Development of a Chitosan/Nickel Phthalocyanine Composite Based Conductometric Micro-sensor for Methanol Detection

Thin-film composite of chitosan/nickel phthalocyanine (NiPc) was electrochemically deposited on the fingers of interdigitated gold electrodes, applying chronoamperometric polymerization technique. The presence of crystallized NiPc in the chitosan was confirmed by EDX and FTIR analysis. Acetone, ethanol, and methanol gas-sensing properties of the films prepared at optimum conditions were studied at atmospheric temperature, through differential measurements at an optimized frequency of 10 kHz, using a lock-in amplifier. The conductometric sensor presents the highest sensitivity of 60.2 μS.cm⁻¹(v/v) for methanol and 700 ppm as the limit of detection. For validation, the methanol content of a commercial rubbing alcohol was determined.     

Evolution of electrical conductivity and semiconductor to metal transition of iron oxides at extreme conditions

Iron oxides are widely found as ores in Earth's crust and are also important constituents of its interiors. Their polymorphism, composition changes, and electronic structures play essential roles in controlling the structure and geodynamic properties of the solid Earth. While all-natural occurring iron oxides are semiconductors or insulators at ambient pressure, they start to metalize under pressure. Here in this work, we review the electronic conductivity and metallization of iron oxides under high-pressure conditions found in Earth's lower mantle. We summarize that the metallization of iron oxides is generally controlled by the pressure-induced bandgap closure near the Fermi level. After metallization, they possess much higher electrical and thermal conductivity, which will facilitate the thermal convection, support a more stable and thicker D^{$\prime\prime$} layer, and formulate Earth's magnetic field, all of which will constrain the large-scale dynamos of the mantle and core.     

金刚石衬底上GaN HEMT沟道温度建模:各向异性且非均匀热导率的影响

为了改善GaN HEMT的自热效应,集成高热导率的金刚石衬底有助于增强器件有源区的热量耗散。然而,化学气相淀积(CVD)生长的多晶金刚石(PCD)具有柱状晶粒结构,导致了各向异性的材料热导率,且其热导率值与生长厚度有关。为此,通过建模金刚石生长过程中晶粒尺寸的演变过程,计算了金刚石沿面内和截面方向的热导率。基于该PCD热导率模型,利用计入材料非线性热导率的GaN器件热阻解析模型,计算得到了GaN HEMT沟道温度的波动范围,并分析了其与器件结构(栅长、栅宽、栅间距、衬底厚度)和功耗的依赖关系。最后,通过与有限元(FEM)仿真结果对比,分区域提取了GaN HEMT器件中PCD衬底的有效热导率,分别为260~310 W/(m·K)和1 250~1 450 W/(m·K)。本文的计算为预测金刚石衬底上GaN HEMT器件的沟道温度提供了快速、有效的方法。     

Electron Transport in Configurational Model of Ferromagnetic Fulleride with Triple Orbital Degeneracy

Abstract

Phenomenon of ferromagnetic ordering was for a long time associated exclusively with transition metal and rare-earth compounds. Nowadays this view is challenged by growing evidence that in molecular carbon-based systems the ferromagnetic alignment of spins can be observed as well. We have developed a microscopical model of a fulleride electronic subsystem taking into account triple orbital degeneracy of energy states within the configurational-operator approach. Using the Green function method the energy spectrum of the model has been calculated. Conditions for the ferromagnetic state stabilization have been determined. Static electrical conductivity and effective masses of current carriers in the system with orbitally degenerated energy band have been obtained. In the ground state and for low temperatures at different forms of unperturbed density of electronic states the concentration dependences of transport characteristics for less-then-half-filled lower quasiparticle subband have been calculated.     

Recent trends in capillary and micro-chip electrophoretic instrumentation for field-analysis

Technical advances in the development of field-deployable capillary and microchip electrophoretic instruments and reports of their deployment between 2013 and 2017 were reviewed. Strategies and considerations in the design of the injection, separation and detection hardware, chemistry and associated infrastructure were discussed from an in-field perspective, with portability, robustness and automation/“ease of use” featuring as key requirements. Integration of functionality is important for adequate in-field performance. Progress was made towards the use of multiple channel devices for increased throughput and/or resolving power, mixing devices for on-line/in-line sample derivatization, battery operation and temperature control. The strengths and weaknesses of the various approaches described in the literature are discussed from the perspective of in-field operation. An overview of the applications of the field electrophoretic instruments is provided, including environmental science and planetary investigation.     

Improving the gas barrier,mechanical and thermal properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) with molybdenum disulfide nanosheets

New multifunctional materials with both high structural and gas barrier performances are important for a range of applications. Herein we present a one‐step mechanochemical process to prepare molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) nanosheets with hydroxy functional groups that can simultaneously improve mechanical strength, thermal conductivity, and gas permittivity of a polymer composite. By homogeneously incorporating these functionalized MoS₂ nanosheets at low loading of less than 1 vol %, a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) polymer exhibits elongation at break of 154%, toughness of 82 MJ/m³, and in‐plane thermal conductivity of 2.31 W/m K. Furthermore, this composite exhibits significant gas barrier performance, reducing the permeability of helium by 95%. Under fire condition, the MoS₂ nanosheets form thermally stable char, thus enhancing the material's resistance to fire. Hydrogen bonding has been identified as the main interaction mechanism between the nanofillers and the polymer matrix. The present results suggest that the PVA composite reinforced with 2D layered nanomaterial offers great potentials in packaging and fire retardant applications. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019 , 57, 406–414     

Highly Proton-Conductive Zinc Metal-Organic Framework Based On Nickel(II) Porphyrinylphosphonate

The design of new solid-state proton-conducting materials is a great challenge for chemistry and materials science. Herein, a new anionic porphyrinylphosphonate-based MOF ( IPCE-1Ni ), which involves dimethylammonium (DMA) cations for charge compensation, is reported. As a result of its unique structure, IPCE-1Ni exhibits one of the highest value of the proton conductivity among reported proton-conducting MOF materials based on porphyrins (1.55×10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at 75 °C and 80 % relative humidity).     

铟镓共掺杂对n-ZnO纳米棒/p-GaN异质结生长行为和光电性能的影响

利用低温水热法在p-GaN薄膜上生长了铟(In)和镓(Ga)共掺杂的ZnO纳米棒。X射线衍射(XRD)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)和X射线能量色谱仪(EDS)结果表明,In和Ga已固溶到ZnO晶格中。扫描电子显微镜(SEM)结果表明, ZnO纳米棒具有良好的c轴取向性,随着In和Ga共掺杂浓度的增加,纳米棒的直径减小,密度增加。XRD结果表明,In和Ga共掺杂引起ZnO晶格常数增大,导致(002)衍射峰向低角度方向偏移。同时,ZnO的光学性质受到In和Ga共掺杂的影响。与纯ZnO相比, 共掺杂ZnO纳米棒的紫外发射峰都出现轻微红移,这是表面共振和带隙重整效应综合作用的结果。I-V特性曲线表明,随着In和Ga共掺杂浓度的增加,n-ZnO纳米棒/p-GaN异质结具有更好的导电性。     

Enhanced thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of polymeric composites through formation of covalent bonds between boron nitride and rubber chains

Hexagonal boron nitride (BN) platelets, also known as white graphite, are often used to improve the thermal conductivities of polymeric matrices. Due to the poor interfacial compatibility between BN platelets and polymeric matrices, in this study, polyrhodanine (PRd) was used to modify BN platelets and prepared functionalized BN-PRd platelets, thereby enhancing the interfacial interaction between the thermal conductive filler and polymeric matrix. Then, BN-PRd platelets were dispersed into the nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) matrix to yield high thermally conductive composites. The presence of N? C═S groups in PRd allowed the combination of PRd and NBR chains containing stable covalent bonds via vulcanization reaction. The thermal conductivity of the as-prepared 30 vol% BN-PRd/NBR composite reached 0.40 W/mK, representing an increment of 135% over pure NBR (0.17 W/mK). In addition, the largest tensile strength of NBR composite containing 30 vol% BN-PRd platelets was 880% times of pure NBR. The 30 vol% BN-PRd/NBR composite also displayed a relatively high dielectric constant (9.35 at 100 Hz) and a low dielectric loss tangent value (0.07 at 100 Hz), indicating their usefulness as dielectric flexible materials of microelectronics. In sum, the simplicity and good efficiency of formation of covalent bonds between boron nitride and rubber chains look very promising for large-scale industrial production of high thermally conductive composites.