Isothermal and Isochronal Studies of the Structural and Electrical Properties of CdTe

Cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin films were grown by thermal evaporation technique. The influence of post‐growth heat treatment, isothermal and isochronal, on the structural and electrical properties of these films were carried out. Multi phases were obtained as a function of the period and the value of annealing temperature. In isothermal annealing, the sheet resistance was dropped by many orders while in isochronal annealing it was increased fairly. A correlation between the temperature and the annealing time and the structural characteristics of these films was established in both type of annealing. The grain size and the sheet resistance were found greatly affected by the type of annealing as well as the temperature and the annealing time.     

Characterization of α and γ polymorphs of glycine crystallized from water‐ammonia solution

Crystallization of metastable α and stable γ polymorphs of glycine was carried out from aqueous solution in the presence of ammonia. Pure aqueous solution and solution with lower concentration of ammonia yield α nucleation and solution with a critical concentration of ammonia yield γ nucleation. Variation in the solubility of glycine in double distilled water and pH of the resulting solution due to the ammonia incorporation was studied in a range of temperatures. The induction period for the α and γ nucleation in the solution was determined and its variation due to the ammonia incorporation was also studied. Single crystals of both the polymorphs were grown by slow evaporation method. Effect of ammonia concentration and the resultant pH of the solution on the nucleation, growth and morphology of the grown polymorphs were investigated. The unidirectional growth of the γ polymorph along the polar axis was revealed. X‐ray powder diffraction method was employed to distinguish both the polymorphs structurally. Their thermal stability above room temperature was studied by differential scanning calorimetry which revealed that the as‐grown γ polymorph transforms to α at 179.6 °C while the as‐grown α retains its phase until melting. The optical transmittance of the grown γ polymorph was studied in the UV‐Vis‐Near IR region. The second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency of the grown γ polymorph was studied with a Nd:YAG laser source and is about 6.8% higher than that of the inorganic standard KDP. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

On Magnetic Properties and Thermal Stability of Fe(M)‐Si‐B (M = V,Ni, Cu,Nb, Mo,Pd, Ag) Amorphous Alloys

Experimental results are presented regarding the variation of the atomic magnetic moment, the Curie temperature and the crystallization temperature of Fe_78‐cM_cSi₉B₁₃ (M = V, Nb, Mo) and Fe_75‐cM_cSi₉B₁₆ (M = Ni, Cu, Pd, Ag) amorphous alloys. Efforts were made to explain qualitatively the phenomena, based on the behavior of the amorphous alloys when various admixtures substitute Fe atoms.     

Synthesis and properties of α‐Fe2O3 nanorods

We report synthesis of α‐Fe₂O₃ (hematite) nanorods by reverse micelles method using cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as surfactant and calcined at 300 °C. The calcined α‐Fe₂O₃ nanorods were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), high‐resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The result showed that the α‐Fe₂O₃ nanorods were hexagonal structure. The nanorods have diameter of 30‐50 nm and length of 120‐150 nm. The weak ferromagnetic behavior was observed with saturation magnetization = 0.6 emu/g, coercive force = 25 Oe and remanant magnetization = 0.03 emu/g. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystallization features of YBa2Cu3O7‐δ in the Y2BaCuO5‐BaCuO2‐CuO and Y2Cu2O5‐BaCuO2 systems

Based on the data of X‐ray phase and microstructure analysis, the sample composition was optimized in order to provide maximum size of the textured macrograins of YBa₂Cu₃O_7‐δ and of the crystallites in the Y₂BaCuO₅‐BaCuO₂‐CuO, Y₂Cu₂O₅‐BaCuO₂ systems. The growth rate has been studied and the YBa₂Cu₃O_7‐δ growth activation energy has been calculated for the samples of Y₂BaCuO₅+3BaCuO₂+2.3CuO, Y₂BaCuO₅+3BaCuO₂+0.6CuO, and Y₂Cu₂O₅+3.5BaCuO₂ compounds in the temperature range of 1240‐1270K for the case of use of the Y₂Cu₂O₅ and Y₂BaCuO₅ precursors with an average grain diameter of 10 μm and 1mm. A crystallization mechanism of YBa₂Cu₃O_7‐δ in the Y₂BaCuO₅‐BaCuO₂‐CuO and Y₂Cu₂O₅‐BaCuO₂ systems in the case of different sizes of Y₂BaCuO₅ and Y₂Cu₂O₅ precursor grains was proposed and validated. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Characterization of thin‐film a‐Si:H/µc‐Si:H tandem solar cells on glass substrates

Techniques, such as photoluminescence (PL) and electron‐beam‐induced current (EBIC), have already proven their effectiveness and applicability for solar materials. Although, the methods are standard techniques for multicrystalline Si PV, their application to thin films is challenging and requires special adjustment and a careful selection of the measuring parameters. Here we report on the investigation of thin‐film tandem solar cells consisting of hydrogenated amorphous (a‐Si:H) and microcrystalline silicon (µc‐Si:H) on glass substrates. We observe a homogeneous spatial distribution of the PL signals caused by the dominance of the surface recombination. A typical PL spectrum exhibits sub‐band gap features of a‐Si:H. We relate the sub‐band‐gap spectral features mainly to transitions of carriers trapped in deep states. Observations on partially processed stacks support this supposition. PL is only detectable on the a‐Si:H layer, while EBIC signal is generated mainly in the µc‐Si:H layer. It is found out that the luminescence features of the thin a‐Si:H layer resemble those on bulk a‐Si:H.     

Crystallization behaviors of carbon fiber reinforced BN‐Si3N4 matrix composite

The crystallization behaviors of a new carbon fiber reinforced composite with a hybrid matrix comprising BN and Si₃N₄ prepared by precursor infiltration and pyrolysis were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the as‐received composite is almost amorphous, and its main composition is BN and Si₃N₄. When heat treated at 1600°C, the composite is crystallized and shows a much better crystal form. When heat treated at 2100°C, Si₃N₄ in the matrix is decomposed, and BN exhibits a relatively complete crystallization. The existence of B₄C and SiC is detected, which indicates the interfacial chemical reactions between nitride matrices and carbon fibers. The surface morphology of carbon fibers in the composite changed significantly when heated from 1600 to 2100°C, which also proved the occurrence of interfacial chemical reactions. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystallization of β‐glycine by spray drying

Glycine crystallization during spray drying has been investigated on a laboratory scale. In order to obtain different polymorphs the experiments have been performed at different hot air temperatures, concentrations, different flow of the solution and spraying air. The obtained crystals were analyzed by means of X‐ray powder diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry and the Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. Crystallization mostly resulted with a mixture of α‐ and β‐glycine with a small amount of γ‐glycine. The glycine polymorphism is affected by the drying air temperature, concentration and the flow of the solution, as well as the spraying air flow. Decrease of the drying air temperature and increase of the solution flow rate causes the increase of the quantity of β‐glycine. At room conditions, β‐glycine spontaneously transforms into thermodynamically more stable α‐glycine. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystallization and Characterization of Orthorhombic β‐MgSO4 · 7H2O

In solution, the growth rate and the crystal habit are influenced by a number of factors such as supersaturation, temperature, pH of the solution, cooling rate, agitation, viscosity, initial state of the seed crystal and the presence of impurities. The crystallization of orthorhombic β‐MgSO₄ · 7H₂O, from low temperature aqueous solution by slow cooling process was studied. The metastable zone width, the induction periods (τ) for different supersaturations and the effect of pH on the growth rate of the crystals were investigated. The increase of pH yielded bigger crystals. The structural, optical, thermal and mechanical properties of β‐MgSO₄ · 7H₂O have been studied using FT‐IR, X‐ray diffraction, TGA‐DTG and micro hardness analyses.     

3 β ‐Acetoxy‐5 α ‐cholestan‐6‐one: A Steroid

The crystal and molecular structure of 3 β ‐Acetoxy‐5 α ‐cholestan‐6‐one has been determined by X‐ray crystallographic techniques. The compound crystallizes in the space group P2₁ with cell parameters : a = 13.060(3), b=6.299(2), c=17.152(6)Å; β =96.47(3)o, V = 1402.02ų, Z = 2, R = 0.072 for 1921 observed reflections. The six‐membered rings (A, B and C) exist in the chair conformations while the five‐membered ring‐d assumes half‐chair. All rings of the steroid skeleton are trans connected.     

Synthesis of spindle‐shaped α‐FeOOH and α‐Fe2O3 nanocrystals

Spindle‐shaped α‐FeOOH nanocrystals were facilely synthesized using a poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP)‐assisted route under hydrothermal conditions. The chemical compositions and morphol‐ogies of the as‐prepared samples were characterized in detail by X‐ray power diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The experimental results reveal that these spindle‐shaped α‐FeOOH nanocrystals have self‐organized into assemblies with hierarchical nanostructures. The crucial roles of PVP in the hydrothermal synthesis of hierarchical α‐FeOOH nanostructures were discussed. The possible formation mechanism was also suggested. Moreover, the spindle‐shaped α‐Fe₂O₃ nanocrystals could be easily obtained after calcining the α‐FeOOH prepared by the PVP‐assisted hydrothermal process. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Rapid synthesis of dendrite‐ and platelet‐like α‐Fe2O3 via a hydrothermal oxidation route

Dendrite and platelet‐like α‐Fe₂O₃ microcrystals were synthesized by the oxidation reaction of K₄Fe(CN)₆and NaClO₃ through a simple hydrothermal method. The structures and morphologies of the as‐prepared samples were characterized in detail by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The experiment results show that NaOH played an important role in controlling the morphology of the final products. The possible mechanism was discussed to elucidate the formation of different morphologies of the α‐Fe₂O₃ microstructures. Besides, the magnetic property of the dendrite α‐Fe₂O₃ microstructure was characterized by a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystallization of PbxSr1‐x(NO3)2 Solid Solutions from Aqueous Solutions

A series of Pb_xSr_1‐x(NO₃)₂ crystals have been grown from aqueous solutions and characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction. All diffraction data were well indexed according to the simple cubic structure. The variation of lattice constants with the concentrations of Pb²⁺ in the crystals accorded quite well to the Vegard's Law. The composition of the Sr(NO₃)₂ crystal doped with Pb²⁺ was studied by electron microprobe and it was found that Pb²⁺ was enriched in the 111 sectors. Equilibrium behavior in the Pb(NO₃)₂‐Sr(NO₃)₂‐H₂O system was analyzed by Lippmann's phase diagram and the equilibrium distribution coefficient D_Pb=133.6. This large value of D indicates that Pb²⁺ ion is preferentially distributed to the solid phase.     

Crystallization of potassium sulfate by cooling and salting‐out using 1‐propanol in a calorimetric reactor

A study was made on a isothermal process for the crystallization of potassium sulfate as an alternative to the cooling process. The process employs addition of 1‐propanol to aqueous salt solutions to achieve the “saltingout” of the K₂SO₄. This work was carried out using an automated Mettler Toledo model RC1 reactorcrystallizer with 800 ml capacity, and controlled isothermally at 25 °C to test the crystallization of K₂SO₄ by addition of the alcohol, and from 50 to 10 °C for the cooling crystallization. In both systems, the line of nucleation points was shown to be approximately parallel to the saturation curve, with an average width of 13°C or 3 % mass for crystallization by cooling, compared with 0.2 to 1 % by salting‐out. In experiments on crystallization by cooling, the K₂SO₄ crystals were 0.27 mm in mean size, showed 7 % agglomeration, and contained 8.5 % moisture. Crystals obtained by salting‐out had a mean size of 0.79 mm, 28 % agglomeration, and 9‐10 % moisture content. A crystal shape factor of approximately of 0.7 was obtained in both systems, apart from the agglomeration.     

Analysis of current ‐ voltage ‐ temperature characteristics of In and Cu contacts on n‐type MoSe2 single crystals

The current voltage characteristics of In / Cu with n‐type MoSe₂ Schottky diodes were measured over a wide temperature range 50 < T < 300 K. The interface formed by In and MoSe₂ shows ohmic behavior after annealing the contact at 100 °C for 12 h. The ohmic nature was retained at all the measured temperatures. The Cu ‐ nMoSe2 interface formed a Schottky junction diode with a good rectification ratio. The Schottky barrier height and the ideality factor thereby obtained were 0.72 eV and 1.45, respectively, at room temperature. Below room temperature, the barrier height and the ideality factor vary with decreasing temperature. The changes are significant at low temperatures. Barrier height inhomogeneities at the interface cause deviation in the zero‐bias barrier height and the ideality factor at low temperatures, and produce extra current such that I‐V characteristics remain consistent with the thermionic emission mechanism. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystallographic Investigations of 3β‐acetoxy‐5α‐cholestan‐6‐one‐semicarbazone ‐ A Steroid

The crystal structure of 3b‐acetoxy‐5a‐cholestan‐6‐one‐semicarbazone (C₃₀H₅₁O₃N₃) has been determined by X‐ray diffraction methods. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁ with cell parameters a = 11.641(1), b = 16.552(1) c = 31.181(4) Å and Z = 8. The structure has been refined to an R‐value of 0.050 for 4407 observed reflections. Two molecules in the asymmetric unit have been observed. In both the crystallographically independent molecules, all the three six‐membered rings (A, B and C ) of steroid nucleus exist in chair conformation, while the five‐ membered ring D exists in 13β distorted‐envelope in molecule‐I and 13β, 14α half‐chair conformation in molecule‐II. Three intermolecular N‐H … O hydrogen bonds have been observed.     

Synthesis of nano‐crystalline zeolite β: Effects of crystallization parameters

The effects of variation in Si/Al ratio (25 and 100) and crystallization temperature (80 °C to 180 °C, at an interval of 20 K) on crystal size of zeolite β were studied. Products obtained at different synthesis parameters were characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption. Increase in crystal size with crystallization temperature and Si/Al molar ratio was observed. Crystal morphology at 140 °C was spherical whereas at 180 °C it was of irregular shape. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

synthesis of high‐quality crystalline α‐MoO3 nanobelts

High‐quality crystalline MoO₃ nanobelts were successfully fabricated with a facile hydrothermal route by using common and inexpensive NaCl as a capping agent. The products are thoroughly characterized by the combination of different techniques. The results indicate that as‐prepared MoO₃ nanobelts have an orthorhombic crystal structure (α‐MoO₃) with growth preferential in the [001] direction, the size of the obtained MoO₃ nanobelts ranges from 200 nm to 300 nm in width and micrometers in length. The effects of the amount of NaCl on the morphology and size of the resultant MoO₃ were also investigated, it is clearly shown that the presence of appropriate amount of NaCl plays a crucial role in controlling the size and morphology of the obtained MoO₃. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The Setting Behaviour of α‐ and β‐CaSO4 · 0,5 H2O as a Function of Crystal Structure and Morphology

Calcium sulphate subhydrates (CaSO₄ · x H₂O, 0 < x ≤ 0.8) have a honeycomb‐shaped channel structure. The symmetry is either trigonal or a slight deviation thereof. Due to insufficient diffraction data and the high pseudosymmetry of the structure, it is not possible at this point to determine with certainty the specific arrangement of the water molecules in the channels. When the Fourier transformation method is used to calculate the growth form of the hemihydrate (x = 0.5), the calculated crystal form corresponds to the observed form only when the trigonal structural symmetry is largely retained. During dehydration of gypsum or, conversely, during the setting process of hemihydrate, heteroepitaxial growths of hemihydrate are observed on gypsum, or gypsum is grown heteroepitaxially on hemihydrate. The (100) faces of the hemihydrate and (010) of gypsum for the most part run parallel. Using diffraction and spectroscopic methods, it can be shown that a structural difference exists between α‐ and β‐hemihydrates, and that this difference probably accounts for the different setting behaviours. It is in this context that the presence of oxonium ions, particularly in β‐hemihydrate, found in NMR experiments is of interest. Textural studies indicated that the arrangement of gypsum crystals found in hardened gypsum is determined by the hemihydrate.     

The Characteristics of the Mixed Crystals of the KNO3‐NH4NO3‐H2O System at 298 K

The equilibrium studies of the KNO₃‐NH₄NO₃‐H₂O system at 298 K have been conducted. The isotherm of solubility and the curve of distribution have been mathematically described. The parameters of the crystal lattice and the enthalpy of crystallization of the [K_x(NH₄)_1‐x]NO₃ solid solutions as a function of their composition have been presented. The structure of salts KNO₃�xNH₄NO₃ with different x values have been solved and refined.