Phonon spectrum and interaction between nanotubes in single-walled carbon nanotube bundles at high pressures and temperatures

The Raman spectra of single-walled carbon nanotubes at temperatures up to 730 K and pressures up to 7 GPa have been measured. The behavior of phonon modes and the interaction between nanotubes in bundles have been studied. It has been found that the temperature shift of the vibrational G mode is completely reversible, whereas the temperature shift of radial breathing modes is partially irreversible and the softening of the modes and narrowing of phonon bands are observed. The temperature shift and softening of radial breathing modes are also observed when samples are irradiated by laser radiation with a power density of 6.5 kW/mm². The dependence of the relative frequency Ω/Ω₀ for G ⁺ and G ^? phonon modes on the relative change A ₀/A in the triangular lattice constant of bundles of nanotubes calculated using the thermal expansion coefficient and compressibility coefficient of nanotube bundles shows that the temperature shift of the G mode is determined by the softening of the C-C bond in nanotubes. An increase in the equilibrium distances between nanotubes at the breaking of random covalent C-C bonds between nanotubes in bundles of nanotubes is in my opinion the main reason for the softening of the radial breathing modes.     

Raman scattering and electrical studies of the phase stability in the Hg<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>Cd<Subscript>x</Subscript>Te

Raman scattering is performed to access phase stability in the boron-implanted Hg_0.7Cd_0.3Te with fluences ranging from 1 × 10¹² to 1 × 10¹⁵ cm^?2. Threshold fluence for the formation of an amorphous phase is invoked here using Thomas–Fermi statistical model. Asymmetric broadening and red shift of the Raman active HgTe-like LO phonon mode are observed with varying fluencies. Electrical properties such as sheet carrier concentration and mobility are also changed with the fluence and reach their saturated values beyond threshold fluence of 5 × 10¹³ cm^?2. Threshold fluence for the formation of amorphous phase is also validated by the Raman measurements and electrical transport properties in the implanted layers. The excess free energy of 6.8 kJ/mole is found corresponding to the threshold fluence for phase transition.     

Synthesis of Ge-Sn at high pressure and high temperature in a laser-heated diamond anvil cell

Ge–Sn compound is predicted to be a direct band gap semiconductor with a tunable band gap. However, the bulk synthesis of this material by conventional methods at ambient pressure is unsuccessful due to the poor solubility of Sn in Ge. We report the successful synthesis of Ge–Sn in a laser-heated diamond anvil cell (LHDAC) at ~7.6 GPa &; ~2000 K. In situ Raman spectroscopy of the sample showed, apart from the characteristic Raman modes of Ge TO (Г) and β-Sn TO (Г), two additional Raman modes at ~225 cm^?1 (named Ge–Sn₁) and ~133 cm^?1 (named Ge–Sn₂). When the sample was quenched, the Ge–Sn₁ mode remained stable at ~215 cm^?1, whereas the Ge–Sn₂ mode had diminished in intensity. Comparing the Ge–Sn Raman mode at ~225 cm^?1 with the one observed in thin film studies, we interpret that the observed phonon mode may be formed due to Sn-rich Ge–Sn system. The additional Raman mode seen at ~133 cm^?1 suggested the formation of low symmetry phase under high P–T conditions. The results are compared with Ge–Si binary system.     

A quantum cascade laser-based optical feedback cavity-enhanced absorption spectrometer for the simultaneous measurement of CH4 and N2O in air

Optical feedback cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (OF CEAS) has been demonstrated with a thermoelectrically cooled continuous wave distributed feedback quantum cascade laser (QCL) operating at wavelengths around 7.84 μm. The QCL is coupled to an optical cavity which creates an absorption pathlength greater than 1000 m. The experimental design allows optical feedback of infra-red light, resonant within the cavity, to the QCL, which initiates self-locking at each TEM₀₀ cavity mode frequency excited. The QCL linewidth is narrowed to below the mode linewidth, greatly increasing the efficiency of injection of light into the cavity. At the frequency of each longitudinal cavity mode, the absorption coefficient of an intracavity sample is obtained from the transmission at the mode maximum, measured with a thermoelectrically cooled detector: spectral line profiles of CH₄ and N₂O in ambient air were recorded simultaneously and with a resolution of 0.01386 cm^?1. A minimum detectable absorption coefficient of 5.5×10^?8 cm^?1 was demonstrated after an averaging time of 1 s for this completely thermoelectrically cooled system. The bandwidth-normalised limit for a single cavity mode is 5.6×10^?9 cm^?1?Hz^?1/2 (1σ).     

Synthesis,Spectral Characterization,DNA Binding Studies and Antimicrobial Activity of Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Fe(III) and VO(IV) Complexes with 4-Aminoantipyrine Schiff Base of Ortho-Vanillin

A series of transition metal complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Fe(III) and VO(IV) have been synthesized involving the Schiff base, 2,3-dimethyl-1-phenyl-4-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzylideneamino)-pyrazol-5-one(L), obtained by condensation of 4-aminoantipyrine with 3-methoxy salicylaldehyde. Structural features were obtained from their FT-IR, UV–vis, NMR, ESI Mass, elemental analysis, magnetic moments, molar conductivity and thermal analysis studies. The Schiff base acts as a monovalent bidentate ligand, coordinating through the azomethine nitrogen and phenolic oxygen atom. Based on elemental and spectral studies six coordinated geometry is assigned to Co(II), Ni(II), Fe(III) and VO(IV) complexes and four coordinated geometry is assigned to Zn(II) complex. The interaction of metal complexes with Calf thymus DNA were carried out by UV–VIS titrations, fluorescence spectroscopy and viscosity measurements. The binding constants (K_b) of the complexes were determined as 5?×?10⁵ M^?1 for Co(II) complex, 1.33?×?10⁴ M^?1 for Ni(II) complex, 3.33?×?10⁵ M^?1 for Zn(II) complex, 1.25?×?10⁵ M^?1 for Fe(III) complex and 8?×?10⁵ M^?1 for VO(IV) complex. Quenching studies of the complexes indicate that these complexes strongly bind to DNA. Viscosity measurements indicate the binding mode of complexes with CT DNA by intercalation through groove. The ligand and it’s metal complexes were screened for their antimicrobial activity against bacteria. The results showed the metal complexes to be biologically active, while the ligand to be inactive.     

Enhanced Upconversion Luminescence of Erbium–Nitrogen-Doped Zinc Oxide Nano-Wires by Implantation of Ytterbium Ions

Erbium–nitrogen codoped zinc oxide nanowires of ytterbium-doped are prepared by thermal evaporation and ion implantation methods. Ytterbium ions are doped into nanowires at a fluence of (0, 1, 3, 5, and 9) × 10¹⁵ cm^?2. Microstructural and optical properties of specimen are investigated by X-ray diffractometer, absorption spectra, Raman, and upconversion photoluminescence examinations. Upconversion photoluminescence emissions at 550 nm and 660 nm are obtained under 980-nm light excitation. Both intensities of green and red peaks are enhanced by the introduction of ytterbium ions. When ytterbium ion fluence is 5 × 10¹⁵ cm^?2, light emission intensity reaches maximum value. The energy transfer and cross-relaxation processes are responsible for the change of emission intensity.     

Pressure and temperature dependence of Raman scattering and optical absorption in crystalline S4N4

Raman scattering and optical absorption in crystalline S₄N₄ have been measured both as a function of pressure at 295 K and low temperatures. Polarized single crystal Raman data were also obtained as an aid in the assignment of the Raman active phonons. The pressure coefficients of the Raman active external and S-S stretching modes show a discontinuity near 7 kbar indicative of a second order phase change. The optical absorption edge at about 2.5 eV of a sublimed film of S₄N₄ shows red shifts of 1.3 × 10^?5 eV bar^?1 and 6.3 × 10^?4 eV K^?1 with pressure and temperature respectively. In the light of these results, the electronic, vibrational and structural properties of the crystal are discussed.     

Equation of state and thermal expansivity of LiF and NaF

The high-pressure and high-temperature behaviors of LiF and NaF have been studied up to 37 GPa and 1000 K. No phase transformations have been observed for LiF up to the maximum pressure reached. The B1 to B2 transition of NaF at room temperature was observed at ～28 GPa, this transition pressure decreases with temperature. Unit-cell volumes of LiF and NaF B1 phase measured at various pressures and temperatures were fitted using a P–V–T Birch–Murnaghan equation of state. For LiF, the determined parameters are: α₀ = 1.05 (3)×10^?4 K^?1, dK/dT = ?0.025 (2) GPa/K, V ₀ = 65.7 (1) Å³, K ₀ = 73 (2) GPa, and K′ = 3.9 (2). For NaF, α₀ = 1.34 (4)×10^?4 K^?1, dK/dT = ?0.020 (1) GPa/K, V ₀ = 100.2 (2) Å³, K ₀ = 46 (1) GPa, and K′ = 4.5 (1).     

Bi<Subscript>13-x</Subscript>Me<Subscript>x</Subscript>Mo<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>34±δ</Subscript> (Me = Mg,Ca, Sr,Ba) solid solutions: synthesis and properties

A series of complex oxides Bi_13-xMe_xMo₅O_34±δ, Me = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba were synthesized and studied. The solid solutions ranges and polymorphic modifications limits were determined. High temperature X-ray powder diffraction measurements showed the deviation of unit cell parameters dependence versus temperature from the linear function. Processes of forming of ceramic samples based on the synthesized powders were analyzed, and dense ceramic samples were obtained. Impedance spectroscopy displayed the changes of slope of Arrhenius plots which correspond with the HT-XPRD measurements. The presence of two different forms of monoclinic modification was supposed. The studied materials are promising ionic conductors, with the highest conductivity values about 6?×?10^?3 S cm^?1 at 973 K and 1.4?×?10^?4 S cm^?1 at 623 K.     

The effect of LiCF<Subscript>3</Subscript>SO<Subscript>3</Subscript> on the complexation with potato starch-chitosan blend polymer electrolytes

This work examines the effect of lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (LiCF₃SO₃) and glycerol on the conductivity and dielectric properties of potato starch-chitosan blend-based electrolytes. The electrolytes are prepared via solution cast technique. From X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, the blend of 50 wt.% starch and 50 wt.% chitosan is found to be the most amorphous blend. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy studies show the interaction between the electrolyte materials. The room temperature conductivity of pure starch-chitosan film is found to be (2.85 ± 1.31) × 10^?10 S cm^?1. The incorporation of 45 wt.% LiCF₃SO₃ increases the conductivity to (7.65 ± 2.27) × 10^?5 S cm^?1. Further conductivity enhancement up to (1.32 ± 0.35) × 10^?3 S cm^?1 has been observed on addition of 30 wt.% glycerol. This trend in conductivity is verified by XRD and dielectric analysis. The temperature dependence of conductivity of all electrolytes are Arrhenian.     

Investigation of black phosphorus field-effect transistors and its stability

In this paper, the electrical properties of black phosphorus(BP) are investigated. Back-gated field-effect transistors (FETs) array with different channel length are fabricated on the same BP nanoflake. The device exhibits high current on/off ratio (5 × 10³), high field-effect mobility (130 cm² V^?1 s^?1) and low contact resistance (917 Ω μm). In addition, the stability of BP device is also explored. Results show that the 10 nm Al₂O₃ dielectric layer can effectively depress the exposure of BP flakes with air and then protect the BP devices from ambient degradation. There is no noticeable degradation in device performance for the devices with 10 nm Al₂O₃ passivating layer even after being exposed in air for 2 weeks.     

Effect of hydrostatic pressure on the magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant K1 of iron and nickel

Previous values of the pressure dependence of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant K₁ of iron and nickel were revised. These values of K₁^?1 ($\text{dK}{}_1\text{dp}$) depend on the magnetic field for iron, and do not for nickel. The value in iron extrapolated to infinitely strong magnetic field is ?7.8×10^?6 bar^?1 at room temperature and ?7.3×10^?6 bar^?1 at 77K, and in nickel at 15 KOe is ?7.5×10^?6 bar^?1 at room temperature and ?2.8×10^?6 bar^?1 at 77K.     

Evaporated a-Si films with low ESR defect density by hydrogenation under NH3 ambient

a-Si films were obtained by a reactive evaporation of Si atoms with an electron gun, under a NH₃ ambient of 5 × 10^?5 torr. The H introduced amount efficiently reduces the ESR dangling bond density from 4 × 10¹⁹ cm^?3 in pure samples to 2 × 10¹⁷ cm^?3. The hydrogen presence is evidence by both the Si-H infrared bands and the strong spin-density increase with annealing. This increase, beginning at a temperature of 350°C, is attributed to the H effusion. XPS measurements show also an incorporation of bonded nitrogen.     

Minimum metallic conductivity in a thin crystal

Electrical conductivities of thin crystals of Bi₂(Te,S)₃ measured from 4.2°K to 300°K fall into four regions: 1) σ < 1.3×10^?5 S with positive temperature coefficient of conductivity; 2) 1.3×10^?5 S < σ < 1.4×10^?5 S with temperature independent conductivity; 3) 1.4×10^?5 S σ < 4×10^?5 S with negative temperature coefficient of conductivity, and 4) σ > 4×10^?5 S with hardly any temperature dependence. A disproportionately high fraction of samples falls into the second range; 1.3×10^?5 S < σ < 1.4×10^?5 S.     

Novel Bioactive Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) Complexes with Schiff Base Ligand Derived from Histidine and 1,3-Indandione: Synthesis,Structural Elucidation,Biological Investigation and Docking Analysis

Novel bioactive complexes of Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) metal ions with Schiff base ligand derived from histidine and 1,3-indandione were synthesized and thoroughly characterized by various analytical and spectral techniques. The biological investigations were carried out to examine the efficiency of the binding interaction of all the complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA). The binding properties were studied and evaluated quantitatively by K_b and K_sq values using UV-visible, fluorescence spectroscopy and voltammetric techniques. The experimental results revealed that the mode of binding of all the complexes with CT-DNA is via intercalation. It is further verified by viscosity measurements and thermal denaturation experiments. From the results of the cleavage study with pUC19 DNA it is inferred that all the complexes possess excellent cleaving ability. The present investigation proved that the binding interaction of all the complexes are significantly strong and the order of binding strength of the complexes is [Ni(L)₂] (K_b = 3.11 × 10⁶ M^?1) > [Co(L)₂] (K_b = 2.89 × 10⁶ M^?1) > [Cu(L)₂] (K_b = 2.64 × 10⁶ M^?1) > [Zn(L)₂] (K_b = 2.41 × 10⁵ M^?1). The complexes were also screened for antibacterial and anticandidal activity. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the ligand and complexes on the NIH/3 T3 mouse fibroblast cell lines were examined using CellTiter-Blue® (CTB) Cell viability assay, which unveiled that all the complexes exhibit more potent activities against NIH/3 T3 cells. Among all the complexes [Zn(L)₂] complex showed the maximum efficiency.     

A calix[4]arene derivative-doped perchlorate-selective membrane electrodes with/without multi-walled carbon nanotubes

In this study, poly (vinyl chloride)(PVC) membrane electrodes with/without multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) based on a calix[4]arene derivative for perchlorate ion were described. The influence of membrane composition, pH, conditioning solution on the potentiometric response of the electrodes was investigated. Perchlorate-selective PVC membrane electrode exhibited a slope of 47.8 ± 0.6 mV/pClO₄ in the range of 1.0 × 10^?7–1.0 × 10^?1 mol L^?1at pH 4.0 while the coated Pt electrodes with MWCNT-OH, MWCNT-COOH and MWCNT displayed slopes of 46.1 ± 0.7 mV/pClO₄ (5.0 × 10^?6–1.0 × 10^?1 mol L^?1), 50.4 ± 1.9 mV/pClO₄ (1.0 × 10^?6–1.0 × 10^?1 mol L^?1) and 44.4 ± 0.3 mV/pClO₄ (1.0 × 10^?5–1.0 × 10^?1 mol L^?1), respectively. Other response characteristics of these electrodes such as response time, lifetime and detection limit were identified, and the selectivity coefficients towards various anions were calculated by separate solution method. Moreover, the perchlorate-selective electrodes described here were successfully used as an indicator electrode for the determination of perchlorate in real samples such as tap water, river water and human urine by direct calibration method.     

Electrical and complex dielectric behaviour of composite polymer electrolyte based on PEO,alumina and tetrapropylammonium iodide

In this study, the electrical, dielectric and morphological analysis of composite solid polymer electrolytes containing polyethylene oxide, alumina nano-fillers and tetrapropylammonium iodide are conducted. The temperature dependence of conductivity shows activation energy of 0.23, 0.20 and 0.29 eV for electrolytes containing 0, 5 and 15 wt.% alumina, respectively, when data fitted to the Arrhenius equation. These activation energy values are in good agreement with those determined from dielectric measurements. The result confirms the fact that conductivity is activated by both the mobility and the charge carrier density. The conductivity isotherms demonstrated the existence of two peaks, at 5 and 15 wt.% Al₂O₃ composition. The highest conductivity values of 2.4 × 10^?4, 3.3 × 10^?4 and 4.2 × 10^?4 S cm^?1 are obtained for the sample with 5 wt.% Al₂O₃ at 0, 12 and 24 °C, respectively, suggesting an enhancement of conductivity compared with that of alumina free samples.     

Probing structural stability of double-walled carbon nanotubes at high non-hydrostatic pressure by Raman spectroscopy

Theoretical calculations predict that the collapse pressure for double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) is proportional to 1/R ³, where R is the effective or average radius of a DWCNT. In order to address the problem of CNT stability at high pressure and stress, we performed a resonance Raman study of DWCNTs dispersed in sodium cholate using 532 and 633 nm laser excitation. Raman spectra of the recovered samples show minor versus irreversible changes with increasing I _D/I _G ratio after exposure to high non-hydrostatic pressure of 23 and 35 GPa, respectively. The system exhibits nearly 70% pressure hysteresis in radial breathing vibrational mode signals recovery on pressure release which is twice that predicted by theory.     

Ultrasonic preparation of tetraoxalyl ethylenediamine melamine resin-coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes for trace Ni(II) sensing

Under an aid of ultrasonic, tetraoxalyl ethylenediamine melamine resin-coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes were prepared for Ni(II) sensing in aqueous solution. The processes involved the fabrication of tetraoxalyl ethylenediamine melamine resin by one pot way, the coating of tetraoxalyl ethylenediamine melamine resin at multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and the determination of Ni(II). The present materials were carefully examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope, and electrochemistry techniques. A great deal of amorphous microsphere could be observed for tetraoxalyl ethylenediamine melamine resin with an average diameter of 1.2 μm, and MTE could evenly adhere at the surface of MWCNTs by the ultrasonic. Tetraoxalyl ethylenediamine melamine resin-coated multiwalled carbon nanotube-modified paraffin-impregnated graphite electrode was successfully used for the determination of Ni(II) by differential pulse adsorptive anodic stripping voltammetry. The current responses (?0.3 V) were linearly increased depending on the concentration from 1?×?10^?11 to 3?×?10^?10 M (i (μA)?=?11.1?+?7.9 c (1?×?10^?12 M); R?=?0.9901, 3σ?=?7?×?10^?12 M).