Photocatalytic methane decomposition over vertically aligned transparent TiO2 nanotube arrays

We report here on a study of vertically aligned TiO(2) nanotube arrays grown by the one-step anodic oxidation technique and their photocatalytic performance for methane decomposition. Quantitative activity data as a function of film thickness is obtained.     

Photo-acoustic detection on electronic quenching rate constants of NO excited states

The electronic quenching rate constants of NO A(2)Σ (υ'=0, 1), E(2)Σ (υ'=2, 3, 4) and F(2)Δ (υ'=1, 2, 3) states by gas air are reported. The experiments were carried out by measuring the total fluorescence intensity of A(2)Σ (υ'=0, 1)→X(2)Π (υ″) transition at various air pressures. It gives the Stern-Volmer plots. The quenching rate constants of A(2)Σ (υ'=0, 1) states are obtained from the slope of Stern-Volmer plots and the known radiative lifetime. Based on the primary results of the work, we have measured the quenching rate constants of high excited E(2)Σ (υ'=2, 3, 4), F(2)Δ (υ'=1, 2, 3) states for the first time with the technique of photo-acoustic (PA) spectroscopy. It is shown that the electronic quenching rate constants of NO E (υ') and F (υ') states are in the order of 10(-10)cm(3)/molecules. They are much larger than those of A(2)Σ (υ') state, whose rate constants are in the order of 10(-13)cm(3)/molecules. For E (υ') and F (υ') states, it is also found that the quenching rate constants increase with the vibrational energy levels. Similar result has been reported also for A(2)Σ (υ'≥2) states in existing literatures. The agreement indicates the potential use of PA spectroscopy for measuring the electronic quenching rate.     

Simulation of polarization-insensitive multiple-quantum-well superluminescent diodes

The 1.3-μm polarization-insensitive superluminescent diodes (SLDs) with weak tensile strained multiplequantum-well (MQW) and complex strained MQW were demonstrated theoretically based on the simulation of energy band structure and gain spectra at different injected carrier densities. Compared with the weak tensile strained MQW, the complex strained MQW gets higher modal gain and better modal gain matching between TE and TM modes, and the polarization sensitivity of TE and TM optical spectra can remain less than 1.0 dB over a bandwidth of 200 nm.     

用楔角偏差改善光楔列阵系统焦线的大尺度不均匀性

在加工光楔列阵线聚焦系统时，人为地使各单元楔角与精确的理论值之间存在一定的偏差，以使单元衍射引起的大尺度不均匀性得到改善，文中进行了理论计算和实验验证，在既能改善均匀性，又能保证一定的焦线能量利用率的情况下，给出了合理的偏差数据，为优化均匀聚焦系统的工程设计提供了必要的依据。     

Laser induced fluorescence of CdHg excimer

The fluorescence of CdHg excimer has been observed over the spectral range 220-320 nm for temperature between 660-820K. The spectra were excited in a Cd-Hg mixture contained in a quartz vapor cell by laser pulses at 326.1nm. The peaks of these bands are at about 232, 256 and 286 nm respectively. An interpretation has been given out according to the potential-energy curves.     

Stages in tropoelastin coalescence during synthetic elastin hydrogel formation

Synthetic human tropoelastin was chemically cross-linked to form elastic hydrogel-like structures in vitro. Discrete stages were identified during elastic hydrogel formation by cross-linking tropoelastin with bis(sulfosuccinimidyl) suberate at a range of protein concentrations during this process. In the early stages of this process, particles with the same dimensions as tropoelastin were seen. As hydrogel formation progressed, monomer width fibres were also observed. Overall, four distinct stages were identified: (1) tropoelastin monomers form discrete particles in the order of 200 nm diameter, (2) these particles merge to form larger spheres, (3) spheres coalesce into open linked networks, (4) coalesced spheres consolidate to form a porous structure to give synthetic elastin hydrogels.     

The Yb to Er energy transfer in YAl3(BO3)4 crystal

The Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺ energy transfer in yttrium aluminum borate (YAB) crystal is investigated with the rate equation without considering the back energy transfer. The energy transfer coefficients (W₂₅) in the crystals with different Yb³⁺ concentrations are determined and compared with those in other crystals. The transfer efficiencies and the micro-parameters of energy transfer and migration are also determined. The results show that the energy transfer from Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺ in YAB crystal is very efficient and the Yb³⁺–Er³⁺ co-doped YAB crystal may be a good candidate for the 1.55 μm laser media.     

Polarization entanglement purification using the temporal degree of freedom

Polarization entangled photon pairs are easily perturbed in noisy channels. We propose a polarization entanglement purification method using temporal degree of freedom, followed by the conventional iterative purification. The entanglement fidelity can be improved to any degree, and the steps needed are less than those using conventional iteration method.     

Facile fabrication of oxygen-doped carbon nitride with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic degradation of methyl mercaptan

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Element doping has demonstrated an effective strategy for enhancing photocatalytic performance of carbon nitride (CN). Herein, we reported that oxygen-doped CN...     

Phosphoric-Acid Retention in High-Temperature Proton-Exchange Membranes

Great efforts have been conducted to develop high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) due to its features of enhanced electrocatalyst reactivity, simplified hydrothermal management system and high CO tolerance of catalysts, and remarkable progress has been achieved. However, the easy leaching of phosphoric acid (PA) from the membranes during operation limits its commercial scale-up in complicated environments. This concept here mainly focuses on the recent developments for mitigation of PA loss in PEMs. The probable mechanisms of PA loss are proposed. The approaches to improve PA retention for example via introduction of phosphonic acid by covalent bond, using ion-pairs interaction and siphoning effect, and blending with inorganic nanoparticles are described in detail. Among these strategies, the siphoning effect from the intrinsic microporous PEMs is the most efficient and enables the cell to operate flexibly within a broad temperature range. Therefore, this concept may provide new ideas for the scientists to retain PA, to improve the cell performance and expand the potential applications of PA doped PEMs at elevated humidity and wide temperature range.