Optical behaviour of pH detectors based on sol-gel technology

Acidity is an outstanding parameter that affect the correct preservation of most part of materials engaged in artworks and heritage objects. In spite of the new generation of advanced analytical devices, the conservation/heritage management sector claims for some kind of simple, robust and low-cost device to monitor environmental acidity wherever necessary. The purpose of this paper is to offer a suitable alternative for the estimation of environmental acidity by means of detectors to be used without electrodes, solutions, pH meters, wires or batteries.Doped sol-gel thin coatings have been used as transductors for producing pH detectors. The coatings consist of a partially densified polysiloxane network and an organic dye sensitive to pH changes. The siloxane network behaves as a host for immobilisation of the dye molecules, in such a way that chemical-optical properties of the dye are preserved as far as possible. The transductors were applied on common glass substrates by dipping. Further heat-treatment allows the coating partial densification.The optical response of the detectors was analysed by VIS absorption spectroscopy, since a change of colour took place when the detectors were submitted to different pH buffered solutions. With the aim to investigate their optical behaviour as a function of pH, several experimental measurements were undertaken: absorption intensity; maximum spectral wavelength; colour coordinates; colour purity percentages. Time response and memory effect were also studied. The detector operation conditions for monitoring environmental acidity both indoor and outdoor are discussed.     

Preparation and photoluminescence of Sc-doped ZnO nanowires

We demonstrate bulk synthesis of single-crystal Sc-doped ZnO nanowires by using (Sc+Zn) powders at . These mass nanowires are characterized through X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction, and high-resolution TEM, which have uniform diameters of about 40 nm and microns of several decades in length. The growth of ZnScO nanowires is suggested for self-catalyzed vapor–liquid–solid. In particular, PL spectra of these nanowires show emission peaks that intensely shift to long wavelength with increasing Sc and the doping quantity is found responsible for the different characteristics, in which PL mechanism is explained in detail.     

本征及掺杂石墨烯对2,3,7,8-四氯二苯并呋喃吸附机理的计算模拟研究

二噁英对人类和环境具有较高的毒性,因此,研制出有效的二噁英有机污染物的去除和检测方法尤为重要.本研究采用密度泛函理论模拟方法详细探讨了本征及Ti,Fe及Pt掺杂石墨烯对2,3,7,8-四氯二苯并呋喃(2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran,TCDF)二噁英污染物的吸附机理.研究结果表明,本征石墨烯及掺杂石墨烯表面对TCDF均有一定程度的吸附,而Ti和Fe掺杂石墨烯对TCDF的吸附远大于本征石墨烯对TCDF的吸附.主要原因是TCDF与本征石墨烯之间主要形成了π…π,C-H…π和C-Cl…π非共价的相互作用,而与掺杂石墨烯之间主要形成了metal-O共价相互作用.研究结果有望为石墨烯材料在二噁英污染物TCDF吸附方面的应用提供有价值的理论指导.     

Sonocatalytic degradation of a textile dye over Gd-doped ZnO nanoparticles synthesized through sonochemical process

The present study was performed to sonochemically synthesize Gd_xZn_1 − xO (x = 0–0.1) nanoparticles for sonocatalysis of Acid Orange 7 (AO7) in an aqueous medium. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirmed proper synthesis of Gd-doped sonocatalyst. 5% Gd-doped ZnO nanoparticles with band gap of 2.8 eV exhibited the highest sonocatalytic decolorization efficiency of 90% at reaction time of 90 min. The effects of initial dye concentration and sonocatalyst dosage on decolorization efficiency were evaluated. In the presence of sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate and sodium chloride the decolorization efficiency decreased from 90 to 78, 65 and 56%, respectively. Among various enhancers, the addition of potassium periodate improved the decolorization efficiency from 90 to 100%. The highest decolorization efficiency was obtained at pH value of 6.34 (90%). The decolorization efficiency decreased only 6% after 4 repeated runs. Therefore, Gd-doped ZnO nanoparticles can be used as a promising catalyst for degradation of organic pollutants with great reusability potential.     

Review: Luttinger or fermi liquids versus topological superconductivity

Superconductors, classified by materials, embrace at least four broad groups: (i) BCS metals and alloys; (ii) heavy Fermion materials; (iii) high- T c cuprates and (some) organic compounds, and (iv) fullerides. Broadly speaking, in classes (i) and (iv), with (i) possibly embracing the recent discovery of superconductivity in MgB 2 with T c ～ 40 K, electron liquids flow through essentially non-magnetic lattices and the electron-phonon interaction is a key component of the mechanism for Cooper pairing. In classes (ii) and (iii), plus the low- T c material Sr 2 RuO 4 , electron or hole liquids flow through assemblies with magnetic spin fluctuations. The nature of the normal state in class (iii) is not yet universally agreed, both Fermi or Luttinger liquids remaining viable to date, the former, however, with the formation of precursor 2 e Bosons somewhat above T c . Our own studies reveal some common ground between classes (ii) and (iii), involving coherence lengths and effective masses, as well as non- s -wave pairing, though the interactions leading to pairing almost certainly have different physical origins in these two groups. Finally, topological superconductivity is reviewed. It is argued that such a treatment of a topological superfluid could eventually deepen the understanding of the class (iv) fullerides. Resonating valence bond theory, used by Anderson and co-workers as an, of course, approximate strongly-correlated electron technique for high- T c cuprates, can itself be re-written in the form of topological superconductivity, as discussed especially by Wiegmann and collaborators.     

Adsorption of small molecules on transition metal doped rhodium clusters Rh3X (X = 3d, 4d atom): a first-principles investigation

The adsorption behaviours of seven molecules (CO, CO₂, N₂, NO, O₂, N₂O and NO₂) on Rh₃X (X?=Sc-Zn, Y-Cd) clusters are systematically investigated by density-functional calculations. Rh₃X clusters exhibit physical adsorption when interacting with CO₂, CO, N₂ and NO. The adsorption energies (E_ads) can be ranked as follows: NO?>?CO?>?CO_2?≥?N₂. Compared with pure Rh₄ cluster, the adsorption capacity changes with the doping element. Chemical adsorption can be obtained for Rh₃X when adsorbing O₂, N₂O and NO₂. E_ads shows an order of E_ads(O₂)?>?E_ads(NO₂)?>?E_ads(N₂O). When O₂ is adsorbed, energy barrier with doping Tc or Cr atom is substantially reduced, which indicates that chemical reactivity of O₂ on Rh₄ can be significantly enhanced. The doped rhodium clusters can be viewed as good candidates in the discrimination between different gas molecules.     

第一性原理研究B掺杂Mn_4Si_7的电子结构和光学性质

采用基于密度泛函理论的第一性原理计算方法,对未掺杂及B掺杂Mn_4Si_7的电子结构和光学性质进行理论计算.研究结果表明,未掺杂Mn_4Si_7是间接带隙半导体,其禁带宽度为0.786 eV,B掺杂后其禁带宽度下降为0.723 eV. B掺杂Mn_4Si_7是p型半导体材料.未掺杂Mn_4Si_7在近红外区的吸收系数达到10~5 cm~(-1),B掺杂引起Mn_4Si_7的折射率、吸收系数、反射系数及光电导率增加.     

Boron-, nitrogen-, aluminum-, and phosphorus-doped graphite electrodes for non-lithium ion batteries

Intercalation of Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Al³⁺ ions into B-, N-, Al-, and P-doped graphite has been studied using density functional theory calculations. While the intercalation of Li⁺, K⁺, and Ca²⁺ ions into graphite is thermodynamically favorable, that of Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Al³⁺ ions into graphite is unfavorable. When doped in the form of graphitic structure, B, Al, and P dopants significantly stabilize the ion-intercalated graphite compounds. As a result, Na⁺ ions that are unable to intercalate into graphite can intercalate into B-, Al-, and P-doped graphite. The electron transfer from B, Al, and P dopants to host C atoms reinforces the ion–graphene electrostatic interaction, enhancing the thermodynamic driving force for ion intercalation. The catalytic activity of the dopant to promote the ion intercalation increases in the order of N < B < P < Al, which is associated with the electronegativity of the dopant.     

钴前驱体对掺杂TiO2微结构和可见光催化性能的影响

In order to develop photoactive cobalt-doped TiO2 for the degradation of organic pollutants using visible light irradiation, the effects of cobalt precursor on TiO2 microstructure were investigated. Three cobaltprecursors, i.e. CoCl2, Co(NO3)2 and CoSO4 with two doping levels (nominally 1% and 10%), and two annealing temperatures (400 and 800 ℃) were adopted to prepare the doped titania through the sol-gel method. The powder samples were characterized with XRD, SEM, BET surface area analysis and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, and their photocatalytic activities were evaluated by the degradation of aniline under visible light irradiation. The results showed that the distribution of titania phases, particle size,morphology, surface area and the optical absorption of the catalysts were greatly dependent on the cobalt precursors. Samples prepared from Co(NO3)2, especially for those doped at 1% and calcined at 400 ℃,showed the highest photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of aniline, and the possible reasons are discussed briefly.     

Ru(bpy)2(NCS)2染料敏化CdS/Zn2+TiO2复合半导体纳米多孔膜的光电化学

采用水热法合成了Zn²⁺离子掺杂的TiO₂纳米粒子[Zn²⁺掺杂量0.5%(物质的量的比)],并用光电化学方法研究了经Ru(bpy)₂(NCS)₂(bpy=2,2′bipyridine₄,4′dicarboxylicacid)分别敏化的掺杂Zn²⁺的TiO₂电极(简写为Zn²⁺-TiO₂)和CdS/Zn²⁺-TiO₂复合半导体纳米多孔膜电极的光电化学行为.实验证明Ru(bpy)₂(NCS)₂敏化CdS/Zn²⁺-TiO₂复合半导体纳米多孔膜电极比单独敏化Zn²⁺-TiO₂电极的光电转换效率高,且敏化Zn²⁺TiO₂电极和敏化CdS/Zn²⁺TiO₂复合半导体纳米多孔膜电极比Zn²⁺-TiO₂电极的光电流产生的起始波长都向长波方向移动.在360600nm范围内,Ru(bpy)₂(NCS)₂敏化CdS/Zn²⁺-TiO₂复合半导体纳米多孔膜电极光电转换效率最好.