Sol-gel thin films with anti-reflective and self-cleaning properties

Self-cleaning photocatalytic TiO₂ films are beneficial since they reduce the maintenance cost and enhance the efficiency of various optical systems, especially thermal and photovoltaic solar systems. However, the presence of a TiO₂ layer on glass reduces the transmission of incident light, which leads to a decrease in efficiency. This drawback can be overcome by applying a layer of anti-reflective coating beneath the TiO₂ layer. Generally, the anti-reflective layer is porous silica. The presence of the anti-reflective layer compensates for the loss of light transmittance caused by the photocatalytic TiO₂ top layer. This paper reviews some of the previous and the latest fundamental studies in the literature on anti-reflective, self-cleaning and multi-functional films.     

Generalized Frames in the Space of Strong Limit Power Functions

By using the existence of a larger orthonormal basis, the space of strong limit power functions is extended. We use the windowed Fourier transform and wavelet transform to analyze strong limit power signals and we construct generalized frame decompositions using the discretized versions of these transforms.     

Steady energy deposition at Mach 5 for drag reduction

Experiments addressing the effect of energy deposition via arc discharge on $15^\circ $ half angle-truncated cone-cylinder configurations at Mach 5 flow were carried out. The arc discharge was accomplished using a setup that consisted of a power supply, a high voltage unit and tungsten electrodes. Discharge-on tests were compared to discharge-off tests to evaluate the net effect of the energy deposition. Flow visualisation revealed the presence of a heated wake downstream of the energy spot. Compression waves were observed on top of the wake of the heated channel, which were oscillatory in nature. The deposited energy of 7 W shows a repeatable influence on the measured drag force for all the models at close arc-to-nose distances.     

Semi-analytical study of free vibration characteristics of shear deformable filament wound anisotropic shells of revolution

Free vibration characteristics of filament wound anisotropic shells of revolution are investigated by using multisegment numerical integration technique in combination with a modified frequency trial method. The applicability of multisegment numerical integration technique is extended to the solution of free vibration problem of anisotropic composite shells of revolution through the use of finite exponential Fourier transform of the fundamental shell equations. The governing shell equations comprise the full anisotropic form of the constitutive relations, including first-order transverse shear deformation, and all components of translatory and rotary inertia. The variation of the stiffness coefficients along the axis of the shell is also incorporated into the solution method. Filaments are assumed to be placed along the geodesic fiber path on the shell of revolution resulting in the variation of the stiffness coefficients along the axis of the composite shell of revolution with general meridional curvature. Sample solutions have been performed on the effect of the variation of the stiffness coefficients on the free vibration behavior of filament wound truncated conical and spherical shells of revolution.     

Titanium dioxide-coated nanofibers for advanced filters

This article reports on titanium dioxide (TiO₂)-coated nanofibers deposited on a filter surface by the electrospinning process. After depositing a micrometer-thick film of polyamide 11 nanofibers on polypropylene fabric, TiO₂ nanoparticles can be directly electrosprayed onto the nanofibers. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy showed minimal change in the phase composition (anatase and rutile) and no change in the particle size of nanocrystalline TiO₂ after coating. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that nanofibers were uniformly coated by titanium dioxide nanoparticles without agglomeration. TiO₂-coated filters showed excellent photocatalytic-bactericidal activity and photo-induced hydrophilicity.     

Eco‐friendly Sensors Developed by Herbal Based Silver Nanoparticles for Electrochemical Detection of Mercury (II) Ion

In our study, the single‐use & eco‐friendly electrochemical sensor platform based on herbal silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was developed for detection of mercury (II) ion (Hg²⁺). For this purpose, the surface of pencil graphite electrode (PGE) was modified with AgNPs and folic acid (FA), respectively. The concentrations of AgNPs and FA were firstly optimized by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) to obtain an effective surface modification of PGE. Each step at the surface modification process was characterized by using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedence spectroscopy (EIS). The limit of detection (LOD) for Hg²⁺ was estimated and found to be 8.43 μM by CV technique. The sensor presented an excellent selectivity for Hg²⁺ against to other heavy metal ions such as Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cr³⁺, Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺ and Mn²⁺. Moreover, a rapid, selective and sensitive detection of Hg²⁺ was successfully performed in the samples of tap water within 1 min.     

Rapid and Selective Determination of Vanillin in the Presence of Caffeine,its Electrochemical Behavior on an Au Electrode Electropolymerized with 3‐Amino‐1,2,4‐triazole‐5‐thiol

Electrochemical oxidation of vanillin (VAN) in the presence of caffeine (CAF) was studied on a gold (Au) electrode modified with 3‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole‐5‐thiol (ATT) film by using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) method. The formation of the ATT film on the Au electrode surface was characterized by the CV, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods. A single irreversible oxidation peak of the VAN was obtained by using the CV method. The determination of VAN in the presence of CAF was carried out at pH 4 in Britton Robinson buffer (BR) by the DPV method. Under the optimal conditions, the oxidation peak current was proportional to the concentration of VAN in the range of 1.1 μM to 76.4 μM in the presence of CAF with the correlation coefficient of 0.997 and the detection limit of 0.19 μM (S/N=3). The selective determination of VAN in a commercial coffee sample was carried out with satisfactory results on the ATT‐Au modified electrode.     

In situ high-pressure X-ray diffraction study of densification of a molecular chalcogenide glass

Structural mechanisms of densification of a molecular chalcogenide glass of composition Ge_2.5As_51.25S_46.25 have been studied in situ at pressures ranging from 1 atm to 11 GPa at ambient temperature as well as ex situ on a sample quenched from 12 GPa and ambient temperature using high-energy X-ray diffraction. The X-ray structure factors display a reduction in height of the first sharp diffraction peak and a growth of the principal diffraction peak with a concomitant shift to higher Q-values with increasing pressure. At low pressures of at least up to 5 GPa the densification of the structure primarily involves an increase in the packing of the As₄S₃ molecules. At higher pressures the As₄S₃ molecules break up and reconnect to form a high-density network with increased extended-range ordering at the highest pressure of 11 GPa indicating a structural transition. This high-density network structure relaxes only slightly on decompression indicating that the pressure-induced structural changes are quenchable.