Thermoelectric properties of stannite-phase CuZn2AS4 (CZAS; A=Al,Ga and In) nanocrystals for solar energy conversion applications

The current study aimed to comprehensively investigate structural, electronic, optical and transport properties of quaternary semiconductor CuZn₂AS₄ (CZAS; A=Al, Ga and In) nanocrystals (NCs). Based on energy considerations, the stannite structure (I-42m; No. 121) is found to be more stable than the kesterite (I-4; No.82) and wurtzite (P6₃mc; No.186) type structures. By means of hybrid functional calculations, these nanocrystals have direct band gap of 0.81–1.71 eV with a high absorption coefficient of >10⁴ cm^?1, which are well-suited for use in solar energy-conversion applications. Some of the latest advances in applications of these nanocrystals in thermoelectric applications are also highlighted in the current study. It is observed that transport coefficients of these materials are found to be nearly direction independent and isotropic. All three samples are p-type conductors at room temperature. Especially, the Seebeck coefficient of CuZn₂AlS₄ is even larger than that of CuZn₂GaS₄ and CuZn₂InS₄ under the studied carrier concentration and temperature region. The maximum figure of merit (ZT) reaches 0.982 (0.977), 0.984 (0.974) and 0.53 (0.955) for p-type (n-type) CuZn₂AlS₄, CuZn₂GaS₄, and CuZn₂InS₄, respectively, at 300 K. The high Seebeck coefficients, high figure of merit and low thermal conductivities make these systems good candidates for high-efficiency thermoelectric conversion applications.     

Effect of B-site isovalent doping on electrical and ferroelectric properties of lead free bismuth titanate ceramics

In the present work, zirconium modified bismuth titanate ceramics have been studied as potential lead-free ferroelectric materials over a broad temperature range (RT – 800 °C). Polycrystalline samples of Bi₄Ti_3−xZr_xO₁₂ (x=0.2, 0.4, 0.6) (BZrT) with high electrical resistivity were prepared using the solution combustion technique. The effect of Zr doping on the crystalline structure, ferroelectric properties and electrical conduction characteristics of BZrT ceramics were explored. Addition of zirconium to bismuth titanate enhances its dielectric constant and reduces the loss factor as it introduces orthorhombic distortion in bismuth titanate lattice which is exhibited by the growth along (0010) lattice plane. Activation energy due to relaxation is found to be greater than that due to conduction thus confirming that electrical conduction in these ceramics is not due to relaxation of dipoles. Remanent polarization of the doped samples increases as the Zirconium content increases.     

Effect of transition elements on dispersoid formation and elevated-temperature mechanical properties in 6082 aluminum alloy

ABSTRACT

The effect of transition elements, specifically Mn, Cr, V, and Mo, on dispersoid formation and mechanical properties in 6082 aluminum alloy was studied. The elevated-temperature mechanical properties were evaluated based on the compressive yield strength and creep resistance. The results indicated that the addition of Mn to the 6082 alloy resulted in the formation of a large number of the thermally stable α-Al(MnFe)Si dispersoids, thereby significantly improving the elevated-temperature mechanical properties of the alloy. Subsequent additions of Cr, V, and Mo increased the amount of Mn-bearing intermetallic phases, which decreased the supersaturation levels of Mn and Si in the α-Al, and consequently decreased the volume fraction of the dispersoids. The alloys containing Cr, V, and Mo exhibited similar yield strengths at 300°C and higher yield strengths at room temperature compared to the alloy containing only Mn. The size effect of the smaller dispersoids containing Cr, V, and Mo together with the solid-solution hardening of these elements could balance out the strength decrease resulting from the decreased volume fraction of the dispersoids. The additions of Cr, V, and Mo significantly increased the creep resistance of the Mn-containing 6082 alloy. Vanadium induced the highest creep resistance followed by Cr and Mo. Solute atoms of these elements with low diffusivity in the aluminum matrix contributed significantly to increasing the creep resistance at 300°C.     

Mechanical characterization of a new Kevlar/Flax/epoxy hybrid composite in a sandwich structure

Natural fibers are inexpensive, biodegradable, and have similar specific properties to some synthetic fibers. Hardly any previous investigations exist of a composite made of multiple layers of pure Kevlar fiber fabric and pure Flax fiber fabric in a “sandwich structure”, but it only measured impact properties. The composite was made of 12 Flax/epoxy layers at the core in 3 possible configurations (i.e. [0]_12F, [0/90]_6F, or [±45]_6F) that were sandwiched by 2 Kevlar/epoxy layers (i.e. plain weave) on each side. This study showed maximum change in the mechanical properties with respect to Flax/Epoxy for tension (+137.85% in E_T, and +171.22% in σ_UT), compression (+171.22% in E_c, and −10.6% in σ_UC), 3-point bending (−11.54% in E_B, and +2.19 in σ_UB), torsion (−5.31% in G, and 395.82% in τ), and water absorption (60.04%). This novel hybrid composite may be useful for research and industry applications.     

Evidence for Non-Innocence of a β-Diketonate Ligand

β-Diketonates, such as acetylacetonate, are amongst the most common bidentate ligands towards elements across the entire periodic table and are considered wholly redox-inactive in their complexes. Herein we show that complexation of 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetonate (hfac⁻) to Cr^II spontaneously affords Cr^III and a reduced β-diketonate radical ligand scaffold, as evidenced by crystallographic analysis, magnetic measurements, optical spectroscopy, reactivity studies, and DFT calculations. The possibility of harnessing β-diketonates as electron reservoirs opens up possibilities for new metal–ligand concerted reactivity in the ubiquitous β-diketonate coordination chemistry.     

Forces between a hard surface and an air–aqueous interface with and without films

The adsorption of particles to air–aqueous interfaces is vital in many applications, such as mineral flotation and the stabilization of food foams. The forces in the system determine whether a particle will attach to an air–aqueous interface. The forces between a particle and an air–aqueous interface are influenced by Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek forces (i.e. van der Waals and electrostatic forces), non–Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek forces (e.g. hydrophobic, hydrodynamic, structural, and capillary forces), liquid drainage, and liquid flow. As an air–aqueous interface can be deformed by a particle, the forces measured between an air–aqueous interface and a particle can differ from those measured between two hard surfaces separated by liquid. The presence of a film at an air–aqueous interface can also change the forces.     

Synthesis,characterization and cytotoxicity of new 2‐isonicotinoyl‐N‐phenylhydrazine‐1‐carbothioamide and its metal complexes

The reaction of the newly synthesized ligand, 2‐isonicotinoyl‐N‐phenylhydrazine‐1‐carbothioamide (H₃L), with acetate salt of Co (II), Cu (II),Ni (II) and Zn (II) led to isolation of four solid complexes. The ligand and complexes structure elucidation were based on elemental analyses, spectral analyses (IR, UV–Visible, ¹H and¹³C‐NMR, MS and ESR), TGA, molar conductivity and magnetic moments measurements. The results indicated that the ligand exists in the thioketo form, while on coordination to the metal ions; it behaves as mono‐negative bidentate chelate and exists in enol form. The optical band gap measurements of the ligand and its metal complexes are in the range 3.83–4.48 eV indicating their semi‐conducting character. The cytotoxicity examination of H₃L and its Zn (II) complex showed that the ligand have very strong cytotoxicity against both HCT‐116 and HEPG‐2 cell lines while, Zn (II) complex has moderate activity.     

Influence of imide functionalized organo‐modified Mg‐Al layered double hydroxide on the thermal and mechanical properties of new aliphatic‐aromatic poly (amide‐imide)

A new dicarboxylic acid modified Mg‐Al LDH (DLDH) containing imide groups was prepared and its effects on the thermal and mechanical properties of the new synthesized aliphatic‐aromatic poly (amide‐imide) (PAI) were investigated via preparation of PAI/nanocomposite films by solution casting method. The results of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission‐scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed a uniform dispersion for LDH layers into the PAI matrix. For comparison, the effects of polyacrylic acid‐co‐poly‐2‐acrylamido‐ 2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid (PAMPS‐co‐PAA) modified Mg‐Al LDH (ALDH) on the PAI properties were also studied. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results exhibited that the temperature at 5 mass% loss (T₅) increased from 277 °C to 310 °C for nanocomposite containing 2 mass% of DLDH, while T₅ for nanocomposite containing 2 mass% of ALDH increased to 320 °C, along with the more enhancement of char residue compared to the neat PAI. According to the tensile test results, with 5 mass% DLDH loading in the PAI matrix, the tensile strength increased from 51.6 to 70.8 MPa along with an increase in Young's modulus. Also the Young's modulus of PAI nanocomposite containing 5 mass% ALDH reduced from 1.95 to 0.81 GPa.     

Alternating Magnetic Field Controlled Targeted Drug Delivery Based on Graphene Oxide-Grafted Nanosupramolecules

Graphene oxide (GO)-grafted nanosupramolecules have recently emerged as neoteric nano drug carriers in the therapy of refractory diseases. Herein, a multicomponent nanosupramolecular drug carrier based on a targeted peptide and magnetic GO is reported, the drug-release behavior of which can be regulated by an alternating magnetic field (AMF). This multicomponent nanosupramolecular carrier is composed of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD)/nickel nanoparticle-modified graphene oxide (GONiCD) and mitochondrial ion-targeting peptide (MitP)-grafted hyaluronic acid (HAMitP). Owing to the host–guest interaction between β-cyclodextrin and the cyclohexyl groups on MitP, GONiCD and HAMitP could form supramolecular assemblies during the doxorubicin (Dox) loading process, which not only remarkably enhances the drug-loading capacity, but also improves the drug-release efficiency under AMF stimulus. During co-incubation with tumor cells, the Dox-loaded assemblies could strongly target the tumor mitochondria and damage both the mitochondria and the nuclei, owing to Dox release from the assemblies induced by AMF. This study sheds light on the exploration of peptide caps for controlled drug loading/release of supramolecular nanocarriers for efficient drug delivery and anticancer therapy.