Effect of citric acid on photoelectrochemical properties of tungsten trioxide films prepared by the polymeric precursor method

Effect of citric acid (CA) on microstructure and photoelectrochemical properties of WO₃ films prepared by the polymeric precursor method was investigated. The obtained materials were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The results showed that samples prepared with adding different amounts of citric acid had a pure phase of cubic. The addition of citric acid could significantly increase the particle size and change the surface of WO₃ films. The photoelectrochemical measurements were performed using a standard three-electrode system cell. The films prepared from mass ratios of CA/PEG (R = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 1) showed 1.0, 1.4, 1.7, 2.1 and 0.9 mA cm⁻² at 1.2 V under illumination with a 500 W xenon lamp (I₀ = 100 mW/cm²), respectively.     

Density functional theory study of the interaction of H2 with pure and Ti-doped WO3 (002) surfaces

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are conducted to explore the interaction of H₂ with pure and Ti-doped WO₃ (002) surfaces. Four top adsorption models of H₂ on pure and Ti-doped WO₃ (002) surfaces are investigated respectively, they are adsorption on bridging oxygen O_1c, absorption on plane oxygen O_2c, absorption on 5-fold W_5c (Ti), and absorption on 6-fold W_6c. The most stable and H₂ possible adsorption structure in the pure surface is H-end oriented to the surface plane oxygen O_2c site, while the favourable adsorption sites for H₂ in a Ti-doped surface is not only an O_2c site but also a W_6c site. The adsorption energy, the Fermi energy level E_F, and the electronic population are investigated and the H₂-sensing mechanism of a pure-doped WO₃ (002) surface is revealed theoretically: the theoretical results are in good accordance with our existing experimental results. By comparing the above three terms, it is found that Ti doping can obviously enhance the adsorption of H₂. It can be predicted that the method of Ti-doped into a WO₃ thin film is an effective way to improve WO₃ sensor sensitivity to H₂ gas.     

Ab-initio density functional theory study of a WO3 NH3-sensing mechanism

WO 3 bulk and various surfaces are studied by an ab-initio density functional theory technique.The band structures and electronic density states of WO 3 bulk are investigated.The surface energies of different WO 3 surfaces are compared and then the (002) surface with minimum energy is computed for its NH 3 sensing mechanism which explains the results in the experiments.Three adsorption sites are considered.According to the comparisons of the energy and the charge change between before and after adsorption in the optimal adsorption site O 1c,the NH 3 sensing mechanism is obtained.     

Glassy-ferromagnetic behavior in Eu0.5Sr0.5CoO3

Polycrystalline perovskite cobalt oxide Eu_0.5Sr_0.5CoO₃ was prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction method. X-ray powder patterns indicated the prepared samples are pure, cubic perovskite structure (Pm3?m), and with no evidence of any secondary phases. The dc magnetization and ac susceptibility measurements were carried out to investigate the magnetic properties of the sample, and which indicated that cluster-glasses properties are suppressed with the increasing of the coercive field. We denied the possibility of spin-glasses and the existence of the Hopkinson effect in Eu_0.5Sr_0.5CoO₃ through the temperature-dependent ac susceptibility measurements, and explained the magnetic behavior of Eu_0.5Sr_0.5CoO₃ with the competition between magnetic anisotropy and the external magnetic field.     

Microstructure and corrosion resistance behavior of ceramic coatings on biomedical NiTi alloy prepared by micro-arc oxidation

In this paper, ceramic coatings were prepared on biomedical NiTi alloys by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) in constant voltage mode. The current density-time response was recorded during the MAO process. The microstructure, element distribution and phase composition of the coatings prepared at different MAO treatment times were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), thin-film X-ray diffraction (TF-XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The corrosion behavior of the coatings in 0.9% NaCl solution was evaluated by the potentiodynamic polarization test. It is found that the coatings become more compact with increasing the MAO treatment time, and the growth rate of coating decreases. The results of TF-XRD, EDS and XPS indicate that the coatings are composed of a large amount of γ-Al₂O₃ and a little α-Al₂O₃, TiO₂ and Ni₂O₃. The Ni content of the coatings is about 3 at.%, which is greatly lower than that of NiTi substrate. The bonding strength of coating-substrate is higher than 40 MPa for all the samples in this study. The corrosion resistance of the coatings is about two orders of magnitude higher than that of the uncoated NiTi alloy.     

Raman study of barium titanate with oxygen vacancies

Barium titanate (BaTiO₃) crystal samples with different distribution of oxygen vacancies were prepared through different thermal treatment processes. The influences of oxygen vacancies on the Raman spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra of BaTiO₃ single crystals were studied comparatively. Raman measurements of fast-cooled BaTiO₃, which annealed in vacuum and then cooled in air showed many different spectroscopic results comparing with as-received BaTiO₃ sample. Raman measurements of slow-cooled BaTiO₃, which annealed in vacuum and then cooled in tube furnace exhibited few spectroscopic differences. XPS measurements of as-received BaTiO₃ sample and fast-cooled BaTiO₃ sample confirmed that this discrepancy resulted from the surface phase of oxygen vacancy in BaTiO₃.     

FAS grafted superhydrophobic ceramic membrane

The hydrophobic properties of γ-Al₂O₃ membrane have been obtained by grafting fluoroalkylsilane (FAS) on the surface of the membrane. The following grafting parameters were studied: the eroding time of the original membrane, the grafting time, the concentration of FAS solution and the multiplicity of grafting. Hydrophobicity of the membranes was characterized by contact angle (CA) measurement. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to investigate the weight loss process (25–800 °C) of the fluoroalkylsilane grafted on Al₂O₃ powders under different grafting conditions. The morphologies of the membranes modified under different parameters were examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and the surface roughness (Ra) was measured using white light interferometers. A needle-like structure was observed on the membrane surface after modification, which causes the change of Ra. On the results above, we speculated a model to describe the reaction between FAS and γ-Al₂O₃ membrane surface as well as the formed surface morphology.     

Bi2WO6光催化剂的γ射线辐射效应

本文首次研究了高能辐射(γ射线)对Bi₂WO₆纳米晶体结构和光催化性能的影响. 结果表明,尽管高能辐射不会改变Bi₂WO₆纳米晶体的形貌,但是Bi₂WO₆粉末的颜色在高吸收剂量辐照(507 kGy)后发生了明显的变化,并且辐照后Bi₂WO₆的XRD谱图也显示,随着吸收剂量的增加,(113)晶面对应的2θ从28.37°移到28.45°,说明晶格参数在γ射线辐照下还是发生了细微的变化. XPS表征结果证明,Bi₂WO₆晶体结构的变化源于高剂量辐射下氧空位缺陷的产生. Bi₂WO₆纳米晶体的禁带宽度(E_g)随吸收剂量的增加也出现减小的趋势. 用水溶液中亚甲基蓝的可见光照分解反应作为模型反应考察了辐照后的Bi₂WO₆纳米晶体的光催化活性,结果表明,辐照后的Bi₂WO₆纳米晶体的光催化活性随着吸收剂量的增加而逐渐升高. 将经过反应后的Bi₂WO₆纳米晶体再次回收,进行循环催化,发现这些辐照后的Bi₂WO₆纳米晶体在三次循环使用后光催化性能仍然能够保持,说明高能辐射产生的氧空位缺陷具有良好的稳定性.     

Blue luminescence in Tm-doped KGd(WO4)2 single crystals

Up-conversion blue emissions of trivalent thulium ions in monoclinic KGd(WO₄)₂ single crystals at 454 and 479 nm are reported for a single pump laser source at 688 nm. We grew thulium-doped KGd(WO₄)₂ single crystals at several concentrations from 0.1% to 10%. We recorded a polarized optical absorption spectrum for the ³F₂+³F₃ energy levels of thulium at room temperature and low temperature (6 K). From the low temperature emission spectra we determined the splitting of the ³H₆ ground state. The blue emissions are characterized as a function of the dopant concentration and temperature from 10 K to room temperature. To our knowledge, this is the first time that sequential two-photon excitation process (STEP) generated blue emissions in thulium-doped single crystals with a single excitation wavelength.     

Investigation on spectral features of tungsten ions in PbO-Bi2O3-As2O3 glass matrix

Lead bismuth arsenate glasses mixed with different concentrations of WO₃ (ranging from 0 to 6.0 mol%) were synthesized. Differential thermal analysis (DTA), optical absorption, ESR and IR spectral studies have been carried out. The results of DTA have indicated that there is a gradual decrease in the resistance of the glass against devitrification with increase in the concentration of WO₃ upto 4.0 mol%.The optical absorption spectra of these glasses exhibited a relatively broad band peaking at about 880 nm identified due to d_xy→d_x²_−y² transition of W⁵⁺ ions; this band is observed to be more intense in the spectrum of glass containing 4.0 mol% of WO₃. Further, two prominent kinks attributed to ³P₀→¹S₀, ¹D₂ transitions of Bi³⁺ ions have also been located in the absorption spectra. The ESR spectra of these glasses recorded at room temperature exhibited an asymmetric signal at g_⊥∼1.71 and g_ll∼1.61. The intensity of the signal is observed to be maximal for the spectrum of the glass W₄. The quantitative analysis of optical absorption and ESR spectral studies have indicated that there is a maximum reduction of tungsten ions from W⁶⁺ state to W⁵⁺ state in the glass containing 4.0 mol% of WO₃. The IR spectral studies have indicated that there is a increasing degree of disorder in the glass network with increase in the concentration of WO₃ upto 4.0 mol%.     

Structure, electrochromic and optical properties of WO3 film prepared by dip coating-pyrolysis

The tungsten oxide (WO₃) film was grown by dip coating-pyrolysis method with the PEG-400 as the structure-directing agent. Microstructure of the WO₃ film was characterized by TG-DSC, XRD and SEM techniques. It was found that the film annealed at 350 °C for 2 h comprised cubic WO₃ and orthorhombic WO₃. The measurements of the cyclic voltammetry (CV) and UV-vis spectrum suggested that the WO₃ film had a good electrochromic reversibility performance. The film possessed excellent modulation to the visible light and the maximal average transmittance modulation reached 70.06%.     

A structural analysis of W-Sb mixed oxide catalyst

An investigation on the structure of W-Sb mixed oxide catalyst, W₁₂Sb_xO_y (x = 1, 3, 5), is proposed. The W-Sb mixed oxide powders were prepared by the calcination of aqueous precursors, antimony tartrate and ammoniummetatungstate, and characterized with scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer, and transmission electron microscope. At low content of Sb (x = 1), the W-Sb mixed oxide powder consisted of polyhedral particles, and their crystal structure was triclinic WO₃. At higher content (x = 3, 5), majority of the oxide powders were bar-shaped particles, consisting of triclinic WO₃ and tetragonal WO₃. With electron diffraction pattern and simulation, Sb incorporation into the cuboctahedral sites of perovskite-like WO₃ was proved and its effect on the phase transition from triclinic to tetragonal was discussed.     

The growth of a single crystal of Sr3CuIrO6 and its magnetic behavior compared to polycrystals

We have grown single crystals of the psuedo-one-dimensional compound Sr₃CuIrO₆, a K₄CdCl₆-derived monoclinic structure with Cu-Ir chains along the [101] direction. We present the ac and dc magnetization behavior of the single crystals in comparison with that of the polycrystalline form reported earlier. There is a distinct evidence for at least two magnetic transitions, at 5 K (T ₁) and 19 K (T ₂), with different relative magnitudes in the single and polycrystals. The low temperature magnetic relaxation behavior of both the forms is found to be widely different, exhibiting unexpected time dependence.     

Effect of WO3 on structural and optical properties of CeO2-PbO-B2O3 glasses

Pure and WO₃ doped CeO₂-PbO-B₂O₃ glasses are prepared by the melt-quench technique. The structural and optical analyses of glasses are carried out by XRD, FTIR, density and UV-vis spectroscopic measurement techniques. FTIR analysis indicates the transformation of structural units of BO₃ into BO₄ with W-O-W vibration and the presence of WO₄ and WO₆ units observed with increase in WO₃ contents. Decrease in band gap for CeO₂-PbO-B₂O₃ glasses from 2.89 to 2.30 eV and for WO₃ doped glasses from 2.89 to 1.95 eV has been observed and discussed. This decrease in band gap with WO₃ doping approaches to semiconductor behavior. It shows that the presence of WO₃ in the glass samples causes more compaction of the borate network due to the formation of BO₄ groups and the presence of WO₄ and WO₆ groups, which result in a decrease in the optical band gap energy and increase in the density.     

Correlation between crystallinity and resistive switching behavior of sputtered WO3 thin films

The as-deposited WO₃ thin films were post-annealed at different temperatures (300 °C and 600 °C) in air to investigate a correlation between crystallinity and switching behavior of WO₃ thin films. Associating the results of XRD, FTIR, XPS and FESEM measurements, the annealing-caused crystallinity change contributes to the variation of the switching behaviors of the WO₃ thin films. The as-deposited WO₃ films with low crystalline structure are preferred for random Ag conducting path, resulting in large switching ratio but fluctuating I–V hysteresis, whereas the annealed WO₃ films with crystallized compact structure limits Ag conducting path, favoring the stable I–V hysteresis but small switching ratio. It is therefore concluded that electrochemical redox reaction-controlled resistance switching depends not only on electrode materials (inert and reactive electrodes) but also on crystallinity of host oxide.     

Oxygen vacancy in LiTiPO5 and LiTi2(PO4)3: A first-principles study

The structures of LiTiPO₅ and LiTi₂(PO₄)₃, as well as the possibility of oxygen vacancies formation in the systems are studied by first-principles calculations. It is found that oxygen vacancies can be formed in LiTiPO₅ and LiTi₂(PO₄)₃ under oxygen poor condition. The formation of oxygen vacancies introduce a defect band within their band gaps, which is expected to improve the electronic conductivity of LiTiPO₅ and LiTi₂(PO₄)₃ significantly. Meanwhile, a great concentration of oxygen vacancies may increase the discharge voltage of LiTiPO₅ and LiTi₂(PO₄)₃.     

Bi0.5Ba0.5FeO3 陶瓷的电性能及阻抗分析

以传统的固相反应法制备了Bi_0.5Ba_0.5FeO₃陶瓷,并采用X射线衍射仪、扫描电子显微镜、直流阻温测试仪和交流阻抗分析仪测试了Bi_0.5Ba_0.5FeO₃陶瓷的微结构和电性能.分析结果表明:Bi_0.5Ba_0.5FeO₃陶瓷具有立方钙钛矿结构,颗粒尺寸约1.0 μm;在16—280 ℃范围内,Bi_0.5Ba_0.5FeO₃陶瓷表现出明显的负温度系数热敏效应,其热敏常数、活化能分别为6490 K及0.558 eV;介电温谱揭示,在280 ℃下Bi_0.5Ba_0.5FeO₃陶瓷材料没有出现相变行为.对于交流阻抗谱,采用3个串联的RQ(R与Q为并联)等效部件来拟合分析,拟合结果表明拟合数据与实验数据高度匹配,且这3个等效部件分别代表晶界、晶粒和晶壳的贡献.3个部件中,晶粒对陶瓷电阻阻值的影响最大,晶壳贡献次之,晶界最小,且3个部件电阻值都显示出负温度系数效应.在25—115 ℃范围内,电学模量虚部峰频与阻抗虚部峰频始终不匹配,意味着Bi_0.5Ba_0.5FeO₃陶瓷体内部一直表现出局域导电机理. 关键词： 0.5Ba_0.5FeO₃陶瓷')" href="#">Bi_0.5Ba_0.5FeO₃陶瓷 电性能 阻抗分析     

Conversion of infrared radiation into visible emission in NaY(WO4)2:Yb, Ho crystal

The spectroscopic characteristics and fluorescence dynamics for Yb³⁺/Ho³⁺:NaY(WO₄)₂ crystal were investigated. The parameters of oscillator strengths, the spontaneous transition probabilities, the fluorescence branching ratios, the radiative lifetimes and the stimulated emission cross sections have been calculated based on Judd-Ofelt theory and Füchtbauer-Ladenburg method. The energy transfer efficiency from Yb³⁺ to Ho³⁺ was 65.85%. The green emission (530-570 nm) corresponding to (⁵F₄, ⁵S₂)→⁵I₈ transition, red emission (640-670 nm) due to ⁵F₅→⁵I₈ transition and NIR emission (740-770 nm) attributed to (⁵F₄, ⁵S₂)→⁵I₇ transition were observed on 974 nm excitation at room temperature. Under low pump power, the intensity of green light emission is weaker than that of the red light, while under high pump power, the case is on the contrary. The upconversion is based on the two-photon process either the energy transfer from Yb³⁺ ions or by the excited state absorption. The proposed mechanisms of upconversion emissions were provided.     

Nanostructured WO3 thin film as a new anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Nanostructured WO₃ thin film has been successfully fabricated by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering method and its electrochemistry with lithium was investigated for the first time. The reversible discharge capacity of WO₃/Li cells cycled between 0.01 V and 4.0 V was found above 626 mAh/g during the first 60 cycles at the current density 0.02 mA/cm². By using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and selected-area electron diffraction measurements, the reversible conversion of WO₃ into nanosized metal W and Li₂O was revealed. The high reversible capacity and good recyclability of WO₃ electrode made it become a promising cathode material for future rechargeable lithium batteries.     

Investigation of resistive switching behaviours in WO3-based RRAM devices

In this paper, a WO₃-based resistive random access memory device composed of a thin film of WO₃ sandwiched between a copper top and a platinum bottom electrodes is fabricated by electron beam evaporation at room temperature. The reproducible resistive switching, low power consumption, multilevel storage possibility, and good data retention characteristics demonstrate that the Cu/WO₃/Pt memory device is very promising for future nonvolatile memory applications. The formation and rupture of localised conductive filaments is suggested to be responsible for the observed resistive switching behaviours.