Velocity of ultrasonic waves in ferrocomposites

The velocity of ultrasonic waves with a frequency of 3 MHz is experimentally studied in a wide range of volume concentrations (0.1–50%) of ferrite particles in the matrix. The mean size of particles is 6 μm. The results of the study show that the concentration dependence of the velocity of ultrasonic wave propagation in ferrocomposites has three specific regions, in which the concentration coefficient of velocity changes from negative to positive passing through a minimum in the percolation region.     

Ultrasonic investigation of magnetic nanoparticles suspension with PEG biocompatible coating

Water suspension of nanoparticles was studied by ultrasound spectroscopy. Nanoparticles have a core-shell structure with magnetic core Fe₃O₄ and surfactant shells. The surface of magnetic particles was coated with oleate sodium as the primary layer and polyethylene glycol as the secondary layer. The acoustic properties of suspensions, such as velocity and attenuation of ultrasonic waves, have been measured. From experimental data mechanical properties have been determined. Adiabatic compressibility of nanoparticles suspension decreased with increase of temperature. The changes of ultrasonic wave attenuation under the influence of the external magnetic field, show that magnetic liquids with high concentration of magnetic material (despite two surfactant shells) show tendency to aggregate.     

Study of heating effect and acoustic properties of dextran stabilized magnetic fluid

This paper presents acoustic properties of water-based biocompatible fluids in which magnetite particles (Fe₃O₄) were coated with two layers of surfactants: sodium oleate and dextran. The attenuation coefficient of ultrasonic wave measurements shows good structural stability of the fluid under the influence of a magnetic field. Hyperthermic tests proved that the magnetic fluid is suitable for therapeutic use as an agent which can release thermal energy (hyperthermia).     

Anomalous behaviour of sound velocity in the highT c superconductor YBa2Cu3O7

The longitudinal acoustic wave velocity in YBa₂Cu₃O₇ has been measured in the range 300 to 85 K using the ultrasonic pulse superposition technique. The sound velocity shows a steep drop in its value at 260 K and decreases continuously till the superconducting transition temperature. BelowT _c the sound velocity increases steeply. A hysteresis is seen when the experiments are performed during a cooling-warming cycle. The results are compared with recent measurements by Ewertet al on the samples with the same chemical composition.     

Preparation of magnesium ferrite nanoparticles by ultrasonic wave-assisted aqueous solution ball milling

Magnesium ferrite, MgFe₂O₄ nanoparticles with high saturation magnetization were successfully synthesized using ultrasonic wave-assisted ball milling. In this study, the raw materials were 4MgCO₃·Mg(OH)₂·5H₂O and Fe₂O₃ powders and the grinding media was stainless steel ball. The average particle diameter of the product MgFe₂O₄ powders was 20 nm and the saturation magnetization of them reached 54.8 emu/g. The different results of aqueous solution ball milling with and without ultrasonic wave revealed that it was the coupling effect of ultrasonic wave and mechanical force that played an important role during the synthesis of MgFe₂O₄. In addition, the effect of the frequency of the ultrasonic wave on the ball milling process was investigated.     

Experimental investigation of ultrasonic velocity anisotropy in magnetic fluids: Influence of grain–grain interaction

Magnetic field-induced dispersion of ultrasonic velocity in a Mn_0.7Zn_0.3Fe₂O₄ fluid (applied magnetic field is perpendicular to the ultrasonic propagation vector) is determined by employing continuous wave method. The magnitude of dispersion initially decreases with increasing field, then increases and reaches a plateau at higher fields. Results indicate that the velocity anisotropy is dominated by grain–grain interactions rather than grain–field interaction. At the critical temperature, the grain–grain interaction becomes weak as the transverse component of the particle/cluster moment is larger than the longitudinal one and the system reaches saturation even at low field. These observed variations in the field-induced anisotropy are analysed by incorporating the moment distribution of particles in Tarapov’s theory (J. Magn. Magn. Mater. 39, 51 (1983)).     

Ultrasonic studies on alkali borate tungstate glasses

Longitudinal and shear ultrasonic wave velocities have been measured in different compositions of the glass system 20Li₂O-(80−x)B₂O₃-xWO₃ (0?x?12.5 mol%), at room temperature and at 4 MHz frequency. Elastic moduli, Debye temperature and Poisson's ratio have been obtained as a function of WO₃ content. Based on FTIR spectroscopy and theoretical bond compression model, quantitative analysis has been carried out in order to obtain more information about the structure of these glasses. The longitudinal ultrasonic wave velocity measurements showed a bend at about 2.5 mol% WO₃ content while shear ultrasonic wave velocity decreased monotonously with an increase of WO₃ content. Elastic moduli values decreased as WO₃ content increased from 0 to 2.5 mol%. Further increase of WO₃ beyond 2.5 mol% increased the elastic moduli values. It is suggested that these behaviours are mainly due to the presence of WO₃ in the network structure of these glasses as a network modifier when WO₃ content is between 0 and 2.5 mol%, and acts as a network former above 2.5 mol%.     

Electrodeposition and characterization of Ni-Y2O3 composite

Nano-sized Y₂O₃ particles were codeposited with nickel by electrolytic plating from a nickel sulfate bath. The effects of the incorporated Y₂O₃ on the structure, morphology and mechanical properties (including microhardness, friction coefficient and wear resistant) of Ni-Y₂O₃ composite coatings were studied. It is observed that the addition of nano-sized Y₂O₃ particles shows apparent influence on the reduction potential and pH of the electrolyte. The incorporated Y₂O₃ increases from 1.56 wt.% to 4.4 wt.% by increasing the Y₂O₃ concentration in the plating bath from 20 to 80 g/l. XRD results reveal that the incorporated Y₂O₃ particles favour the crystal faces (2 0 0) and (2 2 0). SEM and AFM images demonstrate that the addition of Y₂O₃ particles causes a smooth and compact surface. The present study also shows that the codeposited Y₂O₃ particles in deposits decrease the friction coefficient and simultaneously reduce the wear weight loss. Ni-Y₂O₃ composite coatings reach their best microhardness and tribological properties at Y₂O₃ content 4.4 wt.% under the experiment conditions.     

Structural investigation of bismuth borate glasses under the influence of γ-irradiation through ultrasonic studies

The ultrasonic velocity and attenuation measurements for different compositions of irradiated heavy metal oxide (HMO) borate glasses xBi₂O₃ (1−x) B₂O₃ (where x=0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45) has been investigated at room temperature (303 K) using pulse echo overlap method. The elastic moduli, Debye temperature, Poisson's ratio and other acoustical parameters have been obtained from experimental data. Structural changes after irradiation have been investigated by using FTIR spectroscopy and ultrasonic studies. As the changes are strongly dependent on the internal structure of the absorbing substance, in the present investigation ultrasonic velocities before and after γ-irradiation in bismuth borate glasses are measured as a function of composition, from which the structural changes in the network former B₂O₃ and modifier Bi₂O₃ due to irradiation are obtained.     

Effect of switching ultrasonic amplitude in preparing a hybrid of fullerene (C60) and gallium oxide (Ga2O3)

In this study, we proposed ‘switching ultrasonic amplitude’ as a new strategy of applying ultrasonic energy to prepare a hybrid of buckminsterfullerene (C₆₀) and gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃), C₆₀/Ga₂O₃. In the proposed method, we switched the ultrasonic amplitude from 25% to 50% (by 5% amplitude per 10 min, within 1 h of ultrasonic irradiation) for the sonochemical treatment of a heterogeneous aqueous mixture of C₆₀ and Ga₂O₃ by a probe-type ultrasonic horn operating at 20 kHz. We found that compared to the conventional techniques associated with high amplitude oriented ultrasonic preparation of functional materials, switching ultrasonic amplitude can better perform in preparing C₆₀/Ga₂O₃ with respect to avoiding titanium (Ti) as an impurity generating from the tip erosion of a probe-type ultrasonic horn during high amplitude ultrasonic irradiation in an aqueous medium. Based on SEM/EDX analysis, the quantity of Ti (wt.%) in C₆₀/Ga₂O₃ prepared by the proposed technique of switching ultrasonic amplitude was found to be 1.7% less than that prepared at 50% amplitude of ultrasonic irradiation. The particles of C₆₀/Ga₂O₃ prepared by different modes of amplitude formed large (2–12 μm) aggregates in their solid phase.Whereas, in the aqueous medium, they were found to disperse in their nano sizes. The minimum particle size of the as-synthesized C₆₀/Ga₂O₃ in an aqueous medium prepared by the proposed method of switching ultrasonic amplitude reached to approximately 467 nm. Comparatively, the minimum particle sizes were approximately 658 nm and 144 nm, using 25% and 50% amplitude, respectively. Additionally, Ga₂O₃ went under hydration during ultrasonic irradiation. Moreover, due to the electron cloud interference from C₆₀ in the hybrid structure of C₆₀/Ga₂O₃, the vibrational modes of Ga₂O₃ were Raman inactive in C₆₀/Ga₂O₃.     

Anomalous magnetic antiresonance and resonance in ferrite nanoparticles embedded in opal matrix

Observation of magnetic antiresonance phenomenon is reported in 3D opal nanocomposite with embedded ferrite particles. Antiresonance at microwave frequencies of millimeter waveband was observed. It results in a sharp maximum of the reflection coefficient of an electromagnetic wave. Measurements were carried out in the frequency range from 26 to 38 GHz for two compositions of embedded ferrite particles, namely, the Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ and Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄. The physical nature of antiresonance is discussed.     

Ultrasonic,FTIR and thermal investigations of SiO2–Na2O–CaO–P2O5 glasses doped with CeO2

The longitudinal and shear ultrasonic wave velocities for different compositions of SiO₂–Na₂O–CaO–P₂O₅ glasses were measured at room temperature (305 K) using a pulse-echo method at a frequency of 4 MHz. The elastic moduli, Poisson's ratio, microhardness, Debye temperature and other ultrasonic parameters were obtained from experimental data and analyzed using bond compression theory. By calculating the number of network bonds per unit volume, the average stretching constant, and the average ring size, information about the structure of the glass can be deduced. Structural changes after doping with CeO₂ were investigated by FTIR spectroscopy, and by measurements of the thermal expansion coefficient, glass transition and softening temperature to throw more light on the characterization of these glasses.     

Low activation energies in superionic glasses in the 4.2–77 K temperature region

The peaks in the ultrasonic attenuation observed in AgI-doped superionic glasses at temperatures higher than 77 K have always been explained in terms of classical, thermally activated, relaxation processes due to silver ions which are mobile in the glassy matrix. Here we complete an ultrasonic study with the loss characteristics and sound velocity in “binary” (Ag₂O·nB₂O₃) and “ternary” [(AgI)_x(Ag₂O·nB₂O₃) _{1 − x}] glasses in the 4.2–77 K temperature region. In such a way we obtain useful information about defects having low activation energy.     

Network structure of molybdenum lead phosphate glasses: Infrared spectra and constants of elasticity

Molybdenum lead phosphate glasses doped with La₂O₃ of the system xMoO₃-5La₂O₃-50P₂O₅-(45−x)PbO, with 0≤x≤25 mol%, have been synthesized and studied by FTIR, ultrasonic and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in order to investigate the role of MoO₃ content on their atomic structure. The constants of elasticity and Debye temperatures of the glasses have been investigated using sound velocity measurements at 4 MHz. According to the IR analysis, the vibrations of the phosphate structural units are shifted towards higher wavenumbers associated with the formation of bridging oxygens. The change in density with MoO₃ content reveals that the molybdate units are less dense than the lead units. The observed compositional dependence of the constants of elasticity is interpreted in terms of the effect of MoO₃ on the different phosphate bonds. It is assumed that MoO₃ plays the role of a former by increasing the ultrasonic velocity and the constants of elasticity of the phosphate glasses.     

Simulation of ultrasound influence on melt convection for the growth of GaxIn1−xSb and Si single crystals by the Czochralski method

The flow simulation for Ga_xIn_1−xSb and Si melts was conducted for quasi-steady conditions. The maximum velocity was under the solid–liquid interface near periphery of the crystals. An introduction of ultrasound into the liquid formed a standing wave channel under the solid–liquid interface, which acted on melt particles. The calculations of convective and ultrasonic forces acting on the particles in the melt showed that the ultrasonic force is much higher than the convective force.     

Ultrasonic desulfurization of amphiphilic magnetic-Janus nanosheets in oil-water mixture system

Fe₃O₄ was obtained by reacting FeCl₂ and FeCl₃ with polyethylene glycol, and labeled onto a amphiphilic Janus nanosheet. It was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy, SEM, AFM and EDS that the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles changed from hydrophilic to amphiphilic. The oxidative desulfurization performance of amphiphilic iron oxide was studied. Results showed that the Janus nanosheets labeled with Fe₃O₄ could significantly improve the removal rate of thiophene sulfide in simulated oil synergistically with ultrasonic waves, and the desulfurization rate could reach 100%. Further, the effect of ultrasound on the sensing ability of the oil–water interface was studied and the ultrasonic attenuation coefficient was calculated. In addition to the desulfurization mechanism of Fe₃O₄, it was found that although the ultrasonic attenuation coefficient of the amphiphilic nanosheets was high, the number of hydroxyl radicals determined the desulfurization efficiency. The amphiphilic Fe ions were more favorable for the formation of hydroxyl radicals than the single hydrophilic ones.     

Numerical study of the synergistic effect of cavitation and micro-abrasive particles

In ultrasonic-assisted machining, the synergistic effect of the cavitation effect and micro-abrasive particles plays a crucial role. Studies have focused on the investigation of the micro-abrasive particles, cavitation micro-jets, and cavitation shock waves either individually or in pairs. To investigate the synergy of shock waves and micro-jets generated by cavitation with micro-abrasive particles in ultrasonic-assisted machining, the continuous control equations of a cavitation bubble, shock wave, micro-jet, and micro-abrasive particle influenced by the dimensionless amount (R/R₀), a particle size-velocity–pressure model of the micro-abrasive particle was established. The effects of ultrasonic frequency, sound pressure amplitude, and changes in particle size on micro-abrasive particle velocity and pressure were numerically simulated. At an ultrasonic frequency of 20 kHz and ultrasonic sound pressure of 0.1125 MPa, a smooth spherical SiO₂ micro-abrasive particle (size = 5 µm) was obtained, with a maximum velocity of 190.3–209.4 m/s and pressure of 79.69–89.41 MPa. The results show that in the range of 5–50 μm, smaller particle sizes of the micro-abrasive particles led to greater velocity and pressure. The shock waves, micro-jets, and micro-abrasive particles were all positively affected by the dimensionless amount (R/R₀) of cavitation bubble collapse, the larger the dimensionless quantity, the faster their velocity and the higher their pressure.     

Elemental surface enrichment in flame synthesis: A mechanism associated with particle melting-solidification

Elemental surface enrichment is important for functionalities of flame-synthesized particle materials, but its mechanism is poorly understood. In this paper, a mechanism associated with particle melting-solidification is proposed based on an experimental study. Y₂O₃:Eu particles were generated by flame assisted spray pyrolysis (FASP), using H₂/O₂ flames or H₂/air flames. The particles were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). H₂/O₂ flames resulted in particles with Eu surface enrichment, i.e. the surface Eu concentration was several times higher than the overall Eu concentration; there was no elemental surface enrichment in particles from H₂/air flames. The Eu surface enrichment in H₂/O₂ flames was attributed to elemental partitioning during solidification of molten Y₂O₃:Eu particles; in H₂/air flames the particles did not melt and hence there was no elemental surface enrichment. The findings of this study suggest that elemental surface enrichment may be a common phenomenon for binary metal oxide particles that experience melting-solidification. Such particles should be examined for elemental surface enrichment, both for understanding their functionality and for their potential biological effects.     

Angular dependence of surface acoustic wave characteristics in AlN thin films on a-plane sapphire substrates

AlN thin films have been grown on a-plane sapphire (Al₂O₃(112̄0)) substrates. X-ray diffraction measurements indicate the films are fully c-plane (0001) oriented with a full width at half maximum of the AlN(0002) rocking curves of 0.92. The epitaxial growth relationships have been determined by the reflection high energy electron diffraction analysis as AlN[11̄00]//Al₂O₃[0001] and AlN[112̄0]//Al₂O₃[11̄00]. Angular dependence of important surface acoustic wave (SAW) characteristics, such as the phase velocity and electromechanical coupling coefficient, has been investigated on the AlN(0001)/Al₂O₃(112̄0) structure. While the SAW is excited at all propagation angles with an angular dispersion of the phase velocity in the range of 5503–6045 m/s, a higher velocity shear-horizontal (SH) mode is observed only at 0°, 105° and 180° off the reference Al₂O₃[11̄00] over a 180° angular period. The phase velocity of the SH mode shows dispersion (6089–6132 m/s) as a function of the SAW wavelength. Temperature coefficients of frequency are also demonstrated for both modes. PACS 81.15.Hi; 77.84.-s; 77.65.Dq     

MnO2/CeO2 for catalytic ultrasonic degradation of methyl orange

Catalytic ultrasonic degradation of aqueous methyl orange was studied in this paper. Heterogeneous catalyst MnO₂/CeO₂ was prepared by impregnation of manganese oxide on cerium oxide. Morphology and specific surface area of MnO₂/CeO₂ catalyst were characterized and its composition was determined. Results showed big differences between fresh and used catalyst. The removal efficiency of methyl orange by MnO₂/CeO₂ catalytic ultrasonic process was investigated. Results showed that ultrasonic process could remove 3.5% of methyl orange while catalytic ultrasonic process could remove 85% of methyl orange in 10 min. The effects of free radical scavengers were studied to determine the role of hydroxyl free radical in catalytic ultrasonic process. Results showed that methyl orange degradation efficiency declined after adding free radical scavengers, illustrating that hydroxyl free radical played an important role in degrading methyl orange. Theoretic analysis showed that the resonance size of cavitation bubbles was comparable with the size of catalyst particles. Thus, catalyst particles might act as cavitation nucleus and enhance ultrasonic cavitation effects. Measurement of H₂O₂ concentration in catalytic ultrasonic process confirmed this hypothesis. Effects of pre-adsorption on catalytic ultrasonic process were examined. Pre-adsorption significantly improved methyl orange removal. The potential explanation was that methyl orange molecules adsorbed on catalysts could enter cavitation bubbles and undergo stronger cavitation.