Au/TiO2 nanorod‐based Schottky‐type UV photodetectors

TiO₂ nanorods (NRs) were synthesized on fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO) pre‐coated glass substrates using hydrothermal growth technique. Scanning electron microscopy studies have revealed the formation of vertically‐aligned TiO₂ NRs with length of ～2 µm and diameter of 110–128 nm, homogenously distributed over the substrate surface. 130 nm thick Au contacts using thermal evaporation were deposited on the n‐type TiO₂ NRs at room temperature for the fabrication of NR‐based Schottky‐type UV photodetectors. The fabricated Schottky devices functioned as highly sensitive UV photodetectors with a peak responsivity of 134.8 A/W (λ = 350 nm) measured under 3 V reverse bias. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Separation and preconcentration of trace manganese from various samples with Amberlyst 36 column and determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

This work assesses the potential of a new adsorptive material, Amberlyst 36, for the separation and preconcentration of trace manganese(II) from various media. It is based on the sorption of manganese(II) ions onto a column filled with Amberlyst 36 cation exchange resin, followed by the elution with 5 mL of 3 mol/L nitric acid and determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) without interference of the matrix. Different factors including pH of sample solution, sample volume, amount of resin, flow rate of sample solution, volume and concentration of eluent, and matrix effects for preconcentration were investigated. Good relative standard deviation (3%) and high recovery (>95%) at 100 μg/L and high enrichment factor (200) and low analytical detection limit (0.245 μg/L) were obtained. The adsorption equilibrium was described well by the Langmuir isotherm model with maximum adsorption capacity of 88 mg/g of manganese on the resin. The method was applied for the manganese determination by FAAS in tap water, commercial natural drinking water, commercial treated drinking water and commercial tea bag sample. The accuracy of the method is confirmed by analyzing the certified reference material (tea leaves GBW 07605). The results demonstrated good agreement with the certified values.     

A new approach to the characterization of the nano-surface structure by using factor analysis

The study provides a new approach to explore the existence of a nanostructure on the benzoic acid-modified glassy carbon electrode (BA-GC) system by applying factor analysis with varimax rotation of factors. The infrared spectra (IR) spectra of the bare glassy carbon electrodes (GC) and the BA-GC electrode systems with benzoic acid-nanofilm (BA-FILM) were obtained by using 10 different surface modification experiments. The IR data of the bare GC, BA-GC and BA-FILM were categorized into three series corresponding to the GC, BA-GC and BA-FILM. The factor analysis method was separately applied to each group to extract the factor loadings. By making use of these loadings, the rotated factor loadings corresponding to the first two factors were computed to estimate the relationship among and within groups. The results provided by the factor analysis method indicate the existence of the BA-FILM on the BA modified glassy carbon electrode.     

Energy dissipation characteristics of particle sloshing in a rotating cylinder

A study on the energy dissipation characteristics of granular materials flowing/sloshing in a rotating container is presented here. The objective is to develop a configuration for control of excessive structural oscillations, similar to those of tuned vibration absorbers and tuned sloshing absorbers. The effectiveness of energy dissipation through granular flow is primarily determined experimentally. A computational model is developed to understand the flow behavior and energy dissipation in this system. A promising kinematic match of the particle behavior is demonstrated between the numerical predictions and the experimental observations. The use of the granular flow in a rotating drum for vibration control is being investigated for the first time.     

Cooperative Network Formation via Two-Colour Light-Activated λ-Orthogonal Chromophores

Independently addressing photoreactive sites within one molecule with two colours of light is a formidable challenge. Here, we combine two sequence independent λ-orthogonal chromophores in one heterotelechelic dilinker molecule, to exploit their disparate reactivity utilizing the same reaction partner, a maleimide-containing polymer. We demonstrate that polymer network formation only proceeds if two colours of light are employed. Upon single colour irradiation, linker-decorated post-functionalized polymers are generated at either wavelength and in either sequence. Network formation, however, is only achieved by sequential or simultaneous two colour irradiation. The herein introduced photoreactive system demonstrates the power of wavelength orthogonal chemistry in macromolecular synthesis.