Pd-gate MOS sensor for detection of methanol and propanol

The present paper focused on the detection of methanol and propanol using Pd-gate metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) sensor. Surface mor- phology and composition of the gate film were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The response of the sensor for propanol and methanol was measured as shift in capacitance-voltage (C-V) and conductance-voltage (G-V) curves of the MOS structure. The sensitivity of the sensor towards methanol was found to be greater than that towards propanol. It was 58.2% for methanol and 32% for propanol (at 0.6 V, 1 MHz) in terms of capacitance measurements, while in terms of conductance results the sensitivity was found to be 57.2% for methanol and 38.9% for propanol at 1 kHz. The discontinuities or cracks present in the microstructure of the gate material are believed to be mainly responsible for the high sensitivity of the sensor, going with the decomposition of gas molecules and subsequent hydrogen permeation through Pd.     

Bethe ansatz and boundary energy of the open spin-1/2 XXZ chain

We review recent results on the Bethe ansatz solutions for the eigenvalues of the transfer matrix of an integrable open XXZ quantum spin chain using functional relations which the transfer matrix obeys at roots of unity. First, we consider a case where at most two of the boundary parameters α_?, α₊, β_?, β₊ are nonzero. A generalization of the BaxterT-Q equation that involves more than one independentQ is described. We use this solution to compute the boundary energy of the chain in the thermodynamic limit. We conclude the paper with a review of some results for the general integrable boundary terms, where all six boundary parameters are arbitrary.     

Lithium ion transport and ion-polymer interaction in PEO based polymer electrolyte plasticized with ionic liquid

The polyethylene oxide (PEO) based lithium ion conducting polymer electrolytes complexed with lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (LiCF₃SO₃ or LiTf) plasticized with an ionic liquid 1-ethyl 3-methyl imidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate (EMITf) have been reported. Morphological, spectroscopic, thermal and electrochemical investigations demonstrate promising characteristics of the polymer films, suitable as electrolyte in various energy storage/conversion devices. Significant structural changes have been observed in the polymer electrolyte due to the ionic liquid addition, investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and optical microscopy. The ion-polymer interaction, particularly the interaction of imidazolium cation with PEO chains, has been evidenced by IR and Raman spectroscopic studies. The optimized composition of the polymer electrolyte i.e. PEO_25.LiTf + 40 wt.% EMITf offer room temperature ionic conductivity of ~ 3 × 10^− 4 S cm^− 1 with wide electrochemical stability window and excellent thermal stability. The ‘σ versus 1/T’ curves show apparent Arrhenius behavior below and above melting temperature. The ionic conductivity has been observed due to Li⁺ ions, as confirmed from ⁷Li-NMR studies, though the component ions of ionic liquid and anions also contribute significantly to the overall conductivity.     

Effect of heavy atom disorder on the intensities of powder XRD lines of YBa2Cu3O7-y

Abstract

It is shown that heavy atom disorder resulting from Y ? Ba, Ba ? Cu and Y ? Cu interchanges due to local stoichiometric constraints can cause significant changes in the intensities of X-ray powder diffraction lines of YBa₂Cu₃O_7-y . A comparison of the theoretically predicted intensities with published patterns for specimens prepared by the conventional dry route reveals that Ba ? Cu interchanges involving copper atoms in the CuO₂ planes can occur quite frequently and may be mistaken for (00l) texture.     

An ultrasonic characterization of ferrofluid

Nanoparticles of Cr₂O₃ are prepared through hydrothermal synthesis process using CrO₃/PVA in aqueous solution using sucrose as a reducing agent. The calcination temperature is taken 300 and 350 °C. XRD and SEM of the powdered Cr₂O₃ particles are done for the characterization. The average particle size is found 30–80 nm. It is found that average particle size increases with calcination temperature. The UV–visible absorption spectra are taken for the study of photo-physical properties of ferrofluids. Ultrasonic velocity and absorption measurements are performed in Cr₂O₃ ferrofluid using variable path interferometer and pulse-echo techniques, respectively. The achieved results are discussed in correlation with the magnetic and other physical properties of Cr₂O₃.     

Correlation of MRI findings to histology of acetaminophen toxicity in the mouse

Acetaminophen (APAP) toxicity is responsible for approximately half of all cases of acute liver failure in the United States. The mouse model of APAP toxicity is widely used to examine mechanisms of APAP toxicity. Noninvasive approaches would allow for serial measurements in a single animal to study the effects of experimental interventions on the development and resolution of hepatocellular necrosis. The following study examined the time course of hepatic necrosis using small animal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following the administration of 200 mg/kg ip APAP given to B6C3F1 male mice. Mice treated with saline served as controls (CON). Other mice received treatment with the clinical antidote N-acetylcysteine (APAP+NAC). Mouse liver pathology was characterized using T1- and T2-weighted sequences at 2, 4, 8 and 24 h following APAP administration. Standard assays for APAP toxicity [serum alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) levels and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of liver sections] were examined relative to MRI findings. Overall, T2 sequences had a greater sensitivity for necrosis and hemorrhage than T1 (FLASH) images. Liver injury severity scoring of MR images demonstrated increased scores in the APAP mice at 4, 8 and 24 h compared to the CON mice. APAP+NAC mice had MRI scores similar to the CON mice. Semiquantitative analysis of hepatic hemorrhage strongly correlated with serum ALT. Small animal MRI can be used to monitor the evolution of APAP toxicity over time and to evaluate the response to therapy.     

Enhancement in the supercapacitive storage performance of MnCO<Subscript>3</Subscript> using SiO<Subscript>x</Subscript> nanofluid-based electrolyte

Generally adopted strategies to improve capacitance of the electrode materials are tuning various properties of the electrode material or increasing the cell voltage. While tuning the properties of the electrode material is tedious, increasing the cell voltage is restricted by the stability of the electrolyte. Herein, we report a facile approach to improve the capacitance of MnCO₃ by the influence of SiO_x nanofluid in the electrolyte. The capacitance properties of MnCO₃ are studied in 0.1 M Mg(ClO₄)₂ electrolyte in the presence and in the absence of SiO_x nanofluid. The presence of small amount of SiO_x nanofluid in the electrolyte provides higher diffusivity and more conductive percolation paths for ions and thus decreases internal resistance and increases ionic conductivity of the electrolyte. As a result, 60% enhancement in the capacitance is witnessed for MnCO₃. Further, nanofluid containing electrolyte is found to be stable over a month.

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Graphical abstract Improvement in the capacitance properties of MnCO by the influence of SiO nanofluid

     

A practical synthesis of aryl sulfones via cross-coupling of sulfonyl hydrazides with aryltriazenes using copper/ionic liquid combination

A new and efficient approach adopting copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of sulfonyl hydrazides with aryltriazenes has been developed to synthesize aryl sulfones using Brønsted acidic ionic liquid as promoter under ambient conditions. The process employs stable and easy to handle reacting partners, and is endowed with broad substrate scope.     

Impact of Top Electrodes (Cu,Ag, and Al) on Resistive Switching behaviour of Cu-rich Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) Ideal Kesterite

Cu₂ZnSnS₄ (CZTS) active material-based resistive random-access memory (RRAM) devices are investigated to understand the impact of three different Cu, Ag, and Al top electrodes. The dual resistance switching (RS) behaviour of spin coated CZTS on ITO/Glass is investigated up to 10² cycles. The stability of all the devices (Cu/CZTS/ITO, Ag/CZTS/ITO, and Al/CZTS/ITO) is investigated up to 10³ sec in low- (LRS) and high- (HRS) resistance states at 0.2 V read voltage. The endurance up to 10² cycles with 30 msec switching width shows stable write and erase current. Weibull cumulative distribution plots suggest that Ag top electrode is relatively more stable for set and reset state with 33.61 and 25.02 shape factors, respectively. The charge carrier transportation is explained by double logarithmic plots, Schottky emission plots, and band diagrams, substantiating that at lower applied electric field intrinsic copper ions dominate in Cu/CZTS/ITO, whereas, at higher electric filed, top electrodes (Cu and Ag) dominate over intrinsic copper ions. Intrinsic Cu⁺ in CZTS plays a decisive role in resistive switching with Al electrode. Further, the impedance spectroscopy measurements suggest that Cu⁺ and Ag⁺ diffusion is the main source for the resistive switching with Cu and Ag electrodes.