Electrodeposition of Ni-Co composites containing nano-CeO2 and their structure, properties

One of the most powerful rare earth oxides, ceria CeO₂ was incorporated in Ni matrix and the effect of cobalt addition in the matrix, on the structure and properties has been studied. The amount of cobalt incorporated in the Ni matrix was in the range of 25-85 wt.%. The presence of cobalt resulted in a marginal variation in CeO₂ content from 5 to 8 wt.%. The microhardness studies revealed that a maximum value of 540 Hk_50gf was obtained in the presence of 25 wt.% cobalt in Ni-CeO₂ matrix compared to 50 and 85 wt.% addition. The presence of 25 wt.% cobalt in Ni-CeO₂ matrix also improved its wear resistance as seen from Tribology studies. The wear products were identified using Raman Spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies showed that an increase in cobalt content from 25 to 85 wt.% resulted in a change in crystal structure from fcc to hcp. A change in surface morphology with variation in cobalt content was seen from scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was perceived from the thermal stability studies that the presence of 85 wt.% cobalt in Ni-CeO₂ matrix imparted better stability in microhardness at temperatures up to 800 °C. Although, the incorporation of cobalt in Ni-CeO₂ matrix enhanced the microhardness, wear resistance and thermal stability it did not improve the corrosion resistance as noticed from immersion corrosion studies.     

Nickel-catalyzed synthesis of five-membered heterocycles

In recent decades, a large number of reports related to the synthesis of N-, O- and S-containing heterocycles have appeared owing to a wide variety of their biological activity. The investigation of methods for the chemical synthesis is a growing area of interest due to increasing environmental issues. The use of catalysts in organic reactions has gained extensive interest. Metal and nonmetal catalysts provided a new improved alternative to traditional methods in modern synthetic chemistry. The aim of present review is to focus on the applications of nickel for the synthesis of five-membered heterocylces.     

Sol–gel spin coating assisted room temperature operated nanostructured ZnO ethanol sensor with behavior transformation

In this paper, zinc oxide (ZnO) thin film sensor has been fabricated using different sol–gel spin coating route to detect very low concentration (2?ppm) of ethanol vapors at room temperature (RT). The sensor shows appreciable response ~60% for 100?ppm of ethanol (C₂H₅OH) vapors at RT under humidity level ~55% RH. Various sensing parameters viz. % response, selectivity, stability, response/recovery time, repeatability, and reproducibility have been studied successfully. Structural and morphological properties have been studied via X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XRD reveals the wurtzite structure of polycrystalline ZnO thin film. AFM, SEM, and TEM results confirm the wavy structure of well-shaped and slackly distributed ZnO nanograins with average particle size in range ~15–25?nm. The analyte sensing properties at room temperature can be ascribed to higher specific surface area due to nanograins formation. The significant effect of operating temperature on sensor’s performance is also analysed in order to obtain the optimum temperature (T_opt) of the sensor device. Response reaches to 321.7% for 100?ppm of ethanol vapors at T_opt (175?°C). The transformation in the behavior of sensing layer is observed which is described on the basis of experimental studies.

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Electrochemical deposition and tribological behaviour of Ni and Ni-Co metal matrix composites with SiC nano-particles

Metal matrix composites reinforced with nano-sized particles have attracted scientific and technological interest due to the enhanced properties exhibited by these coatings. Ni-SiC composites have gained widespread application for the protection of friction parts in the automobile industry. The influence of variables like SiC content, current density and stirring speed on microhardness of nano-composite coatings has been studied. The improved microhardness was associated with the reduction in crystallite size determined by X-ray diffraction studies. The influence of incorporation of nano-SiC in hardened Ni-Co alloy matrix was also studied. It was observed that for 28 wt.% Co content in the matrix the microhardness was higher compared to 70 wt.% for a given nano-SiC content. This was associated to the crystal phase of Ni-28Co-SiC being fcc compared to hcp phase exhibited by Ni-70Co-SiC. The wear resistance of pure Ni, Co and nano-composite coatings was studied using pin-on-disc wear tester under dry sliding condition. The volumetric wear loss indicated that, the wear resistance of Ni-SiC nano-composite is better than that of pure nickel deposit. The wear resistance of Ni-Co composites was observed to be superior to Ni composite. The wear behaviour of Ni and Ni-28Co composite was in accordance with the Archard's law. However, the superior wear characteristic exhibited by Ni-70Co-SiC composite followed the reverse Archard's behaviour.     

Syntheses,characterization, powder X‐ray diffraction analysis and antibacterial and antioxidant activities of triphenylantimony(V) heteroleptic derivatives containing substituted oximes and morpholine dithiocarbamate

Triphenylantimony(V) heteroleptic derivatives containing substituted oximes and morpholine dithiocarbamate of the type Ph₃Sb[R(R′)C:NO]₂[S₂CN(CH₂CH₂)₂O] (where R = ─C₆H₅, R′ = ─CH₃ (I); R = ─C₆H₄CH₃, R′ = ─CH₃ (II); R = ─C₆H₄Cl, R′ = ─CH₃ (III); R = ─C₆H₄Br, R′ = ─CH₃ (IV); R = ─C₆H₄OH, R′ = ─H (V); R(R′)C = CCH₂(CH₂)₃CH₂ (VI)) were synthesized by successive substitution reactions of triphenylantimony(V) dibromide with the sodium salt of substituted oximes and morpholine dithiocarbamate in unimolar ratio. All these newly synthesized derivatives were characterized using physicochemical and elemental analyses and tentative structures have been proposed on the basis of infrared, (¹H, ¹³C) NMR and liquid chromatography–mass spectra. Spectral data revealed that the oxime behaves in a monodentate manner whereas morpholine dithiocarbamate behaves in an anisobidentate manner and thus distorted octahedral geometry has been proposed for these derivatives. Nanometric particle size (ca 25 nm) and monoclinic crystal system have been determined using power X‐ray diffraction data of two representative derivatives. Furthermore, these newly synthesized derivatives were screened against two bacteria, Bacillus subtilis (Gram‐positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram‐negative), to evaluate their antibacterial potential. Derivative VI exhibited maximum zone of inhibition (30 mm) against E. coli. Additionally two derivatives (I and II) were tested for their antioxidant potential, with derivative II exhibiting higher antioxidant potential (233 μM g^?1). Structure–activity relationships were also investigated.     

Cu(II) ion based 1D coordination polymer: Its thermal,fluorescence properties,Hirshfeld surface analysis and theoretical calculations

In this investigation, the reaction of [Cu(2,2′-bpy)(H₂O)₄][ClO₄]₂ with thiosemicarbazide (tsc) yielded [Cu(2,2′-bpy)(NCS)₂]_n frameworks, which has crystallized in noncentrosymmetric space group (Cc). The complex has been characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR spectrum, powder X-ray diffraction analysis and single-crystal diffraction analysis. This complex is 1D polymer with high thermal stability and showing positive cotton effect. These results have provided some interesting insights into its nonlinear optical applications. Solid state fluorescence spectrum shows broad photoluminescence emission bands, which are assigned as the bands of intra-ligand charge transfer and MLCT (metal to ligand charge transfer) transitions. During investigation of various intermolecular interactions, both single crystal X-ray diffraction and Hirshfeld surface analysis give comparable results.