Irradiation effects of CO2 laser parameters on surface morphology of fused silica

To understand the surface morphology evolution of fused silica induced by 10.6-μm CO2 laser irradiation at different parameters,this paper reports that optical microscopy,profilometry,and hydrophilicity tests are utilized to characterize the surface structure and roughness of the laser irradiated area. The results show that three typical surface morphologies and two typical hydrophilicity test images are observed at different laser powers and pulse durations. The correlations between surface temperature and surface morphology as well as hydrophilicity behaviours are presented. The different hydrophilicity behaviours are related to surface structures of the laser-induced crater and thermal diffusion area. The thermal diffusion length monotonously increases with increasing laser power and pulse duration. The crater width is almost determined by the laser beam size. The crater depth is more sensitive to the laser power and pulse duration than the crater width.     

Electrochemical synthesis of flower like Mn-Co mixed metal oxides as electrode material for supercapacitor application

In the present work flower like Mn-Co mixed metal oxide electrode materials were successfully synthesized by simple, low cost electrodeposition method on stainless steel substrates. Different volume ratio of Mn-Co was used to attempt enhancement in the supercapacitive properties of electrode material. Structural, morphological and wettability properties of synthesized electrodes were carried out using XRD, RAMAN, FE-SEM and Contact Angle Measurement techniques. Electrochemical properties of electrodeposited Mn-Co mixed metal oxide at three different volume variation such as 50-50, 60-40 and 70-30 electrodes were analyzed by using cyclic voltammetry, galvonostatic charge discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 1 M NaOH aqueous electrolyte. The Mn-Co:60-40 composition shows maximum specific capacitance which is 679 F/g at scan rate 5 mV/sec. Charge discharge studies gives 95% columbic efficiency. Impedance spectroscopy reveals capacitive behavior and gives series resistance ∼0.19 ohm and combined internal resistance ∼0.89 ohm. The 80% retention of specific capacitance after the 1000 cycles. The synergistic effect of Mn-Co mixed metal oxide electrode having good conductivity, large surface area and improved charge transportation than individual electrode material leads to enhancing supercapacitor performance of electrode material for its practical application.     

“For Asia Market Only”: A Green Tattoo Ink between Safety and Regulations

Due to the increasing tattoo practicing in Eastern countries and general concern on tattoo ink composition and safety, the green tattoo inks Green Concentrate by Eternal, for European and “for Asia Market Only” were analyzed, under the premise that only the former falls under a composition regulation. A separation of the additives from the pigment was carried out by successive extraction in solvents of different polarities, i.e., water, acetone and dichloromethane. The solid residues were analyzed by IR and Raman spectroscopies, the liquid fractions by GC/mass spectrometry. The relative pigment load and element traces were also estimated. We found that the European and the Asian inks are based on the same pigment, PG7, restricted in Europe, though at different loads. They have a similar content of harmful impurities, such as Ni, As, Cd and Sb and both contain siloxanes, including harmful D4. Furthermore, they have different physical-chemical properties, the European ink being more hydrophilic, the Asian more hydrophobic. Additionally, the Asian ink contains harmful additives for the solubilization of hydrophobic matrices and by-products of the phthalocyanine synthesis. Teratogenic phthalates are present as well as chlorinated teratogenic and carcinogenic compounds usually associated to the laser treatment for removal purposes, to a larger extent in the European ink. The composition of the inks does not seem to reflect regulatory restrictions, where issued.