WorldWideScience

Sample records for oxysulfides

  1. Processing and characterization of new oxysulfide glasses in the Ge-Ga-As-S-O system

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Maurel, C.; Petit, L.; Dussauze, M.; Kamitsos, E.I.; Couzi, M.; Cardinal, T.; Miller, A.C.; Jain, H.; Richardson, K.

    2008-01-01

    New oxysulfide glasses have been prepared in the Ge-Ga-As system employing a two-step melting process which involves the processing of the chalcogenide glass (ChG) and its subsequent melting with amorphous GeO 2 powder. Optical characterization of the synthesized oxysulfide glasses has shown that the cut-off wavelength decreases with increasing oxygen content, and this has been correlated to results of Raman and infrared (IR) spectroscopies which show the formation of new oxysulfide structural units. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis to probe the bonding environment of oxygen atoms in the oxysulfide glass network, has revealed the preferred formation of Ga-O and Ge-O bonds in comparison to As-O bonds. This work has demonstrated that melting a ChG glass with GeO 2 leads to the formation of new oxysulfide glassy materials. - Graphical abstract: In this paper, we explain how new oxysulfide glasses are prepared in the Ge-Ga-As system employing a two-step process: (1) the processing of the chalcogenide glass (ChG) and (2) the re-melting of the ChG with GeO 2 powder. Raman, infrared and XPS spectroscopies show the formation of new oxysulfide structural units

  2. The BiCu{sub 1−x}OS oxysulfide: Copper deficiency and electronic properties

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Berthebaud, D.; Guilmeau, E.; Lebedev, O.I. [Laboratoire CRISMAT, UMR 6508 CNRS/ENSICAEN/UCBN, 6 bd du Maréchal Juin, F-14050 CAEN Cedex 4 (France); Maignan, A., E-mail: antoine.maignan@ensicaen.fr [Laboratoire CRISMAT, UMR 6508 CNRS/ENSICAEN/UCBN, 6 bd du Maréchal Juin, F-14050 CAEN Cedex 4 (France); Gamon, J.; Barboux, P. [Institut de Recherche de Chimie de Paris, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Paris, 11 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 75231 Paris Cedex 09 France (France)

    2016-05-15

    An oxysulfide series of nominal compositions BiCu{sub 1−x}OS with x<0.20 has been prepared and its structural properties characterized by combining powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy techniques. It is found that this oxysulfide, crystallizing in the P4/nmm space group, tends to adopt a constant amount of copper vacancy corresponding to x=0.05 in the BiCu{sub 1−x}OS formula. The presence of Cu vacancies is confirmed by HAADF-STEM analysis showing, in the Cu atomic columns, alternating peaks of different intensities in some very localized regions. For larger Cu deficiencies (x>0.05 in the nominal composition), other types of structural nanodefects are evidenced such as bismuth oxysulfides of the “BiOS” ternary system which might explain the report of superconductivity for the BiCu{sub 1−x}OS oxysulfide. Local epitaxial growth of the BiCuOS oxysulfide on top of CuO is also observed. In marked contrast to the BiCu{sub 1−x}OSe oxyselenide, these results give an explanation to the limited impact of Cu deficiency on the Seebeck coefficient in BiCu{sub 1−x}OS compounds. - Graphical abstract: High resolution TEM image showing a Bi(Cu)OS/Bi{sub 2}O{sub 2}S interface and corresponding dislocation region. The Bi(Cu)OS structure adopts a rather constant Cu content (near 0.95); starting from BiCuOS leads to the formation of defects such as the Bi{sub 2}O{sub 2}S oxysulfide.

  3. Lanthanum and yttrium oxysulfides activated by europium: (Ln1-x Eux)2 O2 S - Synthesis and characterization

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Luiz, J.M.

    1989-01-01

    The synthesis of lanthanum and yttrium oxysulfides activated by europium were obtained by thermal decomposition of lanthanum and yttrium oxalates doped with europium, under an argon and sulphur atmosphere. The thermal decomposition of these compounds is studied by differential thermal analysis (DTA). The characterization of these oxysulfides were made by chemical analyses, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and emission spectroscopy. (M.V.M.)

  4. A new continuous two-step molecular precursor route to rare-earth oxysulfides Ln2O2S

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    De Crom, N.; Devillers, M.

    2012-01-01

    A continuous two-step molecular precursor pathway is designed for the preparation of rare-earth oxysulfides Ln 2 O 2 S (Ln=Y, La, Pr, Nd, Sm–Lu). This new route involves a first oxidation step leading to the rare-earth oxysulfate Ln 2 O 2 SO 4 which is subsequently reduced to the rare-earth oxysulfide Ln 2 O 2 S by switching to a H 2 –Ar atmosphere. The whole process occurs at a temperature significantly lower than usual solid state synthesis (T≤650 °C) and avoids the use of dangerous sulfur-based gases, providing a convenient route to the synthesis of the entire series of Ln 2 O 2 S. The molecular precursors consist in heteroleptic dithiocarbamate complexes [Ln(Et 2 dtc) 3 (phen)] and [Ln(Et 2 dtc) 3 (bipy)] (Et 2 dtc=N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate; phen=1,10-phenanthroline; bipy=2,2′-bipyridine) and were synthesized by a new high yield and high purity synthesis route. The nature of the molecular precursor determines the minimum synthesis temperature and influences therefore the purity of the final Ln 2 O 2 S crystalline phase. - Graphical abstract: A continuous two-step molecular precursor pathway was designed for the preparation of rare-earth oxysulfides Ln 2 O 2 S (Ln=Y, La, Pr, Nd, Sm–Lu), starting from heteroleptic dithiocarbamate complexes. The influence of the nature of the molecular precursor on the minimum synthesis temperature and on the purity of the final Ln 2 O 2 S crystalline phase is discussed. Highlights: ► A new high yield and high purity synthesis route of rare earth dithiocarbamates is described. ► These compounds are used as precursors in a continuous process leading to rare-earth oxysulfides. ► The oxysulfides are obtained under much more moderate conditions than previously described.

  5. Bismuth Oxysulfide and Its Polymer Nanocomposites for Efficient Purification

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Yidong Luo

    2018-03-01

    Full Text Available The danger of toxic organic pollutants in both aquatic and air environments calls for high-efficiency purification material. Herein, layered bismuth copper oxychalcogenides, BiCuSO, nanosheets of high photocatalytic activity were introduced to the PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride. The fibrous membranes provide an easy, efficient, and recyclable way to purify organic pollutant. The physical and photophysical properties of the BiCuSO and its polymer composite were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM, X-ray diffraction (XRD, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, electron spin resonance (EPR. Photocatalysis of Congo Red reveals that the BiCuSO/PVDF shows a superior photocatalytic activity of a 55% degradation rate in 70 min at visible light. The high photocatalytic activity is attributed to the exposed active {101} facets and the triple vacant associates V B i ‴ V O • • V B i ‴ . By engineering the intrinsic defects on the surface of bismuth oxysulfide, high solar-driven photocatalytic activity can be approached. The successful fabrication of the bismuth oxysulfide and its polymer nanocomposites provides an easy and general approach for high-performance purification materials for various applications.

  6. Nano-aggregates of cobalt nickel oxysulfide as a high-performance electrode material for supercapacitors

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Lifeng

    2013-11-01

    Nano-aggregates of cobalt nickel oxysulfide (CoNi)OxSy have been synthesized by hydrothermal processing and exhibited specific and areal capacitance as high as 592 F g-1 and 1628 mF cm-2, respectively, at a current density of 0.5 A g-1/1.375 mA cm-2. They also show high capacitance retention upon extended cycling at high rates.Nano-aggregates of cobalt nickel oxysulfide (CoNi)OxSy have been synthesized by hydrothermal processing and exhibited specific and areal capacitance as high as 592 F g-1 and 1628 mF cm-2, respectively, at a current density of 0.5 A g-1/1.375 mA cm-2. They also show high capacitance retention upon extended cycling at high rates. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental details; supplementary tables. See DOI: 10.1039/c3nr03533f

  7. Bismuth Silver Oxysulfide for Photoconversion Applications: Structural and Optoelectronic Properties

    KAUST Repository

    Baqais, Amal Ali Abdulallh; Curutchet, Antton; Ziani, Ahmed; Ait Ahsaine, Hassan; Sautet, Philippe; Takanabe, Kazuhiro; Le Bahers, Tangui

    2017-01-01

    Single-phase bismuth silver oxysulfide, BiAgOS, was prepared by a hydrothermal method. Its structural, morphological and optoelectronic properties were investigated and compared with bismuth copper oxysulfide (BiCuOS). Rietveld refinement of the powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements revealed that the BiAgOS and BiCuOS crystals have the same structure as ZrSiCuAs: the tetragonal space group P4/nmm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses confirmed that the BiAgOS has a high purity, in contrast with BiCuOS, which tends to have Cu vacancies. The Ag has a monovalent oxidation state, whereas Cu is present in the oxidation states of +1 and +2 in the BiCuOS system. Combined with experimental measurements, density functional theory calculations employing the range-separated hybrid HSE06 exchange-correlation functional with spin-orbit coupling quantitatively elucidated photophysical properties such as ab-sorption coefficients, effective masses and dielectric constants. BiCuOS and BiAgOS were found to have indirect bandgaps of 1.1 and 1.5 eV, respectively. Both possess high dielectric constants and low electron and hole effective masses. Therefore, these materials are expected to have high exciton dissociation capabilities and excellent carrier diffusion properties. This study reveals that BiAgOS is a promising candidate for photoconversion applications.

  8. Bismuth Silver Oxysulfide for Photoconversion Applications: Structural and Optoelectronic Properties

    KAUST Repository

    Baqais, Amal Ali Abdulallh

    2017-09-18

    Single-phase bismuth silver oxysulfide, BiAgOS, was prepared by a hydrothermal method. Its structural, morphological and optoelectronic properties were investigated and compared with bismuth copper oxysulfide (BiCuOS). Rietveld refinement of the powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements revealed that the BiAgOS and BiCuOS crystals have the same structure as ZrSiCuAs: the tetragonal space group P4/nmm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses confirmed that the BiAgOS has a high purity, in contrast with BiCuOS, which tends to have Cu vacancies. The Ag has a monovalent oxidation state, whereas Cu is present in the oxidation states of +1 and +2 in the BiCuOS system. Combined with experimental measurements, density functional theory calculations employing the range-separated hybrid HSE06 exchange-correlation functional with spin-orbit coupling quantitatively elucidated photophysical properties such as ab-sorption coefficients, effective masses and dielectric constants. BiCuOS and BiAgOS were found to have indirect bandgaps of 1.1 and 1.5 eV, respectively. Both possess high dielectric constants and low electron and hole effective masses. Therefore, these materials are expected to have high exciton dissociation capabilities and excellent carrier diffusion properties. This study reveals that BiAgOS is a promising candidate for photoconversion applications.

  9. Structural, physical and electrochemical characteristics of a vanadium oxysulfide, a cathode material for lithium batteries

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ouvrard, G.; Tchangbédji, G.; Deniard, P.; Prouzet, E.

    A vanadium oxysulfide is obtained by a reaction between water solutions of a vanadyl salt and sodium sulfide at room temperature. After drying under mild conditions, the formulation of this phase is V 2O 3S·3H 2O. Thermogravimetric analyses show that it is not possible to remove completely water without losing sulfur. This is in agreement with proton nuclear magnetic resonance experiments which prove that water molecules are tightly bonded to vanadium. Magnetic susceptibility and X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements allow to define the oxidation states of vanadium and sulfur, (IV) and (-II) respectively. From extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy at the vanadium K edge and infrared spectroscopy, the local structure around vanadium can be defined as a distorted octahedron, with a vanadyl bond and an opposite sulfur atom. Magnetic susceptibility and X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements on chemically lithiated compounds show a complex charge transfer from lithium to the host structure upon lithium intercalation. If it appears that vanadium atoms are reduced, a possible role of sulfur atoms in the redox process has to be considered. Cycling tests of lithium batteries whose positive consists of oxysulfide are promising with 70 cycles under a regime of {C}/{8}, without noticeable loss in capacity of 120 Ah/kg.

  10. Magnetic properties of layered oxysulfide (LnO)CuS:Ln = La, Pr, Nd

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Nakao, H.; Takano, Y.; Takase, K.; Sato, K.; Hara, S.; Ikeda, S.; Takahashi, Y.; Sekizawa, K.

    2006-01-01

    We have prepared rare earth oxysulfides (PrO)CuS and (NdO)CuS in order to introduce magnetic moments into the non-magnetic p-type semiconductor (LaO)CuS. Both compounds are semiconductors with high electrical resistivity, and show the paramagnetic behavior. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility is well explained by the trivalent rare earth ion. However, it deviates from simple Curie Wiess law below 100 K due to the crystal field effect on rare earth ions. We have succeeded to reproduce their magnetic properties by the calculation taking the crystal field effect into account using the operator equivalent method

  11. Europium determination in oxide and oxysulfide luminophors and their wastes by the method of direct and derivative spectrophotometry

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Mishchenko, V.T.; Aleksandrova, N.N.

    1989-01-01

    Spectrophotometric methods for europium determination in luminophors are proposed. Application of standard and derivative spectrophotometry allows one to determine europium in oxide and oxysulfide luminophors, their wastes and raffinates produced during waste reprocessing quite accurately and reliably. When determining Eu 2 O 3 (Eu 2 O 2 S) mass shares within 4-8 % limits absolute deviation from the mean result makes up to more than ± 0.2 %, relative standard deviation does not exceed 0.02

  12. Deposition of yttrium oxysulfide thin films by atomic layer epitaxy

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kukli, K.; University of Tartu, Tartu,; Johansson, L-S.; Nykaenen, E.; Peussa, M.; Ninistoe, L.

    1998-01-01

    Full text: Yttrium oxysulfide is a highly interesting material for optoelectronic applications. It is industrially exploited in the form of doped powder in catholuminescent phosphors, e.g. Y 2 O 2 S: Eu 3+ for colour TV. Attempts to grow thin films of Y 2 O 2 S have not been frequent and only partially successful due to the difficulties in obtaining crystalline films at a reasonable temperature. Furthermore, sputtering easily leads to a sulphur deficiency. Evaporation of the elements from a multi-source offers a better control of the stoichiometry resulting in hexagonal (0002) oriented films at 580 deg C. In this paper we present the first successful thin film growth experiments using a chemical process with molecular precursors. Atomic layer epitaxy (ALE) allows the use of a relatively low deposition temperature and thus compatibility with other technologies. Already at 425 deg C the reaction between H 2 S and Y(thd) 3 (thd = 2,2,6,6 - tetramethyl-heptane-3,5- dione) yields a crystalline Y 2 O 2 S thin film which was characterized by XRD, XRF and XPS

  13. Silicon Oxysulfide, OSiS: Rotational Spectrum, Quantum-Chemical Calculations, and Equilibrium Structure.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Thorwirth, Sven; Mück, Leonie Anna; Gauss, Jürgen; Tamassia, Filippo; Lattanzi, Valerio; McCarthy, Michael C

    2011-06-02

    Silicon oxysulfide, OSiS, and seven of its minor isotopic species have been characterized for the first time in the gas phase at high spectral resolution by means of Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. The equilibrium structure of OSiS has been determined from the experimental data using calculated vibration-rotation interaction constants. The structural parameters (rO-Si = 1.5064 Å and rSi-S = 1.9133 Å) are in very good agreement with values from high-level quantum chemical calculations using coupled-cluster techniques together with sophisticated additivity and extrapolation schemes. The bond distances in OSiS are very short in comparison with those in SiO and SiS. This unexpected finding is explained by the partial charges calculated for OSiS via a natural population analysis. The results suggest that electrostatic effects rather than multiple bonding are the key factors in determining bonding in this triatomic molecule. The data presented provide the spectroscopic information needed for radio astronomical searches for OSiS.

  14. Mechanical properties of layered oxysulfide CaZnOS from first principle calculations

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Zhang, Zhi-Jun [Department of Physics, Dongguk University, Pildong-ro, Choong-gu, Seoul, 100-715 (Korea, Republic of); Feng, Ang [Key Laboratory of Transparent Opto-Functional Inorganic Materials of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Shanghai, 200050 (China); Zhang, Shao-Lin; Zhang, Wei-Bin [Department of Physics, Dongguk University, Pildong-ro, Choong-gu, Seoul, 100-715 (Korea, Republic of); Yang, Woochul, E-mail: wyang@dongguk.edu [Department of Physics, Dongguk University, Pildong-ro, Choong-gu, Seoul, 100-715 (Korea, Republic of)

    2016-06-15

    Elastic and tensile properties of mixed-anion oxysulfide CaZnOS have been theoretically investigated by first principle method of density functional theory (DFT). Elastic constants were obtained by stress–strain relationships, and bulk structure parameters including bulk modulus, shear modulus, as well as Poisson's ratio were then calculated using Voigt-Reuses-Hill (VRH) approximation. The results of shear anisotropic factors, compressibility anisotropic factor and directional Young's modulus showed that CaZnOS is almost elastically isotropic in {001} planes and maintains elastic anisotropy in {100} or {010} planes. Chemical bond anisotropy shown by Mulliken atomic charges and bond overlap populations is responsible for the elastic anisotropy behavior aforementioned. Moreover, theoretical uniaxial and biaxial tensile results showed the crystal collapsed at strain more than 12%, except in the biaxial extension where CaZnOS collapsed at strain of 7%. - Highlights: • Elastic and theoretical tensile properties of CaZnOS have been investigated by first principle method. • CaZnOS is elastically isotropic in {001} planes and maintains elastic anisotropy in {100} or {010} planes. • Mulliken atomic charges and bond overlap populations are responsible for the elastic anisotropy behavior.

  15. Cathodoluminescent characteristics and light technical parameters of thin-film screens based on oxides and oxysulfides of rare-earth elements

    Science.gov (United States)

    Bondar, Vyacheslav D.; Grytsiv, Myroslav; Groodzinsky, Arkady; Vasyliv, Mykhailo

    1995-11-01

    Results on creation of thin-film single-crystal high-resolution screens with energy control of luminescence color are presented. In order to create phosphor films ion-plasma technology for deposition of yttrium and lanthanum oxides and oxysulfides activated by rare earth elements has been developed. The screen consists of phosphor film on phosphor substrate with different colors of luminescence (e.g. Y2O3-Eu film with red color on Y3Al5O12- Tb, Ce substrate with green color of luminescence). Electron irradiation causes luminescence with color that depends on energy of the electron beam. The physical reason for color change is that electron beam energy defines electron penetration depth. If the energy is weak, only the film is excited. More powerful beam penetrates into the substrate and thus changes the color of luminescence.

  16. The cation-deficient Ruddlesden-Popper oxysulfide Y2Ti2O5S2 as a layered sulfide: topotactic potassium intercalation to form KY2Ti2O5S2.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Rutt, Oliver J; Hill, Timothy L; Gál, Zoltán A; Hayward, Michael A; Clarke, Simon J

    2003-12-01

    Potassium intercalation into the cation-deficient n = 2 Ruddlesden-Popper oxysulfide Y(2)Ti(2)O(5)S(2) to form KY(2)Ti(2)O(5)S(2) has been carried out by reaction of the oxysulfide with potassium vapor in sealed metal tubes at 400 degrees C, potassium naphthalide in THF at 50 degrees C, or potassium in liquid ammonia at temperatures as low as -78 degrees C. Insertion of potassium is topotactic, and although a site 12-coordinate by oxide ions is vacant in the perovskite-type oxide slabs of the structure, potassium is too large to enter this site via the 4-coordinate window, and instead enters the rock-salt-type sulfide layers of the structure which necessitates a 30% increase in the lattice parameter c normal to the layers. In contrast with one of the sodium intercalates of Y(2)Ti(2)O(5)S(2) (beta-NaY(2)Ti(2)O(5)S(2)) in which sodium occupies a tetrahedral site in the sulfide layers, potassium favors an 8-coordinate site which necessitates a relative translation of adjacent oxide slabs. KY(2)Ti(2)O(5)S(2) is tetragonal: P4/mmm, a = 3.71563(4) A, c = 14.8682(2) A (at 298 K), Z = 1. Although the resistivity (3.4(1) x 10(3) Omega cm) is larger than would be expected for a metal, temperature independent paramagnetism dominates the magnetic susceptibility, and the material is electronically very similar to the analogous sodium intercalate beta-NaY(2)Ti(2)O(5)S(2) which features reduced-titanium-containing oxide layers of very similar geometry and electron count.

  17. A comprehensive study of magnetic exchanges in the layered oxychalcogenides Sr 3 Fe 2 O 5 Cu 2 Q 2 ( Q = S, Se)

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Lü, Minfeng; Mentré, Olivier; Gordon, Elijah E.; Whangbo, Myung-Hwan; Wattiaux, Alain; Duttine, Mathieu; Tiercelin, Nicolas; Kabbour, Houria

    2017-12-01

    The layered oxysulfide Sr3Fe2O5Cu2S2 was prepared, and its crystal structure and magnetic properties were characterized by synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD), powder neutron diffraction (PND), Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements and by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In addition, the spin exchange interactions leading to the ordered magnetic structure of Sr3Fe2O5Cu2S2 were compared with those of its selenium analogue Sr3Fe2O5Cu2Se2. The oxysulfide Sr3Fe2O5Cu2S2 adopts a G-type antiferromagnetic (AFM) structure at a temperature in the range 485–512 K, which is comparable with the three-dimensional (3D) AFM ordering temperature, TN ≈ 490 K, found for Sr3Fe2O5Cu2Se2. Consistent with this observation, the spin exchange interactions of the magnetic (Sr3Fe2O5)2+ layers are slightly greater (but comparable) for oxysulfide than for the oxyselenide. Attempts to reduce or oxidize Sr3Fe2O5Cu2S2 using topochemical routes yield metallic Fe.

  18. Thermodynamics of rare earths in steelmaking

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Vahed, A.; Kay, D.A.R.

    1976-01-01

    The standard free energies of formation of the oxides, sulfides and oxysulfides of cerium and lanthanum under steelmaking conditions have been calculated and used to predict the behavior of rare earths in steelmaking. Deoxidation and desulfurization constants, expressed in terms of Henrian activities, have been used to construct a precipitation diagram which indicates the sequence of rare earth inclusion formation. An enrichment of lanthanum in (RE)-oxysulfide and cerium in (RE)-sulfide is predicted. It is also predicted that rare earths should be able to reduce the soluble oxygen and sulfur contents of liquid steel well below the contents presently found in most industrial and laboratory practices. A simple method of calculating steelmaking additions for complete rare earth control of inclusion composition is presented

  19. Magneto-optical studies of valence instability in europium and terbium phosphors

    Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

    Rodrigues, L.C.v.; Hölsä, J.; Brito, H.F.; Maryško, Miroslav; Matos, J.R.; Paturi, P.; Rodrigues, R.V.; Lastusaari, M.

    2016-01-01

    Roč. 170, Feb (2016), 701-706 ISSN 0022-2313 Institutional support: RVO:68378271 Keywords : valence * europium * terbium * oxysulfide and -sulfate * phosphors * paramagnetic susceptibility Subject RIV: BM - Solid Matter Physics ; Magnetism Impact factor: 2.686, year: 2016

  20. Effects of REM and Ba Additions on the Characteristics of the Third Generation Duplex Stainless Steel

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Park, Yong Soo; Kim, Soon Tae

    2006-01-01

    The third generation super duplex stainless steel having excellent corrosion resistance, embrittlement resistance, castability, weldability and hot workability has been developed. REM and Ba added to the alloy, with larger atomic radius than those of Cr, Mo and W, seem to fill vacancies inside the matrix and around the grain boundaries, retarding formation of brittle σ and χ phases. In addition, fine oxides/ oxy-sulfides of REM and Ba (1∼3 μm in diameter) seem to enhance the retardation effects. The alloys have also shown higher strength and ductility resulting from phase and grain refinements caused by those oxides and oxy-sulfides. Accordingly it is judged that the core technology can provide the method for remarkably suppressing formation of intermetallic phases by adding new alloy elements, and improving a applied to sea water and flue gas desulfurization facility

  1. New cubic perovskites for one- and two-photon water splitting using the computational materials repository

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Castelli, Ivano Eligio; Landis, David; Thygesen, Kristian Sommer

    2012-01-01

    screening of around 19 000 oxides, oxynitrides, oxysulfides, oxyfluorides, and oxyfluoronitrides in the cubic perovskite structure with PEC applications in mind. We address three main applications: light absorbers for one- and two-photon water splitting and high-stability transparent shields to protect...

  2. Atmospheric spatial atomic layer deposition of Zn(O,S) buffer layer for Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Frijters, C.H.; Poodt, P.; Illeberi, A.

    2016-01-01

    Zinc oxysulfide has been grown by spatial atomic layer deposition (S-ALD) and successfully applied as buffer layer in Cu(In, Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells. S-ALD combines high deposition rates (up to nm/s) with the advantages of conventional ALD, i.e. excellent control of film composition and superior

  3. Proton-conducting cerate ceramics

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Pederson, L.R.; Coffey, G.W.; Bates, J.L.; Weber, W.J. [Pacific Northwest National Lab., Richland, WA (United States)

    1996-08-01

    Single-cell solid oxide fuel cells were constructed using strontium cerate as the electrolyte and their performance tested. Like certain zirconates, hafnates, and tantalates, the cerate perovskites are among a class of solid electrolytes that conduct protons at elevated temperatures. Depending on the temperature and chemical environment, these ceramics also support electronic and oxygen ion currents. A maximum power output of {approx}100 mW per cm{sup 2} electrolyte surface area was obtained at 900{degrees}C using 4% hydrogen as the fuel and air as the oxidant. A series of rare earth/ceria/zirconia were prepared and their electrical properties characterized. Rare earth dopants included ytterbia, yttria, terbia, and europia. Ionic conductivities were highest for rare earth/ceria and rare earth zirconia compositions; a minimum in ionic conductivity for all series were found for equimolar mixtures of ceria and zirconia. Cerium oxysulfide is of interest in fossil energy applications because of its high chemical stability and refractory nature. An alternative synthesis route to preparing cerium oxysulfide powders has been developed using combustion techniques.

  4. Synthesis and characterization of physical properties of Gd{sub 2}O{sub 2}S:Pr{sup 3+} semi-nanoflower phosphor

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Bagheri, A.; Rezaee Ebrahim Saraee, Kh.; Shakur, H.R. [University of Isfahan, Department of Nuclear Engineering, Faculty of Advance Sciences and Technologies, Isfahan (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Zamani Zeinali, H. [Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, Agriculture, Medical and Industrial Research School, Karaj (Iran, Islamic Republic of)

    2016-05-15

    Pure gadolinium oxysulfide phosphor (Gd{sub 2}O{sub 2}S) and trivalent praseodymium-doped gadolinium oxysulfide phosphor (Gd{sub 2}O{sub 2}S:Pr{sup 3+}) scintillators with semi-nanoflower crystalline structures were successfully synthesized through a precipitation method and subsequent calcination treatment as a converter for X-ray imaging detectors. The characterization such as the crystal structures and nanostructure of Gd{sub 2}O{sub 2}S:Pr{sup 3+} scintillator measured by XRD and FeE-SEM experiment. The optical properties of Gd{sub 2}O{sub 2}S:Pr{sup 3+} scintillator were studied. Luminescence spectra of Gd{sub 2}O{sub 2}S:Pr{sup 3+} under 320 nm UV excitation show a green emission at near 511 nm corresponding to the {sup 3}P{sub 0}-{sup 3}H{sub 4} of Pr ions. After scintillation properties of synthesized Gd{sub 2}O{sub 2}S:Pr{sup 3+} scintillator investigated, Gd{sub 2}O{sub 2}S:Pr{sup 3+} scintillating film fabricated on a glass substrate by a sedimentation method. X-ray imaging of the fabricated scintillators confirmed that the Gd{sub 2}O{sub 2}S:Pr{sup 3+} scintillator could be used for radiography applications in which good spatial resolution is needed. (orig.)

  5. Nanostructure-Directed Chemical Sensing: The IHSAB Principle and the Effect of Nitrogen and Sulfur Functionalization on Metal Oxide Decorated Interface Response

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    James L. Gole

    2013-08-01

    Full Text Available The response matrix, as metal oxide nanostructure decorated n-type semiconductor interfaces are modified in situ through direct amination and through treatment with organic sulfides and thiols, is demonstrated. Nanostructured TiO2, SnOx, NiO and CuxO (x = 1,2, in order of decreasing Lewis acidity, are deposited to a porous silicon interface to direct a dominant electron transduction process for reversible chemical sensing in the absence of significant chemical bond formation. The metal oxide sensing sites can be modified to decrease their Lewis acidity in a process appearing to substitute nitrogen or sulfur, providing a weak interaction to form the oxynitrides and oxysulfides. Treatment with triethylamine and diethyl sulfide decreases the Lewis acidity of the metal oxide sites. Treatment with acidic ethane thiol modifies the sensor response in an opposite sense, suggesting that there are thiol (SH groups present on the surface that provide a Brønsted acidity to the surface. The in situ modification of the metal oxides deposited to the interface changes the reversible interaction with the analytes, NH3 and NO. The observed change for either the more basic oxynitrides or oxysulfides or the apparent Brønsted acid sites produced from the interaction of the thiols do not represent a simple increase in surface basicity or acidity, but appear to involve a change in molecular electronic structure, which is well explained using the recently developed inverse hard and soft acids and bases (IHSAB model.

  6. Band offset in zinc oxy-sulfide/cubic-tin sulfide interface from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Sanal, K.C.; Nair, P.K.; Nair, M.T.S., E-mail: mtsn@ier.unam.mx

    2017-02-28

    Highlights: • Zinc oxy-sulfide thin films, 175–240 nm, deposited by rf-sputtering from targets of ZnO + ZnS. • Oxygen content in thin films is enhanced 3–4 times compared with that in ZnO:ZnS targets. • Thin film ZnO{sub x}S{sub 1−x} with x = 0.88–0.27 and optical band gap 2.8–3.2 eV is suitable for solar cells. • The conduction band offset with SnS of cubic structure studied by XPS are +0.41 to −0.28 eV. - Abstract: Zinc oxy-sulfide, ZnO{sub x}S{sub 1−x}, has been found to provide better band alignment in thin film solar cells of tin sulfide of orthorhombic crystalline structure. Here we examine ZnO{sub x}S{sub 1−x}/SnS-CUB interface, in which the ZnO{sub x}S{sub 1−x} thin film was deposited by radio frequency (rf) magnetron sputtering on SnS thin film of cubic (CUB) crystalline structure with a band gap (E{sub g}) of 1.72 eV, obtained via chemical deposition. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy provides the valence band maxima of the materials and hence places the conduction band offset of 0.41 eV for SnS-CUB/ZnO{sub 0.27}S{sub 0.73} and −0.28 eV for SnS-CUB/ZnO{sub 0.88}S{sub 0.12} interfaces. Thin films of ZnO{sub x}S{sub 1−x} with 175–240 nm in thickness were deposited from targets prepared with different ZnO to ZnS molar ratios. With the target of molar ratio of 1:13.4, the thin films are of composition ZnO{sub 0.27}S{sub 0.73} with hexagonal crystalline structure and with that of 1:1.7 ratio, it is ZnO{sub 0.88}S{sub 0.12}. The optical band gap of the ZnO{sub x}S{sub 1−x} thin films varies from 2.90 eV to 3.21 eV as the sulfur to zinc ratio in the film increases from 0.12:1 to 0.73:1 as determined from X-ray diffraction patterns. Thus, band offsets sought for absorber materials and zinc oxy-sulfide in solar cells may be achieved through a choice of ZnO:ZnS ratio in the sputtering target.

  7. Atomic layer deposition of Al-incorporated Zn(O,S) thin films with tunable electrical properties

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Park, Helen Hejin; Jayaraman, Ashwin; Heasley, Rachel; Yang, Chuanxi; Hartle, Lauren; Gordon, Roy G.; Mankad, Ravin; Haight, Richard; Gunawan, Oki; Mitzi, David B.

    2014-01-01

    Zinc oxysulfide, Zn(O,S), films grown by atomic layer deposition were incorporated with aluminum to adjust the carrier concentration. The electron carrier concentration increased up to one order of magnitude from 10 19 to 10 20 cm −3 with aluminum incorporation and sulfur content in the range of 0 ≤ S/(Zn+Al) ≤ 0.16. However, the carrier concentration decreased by five orders of magnitude from 10 19 to 10 14 cm −3 for S/(Zn+Al) = 0.34 and decreased even further when S/(Zn+Al) > 0.34. Such tunable electrical properties are potentially useful for graded buffer layers in thin-film photovoltaic applications

  8. Atomic layer deposition of Al-incorporated Zn(O,S) thin films with tunable electrical properties

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Park, Helen Hejin; Jayaraman, Ashwin; Heasley, Rachel; Yang, Chuanxi; Hartle, Lauren; Gordon, Roy G., E-mail: gordon@chemistry.harvard.edu [Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138 (United States); Mankad, Ravin; Haight, Richard; Gunawan, Oki [IBM T. J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, New York 10598 (United States); Mitzi, David B. [IBM T. J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, New York 10598 (United States); Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708 (United States)

    2014-11-17

    Zinc oxysulfide, Zn(O,S), films grown by atomic layer deposition were incorporated with aluminum to adjust the carrier concentration. The electron carrier concentration increased up to one order of magnitude from 10{sup 19} to 10{sup 20} cm{sup −3} with aluminum incorporation and sulfur content in the range of 0 ≤ S/(Zn+Al) ≤ 0.16. However, the carrier concentration decreased by five orders of magnitude from 10{sup 19} to 10{sup 14} cm{sup −3} for S/(Zn+Al) = 0.34 and decreased even further when S/(Zn+Al) > 0.34. Such tunable electrical properties are potentially useful for graded buffer layers in thin-film photovoltaic applications.

  9. Gadolinium oxysulfide nanoprobes with both persistent luminescent and magnetic properties for multimodal imaging

    OpenAIRE

    ROSTICHER , C.; Viana , Bruno; Fortin , M.-A.; Lagueux , J.; Faucher , L.; Chanéac , Corinne

    2016-01-01

    International audience; Persistent luminescence and magnetic properties of Gd2O2S: Eu 3+ , Ti 4+ , Mg 2+ nanoparticles have been studied to attest the relevance of such nanoparticles as nanoprobes for multimodal imaging. The development of new imaging tools is required to improve the quality of medical images and then to diagnose some disorders as quickly as possible in order to ensure more effective treatment. Multimodal imaging agents here developed combine the high resolution abilities of ...

  10. Novel phenomenon of magnetism and superconductivity in Fe-doped superconductor Bi{sub 4-x}Fe{sub x}O{sub 4}S{sub 3} (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1)

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Li, Qing [Shanghai University, Department of Physics, Shanghai (China); Shanghai University, Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai (China); Wang, Difei; Yu, Chuan; Yin, Xunqing; Kang, Jian; Cheng, Cheng; Deng, Dongmei; Jing, Chao [Shanghai University, Department of Physics, Shanghai (China); Feng, Zhenjie; Cao, Shixun; Zhang, Jincang [Shanghai University, Department of Physics, Shanghai (China); Shanghai University, Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai (China); Shanghai Key Laboratory of High Temperature Superconductors, Shanghai (China); Chu, Hao [California Institute of Technology, Department of Applied Physics, Pasadena, CA (United States); Li, Xiaolong [Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Shanghai (China)

    2017-06-15

    We report the effects of Fe doping on the BiS{sub 2}-based superconductor Bi{sub 4}O{sub 4}S{sub 3}. It has been found that the superconducting transition temperature (T{sub C}{sup onset}) is slightly enhanced by Fe doping. The magnetic susceptibility results reveal the coexistence of superconductivity and long-range ferrimagnetism in these samples. A new magnetic transition temperature T{sub V} (Verwey transition) from the M-T curves at ∝112 K is observed. The isothermal magnetization curves (M-H) indicate a weak ferrimagnetism, which is probably due to the antiparallel ordering of Fe{sup 2+} and Fe{sup 3+} magnetic moments. The coexistence of superconductivity and ferro/ferrimagnetism makes bismuth oxysulfide superconductor a platform for understanding superconductivity from a new perspective. (orig.)

  11. Stability of Cd_1_–_xZn_xO_yS_1_–_y Quaternary Alloys Assessed with First-Principles Calculations

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Varley, Joel B.; He, Xiaoqing; Rockett, Angus; Lordi, Vincenzo

    2017-01-01

    One route to decreasing the absorption in CdS buffer layers in Cu(In,Ga)Se_2 and Cu_2ZnSn(S,Se)_4 thin-film photovoltaics is by alloying. Here we use first-principles calculations based on hybrid functionals to assess the energetics and stability of quaternary Cd, Zn, O, and S (Cd_1_–_xZn_xO_yS_1_–_y) alloys within a regular solution model. Our results identify that full miscibility of most Cd_1_–_xZn_xO_yS_1_–_y compositions and even binaries like Zn(O,S) is outside typical photovoltaic processing conditions. Finally, the results suggest that the tendency for phase separation of the oxysulfides may drive the nucleation of other phases such as sulfates that have been increasingly observed in oxygenated CdS and ZnS.

  12. Optical fiber sensor for low dose gamma irradiation monitoring

    Science.gov (United States)

    de Andrés, Ana I.; Esteban, Ã.`scar; Embid, Miguel

    2016-05-01

    An optical fiber gamma ray detector is presented in this work. It is based on a Terbium doped Gadolinium Oxysulfide (Gd2O2S:Tb) scintillating powder which cover a chemically etched polymer fiber tip. This etching improves the fluorescence gathering by the optical fiber. The final diameter has been selected to fulfill the trade-off between light gathering and mechanical strength. Powder has been encapsulated inside a microtube where the fiber tip is immersed. The sensor has been irradiated with different air Kerma doses up to 2 Gy/h with a 137Cs source, and the spectral distribution of the fluorescence intensity has been recorded in a commercial grade CCD spectrometer. The obtained signal-to-noise ratio is good enough even for low doses, which has allowed to reduce the integration time in the spectrometer. The presented results show the feasibility for using low cost equipment to detect/measure ionizing radiation as gamma rays are.

  13. Development of x-ray imaging technique for liquid screening at airport

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Sulaiman, Nurhani binti, E-mail: nhani.sulaiman@gmail.com; Srisatit, Somyot, E-mail: somyot.s@chula.ac.th [Department of Nuclear Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Rd., Patumwan, Bangkok 10330 (Thailand)

    2016-01-22

    X-ray imaging technology is a viable option to recognize flammable liquids for the purposes of aviation security. In this study, an X-ray imaging technology was developed whereby, the image viewing system was built with the use of a digital camera coupled with a gadolinium oxysulfide (GOS) fluorescent screen. The camera was equipped with a software for remote control setting of the camera via a USB cable which allows the images to be captured. The image was analysed to determine the average grey level using a software designed by Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0. The data was obtained for various densities of liquid thickness of 4.5 cm, 6.0 cm and 7.5 cm respectively for X-ray energies ranging from 70 to 200 kVp. In order to verify the reliability of the constructed calibration data, the system was tested with a few types of unknown liquids. The developed system could be conveniently employed for security screening in order to discriminate between a threat and an innocuous liquid.

  14. Feasibility evaluation of a neutron grating interferometer with an analyzer grating based on a structured scintillator

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kim, Youngju; Kim, Jongyul; Kim, Daeseung; Hussey, Daniel. S.; Lee, Seung Wook

    2018-03-01

    We introduce an analyzer grating based on a structured scintillator fabricated by a gadolinium oxysulfide powder filling method for a symmetric Talbot-Lau neutron grating interferometer. This is an alternative way to analyze the Talbot self-image of a grating interferometer without using an absorption grating to block neutrons. Since the structured scintillator analyzer grating itself generates the signal for neutron detection, we do not need an additional scintillator screen as an absorption analyzer grating. We have developed and tested an analyzer grating based on a structured scintillator in our symmetric Talbot-Lau neutron grating interferometer to produce high fidelity absorption, differential phase, and dark-field contrast images. The acquired images have been compared to results of a grating interferometer utilizing a typical absorption analyzer grating with two commercial scintillation screens. The analyzer grating based on the structured scintillator enhances interference fringe visibility and shows a great potential for economical fabrication, compact system design, and so on. We report the performance of the analyzer grating based on a structured scintillator and evaluate its feasibility for the neutron grating interferometer.

  15. Development of x-ray imaging technique for liquid screening at airport

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Sulaiman, Nurhani binti; Srisatit, Somyot

    2016-01-01

    X-ray imaging technology is a viable option to recognize flammable liquids for the purposes of aviation security. In this study, an X-ray imaging technology was developed whereby, the image viewing system was built with the use of a digital camera coupled with a gadolinium oxysulfide (GOS) fluorescent screen. The camera was equipped with a software for remote control setting of the camera via a USB cable which allows the images to be captured. The image was analysed to determine the average grey level using a software designed by Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0. The data was obtained for various densities of liquid thickness of 4.5 cm, 6.0 cm and 7.5 cm respectively for X-ray energies ranging from 70 to 200 kVp. In order to verify the reliability of the constructed calibration data, the system was tested with a few types of unknown liquids. The developed system could be conveniently employed for security screening in order to discriminate between a threat and an innocuous liquid

  16. Chemistry of transuranium elements

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Anon.

    1976-01-01

    The half-wave amalgamation potential of No (element 102) was determined. Studies on the preparation and properties of Cf are reported; previously reported results on Es were confirmed. The heat of solution of Bk was measured. Spectroscopic and x-ray diffraction studies of Es-253 bromides are reported. Salicylate complexes with Sm(III), Am(III), Th(IV), and U(IV)O 2 were prepared; crystal data are given. Results of studies on the effect of secondary bonds on the strength of O double bond Np double bond O bonds are reported. The M series x rays of Np were measured. Anomalous spin--orbit splitting of the 4f level in the actinide series is reported. Progress is reported in studies on the Cf oxide system for oxygen pressures up to 760 mm and temperatures between 25 and 1000 0 C, as well as structural parameters of transplutonium oxysulfates and oxysulfides and actinide and lanthanide hydroxides. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum of 253 Es 2+ was observed in the cubic monocrystal hosts BaF 2 and SrCl 2

  17. Effects of Rare Earth Metals addition and aging treatment on the corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of super duplex stainless steels

    Science.gov (United States)

    Park, Yong-Soo; Kim, Soon-Tae; Lee, In-Sung; Song, Chi-Bok

    2002-05-01

    Effects of rare earth metals addition and aging treatment on corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of super duplex stainless steels were investigated using optical/SEM/TEM metallographic examination, an X-ray diffraction test, a potentiodynamic anodic polarization test and a tensile test. The performance of the experimental alloy with 0.32% REM addition was compared with commercial super duplex stainless steel such as SAF 2507 when they were exposed to solution annealing heat treatment and aging treatment. The corrosion resistance in Cl- environments and mechanical properties of the experimental alloy were found superior to those of the commercial duplex stainless steel. The REM with larger atomic radii than those of Cr, Mo and W may fill vacancies inside the matrix and around the grain boundaries, retarding formation of harmful intermetallic σ and η phases. In addition, fine REM oxides/oxy-sulfides (1-3 μm) seemed to enhance the retardation effects. With REM additions, strength and ductility increased due to the phase and grain refinement caused by fine REM oxides and oxy-sulfides.

  18. The desulfurization mechanism of iron-manganese compound oxide desulfurizer for removal of COS from coal gas

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Wang Fang-fang; Zhao Hai; Zhang De-xiang; Gao Jin-sheng [East China University of Science and Technology. Shanghai (China). School of Resource and Environmental Engineering

    2008-02-15

    The sorbent, atmospheric and components of outlet gas were analyzed by mass spectra, XRD, SEM, EDS etc. Desulfurisation performance of sorbents is good at 240 - 400 {sup o}C, atmospheric pressure and space speed of 500 - 2,000 h {sup -1}. The possible mechanism of desulfurisation reactions was obtained by analyzing the reduction- adsorption-sulfidation process. Carbon oxysulfide (COS) was converted to H{sub 2}S by hydrogen in strongly reducing atmosphere firstly. Then H{sub 2}S was adsorbed on the surface of desulfurizers, reacted with active component and transformed metal sulfides and water. Efficiency of removal of carbonyl sulfur is better in an atmosphere without carbonaceous oxide than in one with it, under test conditions. The existence of carbonaceous oxide restrains hydrogenation and the hydrolytic process of COS, which leads to a higher concentration of COS in the outlet. It is shown that chemical conversion is the main pathway in the reaction system of COS. Hydrogenation is the main process in the removal of COS from syngas. COS is preferentially catalyzed with active components n desulfurization sorbents, and generates H{sub 2}S which is subsequently absorbed. 13 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.

  19. Atomic-scale investigation of the interaction of organic molecules with MoS2-based hydrotreating model catalysts

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Salazar Moreira, Norberto José

    The aim of this work is to provide new insight into the formation, activation and reactivity of hydrotreating catalysts extensively used in the refinery for the conversion of heavy feedstocks and for improving the quality of the final oil products. This is done through numerous studies of the con......The aim of this work is to provide new insight into the formation, activation and reactivity of hydrotreating catalysts extensively used in the refinery for the conversion of heavy feedstocks and for improving the quality of the final oil products. This is done through numerous studies...... of the conversion of molybdenum oxides and metallic precursors into molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), the active phase involved in most of the hydrotreating reactions, especially for those dedicated to the removal of sulfur from various fuel fractions, commonly referred to as hydrodesulfurization (HDS). The evolution...... the presence of the reduced MoOx phase impedes the MoS2 growth and leads to rather stable amorphous oxysulfide phases. The sulfidation in H2S atmosphere of molybdenum metal and bimetallic cobalt-molybdenum clusters deposited on Au(111) facilitate instead the formation of well-dispersed MoS2 and Co-promoted Mo...

  20. Reaction of Hydrogen Sulfide with Oxygen in the Presence ofSulfite

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Weres, Oleh; Tsao, Leon

    1983-01-01

    Commonly, abatement of hydrogen sulfide emissions from a geothermal powerplant requires that hydrogen sulfide dissolved in the cooling water be eliminated by chemical reaction. Oxidation by atmospheric oxygen is the preferred reaction, but requires a suitable catalyst. Nickel is the most potent and thereby cheapest catalyst for this purpose. One Mg/L nickel in the cooling water would allow 99% removal of hydrogen sulfide to be attained. A major drawback of catalytic air oxidation is that colloidal sulfur is a major reaction product; this causes rapid sludge accumulation and deposition of sulfur scale. The authors studied the kinetics and product distribution of the reaction of hydrogen sulfide with oxygen, catalyzed by nickel. Adding sodium sulfite to the solution completely suppresses formation of colloidal sulfur by converting it to thiosulfate. The oxidation reaction is an autocatalytic, free radical chain reaction. A rate expression for this reaction and a detailed reaction mechanism were developed. Nickel catalyzes the chain initiation step, and polysulfidoradical ions propagate the chains. Several complexes of iron and cobalt were also studied. Iron citrate and iron N-hydroxyEDT are the most effective iron based catalysts. Uncomplexed cobalt is as effective as nickel, but forms a precipitate of cobalt oxysulfide and is too expensive for practical use.

  1. Reaction of hydrogen sulfide with oxygen in the presence of sulfite

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Weres, O.; Tsao, L.

    1983-01-14

    Commonly, abatement of hydrogen sulfide emission from a geothermal powerplant requires that hydrogen sulfide dissolved in the cooling water be eliminated by chemical reaction. Oxidation by atmospheric oxygen is the preferred reaction, but requires a suitable catalyst. Nickel is the most potent and thereby cheapest catalyst for this purpose. One mg/L nickel in the cooling water would allow 99% removal of hydrogen sulfide to be attained. A major drawback of catalytic air oxidation is that colloidal sulfur is a major reaction product; this causes rapid sludge accumulation and deposition of sulfur scale. We studied the kinetics and product distribution of the reaction of hydrogen sulfide with oxygen, catalyzed by nickel. Adding sodium sulfite to the solution completely suppresses formation of colloidal sulfur by converting it to thiosulfate. The oxidation reaction is an autocatalytic, free radical chain reaction. A rate expression for this reaction and a detailed reaction mechanism were developed. Nickel catalyzes the chain initiation step, and polysulfidoradical ions propagate the chains. Several complexes of iron and cobalt were also studied. Iron citrate and iron N-hydroxyEDTA are the most effective iron based catalysts. Uncomplexed cobalt is as effective as nickel, but forms a precipitate of cobalt oxysulfide and is too expensive for practical use. 33 figures, 9 tables.

  2. Monte Carlo Investigation of Phosphor Screens for X-ray Imaging

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lim, Chang Hwy; Cheong, Min Ho; Cho, Min Kook; Shon, Choel Soon; Kim, Ho Kyung

    2006-01-01

    In order to detect X rays with pixel detectors, there are two technical methods; a direct detection using photoconductive material that permits the conversion of the incident X rays into the signal charges, and an indirect detection using scintillation material that converts the incident X rays into the optical photons. Therefore, two-dimensional (2D) photosensitive pixel array is necessary for the indirect-detection scheme. Terbium-doped gadolinium oxysulfide (Gd 2 O 2 S:Tb) phosphor screen is the most popular X-ray converter, and often employed to the digital radiographic system owing to its well-known technology and easy handling in size, thickness, and flexibility. Furthermore, the cost is effective. In cascaded imaging chains of the indirect-detection system, the phosphor screen is served as the first stage. Since the image signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is irreversible through the cascaded system, the phosphor screen is largely responsible for the eventual image quality. For the various radiation qualities suggested by IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission, Report 1267), we have investigated important physical quantities of Gd 2 O 2 S:Tb screen with a wide range of coverages (34 . 135 mg/cm 2 ) by using Monte Carlo calculations. The results will be useful for the optimal design of digital X-ray imaging systems

  3. Use of a laser-induced fluorescence thermal imaging system for film cooling heat transfer measurement

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Chyu, M.K. [Carnegie Mellon Univ., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)

    1995-10-01

    This paper describes a novel approach based on fluorescence imaging of thermographic phosphor that enables the simultaneous determination of both local film effectiveness and local heat transfer on a film-cooled surface. The film cooling model demonstrated consists of a single row of three discrete holes on a flat plate. The transient temperature measurement relies on the temperature-sensitive fluorescent properties of europium-doped lanthanum oxysulfide (La{sub 2}O{sub 2}S:EU{sup 3+}) thermographic phosphor. A series of full-field surface temperatures, mainstream temperatures, and coolant film temperatures were acquired during the heating of a test surface. These temperatures are used to calculate the heat transfer coefficients and the film effectiveness simultaneously. Because of the superior spatial resolution capability for the heat transfer data reduced from these temperature frames, the laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) imaging system, the present study observes the detailed heat transfer characteristics over a film-protected surface. The trend of the results agrees with those obtained using other conventional thermal methods, as well as the liquid crystal imaging technique. One major advantage of this technique is the capability to record a large number of temperature frames over a given testing period. This offers multiple-sample consistency.

  4. Low-temperature photoluminescence in chalcogenide glasses doped with rare-earth ions

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Kostka, Petr, E-mail: petr.kostka@irsm.cas.cz [Institute of Rock Structure and Mechanics AS CR, V Holešovičkách 41, 182 09 Praha 8 (Czech Republic); Zavadil, Jiří [Institute of Photonics and Electronics AS CR, Chaberská 57, 182 51 Praha 8, Kobylisy (Czech Republic); Iovu, Mihail S. [Institute of Applied Physics, Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Str. Academiei 5, MD-28 Chisinau, Republic of Moldova (Moldova, Republic of); Ivanova, Zoya G. [Institute of Solid State Physics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1784 Sofia (Bulgaria); Furniss, David; Seddon, Angela B. [Mid-Infrared Photonics Group, George Green Institute for Electromagnetics Research, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD (United Kingdom)

    2015-11-05

    Sulfide and oxysulfide bulk glasses Ga-La-S-O, Ge-Ga-S and Ge-Ga-As-S doped, or co-doped, with various rare-earth (RE{sup 3+}) ions are investigated for their room temperature transmission and low-temperature photoluminescence. Photoluminescence spectra are collected by using external excitation into the Urbach tail of the fundamental absorption edge of the host-glass. The low-temperature photoluminescence spectra are dominated by the broad-band luminescence of the host glass, with superimposed relatively sharp emission bands due to radiative transitions within 4f shells of RE{sup 3+} ions. In addition, the dips in the host-glass luminescence due to 4f-4f up-transitions of RE{sup 3+} ions are observed in the Ge-Ga-S and Ge-Ga-As-S systems. These superimposed narrow effects provide a direct experimental evidence of energy transfer between the host glass and respective RE{sup 3+} dopants. - Highlights: • An evidence of energy transfer from host-glass to doped-in RE ions is presented. • Energy transfer is manifested by dips in host-glass broad-band luminescence. • This channel of energy transfer is documented on selected RE doped sulfide glasses. • Photoluminescence spectra are dominated by broad band host-glass luminescence. • Presence of RE ions is manifested by superimposed narrow 4f-4f transitions.

  5. X-ray performance of a wafer-scale CMOS flat panel imager for applications in medical imaging and nondestructive testing

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Cha, Bo Kyung; Jeon, Seongchae; Seo, Chang-Woo

    2016-01-01

    This paper presents a wafer-scale complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-based X-ray flat panel detector for medical imaging and nondestructive testing applications. In this study, our proposed X-ray CMOS flat panel imager has been fabricated by using a 0.35 µm 1-poly/4-metal CMOS process. The pixel size is 100 µm×100 µm and the pixel array format is 1200×1200 pixels, which provide a field-of-view (FOV) of 120mm×120 mm. The 14.3-bit extended counting analog-to digital converter (ADC) with built-in binning mode was used to reduce the area and simultaneously improve the image resolution. The different screens such as thallium-doped CsI (CsI:Tl) and terbium gadolinium oxysulfide (Gd_2O_2S:Tb) scintillators were used as conversion materials for X-rays to visible light photons. The X-ray imaging performance such as X-ray sensitivity as a function of X-ray exposure dose, spatial resolution, image lag and X-ray images of various objects were measured under practical medical and industrial application conditions. This paper results demonstrate that our prototype CMOS-based X-ray flat panel imager has the significant potential for medical imaging and non-destructive testing (NDT) applications with high-resolution and high speed rate.

  6. TiO2 nanotubes supported NiW hydrodesulphurization catalysts: Characterization and activity

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Palcheva, R.; Dimitrov, L.; Tyuliev, G.; Spojakina, A.; Jiratova, K.

    2013-01-01

    Highlights: ► NiW catalysts supported on TiO 2 nanotubes, titania and alumina. ► The best results are obtained with NiW/TiO 2 nanotubes in hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of thiophene. ► Active phase is Ni-WO x S y . ► Electronic promotion of W by Ti. - Abstract: High surface area TiO 2 nanotubes (Ti-NT) synthesized by alkali hydrothermal method were used as a support for NiW hydrodesulphurization catalyst. Nickel salt of 12-tungstophosphoric acid – Ni 3/2 PW 12 O 40 was applied as oxide precursor of the active components. The catalyst was characterized by S BET , XRD, UV–vis DRS, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, TPR and HRTEM. The results obtained were compared with those for the NiW catalysts prepared over high surface area titania and alumina supports. A polytungstate phase evidenced by Raman spectroscopy was observed indicating the destruction of the initial heteropolyanion. The catalytic experiments revealed two times higher thiophene conversion on NiW catalyst supported on Ti-NT than those of catalysts supported on alumina and titania. Increased HDS activity of the NiW catalyst supported on Ti-NT could be related to a higher amount of W oxysulfide entities interacting with Ni sulfide particles as consequence of the electronic effects of the Ti-NT observed with XPS analysis.

  7. X-ray performance of a wafer-scale CMOS flat panel imager for applications in medical imaging and nondestructive testing

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Cha, Bo Kyung, E-mail: goldrain99@kaist.ac.kr [Advanced Medical Device Research Center, Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, Ansan (Korea, Republic of); Jeon, Seongchae [Advanced Medical Device Research Center, Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, Ansan (Korea, Republic of); Seo, Chang-Woo [Department of Radiological Science, Yonsei University, Gangwon-do 220-710 (Korea, Republic of)

    2016-09-21

    This paper presents a wafer-scale complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-based X-ray flat panel detector for medical imaging and nondestructive testing applications. In this study, our proposed X-ray CMOS flat panel imager has been fabricated by using a 0.35 µm 1-poly/4-metal CMOS process. The pixel size is 100 µm×100 µm and the pixel array format is 1200×1200 pixels, which provide a field-of-view (FOV) of 120mm×120 mm. The 14.3-bit extended counting analog-to digital converter (ADC) with built-in binning mode was used to reduce the area and simultaneously improve the image resolution. The different screens such as thallium-doped CsI (CsI:Tl) and terbium gadolinium oxysulfide (Gd{sub 2}O{sub 2}S:Tb) scintillators were used as conversion materials for X-rays to visible light photons. The X-ray imaging performance such as X-ray sensitivity as a function of X-ray exposure dose, spatial resolution, image lag and X-ray images of various objects were measured under practical medical and industrial application conditions. This paper results demonstrate that our prototype CMOS-based X-ray flat panel imager has the significant potential for medical imaging and non-destructive testing (NDT) applications with high-resolution and high speed rate.

  8. Effects of Rare Earth Metal addition on the cavitation erosion-corrosion resistance of super duplex stainless steels

    Science.gov (United States)

    Shim, Sung-Ik; Park, Yong-Soo; Kim, Soon-Tae; Song, Chi-Bok

    2002-05-01

    Austenitic stainless steels such as AISI 316L have been used in equipment in which fluid flows at high speeds which can induce cavitation erosion on metallic surfaces due to the collapse of cavities, where the collapse is caused by the sudden change of local pressure within the liquid. Usually AISI 316L is susceptible to cavitation erosion. This research focuses on developing a better material to replace the AISI 316L used in equipment with high speed fluid flow, such as impellers. The effects of Rare Earth Metal (REM) additions on the cavitation erosion-corrosion resistance of duplex stainless steels were studied using metallographic examination, the potentiodynamic anodic polarization test, the tensile test, the X-ray diffraction test and the ultrasonic cavitation erosion test. The experimental alloys were found to have superior mechanical properties due to interstitial solid solution strengthening, by adding high nitrogen (0.4%), as well as by the refinement of phases and grains induced by fine REM oxides and oxy-sulfides. Corrosion resistance decreases in a gentle gradient as the REM content increases. However, REM containing alloys show superior corrosion resistance compared with that of other commercial alloys (SAF 2507, AISI 316L). Owing to their excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, the alloys containing REM have high cavitation erosion-corrosion resistance.

  9. Evaluation of digital detector arrays systems for industrial radiography

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Silva, Aline S.S.; Oliveira, Davi F.; Gomes, Célio S.; Azeredo, Soraia R.; Lopes, Ricardo T.

    2017-01-01

    Digital Detector Arrays (DDA) or Flat Panel Detector (FPD) is a highly efficient technique that is used in nondestructive testing of internal features of an object. The evaluation of DDA systems for industrial radiography is important to ensure the image quality and to enables long-term stability of this system. This evaluation is specified by ASTM E2737 - 10, which describes the fundamental parameters of DDA systems to be measured. The tests require the usage of either the five-groove wedge or the duplex plate phantom with separate Image Quality Indicators (IQIs). The purpose of this work was evaluate the radiographic performance achieved using both techniques in two DDA systems manufactured by GEIT: DXR250P and DXR250V, which have thallium-doped cesium iodide (CsI:Tl) and terbium-doped gadolinium oxysulfide (Gd 2 O 2 S:Tb - GOS) scintillators, respectively. For this purpose, it was used an X-ray equipment as radiation source. The image quality parameters analyzed were Image Lag (IL), Offset Level (OL), Bad Pixel distribution, Burn In (BI), Spatial Resolution (SR), Material Thickness Range (MTR), Contrast Sensitivity (CS), Signal Level (SL) and Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). As result of this study, has been observed that the use of the five-groove wedge phantom made the measurements to become easier to execute. Regarding the DDA system, the DXR250P presented more IL and BI, but produced images with better CS and SNR and needed a dose almost twice smaller than the DXR250V to achieve a similar SL. (author)

  10. Evaluation of digital detector arrays systems for industrial radiography

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Silva, Aline S.S.; Oliveira, Davi F.; Gomes, Célio S.; Azeredo, Soraia R.; Lopes, Ricardo T., E-mail: aline@lin.ufrj.br, E-mail: davi@lin.ufrj.br.br, E-mail: celio@lin.ufrj.br, E-mail: soraia@lin.ufrj.br, E-mail: ricardo@lin.ufrj.br, E-mail: davi.oliveira@uerj.br [Coordenacao de Pos-Graduacao e Pesquisa de Engenharia (COPPE/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ (Brazil). Lab. de Instrumentação Nuclear

    2017-07-01

    Digital Detector Arrays (DDA) or Flat Panel Detector (FPD) is a highly efficient technique that is used in nondestructive testing of internal features of an object. The evaluation of DDA systems for industrial radiography is important to ensure the image quality and to enables long-term stability of this system. This evaluation is specified by ASTM E2737 - 10, which describes the fundamental parameters of DDA systems to be measured. The tests require the usage of either the five-groove wedge or the duplex plate phantom with separate Image Quality Indicators (IQIs). The purpose of this work was evaluate the radiographic performance achieved using both techniques in two DDA systems manufactured by GEIT: DXR250P and DXR250V, which have thallium-doped cesium iodide (CsI:Tl) and terbium-doped gadolinium oxysulfide (Gd{sub 2}O{sub 2}S:Tb - GOS) scintillators, respectively. For this purpose, it was used an X-ray equipment as radiation source. The image quality parameters analyzed were Image Lag (IL), Offset Level (OL), Bad Pixel distribution, Burn In (BI), Spatial Resolution (SR), Material Thickness Range (MTR), Contrast Sensitivity (CS), Signal Level (SL) and Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). As result of this study, has been observed that the use of the five-groove wedge phantom made the measurements to become easier to execute. Regarding the DDA system, the DXR250P presented more IL and BI, but produced images with better CS and SNR and needed a dose almost twice smaller than the DXR250V to achieve a similar SL. (author)

  11. Microstructure, texture evolution and magnetic properties of strip-casting non-oriented 6.5 wt.% Si electrical steel doped with cerium

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Li, Hao-Ze, E-mail: lhzqq83@163.com; Liu, Hai-Tao; Liu, Zhen-Yu, E-mail: zyliu@mail.neu.edu.cn; Wang, Guo-Dong

    2015-05-15

    A 0.3 mm thick non-oriented 6.5 wt.% Si electrical steel sheet doped with cerium is produced by twin-roll strip casting, hot rolling, warm rolling and annealing. A detailed study of the cerium precipitates in the as-cast strip, microstructure and texture evolution at different processing stages is carried out by electron probe micro-analysis, optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and electron backscattered diffraction analysis. Grain interior distributing precipitates identified as Ce-oxides, Ce-oxysulfides and Ce-phosphides, and boundary distributing Ce-oxides and Ce-phosphides are observed in the as-cast strip. The initial as-cast strip is characterized by a much finer solidification microstructure and dominated by obvious < 001 >//ND texture through the strip thickness. After hot and warm rolling, inhomogeneous microstructure containing large amounts of in-grain shear bands is characterized by mixed < 110 >//RD and < 111 >//ND textures. The texture of the annealed sheet with a relatively large average grain size is far more optimized by the domination of the beneficial cube, rotated cube, (001)< 120 > to (001)< 130 > and Goss texture components, and the elimination of the detrimental γ-fiber texture, leading to a superior magnetic induction and improved iron loss. - Highlights: • An Fe–6.5 wt.% Si as-cast strip doped with cerium was produced. • A thin warm rolled sheet with limited edge cracks was obtained. • Microstructure and texture evolution at each stage were investigated. • Strong λ-fiber and Goss recrystallization textures were formed. • The magnetic properties of the annealed sheet were significantly improved.

  12. Evaluation of the modulation transfer function of megavoltage X-rays

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Min, Jung-Whan; Kim, Ki-Won; Kim, Jung-Min; Choi, In-Seok; Jeong, Hoi-Woun; Son, Soon-Yong; Back, Geum-Mun; Jung, Jae-Hong; Jung, Jae-Yong; Choe, Bo-Young

    2014-01-01

    The modulation transfer function (MTF) must be measured against the requirements of the specific digital imaging application under consideration in order to evaluate the performance of detector equipment and to further develop the detector by performing quality-assurance (QA) procedures. The purpose of this study was to measure the MTF in digital megavoltage images (DMVs) for radiation therapy (RT) by using an edge block. We used 6 megavolts (MVs) of energy for the pre-sampling MTF, along with a photo-stimulating phosphor-based computed radiography (CR) system and a hexalon lead screen that contained a terbium-doped gadolinium oxysulfide granular phosphor (Gd 2 O 2 S:Tb). The DMV MTF was measured at both low and high resolutions according to changes in the dose in monitor units (MUs) by using four different detector combinations: CR-IP (image plate: photo-stimulable phosphor screen), CR-IP-Lead (image plate + lead screen), CR-IPRegular (fast front screen + image plate + fast front screen) and CR-IP-Fast (fast back screen + image plate + fast front screen). At a low resolution, the MTF 50% and the MTF 10% when using the CR-IP detector increased by about 30% and 46%, in proportion to the increase in the dose from 1 to 20 MU, respectively. At a high resolution, the CR-IP and the CR-IP-Lead detectors showed increases in the MTF of about 8% or 10% when the dose increased from 1 to 20 MU. The present study, therefore, evaluates how edge methods can be helpful in taking MTF measurements during QA tests of a megavoltage imaging (MVI) system.

  13. Evaluation of the modulation transfer function of megavoltage X-rays

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Min, Jung-Whan [The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul (Korea, Republic of); The Shingu University College of Korea, Seongnam (Korea, Republic of); Kim, Ki-Won [Samsung Medical Center, Seoul (Korea, Republic of); Kim, Jung-Min; Choi, In-Seok [Korea University, Seoul (Korea, Republic of); Jeong, Hoi-Woun [The Baekseok Culture University College of Korea, Cheon-an (Korea, Republic of); Son, Soon-Yong; Back, Geum-Mun [Asan Medical Center, Seoul (Korea, Republic of); Jung, Jae-Hong [Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon (Korea, Republic of); Jung, Jae-Yong; Choe, Bo-Young [The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul (Korea, Republic of)

    2014-12-15

    The modulation transfer function (MTF) must be measured against the requirements of the specific digital imaging application under consideration in order to evaluate the performance of detector equipment and to further develop the detector by performing quality-assurance (QA) procedures. The purpose of this study was to measure the MTF in digital megavoltage images (DMVs) for radiation therapy (RT) by using an edge block. We used 6 megavolts (MVs) of energy for the pre-sampling MTF, along with a photo-stimulating phosphor-based computed radiography (CR) system and a hexalon lead screen that contained a terbium-doped gadolinium oxysulfide granular phosphor (Gd{sub 2}O{sub 2}S:Tb). The DMV MTF was measured at both low and high resolutions according to changes in the dose in monitor units (MUs) by using four different detector combinations: CR-IP (image plate: photo-stimulable phosphor screen), CR-IP-Lead (image plate + lead screen), CR-IPRegular (fast front screen + image plate + fast front screen) and CR-IP-Fast (fast back screen + image plate + fast front screen). At a low resolution, the MTF 50% and the MTF 10% when using the CR-IP detector increased by about 30% and 46%, in proportion to the increase in the dose from 1 to 20 MU, respectively. At a high resolution, the CR-IP and the CR-IP-Lead detectors showed increases in the MTF of about 8% or 10% when the dose increased from 1 to 20 MU. The present study, therefore, evaluates how edge methods can be helpful in taking MTF measurements during QA tests of a megavoltage imaging (MVI) system.

  14. Electrodeposition of ZnO-doped films as window layer for Cd-free CIGS-based solar cells

    Science.gov (United States)

    Tsin, Fabien; Vénérosy, Amélie; Hildebrandt, Thibaud; Hariskos, Dimitrios; Naghavi, Negar; Lincot, Daniel; Rousset, Jean

    2016-02-01

    The Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin film solar cell technology has made a steady progress within the last decade reaching efficiency up to 22.3% on laboratory scale, thus overpassing the highest efficiency for polycrystalline silicon solar cells. High efficiency CIGS modules employ a so-called buffer layer of cadmium sulfide CdS deposited by Chemical Bath Deposition (CBD), which presence and Cd-containing waste present some environmental concerns. A second potential bottleneck for CIGS technology is its window layer made of i-ZnO/ZnO:Al, which is deposited by sputtering requiring expensive vacuum equipment. A non-vacuum deposition of transparent conductive oxide (TCO) relying on simpler equipment with lower investment costs will be more economically attractive, and could increase competitiveness of CIGS-based modules with the mainstream silicon-based technologies. In the frame of Novazolar project, we have developed a low-cost aqueous solution photo assisted electrodeposition process of the ZnO-based window layer for high efficiency CIGS-based solar cells. The window layer deposition have been first optimized on classical CdS buffer layer leading to cells with efficiencies similar to those measured with the sputtered references on the same absorber (15%). The the optimized ZnO doped layer has been adapted to cadmium free devices where the CdS is replaced by chemical bath deposited zinc oxysulfide Zn(S,O) buffer layer. The effect of different growth parameters has been studied on CBD-Zn(S,O)-plated co-evaporated Cu(In,Ga)Se2 substrates provided by the Zentrum für Sonnenenergie-und Wasserstoff-Forschung (ZSW). This optimization of the electrodeposition of ZnO:Cl on CIGS/Zn(S,O) stacks led to record efficiency of 14%, while the reference cell with a sputtered (Zn,Mg)O/ZnO:Al window layer has an efficiency of 15.2%.

  15. Imaging responses of on-site CsI and Gd2O2S flat-panel detectors: Dependence on the tube voltage

    Science.gov (United States)

    Jeon, Hosang; Chung, Myung Jin; Youn, Seungman; Nam, Jiho; Lee, Jayoung; Park, Dahl; Kim, Wontaek; Ki, Yongkan; Kim, Ho Kyung

    2015-07-01

    One of the emerging issues in radiography is low-dose imaging to minimize patient's exposure. The scintillating materials employed in most indirect flat-panel detectors show a drastic change of X-ray photon absorption efficiency around their K-edge energies that consequently affects image quality. Using various tube voltages, we investigated the imaging performance of most popular scintillators: cesium iodide (CsI) and gadolinium oxysulfide (Gd2O2S). The integrated detective quantum efficiencies (iDQE) of four detectors installed in the same hospital were evaluated according to the standardized procedure IEC 62220-1 at tube voltages of 40 - 120 kVp. The iDQE values of the Gd2O2S detectors were normalized by those of CsI detectors to exclude the effects of image postprocessing. The contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) were also evaluated by using an anthropomorphic chest phantom. The iDQE of the CsI detector outperformed that of the Gd2O2S detector over all tube voltages. Moreover, we noted that the iDQE of the Gd2O2S detectors quickly rolled off with decreasing tube voltage under 70 kVp. The CNRs of the two scintillators were similar at 120 kVp. At 60 kVp, however, the CNR of Gd2O2S was about half that of CsI. Compared to the Gd2O2S detectors, variations in the DQE performance of the CsI detectors were relatively immune to variations in the applied tube voltages. Therefore, we claim that Gd2O2S detectors are inappropriate for use in low-tube-voltage imaging (e.g., extremities and pediatrics) with low patient exposure.

  16. Processing and characterization of new oxy-sulfo-telluride glasses in the Ge-Sb-Te-S-O system

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Smith, C.; Jackson, J.; Petit, L.; Rivero-Baleine, C.; Richardson, K.

    2010-01-01

    New oxy-sulfo-telluride glasses have been prepared in the Ge-Sb-Te-S-O system employing a two-step melting process which involves the processing of a chalcogenide glass (ChG) and subsequent melting with TeO 2 or Sb 2 O 3 . The progressive incorporation of O at the expense of S was found to increase the density and the glass transition temperature and to decrease the molar volume of the investigated oxy-sulfo-telluride glasses. We also observed a shift of the vis-NIR cut-off wavelength to longer wavelength probably due to changes in Sb coordination within the glass matrix and overall matrix polarizability. Using Raman spectroscopy, correlations have been shown between the formation of Ge- and Sb-based oxysulfide structural units and the S/O ratio. Lastly, two glasses with similar composition (Ge 20 Sb 6 S 64 Te 3 O 7 ) processed by melting the Ge 23 Sb 7 S 70 glass with TeO 2 or the Ge 23 Sb 2 S 72 Te 4 glass with Sb 2 O 3 were found to have slightly different physical, thermal, optical and structural properties. These changes are thought to result mainly from the higher moisture content and sensitivity of the TeO 2 starting materials as compared to that of the Sb 2 O 3 . - Graphical abstract: In this paper, we discuss our most recent findings on the processing and characterization of new ChG glasses prepared with small levels of Te, melted either with TeO 2 or Sb 2 O 3 powders. We explain how these new oxy-sulfo-telluride glasses are prepared and we correlate the physical, thermal and optical properties of the investigated glasses to the structure changes induced by the addition of oxygen in the Ge-Sb-S-Te glass network.

  17. Magneto-optical studies of valence instability in europium and terbium phosphors

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Rodrigues, Lucas C.V. [Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turku (Finland); Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, -SP (Brazil); Hölsä, Jorma [Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turku (Finland); Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, -SP (Brazil); Turku University Centre for Materials and Surfaces (MatSurf) (Finland); University of the Free State, Department of Physics, Bloemfontein (South Africa); Brito, Hermi F. [Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, -SP (Brazil); Maryško, Miroslav [Institute of Physics, The Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Cukrovarnická 10, CZ-162 53 Praha 6 (Czech Republic); Matos, Jivaldo R. [Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, -SP (Brazil); Paturi, Petriina [Wihuri Physical Laboratory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turku (Finland); Rodrigues, Rodrigo V. [Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, -SP (Brazil); Lastusaari, Mika, E-mail: miklas@utu.fi [Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turku (Finland); Turku University Centre for Materials and Surfaces (MatSurf) (Finland)

    2016-02-15

    The impurities and dopants' inappropriate valences may deteriorate the performance of luminescent materials, cause waste of the precious rare earth (R) material and thus incur financial losses. The usual methods to detect the valence of rare earths; XPS, Mössbauer and XANES spectroscopies, are not sensitive enough for low concentrations and the EPR methods are not very suitable for powders. In this work, the comparison between the theoretical and experimental temperature-dependent paramagnetic susceptibilities was used to obtain quantitatively the concentrations of the impurity valence in Eu{sub 2}O{sub 2}S and Tb{sub 2}O{sub 2}SO{sub 4}, both containing nominally only R{sup 3+}. Minute (ppm level) Eu{sup 2+} impurities could be analyzed because of the huge difference in the paramagnetic susceptibility between Eu{sup 2+} and Eu{sup 3+} at low temperatures. However, temperatures below 50 K are then needed whilst the Tb{sup IV} impurity in a Tb{sup 3+} matrix can be observed already at higher temperatures. The latter method based on comparing the slopes of the Tb{sup 3+}/Tb{sup IV} paramagnetic susceptibility vs temperature curves for the Tb{sup 3+}/Tb{sup IV} couple is less sensitive than for the Eu{sup 2+}/Eu{sup 3+} one. Finally, the host independent temperature evolution of the paramagnetic susceptibility was calculated for Gd{sup 3+} (or Eu{sup 2+} or Tb{sup IV}) to yield a simple analytical expression to be used universally. - Highlights: • Wave functions for Eu{sup 3+}/Tb{sup 3+} with crystal field effect calculated for oxysulfide/sulfate. • Paramagnetic susceptibility between 4 and 300 K simulated for 4f{sup 6/7/8} configurations. • Amount of valence impurities (Eu{sup 2+} and Tb{sup IV}) evaluated from susceptibility data. • Waste of raw materials and loss of luminescence intensity of phosphors can be avoided.

  18. Flexible radioluminescence imaging for FDG-guided surgery

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    King, Martin T., E-mail: mking@lroc.harvard.edu; Jenkins, Cesare H.; Cheng, Kai; Le, Quynh-Thu; Pratx, Guillem; Xing, Lei [Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 (United States); Sun, Conroy [College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 (United States); Carpenter, Colin M. [Siris Medical, Mountain View, California 94043 (United States); Ma, Xiaowei [Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 and Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710032 (China); Sunwoo, John B. [Department of Otolaryngology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 (United States); Cheng, Zhen [Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 (United States)

    2016-10-15

    Purpose: Flexible radioluminescence imaging (Flex-RLI) is an optical method for imaging {sup 18}F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-avid tumors. The authors hypothesize that a gadolinium oxysulfide: terbium (GOS:Tb) flexible scintillator, which loosely conforms to the body contour, can enhance tumor signal-to-background ratio (SBR) compared with RLI, which utilizes a flat scintillator. The purpose of this paper is to characterize flex-RLI with respect to alternative modalities including RLI, beta-RLI (RLI with gamma rejection), and Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI). Methods: The photon sensitivity, spatial resolution, and signal linearity of flex-RLI were characterized with in vitro phantoms. In vivo experiments utilizing 13 nude mice inoculated with the head and neck (UMSCC1-Luc) cell line were then conducted in accordance with the institutional Administrative Panel on Laboratory Animal Care. After intravenous injection of {sup 18}F-FDG, the tumor SBR values for flex-RLI were compared to those for RLI, beta-RLI, and CLI using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results: With respect to photon sensitivity, RLI, beta-RLI, and flex-RLI produced 1216.2, 407.0, and 98.6 times more radiance per second than CLI. Respective full-width half maximum values across a 0.5 mm capillary tube were 6.9, 6.4, 2.2, and 1.5 mm, respectively. Flex-RLI demonstrated a near perfect correlation with {sup 18}F activity (r = 0.99). Signal uniformity for flex-RLI improved after more aggressive homogenization of the GOS powder with the silicone elastomer during formulation. In vivo, the SBR value for flex-RLI (median 1.29; interquartile range 1.18–1.36) was statistically greater than that for RLI (1.08; 1.02–1.14; p < 0.01) by 26%. However, there was no statistically significant difference in SBR values between flex-RLI and beta-RLI (p = 0.92). Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in SBR values between flex-RLI and CLI (p = 0.11) in a more limited dataset. Conclusions: Flex

  19. SU-D-BRA-07: Applications of Combined KV/MV CBCT Imaging with a High-DQE MV Detector

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Bazalova-Carter, M; Newson, M; Wang, A; Star-Lack, J; Wu, M; Xing, L; Fahrig, R; Ansbacher, W

    2016-01-01

    Purpose: To investigate whether a high detection quantum efficiency (DQE) MV detector makes combined kV/MV CBCT clinically practical. Methods: Combined kV/MV CBCT was studied for scan time reduction (STR) and metal artifact reduction (MAR). 6MV CBCT data (dose rate = 0.017 MU/degree) were collected using 1) a novel focused pixelated cadmium tungstate (CWO) scintillator (15mm thickness, DQE(0) = 22%, 0.784mm pixel pitch) coupled to a flat panel imager, and 2) a commercial portal imager with a 133mg/cm"2 gadolinium oxysulfide (GOS) screen (DQE(0) = 1.2%). The 100kVp data were acquired using a commercial imager employing a columnar cesium iodide scintillator (DQE(0) = 70%) with a dose rate of 0.0016 cGy/degree. For STR, MV and kV projections spanning 105° were combined to constitute a complete CBCT scan. Total dose was ∼2cGy and acquisition time was 18s. For MAR, only the metalcorrupted pixels in the kV projections were replaced with MV data resulting in a total dose of less than 1cGy for a 360° scan. Image quality was assessed using an 18-cm diameter electron density phantom with nine tissue inserts, some of which were replaced with steel rods for MAR studies. Results: The CWO contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was ∼4.0x higher than the GOS CNR and was ∼4.8x lower than the kV CNR when normalized for dose. When CWO MV data were combined with kV data for STR, all contrast inserts were visible, but only two were detectable in the composite kV/GOS image. Metal artifacts were greatly reduced using the kV/MV MAR technique with all contrast inserts clearly visible in the composite kV/CWO image but only two inserts visible in the composite kV/GOS image. Conclusion: We have demonstrated that a high DQE MV detector significantly improves kV/MV CBCT image quality thus enabling scan time reduction and metal artifact reduction without a severe dose penalty. AW and JS-L are employees of Varian, RF is an employee of Siemens.

  20. Theoretical Investigation of Bismuth-Based Semiconductors for Photocatalytic Applications

    KAUST Repository

    Laradhi, Shaikhah

    2017-11-01

    Converting solar energy to clean fuel has gained remarkable attention as an emerged renewable energy resource but optimum efficiency in photocatalytic applications has not yet been reached. One of the dominant factors is designing efficient photocatalytic semiconductors. The research reveals a theoretical investigation of optoelectronic properties of bismuth-based metal oxide and oxysulfide semiconductors using highly accurate first-principles quantum method based on density functional theory along with the range-separated hybrid HSE06 exchange-correlation functional. First, bismuth titanate compounds including Bi12TiO20, Bi4Ti3O12, and Bi2Ti2O7 were studied in a combined experimental and theoretical approach to prove its photocatalytic activity under UV light. They have unique bismuth layered structure, tunable electronic properties, high dielectric constant and low electron and effective masses in one crystallographic direction allowing for good charge separation and carrier diffusion properties. The accuracy of the investigation was determined by the good agreement between experimental and theoretical values. Next, BiVO4 with the highest efficiency for oxygen evolution was investigated. A discrepancy between the experimental and theoretical bandgap was reported and inspired a systematic study of all intrinsic defects of the material and the corresponding effect on the optical and transport properties. A candidate defective structure was proposed for an efficient photocatalytic performance. To overcome the carrier transport limitation, a mild hydrogen treatment was also introduced. Carrier lifetime was enhanced due to a significant reduction of trap-assisted recombination, either via passivation of deep trap states or reduction of trap state density. Finally, an accurate theoretical approach to design a new family of semiconductors with enhanced optoelectronic properties for water splitting was proposed. We simulated the solid solutions Bi1−xRExCuOS (RE = Y, La

  1. Technical and clinical evaluation of an improved-contrast screen-film combination for radiation therapy portal localization imaging

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Haus, Arthur G.; Dickerson, Robert E.; Huff, Kenneth E.; Monte, Suzanne; Schlager, Barbara A.; Atanas, Meri; Matloubieh, Ahmad

    1996-01-01

    Purpose/Objective: A problem with conventional radiation therapy portal images is low image contrast, due in part to the low attenuation of the exposing radiation by the anatomical parts being imaged and the contrast capabilities of the film or screen-film combination. The purpose of this study was to design, develop and clinically evaluate a new screen-film combination for portal localization imaging which provides significantly higher contrast and therefore improved image quality. Materials and Methods: Comparison phantom and clinical images were made at two radiation oncology facilities with the new prototype screen-film combination and a commercial screen-film combination currently used for portal localization imaging. All images were made with linear accelerators at 6MV. Sensitometric data was also obtained. The prototype combination features a 1.0mm copper front screen plus front and back gadolinium oxysulfide fluorescent intensifying screens and a very-slow-speed film having inherently high contrast. The film emulsion layers are coated on a 7 mil Estar base which allows processing in a conventional rapid process film processor. For this combination, the film is exposed primarily by light from the intensifying screens. The current, commercially available screen-film combination was a Kodak X-Omatic L Radiation Therapy Cassette with a 1.0mm copper front screen and a 0.25mm lead back screen and Kodak X-Omat RP film in ready pack envelope. With this combination, the film emulsion is exposed by electrons generated in the metal screens. All films were processed in a Kodak M35A X-Omat processor. Radiation oncologists reviewed the phantom and clinical images. Results: Sensitometric data indicate that the film contrast (average gradient) of the new prototype combination is approximately 4 times higher than the conventional commercially available combination. Phantom and clinical comparisons at St. Mary Cancer Center, Langhorne PA. and the Daisy Marquis Jones

  2. A piecewise-focused high DQE detector for MV imaging.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Star-Lack, Josh; Shedlock, Daniel; Swahn, Dennis; Humber, Dave; Wang, Adam; Hirsh, Hayley; Zentai, George; Sawkey, Daren; Kruger, Isaac; Sun, Mingshan; Abel, Eric; Virshup, Gary; Shin, Mihye; Fahrig, Rebecca

    2015-09-01

    Electronic portal imagers (EPIDs) with high detective quantum efficiencies (DQEs) are sought to facilitate the use of the megavoltage (MV) radiotherapy treatment beam for image guidance. Potential advantages include high quality (treatment) beam's eye view imaging, and improved cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) generating images with more accurate electron density maps with immunity to metal artifacts. One approach to increasing detector sensitivity is to couple a thick pixelated scintillator array to an active matrix flat panel imager (AMFPI) incorporating amorphous silicon thin film electronics. Cadmium tungstate (CWO) has many desirable scintillation properties including good light output, a high index of refraction, high optical transparency, and reasonable cost. However, due to the 0 1 0 cleave plane inherent in its crystalline structure, the difficulty of cutting and polishing CWO has, in part, limited its study relative to other scintillators such as cesium iodide and bismuth germanate (BGO). The goal of this work was to build and test a focused large-area pixelated "strip" CWO detector. A 361 × 52 mm scintillator assembly that contained a total of 28 072 pixels was constructed. The assembly comprised seven subarrays, each 15 mm thick. Six of the subarrays were fabricated from CWO with a pixel pitch of 0.784 mm, while one array was constructed from BGO for comparison. Focusing was achieved by coupling the arrays to the Varian AS1000 AMFPI through a piecewise linear arc-shaped fiber optic plate. Simulation and experimental studies of modulation transfer function (MTF) and DQE were undertaken using a 6 MV beam, and comparisons were made between the performance of the pixelated strip assembly and the most common EPID configuration comprising a 1 mm-thick copper build-up plate attached to a 133 mg/cm(2) gadolinium oxysulfide scintillator screen (Cu-GOS). Projection radiographs and CBCT images of phantoms were acquired. The work also introduces the use of a

  3. UT-CT: A National Resource for Applications of High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography in the Geological Sciences

    Science.gov (United States)

    Carlson, W. D.; Ketcham, R. A.; Rowe, T. B.

    2002-12-01

    An NSF-sponsored (EAR-IF) shared multi-user facility dedicated to research applications of high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (CT) in the geological sciences has been in operation since 1997 at the University of Texas at Austin. The centerpiece of the facility is an industrial CT scanner custom-designed for geological applications. Because the instrument can optimize trade-offs among penetrating ability, spatial resolution, density discrimination, imaging modes, and scan times, it can image a very broad range of geological specimens and materials, and thus offers significant advantages over medical scanners and desktop microtomographs. Two tungsten-target X-ray sources (200-kV microfocal and 420-kV) and three X-ray detectors (image-intensifier, high-sensitivity cadmium tungstate linear array, and high-resolution gadolinium-oxysulfide radiographic line scanner) can be used in various combinations to meet specific imaging goals. Further flexibility is provided by multiple imaging modes: second-generation (translate-rotate), third-generation (rotate-only; centered and variably offset), and cone-beam (volume CT). The instrument can accommodate specimens as small as about 1 mm on a side, and as large as 0.5 m in diameter and 1.5 m tall. Applications in petrology and structural geology include measuring crystal sizes and locations to identify mechanisms governing the kinetics of metamorphic reactions; visualizing relationships between alteration zones and abundant macrodiamonds in Siberian eclogites to elucidate metasomatic processes in the mantle; characterizing morphologies of spiral inclusion trails in garnet to test hypotheses of porphyroblast rotation during growth; measuring vesicle size distributions in basaltic flows for determination of elevation at the time of eruption to constrain timing and rates of continental uplift; analysis of the geometry, connectivity, and tortuosity of migmatite leucosomes to define the topology of melt flow paths, for numerical

  4. Action des pots catalytiques sur les polluants non réglementés How Catalytic Mufflers Act on Unregulated Pollutants

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Degobert P.

    2006-11-01

    by undepollutedcars and those of depollutedcars, i. e. ones equipped with catalytic oxidation mufflers, 3-ways catalytic mufflers or lean-burn combustion systems. The unregulated pollutants considered are aldehydes, sulfates, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, carbon oxysulfide, cyanogen, hydrocyanic acid, nitric acid, light aromatics, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and these latter in conjunction with their mutagenic properties. Various states of the catalyst were considered, i. e. new, aged, poisoned. The influence of the misadjustment of control systems (timing, oxygen probe, ignition, etc. was taken into consideration. The presence of a catalyst operating under normal conditions generally seems to have a beneficial influence on most pollutants or at least not to have any detrimental effect on the others. Furthermore, any possible misadjustments should not cause any alarming concentrations of these unregulated pollutants.

  5. Geochemical Exploration Techniques Applicable in the Search for Copper Deposits

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chaffee, Maurice A.

    1975-01-01

    Geochemical exploration is an important part of copper-resource evaluation. A large number of geochemical exploration techniques, both proved and untried, are available to the geochemist to use in the search for new copper deposits. Analyses of whole-rock samples have been used in both regional and local geochemical exploration surveys in the search for copper. Analyses of mineral separates, such as biotite, magnetite, and sulfides, have also been used. Analyses of soil samples are widely used in geochemical exploration, especially for localized surveys. It is important to distinguish between residual and transported soil types. Orientation studies should always be conducted prior to a geochemical investigation in a given area in order to determine the best soil horizon and the best size of soil material for sampling in that area. Silty frost boils, caliche, and desert varnish are specialized types of soil samples that might be useful sampling media. Soil gas is a new and potentially valuable geochemical sampling medium, especially in exploring for buried mineral deposits in arid regions. Gaseous products in samples of soil may be related to base-metal deposits and include mercury vapor, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, carbon oxysulfide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, the noble gases, the halogens, and many hydrocarbon compounds. Transported materials that have been used in geochemical sampling programs include glacial float boulders, glacial till, esker gravels, stream sediments, stream-sediment concentrates, and lake sediments. Stream-sediment sampling is probably the most widely used and most successful geochemical exploration technique. Hydrogeochemical exploration programs have utilized hot- and cold-spring waters and their precipitates as well as waters from lakes, streams, and wells. Organic gel found in lakes and at stream mouths is an unproved sampling medium. Suspended material and dissolved gases in any type of water may also be useful

  6. A novel method for quantification of beam's-eye-view tumor tracking performance.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hu, Yue-Houng; Myronakis, Marios; Rottmann, Joerg; Wang, Adam; Morf, Daniel; Shedlock, Daniel; Baturin, Paul; Star-Lack, Josh; Berbeco, Ross

    2017-11-01

    scintillator thickness and MLI architecture on tumor tracking performance. Quantification of MV images of lung tissue as an inverse power-law with respect to frequency yields exponent values of β = 3.11 and 3.29 for benign and malignant tissues, respectively. Tracking performance with and without fiducials was found to be generally limited by quantum noise, a factor dominated by quantum detective efficiency (QDE). For generic SLI construction, increasing the scintillator thickness (gadolinium oxysulfide - GOS) from a standard 290 μm to 1720 μm reduces noise to about 10%. However, 81% of this reduction is appreciated between 290 and 1000 μm. In comparing MLI and SLI detectors of equivalent individual GOS layer thickness, the improvement in noise is equal to the number of layers in the detector (i.e., 4) with almost no difference in MTF. Further, improvement in tracking performance was slightly less than the square-root of the reduction in noise, approximately 84-90%. In comparing an MLI detector with an SLI with a GOS scintillator of equivalent total thickness, improvement in object detectability is approximately 34-39%. We have presented a novel method for quantification of tumor tracking quality and have applied this model to evaluate the performance of SLI and MLI EPID designs. We showed that improved tracking quality is primarily limited by improvements in NPS. When compared to very thick scintillator SLI, employing MLI architecture exhibits the same gains in QDE, but by mitigating the effect of optical Swank noise, results in more dramatic improvements in tracking performance. © 2017 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

  7. Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Production

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Hu, Jian

    2013-12-23

    -circuit photocurrent density of the hybrid device (measured in a 2-electrode configuration) increased significantly without assistance of any external bias, i.e. from ≤1 mA/cm{sup 2} to ~5 mA/cm{sup 2}. With the copper chalcopyrite compounds, we have achieved a STH efficiency of 3.7% in a coplanar configuration with 3 a-Si solar cells and one CuGaSe{sub 2} photocathode. This material class exhibited good durability at a photocurrent density level of -4 mA/cm{sup 2} (“5% STH” equivalent) at a fixed potential (-0.45 VRHE). A poor band-edge alignment with the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) potential was identified as the main limitation for high STH efficiency. Three new pathways have been identified to solve this issue. First, PV driver with bandgap lower than that of amorphous silicon were investigated. Crystalline silicon was identified as possible bottom cell. Mechanical stacks made with one Si solar cell and one CuGaSe{sub 2} photocathode were built. A 400 mV anodic shift was observed with the Si cell, leading to photocurrent density of -5 mA/cm{sup 2} at 0VRHE (compared to 0 mA/cm{sup 2} at the same potential without PV driver). We also investigated the use of p-n junctions to shift CuGaSe{sub 2} flatband potential anodically. Reactively sputtered zinc oxy-sulfide thin films was evaluated as n-type buffer and deposited on CuGaSe{sub 2}. Ruthenium nanoparticles were then added as HER catalyst. A 250 mV anodic shift was observed with the p-n junction, leading to photocurrent density at 0VRHE of -1.5 mA/cm{sup 2}. Combining this device with a Si solar cell in a mechanical stack configuration shifted the onset potential further (+400 mV anodically), leading to photocurrent density of -7 mA/cm{sup 2} at 0VRHE. Finally, we developed wide bandgap copper chalcopyrite thin film materials. We demonstrated that Se can be substituted with S using a simple annealing step. Photocurrent densities in the 5-6 mA/cm{sub 2} range were obtained with red 2.0eV CuInGaS{sub 2} photocathodes

  8. Solid State Ionics Advanced Materials for Emerging Technologies

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chowdari, B. V. R.; Careem, M. A.; Dissanayake, M. A. K. L.; Rajapakse, R. M. G.; Seneviratne, V. A.

    2006-06-01

    SiO[symbol]) ceramics via solid state sintering of Zr)[symbol] and SiO[symbol] and the effect of dopants on the zircon yield / U. Dhanayake, B. S. B. Karunaratne. Preparation and properties of vanadium doped ZnTe cermet thin films / M. S. Hossain, R. Islam, K. A. Khan. Dynamical properties and electronic structure of lithium-ion conductor / M. Kobayashi ... [et al.]. Cuprous ion conducting Montmorillonite-Polypyrrole nanocomposites / D. M. M. Krishantha ... [et al.]. Frequency dependence of conductivity studies on a newly synthesized superionic solid solution/mixed system: [0.75AgI: 0.25AgCl] / R. K. Nagarch, R. Kumar. Diffuse X-ray and neutron scattering from Powder PbS / X. Lian ... [et al.]. Electron affinity and work function of Pyrolytic MnO[symbol] thin films prepared from Mn(C[symbol]H[symbol]O[symbol])[symbol].4H[symbol]) / A. K. M. Farid Ul Islam, R. Islam, K. A. Khan. Crystal structure and heat capacity of Ba[symbol]Ca[symbol]Nb[symbol]O[symbol] / T. Shimoyama ... [et al.]. XPS and impedance investigations on amorphous vanadium oxide thin films / M. Kamalanathan ... [et al.]. Sintering and mixed electronic-ionic conducting properties of La[symbol]Sr[symbol]NiO[symbol] derived from a polyaminocarboxylate complex precursor / D.-P. Huang ... [et al.]. Preparation and characteristics of ball milled MgH[symbol] + M (M= Fe, VF[symbol] and FeF[symbol]) nanocomposites for hydrogen storage / N. W. B. Balasooriya, Ch. Poinsignon. Structural studies of oxysulfide glasses by X-ray diffraction and molecular dynamics simulation / R. Prasada Rao, M. Seshasayee, J. Dheepa. Synthesis, sintering and oxygen ionic conducting properties of Bi[symbol]V[symbol]Cu[symbol]O[symbol] / F. Zhang ... [et al.]. Synthesis and transport characteristics of PbI[symbol]-Ag[symbol]O-Cr[symbol]O[symbol] superioninc system / S. A. Suthanthiraraj, V. Mathew. Electronic conductivity of La[symbol]Sr[symbol]Ga[symbol]Mg[symbol]Co[symbol]O[symbol] electrolytes / K. Yamaji ... [et al.] -- pt. II. Electrode materials