In situ liquid SIMS analysis of uranium oxide

Trace analysis of nuclear materials in solid particles collected in the environment or particles in liquid slurry generated in nuclear material manufacturing processes can pinpoint elemental, organic, and isotopic signatures of nuclear fuel cycle activities and processes. Such information can support nuclear safeguards programs by increasing our ability to detect undeclared nuclear materials, routine activities for safeguarding at declared facilities, and illicit activities. However, trace radioactive material analysis in liquids and slurries is challenging using bulk approaches. For example, one drawback of sensitive analysis such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is that sample is consumed or destroyed as a result of the technical approach. We developed a vacuum compatible microfluidic interface to enable surface analysis of liquids and solid–liquid interactions using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). In this work, we illustrate the initial results from the analysis of liquid uranium oxide standard solutions using in situ liquid SIMS. Because the liquid SIMS analysis is almost nondestructive, the same sample can then be analyzed by other analytical techniques or saved for future reference. Consequently, multimodal analysis is possible. Our results demonstrate that in situ liquid SIMS can be used as a new approach to analyze radioactive materials in liquid and slurry forms of relevance to diverse applications.     

Atomic force microscopy study of polypropylene-based self-reinforced composites

Self-reinforced composites are polymeric materials formed by a reinforcement core and a low-melting point skin, which acts as a matrix after the consolidation step. These materials are widely exploited in industrial applications for their mechanical resistance and durability, which are themselves influenced by processing conditions and polymer composition. In the present work, two similar polypropylene-based commercial fabrics were used to evaluate the surface modifications after laminate compaction and after artificial aging using atomic force microscopy. The results were correlated with the chemical and physical-chemical interactions obtained from scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, raman and thermal analysis experiments. Single tape consolidated laminate before and after aging displayed different superficial features that can explain the differences in the macroscopic behavior of the two products.     

Experimental and numerical investigations of bi-injection moulding of PA66/LSR peel test specimens

Bi-injection moulding is a widely used process to manufacture engineering products and consumer goods. Typically, a thermoplastic is combined with rubber or another thermoplastic to create colour differences or hard and soft areas, respectively. The aim of this study was to optimise the injection parameters and processing conditions for the moulding of two-component standard peel test specimens with suitable functional properties. In this work, all parameters of thermo-rheo-kinetic behaviour were identified to predict the entire filling stage and the effect of a liquid silicone rubber cross-linking reaction during the injection moulding process. The models of Carreau-Yasuda and Isayev-Deng regarding the thermal dependence assumed by Arrhenius’ law were used. In our study, over-injection moulding is simulated and examined using finite element software (Cadmould 3D) to investigate the thermo-rheo-kinetic behaviour and the adhesion of liquid silicone rubber during the filling mould process in over-moulding. Numerical simulation results were then compared with the experimental results, and good agreement was obtained.     

Synthesis,Hirshfeld surface analysis,luminescence and thermal properties of three first-row transition metal complexes containing 4′-hydroxy-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine: Application for preparation of nano metal oxides

A series of new mono- and bis-terpyridine complexes [Mn(tpyOH)Cl₂] ( 1 ), [Ni(tpyOH)₂](PF₆)₂ ( 2 ) and [Zn(tpyO)(η¹-OCOCH₃)(H₂O)]⋅3H₂O ( 4 ) containing 4′-hydroxy-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (tpyOH) were synthesized and structurally characterized using elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The reaction of MnCl₂ with tpyOH in a mixture of methanol and CH₂Cl₂ resulted in the formation of 1 . The X-ray crystal structure of 1 reveals that Mn(II) is penta-coordinated by three nitrogen atoms from tpyOH and two Cl⁻ in a slightly distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. Complex 2 was also prepared by the reaction of nickel(II) chloride with tpyOH in a methanolic medium in the presence of NH₄PF₆. Notably, the complex [Ni(tpyOH)(tpyO)]PF₆ ( 3 ), obtained during the crystallization of 2 from dichloromethane, was characterized using X-ray crystallography which shows that six nitrogen atoms from terpyridine ligands occupy the coordination sites around the Ni(II) centre in a distorted octahedral geometry with four longer bonds and two shorter Ni N bonds. The reaction of zinc(II) acetate with tpyOH in a mixture of methanol and CH₂Cl₂ led to the formation of 4 . The crystal structure of 4 reveals the formation of penta-coordinated Zn(II) complex containing three nitrogen atoms from tpyO, a monodentate acetate ligand and one coordinated water molecule. Hirshfeld surface analyses and two-dimensional fingerprint plots show that the main interactions are O…H/H…O contacts in 1 , 3 and 4 . The thermal decomposition reactions of 1 , 2 and 4 were studied using thermogravimetric analysis in detail due to their different structures. The solution luminescence features of 1 , 2 and 4 include high-energy intense π → π* intraligand and low-energy metal-to-ligand charge transfer transitions at room temperature. The calcination of the coordination complexes led to the formation of corresponding nano metal oxides. The products were structurally characterized using infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The average particle size using Scherrer's equation was calculated to be below 50 nm.     

苗族服饰色彩体系构建研究

色彩是民族服饰的核心要素，也是民族文化元素的重要组成部分，构建一套兼具科学性与实用性的色彩体系极具挑战性。在传统色彩地理学方法基础上，通过提取主题色和改进的关联规则挖掘方法，获取色彩数据、寻找色彩规则，并对其进行自然色彩体系（NCS）编谱分析，构建了一套苗族服饰色彩体系（Miao’s costume color system,MCCS）。该体系有助于进一步挖掘苗族服饰的配色规律，实现对苗族服饰色彩的数字化保护，为民族服饰色彩传承机理的探索与研究提供新的思路。     

Characteristic material parameters of CIGS solar cell related with device performance

CIGS solar cells with power conversion efficiency (PCE) in the range of 1.82%–12.30% were obtained by using two-step process, and were further analyzed through various measurement techniques. Material parameters showed diverse values and some trends depending on the device performance. The lower performance device showed small integrated PL intensity, short minority life time, larger defect density and lower activation energy, whereas the higher performance device showed opposite values. We investigated relationship between material parameters and PCE of solar cells, and found that some physical parameters such as integrated PL intensity, minority life time, defect density, and difference between band gap and activation energy (E_g-E_a), which all reflect defect states in bulk and at pn interface, are strongly related with PCE and would be used as a good indicator to evaluate device performance quickly.     

A modified model for isothermal homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions in the boundary-layer flow of a nanofluid

The homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions in the boundary-layer of a flat surface are considered. The autocatalysts are assumed to be of regular sizes, while the solution is a dilute nanofluid. The heat release due to the chemical reactions is taken into account. The Buongiorno's model is used to describe the behaviors of this reaction system. This configuration makes the current model be different from all previous publications. Multiple solutions are given numerically to the rescaled nonlinear system, whose stability is verified. The results show that the strength coefficients of the homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions are key factors to cause the appearance of the multiple solutions in the distribution of the chemical reactions. Nanofluids enhance the diffusion of heat and help maintain the stability of chemical reactions.     

Mass spectrometry imaging of latent fingerprints using titanium oxide development powder as an existing matrix

Recent research has focused on increasing the evidentiary value of latent fingerprints through chemical analysis. Although researchers have optimized the use of organic and metal matrices for matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI‐MSI) of latent fingerprints, the use of development powders as matrices has not been fully investigated. Carbon forensic powder (CFP), a common nonporous development technique, was shown to be an efficient one‐step matrix; however, a high‐resolution mass spectrometer was required in the low mass range due to carbon clusters. Titanium oxide (TiO₂) is another commonly used development powder, especially for dark nonporous surfaces. Here, forensic TiO₂ powder is utilized as a single‐step development and matrix technique for chemical imaging of latent fingerprints without the requirement of a high‐resolution mass spectrometer. All studied compounds were successfully detected when TiO₂ was used as the matrix in positive mode, although, generally, the overall ion signals were lower than the previously studied CFP. TiO₂ provided quality mass spectrometry (MS) images of endogenous and exogenous latent fingerprint compounds. The subsequent addition of traditional matrices on top of the TiO₂ powder was ineffective for universal detection of latent fingerprint compounds. Forensic TiO₂ development powder works as an efficient single‐step development and matrix technique for MALDI‐MSI analysis of latent fingerprints in positive mode and does not require a high‐resolution mass spectrometer for analysis.     

Effect of nitrogen plasma treatment on the crystallinity and self‐bonding of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) for biomedical applications

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a thermoplastic material with outstanding properties and high potential for biomedical applications, including hermetic encapsulation of active implantable devices. Different biomedical grade PEEK films with initial degree of crystallinity ranging from 8% to 32% (with or without mineral filling) were inspected. PEEK surfaces were treated with nitrogen RF plasma and the effects on materials crystallinity and self‐bonding were evaluated. In particular, the relationship between auto‐adhesive properties and crystalline content of PEEK before and after plasma treatment was examined. PEEK samples showed different bonding strength depending on their degree of crystallinity, with higher self‐bonding performance of mineral‐filled semi‐crystalline films. XRD did not show any modification of the PEEK microstructure as a result of plasma treatment, excluding a significant influence of crystallinity on the self‐bonding mechanisms. Nevertheless, plasma surface treatment successfully improved the self‐bonding strength of all the PEEK films tested, with larger increase in the case of semi‐crystalline unfilled materials. This could be interpreted to the increase in chain mobility that led to interfacial interpenetration of the amorphous phase.