Characterisation and mesomorphic behaviour of liquid crystals with dispersed PdCl2 nanoparticles

The synthesis and characterisation are carried on liquid crystalline (LC) p-dodecyloxy benzoic acid (12OBA) with 1 and 2 wt% for PdCl₂ nanoparticles dispersion. Further, characterizations are carried out by different spectroscopic techniques like X-ray diffraction spectrometric studies, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Textural determinations of the synthesised compounds are recorded by using polarising optical microscope (POM) attached with a hot stage and camera. The results show that the dispersion of PdCl₂ nanoparticles in 12OBA exhibits Nematic phases as same as the pure 12OBA with reduced clearing temperature as expected. Further, the nematic thermal ranges are quenched and the smectic C thermal range has been increased while performing both DSC and POM with the dispersion of 1 wt% PdCl₂ nanoparticles. Size dependence on bonding nature with LC compounds is established.     

Effect of strontium additive on thermoluminescence properties of (Ba1-xSrxSO4)99.8%: Eu0.2% nanophosphor

Nanophosphors of barium strontium sulfate complex (Ba_1-xSr_xSO₄)_99.8%:Eu_0.2% (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) were prepared through the chemical co-precipitation method at room temperature. Precipitated samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) techniques. The obtained XRD patterns from the prepared nanophosphate series (Ba_1-xSr_xSO₄)_99.8%:Eu_0.2% exhibit an orthorhombic structure with semispherical particle shape. The lattice parameters of (Ba_1-xSr_xSO₄)_99.8%:Eu_0.2% solid crystals change and the cell volume decreases with the increase of x value of strontium. The thermoluminescence (TL) glow curves induced by gamma rays of (Ba_1-xSr_xSO₄)_99.8%:Eu_0.2% series were recorded and compared. The substitution of Ba²⁺ by Sr²⁺ cations shift the trap centers in the host of (Ba_1-xSr_xSO₄)_99.8%:Eu_0.2% material to the higher temperature side. The TL glow curve (GC) of sample with x = 0.12, with grain size ranging between 13–31 nm, reveals that it has deep trap centers, and higher TL sensitivity. The different heating rates effect of the glow peaks of samples with x = 0, 0.12 and 1 showed that they follow the first-order kinetics. These samples have been studied and analyzed with the help of both T_stop experimental method, and the computerized glow curve deconvolution (CGCD) program. T_m–T_stop experiment indicates that there are three trapping levels in both (BaSO₄)_99.8%:Eu_0.2% and (SrSO₄)_99.8%:Eu_0.2% sulfate samples at 452, 489, 543 K and 487, 513, 530 K respectively, while five peaks at 458, 486, 499, 544 and 556 K in the complex GC of (Ba_0.88Sr_0.12SO₄)_99.8%:Eu_0.2%. These values are used as input for CGCD. The figure of merit (FOM) during fitting procedures is determined.     

Structural analysis of poly(amidoamine) dendrimer immobilized in crosslinked poly(ethylene glycol)

Polymeric membranes comprised of poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer immobilized in a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) network exhibit an excellent CO₂ separation selectivity over H₂. The CO₂ permeability increases with PAMAM dendrimer concentration in the polymeric membrane and becomes 500 times greater than H₂ permeability when the dendrimer content was 50 wt % at ambient conditions (5 kPa of CO₂ partial pressure). However, the detailed morphology of the membrane has not been discussed. The immiscibility of PAMAM dendrimer and PEG matrix results in phase separation, which takes place in a couple of microns scale. Especially, laser scanning confocal microscope captures a 3D morphology of the polymeric blend. The obtained 3D reconstructions demonstrate a bicontinuous structure of PAMAM dendrimer‐rich and PEG‐rich phases, which indicates the presence of PAMAM dendrimer channel penetrating the polymeric membrane, and CO₂ will preferentially pass through the dendrimer channel. In addition, Fourier transform of the 3D reconstructions indicates the presence of a periodic structure. An average size of the dendrimer domain calculated is 2–4 μm in proportion to PAMAM dendrimer concentration. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012     

Metal-organic Chemical Vapor Deposition of GaSb/GaAs Quantum Dots： the Dependence of the Morphology on Growth Temperature and Vapour V/Ⅲ Ratio

GaSb quantum dots have been widely applied in optoelectronic devices due to its unique electrical and optical properties.The effects of metal-organic chemical vapor deposition（MOCVD） parameters,such as growth temperature and vapour V/Ⅲ ratio[V/Ⅲ ratio means the molar ratio of trimethylgallium（TMGa） and triethylantimony（TESb）],were systematically investigated to achieve GaSb quantum dots with high quality and high density.The features of surface morphology of uncapped GaSb quantum dots were characterized by atomic force microscope（AFM） images.The results show that the surface morphologies of quantum dots are strongly dependent on growth temperature and vapour V/Ⅲ ratio.GaSb quantum dots with an average height of 4.94 nm and a density of 2.45× 1010 cm-2 were obtained by optimizing growth temperature and V/Ⅲ ratio.     

Study on the inhibition of mild steel corrosion by 1,3-bis-(morpholin-4-yl-phenyl-methyl)-thiourea in hydrochloric acid medium

1,3-Bis-(morpholin-4-yl-phenyl-methyl)-thiourea (MBT) was synthesized and their influence on the inhibition of corrosion on mild steel in various hydrochloric acid concentrations has been investigated by weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance (EI), Tafel polarization, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and FT-IR methods. The result of weight loss study shows that the corrosion inhibition efficiency (IE) is directly proportional to the concentration of the inhibitor and inversely proportional to the temperature. Electrochemical study proved that the inhibitor acts as a mixed type inhibitor. SEM shows the formation of a protective film of the inhibitor on the mild steel. The IR data also provide evidence for the anticorrosion effect of the inhibitor.     

STUDY ON A DYNAMICS MODEL OF TAPPING MODE AFM AND ENERGY DISSIPATION MECHANISM$^{\bf 1)}$

轻敲模式下探针从远离到间歇性接触样品表面,是一个连续的能量耗散过程.针对该连续过程的能量耗散机理研究仅零星存在于各个文献之中,对于连续过程中各个阶段的能量耗散机理也没有一个系统的解释和实验验证.本文提出了新的位移激励下原子力显微镜探针-样品系统简化模型并得到了一维振子系统等效阻尼的计算方法,并通过该方法计算了探针在远离样品表面时的空气黏性阻尼和靠近样品时的空气压膜阻尼,分析了探针从远离样品到间歇性接触样品表面这一过程中的环境耗散机理变化,得到了原子力显微镜系统理论品质因数与探针工作位置的关系曲线;在此基础上设计了轻敲模式下的微悬臂梁扫频实验,得到了系统实验品质因数与探针工作位置的关系曲线,进而验证了理论模型的准确性. 本文通过对轻敲模式下AFM环境耗散机理进行理论分析和实验验证,希望可以对轻敲模式下AFM动力学特性及其阻尼作用机理有更近一步的认识,同时对微纳米机电系统 (MEMS/NEMS) 能量耗散机理的研究提供理论参考和实验方法.     

Influence of solvents properties on morphology of electrospun polyurethane nanofiber mats

Segmented polyurethane (SPU) nanofiber mats were prepared by electrospinning technique using the combination of four different solvents viz. tetrahydrofuran, N,N′‐dimethyl formamide, N,N′‐dimethyl acetamide, and dimethyl sulfoxide. Morphology of the electrospun nanofibers was examined by field emission scanning electron microscope. Experimental results revealed that the morphologies of polyurethane nanofiber mats have been changed significantly with the solvent selection for the electrospinning. It was observed that the diameters and morphology of the SPU nanofibers were influenced greatly by the use of combination of solvents. The uniform polyurethane nanofibers without beads or curls could be prepared by electrospinning through the selection of combination of good conductive and good volatile solvent viz. 7.5 wt/v% of SPU in N,N′‐dimethyl formamide/tetrahydrofuran (30 : 70 v/v) solutions at 20 kV applied voltages and volume flow rate of 1 ml/min. On the basis of the results obtained from this investigation, it has been established that solvent selection is one of the driving factors for controlling the morphology of the polyurethane electrospun nanofiber mats. The well‐controlled morphology of electrospun polyurethane nanofiber mats could be useful for many potential industrial applications such as in biomedical, smart textiles, nanofiltration, and sensors. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Morphology of F8T2/PC71BM Blend Film as Investigated by Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscope (STXM)

Clarification of the morphology of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) is indispensable for true comprehension of the organic solar cells. Here, we performed scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) for a poly-(9,9-dioctylfluorene-co-bithiophene) (F8T2)/[6,6]-phenyl C71-butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₁BM) blend film annealed at various temperatures (T_an). We found that the fullerene concentration within the polymer-rich domain decreases with T_an while the domain size (～230 nm) is essentially unchanged. We will discuss the interrelation between the film morphology and the photovoltaic performance.     

Silicon nanowires as field-effect transducers for biosensor development: A review

The unique electronic properties and miniaturized dimensions of silicon nanowires (SiNWs) are attractive for label-free, real-time and sensitive detection of biomolecules. Sensors based on SiNWs operate as field effect transistors (FETs) and can be fabricated either by top–down or bottom–up approaches. Advances in fabrication methods have allowed for the control of physicochemical and electronic properties of SiNWs, providing opportunity for interfacing of SiNW-FET probes with intracellular environments. The Debye screening length is an important consideration that determines the performance and detection limits of SiNW-FET sensors, especially at physiologically relevant conditions of ionic strength (>100 mM). In this review, we discuss the construction and application of SiNW-FET sensors for detection of ions, nucleic acids and protein markers. Advantages and disadvantages of the top–down and bottom–up approaches for synthesis of SiNWs are discussed. An overview of various methods for surface functionalization of SiNWs for immobilization of selective chemistry is provided in the context of impact on the analytical performance of SiNW-FET sensors. In addition to in vitro examples, an overview of the progress of use of SiNW-FET sensors for ex vivo studies is also presented. This review concludes with a discussion of the future prospects of SiNW-FET sensors.