Electrical behaviour of butyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate copolymer films irradiated with 1.5 MeV electron beam

Electrical conductivity and dielectric parameters of the (BuA/MMA) copolymer films irradiated with 1.5 MeV electron beam (EB) have been studied. The samples were irradiated with different doses of the electron beam: 5, 10, 50, 125 and 200 kGy. The electrical conductivity of the samples was found to decrease as the irradiation dose increases. The temperature dependence of the direct current (dc) conductivity for unirradiated and irradiated samples has been obtained over a temperature range from 293 to 373 K. The activation energy values were calculated for all samples. Moreover, measurements of the dielectric constant, dielectric loss and alternating current (ac) conductivity were performed at a frequency range from 100 Hz to 5 MHz at room temperature. The results indicated that the EB irradiation has formed some traps in the energy gap, which reduce the movement of the charge carriers. Furthermore, a direct proportional relationship between the activation energy and the irradiation dose was estimated in two regions: below and above the glass transition temperature of the polymer. Dipole relaxation was observed in the samples, and the dose effect was found to shift this relaxation towards higher frequencies.     

Lead-free solder alloys: Thermodynamic properties of the (Au + Sb + Sn) and the (Au + Sb) system

The thermodynamic properties of liquid (Au–Sb–Sn) alloys were studied with an electromotive force (EMF) method using the eutectic mixture of KCl/LiCl with addition of SnCl₂ as a liquid electrolyte. Activities of Sn in the liquid alloys were measured at three cross-sections with constant molar ratios of Au:Sb = 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2 with tin in the concentration range between 5 at.% and 90 at.% from the liquidus of the samples up to 1073 K. The integral Gibbs excess energies and the integral enthalpies at 873 K were calculated by Gibbs–Duhem integration. Additionally liquid Au–Sb alloys have been measured at 913 K with the EMF method as no reliable data for the Gibbs excess energies have been found in literature. The eutectic mixture of KCl/LiCl with addition of SbCl₃ has been used as an electrolyte for the measurements. The Gibbs excess energies from the (Au + Sb) system were necessary for the integration of the thermodynamic properties of the ternary (Au + Sb + Sn) system.     

Growth of gamma glycine crystal and its characterisation

Single crystal of γ-glycine, an organic nonlinear optical material, has been grown by solvent evaporation technique from a mixture of aqueous solutions of glycine and potassium nitrate, lithium nitrate at room temperature. Gamma glycine crystals have been grown up to the dimension of 20 mm × 15 mm × 12 mm. Powder X-ray diffraction of the grown crystal was recorded and indexed. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies were carried out and the unit cell parameters were compared with the literature values. The γ-phase of glycine is confirmed by single crystal XRD and FTIR spectral analysis. The crystals were characterised by UV–vis–NIR transmission spectrum in the range 200–1100 nm. The second harmonic generation conversion efficiency of γ-glycine crystal was twice the efficiency of KDP crystal. Thermal characteristics of γ-glycine crystals were determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis, which shows the thermal stability of the grown crystals. Dielectric constant and dielectric loss measurements were carried out at different temperatures and frequencies. The microhardness of the grown crystals has been studied using Vicker's microhardness tester.     

Dielectric response of fibrous polyethyleneterephtalate

The effect of the electric periodic field on the dielectric parameters (relative dielectric permeability and dielectric tangent of losses) of fibrous polyethyleneterephtalate (PET) different structures was studied. The analysis of dielectric relaxation spectra has been performed in the frequency range from 90 kHz to 3 MHz, while the sample was heating from 120 to 355 K. In this range of measurements, β relaxation is observed and the activation energy of molecular motion is established. Through a comparison of obtained results, a relationship is noted between dielectric parameters and structural properties of a sample. It is observed that samples whose yarn is obtained from short fibre have lower value of dielectric parameters than samples with monofilament and multifilament yarn. Samples with higher values of volume fraction of fibres show higher values of dielectric parameters. In room conditions a comparison between dielectric parameters of the samples and a sample with incorporated electrically conductive threads has been performed. The dielectric response of the tested fibrous PET is comparable with the dielectric response of other PET – based structures.     

Hopping conduction in double layered La2−2xCa1+2xMn2O7 manganite

Double layered La_2−2xCa_1+2xMn₂O₇ manganite has been synthesized using solid state reaction method for different dopant concentration x = 0.0–0.5. Their temperature dependence of resistivity (ρ − T) has been studied in the semiconducting region. The experimental observations were compared with the theoretically simulated temperature dependence of resistivity curves based on nearest neighbour hopping, Efros–Shklovskii variable range hopping, and Mott's 2D and 3D variable range hopping models. From the analysis of these results, Mott's 3D variable range hopping mechanism seemed to be most suitable mechanism describing the semiconducting behaviour of these double layered manganites. Temperature dependent activation energy also supported the Mott's 3D variable range hopping model. The Mott's activation energy was found to vary with the dopant concentration x and it showed a minimum value for x = 0.3.     

Isobaric vapor–liquid equilibria for 1-propanol + water + copper(II) chloride at 100 kPa

Isobaric vapor–liquid equilibria for the ternary system 1-propanol + water + copper(II) chloride has been measured at 100 kPa using a recirculating still. The addition of copper(II) chloride to the solvent mixture produced a salting-out effect of the alcohol, but the azeotrope did not tend to be eliminated when the salt content increased. The experimental data sets were fitted with the electrolyte NRTL model and the parameters of Mock's model were estimated. This model has proved to be suitable to represent experimental data in the entire range of compositions. The effect of copper(II) chloride on the vapor–liquid equilibrium of the 1-propanol + water system has been compared with that produced by other salts.     

Measurement and modelling of static dielectric constants of aqueous solutions of methanol,ethanol and acetic acid at T = 293.15 K and 91.3 kPa

Static dielectric constants of aqueous solutions of methanol, ethanol and acetic acid at T = 293.15 K and 91.3 kPa were measured at weak electromagnetic field (≪0.001 V) and (≪60 Hz). The static dielectric measurements have been achieved by using the new set up presented in the previous work based on a low-pass filter. From the experimental data, excess dielectric constants, ɛ^E have been calculated and reported. An empirical polynomial equation was used for correlating the data of the dielectric constants for the aqueous solutions. In addition, the measured static dielectric constants data have been calculated on the basis of the empirical modification of the Kirkwood theory for multicomponent systems. According to the average absolute deviations obtained between experimental and calculated data, the calculated dielectric constants of aqueous solutions studied in this work are generally in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Kβ/Kα X-ray intensity ratios for elements in the range 16⩽Z⩽92 excited by 5.9, 59.5 and 123.6 keV photons

The K shell intensity ratios K_β/K_α for 59 elements in the atomic region 16⩽Z⩽92 have been measured at excitation energies of 5.9, 59.5 and 123.6 keV. K X-rays emitted by samples have been counted by a Si(Li) detector with resolution 160 eV at 5.9 keV. The measured values were compared with the theoretical values calculated using Scofield's tables based on the Hartree–Slater and Hartree–Fock theories and available experimental values. Reasonable agreement is typically obtained between present and theoretical values.     

Isothermal (vapour + liquid) equilibrium at several temperatures of (1-chlorobutane + 1-butanol,or 2-methyl-2-propanol)

Vapour pressures of (1-chlorobutane  +  1-butanol, or 2-methyl-2-propanol) at several temperatures between T =  278.15 and T =  323.15 K were measured by a static method. Reduction of the vapour pressures to obtain activity coefficients and excess molar Gibbs energies was carried out by fitting the vapour pressure data to the Redlich–Kister equation according to Barker’s method. For (1-chlorobutane  +  2-methyl-2-propanol) azeotropic mixtures with a minimum boiling temperature were observed over the whole temperature range.     

Phase diagrams of (vapour + liquid) equilibrium for binary mixtures of α,α,α-trifluorotoluene with ethanol,or benzene,or chloroform at pressure 101.4 kPa

(Vapour + liquid) equilibrium (VLE) of binary mixtures of (ethanol + α,α,α-trifluorotoluene), (benzene + α,α,α-trifluorotoluene), and (chloroform + α,α,α-trifluorotoluene) have been investigated at the pressure 101.4 kPa using the dynamic-ebulliometry method over the whole composition range. The correlated VLE phase diagrams were adequately described by means of NRTL and UNIQUAC thermodynamic models. Fair attractive energies in the first two systems are capable to yield azeotropes, while moderate repulsive energies in the later system make it zeotrope.     

Dielectric spectroscopy of biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) films

In this paper, we report a systematic study of the dielectric relaxation spectroscopy of biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) polyester which has potential applications as a “green” dielectric material in electronic devices. The dielectric spectra was measured over a wide frequency range (10⁰ ～ 10⁷ Hz) from ?100 to 60 °C. A glass and a sub-glass transition relaxations were observed in the dielectric spectra of PHBHHx. In addition, a nearly constant loss behavior was found by analyzing the dielectric and conductivity spectra.     

Total vapour pressure and excess Gibbs energy for binary mixtures of 1,1,2,2-tetrachlorethane or tetrachloroethene with benzene at nine temperatures

Vapour pressures of (benzene + 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane (TCANE)), or (benzene + tetrachloroethene (TCENE)) at nine temperatures between 283.15 and 323.15 K were measured by a static method. The reduction of the vapour pressures to obtain activity coefficients and excess molar Gibbs energies was carried out by fitting the vapour pressure data to the Redlich–Kister polynomial according to Barker's method. A comparative analysis about the thermodynamic behaviour of both systems is performed, taking into account the resonance effect in tetrachloroethene.     

A simple and sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of trace amounts of nitrite in environmental and biological samples using 4-amino-5-hydroxynaphthalene-2,7-disulphonic acid monosodium salt

A very simple, sensitive, fairly selective and rapid spectrophotometric method for the determination of trace amounts of nitrite has been described. This method is based on the diazotized intramolecular coupling of electrophilic diazonium cation with the phenolic group of 4-amino-5-hydroxynaphthalene-2,7-disulphonic acid monosodium salt (AHNDMS) in a phosphate buffer solution of pH 7.5. The cyclic product has a purple color with maximum absorbance at 560 nm and is stable for 6 h. Optimum reaction conditions and other important analytical parameters for the maximum color development were established. Beer's law was found to obey for nitrite in the concentration range of 0.1–1.6 μg ml^?1 with molar absorptivity of 2.6 × 10⁴ l mol^?1 cm^?1 and Sandell's sensitivity of 0.0075 μg ml^?1. The effect of interfering ions on the determination is described. The recommended method was applied for the determination of nitrite in different water, soil and human saliva samples. The performance of the recommended method was evaluated in terms of Student's t-test and variance ratio F-test, which indicated the significance of proposed method over the reference method.     

A measurement method for determination of dc internal resistance of batteries and supercapacitors

Internal resistance is an importance parameter determining the power performance of a battery or supercapacitor. An 8.5 Ah Li-ion battery and a 350 F supercapacitor were tested as examples to validate the measurement method of dc internal resistance. Voltage data were taken at 10 ms, 2 s and 30 s after the current interruption or pulse. The ac resistances at 1 kHz of the battery and supercapacitor were also measured for comparison with the dc values. Based on these tests, it is proposed that the dc internal resistance of the battery and supercapacitor be obtained from ΔV/ΔI where the ΔV is the voltage change after the current interruption, and ΔI means current change from I to 0. When the voltage change at 10 ms or less is selected, the resistance corresponds to the Ohmic resistance of the device.     

Dielectric relaxation spectroscopy of macroporous IER beads suspensions dispersed in primary alcohols and water–ethanol mixtures

Dielectric measurements were first carried out on suspensions of ion-exchange resin beads dispersed in primary alcohols and water–ethanol mixtures in the frequency range 40 Hz–110 MHz. Due to the large bead radius, only Maxwell–Wagner (M–W) dielectric relaxations were observed. Regular dielectric behaviors were observed and phase parameters concerning constituent phases’ properties were determined through dielectric analysis, which revealed that the properties and the dispersing state of the bead are strongly dependent on the properties of dispersion medium. It is also found that dry beads cannot be completely soaked by alcohols with long aliphatic chain, and that suspension in water-rich mixture has similar dielectric behavior as in pure water due to the mixture's molecular construction. Then the dielectric behaviors of the following suspensions were measured as a function of time: suspensions of beads that have been equilibrated with water/ethanol redispersed in ethanol/water. The dielectric behaviors showed remarkable time dependency, characterized by distinct transitions on the curves of time dependent relaxation parameters. Based on the above understandings, the time dependent dielectric behaviors were analyzed in detail. It is showed that the time dependency directly reflected such processes as ion diffusion, solvent diffusion and solvent uptake that the systems undergo.     

Stopping power and energy loss straggling of thin Formvar foil for 0.3–2.7 MeV protons and alpha particles

Stopping power and energy loss straggling data for protons (¹H⁺) and alpha particles (⁴He⁺) crossing Formvar thin polymeric foils (thickness of ～0.3 μm) have been measured in the energy range (0.3–2.7) MeV by using the indirect transmission technique. The determined stopping power data were compared to SRIM-2010, PSTAR or ASTAR calculation codes and then analyzed in term of the modified Bethe–Bloch theory to extract the target mean excitation and ionization potential 〈I〉. A resulting value of 〈I〉≈(69.2±1.8) eV was deduced from proton stopping data. The measured straggling data were corrected from surface roughness effects due to target thickness inhomogeneity observed by the atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique. The obtained data were then compared to derived straggling values by Bohr's and Bethe–Livingston's classical theories or by Yang's empirical formula. A deviation of ～40%–80% from the Bohr's straggling value has been observed for all reported energies, suggesting that the Bohr theory cannot be correctly applied to describe the electronic energy loss straggling process with the used low thickness of Formvar foil. The inner-shell contribution of target electrons to energy loss process is also advanced to explain the observed deviation from experiment in case of He⁺ ions. Finally, the reliability of Bragg's additivity rule was discussed in case of stopping power and straggling results.     

Thermodynamic and transport properties of (1,2-ethanediol + 1-nonanol) at temperatures from (298.15 to 313.15) K

Densities and kinematic viscosities have been measured for (1,2-ethanediol + 1-nonanol) over the temperature range from (298.15 to 313.15) K. The speeds of sound in those mixtures within the temperature range from (293.15 to 313.15) K have been measured as well. Using the measurement results, the molar volumes, isentropic compressibility coefficients, molar isentropic compressibilities, and the corresponding excess and deviation values (excess molar volumes, excess isentropic compressibility coefficients, excess molar isentropic compressibilities, differently defined deviations of the speed of sound, and dynamic viscosity deviations) were calculated. The excess Gibbs free energies estimated by the use of the UNIQUAC model are also reported. The excess molar volumes and Gibbs free energies are positive, whereas the compressibility excesses are s-shaped. The excess and deviation values are expressed by Redlich–Kister polynomials and discussed in terms of variations of the structure of the system caused by the participation of two different alcohol molecules in the dynamic intermolecular association process through hydrogen bonding. The effect of temperature is discussed. The predictive abilities of the McAllister equation for viscosities of the mixtures under test have also been examined.     

Studies of dielectric characteristics of BaBi2Nb2O9 ferroelectrics prepared by chemical precursor decomposition method

BaBiNb₂O₉ (BBN) powders in the nanometer range were prepared by chemical precursor decomposition method (CPD). TG–DTA showed that precursor sample got freed from organic contaminants at 575 °C. XRD showed that a single phase with the layered perovskite structure of BBN was formed after calcining at 600 °C. No intermediate phase was found during heat treatment at and above 600 °C. The crystallite size (D) and the effective strain (η) were found to be 26 nm and 0.000867, respectively, while the particle size obtained from TEM was 28 ± 2 nm. SEM revealed that the average grain size after sintering at 900 °C for 4 h was ∼1.67 μm. A relative density of ∼93% was obtained using a two-step sintering process at moderate pressure. Dielectric and ferroelectric properties were investigated in the temperature range 50–500 °C and frequencies from 1 kHz to 5 MHz. Strong dispersion of the complex relative dielectric constant was observed including typical relaxor features such as shift of permittivity maximum with frequency and broadening of the peak maximum. The high dielectric constant of 545 measured at 100 kHz and other properties of BBN ceramics were compared to that of BBN prepared by other conventional methods and found to be superior.     

(Vapour + liquid) equilibria and excess Gibbs free energies of (cyclohexanone + 1-chlorobutane and + 1,1,1-trichloroethane) binary mixtures at temperatures from (298.15 to 318.15) K

The vapour pressures of binary (cyclohexanone + 1-chlorobutane, + 1,1,1-trichloroethane) mixtures were measured at the temperatures of (298.15, 308.15, and 318.15) K. The vapour pressures vs. liquid phase composition data have been used to calculate the excess molar Gibbs free energies G^E of the investigated systems, using Barker’s method. Redlich–Kister, Wilson, UNIQUAC, and NRTL equations, taking into account the vapour phase imperfection in terms of the 2-nd virial coefficient, have represented the G^E values. No significant difference between G^E values obtained with these equations has been observed.     

AC conductivity and dielectric properties of 2-(2,3-dihydro-1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-ylimino)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)acetonitrile thin films

The dark AC conductivity and dielectric properties of thermally evaporated 2-(2,3-dihydro-1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-ylimino)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)acetonitrile (DOPNA) thin films in sandwich structure employing symmetrical gold ohmic contacts have been investigated as function of temperature (303–443 K) and frequency (100 Hz–5 MHz). The AC conductivity, σ_AC(ω), is found to obey Jonscher’s universal power law, σ_AC(ω)=Aω^s (ω is the angular frequency). The AC conductivity of DOPNA thin films has been analyzed with reference to various theoretical models. The correlated barrier hopping is found to be the dominant conduction mechanism for charge carrier transport; the maximum barrier height, hopping length and the density of localized states are estimated. The temperature dependence of the AC conductivity shows Arrhenius type with two thermal activation energies. The activation energies are determined as a function of frequency. The behavior of the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric constant as a function of both temperature and frequency is discussed.