International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

... carrier-free isotopes hafnium compounds irradiation protons solvent extraction

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The concept of nanocrystal conversion chemistry, which involves the use of pre-formed nanoparticles as templates for chemical transformation into derivative solids, has emerged as a powerful approach for designing the synthesis of complex nanocrystalline solids. The general strategy exploits established synthetic capabilities in simple nanocrystal systems and uses these nanocrystals as templates that help to define the composition, crystal structure, and morphology of product nanocrystals. This article highlights key examples of 'conversion chemistry' approaches to the synthesis of nanocrystalline solids using a variety of techniques, including galvanic replacement, diffusion, oxidation, and ion exchange. The discussion is organized according to classes of solids, highlighting the diverse target systems that are accessible using similar chemical concepts: metals, oxides, chalcogenides, phosphides, alloys, intermetallic compounds, sulfides, and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The initiation and inhibition of pitting corrosion on zirconium and hafnium in aqueous solutions have been investigated by potentiodynamic, potentiostatic and galvanostatic measurements at 25/sup 0/C. Effects of Cl/sup -/, Br/sup -/and I/sup -/ have been examined over a range of salt concentrations and pH. All three halide ions cause pitting attack on the two metals, but this may be inhibited by other anions. The results show that hafnium is more easily protected against pitting than is zirconium. The data are treated by the Butler-Volmer equation to yield more information about the mechanisms of the pitting corrosion.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Using the PMR method the interaction of zirconium and hafnium tetrachlorides with tri.tet.butylphenyl ester of 1,2- naphthoquinonediazide (2)-5-sulfonic acid is studied. The formation of MCl/sub 4/xNQD complexes is established, the equilibrium constants and thermodynamic parameters of complexing reaction are determined. The presence of rapid ligand exchange, proceeding according to associative mechanism, is detected. The rate constants and activation energies of the exchange reaction are calculated.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The RKR potential energy curves are constructed for the ground states of diatomic hafnium oxide and thorium oxide. Using Lippincott and Hulburt-Hirschfelder potential function the dissociation energies are estimated by curve fitting method. The H-H potential function was found to give a better fit in both cases. The dissociation energies of hafnium oxide and thorium oxide are estimated as 9.04 #+-# 0.02 eV and 10.34 #+-# 0.01 eV respectively. (author).

Science.gov (United States)

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International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Extraction of hafnium by 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-5-pyrazolone (HL) in benzene, toluene, chloroform and tetrachloromethane from aqueous-alcoholic solutions of the formal acidity of 2M-HClO_4 was studied. Methyl, ethyl, n- and isopropyl, tert-butyl and allyl alcohol as well as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether and propylene glycol were used as organic components of the mixed aqueous-organic phase. Their presence in some cases resulted in a synergic increase in the distribution ratio of hafnium. The increase is interpreted using the results of a slope analysis and measurements of the alcohol distribution and the relative permittivity of the organic phase. It is suggested that HfL_4 molecules were solvated by alcohol molecules in the organic phase. At high alcohol concentration synergism changed into antagonism. This was caused by changes in the distribution of HL and its interaction with the alcohol in the organic phase. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Dominating factors in plasma nitriding and plasma condition that makes nitriding possible in plasma nitriding process of metals having hard oxide film were studied. In case of stainless steel, oxide film sputtering was easier comparing to nitriding layer. Three phenomena such as sputtering of oxide layer, formation of nitriding layer and sputtering of nitriding layer occurred simultaneously. Nitriding was achieved when the formation of nitriding layer reached the peak comparing to the removal of nitriding layer after the removal of oxide layer. Situations of metallic surface of stainless steel in surface nitriding were divided into four categories and they were, situation where oxide layer remained as it is, situation where nitriding layer was formed although ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The present conference discusses plasma-assisted surface coating/modification processes, the applications to date of ion nitriding, the effects of nitrogen on metal surfaces, ion nitriding mechanisms in Cr, Al and Cr + Al-containing 1040 steel, ion nitriding of Al and its alloys, life enhancement for forging dies, novel anode plasma nitriding developments, and a comparative study of the pulsed and dc ion-nitriding behavior in specimens with blind holes. Also discussed are the influence of heating method on ion nitriding, surface hardening of marage steels by ion nitriding without core hardness reduction, plasma nitriding of nodular cast iron sput gears, NbN composites for superconductors, the carburization of tungsten in a glow discharge methane plasma, economic considerations concerning plasma ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Since actinide mononitride has several superior thermal and neutronic properties, nitride fuel is considered as a candidate for future nuclear systems, such as advanced fast reactors and accelerator-driven system. Establishing reprocessing technology is one of key technologies for the development of nitride fuel cycle. In addition to general advantages of pyrochemical process, such as the potential for economy, radiation and proliferation resistance, recycling of N-15 in nitride fuel seems to be practical in comparison with conventional hydro-process. Following the electrochemical measurements of nitride fuel in LiCl-KCl molten salt, the experimental study on closing nitride fuel cycle has been carried out in JAEA by used of TRU nitride and burnup simulated nitride samples. Recent progress of the study is summarized in this paper.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The primary objective is to perform a fundamental study of filtration of nanoparticles, and to obtain filtration knowledge necessary to design particle collection devices/systems for nanoparticle processing and for preventing nanoparticle emissions into the environment. The research covered a wide area relevant to nanoparticle filtration, under these main topics: (1) nanoparticle filtration and molecular dynamics simulation, (2) nanoparticle virtual impactor, (3) particle transport under low pressure, and (4) development of a high-throughput nanoparticle generator. A number of novel tools and numerical models have been developed under the DOE support.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

17-4PH stainless steel was modified by direct current (DC) plasma nitriding and titanium nitride film duplex treatment in this study. The microstructure, wear resistance and corrosion resistance were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), pin-on-disk tribological test and polarization experiment. The results revealed that the DC plasma nitriding pretreatment was in favor of improving properties of titanium nitride film. The corrosion resistance and wear resistance of duplex treatment specimen was more superior to that of only coated titanium nitride film.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In vitro cytocompatibility and cellular interactions of lauric acid and dextran-coated magnetite nanoparticles were evaluated with two different cell lines (mouse fibroblast and human cervical carcinoma). Lauric acid-coated magnetite nanoparticles were less cytocompatible than dextran-coated magnetite nanoparticles and cellular uptake of lauric acid-coated magnetic nanoparticles was more than that of dextran-coated magnetite nanoparticles. Lesser cytocompatibility and higher uptake of lauric acid-coated magnetite nanoparticles as compared to dextran-coated magnetic nanoparticles may be due to different cellular interactions by coating material. Thus, coating plays an important role in modulation of biocompatibility and cellular interaction of magnetic nanoparticles.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

As for surface treatment of steel, the ion nitriding method has a lot of advantages and is practically used, while the plasma nitriding is known as a method which is faster in nitriding than the ion nitriding method. However, there are few reports and many unclear points on the plasma nitriding method. In this study, the plasma nitriding of pure iron and SUS304 is conducted using r.f. nitrogen plasma glow discharge to examine composition of the nitrided layers, microstructures, nitriding rate, etc. Moreover, by exposing the specimen once nitrided to H2 plasma, a phenomenon that nitrogen comes out of the specimen surface is examined. It is found from the result that the nitrided layer is divided into a compound layer and a diffusion layer in order from the surface, that in case of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Interest in the tribological properties of plasma nitriding has increased substantially over the past years because plasma nitriding provides a high nitride depth and improved hard facing. The present study examines the tribological properties of AISI H11 plasma nitrided, hot-worked steel. Different nitriding temperatures and durations were considered. Characterization of the composite structures was investigated with wear tests, x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and microhardness tests. The depth profile of the nitrided zone was measured using the nuclear reaction analysis (NRA) technique. Plasma nitriding affected the microhardness, wear properties, and morphology considerably. Increase in process temperature increased the nitride zone depth.

CERN Document Server

Preparation of covalently modified organic-inorganic composite nanoparticles and their interfacial electron transfer researches

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

With the aim of optimizing the nitriding process parameters (temperature and gas mixture ) experimental studies of the plasma nitriding of Ck 15 steel were carried out, using a D. C. glow discharge. Nitriding treatments were performed at 450, 500 and 550 and N_2/H_2 volume ratio of 3/1, 1/1 and 1/3 for 5 hours. Nitriding treatment produces modified surface layer consisting of an outer compound layer and an inner diffusion layer.The plasma nitriding of Ck 15 produce single white layer consisting of #gamma#-(Fe_4N).

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Gas nitridation has shown excellent promise to form dense, electrically conductive and corrosion-resistant Cr-nitride surface layers on Ni-Cr base alloys for use as proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) bipolar plates. Due to the high cost of nickel, Fe-base bipolar plate alloys are needed to meet the cost targets for many PEMFC applications. Unfortunately, nitridation of Fe-base stainless steel alloys typically leads to internal Cr-nitride precipitation rather than the desired protective surface nitride layer formation, due to the high permeability of nitrogen in these alloys. This paper reports the finding that it is possible to form a continuous, protective Cr-nitride (CrN and Cr2N) surface layer through nitridation of Fe-base stainless steel alloys. The key to form a protective Cr...

International Science & Technology Center (ISTC)

Development of Technology for Producing High-Effective Nitride Fuel UN with Controlled Microstructure for Advanced Fast Neutron Nuclear Reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Recent research carried out in laboratories showed that Saddle field neutral fast atom beam source is a promising method for nitriding of stainless steel. In the present work, the effect of treatment time on the microstructural and mechanical properties of plasma-nitrided stainless steel sample was investigated by this new method. Plasma nitriding was carried out at 420 deg. C and at a pressure of 0.1 Pa for a time range of 1 to 12 h. SEM-EDX, microhardness tests, optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to evaluate the mechanical and structural properties of the nitrided layer. It was found that nitriding time has a pronounced effect on the structural and mechanical properties of low-temperature plasma-nitrided samples and produced a precipitation-free thin hard nitrided layer within a short processing time.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The present work describes the surface improvement and biocompatibility of TiAl_2_4Nb_1_0 intermetallic alloy using rf plasma nitriding. The nitriding process was carried out at different plasma power from 400 W to 650 W where the other plasma conditions were fixed. Grazing incidence X-ray diffractometry (GIXRD), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), tribometer and a nanohardness tester were employed to characterize the nitrided layer. Further potentiodynamic polarization method was used to describe the corrosion behavior of the un-nitrided and nitrided alloy. It has been found that the Vickers hardness (HV) and corrosion resistance values of the nitrided layers increase with increasing plasma power while the wear rates of the nitrided layers reduce by two orders of magnitude as compared to those of the un-nitrided layer. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This patent describes the producing of a refractory metal wherein a sponge refractory metal is produced as an intermediate product by the use of magnesium with the incidental production of magnesium chloride, and wherein residual magnesium is separated from the magnesium chloride and from refractory metal to a vacuum distillation step which fractionally distills the magnesium, the magnesium chloride, and the metal sub-chlorides; the steps of: recovering fractionally distilled vapors of magnesium chloride and metal sub-chlorides from a sponge refractory metal; separately condensing the vapors as separately recovered; and recycling the separately recovered magnesium at a purity of at least about 96%.

J-STORE (Japan)

Full Text Available

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Udgivelsesdato: 2008/5

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We report a simple method for the label-free detection of double-stranded DNA using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). We prepared cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-capped silver nanoparticles and a DNA-nanoparticle complex by adding silver nanoparticles to {lambda}-DNA solutions. In the present study, the utilization of CTAB-capped silver nanoparticles facilitates the electrostatic interaction between DNA molecules and silver nanoparticles; at the same time, the introduction of DNA avoids adding aggregating agent for the formation of nanoparticle aggregates to obtain large enhancement of DNA, because the DNA acts as both the probe molecules and aggregating agent of Ag nanoparticles. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies show that the morphology of DNA-Ag nanoparticle complexes seems to be determined by the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Results of researches on nitriding process of EJ961 steel are presented in this work. This steel was subjected to nitriding both on the cathode and on the isolated from cathode and anode substrate, that is at so called potential of glow discharged plasma. Nitriding processes were performed using device for glow discharge treatments with cooled anode. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

No abstract prepared.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Low pressure plasmas have some promising advantages for nitriding The separation of plasma generation from the workpiece overcomes several of the major drawbacks of conventional plasma nitriding and also allows independent control of ion flux and energy This opens the possibility of nitriding at lower temperatures so that the process can be extended to a wider range of materials and applications. Copyright (1999) Materials Australia

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Short communication. 12 refs., 1 fig.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pulsed DC-plasma nitriding has been applied to form nitride layer having only a diffusion layer. The discharge current with the variation of discharge gases is proportional to the intensity of N{sub 2}{sup +} peak in optical emission spectroscopy during the plasma nitriding. The discharge current, microhardness in surface of substrate and depth of nitride layer increased with the ratio of N{sub 2} to H{sub 2} gas in discharge gases. When the ratio of N{sub 2} to H{sub 2} is lower than 60% in the discharge gases, high microhardness value of 1100Hv nitride layer which contains no compound layer has been formed. (author). 20 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.

Science.gov (United States)

We report on the single-particle properties of lanthanide-ion doped oxide nanoparticles. We have demonstrated that their size can be accurately determined from their luminosity. The optically determined size distribution is in very good agreement with the distribution obtained from transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We also showed that the photobleaching of these nanoparticles is related to a reduction process and that we can use it to sense in a concentration-dependent manner the presence of an oxidant like H2O2. Finally, we propose a way to perform nanoparticle-protein coupling and to determine the protein-nanoparticle ratio at the single-particle level.

Science.gov (United States)

Spectral and energy luminescence characteristics of R6G dye solutions in ethanol with addition of Ag nanoparticle suspensions in different aggregate states are experimentally investigated. It is demonstrated that incorporation of non-aggregated and aggregated nanoparticles causes the superluminescence thresholds in R6G solutions to decrease. It is established that the optical properties of the laser beam propagation channel are transformed when low-power (20 mW) cw laser radiation passes through the suspension of nanoparticles. This is manifested through the occurrence of a region with enhanced nanoparticle density in the laser beam center, on which diffraction of laser radiation is observed.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Duplex-coating procedures consisting of plasma nitriding and Me-C:H hard coating lead to an improved performance of the devices because the Me-C:H coating is supported by the nitrided phase and, therefore, the `eggshell-effect` is avoided. Furthermore, this support leads to a higher load-bearing capacity of the thin film. Two standard procedures (classical high-pressure plasma nitriding and unbalanced magnetron sputtering of Ti-C:H) were performed subsequently to prepare the duplex coatings on X20Cr13 ferritic stainless steel. The corrosion resistance of the steel could be improved by nitriding at 450 C compared to the untreated ferritic substrate. The roughness is determined by the nitriding step. The weakest point of the coating is the transition zone between the nitrided and the untreated substrate and not the interface between the Ti-C:H coating and the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The aim of this paper is to investigate the total ionizing dose (TID) radiation effects on MOS capacitor with nitride/oxide stack gate. The stack gate MOS capacitors are fabricated with 20 nm oxide, 40 nm nitride or 110 nm nitride respectively. Through the analysis of CV curve of the irradiation capacitors, it is found that the degradation of the CV curve is due to a significant increase of interface traps and somewhat smaller oxide charge. It is also shown that the thicker of the nitride, more interface traps and oxide charge will be occurred. (authors)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper presents the first results of a study of plasma nitriding in various regions of a d.c. glow discharge, i.e. on the cathode, on the anode, and on a substrate isolated from the cathode and anode (at plasma potential). The results obtained reveal differences in the growth kinetics and surface morphology of the nitriding layers, depending on the region where the nitriding process took place. The aim of this work was to study the role of low temperature plasma in the plasma nitriding process. The processes were carried out in an apparatus for plasma treatment with a hot anode. (orig.)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This work presents results of investigations on d.c. glow discharge nitriding of #alpha#+#beta# Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy. The treatment was performed at 843 K in nitrogen-hydrogen atmosphere, pressure 300 Pa. Special attention was paid to nitriding mechanism and determination of the role of ion bombarding in nitriding process of titanium alloys. Produced as a result of d.c. plasma nitriding surface layers were subjected to macroscopic observations, microstructure studies, microhardness testing and X-ray analysis. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Simultaneous nitriding and ageing heat treatments of precipitation hardenable tool steel was carried out inside a DC-pulsed plasma nitriding reactor. A single heat treatment cycle was done, as the plasma nitriding and age hardening processes occur approximately at the same ranges of temperatures and times. Specimens of Cr-Ni-Mo-Al age hardenable steel, in the solubilized and solubilized and aged conditions, were tested. Plasma nitriding and ageing, carried out at 500 deg. C for times ranging between 2 and 8 h, increased the surface hardness up to 1000 HV, producing case depths between 100 and 200 {mu}m. The core hardness of solubilized samples increased from 30 to 39 Rockwell C after the plasma nitriding treatment proving the possibility of nitriding and ageing at the same treatment cycle. The pre-aged samples did not show any overageing after the simultaneous ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A series of experiments have been conducted on AISI 5140 low alloy steel using a hollow cathode discharge-assisted plasma nitriding apparatus with the aim of elucidating the role of substrate bias voltages in plasma nitriding process. For comparison, some samples were nitrided with applied substrate bias (-50 V) while other samples were nitrided at floating potential. Treatments were carried out in NH{sub 3} atmosphere of 150 Pa at temperatures ranging from 450 {sup o}C to 550 {sup o}C for 2 h, 4 h, and 6 h. The nitrided samples were characterized by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and micro-hardness measurement. The corrosion behaviors were evaluated using anodic polarization tests in 3.5% NaCl solution. The results showed that the microstructure and phase constituents of the nitride layers were strongly influenced by the bias voltages. It was also ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gas nitridation has shown excellent promise to form dense, electrically conductive and corrosion-resistant Cr-nitride surface layers on Ni-Cr base alloys for use as proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) bipolar plates. Due to the high cost of nickel, Fe-base bipolar plate alloys are needed to meet the cost targets for many PEMFC applications. Unfortunately, nitridation of Fe-base stainless steel alloys typically leads to internal Cr-nitride precipitation rather than the desired protective surface nitride layer formation, due to the high permeability of nitrogen in these alloys. This paper reports the finding that it is possible to form a continuous, protective Cr-nitride (CrN and Cr{sub 2}N) surface layer through nitridation of Fe-base stainless steel alloys. The key to form a protective Cr-nitride surface layer was ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A number of properties in steel components are detrimentally influenced when exposed to hydrogen environments. Under these conditions, atomic hydrogen is adsorbed on the steel surface, then absorbed and preferentially transported towards tri-dimensional stressed regions in the crystal lattice and into defects such as interfaces or dislocations. The hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility is strongly influenced by various microstructural parameters including the type of inclusions, steel composition and heat treating conditions. One of the alternatives employed in minimizing hydrogen embrittlement is the use of surface barriers for hydrogen permeation. In particular, the presence of surface nitride layers in steels can be considered as an effective barrier. Nitride steel surface layers can be produced by plasma nitriding with the concomitant benefits of improved surface hardness, as well as superior wear and fatigue ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Inorganic nanoparticles are indispensable for science and technology as materials, pigments and cosmetics products. Improving the dispersion stability of nanoparticles in various liquids is essential for those applications. In this review, we discuss why it is difficult to control the stability of nanoparticles in liquids. We also overview the role of surface interaction between nanoparticles in their dispersion and characterization, e.g. by colloid probe atomic force microscopy (CP-AFM). Two types of surface modification concepts, post-synthesis and in situ modification, were investigated in many previous studies. Here, we focus on post-synthesis modification using adsorption of various kinds of polymer dispersants and surfactants on the particle surface, as well as surface chemical reactions of silane coupling agents. We discuss CP-AFM as a technique to analyze the surface interaction between ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The photoluminescence intensity of an optical emitter changes when placed in close proximity to a noble-metal nanoparticle, due to two contributions. First, the optical near-field of the nanoparticle leads to a change in excitation rate of the emitter. Secondly, the emission efficiency is changed due to an optical energy transfer from the emitter to the metal nanoparticle, which provides additional radiative and non-radiative decay channels. In this work we investigate the photoluminescence of Sm{sup 3+} ions, which are embedded in SiO{sub 2}. The photoluminescence spectrum of ions in proximity to single silver and gold nanoparticles is measured. The influence of the spectral position of the nanoparticle plasmon peak on the photoluminescence yield will be discussed and compared with model calculations.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In situ synthesis of silver chloride (AgCl) nanoparticles was carried out under ambient conditions in nanoporous bacterial cellulose (BC) membranes as nanoreactors. The growth of the nanoparticles was readily obtained by alternating dipping of BC membranes in the solution of silver nitrate or sodium chloride followed by a rinse step. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicated the existence of AgCl nanoparticles in the BC and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that the AgCl nanoparticles well dispersed on the surface of BC and penetrated into the BC network. The AgCl nanoparticle-impregnated BC membranes exhibited high hydrophilic ability and strong antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive). The preparative proced...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The properties of AlN make this material very attractive for optical, electronic, and tribological application. Also, if the AlN could be formed on the Al surface to enhance its surface properties, Al could be applied for the lightening of machine parts. However, a dense oxide film exists on the surface of Al, which prevents the formation of the Al nitride even during plasma nitriding and plasma coating process. In this study, plasma nitriding has been tried to form an AlN layer on Al after the surface activation processes. During the plasma nitriding, the density of the nitrogen ions was amplified by means of controlling the power of the Al substrates. The film thickness, microstructural features and the mechanical properties such as hardness and wear properties of the AlN layer were examined as a function of the process parameters of pretreatment and plasma nitriding

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This study was the analyse the relationship between properties of ion nitrided Fe sintered material and parameters of plasma nitriding process. Pure fe sintered materials (relative density : 92%) were fabricated by hot-pressing and nitrided under pulsed DC plasma for 4 hours. The large number of parameters in plasma diffusion treatment allows close control of the process so that surface layers with defined microstructures and properties can be obtained. The number of micropores in nitriding layer can be reduced in pulsed DC plasma by reducing the plasma power and by varying the gas mixture. The phase constitution of compound layer of nitrided Fe sintered material were influenced by gas mixture (N_2 : H_2) and pulsed ratio (pulse on/off time ratio).

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

To capitalize on the response of tumor cells to ionizing radiation, we developed a controlled-release nanoparticle drug delivery system using a targeting peptide that recognizes a radiation-induced...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The purpose of this study was to synthesize biocompatible polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-coated iron oxide (PVP-IO) nanoparticles and to evaluate their efficacy as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundSilica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are being formulated for cellular imaging and for nonviral gene delivery in the central nervous system (CNS), but it is unclear what potential...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Rheological properties of moderately concentrated solutions of cellulose in methylmorpholine N-oxide-dimethylformamide mixtures containing hydrophilic montmorillonite nanoparticles were studied. Film composite materials were prepared, and their physicomechanical properties and structural organization were studied.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We report a templated-synthetic approach based on apoferritin to prepare radionuclide nanoparticle (NP) conjugates. Non-radioactive yttrium (89Y) was used as model target and surrogate for radioyttrium (90Y) to prepare the nanoparticle conjugate. The center cavity and multiple channel structure of apoferritin offer a fast and facile method to precipitate yttrium phosphate by diffusing yttrium and phosphate ions into the cavity of apofrritin, resulting a core-shell nanocomposite. The yttrium phosphate/apoferritin nanoparticle was functionalized with biotin for further application. The synthesized nanoparticle was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). We found that the resulting nanoparticles were uniform in size, with a diameter of around 8 nm. We tested the pre-targeting capability of the biotin-modified yttrium ...

Science.gov (United States)

A novel drug delivery system for the treatment of brain tumors was formulated by methotrexate (MTX)-loaded polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) based on Glycol chitosan (GCS) and Dextran sulfate (DS). The physicochemical properties of resulting particles were investigated, evidencing the contribution of these nanoparticles for brain targeting. In vitro release of MTX was also evaluated. The GCS-DS nanoparticles have been developed based on the modulation of ratio show promise as a system for controlled delivery of the drug to the brain. PMID:21782844

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2010 [1 p.] Germany Repp, Felix El-Miladi, Nouri Hoehl, Christian Jahanbakhsh,

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This work was initiated to examine the effect of frequency and treatment temperature on the formation of nitrided layers and surface characteristics during plasma nitriding. Plasma nitriding experiments were performed with 316L austenitic stainless steel at the temperatures 400 .deg. C and 500 deg. C using a pulsed d.c. plasma with various frequencies in an atmosphere of N{sub 2}-H{sub 2} gas mixture. The microstructure and thickness of the nitrided layer and morphology of the nitrided surface were investigated using OM, SEM, XRD, EDS and AFM. XRD patterns revealed that the surface layer formed at 400 deg. C consisted of S phase only and CrN+Fe{sub 4}N nitrides at 500 .deg. C and no change of phase composition with frequency was observed. The compound layer thickened slightly with increased frequency. Also, the surface roughness increased as the frequency of the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Aluminium nitride (AlN) is a very interesting ceramic because of its combination of properties such as high thermal stability, high hardness and an unusual combination of high thermal and low electrical conductivity. But it is very difficulty to obtain an AlN layer on the aluminium substrates by thermochemical nitriding process. Since a thin film of aluminium oxide existing on the surface of every aluminium substrate prevents the nitrogen atoms from diffusing into the aluminium lattice. However, it is possible to sputter the oxide film away from the aluminium surface in a glow discharge with the use of plasma nitriding technique and to allow the formation of AlN layer on the aluminium bulk. In the present work specimen of aluminium Al 99.5 has been plasma nitrided in a modified plasma nitriding unit, in which a diffusion pump was used to obtain an especially low partial pressure of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The effects of the plasma nitriding with the formation of compound nitride and diffusion zones and of the boronising with the different ion doses on hydrogen distribution and hydrogen induced deterioration of a surface layer were examined in the case of Armco iron. Electrochemical studies of hydrogen permeation rate, hydrogen vacuum extraction measurements, optical and scanning microscopy, X-ray diffraction and elastic recoil detection analysis (ERDA) were used. Accumulation of entering hydrogen within the various constituent zones of the modified layer inhibits the hydrogen transport into the metal and thus, decreases the mean hydrogen content in the deeper zones and in the core. Hydrogen accumulation within the compact nitride zone causes the expansion of the nitride lattice, nitride phase transformation and deterioration. The ion boronising enhances the hydrogen effects in the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

No abstract prepared

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The low alloy steels were nitrided in the plasma atmosphere generated by using hollow cathode discharge. For comparison, specimens of 40 Cr steel were in two different potential states. One kind is isolated from cathode and anode between them the discharge was created. The other kind is placed on the plate which is connected to the cathode. The nitriding was carried out at different temperatures. The surface morphology, phase of compound layers and microhardness profiles were analyzed. The optical microscopy observation and X-ray diffraction showed that the compound layers were formed in all experiments. The results of the nitriding treatment are weakly dependent on the potentials applied on the specimens.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The surface of low alloy steel (En40B) has been engineered in the plasma of a glow discharge via plasma nitriding and ion plating of titanium nitride (TiN) coatings on the nitrided substrates with the purpose of enhancing the surface properties and fatigue strength. The nitriding response of the steel has been accessed by the evaluation of phase composition, layer thickness, hardness profile, residual stresses and nitrogen and carbon distributions. The wear and fatigue characteristics of the plasma-nitrided steel have been investigated and simple models have been developed to describe the influence of such properties as depth and strength of the nitrided case on the fatigue limit and load-bearing capacity of the nitrided steel. In order to further improve the tribological properties and load-bearing capacity of the low alloy steel, a duplex ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Crankshafts of the pearlitic-sorbitic nodular cast iron type JUS NL.80 (similar to DIN GGG-80) heat treated to get a tensile strength of 820-900 GPa (i.e. a Vickers hardness of 268-295 HV) were plasma and ammonia gas nitrided. The glow discharge plasma nitriding was performed for 20 h at about 500degC in a gas mixture of 55% N{sub 2} and 45% H{sub 2}. The gas nitriding was performed for 28 h at 510degC in the ammonia gas. Evaluation of the nitrided surfaces was conducted by optical microscopy, X-ray diffractometry and microhardness measurements. Journal and crank pin dimensions and surface roughness were measured both before and after nitriding. Bending fatigue testing of crankshafts was performed using a fatigue testing rig. The fatigue limit was evaluated at 5.0x10{sup 6} cycles. The fractures happened at the transition radius of the journal with cracks starting beneath the ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Deposition of CN-based films by a novel version of active screen plasma nitriding, aiming at surface modification of polymers, is reported. The approach relies on the use of pure graphite as the grid material, which was found to act both as an active screen and as a dry source of carbon atoms for the synthesis of thin films consisting mainly of a stoichiometric CN layer with columnar-type structure and dome-like nanostructured morphology.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

It is very well known that the CANDU reactor has positive Coolant Void Reactivity (CVR), which is most important criticisms about CANDU. The most recent innovations based on using a thin absorbent Hafnium shell in the central bundle element were successfully been applied to the Advanced CANDU Reactor (ACR) project. The paper's objective is to analyze elementary lattice cell effects in applying such methods to reduce the CVR. Three basic fuel designs in their corresponding geometries were chosen to be compared: the ACR-1000TM, the RU-43 (developed in INR Pitesti) and the standard CANDU fuel. The bundle geometry influence on void effect was also evaluated. The WIMS calculations proved the Hafnium absorber suitability (in the latest 'shell design') to achieve the negative CVR target with great accuracy for the ACR-1000 fuel bundle design than for the other two projects. (authors)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

There is an increasing interest in using radioisotopes of rare earth elements for internal radiotherapy and for imaging in nuclear medicine. "1"7"7Lu is one of the promising radionuclides. This article reports on the first measurements of the excitation function for the production of "1"7"7Lu with proton-beam energies up to 17 MeV on natural hafnium targets. The experimental cross sections for the reaction "n"a"tHf(p,x)"1"7"7Lu were obtained by the activation of a stacked-foil target and subsequent gamma spectrometry. Theoretical cross sections were calculated up to 35 MeV with the EMPIRE nuclear reaction model code. The measured and calculated cross sections were used for deriving the thick-target yields and for estimating the production of other nuclides than "1"7"7Lu. Measured production cross sections of "1"7"5","1"7"6","1"7"7","1"7"8Ta on the same target are also presented.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nanoparticles of silver halides have been prepared by mixing silver halide powder with a single liquid phase consisting of an ionic liquid, isooctane, n-decanol and water. Much higher nanoparticle concentrations may be formed with ionic liquids using this new simple method than are found with conventionally applied surfactants. This method also emphasizes the applicability of ionic liquids as versatile components in microemulsions and as solvents for the synthesis of nanomaterials. The effect on the nanoparticles of changing the composition of the liquid mixtures and the nature of the ionic liquid is analysed. High nanoparticle concentrations were only found with chloride based ionic liquids, indicating the importance of the ionic liquid anion in the mechanism of the reaction.

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In this work, we have investigated the capability of different bimetallic nanoparticle alloy combinations to be used in fibre optic sensors based on the technique of surface plasmon resonance. The metals considered for this analysis are silver, gold, copper and aluminium. The performance of the sensor with different bimetallic nanoparticle alloy combinations is evaluated and compared numerically. The performance is analysed in terms of three parameters: sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and operating range for the sensing layer refractive index values. On the basis of the comparison and some logistic criteria, the best possible bimetallic alloy combinations along with a requisite alloy composition ratio are predicted. The bimetallic nanoparticle alloy combination is capable of simultaneously providing larger values of sensitivity, SNR and operating range, which is not possible with any single metallic ...

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We described the use of silica nanoparticles as building blocks for the immobilization of electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) reagent Ru(bpy){sub 3}{sup 2+} and the fabrication of layer-by-layer assembly film by alternating the deposition of the Ru(bpy){sub 3}{sup 2+}-doped silica nanoparticles and Au nanoparticles. UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry and ECL were used to characterize the uniform growth of the multilayer film. Since Ru(bpy){sub 3}{sup 2+} could still maintain its ECL property when doped into the silica nanoparticles, the as-prepared multilayer film could be used as an effective ECL sensor, and the sensor showed high sensitivity and good stability.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

We described the use of silica nanoparticles as building blocks for the immobilization of electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) reagent Ru(bpy)32+ and the fabrication of layer-by-layer assembly film by alternating the deposition of the Ru(bpy)32+-doped silica nanoparticles and Au nanoparticles. UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry and ECL were used to characterize the uniform growth of the multilayer film. Since Ru(bpy)32+ could still maintain its ECL property when doped into the silica nanoparticles, the as-prepared multilayer film could be used as an effective ECL sensor, and the sensor showed high sensitivity and good stability.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Bio-inspired palladium nanoparticles were synthesized by using banana peel extract (BPE), a non-toxic eco-friendly material. Boiled, crushed, acetone precipitated, air-dried peel powder was used to reduce palladium chloride. The palladium nanoparticles were characterized by using UV-Visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectra (SEM-EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) studies revealed the average size of nanoparticles to be 50nm. Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy (FTIR) implicated the role of carboxyl, amine and hydroxyl groups in the synthetic process. This paper thus describes a novel green method for the synthesis of palladium nanoparticles.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Influence of alkali elements on formation, composition, solubility and region of stability of complex hafnium sulfates, separated in the HfO"2-H"2SO"4-Me"2SO"4-H"2O (Me-Na, K, Rb, Cs and NH"4 group) systems is studied. In all cases hafnium forms the complex sulfates of three types differing by basicity or ratio HfO"2:SO"3 1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2. Three basic and three medium sulfates are crystallized in the systems with sodium; with rubidium, cesium and ammonium - two basic and two medium sulfates and with potassium - two basic and one medium salts. Anhydrous salts do not form in the investigated systems. Potassium salt approximately 0.3% according to HfO"2 is characterized by minimum solubility from the salts of 2HfOSO"4x(1-3)Me"2SO"4x(4-6)xH"2O while solubility of the same salts with rubidium, cesium and sodium increases from (0.25-1.0); (0.5-1.5) till (1.0-5)% according to HfO"2 correspondingly.

Science.gov (United States)

The liquid-phase synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles in organic solvents under exclusion of water is nowadays a well-established alternative to aqueous sol-gel chemistry. In this article, we highlight some of the advantages of these routes based on selected examples. The first part reviews some recent developments in the synthesis of ternary metal oxide nanoparticles by surfactant-free nonaqueous sol-gel routes, followed by the discussion of the morphology-controlled synthesis of lanthanum hydroxide nanoparticles, and the presentation of structural peculiarities of manganese oxide nanoparticles with an ordered Mn vacancy superstructure. These examples show that nonaqueous systems, on the one hand, allow the preparation of compositionally complex oxides, and, on the other hand, make use of the organic components (initially present or formed in situ) in the reaction mixture to tailor the morphology. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the present investigation, the properties of plasma nitrided AISI 304 steel were studied by changing the presence of nitrogen in the gas mixture. The plasma nitriding was performed at temperature -560 deg C, pressure -4 mbar and duration 24 hours. The nitrided samples were characterized by evaluating the phase composition, micro hardness, and diffusion layer thickness. The phase analysis indicates the mixed phases of CrN and Fe_3N, Fe_3N and Fe_4N which has the highest intensity. The results show the glow discharge plasma nitriding in presence of N_2 (80 vol. %) and H_2 (rest) produced higher hardness as well as higher case depth. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This work describes the ability of ion beam analysis techniques IBA to simultaneously determine the concentration and the possible depth profile of some light elements, such as carbon, oxygen and nitrogen, in matrices of high atomic number Z, such as stainless steel materials. In fact, the nitriding process of some materials has the potential to improve their tribological and mechanical properties and to offer various advantages as compared with other methods used in the modification of surfaces. Gas and Plasma nitriding were applied to certain types of steel, such as AISI-304 and H-13 which are commonly used in the industry, in order to improve their hardness and their surface corrosion resistance. The improvement was correlated with the depth profile of N and the consequent structure variations. More specifically, non-Rutherford elastic backscattering (alpha, alpha) at 5 MeV was performed on different samples, before and after ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The combined process of low temperature plasma nitriding and TiN film deposition was realized on the plasma-assisted vacuum arc plating set. The process of plasma nitriding can be done below 200 degree C. The low temperature plasma nitriding and TiN film deposition was realized on the same device. By the SEM analysis of the plating structure, low hardness grads from the substrate to the film was obtained, and it was found that the mixed nitride plating formed at the interface between the substrate and the film. The quantitative measurement of substrate-film adherence showed that the adherence was improved notably by using the process. The adherence between film and substrate can reach to 59.6 MPa without the bias voltage supplying

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Size-selected SnO{sub 1.8}:Ag mixed nanoparticle films have been prepared using a gas phase condensation method. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the applied size-selection technique yields well-defined, monodisperse and spherical SnO{sub 1.8} and Ag nanoparticles, both with a fixed diameter of 20 nm. The technique allows an independent variation of the particle size of both materials as well as the concentration of Ag. It allows to assess the influence of these parameters on the gas-sensing properties of the films, here for ethanol vapor in synthetic air. SnO{sub 1.8}:Ag nanoparticle films show optimal values of the sensor signal and response time at a Ag nanoparticle concentration of 5%. Due to the fact that the Ag nanoparticles are clearly distinct from the SnO{sub 1.8} nanoparticles in the film, the most probable mechanism leading to improved ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ti and its alloys (Ti-6Al-4V) have been used in different engineering applications due to their several outstanding properties. Nevertheless, their use in practical applications is limited in many cases due to their poor tribological property. Researches are ongoing on surface modification of Ti based materials by different plasma and ion based techniques to overcome this problem. However, the conventional plasma nitriding techniques have several problems such as formation of an arc, increased possibility of surface contamination due to a comparatively higher operating pressure, production of a very thin nitrided layer after a long processing time, etc. In this present work, the possibility of a new low-pressure plasma nitriding process using a Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) based saddle field fast atom beam source on a Ti-6Al-4V alloy sample is investigated. Plasma nitriding was ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

As a hardening process, the attractiveness of nitriding lies in its low treatment temperature. Although the thickness of the case is less than that obtained by higher temperature processes such as carburising, there are a range of alloys and applications for which nitriding is the only possible alternative. Indeed, there are some alloys and applications for which even the normal nitriding temperatures (between 500 deg C and 600 deg C for ferrous alloys) are too high. In this paper, we report on developments, specifically the use of low pressure plasmas and high energy ion bombardment, which can extend the benefits of nitriding to lower temperatures. In this poster, we will present results from these collaborative projects, concentrating on the nitriding of austenitic stainless steel at temperatures below 450 deg C. In this temperature range, the hardness and wear resistance of the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this paper, we report on a series of experiments designed to study the influence of plasma nitriding on the mechanical properties of austenitic stainless steel. Plasma nitriding experiments were conducted on AISI 304L steel in a temperature range of 375-475 C using pulsed-DC plasma with different N{sub 2}-H{sub 2} gas mixtures and treatment times. Firstly the formation and the microstructure of the modified layer will be highlighted followed by the results of hardness measurement, adhesion testing, wear resistance and fatigue life tests. The modified surface was analyzed directly after plasma nitriding as well as using a depth profiling method. The microhardness after plasma nitriding is increased up to 19 GPa, that is a factor of five higher compared to the untreated material (3.3 GPa). The adhesion is examined by Rockwell indentation and scratch test. No delamination of the treated layer could be ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Plasma nitriding is a powerful technique for modifying the phase-structure of the material surface layers, which affect the mechanical, physical and chemical properties of material. The effect of plasma nitriding on the surface properties of three types of steel (low carbon, AISI-304 and H13 (hardened)) has been investigated. The steel samples were plasma nitrided in vacuum of 10"-"1Pa with gas mixture of (N_2, H_2) at 530 Centigrade degree for a duration of 14 hours. Vickers microhardness measurements and XRD phase analysis of the treated and untreated samples were carried out. The diffraction patterns of treated steels revealed that new phases of #gamma#-Fe_4N, #epsilon#-Fe_3N and (Fe,Cr)_2N were formed. The maximum treated depths were about 5, 6 and 45 #mu#m for low carbon, AISI-304 and H13 (hardened) nitrided steel respectively. The microhardness was increased by about 150%, 200% and 140% for low ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We describe the synthesis and characterization of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle based heavy metal sorbents with various surface chemistries that demonstrate an excellent affinity for the separation of heavy metals in contaminated water systems (i.e. spiked Columbia river water). The magnetic nanoparticle sorbents are prepared from an easy to synthesize iron oxide precursor, followed by a simple, one-step ligand exchange technique to introduce the organic surface functionality of interest chosen to target either specific or broader classes of heavy metals. Functionalized superparamagnetic nanoparticles are excellent sorbent materials for the extraction of heavy metal contaminants from environmental and clinical samples since they are easily removed from the media once bound to the contaminant by simply applying a magnetic field. These engineered magnetic nanoparticle sorbents have an ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Plasma nitriding is usually used for ferrous materials to improve their surface properties. Knowledge of the properties of thin surface layers is essential for designing engineering components with optimal wear performance. In our study, we investigated the microstructural, mechanical and tribological properties of plasma- and pulse plasma-nitrided AISI 4140 steel in comparison to hardened steel. The influence of nitriding case depth as well as the presence of a compound layer on its tribological behaviour was also examined. Plasma and pulse plasma nitriding were carried out using commercial nitriding processes. Nitrided samples were fully characterised, using metallographic, SEM microscopic, microhardness and profilometric techniques, before and after wear testing. Wear tests were performed on a pin-on-disc wear testing machine in which ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Studying the structure of nanoparticles as a function of their size requires a correlation between the image and the diffraction pattern of single nanoparticles. Nanobeam diffraction technique is generally used but requires long and tedious TEM investigations, particularly when nanoparticles are randomly oriented on an amorphous substrate. We bring a new development to this structural study by controlling the nanoprobe of the Bright and Dark Field STEM (BF/DF STEM) modes of the TEM. The particularity of our experiment is to make the STEM nanoprobe parallel (probe size 1 nm and convergence angle <1 mrad) using a fine tuning of the focal lengths of the microscope illumination lenses. The accurate control of the beam position offered by this technique allowed us to obtain diffraction patterns of many single nanoparticles selected in the digital STEM image. By means of this technique, we demonstrate ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nanoparticles of AgBr were prepared by precipitating AgBr in the water pools of microemulsions consisting of CTAB, n-butanol, isooctane and water. An aqueous solution of AgNO{sub 3} added to the microemulsion was the source of Ag{sup +} ions. The formation of AgBr nanoparticles in microemulsions through direct reaction with the surfactant counterion is a novel approach aimed at decreasing the role of intermicellar nucleation on nanoparticle formation for rapid reactions. The availability of the surfactant counterion in every reverse micelle and the rapidity of the reaction with the counterion trigger nucleation within individual reverse micelles. The effect of the following variables on the particle size and size distribution was investigated: the surfactant and cosurfactant concentrations, moles of AgNO{sub 3} added, and water to surfactant mole ratio, R. High concentration of the surfactant or cosurfactant, or high water ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nanoporous materials have become indispensable in many fields ranging from photonics, catalysis and semiconductor processing to biosensor infrastructure. Rapid and energy efficient process fabrication of these materials is, however, nontrivial. In this communication, we describe a simple method for the rapid fabrication of these materials from colloidal dispersions of Polymethyl Silsesquioxane nanoparticles. Nanoparticle-polymer composites above the decomposition temperature of the polymer are examined and the entropic gain experienced by the nanoparticles in this rubric is harnessed to fabricate novel highly porous films composed of nanoparticles. Optically smooth, hydrophobic films with low refractive indices (as low as 1.048) and high surface areas (as high as 1325 m2 g-1) have been achieved with this approach. In this communication we address the behavior of such systems that are both temperature ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Using stoichiometrically controlled 1:1 functionalization of gold nanoparticles with fluorescent dye molecules in which the dye molecule is held away from the particle surface by a rigid DNA spacer allows precise determination of the distance-dependent effect of the metal nanoparticles on fluorescence intensity. Two dyes were studied, Cy3 and Cy5, with two sizes of nanoparticles, 5 and 10 nm. The larger the particle, the more quenching of the photoluminescence (PL) intensity, due to increased overlap of the dye's emission spectrum with the Au surface plasmon resonance. Fluorescence is quenched significantly for distances somewhat larger than the particle diameter, in good agreement with the predictions of an electrodynamics model based on interacting dipoles. The distance dependence of surface energy transfer behavior, i.e. quenching efficiency, is proportional to 1/d4, which involves no consideration of the size of the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Single-crystalline cadmium selenide nanoparticles were obtained using high-temperature solution phase synthesis (HTSPS) synthesis. X-Ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used to confirm the crystallinity and morphology of the resulting nanoparticles. To study the action of CdSe on antioxidant activity, we selected two biotechnological important strains of microalgae: cyanobacteria Spirulina platensis and red microalgae Porphyridium cruentum. In the case of Porphyridium cruentum, the obtained results demonstrated an increase in the productivity. For Spirulina platensis, the presence of the compound in the cultivating medium decreased the productivity of cyanobacteria.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In this paper, an environmentally friendly metal corrosion inhibitor, phytic acid, was assembled into the walls of silica nanoparticles via layer-by-layer self-assembly technique (LbL) with poly(allylamine hydrochloride). Such functionalized nanoparticles were uniformly distributed into sol-gel films for metal anticorrosion. The films showed very pronounced and lasting protective efficiency in concentrated salt aqueous solutions as indicated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurement. These results may provide a new route for the preparation of environment-friendly anticorrosion coatings.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A nanoparticle generator based on the principle of electrical discharge (PALAS GFG-1000) was used to produce nanoparticles of different chemical natures. The fractions of electrically neutral particles were then measured by means of a Spectrometre de Mobilite Electrique Circulaire (SMEC, i.e. radial-flow mobility analyzer) for different operating conditions. The experimental results were compared with the theoretical values calculated from the Fuchs extended charge equilibrium model for spherical particles and agglomerates. For the smallest particles (below 20 nm), the deviations observed remain below 10%, and tend towards 20% for larger particles (over 35 nm).

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The Ti-6Al-4V alloy was treated by inductively coupled rf plasma nitriding. The effects of plasma-processing time in the range of 5-35 min on the microstructure and the mechanical properties of the plasma-nitrided Ti-6Al-4V samples were studied. The plasma power input was adjusted at 450 W and pure N{sub 2} gas was introduced to establish a treatment pressure of 8.0-8.4 x 10{sup -2} mbar. The characteristics of the nitrided layers have been investigated by microhardness testing, surface roughness measurements, optical microscopy, and x-ray diffraction. The results show that the surface microhardness increases as the plasma-processing time increases to reach 2000 HV0.1 at a plasma-processing time of 35 min. A high nitriding rate of 2.81 {mu}m{sup 2} s{sup -1} at a plasma-processing time of 25 min was achieved. The formation of the hard phases TiN, Ti{sub 2}N, and Ti(N) in the Ti-6Al-4V surfaces are found ...

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The aim of this work is to describe the processes during plasma nitriding of Nb-containing, powder metallurgy prepared (PM) tool steel. PM steel was studied containing 2.5% C, 3.3% Si, 6.2% Cr, 2.2% Mo, 2.6% V, 2.6% Nb and 1.0% W, produced by melt atomization and hot isostatic pressing. The hardened and tempered steel was plasma nitrided at temperatures ranging from 470 to 530 deg. C. The nitriding time was 30-180 min. Optical microscopy, electron microscopy, XRD, EDS, WDS and hardness measurements were used to study the steel's properties, microstructure, phases and chemical composition. The nitriding temperature of 470 deg. C was found to be unsuitable for practical use because the layers prepared at this temperature were non-uniform. The compound layer formed by M{sub 2,3}(C,N) and M{sub 4}N was found after nitriding at temperatures of 500 and 530 deg. C for at least 60 ...

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The Ti and Ti-Al coatings were deposited onto hot-worked AISI H11 steel substrates and plasma nitrided at 900 C. The Ti coated samples were successfully nitrided, while cracking and delamination of the Ti-Al coating was observed during nitriding. The formation of [delta]-TiN and [epsilon]-Ti[sub 2]N phases were detected after plasma nitriding of the Ti coating. During plasma treatment of the Ti-Al coating, the initial Ti[sub 3]Al and Al phases were paartially transformed into TiAl phase. The martensite transformation of the substrate material was found. The as-deposited Ti coating has a fibrous structure, while the structure of the as-sputtered Ti-Al coating is columnar. The superficial Vickers microhardness of plasma-nitrided Ti coating was 2200 HV 0.03 and the critical load of higher than 50 N indicates very good coating-to-substrate adhesion. (orig.)

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Nitridation of Cr-bearing alloys can yield low interfacial contact resistance (ICR), electrically- conductive and corrosion-resistant CrN or Cr2N base surfaces of interest for a range of electrochemical devices, including fuel cells, batteries, and sensors. This paper presents results of exploratory studies of the nitridation of two high Cr (30-35 wt%) commercially available Ni-Cr alloys and a ferritic high Cr (29 wt.%) stainless steel for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) bipolar plates. A high degree of corrosion resistance in sulfuric acid solutions designed to simulate bipolar plate conditions and low ICR values were achieved via nitridation. Oxygen impurities in the nitriding environment were observed to play a significant role in the nitrided surface structures that formed, with detrimental effects for the Ni-Cr base alloys, but beneficial effects for the stainless ...

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The variation of surface composition and sintering of the binary Pd{sub 7}Ag{sub 3} nanoparticles prepared by chemical reduction were studied. The composition of the as-prepared Pd{sub 7}Ag{sub 3} nanoparticles across the diameter is inhomogeneous due to different reduction potentials of Pd and Ag. Upon heating, Ag will migrate to the surface because of its lower surface energy. Surface modification results in variation of surface composition during the sintering process. Stearic acid acts as a grain growth inhibitor. The migration of Ag to the surface is suppressed and the sintering is retarded. Modification by polyethylene glycol leads to more migration of Ag atoms from the core to the surface. This makes the nanoparticles easier to sinter.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Highly dispersed silver nanoparticles embedded in mesoporous thin films (MTFs) have been synthesized by modification of the interior surface of mesoporous silica with ethylenediamine moieties, which provided the coordination sites for the Ag ions, and subsequent reduction under hydrogen atmosphere. TEM observations show the mesoporous parent films have effectively controlled the growth of the synthesized silver nanoparticles. The composite films had an ultrafast nonlinear response time, as fast as 200 fs, and a third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility of 0.94??10?10 esu, which was enhanced by the local field enhancement effect that was present when the silver nanoparticles were embedded in the surrounding dielectric matrix. The origin of the ultrafast nonlinear response and the enhanc...

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A micellar method has been used to prepare silver-coated cobalt (Co-Ag) nanoparticles. The synthesized particles have been deeply characterized by several methods, i.e., XRD, UV-Vis, TEM, XPS, and electrochemical techniques. There is every indication that the obtained particles show a truly core-shell structure. All the nanoparticles obtained under different conditions are in the size range 3-5 nm. High-resolution TEM (HRTEM), Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT), and Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED) indicated that the presence of hcp-Co and fcc-Ag, in which cobalt is located in the central area; meanwhile silver is at the edges of the nanoparticle. The absorption band of the Co-Ag colloid shifts to a longer wavelength and broadens relative to that of pure silver colloid. Voltammetric characterization allowed to determine the coverage of the cobalt core.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ag nanoparticles were prepared in a water-phase system with a mixture of silver-ammonia complex, sodium borohydride, and lauric acid according to molar feed ratio of approximately 6:3:1. The mechanism of preparation and separation by chemical reduction-protection method was explored. The as-synthesized Ag nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV-vis spectroscopy, respectively. It was found that the size of high purity Ag particles was ranging from 30 to 50 nm with slight agglomeration. In addition, the as-synthesized wet Ag nanoparticles were dispersed stably in organic vehicle to formulate electrically conductive nanopaste. Upon direct-written and sintered, the array pattern of the nanopaste with the resolution of about 30 {mu}m was achieved with the electrical resistivity in the order of magnitude of 10{sup -5} {Omega} cm.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this work, we have investigated the capability of different bimetallic nanoparticle alloy combinations to be used in fibre optic temperature sensing based on the technique of surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The metals considered for the present analysis are silver, gold and aluminium. The analysis is derived mainly from the thermo-optic effect along with some fundamental concepts of metal optics such as surface scattering, phonon-electron scattering and electron-electron scattering. The performance of the sensor with three different bimetallic nanoparticle alloy combinations is evaluated and compared, numerically, in terms of its sensitivity and accuracy. On the basis of the comparison and some logistic criterion, we predict the best possible bimetallic alloy combination along with a requisite alloy composition ratio that simultaneously provides higher values of both sensitivity and accuracy which is not possible with any single metallic ...

Science.gov (United States)

... M(TH) in applied magnetic fields up to ± 7 T and for temperatures ranging from 2 to 300 K. The superparamagnetic (SPM) behavior of these metallic ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The cytotoxicity of 15-nm and 46-nm silica nanoparticles was investigated by using crystalline silica (Min-U-Sil 5) as a positive control in cultured human bronchoalveolar carcinoma-derived cells. Exposure to 15-nm or 46-nm SiO_2 nanoparticles for 48 h at dosage levels between 10 and 100 #mu#g/ml decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Both SiO_2 nanoparticles were more cytotoxic than Min-U-Sil 5; however, the cytotoxicities of 15-nm and 46-nm silica nanoparticles were not significantly different. The 15-nm SiO_2 nanoparticles were used to determine time-dependent cytotoxicity and oxidative stress responses. Cell viability decreased significantly as a function of both nanoparticle dosage (10-100 #mu#g/ml) and exposure time (24 h, 48 h, and 72 h). Indicators of oxidative stress and cytotoxicity, including total reactive oxygen species (ROS), ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Bacterial cellulose was produced by Acetobacter xylinum (strain TISTR 975). Bacterial cellulose is an interesting material for using as a wound dressing since it provides moist environment to a wound resulting in a better wound healing. However, bacterial cellulose itself has no antimicrobial activity to prevent wound infection. To achieve antimicrobial activity, silver nanoparticles were impregnated into bacterial cellulose by immersing bacterial cellulose in silver nitrate solution. Sodium borohydride was then used to reduce the absorbed silver ion (Ag+) inside of bacterial cellulose to the metallic silver nanoparticles (Ag0). Silver nanoparticles displayed the optical absorption band around 420nm. The red-shift and broadening of the optical absorption band was observed when the mole rat...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) sensor for itopride was developed based on tris(2,2-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)32+)-doped silica (RuDS) nanoparticles/biopolymer chitosan composites membrane modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The RuDS nanoparticles (52+-5nm) were prepared by a modified Stber synthesis method and were characterized by electrochemical, fluorometric and transmission electron microscopy technology. The Ru(bpy)32+ encapsulation interior of the silica nanoparticle maintains its electrochemical activities and also reduces Ru(bpy)32+ leaching from the silica matrix when immersed in water due to the electrostatic interaction. The ECL analytical performances of this ECL sensor for itopride based on its enhancement ECL emission of Ru(bpy)32+ were investigated in d...

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The objective of this research project is to investigate the biocompatibility of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) monomers and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) nanoparticles in vitro. PNIPAAm nanoparticles of different sizes were synthesized and characterized by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Cytotoxicity studies using MTS assays were conducted on fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells. In addition, the concentration of NIPAAm monomers remaining on PNIPAAm nanoparticles was determined using bromination and spectrophotometry. The cytotoxicity results did not show a significant difference in cell survival when cells were exposed to different particle sizes (100, 300, and 500 nm). Dose studies showed that all three cell types exposed to 100 nm PNIPAAm nanoparticles at concentrations less than or equal to 5 mg/mL were compatible, while cells exposed to ...

Science.gov (United States)

This suggests that Ms of the iron nanoparticles is about 125 emu/g, about half of M~u.lk, which contradicts previous reports on transition metals. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A study was made of the variation in strength characteristics of group IV transition metal carbon nitrides alloyed with carbides or group V metal nitrides. A complex solid solution of titanium-niobium carbonitride was preliminarily synthesized to a homogeneous equilibrium state and then crushed. The calculated quantity of binder metal was added as elemental powders, the mixture was vibration ball milled in ethanol and the plasticized charge was used to press experimental specimens for mechanical testing. The studies showed that the high-temperature strength properties of the new cermet are superior to standard type KNT. The material is thus promising for use in the manufacture of tools. 8 references, 3 figures.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In this paper, the influence of plasma nitriding at temperature 720 deg. C for 20 h on the surface microstructure and interface microstructure of electroplated chromium coating was investigated. In these conditions, interdiffusion, mixing and reaction phenomena of elements originating from the substrate and coating material are more likely to occur, thus increasing the bonding strength between the coating and carbon steel substrate. The change of the structures from the substrate side to the coating surface, and the effect of the substrate steel on the interface structure were studied by cross-sectional transmission electron microscope observation (XTEM). The nitride layer formed on the surface was analyzed by X-ray diffraction method (XRD). After treatment at above conditions a 6-7 #mu#m thick nitride compound layer was formed in surface region and the same thick carbide compound layer was also formed in the interface ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In this work, the pulse plasma nitriding process of pure iron is modelled using a kinetic model derived from the Fick's laws. This approach based on the error function model allows to simulate the growth kinetics of a biphase configuration consisting of #gamma#'-Fe_4N_1_-_x and #epsilon#-Fe_2_-_3N iron nitrides under specified conditions. By coupling the kinetics data about the diffusivities of nitrogen in #alpha#-Fe, #gamma#' and #epsilon# phases to the thermodynamic description of the Fe-N phase diagram, it is possible to evaluate the kinetic constant at each growing phase interface, the thickness of nitrided layer, and predict the nitrogen concentration profiles. The comparison between the experimental and theoretical results shows the reliability of the simulation results.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A new method of the synthesis of high molecular polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) is developed with the use of Irganox 1010, tris(nonylphenyl) phosphite and hypophosphite as stabilizers and boron nitride or boron oxide as a catalyst is proposed.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The influence of plasma nitriding on the fatigue behaviour of AISI 4140 low-alloy steel was investigated under varying process conditions of temperature (500-600 C), time (1-12 h), heat treatment before ion nitriding (quenched and tempered, normalized) and gas mixture (50% H{sub 2}-50% N{sub 2}). A rotating bending fatigue machine was used to determine the fatigue strength. It was found that the plasma nitriding improves the fatigue strength and increases the fatigue limit depending on the surface hardness of the case depth. The microstructure of surface and diffusion layers was examined by optical microscopy. The fracture surface of specimens and the origin of fatigue cracks were observed by scanning electron microscopy.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

AISI 5140 steel was plasma nitrided at various gas mixtures of nitrogen, hydrogen, and argon to investigate the actions of hydrogen and argon on plasma nitriding. The structural and mechanical properties of ion-nitrided AISI 5140 steel have been assessed by evaluating composition of phases, surface hardness, compound layer thickness, and case depth by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), microhardness tests, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the growth of compound layer can be controlled and the diffusion improved when the gas mixture includes H_2 gas. Additionally, it was determined that the amount of Ar in dual gas mixture must be at 20% minimum to obtain distinctive surface hardness and compound layer thickness.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The combined processes of plasma nitriding and cathodic arc deposition of (Ti,Cr,Nb)CN coatings were applied to HSS substrates. The nitrided layers, obtained in a mixture of H2 (70%) and N2 (30%) at two different temperatures (480^oC and 510^oC), were examined for the microhardness depth profiles. Characterization of the duplex coatings was performed by investigating elemental and phase composition, texture, hardness, friction and wear. XRD and XPS analyses revealed the formation of a mixture of a carbonitride fcc solid solution, in a dominant proportion, and metallic chromium. The film hardness was measured to be ~34GPa. The duplex (Ti,Cr,Nb)CN coatings exhibited superior tribological behavior as compared to both nitrided layers and non-duplex coatings.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zirconium is a transition element located along with sister elements titanium and hafnium in Group IVB of the periodic table. It is grayish white metal, with a density somewhat less than carbon steel. Zirconium is the ninth most common metallic element in the earth's crust, and is more abundant than zinc, lead, nickel, or even copper. Zirconium is exceptionally resistant to corrosion by many common acids and alkalis. It is resistant to most organic acids, such as formic, acetic, lactic, and oxalic acids. It also has a high resistance to localized forms of corrosion, such as pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking. Its corrosion resistance is caused by the formation of a dense, tenaciously adherent, chemically inert oxide film on the surface. This oxide film protects the base metal from both chemical and mechanical attack at temperatures up to about 400 C (750 F). This article describes zirconium's formability, machinability, corrosion resistance, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This journal contains the following articles (1) The Grand Challenge of Thermonuclear Ignition--Commentary by Edward I. Moses; (2) Orchestrating the World's Most Powerful Laser--The computer control system for the National Ignition Facility will soon have about 1.4-million lines of code running on more than 750 computers; (3) A Randon Walk through Time and Space--Albert einstein's 1905 papers on Brownian motion, random fluctuations, and statistical mechanics are fundamental to many Livermore research projects; (4) The Search for Methane in Earth's Mantle--Scientists are discovering that Earth's mantle may have untapped reserves of methane; and (5) Testing the Physics of Nuclear Isomers--Results from a tri-laboratory project contradict claims of accelerated release of energy from the nuclear isomer hafnium-178.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The authors examine the relationship of the structure and mechanical properties of similar alloys of tungsten with rhenium produced by the powder metallurgy method by sintering powders. Since the alloys were deformed by rolling, we examine the effect of the resultant anisotropy of the structure on the properties of the metal in various directions. The tests were conducted on an alloy of tungsten with 2 wt.% rhenium and, for comparison purposes, an alloy of tungsten with additions of oxides of yttrium and hafnium. The mechanical properties of the alloys, i.e., strength, cracking resistance, cold shortness temperature, were determined in the bend test. Structural examination was carried out using an optical microscope, electron scanning microscopy, and the method of transmission electron microscopy.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles based on a polyol process and variable frequency microwave (VFM) was investigated. Comparing to a thermal method, the reaction by VFM radiation was much faster. The effects of silver nitrate concentration, poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) concentration, reaction time and reaction temperature were studied. It was found that the higher concentration of silver nitrate, longer reaction time and higher temperature increased the particle size while the higher concentration of PVP decreased the particle size.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Short and long-term pulmonary response to inhaled nickel hydroxide nanoparticles (nano-Ni(OH)₂, CMD = 40 nm) in C57BL/6 mice was assessed using a whole body exposure system. For short-term...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A mesoscopically ordered lamellar gel phase of a polymer-grafted, lipid-based complex fluid is used as a scaffolding to spatially organize inorganic nanoparticles. The complex fluid provides both a highly anisotropic environment and a segregated aqueous and organic domains in which inorganic nanoparticles can be selectively placed by tailoring their size and surface characteristics. Three types of silver nanoparticles -- underivatized, surfactant-stabilized, and dodecanthiol-derivatized -- were evaluated. Comparison of the surface plasmon resonance of the various silver particles dispersed in conventional solvents to those contained within the complex fluid was used to determine the region of spatial localization in the lamellar gel phase. Silver particles rendered hydrophobic by capping with an alkane thiol insert into the hydrocarbon bilayer region. Surfactant-stabilized and underivatized silver ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A microemulsion comprised of water, Brij 78, pentanol and styrene into which PPO and bis-MSB had been dissolved was prepared. Polymerization of the styrene resulted in a suspension of fluor-containing polystyrene nanoparticles (<100 nm). After a concentration step, the aqueous nanosuspension was able to detect {sup 14}C with counting efficiencies over 50% of those of a commercially available scintillation cocktail. Monte Carlo calculations demonstrated that the size and concentration of the nanoparticles were appropriate for optimum detection efficiency.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Using {gamma}-irradiation-induced reduction in the field of a {sup 60}Co {gamma}-ray source, colloidal silver and gold nanoparticles were prepared from their corresponding metal salts in aqueous solution and compared with those by chemical reduction. The radiation-based method provided silver nanoparticles with higher concentration and narrower size distribution than those obtained by chemical reduction method while there was no significant difference between the two strategies for the preparation of gold nanoparticles. {gamma}-Irradiation of 1.0 x 10{sup -3} M AgNO{sub 3} solution resulted in nearly 100 times more highly concentrated silver colloids than those by citrate reduction. Furthermore, the radiation method could lead to more highly concentrated silver colloids by simply increasing the concentration of AgNO{sub 3} solution up to 2.0 x 10{sup -2} M. The two metal nanoparticles prepared by the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

There has been considerable interest in producing and studying nanoparticle materials because of the effect of size on their structure, physical and chemical structure. Most studied nanoparticle semiconductors belong to the II-VI group, as they are relatively easy to synthesize and are generally prepared as particulates or in thin film form. Among II-VI compounds, CdS is one of the most studied materials. There are different ways to synthesize CdS nanoparticles such as colloidal particles, chemical decomposition, sol-gel, gas evaporation, magnetron sputtering, electrostatic deposition, and etc. {gamma}-irradiation is one of the effective methods for synthesis of nanomaterials. These nonomaterials have been extensively used in the preparation of nanocrystalline metals, metal oxides, and metal-polymer composites. However, The preparation of CdS nanoparticle and CdS/ polyacrylonitrile nanocomposite by ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Functionalizing nanoparticle surfaces is essential for achieving homogeneous dispersions of monodisperse particles in polymer nanocomposites for successful utilization in engineering applications. Functionalization reduces the surface energy of the nanoparticles, thereby limiting the tendency to agglomerate. Moreover, reactive groups on the surface can also participate in the polymerization, creating covalent bonds between the inorganic and organic phases. In this paper, a fluidized bed inductively coupled plasma (FB-ICP) reactor is used to break apart the agglomerates and functionalize commercial TiO2 nanoparticle powders in a batch of several grams. The fluidized bed could be implemented into a continuous flow reactor, potentially making this a viable method to treat larger quantities of commercial powders. The particles are treated with acrylic acid (AA) and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) plasma and the functionalized ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Carbon supported catalysts can lose their activity over a period of time due to the sintering of the nanometer-sized catalyst particles. The sintering of metal clusters on carbon supports can occur due to the weak interaction between the metal and the support and also due to the corrosion of carbon, especially in fuel cell electrocatalysts. The sintering may be reduced by increasing the interaction between the metal and the support and also by increasing the corrosion resistance of carbon supports. In an effort to mitigate the growth of the nanoparticles, carbon-substituted boron defects were introduced in the carbon lattice. The interaction between the Pt nanoparticles on the pure and boron-doped carbon supports was examined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicate that the interaction between the Pt nanoparticles and the boron-doped carbon support was slightly stronger than the interaction ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nitrogen has been added to stainless steels to improve mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. High nitrogen steel production is limited by high gas pressure requirements and low nitrogen solubility in the melt. One way to overcome this limitation is the addition of nitrogen in solid state because of its higher solubility in austenite. However, gas and salt bath nitriding have been done at temperatures around 550 C, where nitrogen solubility in the steel is still very low. High temperature nitriding has been, thus proposed to increase nitrogen contents in the steel but the presence of oxide layers on top of the steel is a barrier to nitrogen intake. In this paper a modified plasma nitriding process is proposed. The first step of this process is a hydrogen plasma sputtering for oxide removal, exposing active steel surface improving nitrogen pickup. This is followed by a nitriding step where high ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Thermal (gas) nitridation of stainless steel alloys can yield low interfacial contact resistance (ICR), electrically conductive and corrosion-resistant nitride containing surface layers (Cr{sub 2}N, CrN, TiN, V{sub 2}N, VN, etc.) of interest for fuel cells, batteries, and sensors. This paper presents results of proton exchange membrane (PEM) single-cell fuel cell studies of stamped and pre-oxidized/nitrided developmental Fe-20Cr-4V weight percent (wt.%) and commercial type 2205 stainless steel alloy foils. The single-cell fuel cell behavior of the stamped and pre-oxidized/nitrided material was compared to as-stamped (no surface treatment) 904L, 2205, and Fe-20Cr-4V stainless steel alloy foils and machined graphite of similar flow field design. The best fuel cell behavior among the alloys was exhibited by the pre-oxidized/nitrided Fe-20Cr-4V, which exhibited {proportional_to}5-20% ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nitriding leads to improved tribological and corrosive properties of iron alloy components. In order to study the effect of plasma nitriding parameters on the structure of compound layer and diffusion zone, a systematic variation of process parameters, temperature and process gas atmosphere has been carried out. Metallographic inspection, X-ray diffraction and glow discharge optical spectroscopy analysis (GDOES) were used in this investigation. The results clarified that depending on the amount of nitrogen in the gas atmosphere nitrided layers with and without compound layer can be generated in the surface of M2 tool steel for temperatures from 350 C to 500 C. For plasma nitriding in 5 vol.% Nitrogen and 95 vol.% Hydrogen no compact compound layer was formed. The gas mixture of 76 vol.% Nitrogen resulted in compound layer formation for all temperatures from 350 C to 500 C. X-ray phase analysis indicated ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In this paper, aluminium nitride synthesis is carried out by direct laser irradiation onto an aluminium target surface in a nitrogen containing atmosphere. The influence of various processing parameters on the microstructure of AlN thin films is investigated in order to improve their tribological properties. The main microstructural characteristics: nature, concentration, in depth distribution and morphology of various phases are studied versus processing parameters by TEM and GIXD. (author). 2 refs., 1 fig., 2 photos.

Science.gov (United States)

"Precision manufacture of ceramic parts with CNC machining capability for aerospace, lasers, semiconductors and other industries. Materials include alumina, zirconia, glass, ferrites, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, sapphire, cordierite, mullite and others. A.C.T. has seen the number of applications and demand for high-realiability ceramics (aluminum oxide, zirconia, glass, ferrites, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, sapphire, cordierite, mullite, etc...) increase continually within the aerospace, computer and the industrial markets."

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Thermal (gas) nitridation of stainless steel alloys can yield low interfacial contact resistance (ICR), electrically conductive and corrosion-resistant nitride containing surface layers (Cr2N, CrN, TiN, V2N, VN, etc.) of interest for fuel cells, batteries, and sensors. This paper presents results of scale-up studies to determine the feasibility of extending the nitridation approach to thin 0.1mm stainless steel alloy foils for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) bipolar plates. Developmental Fe-20Cr-4V alloy and type 2205 stainless steel foils were treated by pre-oxidation and nitridation to form low-ICR, corrosion-resistant surfaces. As-treated Fe-20Cr-4V foil exhibited target (low) ICR values, whereas 2205 foil suffered from run-to-run variation in ICR values, ranging up to 2x the...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Plasma nitriding as a diffusion process is the oldest plasma-assisted process for the surface treatment of metals. Although the use of this process in industry is already well developed and established there are still several scientific questions in the basic understanding of the process and consequently some problems and limits concerning its upscaling for industrial use. Therefore it is necessary to get reproducible results for different geometries of workpieces and for different workload sizes. Correlations between different plasma and treatment parameters, especially in big plants, have to be considered. To understand the process handling using some simple but impressive models the difficulties of treating single parts or mixed workloads are explained. For profitable applications of plasma nitriding plants, some guidelines for the use and selection of a suitable process and a device are given. By the use of a pulsed d.c. power supply for ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This work describes the ability of ion beam analysis techniques IBA to simultaneously determine the concentration and the possible depth profile of some light elements, such as carbon, oxygen and nitrogen, in matrices of high atomic number Z, such as stainless steel materials. In fact, the nitriding process of some materials has the potential to improve their tribological and mechanical properties and to offer various advantages as compared with other methods used in the modification of surfaces. Gas and Plasma nitriding were applied to certain types of steel, such as AISI-304 and H-13 which are commonly used in the industry, in order to improve their hardness and their surface corrosion resistance. The improvement was correlated with the depth profile of N and the consequent structure variations. More specifically, non-Rutherford elastic backscattering (alpha, alpha) at 5 MeV was performed on different samples, before and after ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The usually low wear resistance of titanium materials can be increased by the thermochemical surface treatment nitriding. In result of comparative investigations of gas and plasma nitriding it will be shown that it is possible to obtain a specific variation of the properties in the highly stressed case by means of these both technologies on example of the ({alpha}+{beta}) alloy Ti-6Al-4V. Gas and plasma nitriding was carried out in the temperature range from 650 to 800 C over 4 to 48 h in different gas atmospheres, i.e. 100% NH{sub 3} (gas), 100% N{sub 2} (gas and plasma), 20% H{sub 2} + 80% N{sub 2} and 20% Ar + 20% H{sub 2} (plasma). The temperature range was fixed in the middle of ({alpha}+{beta}) region, because the core properties are influenced negative in the field of {beta}-transustemperature. The relations between the applied nitriding technologies, the layer structure (chemical, phases, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A dense and supersaturated nitrogen layer with higher conductivity is obtained on the surface of austenitic stainless steel 304L by the low temperature plasma nitriding. The effect of plasma nitriding on the corrosion behavior and interfacial contact resistance (ICR) for the austenitic stainless steel 304L was investigated in 0.05M H{sub 2}SO{sub 4}+2ppm F{sup -} simulating proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) environment using electrochemical and electric resistance measurements. The experiment results show that the stable passive film is formed after the potentiostatic polarization at the specified anodic or cathodic potentials under PEMFC operation condition, and the plasma nitriding improves slightly the corrosion resistance and decreases markedly the ICR of 304L. The ICR of the plasma nitrided 304L increases after the potentiostatic polarizations for 4h, and lower than 100m{omega}cm{sup 2} at ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The effect of the nitrogen uptake in #alpha#-iron upon spark erosion in gaseous and liquid ammonia, plasma nitriding, and plasma immersion ion implantation is studied. The resulting phases and hyperfine parameters, measured by the Moessbauer spectroscopy, are discussed from the point of view of initial conditions of their preparation and subsequent heat and/or mechanical treatment. Spark erosion in the ammonia gas produces fine particles with the dominating ferromagnetic #alpha#-Fe phase (50%). The 20% of specimen volume form #alpha#'-Fe and #alpha#''-Fe_1_6N_2 phases. The last 30% occupy the #gamma#'-Fe_4N, ferro- and paramagnetic #epsilon# phases, and #gamma#-Fe(N). Nitriding in the liquid ammonia allows to incorporate the higher content of nitrogen into #alpha#-iron particles which results in the formation of paramagnetic #epsilon#(#zeta#)-Fe_2N phase. This phase also dominates the surface of #alpha#-iron specimen implanted by nitrogen using ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The ion nitriding treatment is a process widely used in steel alloys to improve the material's properties; such as surface hardness, resistance to wear, fatigue life and resistance to corrosion. But geometric changes in the components can produce during the nitriding process different effects on the behavior of the plasma, such as local variations in the electric field, an empty cathode effect, etc. These in turn can affect among other factors the local temperature and therefore the kinetics of the process, generating variations in the compound layer thicknesses and zone of diffusion, and micro-hardness profile. These heterogeneities limit the effectiveness of the plasma nitriding process, where control and duplication of the surface modification are most important. This work aims to study the effect of the geometry of the pieces treated with ionic nitriding, especially the effect of the orifices. An ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this study, nanoparticle penetration was measured with a wide range of filter media using silver nanoparticles from 3 nm to 20 nm at three different face velocities in order to define nanoparticle filtration characteristics of commercial fibrous filter media. The silver particles were generated by heating a pure silver powder source via an electric furnace with a temperature of 870 deg. C, which was found to be the optimal temperature for generating an adequate amount of silver nanoparticles for the size range specified above. After size classification using a nano-DMA, the particle counts were measured by an Ultrafine Condensation Particle Counter (UCPC) both upstream and downstream of the test filter to determine the nanoparticle penetration for each specific particle size. Particle sampling time continued long enough to detect more than 10{sup 5} counts at the upstream and 10 ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Conventional plasma carburizing or nitriding for austenitic stainless steels results in a degradation of corrosion resistance. However, a low temperature plasma surface treatment can improve surface hardness without deteriorating the corrosion resistance. The 2-step low temperature plasma processes (the combined carburizing and post nitriding) offers the increase of both surface hardness and thickness of hardened layer and corrosion resistance than the individually processed low temperature nitriding and low temperature carburizing techniques. In the present paper, attempts have been made to investigate the influence of the introduction of Ar gas (0#approx#20%) in nitriding atmosphere during low temperature plasma nitriding at 370 .deg. C after low temperature plasma carburizing at 470 .deg. C. All treated specimens exhibited the increase of the surface hardness with increasing Ar ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Thermal (gas) nitridation of stainless steel alloys can yield low interfacial contact resistance (ICR), electrically conductive and corrosion-resistant nitride containing surface layers (Cr{sub 2}N, CrN, TiN, V{sub 2}N, VN, etc.) of interest for fuel cells, batteries, and sensors. This paper presents results of scale-up studies to determine the feasibility of extending the nitridation approach to thin 0.1 mm stainless steel alloy foils for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) bipolar plates. Developmental Fe-20Cr-4V alloy and type 2205 stainless steel foils were treated by pre-oxidation and nitridation to form low-ICR, corrosion-resistant surfaces. As-treated Fe-20Cr-4V foil exhibited target (low) ICR values, whereas 2205 foil suffered from run-to-run variation in ICR values, ranging up to 2 x the target value. Pre-oxidized and nitrided surface structure examination revealed ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The first part of a systematic investigation is presented of surface treatments affecting the fatigue behavior of smooth and notched quenched and tempered (Q and T) specimens made of a B-Mn SS2131 ({approx}AISI 15B21H) steel. In this part, the effects of plasma nitriding (nitriding temperature=480 C, time=24 h) on the fatigue strength and notch sensitivity were investigated. Constant stress amplitude plane reversed bending fatigue tests (R=-1) at 47 Hz were conducted using cylindrical plasma nitriding (PN) and Q and T steel specimens with K{sub t}=1.05 and 1.7. The compound layer was found to consists of {epsilon}-phase and {gamma}`-phase. S-N curves show that plasma nitriding improves the fatigue limit by 53 and 115% of Q and T smooth and notched specimens, respectively. The fatigue strength of smooth specimens is improved through the whole fatigue life but only for long fatigue lives for notched ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Blood kinetics and tissue distribution of 20, 80 and 110 nm silver nanoparticles were investigated in rats up to 16 days after intravenous administration once daily for 5 consecutive days. Following both single and repeated injection, silver nanoparticles disappeared rapidly from the blood and distributed to all organs evaluated (liver, lungs, spleen, brain, heart, kidneys and testes) regardless of size. The 20 nm particles distributed mainly to liver, followed by kidneys and spleen, whereas the larger particles distributed mainly to spleen followed by liver and lung. In the other organs evaluated, no major differences between the sizes were observed. Size-dependent tissue distribution suggests size-dependent toxicity and health risks. Repeated administration resulted in accumulation in li...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Silica glasses containing Pr"3"+ with and without CdS nanoparticles were prepared by sol-gel technique. The influence of CdS nanoparticles on Pr"3"+ doped glass was studied by absorption, photoluminescence and up-conversion. From the measured intensities of various absorption bands of these glasses, the Judd-Ofelt parameters ?_2, ?_4 and ?_6 have been evaluated. The radiative transition probability (A), radiative lifetime (?_R), branching ratio (?_R) and integrated emission cross-section (?_P) were calculated from excited states of "3P_1 and "3P_0 levels. The up-conversion emissions were found in the green, orange and red regions under 800 nm excitation with peaks 559, 612 and 688 nm respectively. On excitation with 370 nm also leads to similar green, orange and red regions.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A detailed comparison of the softness of gold and silver has been reported in the light of hard soft acid base (HSAB) principle. Gold and silver nanoparticles in organic media (i.e., organosol) have been exploited individually to establish the principle. Sulfur and nitrogen were employed as soft and borderline donating atoms to examine the metal-ligand interactions. In this regard, thiols and amines have been considered as interacting ligands with sulfur and nitrogen donor atoms respectively. The stronger affinity of gold towards softer sulfur donor as compared to nitrogen and conversely a reasonable interaction of silver nanoparticles with both the atoms authenticate the softer nature of gold nanoparticle as compared to silver one.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The structure of nano-porous carbon, obtained by means of chlorination of carbide compounds with various crystal structure (SiC, TiC, Mo_2C) is studied through the method of small-angle diffraction. The angular dependences of the scattering intensity obtained are interpreted as the result of scattering from the nanoparticles of different size. The functions of the scattering particles distribution by the m(R_g) inertia radii are determined. It is shown that in spite of the source carbide, the highest fraction of the volume in the porous carbon constitute the particles with R_g #approx# 5 A. The nanoparticles in the samples obtained from SiC, wherein the average value of the R_g"a"v < 6 A, are most uniform by size. The nanoparticles in the porous carbon, obtained from Mo_2C, are on the average by two times larger

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We report on the fabrication of nanomechanical devices for shuttling of electrons from one electrode to another. Each device consists of a 20 nm diameter gold nanoparticle embedded within the gap between two gold electrodes. In two different kinds of shuttle-junctions the nanoparticle is attached to the electrodes through either (i) a single layer of 1,8-octanedithiol or (ii) a multilayer of 1-octanethiol molecules. The thiol layers play the role of 'damped springs', such that when a sufficient voltage bias is applied to the junction, the nanoparticle is expected to start oscillating and thereby transferring electrons from one electrode to the other. For both kinds of shuttle-junctions we observed an abrupt increase in the transmitted current above a threshold voltage, which can be attributed to a transition from the stationary to the oscillating regime. The threshold voltage was found to be lower for single-layer ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We report studies of bimetallic nanoparticles with 15%-16% atomic crystal parameters size mismatch. The degree of alloying was probed in a 2-nm Pt core (smallest attainable core size) of Pt-Ag nanoparticles (completely immiscible in bulk) and 20-nm-diameter Pd-Ag nanowires (completely miscible in bulk). Particles were synthesized radiolytically, and depending on the initial parameters, they assume spherical or cylindrical (nanowire) morphologies. In all cases, the metals are seen to follow their bulk alloying characteristics. Pt and Ag segregate in both spherical and wire forms, which indicates that strain due to crystallographic mismatch overcomes the excess surface free energy in the small particles. The Pd-Ag nanowires alloy similar to previously reported spherical Pd-Ag particles of similar diameter and composition.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Reactively sputtered tantalum nitride (Ta_2N) has been investigated as a diffusion barrier between Pd_2Si and aluminum and CoSi_2 and Al. Ta_2N is found to be an excellent matallurgical diffusion barrier for the two systems up to 555 "0C, with no intermixing observed in Rutherford backscattering and Auger electron spectroscopic studies. Schottky barrier devices n-Si/Pd_2Si/Ta_2N/Al were excellent and showed no deterioration after annealing at 500 "0C. However, similar devices with CoSi_2 contacts and Ta_2N barrier showed a creation of high contact resistance between the silicide and the as-deposited nitride.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The microdynamics of soliton waves and localized modes of nonlinear vibrations of the acoustic and optical types in uranium nitride has been investigated. It has been shown that, with an increase in the excitation energy in the spectral gap between the bands of optical and acoustic phonons, the energies of solitons increase, whereas the energies of local modes decrease. The previously experimentally observed unidentified quasi-resonant features, which shift in the gap with variations in the temperature, can represent the revealed soliton waves and local modes. The microdynamics of heat conduction of uranium nitride has been studied for the stochastic generation of soliton waves and local modes in the case of spatially distant energy absorption. The thermal conductivity coefficient determin...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The phase composition and microstructure of O'-sialon prepared from Chinese coal gangue have been studied. The use of Si powder is more effective than that of activated carbon or mainly carbon with a little silicon for reduction-nitridation. For specimens with 40% Si addition, more than 80% of O'-sialon may be obtained when nitrided at 1500 degree sign C. The formed O'-sialon was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The parameters for O'-Sialon preparation are optimized by computer pattern recognition program based on principal component analysis, the target parameter optimum regions with higher relative content of O'-Sialon was indicated by this way.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The microstructure of the layers produced by plasma nitriding austenitic stainless steel at different treatment temperatures (400 and 500 C) were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) together with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that the microstructures were composed of 'expanded austenite' ({gamma}{sub N}) and {alpha}(ferrite)+CrN following plasma nitriding at lower and higher treatment temperatures, respectively. The former contains stacking faults and deformed twin substructures, while the latter is made up of colonies displaying a lamellar structure. Kurdjumov-Sachs or Nishiyama-Wassermann orientation relationships between the {alpha} and CrN layer were observed. (orig.)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Experiments of plasma nitriding of titanium are carried out by two plasma sources. One is a microwave discharge plasma source under several Torr, and the other is a nitrogen arc jet generated under atmospheric pressure followed by rapid expansion into a gas wind tunnel. The relationship between the surface density of nitrogen atoms in the #alpha#-Ti and various plasma parameters is systematically studied. For the microwave nitrogen plasma, it is found that the effect of the vibration temperature is the most essential for the surface nitriding, whereas the effect of electron temperature, density and rotation temperature is less remarkable. It is also found that the higher vibration temperature of the microwave discharge nitrogen plasma makes the target temperature higher, and consequently, the surface density of atomic nitrogen remarkably increased. However, the effect of target temperature is less remarkable for the arc jet nitrogen plasma.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

During the last few years, research on toxicologically relevant properties of engineered nanoparticles has increased tremendously. A number of international research projects and additional activities...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We demonstrate a preparative method which produces highly-monodisperse Pt-nanoparticles of tunable size without the external addition of seed particles. Hexachloroplatinic acid is dosed slowly to an ethylene glycol solution at 120 C and reduced in the presence of a stabilizing polymer poly-N-vinylpyrollidone (PVP). Slow addition of the Pt-salt first will first lead to the formation of nuclei (seeds) which then grow further to produce larger particles of any desired size between 3 and 8nm. The amount of added hexachloroplatinic acid precursor controls the size of the final nanoparticle product. TEM was used to determine size and morphology and to confirm the crystalline nature of the nanoparticles. Good reproducibility of the technique was demonstrated. Above 7nm, the particle shape and morphology changes suddenly indicating a change in the deposition selectivity of the Pt-precursor from (100) towards (111) crystal faces and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Composite ZnO/Ag nanoparticles have been formed via the photocatalytic reduction of silver nitrate over the ZnO nanocrystals, their optical, electrophysical and photochemical properties have been investigated. Mie theory has been applied to analyze the structure of the absorption spectra of ZnO/Ag nanocomposite. The irradiation effects upon the optical properties of ZnO/Ag nanostructure have been investigated. It has been found that the irradiation of ZnO/Ag nanoparticles results in electrons accumulation by both the semiconductor and the metallic components of the nanocomposite. It has been found that silver nitrate can be photochemically deposited onto the surface of ZnO nanoparticles under the illumination with the visible light in the presence of the sensitizer - methylene blue. Kinetics of the sensitized Ag(I) photoredution has been studied. It has been concluded that the key stage of this process is the electron ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is an infectious disease caused by a novel coronavirus that cost nearly 800 lives. While there have been no recent outbreaks of the disease, the threat...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The removal of Ni(II) from aqueous solution by magnetic nanoparticles prepared and impregnated onto tea waste (Fe3O4-TW) from agriculture biomass was investigated. Magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4) were prepared by chemical precipitation of a Fe^2^+ and Fe^3^+ salts from aqueous solution by ammonia solution. These magnetic nanoparticles of the adsorbent Fe3O4 were characterized by surface area (BET), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). The effects of various parameters, such as contact time, pH, concentration, adsorbent dosage and temperature were studied. The kinetics followed is first order in nature, and the value of rate constant was found to be 1.90x10^-^2min^-^1 at 100mgL^-^1 and 303K. Removal ef...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundAntigen sparing and cross-protective immunity are regarded as crucial in pandemic influenza vaccine development. Both targets can be achieved by adjuvantation strategy...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Clinical applications of genetic therapies, including delivery of short, interfering RNAs (siRNAs) for RNA interference (RNAi), are limited due to the difficulty of delivering nucleic acids...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundParticulate systems are well known to be able to deliver drugs with high efficiency and fewer adverse side effects, possibly by endocytosis of the drug carriers. On the...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

One of the major scientific and technological challenges for the production of flexible organic electronic devices is the device protection against atmospheric molecule permeation, which causes corrosion reducing its operation and lifetime. In this work, Spectroscopic Ellipsometry has been implemented to investigate the influence of silicon dioxide nanoparticles on the optical properties of hybrid polymers. The spectra analysis revealed valuable information about the electronic and vibrational response as well as the cross-linking mechanisms of these materials. The correlation of the optical properties with the synthesis parameters and the barrier response will contribute towards their optimization in order to be used as high barrier coatings for flexible organic electronics applications.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In this article, several applications of nanomaterials in food packaging and food safety are reviewed, including: polymer/clay nanocomposites as high barrier packaging materials, silver nanoparticles as potent antimicrobial agents, and nanosensors and nanomaterial-based assays for the detection of food-relevant analytes (gasses, small organic molecules and food-borne pathogens). In addition to covering the technical aspects of these topics, the current commercial status and understanding of health implications of these technologies are also discussed. These applications were chosen because they do not involve direct addition of nanoparticles to consumed foods, and thus are more likely to be marketed to the public in the short term.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This work presents a comparative study of low-alloy steel nitriding for different possible techniques. Active screen plasma nitriding (ASPN) is a successful surface modification method that has many advantages over the conventional DC plasma nitriding (CPN). The corrosion behavior of 30CrNiMo8 low-alloy steel has been examined using anodic polarization tests in 3.5% NaCl solution under varying conditions of ASPN and CPN processes. The process variables included active screen setup parameters, treatment temperature (550 and 580 deg. C), gas mixture (25/75 and 75/25 of N_2/H_2) and treatment time (5 and 10 h) in 500 Pa pressure. The structure and phases composition of the compound layer was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), microhardness tests, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was observed that ASPN treated samples surface enhanced corrosion resistance while the temperature and/or hole size of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Radio frequency (RF) plasma nitriding using different input plasma processing powers (250-600 W) improves the surface of titanium by forming hard phases of TiN, Ti_2N, and Ti (N) into the surface. The characteristics of the compound layer have been investigated by optical microscopy, microhardness measurements, and X-ray diffraction. The effect of plasma power on the sample temperature, electron temperature, and plasma density was studied using Langmuir double probe. The measured surface hardness value of the compound layer is 2190 HV 0.1 for treated sample at plasma power 500 W. The compound thickness continuously increases as the plasma power increases. The highest nitriding rate of 5.88 #mu#m"2/s was recorded when the input plasma power was adjusted at 550 W. This high nitriding rate of treated titanium samples is ascribed to the high concentration of active nitrogen species in the plasma atmosphere and the formed ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

#beta#-SiAlON was synthesized from a zeolite by NH_3 gas nitridation and its formation mechanism was investigated using X-ray diffraction and "2"9Si and "2"7Al NMR spectroscopy. It was revealed that most of the Si and Al atoms react to form #beta#-SiAlON via amorphous forms of Si-Al-O-N and O-SiAlON. Nitridation using NH_3 gas is an effective means of preventing mullite formation and promoting the introduction of nitrogen into aluminosilicate materials at lower temperatures than temperatures required by the carbothermal reduction nitridation process. Further, the NMR spectra showed that the siliceous part of the system changed into low z-value of Si_6_-_zAl_zO_zN_8_-_z (#beta#-SiAlON) and the incorporation of Al components into the #beta#-SiAlON was promoted in the later stages of the reaction. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A technique for following sialon formation in situ by high temperature X-ray diffraction (HT-XRD) was developed. The composition chosen for study was an yttrium #alpha#-sialon with x=0.4. Powder compacts containing silicon nitride, aluminum nitride and yttria powders were pre-sintered at 1350 C and then studied by HT-XRD at temperatures between 1450 and 1580 C and nitrogen pressures of 0.11 MPa. The furnace was made from graphite coated with porous silicon nitride/silicon carbide. The coating prevented silicon carbide formation in the sample up to 1600 C. X-ray diffraction results show the formation of a Y_1_0Al_2Si_3O_1_8N_4 phase at 1350 C, which dissolved to form #alpha#-sialon and other phases at higher temperatures. The amounts of #alpha#-sialon formed are similar to the amounts reported by other authors. An empirical method was used for the calculation of activation energy for the silicon nitride ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A series of plasma nitriding experiments has been conducted on AISI 304L austenitic stainless steel at temperatures ranging from 375 to 475 C using pulsed-DC plasma with different pulse duty cycles, N{sub 2}-H{sub 2} gas mixtures and treatment times. It is shown that a wide range of treatment parameters exist that allow the formation of the S-phase. The formation and growth of this surface layer depend strongly on the treatment parameters, such as nitrogen partial pressure and duty cycle. Within the parameter range investigated, the layer growth appears to be diffusion controlled with an activation energy about 107 kJ/mol. The formation of CrN precipitates during plasma nitriding is not accompanied by the formation of bcc iron, which might be expected due to the loss of free chromium. However, the S-phase transforms into CrN and bcc iron following a heat treatment at 450 C or higher for 25 h. The wear rate after plasma ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The novel optical, electronic, and/or magnetic properties of metal and semiconductor nanoparticles have resulted in extensive research on new methods for their preparation. An ideal preparation method would allow the particle size, size distribution, crystallinity, and particle shape to be easily controlled, and would be applicable to a wide variety of material systems. Numerous preparation methods have been reported, each with its inherent advantages and disadvantages; however, an ideal method has yet to emerge. The most widely applied methods for nanoparticle preparation include the sonochemical reduction of organometallic reagents,(1&2) the solvothermal method of Alivisatos,(3) reactions in microemulsions,(4-6) the polyol method (reduction by alcohols),(7-9) and the use of polymer and solgel materials as hosts.(10-13) In addition to these methods, there are a variety of methods that take advantage of the unique properties of a ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The possibility of surface modification of high-speed steel cutting tool by means of vacuum-plasma treatment including ion nitriding in gas plasma followed by the deposition of wear resistant (Ti, Al)N coatings in metal-gas plasma of a vacuum arc discharge is studied. The regularities of nitrided layer formation and the structure of these layers under various operation conditions of cutting tool are investigated. Optimum conditions of vacuum-plasma treatment providing the best wear resistance of cutting are determined

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Residual stresses are present in engineering components as an unintended consequence of manufacturing processes, but they are also deliberately introduced to beneficial effect during surface engineering procedures. Plasma nitriding is a process of particular importance for forming tools and dies, giving significant advantages in wear, and fatigue resistance through the generation of near-surface compressive residual stresses. A precise knowledge of the level and distribution of residual stresses that exist in engineering components is necessary for an accurate design and prediction of a component's fatigue resistance. However, measurement of residual stresses is not always possible, which is especially true for forming tools. Therefore, other methods for residual stress evaluation and pred...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Iron alloys and aluminum were nitrogen implanted in a controlled oxygen atmosphere and the role of hydrogen on the surface etching mechanisms studied. The surface composition was analyzed by in situ photoemission electron spectroscopy (XPS). In iron alloys, hydrogen strongly etches oxygen, improving nitrogen retention on the surface. On the other hand, hydrogen removes nitrogen from aluminum surfaces, with a deleterious effect on the nitriding effectiveness. The oxygen removal in iron alloys is associated with the catalytic effect of electrons in d-orbitals and the nitrogen removal in aluminum is associated with a steric effect.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Glow discharge plasma nitriding of AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel has been carried out for different processing time under optimum discharge conditions established by spectroscopic analysis. The treated samples were analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) to explore the changes induced in the crystallographic structure. The XRD pattern confirmed the formation of an expanded austenite phase (#gamma#_N) owing to incorporation of nitrogen as an interstitial solid solution in the iron lattice. A Vickers microhardness tester was used to evaluate the surface hardness as a function of indentation depth (#mu#m). The results showed clear evidence of surface changes with substantial increase in surface hardness.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this study samples of AISI 4140 steel were pretreated by plasma nitriding and coated with two different physical vapour deposited coatings (TiN and TiAlN). A hardened AISI 4140 sample and a coated sample were also included in the investigation. To examine the influence of the nitrided zone on the performance of the coating-substrate composite, two different nitriding conditions - a conventional 25% N{sub 2} and an N{sub 2}-poor gas mixture - were used. The specimens were investigated with respect to their microhardness, surface roughness, scratch adhesion and dry sliding wear resistance. Wear tests in which the duplex-treated pins were mated to hardened ball bearing steel discs were performed in a pin-on-disc machine under dry sliding conditions. Metallography, scanning electron microscopy and profilometry were used to analyse the worn surfaces in order to determine the dominant friction and wear characteristics of the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

At least quinary alloys form metallic glass upon cooling below the glass transition temperature at a rate less than 10.sup.3 K/s. Such alloys comprise zirconium and/or hafnium in the range of 45 to 65 atomic percent, titanium and/or niobium in the range of 4 to 7.5 atomic percent, and aluminum and/or zinc in the range of 5 to 15 atomic percent. The balance of the alloy compositions comprise copper, iron, and cobalt and/or nickel. The composition is constrained such that the atomic percentage of iron is less than 10 percent. Further, the ratio of copper to nickel and/or cobalt is in the range of from 1:2 to 2:1. The alloy composition formula is: (Zr,Hf).sub.a (Al,Zn).sub.b (Ti,Nb).sub.c (Cu.sub.x Fe.sub.y (Ni,Co).sub.z).sub.d wherein the constraints upon the formula are: a ranges from 45 to 65 atomic percent, b ranges from 5 to 15 atomic percent, c ranges from 4 to 7.5 atomic percent, d comprises the balance, d.multidot.y is less than 10 atomic percent, and x/z ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The interrelationship between the testing temperature and HfC strength increment of an arc-melted W-3.6Re-0.4HfC was determined from 1950 K to 2980 K in a vacuum of better than 1.3x10"-"5 Pa (10"-"7 torr). The present research was focused on the characteristic temperature at which the rapid coarsening of HfC particles occurred and the effect of the second-phase particle size on the high temperature strength properties of this material. It was found that the HfC particle strengthening was effective in a W-Re matrix up to a characteristic temperature of 2450 K in the short-term tensile test. Carbon was found to be the rate-limiting solute in the HfC particle growth. The strength of HfC strengthened alloy at temperature above 0.5 T_m is proportional to the square root of particle volume fraction. The yield strengths of W-3.6Re-0.26HfC calculated based on the particle statistical distribution had good agreement with the experimental values from 1950 K to 2980 K. Besides, an addition of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Metal nanoparticles have many potential technological applications. Biological routes to the synthesis of these particles have been proposed including production by vascular plants, known as phytoextraction. While many studies have looked at metal uptake by plants, particularly with regard to phytoremediation and hyperaccumulation, few have distinguished between metal deposition and metal salt accumulation. This work describes the uptake of AgNO{sub 3}, Na{sub 3}Ag(S{sub 2}O{sub 3}){sub 2}, and Ag(NH{sub 3}){sub 2}NO{sub 3} solutions by hydroponically grown Brassica juncea and the quantitative measurement of the conversion of these salts to silver metal nanoparticles. Using X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) to determine the metal speciation within the plants, combined with atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) for total Ag, the quantity of reduction of Ag{sup I} to Ag{sup 0} is reported. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We have investigated the effect of plasma nitriding and plasma nitrocarburizing on the microstructure and properties of electroplated chromium. Plasma nitriding and plasma nitrocarburizing are applied to 15-100 [mu]m thick electroplated hard chromium coatings to increase both the wear and the corrosion resistance. The properties of the plasma-modified hard chromium layers are characterized by measuring the wear resistance with a Taber wear tester and the corrosion resistance with a salt spray fog test. Cyclic voltammetry is performed in a standard electrochemical cell using a 0.5 M H[sub 2]SO[sub 4] solution acidified to pH 0.3. The compound layer after plasma nitriding consists of CrN and Cr[sub 2]N with a maximum hardness of about 1100 HK[sub 0.01]. After plasma nitrocarburizing, Cr[sub 3]C[sub 2] and Cr[sub 7]C[sub 3] are formed. After plasma nitrocarburizing, the maximum hardness is increased up to 2200 HK[sub 0.01]. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The CaWO{sub 4}:Ln{sup 3+} SiO{sub 2} (Ln=Tb, Dy and Ho) nanoparticles were synthesized via a combustion process at 800 {sup o}C, using citric acid as chelating agent and fuel, ammonium nitrate as fuel, boric acid as flux material and silica as supports. The persistent phosphor nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), reflectance UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy (PL) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. XRD patterns indicated that crystalline calcium tungstate with scheelite structure was produced. The reflectance UV-vis spectra showed the broad absorption band of WO{sub 4}{sup 2-} groups and the PL spectra showed the WO{sub 4}{sup 2-} wide excitation band, broad emission band of WO{sub 4}{sup 2-} and characteristic emissions of Ln{sup 3+} ions. The average particle sizes were determined by TEM, which are about 50 nm.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper presents a study on the crystallization and growth mechanism of selenium nanowires induced by silver nanoparticles at ambient conditions with special reference to the effects of factors such as the shapes and size of silver nanoparticles, the induced reaction time, and the molar ratio of Ag{sup 0} to SeO{sub 3}{sup 2-} ions. The synthesis approach is conducted with no need of any stabilizers, and with no sonochemical process and/or templates. It is found that whether silver spherical particles or colloids can lead to the formation of nanowires with average diameter of 25 nm and lengths up to a few micrometers, and silver nanoplates lead to the formation of flat Se nanostructures. In particular, Au, Cu, Pt, and Pd particles cannot induce the growth of selenium nanowires in aqueous solution at room temperature. The results indicate that silver particles play a critical role in determining the growth of selenium nanowires. The lattice ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A novel method for the determination of metoclopramide (MCP) using electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) is presented. A tris(2,2prime-bipyridyl)dichlororuthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)32+)-doped silica (RuDS) nanoparticle/perfluoinated ion-exchange resin (Nafion) with nanocomposite membrane modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) is used. The Ru(bpy)32+ encapsulation interior of the silica nanoparticle maintains its electrochemical activities and also reduces Ru(bpy)32+ leaching from the silica matrix when immersed in water due to the electrostatic interaction. The analytical performance of this ECL sensor for MCP is shown in detail. Under optimal experimental conditions, it has good linearity in the concentration range from 2x10-8mol/L to 1x10-5mol/L (R=0.9989) with a detection limit of 7x10-9mo...

Science.gov (United States)

We report here a new approach to introduce the effect of chemisorption in the Monte-Carlo simulation procedure for studying the segregation behaviour in bimetallic nanoparticles at low pressures. A coordination-dependent pair interaction energy is constructed in terms of partial bond energies and the exchange energy where the partial bond energy can be empirically calculated from the experimental values of dimer energy, the pressure-dependent surface energy and the bulk cohesive energy of the constituent metals. The advantage of this procedure is the ability to estimate the pressure-dependent surface composition of the nanoparticles. The method has been applied to oxygen-adsorbed Pd-Ag systems; and it is found that while Ag segregate in clean particles, at higher oxygen pressures Pd atoms segregate to the surface. The present technique has been argued to be suitable for higher pressures (>10-5Torr) when coverage cannot be accurately ...

Science.gov (United States)

Nanosized particles are important because of their unique properties, different from the bulk, which leads to their enhanced catalytic, photocatalytic and electronic properties. This work has dealt with three different nanoparticle systems in the context of three different aspects of nanoparticle properties: (a) photocatalytis (TiO2/metal) system, (b) luminescence (CdSe) (c) alloying (Pt-Ag and Pd-Ag). The initial photocatalytic enhancement obtained by adding noble metal on semiconductor nanoparticles, degrades as fast as in 15 minutes and questions their long-term performance. XANES measurements on such irradiated systems like TiO2/Au, TiO2/Pt, TiO2/Ir indicates a positive oxidation state of these noble metals which renders them as recombination centers for photo-excited electrons and explains the decreased photocurrent. The oxidation is caused by holes. The EXAFS results also indicate a change of the interfacial structure ...