhibits good chemical durability and spectral properties. Planar graded index waveguides have been fabricated in the glass by Ag+-Na+ ion exchange in a mixed melt of silver nitrate and potassium nitrate. Ion exchange is carried out by varying the process parameters such as temperature, diffusion time, and molten salt compositions. The diffusion parameters, diffusion coefficients, and activation energy are determined by the guidelines of fabricated waveguides, which are determined by the input prism coupling technique.     

Structural and optical properties of thermally reduced graphene oxide for energy devices

Natural intercalation of the graphite oxide, obtained as a product of Hummer's method, via ultra-sonication of water dispersed graphite oxide has been carried out to obtain graphene oxide(GO) and thermally reduced graphene oxide(RGO).Here we report the effect of metallic nitrate on the oxidation properties of graphite and then formation of metallic oxide(MO) composites with GO and RGO for the first time. We observed a change in the efficiency of the oxidation process as we replaced the conventionally used sodium nitrate with that of nickel nitrate Ni(NO_3)_2, cadmium nitrate Cd(NO_3)_2,and zinc nitrate Zn(NO_3)_2. The structural properties were investigated by x-ray diffraction and observed the successful formation of composite of MO–GO and MO–RGO(M = Zn, Cd, Ni). We sought to study the effect on the oxidation process through optical characterization via UV-Vis spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy.Moreover, Thermo Gravimetric Analysis(TGA) was carried out to confirm 90% weight loss in each process thus proving the reliability of the oxidation cycles. We have found that the nature of the oxidation process of graphite powder and its optical and electrochemical characteristics can be tuned by replacing the sodium nitrate(NaNO_3) by other metallic nitrates as Cd(NO_3)_2, Ni(NO_3)_2, and Zn(NO_3)_2. On the basis of obtained results, the synthesized GO and RGO may be expected as a promising material in antibacterial activity and in electrodes fabrication for energy devices such as solar cell, fuel cell,and super capacitors.     

Plate-like hydroxyapatite nanoparticles synthesized by the hydrothermal method

In this article, calcium nitrate (Ca(NO₃)₂) and disodium hydrogen phosphate (Na₂HPO₄) are used as calcium and phosphorous sources to prepare hydroxyapatite nanoparticles by the hydrothermal method. Plate-like nanocrystals of hydroxyapatite are synthesized with the aid of sodium tripolyphosphate. The results show that sodium tripolyphosphate increases the diameters of the hydroxyapatite nanoparticles during the hydrothermal process. When the concentration of sodium tripolyphosphate reaches 0.015 M, the average aspect ratio of those nanoparticles is close to 1. The strong surface adsorption caused by sodium tripolyphosphate may answer for the morphological change of hydroxyapatite crystal.     

AOT微乳体系中纳米银的可控合成及其紫外-可见光谱研究

在以琥珀酸二异辛酯磺酸钠(AOT)为表面活性剂、环己烷为连续相形成的W/O型微乳体系中.用增溶于微乳液水核中的AgNO3为银源、水合肼为还原剂制备了纳米银溶胶,利用UV-Vis光谱分析了Ag-NO3的浓度、AOT的浓度、还原剂的种类和水与表面活性剂的物质的量比(W)等参数对形成粒子数量及平均粒径的影响,为纳米银粒子的可控合成和纳米银的UV-Vis光谱解析提供了新的依据.研究表明,适当增大AgNO3的浓度,有利于形成粒径较小的纳米银粒子;W值增大,形成粒子的平均粒径和粒子数量明显增加.和NaBH4相比,水合肼在反胶束中的溶解性能较好,有利于微乳液反胶束中Ag+的还原.增大AOT的浓度,在一定范围内胶束对反应物的增溶能力增强,胶束的半径也相应减小,有利于形成数量较多、平均粒径较小的纳米银粒子.     

The role of potassium tellurite as tellurium source in mercaptoacetic acid-capped CdTe nanoparticles

Water-soluble CdTe nanoparticles were synthesized in aqueous solution with the assistance of mercaptoacetic acid (MAA) molecules by wet chemical route and microwave-assisted method. A series of cadmium telluride (CdTe) nanoparticles capped with a bifunctional molecule, which contains both thiols and carboxylic acid groups were prepared using different pH values and using potassium tellurite as tellurium source. Thiol-capped nanocrystals of CdTe can be isolated as powders using 2-propanol. The synthesized thiol-capped CdTe were characterized with EDAX, TEM, Raman, FT–IR, UV–Visible absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) for the particle size determination and to understand their optical properties. The particles crystallize predominantly in cubic phase with narrow photoluminescence emission. Potassium tellurite as source of tellurium improves the photoluminescence efficiency and also avoids the cumbersome processes associated with H₂Te or NaHTe sources.     

Characterization and evaluation of cytotoxicity of biphasic calcium phosphate synthesized by a solid state reaction route

Calcium phosphate compounds have been widely studied for biomedical applications because of their chemical and structural similarity to the mineral phase constituting bone and teeth. In this work, biphasic calcium phosphate ceramics (HAP/β-TCP), with tunable phase composition ratio, were synthesized by a solid state reaction process. The effect of varying the heat treatment temperature (700, 800, 900, 1000, and 1100 °C) on the formation of the ceramic materials and their related cytotoxicity were examined. The phase composition and morphology of the prepared ceramic powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, and the functional groups were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Cell culture experiments, using murine macrophages, showed that the synthesized HAP/β-TCP materials did not exhibit cytotoxicity regardless of the doses assayed or the differences in composition ratio of HAP/β-TCP, suggesting the potential of HAP/β-TCP for biological applications.     

羟基磷灰石团聚体的冲击波活化与烧结研究

 研究了经冲击波处理的羟基磷灰石粉末团聚体的活性及其烧结性能。X射线衍射（XRD）及扫描电镜（SEM）分析表明，冲击波对羟基磷灰石团聚体粉末具有明显的均化与细化作用，并产生了一定程度的晶格畸变，可促进羟基磷灰石陶瓷的烧结。粉体中储存的缺陷能在烧结过程中释放，使受冲击试样比未受冲击试样达到最大线收缩率时的温度降低70 ℃，羟基磷灰石陶瓷的强度和密度明显提高。     

原料加入顺序对制备Cu/Ag纳米粒子的影响

以硫酸铜为原料制备纳米级铜粉,再用化学还原法沉积生长Ag包覆层,制备Cu/Ag复合纳米粒子,使用紫外吸收光谱法监测反应过程.结果表明.加料方式对Cu粒子的粒径会产生影响,向水合肼中滴加聚乙烯吡咯烷铜与硫酸铜的混合液能制得粒径均匀的铜纳米粒子.同时,使用向聚乙烯吡咯烷铜与硫酸铜的混合液中滴加水合肼方法制得Cu2O继而得到...     

Laser-assisted production of tricalcium phosphate nanoparticles from biological and synthetic hydroxyapatite in aqueous medium

Pulsed laser ablation technique has attracted great attention as a method for preparing nanoparticles. In this work, calcined fish bones and synthetic hydroxyapatite, have been used as target to be ablated in de-ionized water with a pulsed CO₂ laser to produce calcium phosphate nanoparticles. The obtained nanoparticles were amorphous and spherical in shape with a mean diameter of about 25 nm. The microanalyses revealed that nanoparticles obtained from the synthetic HA undergo transformation to tricalcium phosphate. While nanoparticles obtained from the biological hydroxyapatite mostly preserve the composition of precursor material.     

Synthesis and characterization of bovine femur bone hydroxyapatite containing silver nanoparticles for the biomedical applications

Bovine femur bone hydroxyapatite (HA) containing silver (Ag) nanoparticles was synthesized by thermal decomposition method and subsequent reduction of silver nitrate with N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) in the presence of poly(vinylacetate) (PVAc). The structural, morphological, and chemical properties of the HA–Ag nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). TEM images showed that the Ag nanoparticles with size ranging from 8 to 20 nm and were arranged at the periphery of HA crystals. Bactericidal activity of HA–Ag with different concentration of Ag nanoparticles immobilized on the surface of HA was investigated against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus, non-MRSA), Methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) by the disc diffusion susceptibility test. The HA–Ag nanoparticles showed that broad spectrum activity against non-MRSA, MRSA, and E. coli bacterial strains.     

Synthesis of chitosan/hydroxyapatite membranes coated with hydroxycarbonate apatite for guided tissue regeneration purposes

Chitosan, which is a non-toxic, biodegradable and biocompatible biopolymer, has been widely researched for several applications in the field of biomaterials. Calcium phosphate ceramics stand out among the so-called bioceramics for their absence of local or systemic toxicity, their non-response to foreign bodies or inflammations, and their apparent ability to bond to the host tissue. Hydroxyapatite (HA) is one of the most important bioceramics because it is the main component of the mineral phase of bone. The aim of this work was to produce chitosan membranes coated with hydroxyapatite using the modified biomimetic method. Membranes were synthesized from a solution containing 2% of chitosan in acetic acid (weight/volume) via the solvent evaporation method. Specimens were immersed in a sodium silicate solution and then in a 1.5 SBF (simulated body fluid) solution. The crystallinity of the HA formed over the membranes was correlated to the use of the nucleation agent (the sodium silicate solution itself). Coated membranes were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy - SEM, X-ray diffraction - XRD, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy - FTIR. The results indicate a homogeneous coating covering the entire surface of the membrane and the production of a semi-crystalline hydroxyapatite layer similar to the mineral phase of human bone.     

Initial stage of the explosion of ammonium nitrate and its powder mixtures

There is an obvious contradiction between the statistics of the devastating explosions that take place with the participation of ammonium nitrate and explosive properties of this material determined in standard tests. Pure ammonium nitrate does not burn under normal conditions and has a very low sensitivity to conventional mechanical and thermal stimuli. So far, ammonium nitrate has been detonated only by using high explosives. Causes of accidental explosions involving large masses of ammonium nitrate are likely to be found in a nonconventional behavior of ammonium nitrate. These changes may arise due to different chemical or physical factors, such as those associated with the presence of active additives, crushing of particles, etc., and lead to acceleration of the process at the initial stage of explosion. This work is devoted studying the convective burning and the initial stage of deflagration-to-detonation transition in dry and wet mixtures of ammonium nitrate with various, largely combustible additives. Experiments were conducted on loose-packed charges in a constant-volume bomb and by using the method of the critical bed height with recording pressure-time diagrams by a piezoelectric sensor. Ammonium nitrate of two different types was used: granular and powdered. The fuel additives were charcoal and aluminum powder, whereas the additives inhibiting the combustion of ammonium nitrate were water and monosodium salt of phosphoric acid. In addition, finely dispersed mixture of four components (ammonium nitrate, aluminum, powdered sugar, and TNT in a proportion of 76: 8: 12: 4) was used. The experiments in the constant-volume bomb were supplemented by numerical simulations, which made it possible to obtain a better understanding of the convective burning of the test mixtures and to evaluate the possibility of using a constant-volume bomb to collect quantitative information on the intensity of the combustion of the mixture at the initial stage of the explosion.