External cavity diode laser with kilohertz linewidth by a monolithic folded Fabry-Perot cavity optical feedback

We present a extended-cavity diode laser (ECDL) with kilohertz linewidth by optical feedback from a monolithic folded Fabry-Perot cavity (MFC). In our experiments, an MFC replaces the retroreflecting mirror in the traditional ECDL configuration. Beat-note measurements between this MFC-ECDL and a narrow-linewidth reference laser are performed and demonstrate that the linewidth of this MFC-ECDL is about 6.8 kHz. Phase locking of this MFC-ECDL to the reference laser is achieved with a unity gain as small as 10.2 kHz.     

Effect of ultrasonic irradiation on structure and electrochemical properties of LiMn2O4 thin films cathode material for Li-ion micro-batteries

Two kinds of spinel LiMn₂O₄ thin film for lithium ion micro-batteries were successfully prepared on polycrystal Pt substrates by spin coating methods, which were carried out under ultrasonic irradiation (USG) and magnetic stirring (MSG), respectively. The microstructures and electrochemical performance of LiMn₂O₄ thin films were characterized by thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements. It was found that the crystalline structure of USG samples grew better than that of the MSG samples. At the same time, higher discharge capacity and better cycle stability were obtained for the LiMn₂O₄ thin films of USG at the current density of 50 μAh/cm² between 3.0 and 4.3 V. The 1st discharge capacity was 57.8 μAh/cm²-μm for USG thin films and 51.7 μAh/cm²-μm for MSG thin films. After 50 cycles, 91.4% and 69% of discharge capacity could be retained respectively, indicating that ultrasonic irradiation condition during spin coating was more suitable for preparing spinel LiMn₂O₄ thin films with better electrode performance for lithium ion micro-batteries.     

Study of a novel porous gel polymer electrolyte based on TPU/PVdF by electrospinning technique

Investigation on a new electrospun gel polymer electrolyte consisting of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF) has been made. Its characteristics were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, FT-IR, Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) analysis. This kind of gel polymer electrolyte had a high ionic conductivity about 3.2 × 10^− 3 S cm^− 1 at room temperature, and exhibited a high electrochemical stability up to 5.0 V versus Li⁺/Li, good mechanical strength and stability to allow safe operation in rechargeable lithium-ion polymer batteries. A Li/GPE/LiFePO₄ cell delivered a high discharge capacity when it was evaluated at 0.1 °C—rate at 25 °C (167.8 mAh g^− 1). And a very stable cycle performance also existed under this low current density.     

Preparation and photocatalytic property of CeO2 lamellar

A novel room temperature solid-state chemical synthesis was introduced to successfully fabricate CeO₂ samples, coupled by a polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400)/cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)/sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The as-prepared products were characterized by XRD, TEM, SEM, BET and UV. A study of photocatalytic degradation of the methylene blue MB under UV illumination has been carried out. It is indicated that the samples exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity. Besides, the samples assisted with surfactants possess higher photocatalytic activity than the sample without any surfactants, wherein the sample with SDS as an additive shows the highest photocatalytic activity, which is able to reach 89.6% MB degradation ratio within 60 min illumination. Moreover, the effects of important operational parameters such as initial MB concentration, catalyst loading and pH were also investigated. The above sample under the optimum conditions obtained the maximum MB degradation ratio up to 96.5%, which is higher than that of the commercial TiO₂ P25 under the same conditions. It can be concluded that CeO₂ will be a potential photocatalyst in the application of organic pollutant.     

Influence of thermal annealing duration of buffer layer on the crystalline quality of In0.82Ga0.18As grown on InP substrate by LP-MOCVD

In_0.82Ga_0.18As epilayers were grown on InP substrates using a two-step growth technique by LP-MOCVD. A homogeneous low-temperature (450 °C) In_0.82Ga_0.18As buffer layer was introduced to improve the crystalline quality of epilayers. The influence of low-temperature buffer layer deposition condition, such as thermal annealing duration, on the crystalline quality of the In_0.82Ga_0.18As epilayer was investigated. Double-crystal X-ray diffraction measurement, Hall measurement, and Raman scattering spectrum were used to evaluate the In_0.82Ga_0.18As epilayers. Atomic force microscope was used to study the surface morphology. It is found that the In_0.82Ga_0.18As epilayer, with buffer layer thermal annealing for 5 min, exhibits the best crystalline quality. The change of the surface morphology of the buffer layer after thermal annealing treatment was suggested to explain the phenomenon.     

The tribology properties of alumina/silica composite nanoparticles as lubricant additives

The as-prepared alumina/silica (Al₂O₃/SiO₂) composite nanoparticles were synthesized with a hydrothermal method and modified by silane coupling agent. The tribological properties of the modified Al₂O₃/SiO₂ composite nanoparticles as lubricating oil additives were investigated by four-ball and thrust-ring tests in terms of wear scar diameter, friction coefficient, and the morphology of thrust-ring. It is found that their anti-wear and anti-friction performances are better than those of pure Al₂O₃ or SiO₂ nanoparticles. When the optimized concentration of nanoparticle additive is 0.5 wt.%, the diameters of wear scar and friction coefficients are both smallest. Such modified composite nanoparticles can adsorb onto the friction surfaces, which results in rolling friction. Therefore, the friction coefficient is reduced.     

Adsorption of CO, NH3 and O2 on Fe site of La0.875Sr0.125FeO3 (0 1 0) surface by density function theory calculation

The adsorption of CO, NH₃ and O₂ gas molecules on Fe site of La_0.875Sr_0.125FeO₃ (0 1 0) surface has been investigated based on the density functional theory (DFT) with the spin polarized generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The optimal adsorption orientations as well as the adsorption energies for these molecules adsorption on Fe site of La_0.875Sr_0.125FeO₃ (0 1 0) surface are derived. Results show that adsorption configurations with C-down for CO, N-down for NH₃ are stable. For the O₂ molecule adsorption, the mode with an angle about 120° between the oxygen molecule and La_0.875Sr_0.125FeO₃ (0 1 0) surface is stable.     

Effect of post heat treatment on microstructure and photocatalytic activities of TiO2 nanoribbons

Low-dimensional TiO₂ nanoribbons were synthesized by a simple one-step hydrothermal method. The TiO₂ nanoribbons were calcined over the temperature range 200-800 °C in order to enhance their photocatalytic properties by altering their crystal phase and increasing crystallization. Effects of hydrothermal temperature, calcinated temperature and calcination time on the formation of nanostructures have been observed and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The (BET) specific surface area of the samples which with different post treatments were determined by N₂ absorption-desorption experiment. In addition, photocatalytic activities of the nanoribbons were evaluated by photodegradation of organic dyes methyl orange under the radiation of UV light. The results reveal that the post-treatments have great effects on the microstructures and the photocatalytic activities of TiO₂ nanoribbons.     

Evolution of Zn based high purity phases under NH3 gas atmosphere and their PL properties

We report here the evolution of zinc based high purity phases with novel morphologies such as Zn₃N₂ hollow structures, ZnO nanowires and nanopowders, as well as metallic Zn layered hexagonal microparticles at progressively increased reaction temperature of 600 °C, 700 °C, 800 °C under NH₃ gas atmosphere using Zn powder precursor and keeping all other experimental parameters unchanged. Growth mechanism for Zn₃N₂ obtained by nitridation, ZnO by oxidation and Zn microparticles via thermal evaporation & condensation process are discussed briefly. The as-synthesized products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Photoluminescence (PL) studies have revealed very interesting and infrequently observed emission bands at 378 and 661 nm for Zn₃N₂, 359 and 396 nm for ZnO as well as 389 nm for Zn polyhedral microparticles.     

MSM结构Mg0.2Zn0.8O可见盲光电探测器

采用射频磁控溅射,通过传统的紫外曝光和湿法腐蚀的方法,制备了不同电极间距的金属-半导体-金属(MSM)结构Mg0.2Zn0.8O可见盲光电探测器.研究了器件的暗电流和响应度随电极间距的变化关系,当施加的电压没有达到贯穿电压的时候,暗电流和响应度均随着电极间距的增加而减小,并对其具体的机制进行了研究.