Preparation of chemically deposited thin films of CdS/PbS solar cell

The present paper reports the preparation of a solar cell which has a cross-sectional scheme: ITO/CdS/PbS, containing a commercially transparent conductive ITO; chemically deposited n-type CdS (340 nm) and absorbed layer of p-type PbS (1400 nm). The structural and optical properties of the constituent films are presented. X-ray diffraction showed that all of the thin films are polycrystalline. Using scanning electron microscopy, the present study revealed that the films have uniform surface morphology over the substrate. The solar cell was characterized by determining the open circuit voltage, short-circuit current density, and J–V under 40 mW/cm² solar radiation. The efficiency of the solar cells was 1.35%, which is much higher (0.041, 0.5 and 0.1–0.4%) and slightly smaller (1.65%) than some solar cells reported in the literature.     

Near‐forward/high‐pressure‐backward Raman study of Zn1 − xBexSe (x ~ 0.5) – evidence for percolation behavior of the long (Zn―Se) bond

The apparently universal 1‐bond → 2‐mode percolation behavior in the Raman spectra of zincblende semiconductor alloys is generally observed for the short bond only, and not for the long one. In this work we perform a combined high‐pressure‐backward/near‐forward Raman study of the leading percolation‐type (Zn,Be)Se alloy (~50 at.% Be), which exhibits a distinct percolation doublet in the spectral range of its short Be―Se bond, in search of a Zn―Se analogue. The high‐pressure‐backward insight is not conclusive per se, but clarifies the perspective behind the near‐forward Raman study. The latter reveals an unique Zn―Se phonon–polariton. Its fair contour modeling depending on the scattering angle is achieved within the linear dielectric approach, based on ellipsometry measurement of the ZnBeSe refractive index. Somewhat surprisingly this reveals that the phonon–polariton in question is a ‘fractional’ one in that it carries only half of the available Zn―Se oscillator strength, as ideally expected in case of a BeSe‐like bimodal Raman behavior of the long Zn―Se bond. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Small angle neutron scattering study of doxorubicin-surfactant complexes encapsulated in block copolymer micelles

Self-assembling behaviour of block copolymers and their ability to evade the immune system through polyethylene oxide stealth makes it an attractive candidate for drug encapsulation. Micelles formed by polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide- polyethylene oxide triblock copolymers (PEO-PPO-PEO), pluronic P123, have been employed for encapsulating the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin hydrochloride. The binding affinity of doxorubicin within the micelle carrier is enhanced through complex formation of drug and anionic surfactant, aerosol OT (AOT). Electrostatic binding of doxorubicin with negatively charged surfactants leads to the formation of hydrophobic drug-surfactant complexes. Surfactant-induced partitioning of the anti-cancer drug into nonpolar solvents such as chloroform is investigated. SANS measurements were performed on pluronic P123 micelles in the presence of drug-surfactant complex. No significant changes in the structure of the micelles are observed upon drug encapsulation. This demonstrates that surfactant- drug complexes can be encapsulated in block copolymer micelles without disrupting the structure of aggregates.      

Structural investigation of viscoelastic micellar water/CTAB/NaNO<Subscript>3</Subscript> solutions

A highly viscoelastic worm-like micellar solution is formed in hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in the presence of sodium nitrate (NaNO₃). A gradual increase in micellar length with increasing NaNO₃ was assumed from the rheological measurements where the zero-shear viscosity (η ₀) versus NaNO₃ concentration curve exhibits a maximum. However, upon increase in temperature, the viscosity decreases. Changes in the structural parameters of the micelles with addition of NaNO₃ were inferred from small angle neutron scattering measurements (SANS). The intensity of scattered neutrons in the low q region was found to increase with increasing NaNO₃ concentration. This suggests an increase in the size of the micelles and/or decrease of intermicellar interaction with increasing salt concentration. Analysis of the SANS data using prolate ellipsoidal structure and Yukawa form of interaction potential between micelles indicate that addition of NaNO₃ leads to a decrease in the surface charge of the ellipsoidal micelles which induces micellar growth. Cryo-TEM measurements support the presence of thread-like micelles in CTAB and NaNO₃.      

Bianchi Type <Emphasis Type="Italic">VI</Emphasis><Subscript>0</Subscript> Magnetized Barotropic Bulk Viscous Fluid Massive String Universe in General Relativity

A model of a cloud formed by massive strings is studied in the context of the usual general relativity. This model is used as a source of Bianchi type VI ₀ massive with magnetic field and bulk viscosity. To get a determinate model, we assume that the expansion (θ) in the model is proportional to the shear (σ) and also the fluid obeys the barotropic equation of state. The behaviour of the models from physical and geometrical aspects in presence and absence of magnetic field and bulk viscosity is discussed.     

Synthesis and Studies of Fluorescein Based Derivatives for their Optical Properties,Urease Inhibition and Molecular Docking

Herein, we design and synthesized new fluorescein based derivatives by insitu formation of fluorescein ester and further treated with corresponding hydrazide and amine to yield respective compounds i.e. FB1, FB2, FB3 and FB4. The spectral purity and characterization was done by using IR, NMR and Mass spectroscopies. The synthesized derivatives were examined for their photophysical properties by using variety of organic solvents and results were discussed in details. The structural diversity of synthesized compounds motivate us to evaluate these compounds for urease inhibition. The compound FB3 (IC₅₀?=?0.0456 μM) shows 100 fold more active against Jack bean urease than standard drug thiourea (IC₅₀?=?4.7455 μM). Other synthesized compounds showed potent activity. Free radical percentage scavenging assay further supported the capacity of compounds to urease inhibition. While, molecular docking simulations helps to examine the molecular interactions of active compounds FB1, FB2, FB3 and FB4 within the binding site of urease enzyme.     

Geological influence on the activity concentration of terrestrial radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the Jos Plateau,Nigeria

The Jos Plateau has been reported to have elevated levels of natural background radiation. A few earlier studies have measured the levels of natural radioactivity for specific locations in the area. Our interest is to investigate how geology of the study area influences the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides. Thus, the activity concentrations of terrestrial radionuclides in soil samples collected across the geological formations of the Jos Plateau were determined by gamma spectrometry technique. The mean activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were found to exceed their corresponding world reference values of 35, 40 and 400?Bq?kg^?1, respectively. Data were compared using statistical methods, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc tests. The results revealed in some instances significant influences of geological types on the activity concentrations in the area. The spatial distribution maps of activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were geostatistically interpolated by ordinary Kriging method using ArcGIS software.     

Temperature dependence of turn-on time delay of semiconductor laser diode: Theoretical analysis

Temperature dependence of the turn-on time delay (t_on) of uncooled semiconductor laser diodes biased below and above threshold is analyzed in presence of data pattern effect. We show that even when the laser is biased at or slightly above threshold, the increase in temperature of operation will lead to increase in the threshold carrier (N_th) and consequently the laser diode will be biased below the threshold again and a significant value of t_on will be produced. Thus, knowledge about a value of dc-bias current required to achieve zero t_on within wide range of temperature degrees is important when considering uncooled laser diode in high-speed optical communication systems. The temperature dependence of t_on is calculated according to the temperature dependence of N_th and Auger recombination coefficient (C) and not by the well-know exponentional relationship of threshold current with temperature. The temperature dependence of N_th is calculated according to the temperature dependence of laser cavity parameters. Advanced analytical model is derived in term of carrier density, recombination coefficients and the injection current (I_inj). The validity of proposed model is confirmed by a numerical method. In addition, approximated models are included where under specified assumptions the proposed model reduces to the well-known approximate models of t_on. According to our typical values and at a specified value of modulation current, the dc-bias one (I_ib) should be increased from I_ib = I_th to I_ib ≈ 1.25 and 1.5I_th in order to achieve approximately zero t_on when the temperature increases from 25°C to 55°C and 85°C, respectively.