Oxidation behavior of rare earth oxide-coated Fe20Cr and Fe20Cr5Al alloys

This article presents the influence of surface additions of nanocrystalline rare earth (RE) oxides CeO₂, La₂O₃, and CeO₂ + La₂O₃ on the isothermal oxidation behavior of Fe20Cr and Fe20Cr5Al at 1000 °C. Thermogravimetric studies revealed parabolic kinetics in all cases and the scale thickness on specimen surfaces varied with the nature of RE oxide. The oxidation resistance of specimens coated with two RE oxides was significantly higher than those coated with either one of the two oxides. The marked increase in the oxidation resistance of the alloys coated with two RE oxides is due to optimization of RE ion radius and RE oxide grain size/shape.     

Photochromic polyoxometalate–based enzyme-free reusable sensors for real-time colorimetric detection of alcohol in sweat and saliva

This study describes a new strategy for real-time detection of alcohol in saliva and sweat. Phosphotungstic acid (PTA) is a colorless, photoelectrochromic heteropoly acid that can be reduced by ethanol under ultraviolet (UV) radiation to produce an intense blue color. This system has useful properties in the development of a new alcohol sensor: (1) the blue color can be detected by the naked eye or mobile camera, even at low ethanol concentrations; (2) color intensity is proportional to ethanol concentration; and (3) once exposed to air, reduced PTA is subsequently oxidized and returns to its colorless state offering sensor reusability. Based on these properties, we developed a simple device consisting of a PTA-impregnated non-woven material and a low-cost UV lamp that can be used to evaluate the alcohol concentration in saliva and sweat. We further enhanced the practical applicability of this sensor by demonstrating the integration of digital image analysis, multivariate analysis, and mobile camera technology with this sensor. This device can be potentially used in vehicles as a convenient, reusable alcohol sensor for drivers.     

Preparation and characterization of multiwalled carbon nanotube dispersions in polypropylene: Melt mixing versus solid‐state shear pulverization

Dispersions of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) in polypropylene (PP) were prepared via conventional melt batch mixing and solid‐state shear pulverization. The properties and structure of each system were assessed via linear viscoelasticity, electrical conductivity, PP crystallization kinetics, dynamic mechanical analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and small angle X‐ray scattering. Increasing either the duration or the intensity of melt mixing leads to higher degrees of dispersion of MWNT in PP, although at the cost of substantial melt degradation of PP for long mixing times. Samples prepared by pulverization exhibit faster crystallization kinetics and higher mechanical stiffness than the melt blended samples, but in contrast show no measurable low frequency elastic plateau in melt rheology, and lower electrical conductivity than melt‐mixed samples. X‐ray scattering demonstrates that neither sample has uniform dispersion down to the single MWNT level. The results illustrate that subtle differences in the size and distribution of nanotube clusters lead to differences in the nanotube networks with strong impact on bulk properties. The results also highlight distinctions between conductive networks and load transfer networks and demonstrate that a complete and comparative picture of dispersion cannot be determined by simple indirect property measurements. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 1426–1436, 2009     

Orientation dependent oxygen exchange kinetics on single crystal SrTiO(3) surfaces

The perovskite SrTiO(3) is arguably one of the most important oxide systems in condensed matter research. In this study, we report measurement of the orientation dependence of oxygen exchange on SrTiO(3) single crystal surfaces by dynamic conductivity measurements under electrochemical perturbations. Activation energy for electrical conduction in the 923-1223 K range at an oxygen partial pressure of ～10(-11) Pa of (100), (111), and (110) single crystals was found to be 2.6 eV, 2.7 eV, and 3.1 eV, respectively. The equilibration kinetics show profound dependence on the surface orientation and are modelled using a heterogeneous relaxation process. All surfaces show similar cationic sub-lattice limited rate behavior with (111), (100), and (110) having the fastest, intermediate, and slowest rates, respectively. We discuss the orientation dependence and its relation to local atomic structure in light of previous experimental and theoretical studies.     

Role of pressure dependent viscosity in measurements with falling cylinder viscometer

The falling cylinder viscometer is frequently used in measuring the dependence of the viscosity on the pressure. The viscosity is calculated using an indirect procedure, namely by appealing to the linear relation between the time taken for the fall and the viscosity. Under certain assumptions, the coefficient of proportionality can be derived analytically, and one gets the classical formula for the viscosity as a function of geometric parameters of the device, density of the fluid and the sinker, gravitational acceleration, and the distance and the time of the fall. Although the classical formula is valid only for fluids with constant viscosity, it is indiscriminately used even for fluids with pressure dependent viscosity. We investigate the role of variable viscosity, and we derive a heuristic correction to the classical formula for the case of fluids with pressure dependent viscosities. The systematic error introduced by the unwarranted application of the classical formula for fluids with pressure dependent viscosity is analysed, and it is shown it is measurable and it can in some cases significantly influence the experimental results.     

Sintering kinetic study of the nano-crystalline 3-mol% yttria-samaria codoped tetragonal zirconia polycrystal ceramics

Dilatometric shrinkage data was utilized to study the sintering kinetics of the in-house synthesized nano-crystalline 3-mol% yttria-samaria codoped tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (TZP) ceramics. The objective was to determine activation energy (Q) of sintering and the sintering mechanism (n) relevant to the initial stage of sintering. The product of activation energy and sintering parameter, i.e., “nQ” was calculated from the shrinkage data acquired from the constant rate of heating experiment. The apparent activation energy of sintering (Q) was calculated using modified-“Dorn” method. Modified Johnson’s equation was used to determine value of “n” using the activation energy obtained from the Dorn method. Stepwise isothermal dilatometry technique was utilized as an independent method to determine the “n” value. The activation energy of sintering was in the range of 400–525 kJ mol^?1 and found to be dependent on the dopant concentration. The value of “n” was found to be ~0.33 for both 3 mol% yttria-doped (3Y-TZP) and yttria-samaria codoped (3(Y,S)-TZP) TZP, whereas for 3 mol% samaria-doped tetragonal zirconia (3S-TZP), the value of “n” was ~0.40. From the obtained “n” values, it may be concluded that grain boundary diffusion (GBD) was the dominant sintering mechanism in 3Y-TZP and 3(Y,S)-TZP, whereas an intermediate of GBD and volume diffusion influences the initial sintering stage in the 3S-TZP.     

Assessment of pyrolysis waste engine oil as an alternative fuel source for diesel engine

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Disposal of hazardous waste engine oil (WEO) has become the forefront of climate change. Hence, the potential conversion of WEO is essential and also...     

Excited state relaxation dynamics of model green fluorescent protein chromophore analogs: evidence for cis-trans isomerism

Two green fluorescent protein (GFP) chromophore analogs (4Z)-4-(N,N-dimethylaminobenzylidene)-1-methyl-2-phenyl-1,4-dihydro-5H-imidazolin-5-one (DMPI) and (4Z)-4-(N,N-diphenylaminobenzylidene)-1-methyl-2-phenyl-1,4-dihydro-5H-imidazolin-5-one (DPMPI) were investigated using femtosecond fluorescence up-conversion spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations with the results being substantiated by HPLC and NMR measurements. The femtosecond fluorescence transients are found to be biexponential in nature and the time constants exhibit a significant dependence on solvent viscosity and polarity. A multicoordinate relaxation mechanism is proposed for the excited state relaxation behavior of the model GFP analogs. The first time component (τ(1)) was assigned to the formation of twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) state along the rotational coordinate of N-substituted amine group. Time resolved intensity normalized and area normalized emission spectra (TRES and TRANES) were constructed to authenticate the occurrence of TICT state in subpicosecond time scale. Another picosecond time component (τ(2)) was attributed to internal conversion via large amplitude motion along the exomethylenic double bond which has been enunciated by quantum chemical calculations. Quantum chemical calculation also forbids the involvement of hula-twist because of high activation barrier of twisting. HPLC profiles and proton-NMR measurements of the irradiated analogs confirm the presence of Z and E isomers, whose possibility of formation can be accomplished only by the rotation along the exomethylenic double bond. The present observations can be extended to p-HBDI in order to understand the role of protein scaffold in reducing the nonradiative pathways, leading to highly luminescent nature of GFP.