Structural and dielectric properties of polyvinyl alcohol/barium zirconium titanate polymer–ceramic composite

The polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/barium zirconium titanate Ba[Zr_0.1Ti_0.9]O₃ (BZT) polymer–ceramic composites with different volume percentage are obtained from solution mixing and hot-pressing method. Their structural and electrical properties are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rietveld refinement, cluster modeling, scanning electron microscope and dielectric study. XRD patterns of PVA/BZT polymer–ceramics composite (with 50% volume fractions) indicate no obvious differences than the XRD patterns of pure BZT which shows that the crystal structure is still stable in the composite. The scanning electron micrograph indicates that the BZT ceramic is dispersed homogeneously in the polymer matrix without agglomeration. The dielectric permittivity (ε_r) and the dielectric loss (tan δ) of the composites increase with the increase of the volume fraction of BZT ceramic. Theoretical models are employed to rationalize the dielectric behavior of the polymer composites. The dielectric properties of the composites display good stability within a wide range of temperature and frequency. The excellent dielectric properties of these polymer–ceramic composites indicate that the BZT/PVA composites can be a candidate for embedded capacitors.     

Performance of non-thermal DBD plasma reactor during the removal of hydrogen sulfide

Destruction of hydrogen sulfide using dielectric barrier discharge plasma in a coaxial cylindrical reactor was carried out at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. Three types of DBD reactor were compared in terms of specific energy density (SED), equivalent capacitances of the gap (Cg) and the dielectric barrier (Cd), energy yield (EY), and H₂S decomposition. In addition, byproducts during the decomposition of H₂S and destruction mechanism were also investigated. SED for all the reactors depended almost linearly on the voltage. In general, Cg decreased with increasing voltage and with the existence of pellet material, while Cd displayed the opposite trend. The removal efficiency of H₂S increased substantially with increasing AC frequency and applied voltage. Longer gas residence times also contributed to higher H₂S removal efficiency. The choice of pellet material was an important factor influencing the H₂S removal. The reactor filled with ceramic Raschig rings had the best H₂S removal performance, with an EY of 7.30 g/kWh. The likely main products in the outlet effluent were H₂O, SO₂, and SO₃.     

Study on ionic conductivity and dielectric properties of PEO-based solid nanocomposite polymer electrolytes

The ionic conductivity and dielectric properties of the solid nanocomposite polymer electrolytes formed by dispersing a low particle-sized TiO₂ ceramic filler in a poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO)-AgNO₃ matrix are presented and discussed. The solid nanocomposite polymer electrolytes are prepared by hot press method. The optimum conducting solid polymer electrolyte of polymer PEO and salt AgNO₃ is used as host matrix and TiO₂ as filler. From the filler concentration-dependent conductivity study, the maximum ionic conductivity at room temperature is obtained for 10 wt% of TiO₂. The real part of impedance (Z′) and imaginary part of impedance (Z″) are analyzed using an LCR meter. The dielectric properties of the highest conducting solid polymer electrolyte are analyzed using dielectric permittivity (ε′), dielectric loss (ε″), loss tangent (tan δ), real part of the electric modulus (M′), and imaginary part of the electric modulus (M″). It is observed that the dielectric constant (ε′) increases sharply towards the lower frequencies due to the electrode polarization effect. The maxima of the loss tangent (tan δ) shift towards higher frequencies with increasing temperature. The peaks observed in the imaginary part of the electric modulus (M″) due to conductivity relaxation shows that the material is ionic conductor. The enhancement in ionic conductivity is observed when nanosized TiO₂ is added into the solid polymer electrolyte.     

Self-assembled monolayer growth on chemically modified polymer surfaces

We report a study of the self-assembled monolayer (SAM) growth of bis[3(triethoxysilane)propyl]tetrasulfide (Tetrasulfide) on low dielectric constant (low-k) aromatic hydrocarbon SiLK whose surface chemistry was modified using sulfuric acid, He plasma treatment, and N₂ plasma treatment. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra show that there is no detectable growth of Tetrasulfide SAM on untreated SiLK surfaces. After the SiLK surfaces have been treated with sulfuric acid, He plasma, or N₂ plasma, the original chemically inert polymer surfaces are functionalized with polar groups resulting in a significant improvement of their wettability, which is confirmed by their reduction of water droplet contact angles. The introduction of polar functional groups thus facilitates the formation of Tetrasulfide SAM on the polymer surfaces. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis shows an insignificant change in the surface morphology after the growth of Tetrasulfide SAM on the chemically modified SiLK surfaces. Quantitative XPS analysis also showed that Tetrasulfide SAM growth is more prominent on He and N₂ plasma treated surfaces than those treated by sulfuric acid.     

Effect of modifying a methyl siloxane-based dielectric by a polymer thin film for pentacene thin-film transistors

We report on the fabrication of pentacene thin-film transistors (TFTs) utilizing a spun methyl siloxane-based spin-on-glass (SOG) dielectric and show that these devices can give a similar electrical performance as achieved by using pentacene TFTs with a silicon dioxide (SiO₂) dielectric. To improve the electrical performance of pentacene TFTs with the SOG dielectric, we employed a hybrid dielectric of an SOG/cross-linked poly-4-vinylphenol (PVP) polymer. The PVP film was deposited onto the spun SOG dielectric prior to pentacene evaporation, resulting in an improvement of the saturation field effect mobility (μ_sat) from 0.01 cm²/(V s) to 0.76 cm²/(V s). The good surface morphology and the matching surface energy of the SOG dielectric that was modified with the polymer thin film allow the optimized growth of crystalline pentacene domains whose nuclei are embedded in an amorphous phase.     

Predictive model of decontamination efficiency of gaseous pollutant by non-equilibrium plasma

During non-equilibrium plasma (NEP) reactions, chemical bonds of pollutant compound are broken by energy generated in the reactor so that the pollutants are decontaminated. In this study, the energy conversion factor (E_f) is defined as the ratio of the dissociation energy of chemical bonds destroyed in NEP reaction system to the energy inputted in plasma reactor. The energy conversion factor of chemical bonds (E_f,i), S–H, C–Cl, C–S, C–H, C–C etc., were determined by decontamination experiments of H₂S and 2-CEES in plasma reactor. Based on the E_f,is, the predictive model of NEP decontamination efficiency of gaseous pollutant was developed and applied to predict decontamination efficiency of CH₃CH₂SH, in which all E_f,is of chemical bonds are known as described above. It was shown by the decontamination experiment of CH₃CH₂SH that the predictive value was well agreed to experimental data. Therefore, the model can be used to predict decontamination efficiency of those pollutants in which all E_f,is of chemical bonds have been determined. An improved model is also produced by the analysis of predictive error.     

Jerks-and-jumps type electrode diagnostics in a DBD reactor by OES

This work reports on the successful measurement of the second-positive N₂(B ? C) and the first-negative N ₂ ⁺ (B ? X) band system emissions intensities for the transitions observed in the 337.1-and 391.4-nm wavelengths, respectively, by optical emission spectroscopy (OES). By determining the electron energy distribution function and the spectroscopy results, it is possible to obtain the average electron energy of the system. Two dielectric barrier discharge reactors of rectangular geometry have been used for this purpose: a first reactor, endowed with a single dielectric and a modified electrode, in which discontinuities of the jerks-and-jumps type were manufactured in order to confine the discharge, and a second reactor of conventional flat electrodes and a double dielectric. The final objective of this study is to ascertain which of the reactors provides a higher efficiency in the NO _x removal from a gas mixture. The results indicate that, for the first reactor, energies on the order of 11 eV were reached, while lower energies up to 8 eV were obtained in the second reactor. This indicates clearly that the first reactor is close to the corona discharge behavior. As to the removal efficiency, the first reactor showed a better performance with inferior concentrations around a 50-μmol/mol mixture.     

Possibility of utilizing the D-3He fuel cycle with 3He production in a spherical tokamak reactor

Possible operating regimes of a spherical tokamak reactor based on the D-³He fuel cycle with ³He production are considered. The parameters of the plasma and magnetic system are calculated for several versions corresponding to the high power efficiency (with a power gain factor in plasma of Q = 20) in a reactor with an aspect ratio of A = 1.5. According to calculations, for an axial magnetic field in vacuum of B ₀ = 2 T, a plasma radius of a = 3 m, an average 〈β〉 value of 0.53, and a plasma temperature of 〈T〉 = 48 keV, the reactor power can reach P _fus = 500 MW. In order to achieve a power of P _fus = 1500 MW in a reactor with a = 2 m, 〈β〉 = 0.36, and 〈T〉 = 40 keV, the magnetic field should be increased to B ₀ = 5 T.     

Effect of conductivity on the dielectric characteristics of cyano-ethyl ester of poly(vinyl alcohol)

Frequency dependences of the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric permittivity of films prepared from cyano-ethyl ester of poly(vinyl alcohol) have been studied within a frequency range of 25 Hz to 1 MHz at temperatures from 266 to 323 K. The frequency dependence of the total conductivity of the polymer dielectric has been calculated. At T < T _g , it has been established to follow a power law course with an exponent close to unity, which evidences hopping pattern of the conductivity. The anomalous increase of the dielectric losses and dielectric permittivity in the low-frequency range at T ≥ T _g is attributed to formation of double electric layers at the electrode-polymer boundary.     

Nonlinear oscillatory waveguide propagation in a plasma

The presence of an intense Gaussian laser beam gives rise to a ponderomotive force on electrons in a collisionless plasma, leading to a redistribution of electron density along the wave-front and consequently to an intensity dependent dielectric constant which saturates with increasing intensity. The intensity dependent dielectric constant is responsible for beam propagation in an oscillatory waveguide. It is seen that (i) a beam of radiusr ₀ less thanr _0min (?c/ω _p) cannot be focused in the plasma regardless of its power, (ii) minimum dimension of oscillatory waveguide increases with increasing power of the beam. Similar results are also obtained for collisional plasma where nonlinearity arises due to nonuniform heating and consequent redistribution of carriers.     

Effect of a plasma polymerised linalyl acetate dielectric on the optical and morphological properties of an n-type organic semiconductor

Thin films of the n-type, organic semiconductor PDI-8CN₂ were thermally evaporated on two different dielectric surfaces and their optical and morphological properties investigated using Variable Angle Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (VASE) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), respectively. The two dielectric surfaces used were SiO₂ and a plasma polymer derived from the non-synthetic monomer linalyl acetate. The characterisations were performed in order to assess the viability of plasma polymerised linalyl acetate (PLA) thin films as dielectric layers in future Organic Field-Effect Transistor (OFET) devices. These studies resulted in determination of the optical profiles (refractive index and extinction coefficient) in the UV-Vis band of PDI-8CN₂ grown on SiO₂ and an observation of uniaxial anisotropy in the organic semiconductor. This information is useful for the design of opto-electronic devices using PDI-8CN₂ layers. Variations in morphological properties and small variations optical properties were found when the PDI-8CN₂ films were grown on PLA layers, and attributed to the change in surface chemistry between dielectrics.     

OES analysis in a nonthermal plasma used for toxic gas removal: Rotational and excitation temperature estimation

Nonthermal plasma technologies are often used for cleaning toxic gases. In this work, we will present an optical emission spectroscopy (OES) study in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) used to remove NO _x specifically. Rotational temperatures are calculated from the UV-OH band (A ²Σ, ν = 0 → X ²Π ν′ = 0) situated between 306–310 nm; for the rotational temperature, a fitting method was employed (comparison between experimental data with a synthetic molecular spectrum). Excitation temperatures were calculated using OII atomic lines situated in a wavelength range of 300–700 nm using a Boltzman’s plot method. From calculated temperatures, a thermal inequity characteristic of nonthermal plasma discharges has been high-lighted. The influence of the percentage of water added to the DBD reactor is also studied in the removal efficiency and in the OH band intensities and temperatures.     

Structural, conductivity, and dielectric characterization of PEO–PEG blend composite polymer electrolyte dispersed with TiO2 nanoparticles

A solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) composites consisting blend of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as the polymer host with LiCF₃SO₃ as a Li⁺ cation salt and TiO₂ nanoparticle which acts as a filler were prepared using solution-casting technique. The SPE films were characterized by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared analysis to ensure complexation of the polymer composites. Frequency-dependent impedance spectroscopy observation was used to determine ionic conductivity and dielectric parameters. Ionic conductivity was found to vary with increasing salt and filler particle concentrations in the polymer blend complexes. The optimum ambient temperature conductivity achieved was 2.66?×?10^?4?S?cm^?1 for PEO (65 %), PEG (15 %), LiCF₃SO₃ (15 %), ethylene carbonate (5 %), and TiO₂ (3 %) using weight percentage. The dielectric relaxation time obtained from a loss tangent plot is fairly consistent with the conductivity studies. Both Arrhenius and VTF behaviors of all the composites confirm that the conductivity mechanism of the solid polymer electrolyte is thermally activated.     

Enhanced dielectric properties and energy storage density of interface controlled ferroelectric BCZT-epoxy nanocomposites

Polymer nanocomposites with ferroelectric fillers are promising materials for modern power electronics that include energy storage devices. Ferroelectric filler, Ba_0.85Ca_0.15Zr_0.1Ti_0.9O₃ (BCZT) nanopowder, was synthesized by sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies confirmed the phase purity and the particle size distribution was determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Extended aromatic ligand in the form of naphthyl phosphate (NPh) was chosen for surface passivation of BCZT nanoparticles. Surface functionalization was validated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and impedance spectroscopy using slurry technique. The dielectric constant of surface-passivated BCZT nanopowder was ~155, whereas pristine BCZT nanopowder dielectric constant could not be assessed due to high innate surface conductivity. Furthermore, BCZT–epoxy nanocomposite films were prepared and analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dielectric spectroscopy, dielectric breakdown strength (DBS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Owning to stronger polymer–particle interface, dielectric measurements of 5 vol.% NPh surface functionalized BCZT–epoxy nanocomposites indicated improved DBS and glass transition temperature (T_g), reduced dielectric loss, and enhanced energy storage density compared to untreated BCZT–epoxy composites and pure epoxy. The energy storage density of 30 vol.% NPh surface functionalized BCZT–epoxy nanocomposite of 20 μm film thickness was almost three times that of pure epoxy polymer of identical film thickness.     

Plasmons in semiconductors and insulators: A simple formula

Based on the dielectric function of an excitonic system, a simple model dielectric function is constructed. The high energy zero of this function yields the plasma frequency, and is given by: (hω_x)² = (hω_f)² + E_x² where ω_f is the free electron plasma frequency and E_x the lowest exciton energy. It is argued that this formula is valid for both, Frenkel and Wannier excitons, and comparison is made with experiments on a variety of crystals, ranging from InSb to Ar. In all cases, surprisingly good agreement is found.     

Spectroscopic investigations and electrical properties of PVA/PVP blend filled with different concentrations of nickel chloride

Films of PVA/PVP blend (50/50) filled with different concentrations of NiCl₂ were prepared by casting method. The prepared films were investigated by different techniques. XRD scans demonstrated that the peak intensity at 2θ≈20° decreased and the band width increased with increase in the concentrations of NiCl₂ content, which implied decrease in the degree of crystallization and hence causes increase in the amorphous region. UV-vis analysis revealed that the values of the optical band gap are affected with increase in NiCl₂ content. This indicates the formation of charge transfer complexes between the polymer blend and the filler. The rise of conductivity is significant with increased concentration of NiCl₂ filler; this reveals an increase in degree of amorphosity. AC conductivity (σ_ac) behavior of all the prepared films was investigated over the frequency range 42 Hz-5 MHz and under different isothermal stabilization in the temperature range 313-393 K. It suggests that the hopping mechanism might be playing an important role in the conduction process in high frequency region. The dielectric behavior was analyzed using dielectric permittivity (ε´, ε″) dielectric loss tangent (tan δ) and electric modulus (M″). The decrease in dielectric permittivity was observed with increase in the concentration of NiCl₂ filler. This suggests the role of NiCl₂ as filler to improve the electrical conductivity of PVA/PVP blend.     

Infrared reflectance studies on silver intercalated TiS2

Infrared reflectance studies were carried out on Stage 1 and Stage 2 single crystals of silver-intercalated TiS₂. The spectra clearly showed the Drude edge and were analyzed using the single carrier Drude model. The Drude parameter values, plasma frequency (ω_p), damping constant (Γ), high frequency dielectric constant (ε_∞) and carrier concentration were calculated.     

Mechanism and optimization of non-thermal plasma-activated water for bacterial inactivation by underwater plasma jet and delivery of reactive species underwater by cylindrical DBD plasma

Plasma-activated water (PAW) has been in use for the past decade in sanitization against bacteria and other microorganisms. This research study compared PAW generated by a DC positive flyback transformer (FBT) underwater plasma jet with delivery of reactive species underwater by cylindrical dielectric barrier discharge (C-DBD) with a neon transformer. A Box–Behnken design was adopted as a response surface methodology (RSM) to design the experimental plan and optimize operating parameters including time, gas flow, and gas ratio. The physical responses comprise optical emission spectroscopy (OES), pH, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and electrical conductivity (EC). The chemical responses consist of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and hydroxyl radicals (OH·). The biological responses include Escherichia coli reduction and Staphylococcus aureus reduction. The optimal condition for underwater plasma jet was found to be Ar gas with a flow rate of 3 slm for 6.5 min of treatment time, which can reduce E. coli and S. aureus to 7.14 ± 0.14 and 3.10 ± 0.26 in log, respectively. Also, the optimal condition for delivery of reactive species underwater by C-DBD plasma was found to be Ar (99%): O₂ (1%) gas mixture with an Ar gas flow rate of 4 slm for a treatment time of 11.5 min, which could reduce E. coli and S. aureus to 0.45 ± 0.07 and 2.45 ± 0.23 in log, respectively.     

Thermal,vibrational, and dielectric studies on PVP/LiBF4+ionic liquid [EMIM][BF4]-based polymer electrolyte films

Free-standing polymer electrolyte membranes based on poly(vinyl) pyrrolidone (PVP)/salt(LiBF₄) having different amounts of ionic liquid (IL) [EMIM][BF₄] were prepared and characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and alternating current (AC) impedance spectroscopic techniques. The DSC results show a shift in T_m of PVP with salt/or IL content. TGA and DTGA (first derivative of TGA) results give evidence of the presence of uncomplexed PVP, PVP/salt, and PVP/IL complexes. Signatures of these entities are also present in the dielectric spectra. Complexation of PVP with salt and IL has been confirmed by FT-IR analysis. Electrical conductivity as a function of temperature has been studied for PVP/LiBF₄/IL [EMIM][BF₄]. Role of IL in changing phase transition, conductivity, and dielectric relaxation frequency has been discussed.     

The effects of plasma treatment on the thermal stability of HfO2 thin films

The thermal stability of pure HfO₂ thin films is not high enough to withstand thermal processes, such as S/D activation or post-metal annealing, in modern industrial CMOS production. In addition, plasma nitridation technology has been employed for increasing the dielectric constant of silicon dioxide and preventing boron penetration. In this experiment, atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology was used to deposit HfO₂ thin films and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) technology was used to perform plasma nitridation process. The C-V and J-V characteristics of the nitrided samples were observed to estimate the effect of the nitridation process. According to this study, plasma nitridation process would be an effective method to improve the thermal stability of HfO₂ thin films.