First-principles insights on electron transport in V{sub 2}O{sub 5} nanostructures

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Srivastava, Anurag [Advanced Materials Research Group, Computational Nanoscience and Technology Laboratory, Atal Bihari Vajpayee-Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474015 (India); Chandiramouli, R., E-mail: rcmoulii@gmail.com [School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Shanmugha Arts Science Technology and Research Academy (SASTRA) University, Tirumalaisamudram, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu 613 401 (India)

2015-11-15

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Band structure and electron transport in V{sub 2}O{sub 5} nanostructure are investigated using density functional theory. • V{sub 2}O{sub 5} nanostructure exhibits semiconducting behavior. • The electron density is observed to be more in oxygen sites than in vanadium sites. • The electron transport in V{sub 2}O{sub 5} molecular device can be tuned with the applied bias voltage. - Abstract: The present report is on the electron transport properties of V{sub 2}O{sub 5} nanostructures, investigated using density functional theory. As the band structure of V{sub 2}O{sub 5} exhibits semiconducting nature, the V{sub 2}O{sub 5} nanostructures are designed as molecular device and the transport properties are studied. The density of electrons is found to be more in the oxygen sites than in vanadium sites. The device density of states shows that the density of electrons in the energy intervals depends on the applied bias voltage. The transmission spectrum gives the insight on the transport property of V{sub 2}O{sub 5} molecular device. The bias voltage drives the electrons across V{sub 2}O{sub 5} scattering region, where the transmission along V{sub 2}O{sub 5} molecular device mainly depends on the bias voltage. The findings of the present work give insights to fine-tune the transport property of V{sub 2}O{sub 5} molecular device upon varying the bias voltage.

Growth of metal and semiconductor nanostructures using localized photocatalysts

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shelnutt, John A. [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); Wang, Zhongchun [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); Medforth, Craig J. [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

2006-03-08

Our overall goal has been to understand and develop a light-driven approach to the controlled growth of novel metal and semiconductor nanostructures and nanomaterials. In this photochemical process, bio-inspired porphyrin-based photocatalysts reduce metal salts in aqueous solutions at ambient temperatures when exposed to visible light, providing metal nucleation and growth centers. The photocatalyst molecules are pre-positioned at the nanoscale to control the location of the deposition of metal and therefore the morphology of the nanostructures that are grown. Self-assembly, chemical confinement, and molecular templating are some of the methods we are using for nanoscale positioning of the photocatalyst molecules. When exposed to light, each photocatalyst molecule repeatedly reduces metal ions from solution, leading to deposition near the photocatalyst and ultimately the synthesis of new metallic nanostructures and nanostructured materials. Studies of the photocatalytic growth process and the resulting nanostructures address a number of fundamental biological, chemical, and environmental issues and draw on the combined nanoscience characterization and multi-scale simulation capabilities of the new DOE Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies at Sandia National Laboratories and the University of Georgia. Our main goals are to elucidate the processes involved in the photocatalytic growth of metal nanomaterials and provide the scientific basis for controlled nanosynthesis. The nanomaterials resulting from these studies have applications in nanoelectronics, photonics, sensors, catalysis, and micromechanical systems. Our specific goals for the past three years have been to understand the role of photocatalysis in the synthesis of dendritic metal (Pt, Pd, Au) nanostructures grown from aqueous surfactant solutions under ambient conditions and the synthesis of photocatalytic porphyrin nanostructures (e.g., nanotubes) as templates for fabrication of photo-active metal

Fabrication and characterisation of embedded metal nanostructures by ion implantation with nanoporous anodic alumina masks

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Guan, Wei [NanoLAB, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD (United Kingdom); School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JZ (United Kingdom); Peng, Nianhua, E-mail: n.peng@surrey.ac.uk [Surrey Ion Beam Centre, Surrey University, Guildford GU2 7XH (United Kingdom); Jeynes, Christopher [Surrey Ion Beam Centre, Surrey University, Guildford GU2 7XH (United Kingdom); Ghatak, Jay [NanoLAB, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD (United Kingdom); Peng, Yong [NanoLAB, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD (United Kingdom); School of Physical Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, 222 Tianshui Road, Lanzhou 730000 (China); Ross, Ian M. [Department of Electronic and Electric Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD (United Kingdom); Bhatta, Umananda M.; Inkson, Beverley J.; Möbus, Günter [NanoLAB, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD (United Kingdom)

2013-07-15

Lateral ordered Co, Pt and Co/Pt nanostructures were fabricated in SiO{sub 2} and Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} substrates by high fluence metal ion implantation through periodic nanochannel membrane masks based on anodic aluminium oxides (AAO). The quality of nanopatterning transfer defined by various AAO masks in different substrates was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in both imaging and spectroscopy modes.

Development of a high-performance nanostructured V(sub2)O(sub5)/SnO(sub2)catalyst for efficient benzene hydroxylation

CSIR Research Space (South Africa)

Makgwane, PR

2015-02-01

Full Text Available Nanostructured vanadium-tin oxide (V(sub2)O(sub5)/SnO(sub2)) catalysts with V(sub2)O(sub5) loading in a range of 5–20 wt% have been synthesized. The V(sub2)O(sub5)/SnO(sub2) nanostructures exhibited effective catalytic performance...

Engineering metallic nanostructures for plasmonics and nanophotonics

Science.gov (United States)

Lindquist, Nathan C.; Nagpal, Prashant; McPeak, Kevin M.; Norris, David J.; Oh, Sang-Hyun

2012-03-01

Metallic nanostructures now play an important role in many applications. In particular, for the emerging fields of plasmonics and nanophotonics, the ability to engineer metals on nanometric scales allows the development of new devices and the study of exciting physics. This review focuses on top-down nanofabrication techniques for engineering metallic nanostructures, along with computational and experimental characterization techniques. A variety of current and emerging applications are also covered.

Inverse metal-assisted chemical etching produces smooth high aspect ratio InP nanostructures.

Science.gov (United States)

Kim, Seung Hyun; Mohseni, Parsian K; Song, Yi; Ishihara, Tatsumi; Li, Xiuling

2015-01-14

Creating high aspect ratio (AR) nanostructures by top-down fabrication without surface damage remains challenging for III-V semiconductors. Here, we demonstrate uniform, array-based InP nanostructures with lateral dimensions as small as sub-20 nm and AR > 35 using inverse metal-assisted chemical etching (I-MacEtch) in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4), a purely solution-based yet anisotropic etching method. The mechanism of I-MacEtch, in contrast to regular MacEtch, is explored through surface characterization. Unique to I-MacEtch, the sidewall etching profile is remarkably smooth, independent of metal pattern edge roughness. The capability of this simple method to create various InP nanostructures, including high AR fins, can potentially enable the aggressive scaling of InP based transistors and optoelectronic devices with better performance and at lower cost than conventional etching methods.

Nanostructured metal foams: synthesis and applications

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Luther, Erik P [Los Alamos National Laboratory; Tappan, Bryce [Los Alamos National Laboratory; Mueller, Alex [Los Alamos National Laboratory; Mihaila, Bogdan [Los Alamos National Laboratory; Volz, Heather [Los Alamos National Laboratory; Cardenas, Andreas [Los Alamos National Laboratory; Papin, Pallas [Los Alamos National Laboratory; Veauthier, Jackie [Los Alamos National Laboratory; Stan, Marius [Los Alamos National Laboratory

2009-01-01

Fabrication of monolithic metallic nanoporous materials is difficult using conventional methodology. Here they report a relatively simple method of synthesizing monolithic, ultralow density, nanostructured metal foams utilizing self-propagating combustion synthesis of novel metal complexes containing high nitrogen energetic ligands. Nanostructured metal foams are formed in a post flame-front dynamic assembly with densities as low as 0.011 g/cc and surface areas as high as 270 m{sup 2}/g. They have produced metal foams via this method of titanium, iron, cobalt, nickel, zirconium, copper, palladium, silver, hafnium, platinum and gold. Microstructural features vary as a function of composition and process parameters. Applications for the metal foams are discussed including hydrogen absorption in palladium foams. A model for the sorption kinetics of hydrogen in the foams is presented.

Understanding the biological responses of nanostructured metals and surfaces

Science.gov (United States)

Lowe, Terry C.; Reiss, Rebecca A.

2014-08-01

Metals produced by Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD) offer distinct advantages for medical applications such as orthopedic devices, in part because of their nanostructured surfaces. We examine the current theoretical foundations and state of knowledge for nanostructured biomaterials surface optimization within the contexts that apply to bulk nanostructured metals, differentiating how their microstructures impact osteogenesis, in particular, for Ultrafine Grained (UFG) titanium. Then we identify key gaps in the research to date, pointing out areas which merit additional focus within the scientific community. For example, we highlight the potential of next-generation DNA sequencing techniques (NGS) to reveal gene and non-coding RNA (ncRNA) expression changes induced by nanostructured metals. While our understanding of bio-nano interactions is in its infancy, nanostructured metals are already being marketed or developed for medical devices such as dental implants, spinal devices, and coronary stents. Our ability to characterize and optimize the biological response of cells to SPD metals will have synergistic effects on advances in materials, biological, and medical science.

Understanding the biological responses of nanostructured metals and surfaces

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lowe, Terry C; A Reiss, Rebecca

2014-01-01

Metals produced by Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD) offer distinct advantages for medical applications such as orthopedic devices, in part because of their nanostructured surfaces. We examine the current theoretical foundations and state of knowledge for nanostructured biomaterials surface optimization within the contexts that apply to bulk nanostructured metals, differentiating how their microstructures impact osteogenesis, in particular, for Ultrafine Grained (UFG) titanium. Then we identify key gaps in the research to date, pointing out areas which merit additional focus within the scientific community. For example, we highlight the potential of next-generation DNA sequencing techniques (NGS) to reveal gene and non-coding RNA (ncRNA) expression changes induced by nanostructured metals. While our understanding of bio-nano interactions is in its infancy, nanostructured metals are already being marketed or developed for medical devices such as dental implants, spinal devices, and coronary stents. Our ability to characterize and optimize the biological response of cells to SPD metals will have synergistic effects on advances in materials, biological, and medical science

Synthesis, morphology, optical and photocatalytic performance of nanostructured β-Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Girija, K. [Department of Nanoscience and Technology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046 (India); DRDO – BU CLS, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046 (India); Thirumalairajan, S. [Department of Nanoscience and Technology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046 (India); Avadhani, G.S. [Department of Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012 (India); Mangalaraj, D., E-mail: dmraj800@yahoo.com [Department of Nanoscience and Technology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046 (India); Ponpandian, N. [Department of Nanoscience and Technology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046 (India); DRDO – BU CLS, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046 (India); Viswanathan, C. [Department of Nanoscience and Technology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046 (India)

2013-06-01

Highlights: ► Nanostructures of β-Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3} were prepared using facile reflux condensation process. ► The pH of the reaction mixture shows evident influence on the size and shape of the nanostructures formed. ► The nanostructures exhibited good photocatalytic activity toward Rhodamine B and was found to be superior for higher pH value. - Abstract: Fine powders of β-Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanostructures were prepared via low temperature reflux condensation method by varying the pH value without using any surfactant. The pH value of reaction mixture had great influence on the morphology of final products. High crystalline single phase β-Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanostructures were obtained by thermal treatment at 900 °C which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The morphological analysis revealed rod like nanostructures at lower and higher pH values of 6 and 10, while spindle like structures were obtained at pH = 8. The phase purity and presence of vibrational bands were identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The optical absorbance spectrum showed intense absorption features in the UV spectral region. A broad blue emission peak centered at 441 nm due to donor–acceptor gallium–oxygen vacancy pair recombination appeared. The photocatalytic activity toward Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation was higher for nanorods at pH 10.

Electrodeposition synthesis and electrochemical properties of nanostructured {gamma}-MnO{sub 2} films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chou, Shulei; Cheng, Fangyi; Chen, Jun [Institute of New Energy Material Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071 (China)

2006-11-08

The thin films of carambola-like {gamma}-MnO{sub 2} nanoflakes with about 20nm in thickness and at least 200nm in width were prepared on nickel sheets by combination of potentiostatic and cyclic voltammetric electrodeposition techniques. The as-prepared MnO{sub 2} nanomaterials, which were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), were used as the active material of the positive electrode for primary alkaline Zn/MnO{sub 2} batteries and electrochemical supercapacitors. Electrochemical measurements showed that the MnO{sub 2} nanoflake films displayed high potential plateau (around 1.0V versus Zn) in primary Zn/MnO{sub 2} batteries at the discharge current density of 500mAg{sup -1} and high specific capacitance of 240Fg{sup -1} at the current density of 1mAcm{sup -2}. This indicated the potential application of carambola-like {gamma}-MnO{sub 2} nanoflakes in high-power batteries and electrochemical supercapacitors. The growth process for the one- and three-dimensional nanostructured MnO{sub 2} was discussed on the basis of potentiostatic and cyclic voltammetric techniques. The present synthesis method can be extended to the preparation of other nanostructured metal-oxide films. (author)

Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reactions on Nanostructured Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} (CZTS) Electrocatalyst

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Digraskar, Renuka V.; Mulik, Balaji B. [Department of Chemistry, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad 431004, MH (India); Walke, Pravin S. [National Centre for Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, University of Mumbai, Mumbai 400098, MH (India); Ghule, Anil V. [Department of Chemistry, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, 416004, MH (India); Sathe, Bhaskar R., E-mail: bhaskarsathe@gmail.com [Department of Chemistry, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad 431004, MH (India)

2017-08-01

Graphical abstract: CZTS nano-electrocatalyst (2.6 ± 0.4 nm) for HER is synthesized by one step sonochemical method with uniform size distribution, which shows promisingly lower onset potential with higher current density and longer stability. - Highlights: • The nanostructured Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} (CZTS; ∼3 nm) based electrocatalytic systems were developed by facile sonochemical method. • The novel Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} based nanoclustered cathode improves the electrocatalytic performance toward hydrogen generation reaction (HER). • The electrocatalytic result exhibits lower Tafel slope, higher exchange current density, excellent current stability and lower charge transfer resistance. • The high activity due to synergetic effect of Cu, Zn, Sn and S from their internal cooperative supports. - Abstract: A novel and facile one-step sonochemical method is used to synthesize Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} (CZTS) nanoparticles (2.6 ± 0.4 nm) as cathode electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reactions. The detailed morphology, crystal and surface structure, and composition of the CZTS nanostructures were characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), Selected area electron diffraction (SAED), X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR analysis, Brunauer−Emmett−Teller (BET) surface area measurements, Electron dispersive analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy respectively. Electrocatalytic abilities of the nanoparticles toward Hydrogen Evolution Reactions (HER) were verified through cyclic voltammograms (CV) and Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and Tafel polarization measurements. It reveals enhanced activity at lower onset potential 300 mV v/s RHE, achieved at exceptionally high current density −130 mA/cm{sup 2}, which is higher than the existing non-nobel metal based cathodes. Further result exhibits Tafel slope of 85 mV/dec, exchange current density of 882 mA/cm{sup 2}, excellent

One-step direct-laser metal writing of sub-100 nm 3D silver nanostructures in a gelatin matrix

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kang, SeungYeon; Vora, Kevin; Mazur, Eric

2015-01-01

Developing an ability to fabricate high-resolution, 3D metal nanostructures in a stretchable 3D matrix is a critical step to realizing novel optoelectronic devices such as tunable bulk metal-dielectric optical devices and THz metamaterial devices that are not feasible with alternative techniques. We report a new chemistry method to fabricate high-resolution, 3D silver nanostructures using a femtosecond-laser direct metal writing technique. Previously, only fabrication of 3D polymeric structures or single-/few-layer metal structures was possible. Our method takes advantage of unique gelatin properties to overcome such previous limitations as limited freedom in 3D material design and short sample lifetime. We fabricate more than 15 layers of 3D silver nanostructures with a resolution of less than 100 nm in a stable dielectric matrix that is flexible and has high large transparency that is well-matched for potential applications in the optical and THz metamaterial regimes. This is a single-step process that does not require any further processing. This work will be of interest to those interested in fabrication methods that utilize nonlinear light–matter interactions and the realization of future metamaterials. (fast track communication)

One-step direct-laser metal writing of sub-100 nm 3D silver nanostructures in a gelatin matrix

Science.gov (United States)

Kang, SeungYeon; Vora, Kevin; Mazur, Eric

2015-03-01

Developing an ability to fabricate high-resolution, 3D metal nanostructures in a stretchable 3D matrix is a critical step to realizing novel optoelectronic devices such as tunable bulk metal-dielectric optical devices and THz metamaterial devices that are not feasible with alternative techniques. We report a new chemistry method to fabricate high-resolution, 3D silver nanostructures using a femtosecond-laser direct metal writing technique. Previously, only fabrication of 3D polymeric structures or single-/few-layer metal structures was possible. Our method takes advantage of unique gelatin properties to overcome such previous limitations as limited freedom in 3D material design and short sample lifetime. We fabricate more than 15 layers of 3D silver nanostructures with a resolution of less than 100 nm in a stable dielectric matrix that is flexible and has high large transparency that is well-matched for potential applications in the optical and THz metamaterial regimes. This is a single-step process that does not require any further processing. This work will be of interest to those interested in fabrication methods that utilize nonlinear light-matter interactions and the realization of future metamaterials.

Metal oxide nanostructures as gas sensing devices

CERN Document Server

Eranna, G

2016-01-01

Metal Oxide Nanostructures as Gas Sensing Devices explores the development of an integrated micro gas sensor that is based on advanced metal oxide nanostructures and is compatible with modern semiconductor fabrication technology. This sensor can then be used to create a compact, low-power, handheld device for analyzing air ambience. The book first covers current gas sensing tools and discusses the necessity for miniaturized sensors. It then focuses on the materials, devices, and techniques used for gas sensing applications, such as resistance and capacitance variations. The author addresses the issues of sensitivity, concentration, and temperature dependency as well as the response and recovery times crucial for sensors. He also presents techniques for synthesizing different metal oxides, particularly those with nanodimensional structures. The text goes on to highlight the gas sensing properties of many nanostructured metal oxides, from aluminum and cerium to iron and titanium to zinc and zirconium. The final...

Facile conversion of bulk metal surface to metal oxide single-crystalline nanostructures by microwave irradiation: Formation of pure or Cr-doped hematite nanostructure arrays

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cho, Seungho; Jeong, Haeyoon; Lee, Kun-Hong

2010-01-01

We report a method for converting the surfaces of bulk metal substrates (pure iron or stainless steel) to metal oxide (hematite or Cr-doped hematite) nanostructures using microwave irradiation. When microwave radiation (2.45 GHz, single-mode) was applied to a metal substrate under the flow of a gas mixture containing O 2 and Ar, metal oxide nanostructures formed and entirely covered the substrate. The nanostructures were single crystalline, and the atomic ratios of the substrate metals were preserved in the nanostructures. When a pure iron sheet was used as a substrate, hematite nanowires (1000 W microwave radiation) or nanosheets (1800 W microwave radiation) formed on the surface of the substrate. When a SUS410 sheet was used as a substrate, slightly curved rod-like nanostructures were synthesized. The oxidation states of Fe and Cr in these nanorods were Fe 3+ and Cr 3+ . Quantitative analyses revealed an average Fe/Cr atomic ratio of 9.2, nearly identical to the ratio of the metals in the SUS410 substrate.

Synchrotron diffraction characterization of nanostructured KY{sub 3}F{sub 10}:Tb

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ichikawa, Rodrigo U.; Teixeira, Maria I.; Ranieri, Izilda M.; Martinez, Luis G., E-mail: ichikawa@usp.br, E-mail: miteixeira@ipen.br, E-mail: iranieri@ipen.br, E-mail: lgallego@ipen.br [Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares (IPEN/CNEN-SP), Sao Paulo, SP (Brazil); Linhares, Horacio M.S.M.D., E-mail: horacio_marconi@yahoo.com.br [Universidade Federal Fluminense (INFES/UFF), Santo Antonio de Padua, RJ (Brazil); Turrillas, Xavier, E-mail: turrillas@gmail.com [Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB/CSIC), Dept. of Crystallography, Bellaterra (Spain)

2015-07-01

Nanostructured rare-earth fluorides materials are being intensively studied recently due to their potential applications in high-dose dosimetry. Particularly, nanostructured Tb-doped KY{sub 3}F{sub 10} has shown satisfactory results to be used in this area. In the present work, the structure and microstructure of KY{sub 3}F{sub 10}:Tb was investigated by means of X-ray synchrotron diffraction. One of the samples was analyzed as synthesized and another after a heat treatment. Rietveld refinement of synchrotron diffraction data was applied to obtain cell parameters, atomic positions and atomic displacement factors and the results were compared to values found in literature. X-ray line profile analysis methods were applied to determine mean crystallite sizes and their distribution. (author)

Synthesis and study of bifunctional core–shell nanostructures based on ZnO@Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Babayevska, Nataliya, E-mail: natbab@amu.edu.pl; Nowaczyk, Grzegorz; Jarek, Marcin; Załęski, Karol; Jurga, Stefan

2016-07-05

Bifunctional nanostructures based on ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) with controlled Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} shell thicknesses were obtained by simple low-temperature methods (sol–gel technique and seed deposition method). The morphology, nanostructure, phase and chemical composition as well as luminescent and magnetic properties of the obtained core–shell nanostructures were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), x-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, optical spectroscopy, and SQUID magnetometer. As-obtained ZnO NPs are highly monodispersed and crystalline with mean particles size distribution of about 7 nm. Modification of the ZnO NPs surface by Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} shell leads to an increase of the ZnO particles size up to 80–160 nm and the formation the Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} shell with size of 2–4 nm. The dependence of the phase composition, luminescent and magnetic properties on Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} content are also discussed. - Highlights: • The bifunctional ZnO@Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanostructures were obtained by sol–gel technique. • ZnO@Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} have intensive luminescence in the visible range under 325 nm excitation. • Gd{sup 3+} content allows to control paramagnetic properties of the ZnO@Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3}. • ZnO@Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanostructures are potential objects for application in medicine.

Engineering Metal Nanostructure for SERS Application

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Yanqin Cao

2013-01-01

Full Text Available Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS has attracted great attention due to its remarkable enhancement and excellent selectivity in the detection of various molecules. Noble metal nanomaterials have usually been employed for producing substrates that can be used in SERS because of their unique local plasma resonance. As the SERS enhancement of signals depends on parameters such as size, shape, morphology, arrangement, and dielectric environment of the nanostructure, there have been a number of studies on tunable nanofabrication and synthesis of noble metals. In this work, we will illustrate progress in engineering metallic nanostructures with various morphologies using versatile methods. We also discuss their SERS applications in different fields and the challenges.

Synthesis and characterization of In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticles

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ayeshamariam, A. [KhadirMohideen College, Adirampattinam (India); Kashif, M. [Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Perlis (Malaysia); Raja, S. Muthu [Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore (India); Sivaranjani, S. [SBM College of Engineering and technology, Dindigul (India); Sanjeeviraja, C. [Alagappa University, Karaikudi (India); Bououdina, M. [University of Bahrain, Bahrain (Bahrain)

2014-01-15

Metal-oxide nanostructures have elicited increasing interest in both fundamental and applied sciences. Among metal oxide nanostructures, In{sub 2}O{sub 3} has the potential for use asa semiconductor material. This article provides details on studies carried out thus far for the synthesis and the characterization of In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanostructures. In this research, various techniques were investigated for the fabrication of diverse and fascinating spherical shaped In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanostructures. BrunauerEmmett-Teller (BET) analyses of the In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanostructures through detailed refinements of the structure of the In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticles by using the Rietveld method, followed by microstructural analyses using scanning electron microscopy/ transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM) and a chemical composition analysis are presented and discussed. Decreasing crystallinity with an improvement in specific surface area was observed from the structural characterization. The energy dispersive analysis results showed that the as-prepared In{sub 2}O{sub 3} powder sample was stoichiometric, containing almost equal proportions of indium and oxygen. The microstructural analysis (TEM and SEM) demonstrated precise control over the diameters of the nanoparticles, which is an important advantage of the solution combustion approach.

Engineered Metallic Nanostructures: Fabrication, Characterization, and Applications

Science.gov (United States)

Bohloul, Arash

Metallic nanostructures have garnered a great deal of attention due to their fascinating optical properties, which differ from the bulk metal. They have been proven to exceed expectations in wide variety of applications including chemical and biological sensing. Nevertheless, high-throughput and low cost nanofabrication techniques are required to implant metallic nanostructures in widespread applications. With that vision, this thesis presents a versatile and reliable method for scalable fabrication of gold nanostructures. In this approach, a plasma-treated ordered array of polystyrene nanospheres acts as an initial mask. The key step in this process is the vapor-deposition of nickel as a sacrificial mask. Thereby, gold nanostructures are directly formed on the substrate through the nickel mask. This is an easy, powerful, and straightforward method that offers several degrees of freedom to precisely control the shape and size of nanostructures. We made a library of nanostructures including gold nanocrescents, double crescents, nanorings, and nanodisks with the ability to tune the size in the range of 150 to 650 nm. The fabricated nanostructures are highly packed and uniformly cover the centimeter scale substrate. The optical properties of metallic nanostructures were extensively studied by a combination of UV-Vis-NIR and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies, and correlation between optical response and geometrical parameters were investigated. In the next part of this thesis, highly sensitive surface enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) analysis was demonstrated on gold nanocrescent arrays. Theoretical modeling was confirmed that these substrates provide highly dense and strong hot-spots over the substrate, which is required for surface enhanced spectroscopic studies. Gold nanocrescent arrays exhibit highly tunable plasmon resonance to cover desired molecular vibrational bands. These substrates experimentally illustrated 3 orders of magnitude

Metal films with imprinted nanostructures by template stripping

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Eriksen, René Lynge; Pors, Anders; Dreier, Jes

We present a novel template stripping procedure for fabricating metal films with imprinted nanostructures. The basic idea is to deposit a gold film onto a nano-structured substrate and subsequently strip the film from the substrate surface thereby revealing imprinted nanostructures in the film...... result is a thin gold film with imprinted nano-cavities....

Surface functionalized Cu{sub 2}Zn{sub 1-x}Cd{sub x}SnS{sub 4} quinternary alloyed nanostructure for DNA sensing

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ibraheam, A.S.; Voon, C.H.; Foo, K.L.; Azizah, N. [University Malaysia Perlis, Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering, Kangar, Perlis (Malaysia); Al-Douri, Y. [University of Sidi-Bel-Abbes, Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Sidi Bel-Abbes (Algeria); Gopinath, S.C.B. [University Malaysia Perlis, Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering, Kangar, Perlis (Malaysia); Universiti Malaysia Perlis, School of Bioprocess Engineering, Arau, Perlis (Malaysia); Ameri, M. [Universite Djilali Liabes de Sidi Bel-Abbes, Laboratoire Physico-Chimie des Materiaux Avances (LPCMA), Sidi Bel-Abbes (Algeria); Ibrahim, Sattar S. [University of Anbar, Chemisty Department, College of Science, Al Rumadi (Iraq)

2017-03-15

A sensing plate of extended Cu{sub 2}Zn{sub 1-x}Cd{sub x}SnS{sub 4} quinternary alloy nanostructures, fabricated on an oxidized silicon substrate by the sol-gel method, is reported in this paper. The fabricated device was characterized and analyzed via field emission-scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and photoluminescence (PL). The XRD peaks shifted towards the lower angle side alongside increasing concentration of cadmium. The average diameter of the Cu{sub 2}Zn{sub 1-x}Cd{sub x}SnS{sub 4} quinternary alloy nanostructures falls between 21.55 and 43.12 nm, while the shift of the PL bandgap was from 1.81 eV (x = 0) to 1.72 eV (x = 1). The resulting Cu{sub 2}Zn{sub 1-x}Cd{sub x}SnS{sub 4} quinternary alloy nanostructures components were functionalized with oligonucleotides probe DNA molecules and interacted with the target, exhibiting good sensing capabilities due to its large surface-to-volume ratio. The fabrication, immobilization, and hybridization processes were analyzed via representative current-voltage (I-V) plots. Its electrical profile shows that the device is capable to distinguish biomolecules. Its high performance was evident from the linear relationship between the probe DNA from cervical cancer and the target DNA, showing its applicability for medical applications. (orig.)

Composite materials formed with anchored nanostructures

Science.gov (United States)

Seals, Roland D; Menchhofer, Paul A; Howe, Jane Y; Wang, Wei

2015-03-10

A method of forming nano-structure composite materials that have a binder material and a nanostructure fiber material is described. A precursor material may be formed using a mixture of at least one metal powder and anchored nanostructure materials. The metal powder mixture may be (a) Ni powder and (b) NiAl powder. The anchored nanostructure materials may comprise (i) NiAl powder as a support material and (ii) carbon nanotubes attached to nanoparticles adjacent to a surface of the support material. The process of forming nano-structure composite materials typically involves sintering the mixture under vacuum in a die. When Ni and NiAl are used in the metal powder mixture Ni.sub.3Al may form as the binder material after sintering. The mixture is sintered until it consolidates to form the nano-structure composite material.

Hollow metal nanostructures for enhanced plasmonics (Conference Presentation)

Science.gov (United States)

Genç, Aziz; Patarroyo, Javier; Sancho-Parramon, Jordi; Duchamp, Martial; Gonzalez, Edgar; Bastus, Neus G.; Houben, Lothar; Dunin-Borkowski, Rafal; Puntes, Victor F.; Arbiol, Jordi

2016-03-01

Complex metal nanoparticles offer a great playground for plasmonic nanoengineering, where it is possible to cover plasmon resonances from ultraviolet to near infrared by modifying the morphologies from solid nanocubes to nanoframes, multiwalled hollow nanoboxes or even nanotubes with hybrid (alternating solid and hollow) structures. We experimentally show that structural modifications, i.e. void size and final morphology, are the dominant determinants for the final plasmonic properties, while compositional variations allow us to get a fine tuning. EELS mappings of localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) reveal an enhanced plasmon field inside the voids of hollow AuAg nanostructures along with a more homogeneous distributions of the plasmon fields around the nanostructures. With the present methodology and the appropriate samples we are able to compare the effects of hybridization at the nanoscale in hollow nanostructures. Boundary element method (BEM) simulations also reveal the effects of structural nanoengineering on plasmonic properties of hollow metal nanostructures. Possibility of tuning the LSPR properties of hollow metal nanostructures in a wide range of energy by modifying the void size/shell thickness is shown by BEM simulations, which reveals that void size is the dominant factor for tuning the LSPRs. As a proof of concept for enhanced plasmonic properties, we show effective label free sensing of bovine serum albumin (BSA) with some of our hollow nanostructures. In addition, the different plasmonic modes observed have also been studied and mapped in 3D.

Leading research on super metal. 3. Amorphous and nanostructured metallic materials; Super metal no sendo kenkyu. 3. Kogata buzai

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1996-03-01

Very fine structure control technique for amorphous and nanostructured metallic materials was reviewed to exceed the marginal performance of small metallic member materials. In Japan, high strength alloys and anticorrosion alloys are currently developed as an amorphous structure control technique, and ultra fine powder production and nano-compaction molding are studied for nanostructured materials. Fabrication of amorphous alloy wire materials and metal glass in USA are also introduced. Fabrication of metallic nanocrystals deposited within gas phase in Germany are attracting attention. The strength and abrasion resistance are remarkably enhanced by making nanostructured crystals and dispersing them. It may be most suitable to utilize amorphous and nanostructured metallic materials for earth-friendly materials having anticorrosion, and catalyst and biomaterial affinities, and also for magnetic materials. It is important for controlling micro-structures to clarify the formation mechanism of structures. For their processing techniques, the diversity and possibility are suggested, as to the condensation and solidification of gaseous and liquid phase metals, the molding and processing of very fine solid phase alloys, and the manufacturing members by heat treatment. 324 refs., 109 figs., 21 tabs.

Coherent 3D nanostructure of γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}: Simulation of whole X-ray powder diffraction pattern

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pakharukova, V.P., E-mail: verapakh@catalysis.ru [Boreskov Institute of Catalysis SB RAS, Pr. Lavrentieva 5, 630090 Novosibirsk (Russian Federation); Novosibirsk State University, Pirogova Street 2, 630090 Novosibirsk (Russian Federation); Research and Educational Center for Energy Efficient Catalysis, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090 (Russian Federation); Yatsenko, D.A. [Boreskov Institute of Catalysis SB RAS, Pr. Lavrentieva 5, 630090 Novosibirsk (Russian Federation); Novosibirsk State University, Pirogova Street 2, 630090 Novosibirsk (Russian Federation); Gerasimov, E. Yu.; Shalygin, A.S.; Martyanov, O.N.; Tsybulya, S.V. [Boreskov Institute of Catalysis SB RAS, Pr. Lavrentieva 5, 630090 Novosibirsk (Russian Federation); Novosibirsk State University, Pirogova Street 2, 630090 Novosibirsk (Russian Federation); Research and Educational Center for Energy Efficient Catalysis, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090 (Russian Federation)

2017-02-15

The structure and nanostructure features of nanocrystalline γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} obtained by dehydration of boehmite with anisotropic platelet-shaped particles were investigated. The original models of 3D coherent nanostructure of γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} were constructed. The models of nanostructured γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} particles were first confirmed by a direct simulation of powder X–Ray diffraction (XRD) patterns using the Debye Scattering Equation (DSE) with assistance of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) study. The average crystal structure of γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} was shown to be tetragonally distorted. The experimental results revealed that thin γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} platelets were heterogeneous on a nanometer scale and nanometer-sized building blocks were separated by partially coherent interfaces. The XRD simulation results showed that a specific packing of the primary crystalline blocks in the nanostructured γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} particles with formation of planar defects on (001), (100), and (101) planes nicely accounted for pronounced diffuse scattering, anisotropic peak broadening and peak shifts in the experimental XRD pattern. The identified planar defects in cation sublattice seem to be described as filling cation non-spinel sites in existing crystallographic models of γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} structure. The overall findings provided an insight into the complex nanostructure, which is intrinsic to the metastable γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} oxide. - Highlights: • Thin plate-like crystallites of γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} were obtained. • Models of 3D coherent nanostructure of γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} were constructed. • Models were verified by simulating XRD patterns using the Debye Scattering Equation. • Specific broadening of XRD peaks was explained in terms of planar defects. • Primary crystalline blocks in γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} are separated by partially coherent interfaces.

Natural nanostructure and superlattice nanodomains in AgSbTe{sub 2}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Carlton, Christopher E.; De Armas, Ricardo; Shao-Horn, Yang, E-mail: delaireoa@ornl.gov, E-mail: shaohorn@mit.edu [Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 (United States); Ma, Jie [Quantum Condensed Matter Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831 (United States); May, Andrew F.; Delaire, Olivier, E-mail: delaireoa@ornl.gov, E-mail: shaohorn@mit.edu [Materials Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831 (United States)

2014-04-14

AgSbTe{sub 2} has long been of interest for thermoelectric applications because of its favorable electronic properties and its low lattice thermal conductivity of ∼0.7 W/mK. In this work, we report new findings from a high-resolution transmission electron microscopy study revealing two nanostructures in single crystal Ag{sub 1−x}Sb{sub 1+x}Sb{sub 2+x} (with x = 0, 0.1, 0.2); (i) a rippled natural nanostructure with a period of ∼2.5–5 nm and (ii) superlattice ordered nanodomains consistent with cation ordering predicted in previous density functional theory studies. These nanostructures, combined with point-defects, probably serve as sources of scattering for phonons, thereby yielding a low lattice thermal conductivity over a wide temperature range.

Nanostructured metal sulfides for energy storage

Science.gov (United States)

Rui, Xianhong; Tan, Huiteng; Yan, Qingyu

2014-08-01

Advanced electrodes with a high energy density at high power are urgently needed for high-performance energy storage devices, including lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and supercapacitors (SCs), to fulfil the requirements of future electrochemical power sources for applications such as in hybrid electric/plug-in-hybrid (HEV/PHEV) vehicles. Metal sulfides with unique physical and chemical properties, as well as high specific capacity/capacitance, which are typically multiple times higher than that of the carbon/graphite-based materials, are currently studied as promising electrode materials. However, the implementation of these sulfide electrodes in practical applications is hindered by their inferior rate performance and cycling stability. Nanostructures offering the advantages of high surface-to-volume ratios, favourable transport properties, and high freedom for the volume change upon ion insertion/extraction and other reactions, present an opportunity to build next-generation LIBs and SCs. Thus, the development of novel concepts in material research to achieve new nanostructures paves the way for improved electrochemical performance. Herein, we summarize recent advances in nanostructured metal sulfides, such as iron sulfides, copper sulfides, cobalt sulfides, nickel sulfides, manganese sulfides, molybdenum sulfides, tin sulfides, with zero-, one-, two-, and three-dimensional morphologies for LIB and SC applications. In addition, the recently emerged concept of incorporating conductive matrices, especially graphene, with metal sulfide nanomaterials will also be highlighted. Finally, some remarks are made on the challenges and perspectives for the future development of metal sulfide-based LIB and SC devices.

Nanostructure sensitization of transition metal oxides for visible-light photocatalysis

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Hongjun Chen

2014-05-01

Full Text Available To better utilize the sunlight for efficient solar energy conversion, the research on visible-light active photocatalysts has recently attracted a lot of interest. The photosensitization of transition metal oxides is a promising approach for achieving effective visible-light photocatalysis. This review article primarily discusses the recent progress in the realm of a variety of nanostructured photosensitizers such as quantum dots, plasmonic metal nanostructures, and carbon nanostructures for coupling with wide-bandgap transition metal oxides to design better visible-light active photocatalysts. The underlying mechanisms of the composite photocatalysts, e.g., the light-induced charge separation and the subsequent visible-light photocatalytic reaction processes in environmental remediation and solar fuel generation fields, are also introduced. A brief outlook on the nanostructure photosensitization is also given.

Field emission properties and strong localization effect in conduction mechanism of nanostructured perovskite LaNiO{sub 3}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kamble, Ramesh B., E-mail: rbk.physics@coep.ac.in [Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, Karnataka (India); Department of Physics, College of Engineering, Pune 411005, Maharashtra (India); Tanty, Narendra; Patra, Ananya; Prasad, V. [Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, Karnataka (India)

2016-08-22

We report the potential field emission of highly conducting metallic perovskite lanthanum nickelate (LaNiO{sub 3}) from the nanostructured pyramidal and whisker shaped tips as electron emitters. Nano particles of lanthanum nickelate (LNO) were prepared by sol-gel route. Structural and morphological studies have been carried out. Field emission of LNO exhibited high emission current density, J = 3.37 mA/cm{sup 2} at a low threshold electric field, E{sub th} = 16.91 V/μm, obeying Fowler–Nordheim tunneling. The DC electrical resistivity exhibited upturn at 11.6 K indicating localization of electron at low temperature. Magnetoresistance measurement at different temperatures confirmed strong localization in nanostructured LNO obeying Anderson localization effect at low temperature.

Hardening by annealing and softening by deformation in nanostructured metals

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Huang, X.; Hansen, N.; Tsuji, N.

2006-01-01

We observe that a nanostructured metal can be hardened by annealing and softened when subsequently deformed, which is in contrast to the typical behavior of a metal. Microstructural investigation points to an effect of the structural scale on fundamental mechanisms of dislocation-dislocation and ......We observe that a nanostructured metal can be hardened by annealing and softened when subsequently deformed, which is in contrast to the typical behavior of a metal. Microstructural investigation points to an effect of the structural scale on fundamental mechanisms of dislocation....... As a consequence, the strength decreases and the ductility increases. These observations suggest that for materials such as the nanostructured aluminum studied here, deformation should be used as an optimizing procedure instead of annealing....

Geometrically induced surface polaritons in planar nanostructured metallic cavities

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Davids, P. S. [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); Intravia, F [Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); Dalvit, Diego A. [Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

2014-01-14

We examine the modal structure and dispersion of periodically nanostructured planar metallic cavities within the scattering matrix formulation. By nanostructuring a metallic grating in a planar cavity, artificial surface excitations or spoof plasmon modes are induced with dispersion determined by the periodicity and geometric characteristics of the grating. These spoof surface plasmon modes are shown to give rise to new cavity polaritonic modes at short mirror separations that modify the density of modes in nanostructured cavities. The increased modal density of states form cavity polarirons have a large impact on the fluctuation induced electromagnetic forces and enhanced hear transfer at short separations.

Nano-structured Cu(In,Al)Se{sub 2} near-infrared photodetectors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chang, Ruo-Ping [Institute of Microelectronics and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Road, Tainan 701, Taiwan (China); Perng, Dung-Ching, E-mail: dcperng@ee.ncku.edu.tw [Institute of Microelectronics and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Road, Tainan 701, Taiwan (China); Center for Micro/Nano Science and Technology, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Road, Tainan 701, Taiwan (China)

2013-02-01

We have demonstrated nano-structured Cu(In,Al)Se{sub 2} (CIAS) near-infrared (NIR) photodetectors (PDs). The CIAS NIR PDs were fabricated on ZnO nanowires (NWs)/ZnO/Mo/ITO (indium tin oxide) glass substrate. CIAS film acted as a sensing layer and sparse ZnSe NWs, which were converted from ZnO NWs after selenization process, were embedded in the CIAS film to improve the amplification performance of the NIR PDs. X-ray diffraction patterns show that the CIAS film is a single phased polycrystalline film. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the morphology of the CIAS film and the growth of NWs. Two detection schemes, plain Al–CIAS–Al metal–semiconductor–metal structure and vertical structure with CIAS/ZnSe NWs annular p–n junctions, were studied. The nano-structured NIR PDs demonstrate two orders of magnitude for the annular p–n junction and one order of magnitude for the MSM structure in photocurrent amplification. The responsivities of the PDs using both sensing structures have the same cut-off frequency near 790 nm. - Highlights: ► We demonstrate nano-structured Cu(In,Al)Se{sub 2} near-infrared photodetectors. ► Photodetectors were fabricated on ZnO nanowires/ZnO/Mo/ITO glass substrate. ► Two detection schemes studied: a plain MSM structure and a vertical structure. ► Photocurrent amplification for the vertical structure is two orders of magnitude. ► Photocurrent amplification for the MSM structure is one order of magnitude.

Chemical Sensors Based on Metal Oxide Nanostructures

Science.gov (United States)

Hunter, Gary W.; Xu, Jennifer C.; Evans, Laura J.; VanderWal, Randy L.; Berger, Gordon M.; Kulis, Mike J.; Liu, Chung-Chiun

2006-01-01

This paper is an overview of sensor development based on metal oxide nanostructures. While nanostructures such as nanorods show significan t potential as enabling materials for chemical sensors, a number of s ignificant technical challenges remain. The major issues addressed in this work revolve around the ability to make workable sensors. This paper discusses efforts to address three technical barriers related t o the application of nanostructures into sensor systems: 1) Improving contact of the nanostructured materials with electrodes in a microse nsor structure; 2) Controling nanostructure crystallinity to allow co ntrol of the detection mechanism; and 3) Widening the range of gases that can be detected by using different nanostructured materials. It is concluded that while this work demonstrates useful tools for furt her development, these are just the beginning steps towards realizati on of repeatable, controlled sensor systems using oxide based nanostr uctures.

Sub-parts per million NO2 chemi-transistor sensors based on composite porous silicon/gold nanostructures prepared by metal-assisted etching.

Science.gov (United States)

Sainato, Michela; Strambini, Lucanos Marsilio; Rella, Simona; Mazzotta, Elisabetta; Barillaro, Giuseppe

2015-04-08

Surface doping of nano/mesostructured materials with metal nanoparticles to promote and optimize chemi-transistor sensing performance represents the most advanced research trend in the field of solid-state chemical sensing. In spite of the promising results emerging from metal-doping of a number of nanostructured semiconductors, its applicability to silicon-based chemi-transistor sensors has been hindered so far by the difficulties in integrating the composite metal-silicon nanostructures using the complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology. Here we propose a facile and effective top-down method for the high-yield fabrication of chemi-transistor sensors making use of composite porous silicon/gold nanostructures (cSiAuNs) acting as sensing gate. In particular, we investigate the integration of cSiAuNs synthesized by metal-assisted etching (MAE), using gold nanoparticles (NPs) as catalyst, in solid-state junction-field-effect transistors (JFETs), aimed at the detection of NO2 down to 100 parts per billion (ppb). The chemi-transistor sensors, namely cSiAuJFETs, are CMOS compatible, operate at room temperature, and are reliable, sensitive, and fully recoverable for the detection of NO2 at concentrations between 100 and 500 ppb, up to 48 h of continuous operation.

Nanostructured films of metal particles obtained by laser ablation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Muniz-Miranda, M., E-mail: muniz@unifi.it [Dipartimento di Chimica “U. Schiff”, Università di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Italy); Gellini, C. [Dipartimento di Chimica “U. Schiff”, Università di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Italy); Giorgetti, E.; Margheri, G.; Marsili, P. [Istituto Sistemi Complessi (CNR), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Italy); Lascialfari, L.; Becucci, L. [Dipartimento di Chimica “U. Schiff”, Università di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Italy); Trigari, S. [Istituto Sistemi Complessi (CNR), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Italy); Giammanco, F. [Dipartimento di Fisica “E. Fermi”, Università di Pisa, Largo Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa (Italy)

2013-09-30

Colloidal dispersions of silver and gold nanoparticles were obtained in pure water by ablation with nanosecond pulsed laser. Then, by filtration of the metal particles on alumina, we fabricated nanostructured films, whose surface morphology was examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and related to surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) after adsorption of adenine. - Highlights: • Ag and Au colloidal nanoparticles were obtained by laser ablation. • Nanostructured Ag and Au films were fabricated by filtration of metal nanoparticles. • Surface morphology of metal films was investigated by atomic force microscopy. • Surface-enhanced Raman spectra (SERS) of adenine on metal films were obtained. • SERS enhancements were related to the surface roughness of the metal films.

Fuel densification study about uranium- 7% nanostructured gadolinium (Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3}); Estudo da densificacao do combustivel uranio - 7% gadolinio (Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3}) nanoestruturado

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Serafim, Antonio da Costa

2016-11-01

The sintering process of UO{sub 2}-Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} pellets has been investigated in this work for its importance in the nuclear industry and for its complex behavior during sintering. Sintering blockage occurs from 1300 deg C upwards, when densification is shifted toward higher temperatures and the final density obtained is decreased. This research includes the development of nuclear fuel for power reactors in order to increase its efficiency inside the reactor core by raising the burnup. The use of nanosized Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} was studied in the range from 10 to 30nm, which was added to UO{sub 2}, trying to verify the occurrence of characteristic sintering blockage due to Kirkendall sintering effect observed in previous research. The samples were produced by dry mechanical mixture of UO{sub 2} powder and 7% Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} (macro- and nanostructured). The powders were compacted and the pellets were sintered at 1700 deg C under H{sub 2} atmosphere. These results indicate that the characteristic blockage during sintering in macrostructured system UO{sub 2}-Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} occurred in the temperature range of 1300-1500 deg C, which slows down the densification. It was observed a less intense effect when using the nanostructured Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3}; it took place at the temperature of 900 deg C, then facilitating to get an additional densification. The dilatometric tests indicated shrinkage of 22, 18 and 20% respectively in UO{sub 2} pellets, macrostructured UO{sub 2}-7% Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} and nanostructured UO{sub 2}-7%Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3}. We detected 2% higher shrinkage, when nanostructured Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} was used instead of macrostructured Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3}, which is used commercially. Then, the nanostructured results showed more adequate density for nuclear fuel usage. (author)

Ultrasound-assisted facile synthesis of a new tantalum(V) metal-organic framework nanostructure: Design, characterization, systematic study, and CO{sub 2} adsorption performance

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sargazi, Ghasem, E-mail: g.sargazi@gmail.com [Department of Nanotechnology Engineering, Mineral Industries Research Center, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Young Researchers Society, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Afzali, Daryoush, E-mail: daryoush_afzali@yahoo.com [Department of Nanotechnology, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Mostafavi, Ali [Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Ebrahimipour, S. Yousef [Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Pistachio Safety Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran (Iran, Islamic Republic of)

2017-06-15

This work presents a fast route for the preparation of a new Ta(V) metal-organic framework nanostructure with high surface area, significant porosity, and small size distribution. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transition electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), CHNS/O elemental analyser, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis were applied to characterize the synthesized product. Moreover, the influences of ultrasonic irradiation including temperature, time, and power on different features of the final products were systematically studied using 2{sup k-1} factorial design experiments, and the response surface optimization was used for determining the best welding parameter combination. The results obtained from analyses of variances showed that ultrasonic parameters affected the size distribution, thermal behaviour, and surface area of Ta-MOF samples. Based on response surface methodology, Ta-MOF could be obtained with mean diameter of 55 nm, thermal stability of 228 °C, and high surface area of 2100 m{sup 2}/g. The results revealed that the synthesized products could be utilized in various applications such as a novel candidate for CO{sub 2} adsorption. - Graphical abstract: A facile route was used for fabrication of a new metal -organic framework based on tantalum nanostructures that have high surface area, considerable porosity, homogenous morphology, and small size distribution.

Physicochemical and Electrophysical Properties of Metal/Semiconductor Containing Nanostructured Composites

Science.gov (United States)

Gerasimov, G. N.; Gromov, V. F.; Trakhtenberg, L. I.

2018-06-01

The properties of nanostructured composites based on metal oxides and metal-polymer materials are analyzed, along with ways of preparing them. The effect the interaction between metal and semiconductor nanoparticles has on the conductivity, photoconductivity, catalytic activity, and magnetic, dielectric, and sensor properties of nanocomposites is discussed. It is shown that as a result of this interaction, a material can acquire properties that do not exist in systems of isolated particles. The transfer of electrons between metal particles of different sizes in polymeric matrices leads to specific dielectric losses, and to an increase in the rate and a change in the direction of chemical reactions catalyzed by these particles. The interaction between metal-oxide semiconductor particles results in the electronic and chemical sensitization of sensor effects in nanostructured composite materials. Studies on creating molecular machines (Brownian motors), devices for magnetic recording of information, and high-temperature superconductors based on nanostructured systems are reviewed.

Structural and Mössbauer spectroscopy characterization of bulk and nanostructured TiFe{sub 0.5} Ni{sub 0.5}/graphite compounds and their hydrides

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Martínez, M. A. R., E-mail: fisicorodriguez@gmail.com; André-Filho, J.; Félix, L. L.; Coaquira, J. A. H.; Garg, V. K.; Oliveira, A. C. [Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Física, Núcleo de Física Aplicada (Brazil); Mestnik-Filho, J. [Instituto de Pesquisas energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP (Brazil)

2015-06-15

The structural and hyperfine properties of bulk TiFe{sub 0.5}Ni{sub 0.5} intermetallic and ball-milled TiFe{sub 0.5}Ni{sub 0.5}/graphite compounds and their hydrides have been studied. The bulk and nanostructured TiFe{sub 0.5}Ni{sub 0.5} compounds crystallize in the cubic crystal structure of CsCl (B2). After hydrogenation, the formation of hydrogen-poor phase (∝-phase) and hydride phase (β-phase) have been determined for the bulk compound. However, the formation of the ∝-phase and the hydrogen-richest phase (γ-phase) and other secondary phases have been determined for the ball-milled TiFe{sub 0.5}Ni{sub 0.5}/graphite sample. It has been determined that the ball-milled TiFe{sub 0.5}Ni{sub 0.5}/graphite sample presents a large amount of the γ-phase which indicates that the presence of graphite nearby nanostructured intermetallic grains enhances the absorption of hydrogen. Mossbauer results are consistent with the structural results. Meanwhile, no significant changes in the isomer shift (IS) value has been determined for the α-phase with respect to the intermetallic compound, a strong increase in the IS value has been determined for the β- and γ-phases with respect to the ∝-phase. That increase indicates a decrease of the s-electron density at the Fe nuclei due to the charge transfer from the metal to the nearby hydrogen atoms.

Synthesis and characterization of nanostructured CaZrO{sub 3} and BaZrO{sub 3}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ibiapino, Amanda Laura; Figueiredo, Laysa Pires de [Departamento de Quimica, Instituto de Ciencias Exatas e da Terra, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso, MT (Brazil); Lascalea, Gustavo E. [LISAMEN/CONICET, Ciudad de Mendoza (Argentina); Prado, Rogerio Junqueira, E-mail: rjprado@ufmt.br [Instituto de Fisica, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso, Cuiaba - MT (Brazil)

2013-09-01

In this work, nanostructured samples of barium zirconate (BaZrO{sub 3}) and calcium zirconate (CaZrO{sub 3}) were synthesized by the gel-combustion method, using glycine as fuel. The ceramic powders were calcined at 550 Degree-Sign C for 2 h and subsequently heat treated at 1350 Degree-Sign C for 10 min (fast-firing). The X-ray diffraction technique was employed to identify and characterize the crystalline phases present in the synthesized powders, using the Rietveld method. Monophasic nanostructured samples of BaZrO{sub 3} and CaZrO{sub 3} presenting average crystallite sizes of around 8.5 and 10.3 nm, respectively, were found after fast-firing. (author)

Metal-polymer composites comprising nanostructures and applications thereof

Science.gov (United States)

Wang, Hsing-Lin [Los Alamos, NM; Jeon, Sea Ho [Dracut, MA; Mack, Nathan H [Los Alamos, NM

2011-08-02

Metal-polymer composites, and methods of making and use thereof, said composites comprising a thermally-cured dense polyaniline substrate; an acid dopant; and, metal nanostructure deposits wherein the deposits have a morphology dependent upon the acid dopant.

Electrodes synthesized from carbon nanostructures coated with a smooth and conformal metal adlayer

Science.gov (United States)

Adzic, Radoslav; Harris, Alexander

2014-04-15

High-surface-area carbon nanostructures coated with a smooth and conformal submonolayer-to-multilayer thin metal films and their method of manufacture are described. The preferred manufacturing process involves the initial oxidation of the carbon nanostructures followed by a surface preparation process involving immersion in a solution with the desired pH to create negative surface dipoles. The nanostructures are subsequently immersed in an alkaline solution containing a suitable quantity of non-noble metal ions which adsorb at surface reaction sites. The metal ions are then reduced via chemical or electrical means. The nanostructures are exposed to a solution containing a salt of one or more noble metals which replace adsorbed non-noble surface metal atoms by galvanic displacement. The process can be controlled and repeated to obtain a desired film coverage. The resulting coated nanostructures may be used, for example, as high-performance electrodes in supercapacitors, batteries, or other electric storage devices.

Highly mesoporous {alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanostructures: preparation, characterization and improved photocatalytic performance towards Rhodamine B (RhB)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bharathi, S; Nataraj, D [Thin Films and Nanomaterials Lab, Department of Physics, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046 (India); Mangalaraj, D [DRDO-BU Centre for Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046 (India); Masuda, Y [National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Nagoya 463-8560 (Japan); Senthil, K [Centre for Information Materials, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang (Korea, Republic of); Yong, K, E-mail: de.natraj@gmail.co [Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang (Korea, Republic of)

2010-01-13

Single-crystalline porous hematite nanorods and spindle-like nanostructures were successfully synthesized by a low temperature reflux condensation method. Two different iron sources, namely, FeCl{sub 3{center_dot}}6H{sub 2}O and Fe(NO{sub 3}){sub 3{center_dot}}9H{sub 2}O, were hydrolyzed in the presence of urea to selectively prepare nanorods and spindle-like nanostructures. Initially, the akagenite phase was obtained by refluxing the precursor for 12 h and then the as-prepared akagenite nanostructures were transformed to porous hematite nanostructures upon calcination at 300 {sup 0}C for 1 h. The shape and the aspect ratio of the 12 h refluxed sample was retained even after calcination and this shows the topotactic transformation of the nanostructure. TEM and HRTEM investigations have shown the porous nature of the prepared sample. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller and Barret-Joyner-Halenda measurements have shown a large surface area and distribution of mesopores in the nanorods sample. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared nanostructures towards RhB has reflected this variation in the pore size distribution and specific surface area, by showing a higher activity for the nanorods sample. Magnetic studies by VSM have shown a weak ferromagnetic behaviour in both the samples due to shape anisotropy.

Thermal properties and kinetics of Al/α-MnO{sub 2} nanostructure thermite

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Song, Jia-Xing; Fang, Xiang; Guo, Tao; Ding, Wen; Zhang, Xiao-Nan; Yao, Miao, E-mail: 1023855857@qq.com [PLA University of Science and Technology, Nanjing (China); Bei, Feng-Li; Yu, Hong-Jun [Nanjing University of Science and Technology (China)

2018-05-01

In this work, thermal properties and kinetics of Al-nanoparticles/α-MnO{sub 2} nanorods thermite were reported. The α-MnO{sub 2} nanorods were synthesized using a hydrothermal method and were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), then combined with Al nanoparticles based on the ultrasonic mixing method to prepare the nanostructure thermite. Besides, both pure components and mixture were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) to observe their morphologies and structures. Subsequently, the thermal properties of Al/α-MnO{sub 2} nanostructure thermite were studied on the basis of thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC). According to the TG-DSC tests, the calculation results of activation energy for kinetics of Al/α-MnO{sub 2} thermite were obtained using different isoconversional methods. It was found that Al/α-MnO{sub 2} nanostructure thermite has high heat release and low onset temperature, and the heat release of the nanostructure thermite was approximately 1146.6 J g{sup -1}. (author)

Methods of making metal oxide nanostructures and methods of controlling morphology of same

Science.gov (United States)

Wong, Stanislaus S; Hongjun, Zhou

2012-11-27

The present invention includes a method of producing a crystalline metal oxide nanostructure. The method comprises providing a metal salt solution and providing a basic solution; placing a porous membrane between the metal salt solution and the basic solution, wherein metal cations of the metal salt solution and hydroxide ions of the basic solution react, thereby producing a crystalline metal oxide nanostructure.

Nanostructured Mn{sub x}O{sub y} for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Delmondo, Luisa, E-mail: luisa.delmondo@polito.it [Department of Applied Science and Technology—DISAT, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino (Italy); Salvador, Gian Paolo; Muñoz-Tabares, José Alejandro; Sacco, Adriano; Garino, Nadia; Castellino, Micaela [Center for Space Human Robotics @PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, C.so Trento 21, 10129 Torino (Italy); Gerosa, Matteo; Massaglia, Giulia [Department of Applied Science and Technology—DISAT, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino (Italy); Center for Space Human Robotics @PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, C.so Trento 21, 10129 Torino (Italy); Chiodoni, Angelica; Quaglio, Marzia [Center for Space Human Robotics @PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, C.so Trento 21, 10129 Torino (Italy)

2016-12-01

Highlights: • Good performance catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction. • Nanostructured low-cost catalysts respect to platinum ones. • Synthesis using environmental benign chemical reagents. - Abstract: In the field of fuel cells, oxygen plays a key role as the final electron acceptor. To facilitate its reduction (Oxygen Reduction Reaction—ORR), a proper catalyst is needed and platinum is considered the best one due to its low overpotential for this reaction. By considering the high price of platinum, alternative catalysts are needed and manganese oxides (Mn{sub x}O{sub y}) can be considered promising substitutes. They are inexpensive, environmental friendly and can be obtained into several forms; most of them show significant electro-catalytic performance, even if strategies are needed to increase their efficiency. In particular, by developing light and high-surface area materials and by optimizing the presence of catalytic sites, we can obtain a cathode with improved electro-catalytic performance. In this case, nanofibers and xerogels are two of the most promising nanostructures that can be used in the field of catalysis. In this work, a study of the morphological and catalytic behavior of Mn{sub x}O{sub y} nanofibers and xerogels is proposed. Nanofibers were obtained by electrospinning, while xerogels were prepared by sol-gel and freeze drying techniques. Despite of the different preparation approaches, the obtained nanostructured manganese oxides exhibited similar catalytic performance for the ORR, comparable to those obtained from Pt catalysts.

Metal Fluorides, Metal Chlorides and Halogenated Metal Oxides as Lewis Acidic Heterogeneous Catalysts. Providing Some Context for Nanostructured Metal Fluorides.

Science.gov (United States)

Lennon, David; Winfield, John M

2017-01-28

Aspects of the chemistry of selected metal fluorides, which are pertinent to their real or potential use as Lewis acidic, heterogeneous catalysts, are reviewed. Particular attention is paid to β-aluminum trifluoride, aluminum chlorofluoride and aluminas γ and η, whose surfaces become partially fluorinated or chlorinated, through pre-treatment with halogenating reagents or during a catalytic reaction. In these cases, direct comparisons with nanostructured metal fluorides are possible. In the second part of the review, attention is directed to iron(III) and copper(II) metal chlorides, whose Lewis acidity and potential redox function have had important catalytic implications in large-scale chlorohydrocarbons chemistry. Recent work, which highlights the complexity of reactions that can occur in the presence of supported copper(II) chloride as an oxychlorination catalyst, is featured. Although direct comparisons with nanostructured fluorides are not currently possible, the work could be relevant to possible future catalytic developments in nanostructured materials.

Fabrication of metallic nanostructures of sub-20 nm with an optimized process of E-beam lithography and lift-off

KAUST Repository

Yue, Weisheng; Wang, Zhihong; Wang, Xianbin; Chen, Longqing; Yang, Yang; Chew, Basil; Syed, Ahad A.; Wong, Ka Chun; Zhang, Xixiang

2012-01-01

A process consisting of e-beam lithography and lift-off was optimized to fabricate metallic nanostructures. This optimized process successfully produced gold and aluminum nanostructures with features size less than 20 nm. These structures range from simple parallel lines to complex photonic structures. Optical properties of gold split ring resonators (SRRs) were characterized with Raman spectroscopy. Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) on SRRs was observed with 4-mercaptopyridine (4-MPy) as molecular probe and greatly enhanced Raman scattering was observed. Copyright © 2012 American Scientific Publishers.

Saccharide-based Approach to Green Metallic Nanostructure Synthesis

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Engelbrekt, Christian; Sørensen, Karsten Holm; Jensen, Palle Skovhus

A green approach to solution synthesis of metallic nanoparticles has been developed using harmless and bioapplicable chemicals as well as moderate temperatures. Metal precursors are reduced by glucose/buffers and sterically stabilized by starch. The saccharide based procedure is highly diverse pr...... producing specifically a wide range of spherical, anisotropic, metallic, semi - conductor and core-shell nanostructures....

Electrostatic interactions for directed assembly of high performance nanostructured energetic materials of Al/Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang, Tianfu; Ma, Zhuang; Li, Guoping; Wang, Zhen; Zhao, Benbo; Luo, Yunjun, E-mail: yjluo@bit.edu.cn

2016-05-15

Electrostatic self-assembly in organic solvent without intensively oxidative or corrosive environments, was adopted to prepare Al/Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/MWCNT nanostructured energetic materials as an energy generating material. The negatively charged MWCNT was used as a glue-like agent to direct the self-assembly of the well dispersed positively charged Al (fuel) and Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} (oxide) nanoparticles. This spontaneous assembly method without any surfactant chemistry or other chemical and biological moieties decreased the aggregation of the same nanoparticles largely, moreover, the poor interfacial contact between the Al (fuel) and Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} (oxide) nanoparticles was improved significantly, which was the key characteristic of high performance nanostructured energetic materials. In addition, the assembly process was confirmed as Diffusion-Limited Aggregation. The assembled Al/Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/MWCNT nanostructured energetic materials showed excellent performance with heat release of 2400 J/g, peak pressure of 0.42 MPa and pressurization rate of 105.71 MPa/s, superior to that in the control group Al/Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanostructured energetic materials prepared by sonication with heat release of 1326 J/g, peak pressure of 0.19 MPa and pressurization rate of 33.33 MPa/s. Therefore, the approach, which is facile, opens a promising route to the high performance nanostructured energetic materials. - Graphical abstract: The negatively charged MWCNT was used as a glue-like agent to direct the self-assembly of the well dispersed positively charged Al (fuel) and Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} (oxide) nanoparticles. - Highlights: • A facile spontaneous electrostatic assembly strategy without surfactant was adopted. • The fuels and oxidizers assembled into densely packed nanostructured composites. • The assembled nanostructured energetic materials have excellent performance. • This high performance energetic material can be scaled up for practical application. • This

Mesoporous magnetic secondary nanostructures as versatile adsorbent for efficient scavenging of heavy metals

Science.gov (United States)

Bhattacharya, Kakoli; Parasar, Devaborniny; Mondal, Bholanath; Deb, Pritam

2015-01-01

Porous magnetic secondary nanostructures exhibit high surface area because of the presence of plentiful interparticle spaces or pores. Mesoporous Fe3O4 secondary nanostructures (MFSNs) have been studied here as versatile adsorbent for heavy metal scavenging. The porosity combined with magnetic functionality of the secondary nanostructures has facilitated efficient heavy metal (As, Cu and Cd) remediation from water solution within a short period of contact time. It is because of the larger surface area of MFSNs due to the porous network in addition to primary nanostructures which provides abundant adsorption sites facilitating high adsorption of the heavy metal ions. The brilliance of adsorption property of MFSNs has been realized through comprehensive adsorption studies and detailed kinetics. Due to their larger dimension, MFSNs help in overcoming the Brownian motion which facilitates easy separation of the metal ion sorbed secondary nanostructures and also do not get drained out during filtration, thus providing pure water. PMID:26602613

Theoretical investigation of geometries, stabilities, electronic and optical properties for advanced Ag{sub n}@(ZnO){sub 42} (n=6-18) hetero-nanostructure

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cheng, Hai-Xia [Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083 (China); Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, 117542 (Singapore); Wang, Xiao-Xu [Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083 (China); Department of Cloud Platform, Beijing Computing Center, Beijing 100094 (China); Hu, Yao-Wen [Department of Physics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084 (China); Huo, Jin-Rong; Li, Lu; Qian, Ping, E-mail: ustbqianp@163.com; Wang, Rong-Ming [Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083 (China)

2016-07-15

The structural properties of Ag{sub n}@(ZnO){sub 42} (n=6-18) core-shell nanoparticles have been investigated by the first principles calculations, and the core-shell nanostructure with n=13 is proved to be the most stable one for the first time. Ag{sub 13}@(ZnO){sub 42} core-shell nanostructure possesses higher chemistry activity and shows a red shift phenomenon in the light of the absorption spectrum compare to the (ZnO){sub 48}, this can be confirmed by the calculated electron structure. The visible-light could be absorbed by Ag{sub 13}@(ZnO){sub 42} to improve the photo-catalysis of (ZnO){sub 48} nanostructure. Our results show good agreement with experiments.

Metal oxide nanostructures and their gas sensing properties: a review.

Science.gov (United States)

Sun, Yu-Feng; Liu, Shao-Bo; Meng, Fan-Li; Liu, Jin-Yun; Jin, Zhen; Kong, Ling-Tao; Liu, Jin-Huai

2012-01-01

Metal oxide gas sensors are predominant solid-state gas detecting devices for domestic, commercial and industrial applications, which have many advantages such as low cost, easy production, and compact size. However, the performance of such sensors is significantly influenced by the morphology and structure of sensing materials, resulting in a great obstacle for gas sensors based on bulk materials or dense films to achieve highly-sensitive properties. Lots of metal oxide nanostructures have been developed to improve the gas sensing properties such as sensitivity, selectivity, response speed, and so on. Here, we provide a brief overview of metal oxide nanostructures and their gas sensing properties from the aspects of particle size, morphology and doping. When the particle size of metal oxide is close to or less than double thickness of the space-charge layer, the sensitivity of the sensor will increase remarkably, which would be called "small size effect", yet small size of metal oxide nanoparticles will be compactly sintered together during the film coating process which is disadvantage for gas diffusion in them. In view of those reasons, nanostructures with many kinds of shapes such as porous nanotubes, porous nanospheres and so on have been investigated, that not only possessed large surface area and relatively mass reactive sites, but also formed relatively loose film structures which is an advantage for gas diffusion. Besides, doping is also an effective method to decrease particle size and improve gas sensing properties. Therefore, the gas sensing properties of metal oxide nanostructures assembled by nanoparticles are reviewed in this article. The effect of doping is also summarized and finally the perspectives of metal oxide gas sensor are given.

Synthesis and characterization of pure and Tb/Cu doped Alq{sub 3} nanostructures

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Salah, Numan, E-mail: nsalah@kau.edu.sa [Center of Nanotechnology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589 (Saudi Arabia); Habib, Sami S. [Center of Nanotechnology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589 (Saudi Arabia); Khan, Zishan H. [Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Jamia Millia, Islamia (Central University), New Delhi 110025 (India); Alharbi, Najlaa D. [Center of Nanotechnology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589 (Saudi Arabia); Sciences Faculty for Girls, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah-21589 (Saudi Arabia)

2013-11-15

Tris (8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq{sub 3}) is an organic semiconductor molecule, widely used in optoelectronic devices. In this work we report on fabricating different nanostructures of Alq{sub 3} and characterize them using different techniques. Nanostructured films of Alq{sub 3} were grown using the physical vapor condensation and thermal-vapor transport methods. The as synthesized films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy and absorption spectra. Nanoparticles and nanorods/nanowires are observed in the synthesized films. Tb and Cu doped Alq{sub 3} films were also produced and studied for their photoluminescence (PL) properties. When the original powder sample of Alq{sub 3} was excited by 378 nm, one broad PL emission band is observed at around 515 nm. The pure nanoparticles film shows similar band with a drastic increase in the intensity by a factor of 2. This has been attributed to the large specific surface area, which might has increased the absorption and then the quantum yields. The Tb and Cu doped films show also similar band with a slight shift in the peak position to the blue region, but with further enhancement in the peak intensity, particularly that of Cu. The PL intensity of Cu doped sample is around 1.5 times stronger than that of the pure Alq{sub 3} nanoparticles. This remarkable result on obtaining highly luminescent nanomaterial based on Cu doped Alq{sub 3} nanoparticles film might be useful for future organic light emitting diode display devices. -- Highlights: • Films of Alq{sub 3} nanostructures were grown using different methods. • The PL intensity of Alq{sub 3} in its nanostructure form is enhanced by a factor of 2. • This enhancement is attributed to the large specific surface area of the nanostructures. • Films of Alq{sub 3} nanoparticles doped with Tb and Cu showed further PL enhancement. • The Tb and Cu ions could contribute to the PL intensity of the green

Atomic layer deposition of HfO{sub 2} for integration into three-dimensional metal-insulator-metal devices

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Assaud, Loic [Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CINAM, Marseille (France); ICMMO-ERIEE, Universite Paris-Sud / Universite Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Orsay (France); Pitzschel, Kristina; Barr, Maissa K.S.; Petit, Matthieu; Hanbuecken, Margrit; Santinacci, Lionel [Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CINAM, Marseille (France); Monier, Guillaume [Universite Clermont Auvergne, Universite Blaise Pascal, CNRS, Institut Pascal, Clermont-Ferrand (France)

2017-12-15

HfO{sub 2} nanotubes have been fabricated via a template-assisted deposition process for further use in three-dimensional metal-insulator-metal (MIM) devices. HfO{sub 2} thin layers were grown by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) in anodic alumina membranes (AAM). The ALD was carried out using tetrakis(ethylmethylamino)hafnium and water as Hf and O sources, respectively. Long exposure durations to the precursors have been used to maximize the penetration depth of the HfO{sub 2} layer within the AAM and the effect of the process temperature was investigated. The morphology, the chemical composition, and the crystal structure were studied as a function of the deposition parameters using transmission and scanning electron microscopies, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction, respectively. As expected, the HfO{sub 2} layers grown at low-temperature (T = 150 C) were amorphous, while for a higher temperature (T = 250 C), polycrystalline films were observed. The electrical characterizations have shown better insulating properties for the layers grown at low temperature. Finally, TiN/HfO{sub 2}/TiN multilayers were grown in an AAM as proof-of-concept for three-dimensional MIM nanostructures. (orig.)

Optical analysis of lens-like Cu{sub 2}CdSnS{sub 4} quaternary alloy nanostructures

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Odeh, Ali Abu; Ayub, R.M. [University Malaysia Perlis, Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering, Kangar, Perlis (Malaysia); Al-Douri, Y. [University Malaysia Perlis, Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering, Kangar, Perlis (Malaysia); University of Sidi-Bel-Abbes, Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Sidi-Bel-Abbes (Algeria); Ameri, M. [Universite Djilali Liabes de Sidi Bel- Abbes, Laboratoire Physico-Chimie des Materiaux Avances (LPCMA), Sidi-Bel-Abbes (Algeria); Bouhemadou, A. [University of Setif 1, Laboratory for Developing New Materials and Their Characterization, Setif (Algeria); Prakash, Deo [SMVD University, Faculty of Engineering, School of Computer Science and Engineering, Kakryal, Katra, J and K (India); Verma, K.D. [S.V. College, Material Science Research Laboratory, Department of Physics, Aligarh, U.P. (India)

2016-10-15

Cu{sub 2}CdSnS{sub 4} quaternary alloy nanostructures with different copper concentrations (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 M) were successfully synthesized on n-type silicon substrates using spin coating technique with annealing temperature at 300 C. Optical properties were analyzed through UV-Vis and Photoluminescence spectroscopies, and thus, there is a change in energy band gap with increasing Cu concentration from 0.2 to 1.0 M. The structural properties of Cu{sub 2}CdSnS{sub 4} quaternary alloy nanostructures were investigated by X-ray diffraction. The particles size and shape have a direct relationship with copper concentration. Morphological and topographical studies were carried out by using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The obtained results are investigated to be available in the literature for future studies. (orig.)

Optical response of nanostructured metal/dielectric composites and multilayers

Science.gov (United States)

Smith, Geoffrey B.; Maaroof, Abbas I.; Allan, Rodney S.; Schelm, Stefan; Anstis, Geoffrey R.; Cortie, Michael B.

2004-08-01

The homogeneous optical response in conducting nanostructured layers, and in insulating layers containing dense arrays of self assembled conducting nanoparticles separated by organic linkers, is examined experimentally through their effective complex indices (n*, k*). Classical effective medium models, modified to account for the 3-phase nanostructure, are shown to explain (n*, k*) in dense particulate systems but not inhomogeneous layers with macroscopic conductance for which a different approach to homogenisation is discussed. (n*, k*) data on thin granular metal films, thin mesoporous gold, and on thin metal layers containing ordered arrays of voids, is linked to properties of the surface plasmon states which span the nanostructured film. Coupling between evanescent waves at either surface counterbalanced by electron scattering losses must be considered. Virtual bound states for resonant photons result, with the associated transit delay leading to a large rise in n* in many nanostructures. Overcoating n-Ag with alumina is shown to alter (n*, k*) through its impact on the SP coupling. In contrast to classical optical homogenisation, effective indices depend on film thickness. Supporting high resolution SEM images are presented.

Size-dependent electronic properties of metal nanostructures

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

First page Back Continue Last page Overview Graphics. Size-dependent electronic properties of metal nanostructures. G.U. Kulkarni. Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit. Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research. Bangalore, India. kulkarni@jncasr.ac.in.

Metal oxide core shell nanostructures as building blocks for efficient light emission (SISGR)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chang, Jane P [Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA (United States); Dorman, James [Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA (United States); Cheung, Cyrus [Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA (United States)

2016-01-12

The objective of this research is to synthesize core-shell nano-structured metal oxide materials and investigate their structural, electronic and optical properties to understand the microscopic pathways governing the energy conversion process, thereby controlling and improving their efficiency. Specifically, the goal is to use a single metal oxide core-shell nanostructure and a single excitation source to generate photons with long emission lifetime over the entire visible spectrum and when controlled at the right ratio, generating white light. In order to achieve this goal, we need to control the energy transfer between light emitting elements, which dictates the control of their interatomic spacing and spatial distribution. We developed an economical wet chemical process to form the nanostructured core and to control the thickness and composition of the shell layers. With the help from using DOE funded synchrotron radiation facility, we delineated the growth mechanism of the nano-structured core and the shell layers, thereby enhancing our understanding of structure-property relation in these materials. Using the upconversion luminescence and the lifetime measurements as effective feedback to materials sysnthes is and integration, we demonstrated improved luminescence lifetimes of the core-shell nano-structures and quantified the optimal core-multi-shell structure with optimum shell thickness and composition. We developed a rare-earths co-doped LaPO<sub>4sub> core-multishell structure in order to produce a single white light source. It was decided that the mutli-shell method would produce the largest increase in luminescence efficiency while limiting any energy transfer that may occur between the dopant ions. All samples resulted in emission spectra within the accepted range of white light generation based on the converted CIE color coordinates. The white light obtained varied between warm and cool white depending on the layering architecture, allowing for the

Radiation damage in nanostructured metallic films

Science.gov (United States)

Yu, Kaiyuan

High energy neutron and charged particle radiation cause microstructural and mechanical degradation in structural metals and alloys, such as phase segregation, void swelling, embrittlement and creep. Radiation induced damages typically limit nuclear materials to a lifetime of about 40 years. Next generation nuclear reactors require materials that can sustain over 60 - 80 years. Therefore it is of great significance to explore new materials with better radiation resistance, to design metals with favorable microstructures and to investigate their response to radiation. The goals of this thesis are to study the radiation responses of several nanostructured metallic thin film systems, including Ag/Ni multilayers, nanotwinned Ag and nanocrystalline Fe. Such systems obtain high volume fraction of boundaries, which are considered sinks to radiation induced defects. From the viewpoint of nanomechanics, it is of interest to investigate the plastic deformation mechanisms of nanostructured films, which typically show strong size dependence. By controlling the feature size (layer thickness, twin spacing and grain size), it is applicable to picture a deformation mechanism map which also provides prerequisite information for subsequent radiation hardening study. And from the viewpoint of radiation effects, it is of interest to explore the fundamentals of radiation response, to examine the microstructural and mechanical variations of irradiated nanometals and to enrich the design database. More importantly, with the assistance of in situ techniques, it is appealing to examine the defect generation, evolution, annihilation, absorption and interaction with internal interfaces (layer interfaces, twin boundaries and grain boundaries). Moreover, well-designed nanostructures can also verify the speculation that radiation induced defect density and hardening show clear size dependence. The focus of this thesis lies in the radiation response of Ag/Ni multilayers and nanotwinned Ag

An efficient 3D cell culture method on biomimetic nanostructured grids.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Maria Wolun-Cholewa

Full Text Available Current techniques of in vitro cell cultures are able to mimic the in vivo environment only to a limited extent, as they enable cells to grow only in two dimensions. Therefore cell culture approaches should rely on scaffolds that provide support comparable to the extracellular matrix. Here we demonstrate the advantages of novel nanostructured three-dimensional grids fabricated using electro-spinning technique, as scaffolds for cultures of neoplastic cells. The results of the study show that the fibers allow for a dynamic growth of HeLa cells, which form multi-layer structures of symmetrical and spherical character. This indicates that the applied scaffolds are nontoxic and allow proper flow of oxygen, nutrients, and growth factors. In addition, grids have been proven to be useful in in situ examination of cells ultrastructure.

Conductive transition metal oxide nanostructured electrochromic material and optical switching devices constructed thereof

Science.gov (United States)

Mattox, Tracy M.; Koo, Bonil; Garcia, Guillermo; Milliron, Delia J.; Trizio, Luca De; Dahlman, Clayton

2017-10-10

An electrochromic device includes a nanostructured transition metal oxide bronze layer that includes one or more transition metal oxide and one or more dopant, a solid state electrolyte, and a counter electrode. The nanostructured transition metal oxide bronze selectively modulates transmittance of near-infrared (NIR) spectrum and visible spectrum radiation as a function of an applied voltage to the device.

H{sub 2}O{sub 2}-assisted photocatalysis on flower-like rutile TiO{sub 2} nanostructures: Rapid dye degradation and inactivation of bacteria

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kőrösi, László, E-mail: ltkorosi@gmail.com [Research Institute for Viticulture and Oenology, University of Pécs, H-7634 Pécs, Pázmány Péter u. 4 (Hungary); Prato, Mirko; Scarpellini, Alice [Department of Nanochemistry, Istituto Italianodi Tecnologia, via Morego 30, 16163, Genova (Italy); Kovács, János [Department of Geology & Meteorology, University of Pécs, Ifjúság u. 6, H-7624, Pécs (Hungary); Environmental Analytical and Geoanalytical Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Ifjúság u. 20, H-7624, Pécs (Hungary); Dömötör, Dóra; Kovács, Tamás; Papp, Szilvia [Department of Biotechnology, Nanophage Therapy Center, Enviroinvest Corporation, Kertváros u. 2, H-7632, Pécs (Hungary)

2016-03-01

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Hierarchically assembled rutile TiO{sub 2} was synthesized at room temperature. • Hydrothermal treatment enhanced the crystallinity, while morphology was maintained. • Hydrothermal treatment also led to larger crystallites and a lower surface area. • Effective K. pneumoniae killing and MO degradation were achieved with the use of H{sub 2}O{sub 2}. • Higher crystallinity enhanced the reaction rate in the presence of H{sub 2}O{sub 2}. - Abstract: Hierarchically assembled flower-like rutile TiO{sub 2} (FLH-R-TiO{sub 2}) nanostructures were successfully synthesized from TiCl{sub 4} at room temperature without the use of surfactants or templates. An initial sol–gel synthesis at room temperature allowed long-term hydrolysis and condensation of the precursors. The resulting FLH-R-TiO{sub 2} possessed relatively high crystallinity (85 wt%) and consisted of rod-shaped subunits assembling into cauliflower-like nanostructures. Hydrothermal evolution of FLH-R-TiO{sub 2} at different temperatures (150, 200 and 250 °C) was followed by means of X-ray diffraction, transmission and scanning electron microscopy. These FLH-R-TiO{sub 2} nanostructures were tested as photocatalysts under simulated daylight (full-spectrum lighting) in the degradation of methyl orange and in the inactivation of a multiresistant bacterium, Klebsiella pneumoniae. The effects of hydrothermal treatment on the structure, photocatalytic behavior and antibacterial activity of FLH-R-TiO{sub 2} are discussed.

Synthesis of vertically aligned metal oxide nanostructures

KAUST Repository

Roqan, Iman S.; Flemban, Tahani H.

2016-01-01

ablation of a target including a metal oxide and, optionally, a dopant. In some embodiments zinc oxide nanostructures are deposited onto a substrate by pulsed laser deposition of a zinc oxide target using an excimer laser emitting UV radiation. The zinc

Nano-structured Pd{sub x}Pt{sub 1-x}/Ti anodes prepared by electrodeposition for alcohol electrooxidation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lu Jinlin; Lu Shanfu; Wang Deli; Yang Meng [School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798 (Singapore); Liu Zili [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangzhou University, No. 601 Huangpudadao, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong (China); Xu Changwei [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangzhou University, No. 601 Huangpudadao, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong (China)], E-mail: cwxuneuzsu@126.com; Jiang, S.P. [School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798 (Singapore)], E-mail: mspjiang@ntu.edu.sg

2009-09-30

Nano-structured Pd{sub x}Pt{sub 1-x} (x = 0-1) composite catalysts supported on Ti substrate are successfully prepared by electrodeposition method, and the morphology and phase of the catalysts are analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and X-ray energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS). The activity and stability of the Pd{sub x}Pt{sub 1-x}/Ti composite catalysts are assessed for the electrooxidation of alcohols (methanol, ethanol and 2-propanol) in alkaline medium using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques. The results show that the Pd and Pt form Pd{sub x}Pt{sub 1-x} nano-structured composite catalysts, uniformly distributed on the Ti substrate. The electrocatalytic activity and stability of the Pd{sub x}Pt{sub 1-x} nanocatalysts depend strongly on the atomic ratios of Pd and Pt. Among the synthesized catalysts, the Pd{sub 0.8}Pt{sub 0.2}/Ti displays the best catalytic activity and stability for the electrooxidation reaction of alcohols investigated in alkaline medium under conditions in this study, and shows the potential as electrocatalysts for direct alcohol fuel cells.

Rapid fabrication of self-ordered porous alumina with 10-/sub-10-nm-scale nanostructures by selenic acid anodizing

Science.gov (United States)

Nishinaga, Osamu; Kikuchi, Tatsuya; Natsui, Shungo; Suzuki, Ryosuke O.

2013-01-01

Anodic porous alumina has been widely investigated and used as a nanostructure template in various nanoapplications. The porous structure consists of numerous hexagonal cells perpendicular to the aluminum substrate and each cell has several tens or hundreds of nanoscale pores at its center. Because the nanomorphology of anodic porous alumina is limited by the electrolyte during anodizing, the discovery of additional electrolytes would expand the applicability of porous alumina. In this study, we report a new self-ordered nanoporous alumina formed by selenic acid (H2SeO4) anodizing. By optimizing the anodizing conditions, anodic alumina possessing 10-nm-scale pores was rapidly assembled (within 1 h) during selenic acid anodizing without any special electrochemical equipment. Novel sub-10-nm-scale spacing can also be achieved by selenic acid anodizing and metal sputter deposition. Our new nanoporous alumina can be used as a nanotemplate for various nanostructures in 10-/sub-10-nm-scale manufacturing. PMID:24067318

Carrier recombination in tailored multilayer Si/Si{sub 1−x}Ge{sub x} nanostructures

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mala, S.A. [Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102 (United States); Tsybeskov, L., E-mail: tsybesko@njit.edu [Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102 (United States); Lockwood, D.J.; Wu, X.; Baribeau, J.-M. [National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada KIA 0R6 (Canada)

2014-11-15

Photoluminescence (PL) measurements were performed in Si/Si{sub 1−x}Ge{sub x} nanostructures with a single Si{sub 0.92}Ge{sub 0.08} nanometer-thick layer incorporated into Si/Si{sub 0.6}Ge{sub 0.4} cluster multilayers. Under pulsed laser excitation, the PL decay associated with the Si{sub 0.92}Ge{sub 0.08} nano-layer is found to be nearly a 1000 times faster compared to that in Si/Si{sub 0.6}Ge{sub 0.4} cluster multilayers. A model considering Si/SiGe hetero-interface composition and explaining the fast and slow time-dependent recombination rates is proposed.

Photocatalytic activity of galvanically synthesized nanostructure SnO{sub 2} thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jana, Sumanta, E-mail: sumantajana85@gmail.com [Department of Chemistry, Bengal Engineering and Science University, Botanic Garden, Howrah 711103, WB (India); Mitra, Bibhas Chandra [Department of Physics, Bengal Engineering and Science University, Botanic Garden, Howrah 711103, WB (India); Bera, Pulakesh [Department of Chemistry, Panskura Banamali College, Purba Medinipur, Panskura 721152, WB (India); Sikdar, Moushumi [Department of Chemistry, Bengal Engineering and Science University, Botanic Garden, Howrah 711103, WB (India); Mondal, Anup, E-mail: anupmondal2000@yahoo.co.in [Department of Chemistry, Bengal Engineering and Science University, Botanic Garden, Howrah 711103, WB (India)

2014-07-25

Graphical abstract: Nanostructured porous tin dioxide (SnO{sub 2}) thin films have been synthesized by simple and cost effective galvanic technique. The synthesized porous SnO{sub 2} thin films show excellent photocatalytic activity for degrading methyl orange (MO) dye under light irradiation. The porous morphological grain growth due to annealing is likely to play an active role for this degradation. - Highlights: • SnO{sub 2} thin films have been successfully synthesized by galvanic technique. • A drastic morphological change occurs after annealing as deposited SnO{sub 2} thin films. • Morphological advantage results enhanced photodegradation of dye. - Abstract: The study demonstrates an approach to synthesize nanostructure SnO{sub 2} thin films on TCO (transparent conducting oxide) coated glass substrates by galvanic technique. Aqueous solution of hydrated stannic chloride (SnCl{sub 4}⋅5H{sub 2}O) in potassium nitrate (KNO{sub 3}) solution was used as the working solution. The process involves no sophisticated reactor or toxic chemicals, and proceeds continuously under ambient condition; it provides an economic way of synthesizing nanostructure SnO{sub 2} semiconductor thin films. The influence of sintering temperature on crystalline structure, morphology, electrical and dielectric properties has been studied. A detail analysis of I−V, C−V and dielectrics for annealed SnO{sub 2} thin films have been carried out. The morphological advantage i.e. nanoporous flake like structure allows more efficient transport of reactant molecules to the active interfaces and results a strong photocatalytic activity for degrading methyl orange (MO) dye.

Interfacial scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) of chalcogenide/metal hybrid nanostructure

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Saad, Mahmoud M.; Abdallah, Tamer [Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo (Egypt); Easawi, Khalid; Negm, Sohair [Department of Physics and Mathematics, Faculty of Engineering (Shoubra), Benha University (Egypt); Talaat, Hassan, E-mail: hassantalaat@hotmail.com [Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo (Egypt)

2015-05-15

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Comparing band gaps values obtained optically with STS. • Comparing direct imaging with calculated dimensions. • STS determination of the interfacial band bending of metal/chalcogenide. - Abstract: The electronic structure at the interface of chalcogenide/metal hybrid nanostructure (CdSe–Au tipped) had been studied by UHV scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) technique at room temperature. This nanostructure was synthesized by a phase transfer chemical method. The optical absorption of this hybrid nanostructure was recorded, and the application of the effective mass approximation (EMA) model gave dimensions that were confirmed by the direct measurements using the scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) as well as the high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). The energy band gap obtained by STS agrees with the values obtained from the optical absorption. Moreover, the STS at the interface of CdSe–Au tipped hybrid nanostructure between CdSe of size about 4.1 ± 0.19 nm and Au tip of size about 3.5 ± 0.29 nm shows a band bending about 0.18 ± 0.03 eV in CdSe down in the direction of the interface. Such a result gives a direct observation of the electron accumulation at the interface of CdSe–Au tipped hybrid nanostructure, consistent with its energy band diagram. The presence of the electron accumulation at the interface of chalcogenides with metals has an important implication for hybrid nanoelectronic devices and the newly developed plasmon/chalcogenide photovoltaic solar energy conversion.

Surface preparation of gold nanostructures on glass by ultraviolet ozone and oxygen plasma for thermal atomic layer deposition of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lancaster, Cady A., E-mail: lancaster@chem.utah.edu; Shumaker-Parry, Jennifer S., E-mail: shumaker-parry@chem.utah.edu

2016-08-01

Thin film deposition to create robust plasmonic nanomaterials is a growing area of research. Plasmonic nanomaterials have tunable optical properties and can be used as substrates for surface-enhanced spectroscopies. Due to the surface sensitivity and the dependence of the near-field behavior on structural details, degradation from cleaning or spectroscopic interrogation causes plasmonic nanostructures to lose distinctive localized surface plasmon resonances or exhibit diminished optical near-field enhancements over time. To decrease degradation, conformal thin films of alumina are deposited on nanostructured substrates using atomic layer deposition. While film growth on homogenous surfaces has been studied extensively, atomic layer deposition-based film growth on heterogeneous nanostructured surfaces is not well characterized. In this report, we have evaluated the impact of oxygen plasma and ultraviolet ozone pre-treatments on Au nanoparticle substrates for thin film growth by monitoring changes in plasmonic response and nanostructure morphology. We have found that ultraviolet ozone is more effective than oxygen plasma for cleaning gold nanostructured surfaces, which is in contrast to bulk films of the same material. Our results show that oxygen plasma treatment negatively impacts the nanostructure and alumina coating based on both scanning electron microscopy analysis of morphology and changes in the plasmonic response. - Highlights: • Plasmonic response indicates oxygen plasma damages Au structures and Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} films. • Ultraviolet ozone (UVO) re-activates aged Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-coated Au nanostructures. • UVO treatments do not damage Au or Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-coated nanostructures.

Fabrication of conductive metallized nanostructures from self-assembled amphiphilic triblock copolymer templates: Nanospheres, nanowires, nanorings

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhu Jintao; Jiang Wei

2007-01-01

Various metallized nanostructures (such as rings, wires with controllable lengths, spheres) have been successfully fabricated by coating metallic nanolayers onto soft nanotemplates through simple electroless methods. In particular, bimetallic nanostructures have been obtained by using simple methods. The multiple functional polymeric nanostructures were obtained through the self-assembly of polystyrene/poly(4-vinyl pyridine) triblock copolymer (P4VP-b-PS-b-P4VP) in selective media by changing the common solvent properties. By combining field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterization, it was confirmed that polymer/metal and bimetallic (Au at Ag) core-shell nanostructures could be achieved by chemical metal deposition method

High temperature oxidation behaviour of nanostructured cermet coatings in amixed CO/sub 2/ - O/sub 2/ environment

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Farrokhzad, M. A.; Khan, T. I.

2013-01-01

Nanostructured ceramic-metallic (cermet) coatings composed of nanosized ceramic particles (alpha-Al /sub 2/O/sub 3/ and TiO/sub 2/) dispersed in a nickel matrix were co-electrodeposited and then oxidized at 500 degree C, 600 degree C and 700 degree C in a mixed gas using a Thermo-gravimetric Analysis (TGA) apparatus. The mixed gas was composed of 15 percentage CO/sub 2/, 10 percentage O/sub 2/ and 75 percentage N/sub 2/. This research investigates the effects of CO/sub 2/ and O/sub 2/ partial pressures on time-depended oxidation rates for coatings and compared them to the results from atmospheric oxidation under similar temperatures. The increase in partial pressure of oxygen due to the presence of CO/sub 2/ at each tested temperature was calculated and correlated to the oxidation rate of the coatings. The results showed that the presence of CO/sub 2/ in the system increased the oxidation rate of cermet coatings when compared to atmospheric oxidation at the same temperature. It was also shown that the increase in the oxidation rate is not the result of CO/sub 2/ acting as the primary oxidant but as a secondary oxidant which results in an increase of the total partial pressure of oxygen and consequently higher oxidation rates. The WDS and XRD analyses results showed that the presence of nanosized TiO/sub 2/ particles in a nickel matrix can improve oxidation behaviour of the coatings by formation of Nu i-Tau i compounds on oxidizing surface of the coating which was found beneficiary in reducing the oxidation rates for cermet coatings. (author)

Electrocatalytic reduction of H{sub 2}O{sub 2} by Pt nanoparticles covalently bonded to thiolated carbon nanostructures

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

You, Jung-Min; Kim, Daekun [Department of Chemistry and Institute of Basic Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500-757 (Korea, Republic of); Jeon, Seungwon [Department of Chemistry and Institute of Basic Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500-757 (Korea, Republic of)

2012-03-30

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Novel thiolated carbon nanostructures - platinum nanoparticles [t-GO-C(O)-pt and t-MWCNT-C(O)-S-pt] have been synthesized, and [t-GO-C(O)-pt and t-MWCNT-C(O)-S-pt] denotes as t-GO-pt and t-MWCNT-Pt in manuscript, respectively. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The modified electrode denoted as PDDA/t-GO-pt/GCE was used for the electrochemical determination of H{sub 2}O{sub 2} for the first time. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The results show that PDDA/t-GO-pt nanoparticles have the promising potential as the basic unit of the electrochemical biosensors for the detection of H{sub 2}O{sub 2}. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The proposed H{sub 2}O{sub 2} biosensors exhibited wide linear ranges and low detection limits, giving fast responses within 10 s. - Abstract: Glassy carbon electrodes were coated with thiolated carbon nanostructures - multi-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide. The subsequent covalent addition of platinum nanoparticles and coating with poly(diallydimethylammonium chloride) resulted in biosensors that detected hydrogen peroxide through its electrocatalytic reduction. The sensors were easily and quickly prepared and showed improved sensitivity to the electrocatalytic reduction of H{sub 2}O{sub 2}. The Pt nanoparticles covalently bonded to the thiolated carbon nanostructures were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry and amperometry were used to characterize the biosensors' performances. The sensors exhibited wide linear ranges and low detection limits, giving fast responses within 10 s, thus demonstrating their potential for use in H{sub 2}O{sub 2} analysis.

Preparation and characterization of micro-grid modified In{sub 2}O{sub 3}:W films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Dong, Dongmei; Wang, Wenwen, E-mail: 08569@buaa.edu.cn; Zhang, Fan; Fu, Qiang; Pan, Jiaojiao

2016-08-01

Tungsten doped indium oxide (In{sub 2}O{sub 3}:W, IWO) thin films with IWO micro-grid covered surface were prepared at room temperature using techniques of radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering and polystyrene (PS) microsphere template. The composition, crystallization structures, surface morphologies, and optical and electrical properties of the films were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, spectrophotometer from visible to near infrared (NIR) range and Hall effect measurement, respectively. Periodic micro-grid modified surface was obtained to improve light trapping properties. The effects of the PS micro-spheres diameters and the sputtering time on the surface morphology, transmittance in NIR range, diffuse reflection and conductive properties of the IWO films are investigated. Experiments show that surface modification of the IWO film with micro-grid under the optimized condition can improve the conductivity of the films by 15%, and the diffuse reflectance by 150%, with less than 8% decrease of the transmittance in the visible region. The study would be beneficial to the light trapping effect of solar cells using IWO films as transparent electrodes. - Highlights: • In{sub 2}O{sub 3}:W (IWO) films were obtained by reactive frequency magnetron sputtering. • IWO micro-grids were prepared on the surface of IWO films. • Influences of micro-grid size and sputtering time on IWO films were analyzed. • Both high conductivity and transparency are acquired in near-infrared region.

Nanostructured Ti-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Cu{sub 2}O heterojunction photoelectrode for efficient hydrogen production

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sharma, Dipika; Upadhyay, Sumant; Verma, Anuradha [Department of Chemistry, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra-282 110 India (India); Satsangi, Vibha R. [Department of Physics Computer Sciences, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra-282 110 India (India); Shrivastav, Rohit [Department of Chemistry, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra-282 110 India (India); Dass, Sahab, E-mail: drsahabdas@gmail.com [Department of Chemistry, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra-282 110 India (India)

2015-01-01

Nanostructured thin films of pristine Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}, Ti-doped Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}, Cu{sub 2}O, and Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Cu{sub 2}O, and Ti-doped Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Cu{sub 2}O heterojunction were deposited on tin-doped indium oxide (Sn:In{sub 2}O{sub 3}) glass substrate using spray pyrolysis method. Ti doping is done to improve photoelectric conversion efficiency and electrical conductivity of hematite thin films. Further enhanced photocurrent is achieved for Ti-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Cu{sub 2}O heterojunction electrodes. All samples were characterized using X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and UV-Vis spectrometry. Photoelectrochemical properties were also investigated in a three-electrode cell system. UV-Vis absorption spectrum for pristine Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}, Ti-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}, Cu{sub 2}O, Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Cu{sub 2}O, and Ti-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Cu{sub 2}O heterojunction thin films exhibited absorption in visible region. Nanostructured thin films as prepared were used as photoelectrode in the photoelectrochemical cell for water splitting reaction. Maximum photocurrent density of 2.60 mA/cm{sup 2} at 0.95 V/SCE was exhibited by 454 nm thick Ti-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Cu{sub 2}O heterojunction photoelectrode. Increased photocurrent density and enhanced incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiency, offered by the heterojunction thin films may be attributed to improved conductivity and efficient separation of the photogenerated charge carriers at the Ti-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Cu{sub 2}O interface. - Highlights: • Heterojunction thin films were deposited using spray pyrolysis techniques. • Titanium doping in Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} played a significant role in PEC response. • Ti-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Cu{sub 2}O heterojunction shows the absorption in visible range. • Improved charge separation and enhanced PEC response were achieved in Ti-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Cu{sub 2}O.

Emerging Science and Research Opportunities for Metals and Metallic Nanostructures

Science.gov (United States)

Handwerker, Carol A.; Pollock, Tresa M.

2014-07-01

During the next decade, fundamental research on metals and metallic nanostructures (MMNs) has the potential to continue transforming metals science into innovative materials, devices, and systems. A workshop to identify emerging and potentially transformative research areas in MMNs was held June 13 and 14, 2012, at the University of California Santa Barbara. There were 47 attendees at the workshop (listed in the Acknowledgements section), representing a broad range of academic institutions, industry, and government laboratories. The metals and metallic nanostructures (MMNs) workshop aimed to identify significant research trends, scientific fundamentals, and recent breakthroughs that can enable new or enhanced MMN performance, either alone or in a more complex materials system, for a wide range of applications. Additionally, the role that MMN research can play in high-priority research and development (R&D) areas such as the U.S. Materials Genome Initiative, the National Nanotechnology Initiative, the Advanced Manufacturing Initiative, and other similar initiatives that exist internationally was assessed. The workshop also addressed critical issues related to materials research instrumentation and the cyberinfrastructure for materials science research and education, as well as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce development, with emphasis on the United States but with an appreciation that similar challenges and opportunities for the materials community exist internationally. A central theme of the workshop was that research in MMNs has provided and will continue to provide societal benefits through the integration of experiment, theory, and simulation to link atomistic, nanoscale, microscale, and mesoscale phenomena across time scales for an ever-widening range of applications. Within this overarching theme, the workshop participants identified emerging research opportunities that are categorized and described in more detail in the

Nanostructured carbon-metal oxide composite electrodes for supercapacitors: a review

Science.gov (United States)

Zhi, Mingjia; Xiang, Chengcheng; Li, Jiangtian; Li, Ming; Wu, Nianqiang

2012-12-01

This paper presents a review of the research progress in the carbon-metal oxide composites for supercapacitor electrodes. In the past decade, various carbon-metal oxide composite electrodes have been developed by integrating metal oxides into different carbon nanostructures including zero-dimensional carbon nanoparticles, one-dimensional nanostructures (carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers), two-dimensional nanosheets (graphene and reduced graphene oxides) as well as three-dimensional porous carbon nano-architectures. This paper has described the constituent, the structure and the properties of the carbon-metal oxide composites. An emphasis is placed on the synergistic effects of the composite on the performance of supercapacitors in terms of specific capacitance, energy density, power density, rate capability and cyclic stability. This paper has also discussed the physico-chemical processes such as charge transport, ion diffusion and redox reactions involved in supercapacitors.

Nanostructured carbon-metal oxide composite electrodes for supercapacitors: a review.

Science.gov (United States)

Zhi, Mingjia; Xiang, Chengcheng; Li, Jiangtian; Li, Ming; Wu, Nianqiang

2013-01-07

This paper presents a review of the research progress in the carbon-metal oxide composites for supercapacitor electrodes. In the past decade, various carbon-metal oxide composite electrodes have been developed by integrating metal oxides into different carbon nanostructures including zero-dimensional carbon nanoparticles, one-dimensional nanostructures (carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers), two-dimensional nanosheets (graphene and reduced graphene oxides) as well as three-dimensional porous carbon nano-architectures. This paper has described the constituent, the structure and the properties of the carbon-metal oxide composites. An emphasis is placed on the synergistic effects of the composite on the performance of supercapacitors in terms of specific capacitance, energy density, power density, rate capability and cyclic stability. This paper has also discussed the physico-chemical processes such as charge transport, ion diffusion and redox reactions involved in supercapacitors.

Synthesis and Optical Investigations of the Guest-Host Nanostructures Alumina-SiC and Alumina-In{sub 2}O{sub 3}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bouifoulen, A; Kassiba, A; Edely, M [Laboratoire de Physique de l' Etat Condense, UMR-CNRS 6087, Institut de recherche IRIM2F-FR-CNRS 2575-Universite du Maine, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans Cedex 9 (France); Outzourhit, A; Oueriagli, A [Laboratoire de Physique du Solide et Couches Minces, Faculte des Sciences Semlalia, Universite Cadi Ayyad, B. P. 2390, Marrakech 40000, Maroc (Morocco); Makowska-Janusik, M [Institute of Physics, Al. Armii.Krajowej, 13/15, J. Dlugosz University, 42-200 Czestochowa (Poland); Szade, J, E-mail: kassiba@univ-lemans.fr [A.Chelkowski Institute of Physics - University Slaski in Katowice - 40-219 Katowice (Poland)

2011-04-01

Several strategies were developed to synthesise two classes of nanostructured thin films with nanocrystals of SiC (nc-SiC) or In{sub 2}O{sub 3} (nc-In{sub 2}O{sub 3}) confined in alumina. The syntheses were performed by using Rf-sputtering and co-pulverisation process of the suitable reactants. Thus, Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/nc-SiC and Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/nc-In{sub 2}O{sub 3} composite thin films were obtained and their structural and optical features analyzed respectively by XRD, XPS and UV-VIS absorption. The deposition conditions and the post-synthesis treatments were optimized in order to improve the crystalline character of confined nanocrystals. The optical properties were compared in the range 200 nm-1200 nm for bare alumina films or nanostructured ones with the semiconducting nanocrystals. The direct and indirect band band gaps were evaluated and discussed with regard to the stoechiometry and morphologies of the nanocomposite films

Nanostructured Metal Oxides for Stoichiometric Degradation of Chemical Warfare Agents.

Science.gov (United States)

Štengl, Václav; Henych, Jiří; Janoš, Pavel; Skoumal, Miroslav

2016-01-01

Metal oxides have very important applications in many areas of chemistry, physics and materials science; their properties are dependent on the method of preparation, the morphology and texture. Nanostructured metal oxides can exhibit unique characteristics unlike those of the bulk form depending on their morphology, with a high density of edges, corners and defect surfaces. In recent years, methods have been developed for the preparation of metal oxide powders with tunable control of the primary particle size as well as of a secondary particle size: the size of agglomerates of crystallites. One of the many ways to take advantage of unique properties of nanostructured oxide materials is stoichiometric degradation of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) pollutants on their surfaces.

Luminescence and magnetic behaviour of almond like (Na{sub 0.5}La{sub 0.5})MoO{sub 4}:RE{sup 3+} (RE = Eu, Tb, Dy) nanostructures

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Krishnan, Rajagopalan [Department of Physics, B.S. Abdur Rahman University, Vandalur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu (India); Thirumalai, Jagannathan, E-mail: jthirumalai@bsauniv.ac.in [Department of Physics, B.S. Abdur Rahman University, Vandalur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu (India); Thomas, Sabu [Polymer Science and Technology, Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, School of Chemical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam 686 560, Kerala (India); Gowri, Mahasampath [Department of Chemistry, B.S. Abdur Rahman University, Vandalur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu (India)

2014-08-01

Graphical abstract: Monodispersed almond-like (Na{sub 0.5}La{sub 0.5})MoO{sub 4}:RE{sup 3+} nanostructures synthesized by employing ethylene-diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) using hydrothermal route at 200 °C for 24 h. These nanoparticles were found to be novel bi-functional candidates suitable for high-quality luminescence and magnetic applications. - Highlights: • Almond like structures of (Na{sub 0.5}La{sub 0.5})MoO{sub 4}:RE{sup 3+} were synthesized by hydrothermal method. • Time dependent self-assembly could be the dominant process for the formation of 3D networks. • Luminescence properties of nanosamples were studied in comparison with bulk sample. • Room temperature magnetic properties of bulk and nanophosphors were investigated. - Abstract: Tetragonal phase (Na{sub 0.5}La{sub 0.5})MoO{sub 4}:RE{sup 3+} (RE = Eu, Tb, Dy) with almond like hierarchical structures assembled from nanosheets building blocks were successfully synthesized by employing disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Na{sub 2}EDTA) using hydrothermal route at 200 °C for 24 h. Field emission scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and X-ray diffraction patterns were used to characterize the morphology, size, and crystal structure with good resolution. The sequestering agent EDTA acts as quadridentate ligand coordinated with metal ions [Na{sup +}, La{sup 3+}/RE{sup 3+}] facilitating the formation of self-organized 3D networks. The growth mechanism for the formation of almond like nanostructures is explicated in four paths: dissolution, adsorption, in situ transformation in acidic and basic media and the effective collision. Photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra reveals a spectral blue shift which was observed in the nanosamples towards shorter wavelengths compared with the bulk sample. Upon UV irradiation, both bulk and nanostructure show strong luminescence in the red region due to the {sup 5}D{sub 0} → {sup 7}F{sub 2} transition in Eu{sup 3

Polarization reversal in BaTiO{sub 3} nanostructures synthesized by microwave-assisted hydrothermal method

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Velasco-Davalos, Ivan; Ambriz-Vargas, Fabian [Centre Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunications, INRS, 1650 Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Québec J3X1S2 (Canada); Gómez-Yáñez, Carlos [Departamento de Ingeniería en Metalurgia y Materiales, ESIQIE, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, UPALM, Zacatenco, CP 07738 DF, México (Mexico); Thomas, Reji, E-mail: reji.thomas@emt.inrs.ca [Centre Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunications, INRS, 1650 Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Québec J3X1S2 (Canada); Ruediger, Andreas, E-mail: ruediger@emt.inrs.ca [Centre Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunications, INRS, 1650 Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Québec J3X1S2 (Canada)

2016-05-15

Ferroelectric BaTiO{sub 3} nanostructures and thin films were deposited by a microwave assisted hydrothermal process at low temperatures (<250 °C) on metallic Pt/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/SiO{sub 2}/Si and Nb:SrTiO{sub 3} (100) substrates. TiO{sub 2} nanoparticles dispersed in the Ba(OH){sub 2} alkaline solution are used as the precursors without any mineralizers. The incorporation of H{sub 2}O{sub 2} into precursor solution served as a strong oxidant and catalyst for the uniform nucleation of BaTiO{sub 3} on the substrate surface. The polycrystalline and epitaxial nature of the films were confirmed by atomic force microscopy and x-ray diffraction studies. We report the ferroelectric behavior of BaTiO{sub 3} films on Nb:SrTiO{sub 3} (100) substrates by piezoresponse force microscopy. - Highlights: • Microwave assisted hydrothermal deposition of highly ordered BaTiO{sub 3} thin films on single crystal substrates. • Fast growth without the needof any mineralizers. • Moderate addition of H{sub 2}O{sub 2} significantly improves the surface coverage. • H{sub 2}O{sub 2} substantially reduces hydrogen incorporation into the film and the associated leakage current. • Out-of-plane polarization reversal demonstrated locally.

Nanostructural self-organization and dynamic adaptation of metal-polymer tribosystems

Science.gov (United States)

Mashkov, Yu. K.

2017-02-01

The results of investigating the effect of nanosize modifiers of a polymer matrix on the nanostructural self-organization of polymer composites and dynamic adaptation of metal-polymer tribosystems, which considerably affect the wear resistance of polymer composite materials, have been analyzed. It has been shown that the physicochemical nanostructural self-organization processes are developed in metal-polymer tribosystems with the formation of thermotropic liquid-crystal structures of the polymer matrix, followed by the transition of the system to the stationary state with a negative feedback that ensures dynamic adaptation of the tribosystem to given operating conditions.

Tuning magnetic properties of magnetoelectric BiFeO{sub 3}-NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanostructures

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Crane, S.P. [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720 (United States)], E-mail: scrane@berkeley.edu; Bihler, C.; Brandt, M.S. [Walter Schottky Institut, Technische Universitaet Muenchen, D-85748 Garching (Germany); Goennenwein, S.T.B. [Walther-Meissner-Institut, Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften, D-85748 Garching (Germany); Gajek, M. [Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720 (United States); Ramesh, R. [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720 (United States); Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720 (United States)

2009-02-15

Multifunctional thin film nanostructures containing soft magnetic materials such as nickel ferrite are interesting for potential applications in microwave signal processing because of the possibility to shrink the size of device architecture and limit device power consumption. An essential prerequisite to future applications of such a system is a firm understanding of its magnetic properties. We show that nanostructures composed of ferrimagnetic NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} pillars in a multiferroic BiFeO{sub 3} matrix can be tuned magnetically by altering the aspect ratio of the pillars by depositing films of varying thickness. Magnetic anisotropy is studied using ferromagnetic resonance, which shows that the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy in the growth direction changes sign upon increasing the film thickness. The magnitude of this anisotropy contribution can be explained via a combination of shape and magnetostatic effects, using the object-oriented micromagnetic framework (OOMMF). The key factors determining the magnetic properties of the films are shown to be the aspect ratio of individual pillars and magnetostatic interactions between neighboring pillars.

Hierarchical Assembly of Multifunctional Oxide-based Composite Nanostructures for Energy and Environmental Applications

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Hui-Jan Lin

2012-06-01

Full Text Available Composite nanoarchitectures represent a class of nanostructured entities that integrates various dissimilar nanoscale building blocks including nanoparticles, nanowires, and nanofilms toward realizing multifunctional characteristics. A broad array of composite nanoarchitectures can be designed and fabricated, involving generic materials such as metal, ceramics, and polymers in nanoscale form. In this review, we will highlight the latest progress on composite nanostructures in our research group, particularly on various metal oxides including binary semiconductors, ABO<sub>3sub>-type perovskites, A<sub>2sub>BO>4sub> spinels and quaternary dielectric hydroxyl metal oxides (AB(OH<sub>6sub> with diverse application potential. Through a generic template strategy in conjunction with various synthetic approaches—such as hydrothermal decomposition, colloidal deposition, physical sputtering, thermal decomposition and thermal oxidation, semiconductor oxide alloy nanowires, metal oxide/perovskite (spinel composite nanowires, stannate based nanocompostes, as well as semiconductor heterojunction—arrays and networks have been self-assembled in large scale and are being developed as promising classes of composite nanoarchitectures, which may open a new array of advanced nanotechnologies in solid state lighting, solar absorption, photocatalysis and battery, auto-emission control, and chemical sensing.

Spectroscopy of peaks at microwave range for nanostructure SrFe{sub 12}O{sub 19} and NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} ferrite particles

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ariaee, Sina, E-mail: sina.ariaee@tabrizu.ac.ir; Mehdipour, Mostafa, E-mail: Mostafa_mehdipour67@yahoo.com; Moradnia, Mina, E-mail: mina.moradnia86@gmail.com

2017-05-01

In this paper, (SrFe{sub 12}O{sub 19} and NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}) nanostructure ferrite particles were synthesized via the co-precipitation of chloride salts utilizing the sodium hydroxide solution. The resulting precursors were heat-treated at 1100 °C for 4 h. After cooling in the furnace, the ferrite powders were pressed at 0.1 MPa and then sintered at 1200 °C for 4 h. The spectroscopy and characterization of peaks at the microwave range (X-band) for the nanostructure ferrite particles were investigated by the ferromagnetic resonance/transmit-line theories and Reflection Loss (RL) plots. The extracted data from these theoretical and experimental results showed that the natural ferromagnetic resonance can be lead to the narrow peaks and the width of the peaks can be related to the periodic effects. Two kinds of peaks were seen for NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} at X-band (8–12 GHz); the narrow peak at (9.8 GHz) was remaining unchanged and consistent while the wide one was shifted from 11 GHz to 8.5 GHz by decreasing the thickness of the samples. These phenomena were also happened for SrFe{sub 12}O{sub 19} samples. The natural resonance was not happened due to the hard magnetic properties of these nano structure particles. - Highlights: • SrFe{sub 12}O{sub 19} and NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanostructure ferrite particles were synthesized via the co-precipitation of chloride salts. • Two kinds of peaks were seen for NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} at X-band (8–12 GHz); these phenomena were also happened for SrFe{sub 12}O{sub 19} samples. • The narrow peaks were remained unchanged and consistent while the wide ones were shifted by decreasing the thickness of the samples. • Characterization procedure was conducted utilizing the ferromagnetic resonance/transmit-line theories and Reflection Loss (RL) plots. • It was concluded that the natural ferromagnetic resonance can be lead to the narrow peaks while the wide ones can be related to the periodic effects.

The prevalent synthesis of one-dimensional noble metal nanostructures based on sulfonated polyaniline at room temperature

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Xia Youyi

2011-01-01

We describe a prevalent method of synthesizing one-dimensional (1D) noble metal nanostructures (silver nanobelts and palladium nanowires) by treatment of corresponding noble metal ions only in the presence of the conductive sulfonated polyaniline without using any other reducing agents or energies. The results show that the sulfonated polyaniline provides the dual reductant and “soft template” roles to promoting noble metal ions to form shape-controlled 1D noble metal nanostructures in high yield. The employed approach may also shed some light on the preparation of other noble metal nanostructure by using conductive polymer.

Metal-organic framework templated electrodeposition of functional gold nanostructures

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Worrall, Stephen D.; Bissett, Mark A.; Hill, Patrick I.; Rooney, Aidan P.; Haigh, Sarah J.; Attfield, Martin P.; Dryfe, Robert A.W.

2016-01-01

Highlights: • Electrodeposition of anisotropic Au nanostructures templated by HKUST-1. • Au nanostructures replicate ∼1.4 nm pore spaces of HKUST-1. • Encapsulated Au nanostructures active as SERS substrate for 4-fluorothiophenol. - Abstract: Utilizing a pair of quick, scalable electrochemical processes, the permanently porous MOF HKUST-1 was electrochemically grown on a copper electrode and this HKUST-1-coated electrode was used to template electrodeposition of a gold nanostructure within the pore network of the MOF. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrates that a proportion of the gold nanostructures exhibit structural features replicating the pore space of this ∼1.4 nm maximum pore diameter MOF, as well as regions that are larger in size. Scanning electron microscopy shows that the electrodeposited gold nanostructure, produced under certain conditions of synthesis and template removal, is sufficiently inter-grown and mechanically robust to retain the octahedral morphology of the HKUST-1 template crystals. The functionality of the gold nanostructure within the crystalline HKUST-1 was demonstrated through the surface enhanced Raman spectroscopic (SERS) detection of 4-fluorothiophenol at concentrations as low as 1 μM. The reported process is confirmed as a viable electrodeposition method for obtaining functional, accessible metal nanostructures encapsulated within MOF crystals.

A general strategy toward the rational synthesis of metal tungstate nanostructures using plasma electrolytic oxidation method

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jiang, Yanan; Liu, Baodan; Zhai, Zhaofeng; Liu, Xiaoyuan; Yang, Bing; Liu, Lusheng; Jiang, Xin

2015-01-01

Graphical abstract: A general strategy for the rational synthesis of tungstate nanostructure has been developed based on plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) technology (up). Using this method, ZnWO 4 and NiWO 4 nanostructures with controllable morphologies and superior crystallinity can be easily obtained (down), showing obvious advantage in comparison with conventional hydrothermal and sol–gel methods. - Highlights: • Plasma electrolyte oxidation (PEO) method has been used for the rational synthesis of tungstate nanostructures. • ZnWO 4 nanoplates have strong mechanical adhesion with porous TiO 2 film substrate. • The morphology and dimensional size of ZnWO 4 nanostructures can be selectively tailored by controlling the annealing temperature and growth time. • The PEO method can be widely applied to the growth of various metal oxides. - Abstract: A new method based on conventional plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) technology has been developed for the rational synthesis of metal tungstate nanostructures. Using this method, ZnWO 4 and NiWO 4 nanostructures with controllable morphologies (nanorods, nanosheets and microsheets) and superior crystallinity have been synthesized. It has been found that the morphology diversity of ZnWO 4 nanostructures can be selectively tailored through tuning the electrolyte concentration and annealing temperatures, showing obvious advantages in comparison to traditional hydrothermal and sol–gel methods. Precise microscopy analyses on the cross section of the PEO coating and ZnWO 4 nanostructures confirmed that the precursors initially precipitated in the PEO coating and its surface during plasma discharge process are responsible for the nucleation and subsequent growth of metal tungstate nanostructures by thermal annealing. The method developed in this work represents a general strategy toward the rational synthesis of metal oxide nanostructures and the formation mechanism of metal tungstate nanostructures fabricated by

Black metal thin films by deposition on dielectric antireflective moth-eye nanostructures

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Christiansen, Alexander Bruun; Caringal, Gideon Peter; Clausen, Jeppe Sandvik

2015-01-01

Although metals are commonly shiny and highly reflective, we here show that thin metal films appear black when deposited on a dielectric with antireflective moth-eye nanostructures. The nanostructures were tapered and close-packed, with heights in the range 300-600 nm, and a lateral, spatial...... frequency in the range 5-7 mu m(-1). A reflectance in the visible spectrum as low as 6%, and an absorbance of 90% was observed for an Al film of 100 nm thickness. Corresponding experiments on a planar film yielded 80% reflectance and 20% absorbance. The observed absorbance enhancement is attributed...... to a gradient effect causing the metal film to be antireflective, analogous to the mechanism in dielectrics and semiconductors. We find that the investigated nanostructures have too large spatial frequency to facilitate efficient coupling to the otherwise non-radiating surface plasmons. Applications...

Behaviour of TEM metal grids during in-situ heating experiments.

Science.gov (United States)

Zhang, Zaoli; Su, Dangsheng

2009-05-01

The stability of Ni, Cu, Mo and Au transmission electron microscope (TEM) grids coated with ultra-thin amorphous carbon (alpha-C) or silicon monoxide film is examined by in-situ heating up to a temperature in the range 500-850 degrees C in a transmission electron microscope. It is demonstrated that some grids can generate nano-particles either due to the surface diffusion of metal atoms on amorphous film or due to the metal evaporation/redeposition. The emergence of nano-particles can complicate experimental observations, particularly in in-situ heating studies of dynamic behaviours of nano-materials in TEM. The most widely used Cu grid covered with amorphous carbon is unstable, and numerous Cu nano-particles start to form once the heating temperature reaches 600 degrees C. In the case of Ni grid covered with alpha-C film, a large number of Ni nano-crystals occur immediately when the temperature approaches 600 degrees C, accompanied by the graphitization of amorphous carbon. In contrast, both Mo and Au grids covered with alpha-C film exhibit good stability at elevated temperature, for instance, up to 680 and 850 degrees C for Mo and Au, respectively, and any other metal nano-particles are detected. Cu grid covered Si monoxide thin film is stable up to 550 degrees C, but Si nano-crystals appear under intensive electron beam. The generated nano-particles are well characterized by spectroscopic techniques (EDXS/EELS) and high-resolution TEM. The mechanism of nano-particle formation is addressed based on the interactions between the metal grid and the amorphous carbon film and on the sublimation of metal.

Application of a Steady Meandering River with Piers Using a Lattice Boltzmann Sub-Grid Model in Curvilinear Coordinate Grid

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Liping Chen

2018-05-01

Full Text Available A sub-grid multiple relaxation time (MRT lattice Boltzmann model with curvilinear coordinates is applied to simulate an artificial meandering river. The method is based on the D2Q9 model and standard Smagorinsky sub-grid scale (SGS model is introduced to simulate meandering flows. The interpolation supplemented lattice Boltzmann method (ISLBM and the non-equilibrium extrapolation method are used for second-order accuracy and boundary conditions. The proposed model was validated by a meandering channel with a 180° bend and applied to a steady curved river with piers. Excellent agreement between the simulated results and previous computational and experimental data was found, showing that MRT-LBM (MRT lattice Boltzmann method coupled with a Smagorinsky sub-grid scale (SGS model in a curvilinear coordinates grid is capable of simulating practical meandering flows.

A comparative study: Effect of plasma on V{sub 2}O{sub 5} nanostructured thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Singh, Megha; Kumar, Prabhat; Sharma, Rabindar K., E-mail: rkrksharma6@gmail.com; Reddy, G. B. [Thin film laboratory, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Delhi (India)

2016-05-06

Vanadium pentoxide nanostructured thin films (NSTs) have been studied to analyze the effect of plasma on nanostructures grown and morphology of films deposited using sublimation process. Nanostructured thin films were deposited on glass substrates, one in presence of oxygen plasma and other in oxygen environment (absence of plasma). Films were characterized using XRD, Raman spectroscopy, SEM and HRTEM. XRD studies revealed α-V{sub 2}O{sub 5} films (orthorhombic phase) with good crystallinity. However, film deposited in presence of plasma have higher peak intensities as compared to those deposited in absence of plasma. Raman studies also support these finding following same trends of considerable increase in intensity in case of film deposited in presence of plasma. SEM micrographs makes the difference more visible, as film deposited in plasma have well defined plate like structures whereas other film have not-clearly-defined petal-like structures. HRTEM results show orthorhombic phase with 0.39 nm interplanar spacing, as reported by XRD. Results are hereby in good agreement with each other.

On the thermal growth and properties of doped TiO{sub 2} and In{sub 2}O{sub 3} elongated nanostructures and nanoplates

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cremades, A. [Departamento de Física de Materiales, Facultad de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid (Spain); Herrera, M. [Centro de Nanociencias y Nanotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ensenada (Mexico); Bartolomé, J.; Vásquez, G.C. [Departamento de Física de Materiales, Facultad de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid (Spain); Maestre, D., E-mail: davidmaestre@fis.ucm.es [Departamento de Física de Materiales, Facultad de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid (Spain); Piqueras, J. [Departamento de Física de Materiales, Facultad de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid (Spain)

2014-11-15

In this work, the driving forces behind the growth mechanisms of In{sub 2}O{sub 3} and TiO{sub 2} micro- and nano-structures grown by an evaporation–solidification method are discussed. Effective or limited doping incorporation and its influence on the growth and morphology of the low dimensional structures are also assessed. A dislocation driven growth mechanism is proposed for indium oxide, indium tin oxide (ITO) and zinc doped indium oxide (IZO) nanowires. This growth mechanism is extended to the growth of IZO nano-plates. On the other hand, different low dimensional TiO{sub 2} morphologies, mainly nanowires, needles, and bidimensional leaf-like nanostructures, have been obtained by an anisotropic induced growth. By introducing Cr in the precursor mixture, needles are formed showing stepped lateral faces related to oxygen defect stoichiometry areas as observed by EDS mapping.

Study of structural, optical and thermal properties of nanostructured SnSe{sub 2} prepared by mechanical alloying

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Borges, Z.V. [Faculdade de Tecnologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, 3000 Japiim, 69077-000 Manaus, Amazonas (Brazil); Poffo, C.M., E-mail: claudio.poffo@ufsc.br [Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus de Araranguá, 88900-000, Santa Catarina (Brazil); Lima, J.C. de [Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Trindade, C.P. 476, 88040-900 Florianópolis, Santa Catarina (Brazil); Souza, S.M. de; Trichês, D.M.; Nogueira, T.P.O. [Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, 3000 Japiim, 69077-000 Manaus, Amazonas (Brazil); Manzato, L. [Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Amazonas, 1672, 69075-351 Manaus, Amazonas (Brazil); Biasi, R.S. de [Seção de Engenharia Mecânica e de Materiais, Instituto Militar de Engenharia, 22290-270 Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

2016-02-01

A nanostructured SnSe{sub 2} phase was successfully produced by mechanical alloying. The influence of defect centers on the structural, optical and photoacoustic properties of the alloy was investigated by annealing the as-milled SnSe{sub 2} powder. From optical absorbance and photoacoustic absorption measurements, the energy band gap, E{sub g}, and the thermal diffusivity, α, values were determined for as-milled and annealed samples. The thermal conductivity values for the as-milled and annealed samples were estimated by using the α values obtained from the photoacoustic measurements, the density values obtained from the Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffraction patterns and the specific heat value for the bulk SnSe{sub 2} phase. These values were used to estimate the dimensionless figure of merit ZT. It was evidenced that the ZT parameter of the as-milled nanostructured SnSe{sub 2} sample is almost twice larger than the ZT of the annealed sample. - Highlights: • Nanostructured SnSe{sub 2} was produced using Mechanical Alloying technique. • As milled sample has a high fraction of interfacial component (80%). • Thermal diffusivity value for nanostructured SnSe{sub 2} was a new report in literature.

Metal oxide nanostructures: preparation, characterization and functional applications as chemical sensors.

Science.gov (United States)

Zappa, Dario; Bertuna, Angela; Comini, Elisabetta; Kaur, Navpreet; Poli, Nicola; Sberveglieri, Veronica; Sberveglieri, Giorgio

2017-01-01

Preparation and characterization of different metal oxide (NiO, WO 3 , ZnO, SnO 2 and Nb 2 O 5 ) nanostructures for chemical sensing are presented. p-Type (NiO) and n-type (WO 3 , SnO 2 , ZnO and Nb 2 O 5 ) metal oxide nanostructures were grown on alumina substrates using evaporation-condensation, thermal oxidation and hydrothermal techniques. Surface morphologies and crystal structures were investigated through scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, different batches of sensors have been prepared, and their sensing performances towards carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide have been explored. Moreover, metal oxide nanowires have been integrated into an electronic nose and successfully applied to discriminate between drinking and contaminated water.

High-capacity nanostructured germanium-containing materials and lithium alloys thereof

Science.gov (United States)

Graetz, Jason A.; Fultz, Brent T.; Ahn, Channing; Yazami, Rachid

2010-08-24

Electrodes comprising an alkali metal, for example, lithium, alloyed with nanostructured materials of formula Si.sub.zGe.sub.(z-1), where 0electrodes made from graphite. These electrodes are useful as anodes for secondary electrochemical cells, for example, batteries and electrochemical supercapacitors.

METALLIC AND HYBRID NANOSTRUCTURES: FUNDAMENTALS AND APPLICATIONS

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Murph, S.

2012-05-02

This book chapter presents an overview of research conducted in our laboratory on preparation, optical and physico-chemical properties of metallic and nanohybrid materials. Metallic nanoparticles, particularly gold, silver, platinum or a combination of those are the main focus of this review manuscript. These metallic nanoparticles were further functionalized and used as templates for creation of complex and ordered nanomaterials with tailored and tunable structural, optical, catalytic and surface properties. Controlling the surface chemistry on/off metallic nanoparticles allows production of advanced nanoarchitectures. This includes coupled or encapsulated core-shell geometries, nano-peapods, solid or hollow, monometallic/bimetallic, hybrid nanoparticles. Rational assemblies of these nanostructures into one-, two- and tridimensional nano-architectures is described and analyzed. Their sensing, environmental and energy related applications are reviewed.

Construction of stable Ta{sub 3}N{sub 5}/g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} metal/non-metal nitride hybrids with enhanced visible-light photocatalysis

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jiang, Yinhua, E-mail: yms418@126.com [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 2120013,PR China (China); Liu, Peipei; Chen, YeCheng; Zhou, Zhengzhong; Yang, Haijian [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 2120013,PR China (China); Hong, Yuanzhi; Li, Fan; Ni, Liang [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 2120013,PR China (China); Yan, Yongsheng [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 2120013,PR China (China); Gregory, Duncan H, E-mail: duncan.gregory@glasgow.ac.uk [School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ (United Kingdom)

2017-01-01

Highlights: • Novel Ta{sub 3}N{sub 5}/g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} metal/non-metal nitride hybrids were synthesized. • The hybrid nitrides showed enhanced visible-light photocatalytic performance. • The Ta{sub 3}N{sub 5}/g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} hybrid nitride exhibited excellent photostability. • The hole is the main photoactive specie for the degradation of RhB. - Abstract: In this paper, a novel Ta{sub 3}N{sub 5}/g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} metal/non-metal nitride hybrid was successfully synthesized by a facile impregnation method. The photocatalytic activity of Ta{sub 3}N{sub 5}/g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} hybrid nitrides was evaluated by the degradation of organic dye rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation, and the result indicated that all Ta{sub 3}N{sub 5}/g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} samples exhibited distinctly enhanced photocatalytic activities for the degradation of RhB than pure g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}. The optimal Ta{sub 3}N{sub 5}/g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} composite sample, with Ta{sub 3}N{sub 5} mass ratio of 2%, demonstrated the highest photocatalytic activity, and its degradation rate constant was 2.71 times as high as that of pure g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of this Ta{sub 3}N{sub 5}/g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} metal/metal-free nitride was predominantly attributed to the synergistic effect which increased visible-light absorption and facilitated the efficient separation of photoinduced electrons and holes. The Ta{sub 3}N{sub 5}/g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} hybrid nitride exhibited excellent photostability and reusability. The possible mechanism for improved photocatalytic performance was proposed. Overall, this work may provide a facile way to synthesize the highly efficient metal/metal-free hybrid nitride photocatalysts with promising applications in environmental purification and energy conversion.

Development of Cr{sub 3}C{sub 2}-25(Ni20Cr) nanostructured coatings; Desenvolvimento de revestimentos nanostruturados de Cr{sub 3}C{sub 2}-25(Ni20Cr)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cunha, Cecilio Alvares da

2012-07-01

This study is divided in two parts. The first part is about the preparation of nanostructured Cr{sub 3}C{sub 2}-25(Ni20Cr) powders by high energy milling followed by characterization of the milled and the as received powder. Analyses of some of the data obtained were done using a theoretical approach. The second part of this study is about the preparation and characterization of coatings prepared with the nanostructured as well as the as received Cr{sub 3}C{sub 2}-25(Ni20Cr) powders. The high temperature erosion-oxidation (E-O) behavior of the coatings prepared with the two types of powders has been compared based on a technological approach. The average crystallite size of the Cr{sub 3}C{sub 2}-25(Ni20Cr) powder decreased rapidly from 145 nm to 50 nm in the initial stages of milling and thereafter decreased slowly to a steady state value of around 10 nm with further increase in milling time. This steady state corresponds to the beginning of a dynamic recovery process. The maximum lattice strain ({epsilon} = 1,17%) was observed in powders milled for 16 hours, and this powders critical crystallite size was 28 nm. In contrast, the lattice parameter attained a minimum for powders milled for 16 hours. Upon reaching the critical crystallite size, the dislocation density attained a steady state regime and all plastic deformation introduced in the material there after was in the form of events occurring at the grain boundaries, due mainly to grain boundary sliding. The deformation energy stored in the crystal lattice of the Cr{sub 3}C{sub 2}-25(Ni20Cr) powders milled for different times was determined from enthalpy variation measurements. These results indicated that the maximum enthalpy variation ({delta}H = 722 mcal) also occurred for powders milled for 16 hours. In a similar manner, the maximum specific heat variation ({delta}C{sub p} = 0,278 cal/gK) occurred for powders milled for 16 hours. The following mechanical properties of Cr{sub 3}C{sub 2}-25(Ni20Cr) coatings

Fabrication of large area homogeneous metallic nanostructures for optical sensing using colloidal lithography

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Eriksen, René Lynge; Pors, Anders; Dreier, Jes

2010-01-01

We propose a simple and reproducible method for fabricating large area metal films with inter-connected nanostructures using a combination of colloidal lithography, metal deposition and a template stripping technique. The method is generic in the sense that it is possible to produce a variety...... to fabricate metal films with inter-connected nanostructures consisting of either partial spherical shells or the inverted structures: spherical cavities. The substrates are characterized by optical reflectance and transmittance spectroscopy. We demonstrate, in the case of partial spherical shells...

SISGR - Design and Characterization of Novel Photocatalysts With Core-Shell Nanostructures

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zaera, Francisco [Univ. of California, Riverside, CA (United States). Dept. of Chemistry; Bardeen, Christopher J. [Univ. of California, Riverside, CA (United States). Dept. of Chemistry; Yin, Yadong [Univ. of California, Riverside, CA (United States). Dept. of Chemistry

2017-03-15

The overall goal of this project has been to develop new a new and novel class of well-characterized nanostructured Metal@TiO>2sub> core-shell and yolk-shell photocatalysts to address two fundamental issues presently limiting this field: (1) the fast recombination of electron-hole pairs once generated by light absorption, and (2) the recombination of H<sub>2sub> and O<sub>2sub> on the metal surface once produced. These model samples are also used to study the fundamentals of the photocatalytic processes.

Hierarchical Co(OH){sub 2} nanostructures/glassy carbon electrode derived from Co(BTC) metal–organic frameworks for glucose sensing

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

He, Juan; Lu, Xingping; Yu, Jie; Wang, Li; Song, Yonghai, E-mail: yhsonggroup@hotmail.com [Jiangxi Normal University, Key Laboratory of Functional Small Organic Molecule, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (China)

2016-07-15

A novel Co(OH){sub 2}/glassy carbon electrode (GCE) has been fabricated via metal–organic framework (MOF)-directed method. In the strategy, the Co(BTC, 1,3,5-benzentricarboxylic acid) MOFs/GCE was firstly prepared by alternately immersing GCE in Co{sup 2+} and BTC solution based on a layer-by-layer method. And then, the Co(OH){sub 2} with hierarchical flake nanostructure/GCE was constructed by immersing Co(BTC) MOFs/GCE into 0.1 M NaOH solution at room temperature. Such strategy improves the distribution of hierarchical Co(OH){sub 2} nanostructures on electrode surface greatly, enhances the stability of nanomaterials on the electrode surface, and increases the use efficiency of the Co(OH){sub 2} nanostructures. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, energy dispersive spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectra were used to characterize the Co(BTC) MOFs/GCE and Co(OH){sub 2}/GCE. Based on the hierarchical Co(OH){sub 2} nanostructures/GCE, a novel and sensitive nonenzymatic glucose sensor was developed. The good performance of the resulted sensor toward the detection of glucose was ascribed to hierarchical flake nanostructures, good mechanical stability, excellent distribution, and large specific surface area of Co(OH){sub 2} nanostructures. The proposed preparation method is simple, efficient, and cheap .Graphical Abstract.

Surface plasmon microscopy with low-cost metallic nanostructures for biosensing I

Science.gov (United States)

Lindquist, Nathan; Oh, Sang-Hyun; Otto, Lauren

2012-02-01

The field of plasmonics aims to manipulate light over dimensions smaller than the optical wavelength by exploiting surface plasmon resonances in metallic films. Typically, surface plasmons are excited by illuminating metallic nanostructures. For meaningful research in this exciting area, the fabrication of high-quality nanostructures is critical, and in an undergraduate setting, low-cost methods are desirable. Careful optical characterization of the metallic nanostructures is also required. Here, we present the use of novel, inexpensive nanofabrication techniques and the development of a customized surface plasmon microscopy setup for interdisciplinary undergraduate experiments in biosensing, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, and surface plasmon imaging. A Bethel undergraduate student performs the nanofabrication in collaboration with the University of Minnesota. The rewards of mentoring undergraduate students in cooperation with a large research university are numerous, exposing them to a wide variety of opportunities. This research also interacts with upper-level, open-ended laboratory projects, summer research, a semester-long senior research experience, and will enable a large range of experiments into the future.

Synthesis of anatase and rutile TiO{sub 2} nanostructures from natural ilmenite

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wahyuingsih, Sayekti, E-mail: sayekti@mipa.uns.ac.id; Ramelan, Ari Handono; Pramono, Edi; Sulistya, Ariantama Djati; Argawan, Panji Rofa; Dharmawan, Frenandha Dwi; Rinawati, Ludfiaastu; Hanif, Qonita Awliya [Inorganic Materials Research Group, Faculty of Mathematic and Natural Science, Sebelas Maret University (Indonesia); Sulistiyono, Eko; Firdiyono, Florentinus [Metallurgy Extraction Laboratory, Central of Metallurgy Research LIPI, Serpong (Indonesia)

2016-02-08

Nanostructure anatase and rutile type TiO{sub 2} were synthesized from dissolution roasted ilmenite from natural ilmenite sand as the starting materials. Anatase TiO{sub 2} and rutile TiO{sub 2} (high crystallinity) with the diameters of 20–100 nm were obtained by calcined soluble ilmenite sand produced by leaching process. Calcinations of the xerogel TiO{sub 2} from liquor products were conducted for 4 hours at temperature of 450 °C. The samples were characterized by XRD (X-ray diffraction), STA (simultant thermal analysis), TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy), and BET surface area. Titania Anatase-Rutile form as a mixture were produced by titania slag with the hydrolysis product. While, in another route, complete titania anatase phase was produced through hydrolysis and condensation steps of leach liquors. This synthesis methods provide a simple route to fabricate nanostructure TiO{sub 2} from low cost material.

Metal Oxide Nanostructures in Food Applications: Quality Control and Packaging

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Vardan Galstyan

2018-04-01

Full Text Available Metal oxide materials have been applied in different fields due to their excellent functional properties. Metal oxides nanostructuration, preparation with the various morphologies, and their coupling with other structures enhance the unique properties of the materials and open new perspectives for their application in the food industry. Chemical gas sensors that are based on semiconducting metal oxide materials can detect the presence of toxins and volatile organic compounds that are produced in food products due to their spoilage and hazardous processes that may take place during the food aging and transportation. Metal oxide nanomaterials can be used in food processing, packaging, and the preservation industry as well. Moreover, the metal oxide-based nanocomposite structures can provide many advantageous features to the final food packaging material, such as antimicrobial activity, enzyme immobilization, oxygen scavenging, mechanical strength, increasing the stability and the shelf life of food, and securing the food against humidity, temperature, and other physiological factors. In this paper, we review the most recent achievements on the synthesis of metal oxide-based nanostructures and their applications in food quality monitoring and active and intelligent packaging.

Highly selective electrodeposition of sub-10 nm crystalline noble metallic nanorods inside vertically aligned multiwall carbon nanotubes

Science.gov (United States)

Wang, Xuyang; Wang, Ranran; Wu, Qiang; Zhang, Xiaohua; Yang, Zhaohui; Guo, Jun; Chen, Muzi; Tang, Minghua; Cheng, Yajun; Chu, Haibin

2016-07-01

In this paper crystalline noble metallic nanorods including Au and Ag with sub-10 nm diameter, are encapsulated within prealigned and open-ended multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) through an electrodeposition method. As the external surface of CNTs has been insulated by the epoxy the CNT channel becomes the only path for the mass transport as well as the nanoreactor for the metal deposition. Highly crystallized Au and Ag2O nanorods parallel to the radial direction of CNTs are confirmed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and x-ray powder diffraction spectroscopy. The Ag2O nanorods are formed by air oxidation on the Ag metals and show a single crystalline structure with (111) planes. The Au nanorods exhibit a complex crystalline structure including twin-crystal and lattice dislocation with (111) and (200) planes. These crystalline noble metallic nanostructures may have important applications for nanocatalysts for fuel cells as well as nanoelectronic and nanophotonic devices. This method is deemed to benefit the precise deposition of other crystalline nanostructures inside CNTs with a small diameter.

Improving the Kinetics and Thermodynamics of Mg(BH<sub>4sub>)>2sub> for Hydrogen Storage

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wood, Brandon [Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States); Klebanoff, Lennie [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States); Stavila, Vitalie [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States); Heo, Tae Wook [Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States); Ray, Keith [Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States); Lee, Jonathan [Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States); Baker, Alex [Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States); Kang, ShinYoung [Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States); Yu, Hui-Chia [Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States); Thornton, Katsuyo [Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)

2017-10-31

The objective of this project is to (1) combine theory, synthesis, and characterization across multiple scales to understand the intrinsic kinetic and thermodynamic limitations in MgB<sub>2sub>/Mg(BH>4sub>)>2sub>; (2) construct and apply a flexible, validated, multiscale theoretical framework for modeling (de)hydrogenation kinetics of the Mg-B-H system and related metal hydrides; and (3) devise strategies for improving kinetics and thermodynamics, particularly through nanostructuring and doping. The project has an emphasis on understanding and improving rehydrogenation of MgB<sub>2sub>, which has generally been less explored and is key to enabling practical use.

Synthesis, surface group modification of 3D MnV{sub 2}O{sub 6} nanostructures and adsorption effect on Rhodamine B

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang, Wanqun, E-mail: wqz@ustc.edu.cn [Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Micro-scale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026 (China); Chemical Experimental Teaching Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026 (China); Shi, Lei, E-mail: shil@ustc.edu.cn [Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Micro-scale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026 (China); Tang, Kaibin; Liu, Zhongping [Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Micro-scale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026 (China)

2012-07-15

Highlights: ► Fabrication of urchin-like MnV{sub 2}O{sub 6} with oxygen-containing surface groups. ► Mn{sub 0.5}V{sub 2}O{sub 5}·nH{sub 2}O as an intermediate product holds the key to the final products. ► 3D architectures of MnV{sub 2}O{sub 6} with oxygen-containing surface groups as sorbent. ► The sorbent shows a good adsorption ability. -- Abstract: Highly uniform 3D MnV{sub 2}O{sub 6} nanostructures modified by oxygen functional groups (-COO-) were successfully prepared in large quantities by an approach involving preparation of vanadyl ethylene glycolate as the precursor. The growth and self-assembly of MnV{sub 2}O{sub 6} nanobelts and nanorods could be readily tuned by additive species and quantities, which brought different morphologies and sizes to the final products. With a focus on the regulation of structure, the formation process of 3D architectures of MnV{sub 2}O{sub 6} by self-assembly of nanobelts was followed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The consecutive processes of vanadyl ethylene glycolate and benzoyl peroxide assisted formation of layered structure Mn{sub 0.5}V{sub 2}O{sub 5}·nH{sub 2}O, growth of aligned MnV{sub 2}O{sub 6} nanobelts, and oriented assembly were proposed for the growth mechanism. The band gap vs. different morphology was also studied. Optical characterization of these MnV{sub 2}O{sub 6} with different morphologies showed direct bandgap energies at 1.8–1.95 eV. The adsorption properties of 3D MnV{sub 2}O{sub 6} nanostructures synthesized under different conditions were investigated through the removal test of Rhodamine B in aqueous water, and the 3D nanostructures synthesized with 30 g L{sup −1} benzoyl peroxide showed good adsorption capability of Rhodamine B.

One-pot, template- and surfactant-free solvothermal synthesis of high-crystalline Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanostructures with adjustable morphologies and high magnetization

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zong, Yan; Xin, Hongna; Zhang, Jiarui [School of Physics, Northwest University, Xi’an 710000 (China); Li, Xinghua, E-mail: lixinghua04@gmail.com [School of Physics, Northwest University, Xi’an 710000 (China); Feng, Juan [School of Physics, Northwest University, Xi’an 710000 (China); Deng, Xia [School of Physical Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000 (China); Sun, Yong [School of Physics, Northwest University, Xi’an 710000 (China); Zheng, Xinliang, E-mail: zhengxl@nwu.edu.cn [School of Physics, Northwest University, Xi’an 710000 (China)

2017-02-01

In the present study, high-crystalline and well-defined Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanostructures with tunable morphologies were fabricated through a facile one-pot solvothermal approach. The morphology, crystal structure and chemical compositions of the products were characterized at the nanoscale. X-ray diffraction and selected area electron diffraction patterns indicate that the products have a pure spinel phase without the presence of any other impurity. Based on the transmission electron microscope technology, shape evolution of the products were investigated. Several morphologies including irregular particles, clusters, hollow sphere and octahedrons can be obtained by only adjusting the amount of NaOH without using any surfactant. Magnetism investigations show that all the products perform ferromagnetic behavior with high saturation magnetization at room temperature, which mainly originates from their high crystalline nature and template-free fabrication process. - Highlights: • Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} were prepared by a template- and surfactant-free solvothermal route. • The shapes of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanostructures can be controlled by changing the amount of NaOH. • All the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanostructures with different shapes have high magnetization values.

Solvothermal synthesis of hierarchical TiO{sub 2} nanostructures with tunable morphology and enhanced photocatalytic activity

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fan, Zhenghua [School of Physics and Materials Science, Anhui University, Hefei 230601 (China); Meng, Fanming, E-mail: mrmeng@ahu.edu.cn [School of Physics and Materials Science, Anhui University, Hefei 230601 (China); Key laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion and Electron Beams (Dalian University of Technology), Ministry of Education, Dalian 116024 (China); Zhang, Miao [School of Physics and Materials Science, Anhui University, Hefei 230601 (China); Wu, Zhenyu [College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601 (China); Sun, Zhaoqi; Li, Aixia [School of Physics and Materials Science, Anhui University, Hefei 230601 (China)

2016-01-01

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Hierarchical anatase TiO{sub 2} nanostructures with enhanced photocatalytic activity are synthesized by solvothermal method. • A mechanism for enhanced photocatalytic activity of chrysanthemum-like hierarchical TiO{sub 2} nanostructures is proposed. • A possible formation mechanism is suggested to explain the transformation from rose-like to chrysanthemum-like, and to sea-urchin-like. - Abstract: This paper presents controllable growth and photocatalytic activity of TiO{sub 2} hierarchical nanostructures by solvothermal method at different temperatures. It is revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) that the morphology of TiO{sub 2} can be effectively controlled as rose-like, chrysanthemum-like and sea-urchin-like only changing solvothermal temperature. BET surface area analysis confirms the presence of a mesoporous network in all the nanostructures, and shows high surface area at relatively high temperature. The photocatalytic activities of the photocatalysts are evaluated by the photodegradation of RhB under UV light irradiation. The TiO{sub 2} samples exhibit high activity on the photodegradation of RhB, which is higher than that of the commercial P25. The enhancement in photocatalytic performance can be attributed to the synergetic effect of the surface area, crystallinity, band gap and crystalline size.

Characterization of nanostructured Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4} thin films grown by SILAR method at room temperature

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ubale, A.U., E-mail: ashokuu@yahoo.com [Nanostructure Thin Film Materials Laboratory, Department of Physics, Govt. Vidarbha Institute of Science and Humanities, VMV Road, Amravati 444604, Maharashtra (India); Belkhedkar, M.R. [Department of Physics, Shri Shivaji College, Akola 444003, Maharashtra (India); Sakhare, Y.S. [Nanostructure Thin Film Materials Laboratory, Department of Physics, Govt. Vidarbha Institute of Science and Humanities, VMV Road, Amravati 444604, Maharashtra (India); Singh, Arvind [National Centre for Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology, University of Mumbai, Santacruz, Mumbai, Maharashtra (India); Gurada, Chetan; Kothari, D.C. [Department of Physics, University of Mumbai, Santacruz, Mumbai, Maharashtra (India)

2012-10-15

A novel successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method has been successfully employed to grow nanostructured conducting nearly transparent thin films of Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4} on to glass substrates at room temperature using MnCl{sub 2} and NaOH as cationic and anionic precursors. The structural and morphological characterizations of the as deposited Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4} films have been carried out by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Micrograph (FESEM), EDAX, Atomic Fore Microscopy (AFM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrum (FTIR) analysis. The optical absorption and electrical resistivity measurements were carried out to investigate optical band gap and activation energy of Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4} films deposited by SILAR method. The optical band gap and activation energy of the as deposited film is found to be 2.70 and 0.14 eV respectively. The thermo-emf measurements of Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4} thin film confirm its p-type semiconducting nature. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Nanostructured Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4} thin film is prepared by SILAR method at room temperature. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The film is nanocrystalline with orthorhombic structure of Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4}. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The XRD, FTIR, FESEM, EDX and AFM characterization confirms nanocrystalline nature. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Optical band gap, electrical resistivity and activation energy of film is reported. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer A thermo-emf measurement confirms p-type conductivity of Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4} films.

Extraordinary Magnetic Field Enhancement with Metallic Nanowire: Role of Surface Impedance in Babinet's Principle for Sub-Skin-Depth Regime

Science.gov (United States)

Koo, Sukmo; Kumar, M. Sathish; Shin, Jonghwa; Kim, Daisik; Park, Namkyoo

2009-12-01

We propose and analyze the “complementary” structure of a metallic nanogap, namely, the metallic nanowire for magnetic field enhancement. A huge enhancement of the field up to a factor of 300 was achieved. Introducing the surface impedance concept, we also develop and numerically confirm a new analytic theory which successfully predicts the field enhancement factors for metal nanostructures. Compared to the predictions of the classical Babinet principle applied to a nanogap, an order of magnitude difference in the field enhancement factor was observed for the sub-skin-depth regime nanowire.

Design, fabrication, and characterization of metallic nanostructures for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and plasmonic applications

Science.gov (United States)

Hao, Qingzhen

Metal/dielectric nanostructures have the ability to sustain coherent electron oscillations known as surface plasmons. Due to their capability of localizing and guiding light in sub-wavelength metal nanostructures beyond diffraction limits, surface plasmon-based photonics, or “plasmonics” has opened new physical phenomena and lead to novel applications in metamaterials, optoelectronics, surface enhanced spectroscopy and biological sensing. This dissertation centers on design, fabrication, characterization of metallic nanostructures and their applications in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and actively tunable plasmonics. Metal-dielectric nanostructures are the building blocks for photonic metamaterials. One valuable design guideline for metamaterials is the Babinet’s principle, which governs the optical properties of complementary nanostructures. However, most complementary metamaterials are designed for the far infrared region or beyond, where the optical absorption of metal is small. We have developed a novel dual fabrication method, capable of simultaneously producing optically thin complementary structures. From experimental measurements and theoretical simulations, we showed that Babinet’s principle qualitatively holds in the visible region for the optically thin complements. The complementary structure is also a good platform to study subtle differences between nanoparticles and nanoholes in SERS (a surface sensitive technique, which can enhance the conventional Raman cross-section by 106˜108 fold, thus very useful for highly sensitive biochemical sensing). Through experimental measurement and theoretical analysis, we showed that the SERS enhancement spectrum (plot of SERS enhancement versus excitation wavelengths), dominated by local near-field, for nanoholes closely follows their far-field optical transmission spectrum. However, the enhancement spectrum for nanoparticles red-shifts significantly from their far-field optical extinction

SWAXS investigations on diffuse boundary nanostructures of metallic nanoparticles synthesized by electrical discharges

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Guo, Xiaoai, E-mail: xiaoai.guo@kit.edu; Gutsche, Alexander; Nirschl, Hermann [Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Mechanical Process Engineering and Mechanics (Germany)

2013-11-15

Metallic nanoparticles have attracted a particular interest in scientific research and industrial applications due to their unique size-dependent physical and chemical properties. An eco-friendly and cost-effective synthesis method called electrical discharge enables large scale production of metallic nanoparticles. Systematic investigations of such synthesized metallic nanoparticles help to optimize the synthesis process and improve the product quality. In this work, for the first time we have investigated the diffuse interfacial boundary nanostructures of the metallic nanoparticles, which were synthesized under different conditions by electrical glow and arc discharges in the carrier gas, by means of a small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SWAXS) technique using a laboratory X-ray source. Meanwhile, this unique SWAXS technique allows simultaneous study of the primary particle size, morphology, and crystallinity. The metallic nanoparticles (copper and nickel) under investigation cover a size range of 10–80 nm, and the determined thickness of the diffuse boundary nanostructured layer of metallic nanoparticles is in the range of 1–3 nm. The experimental results obtained by SWAXS were compared to the TEM/EDX observation and the XRD reference patterns from RRUFF database, and a good agreement was found. Our SWAXS investigations indicated that the existence of a diffuse nanostructured solid layer on the synthesized metallic nanoparticle surface causes a negative deviation of the scattering intensity (Ι∝q{sup -α}, α>4) from Porod’s law which corresponds to the case of ideal two-phase particle systems with sharp boundaries (Ι∝q{sup -α}, α=4) . This implies that the electron density profile is not sharp but changes gradually between two phases, and hence the exponent α is greater than four. Two electron density profile models, sigmoidal electron-density gradient model and linear electron-density gradient model, have been taken into account in

Surface morphology analysis of nanostructured (Ba sub x , Sr sub 1 sub - sub x)TiO sub 3 thin films using fractal method

CERN Document Server

Hong, K J; Choi, W K; Cho, J C

2003-01-01

Based on the fractal theory, this paper uses scanning electron microscopy images to investigate the roughness characteristics of nanostructured (Ba Sr)TiO sub 3 thin films by sol-gel methods. The percentage grain area, surface fractal dimensions and 3D image are evaluated using image analysis methods. The thickness of the (Ba Sr)TiO sub 3 thin films was 260-280 nm. The surface fractal dimensions were increased with strontium doping, and grain area, were decreased with it. The fractal dimension and the grain areas of the (Ba sub 0 sub . sub 7 Sr sub 0 sub . sub 3)TiO sub 3 thin films were 1.81 and 81%. Based on the image analysis, the roughness height of 3D images as 256 levels was about 3 nm and its distribution was about 35-40% for the (Ba sub 0 sub . sub 8 Sr sub 0 sub . sub 2)TiO sub 3 and (Ba sub 0 sub . sub 7 Sr sub 0 sub . sub 3)TiO sub 3 thin films. The roughness height of the BST thin films was distributed from 35% to 40% ranging from 3 nm to 4 nm. By increasing the strontium doping, the roughness hei...

Nanostructure investigation of magnetic nanomaterial Ni{sub 0.5}Zn{sub 0.3}Cu{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} synthesized by sol-gel method

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pransisco, Prengki, E-mail: prengkipransisco@gmail.com [Department of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Bandar Seri Iskandar, 31750 Tronoh, Perak (Malaysia); Badan Lingkungan Hidup Derah Kabupaten Empat Lawang South of Sumatera (Indonesia); Shafie, Afza, E-mail: afza@petronas.com.my; Guan, Beh Hoe, E-mail: beh.hoeguan@petronas.com.my [Department of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Bandar Seri Iskandar, 31750 Tronoh, Perak (Malaysia)

2015-07-22

Magnetic nanomaterial Ni{sub 0.5}Zn{sub 0.3}Cu{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} was successfully prepared by using sol-gel method. Heat treatment on material is always giving defect on properties of material. This paper investigates the effect of heat treatment on nanostructure of magnetic nanomaterial Ni{sub 0.5}Zn{sub 0.3}Cu{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4}. According to thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) that after 600°C there is no more weight loss detected and it was decided as minimum calcination temperature. Intensity, crystallite size, structure, lattice parameter and d-spacing of the material were investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD). High resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) was used to examine nanostructure, nanosize, shape and distribution particle of magnetic material Ni{sub 0.5}Zn{sub 0.3}Cu{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and variable pressure field emission scanning electron microscope (VP-FESEM) was used to investigate the surface morphology and topography of the material. The XRD result shows single-phase cubic spinel structure with average crystallite size in the range of 25.6-95.9 nm, the value of the intensity of the material was increased with increasing temperature, and followed by lattice parameter was increased with increasing calcination temperature, value of d-spacing was relatively decreased with accompanied increasing temperature. From HRTEM result the distribution of particles was tend to be agglomerates with particle size of 7.8-17.68 nm. VP-FESEM result shows that grain size of the material increases with increasing calcination temperature and the surface morphology shows that the material is in hexagonal shape and it was also proved by mapping result which showing the presence each of constituents inside the compound.

Electron beam-induced structural transformations of MoO{sub 3} and MoO{sub 3-x} crystalline nanostructures

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Diaz-Droguett, D. E., E-mail: dodiaz@fis.puc.cl [Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Departamento de Fisica, Facultad de Fisica (Chile); Zuniga, A. [Universidad de Chile, Departamento de Ingenieria Mecanica, Facultad de Ciencias Fisicas y Matematicas (Chile); Solorzano, G. [PUC-RIO, Departamento de Ciencia dos Materiais e Metalurgia, DCMM (Brazil); Fuenzalida, V. M. [Universidad de Chile, Departamento de Fisica, Facultad de Ciencias Fisicas y Matematicas (Chile)

2012-01-15

Electron beam-induced damage and structural changes in MoO{sub 3} and MoO{sub 3-x} single crystalline nanostructures were revealed by in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examination (at 200 kV) after few minutes of concentrating the electron beam onto small areas (diameters between 25 and 200 nm) of the samples. The damage was evaluated recording TEM images, while the structural changes were revealed acquiring selected area electron diffraction patterns and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images after different irradiation times. The as-received nanostructures of orthorhombic MoO{sub 3} were transformed to a Magneli's phase of the oxide ({gamma}-Mo{sub 4}O{sub 11}) after {approx}10 min of electron beam irradiation. The oxygen loss from the oxide promoted structural changes. HRTEM observations showed that, in the first stage of the reduction, oxygen vacancies generated by the electron beam are accommodated by forming crystallographic shear planes. At a later stage of the reduction process, a polycrystalline structure was developed with highly oxygen-deficient grains. The structural changes can be attributed to the local heating of the irradiated zone combined with radiolysis.

Effect of Cu insertion on structural, local electronic/atomic structure and photocatalyst properties of TiO{sub 2}, ZnO and Ni(OH){sub 2} nanostructures: XANES-EXAFS study

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sharma, Aditya; Varshney, Mayora [Advanced Analysis Centre, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792 (Korea, Republic of); Shin, Hyun Joon, E-mail: shj001@postech.ac.kr [Pohang Accelerator Laboratory (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673 (Korea, Republic of); Lee, Byeong-Hyeon [Advanced Analysis Centre, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792 (Korea, Republic of); Chae, Keun Hwa, E-mail: khchae@kist.re.kr [Advanced Analysis Centre, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792 (Korea, Republic of); Won, Sung Ok, E-mail: sowon@kist.re.kr [Advanced Analysis Centre, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792 (Korea, Republic of)

2017-04-15

We report detailed investigations on the synthesis, structural, morphology, electronic/atomic structure and photocatalyst properties of Cu doped TiO{sub 2}, ZnO and Ni(OH){sub 2} nanostructures. All of the samples were synthesized by using the chemical precipitation method. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and photocatalyst measurements. XRD studies revealed single phase nature of the samples and omitted the presence of trivial metallic or binary oxide phases. TiO{sub 2} set of samples have shown nanorod kind of morphology, however TEM images of ZnO and Ni(OH){sub 2} set of samples depicted the spherical morphology of particles. XANES spectra at the Cu K-edge and Cu L-edge, along with the atomic multiplet calculations, revealed the predominance of Cu{sup 2+} ions in all of the samples, within the entire doping range. Ti L-edge and Ti K-edge XANES confirmed the existence of Ti{sup 4+} ions in the pure and Cu doped TiO{sub 2} samples with anatase local structure. Zn L-edge XANES results confirmed the divalent character of Zn ions in the pure and Cu doped ZnO, which is further validated by the Zn K-edge XANES. Ni L-edge and Ni K-edge XANES conveyed the +2 valence state of Ni ions in the pure and Cu doped Ni (OH){sub 2} samples. EXAFS analysis at the Cu K-edge nullifies the formation of Cu metallic clusters and other trivial phases, suggesting random distribution of Cu atoms in the oxide materials. Though, local atomic arrangement of Cu ions is disparate in the different oxide compounds. As an application of the pure and Cu doped TiO{sub 2}, ZnO and Ni(OH){sub 2} nanostructures, towards the degradation of water pollutant dyes, we demonstrate that all of the samples can serve as effective photocatalyst materials towards the degradation of methyl orange aqueous pollutant dye under the UV-light irradiation

Micro- and nanostructured Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} surfaces for controlled vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cell adhesion and proliferation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Aktas, Cenk, E-mail: cenk.aktas@inm-gmbh.de [INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, CVD/Biosurfaces Division, 66123 Saarbruecken (Germany); Doerrschuck, Eva; Schuh, Cathrin [Clinic of Paediatric Cardiology, Saarland University, Building 9, 66424 Homburg (Germany); Miro, Marina Martinez; Lee, Juseok [INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, CVD/Biosurfaces Division, 66123 Saarbruecken (Germany); Puetz, Norbert; Wennemuth, Gunther [Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University, Building 61, 66424 Homburg (Germany); Metzger, Wolfgang; Oberringer, Martin [Department of Trauma-, Hand- and Reconstructive Surgery, Saarland University, Building 57, 66424 Homburg (Germany); Veith, Michael [INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, CVD/Biosurfaces Division, 66123 Saarbruecken (Germany); Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Saarland, Building C 4 1, 66123 Saarbruecken (Germany); Abdul-Khaliq, Hashim [Clinic of Paediatric Cardiology, Saarland University, Building 9, 66424 Homburg (Germany)

2012-07-01

The effect of the micro- and nanotopography on vascular cell-surface interaction is investigated using nano- and microstructured Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} as model substrate. Two different nanostructured Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} surfaces composed of low density (LD) and high density (HD) nanowires (NWs) were synthesized by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) and commercially available microstructured Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} plates were used for comparison. A clear diverging response of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human umbilical vein smooth muscle cells (HUVSMC) was observed on these nano- and microstructured surfaces. LD Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} NWs seem to enhance the proliferation of HUVECs selectively. This selective control of the cell-surface interaction by topography may represent a key issue for the future stent material design. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Nanostructured alumina surfaces triggers selective adhesion and proliferation of endothelial cells. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Catalyst free synthesis of nanowires. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Topography induces selective cell response.

Highly porous thermoelectric nanocomposites with low thermal conductivity and high figure of merit from large-scale solution-synthesized Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 2.5}Se{sub 0.5} hollow nanostructures

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Xu, Biao; Wu, Yue [Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA (United States); Ames Laboratory, Department of Energy, Ames, IA (United States); Feng, Tianli; Ruan, Xiulin [Department of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (United States); Agne, Matthias T.; Snyder, G. Jeffery [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (United States); Zhou, Lin [Ames Laboratory, Department of Energy, Ames, IA (United States)

2017-03-20

To enhance the performance of thermoelectric materials and enable access to their widespread applications, it is beneficial yet challenging to synthesize hollow nanostructures in large quantities, with high porosity, low thermal conductivity (κ) and excellent figure of merit (z T). Herein we report a scalable (ca. 11.0 g per batch) and low-temperature colloidal processing route for Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 2.5}Se{sub 0.5} hollow nanostructures. They are sintered into porous, bulk nanocomposites (phi 10 mm x h 10 mm) with low κ (0.48 W m{sup -1} K{sup -1}) and the highest z T (1.18) among state-of-the-art Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3-x}Se{sub x} materials. Additional benefits of the unprecedented low relative density (68-77 %) are the large demand reduction of raw materials and the improved portability. This method can be adopted to fabricate other porous phase-transition and thermoelectric chalcogenide materials and will pave the way for the implementation of hollow nanostructures in other fields. (copyright 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

TEM of nanostructured metals and alloys

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Karnthaler, H.P.; Waitz, T.; Rentenberger, C.; Mingler, B.

2004-01-01

Nanostructuring has been used to improve the mechanical properties of bulk metals and alloys. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) including atomic resolution is therefore appropriate to study these nanostructures; four examples are given as follows. (1) The early stages of precipitation at RT were investigated in an Al-Mg-Si alloy. By high resolution TEM it is shown that the precipitates lie on (0 0 1) planes having an ordered structure. (2) In Co alloys the fronts of martensitic phase transformations were analysed showing that the transformation strains are very small thus causing no surface relief. (3) Re-ordering and recrystallization were studied by in situ TEM of an Ni 3 Al alloy being nanocrystalline after severe plastic deformation. (4) In NiTi severe plastic deformation is leading to the formation of amorphous shear bands. From the TEM analysis it is concluded that the amorphization is caused by plastic shear instability starting in the shear bands

Synthesis, structure and optical properties of single-crystalline In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanowires

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hadia, N.M.A., E-mail: nomery_abass@yahoo.com [Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, 82524 Sohag (Egypt); Mohamed, H.A. [Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, 82524 Sohag (Egypt); King Saud University, Teachers College, Science Department (Physics), 11148 Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)

2013-01-15

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Metal and metal oxide one dimensional (1D) nanostructured materials are of crucial importance. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The paper deals with the synthesis of In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanowires without the use of catalysts. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The optical constants and Photoluminescence (PL) of In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanowires were evaluated. - Abstract: Indium oxide In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanowires have been recently synthesized revealing interesting properties and used in various applications. In order to reduce as much as possible the influence of undesired dopants and/or impurities on the observed properties, In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanowires have been grown without the use of catalysts, directly from metallic indium by a vapor transport technique and a controlled oxidation with oxygen-argon mixtures. Depending on the growth conditions (temperature, vapor pressure, oxygen concentration, etc.) different results have been achieved and it has been observed that a 'proper' In condensation on the substrates may enhance the nanowires growth. Detailed structural analysis showed that the In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanostructures are single crystalline with a cubic crystal structure. The grown In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanowires were optically characterized in order to evaluate the absorption coefficient, optical band gap, refractive index and extinction coefficient. Room temperature Photoluminescence (PL) spectrum showed broad and intense blue emission at 375 nm.

Characteristics of ZnO nanostructures produced with [DMIm]BF{sub 4} using ultrasonic radiation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rahman, I. B. Abdul; Ayob, M. T. M.; Ishak, I. S.; Mohd Lawi, R. L.; Isahak, W. N. R. W.; Hamid, M. H. N. Abd; Othman, N. K.; Radiman, S. [School of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan (Malaysia); School of Chemistry and Food Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan (Malaysia); School of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan (Malaysia)

2012-11-27

Great interests in metallic oxides have emerged because of the promising properties of these materials for various applications such as solar cells and sensors. ZnO nanostructures with different morphologies were successfully synthesized from Zn(CH{sub 3}COO){sub 2} Bullet 2H{sub 2}O, NaOH and room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [DMIm][BF{sub 4}] with ultrasound irradiation. Parameters such as the effect of sonication time (30, 60 and 90 minutes) and Zn(Ac){sub 2} precursor to [DMIm][BF{sub 4}] ratios of 3:5, 5:5 and 5:3 were investigated. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that the ZnO nanocrystals were hexagonal zincite crystalline in structure. The band gap energies (E{sub g}) were estimated to be 3.35-3.55 eV from the UV-Visible spectrum. The solution with the highest ratio of Zn was analysed with photoluminescence spectroscopy, which exhibited peaks at 362, 403, 468 and 539 nm, at room temperature. The micrographs of field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed that the synthesis products were spherical (30-60 nm), spindle ({approx}10 Multiplication-Sign 70 nm for width Multiplication-Sign length) and whisker-like (100-200 nm), with their dimensions decreasing systematically with increased sonication time. Chemical compositions were approximated at 1:1 for Zn and O, estimated by electron dispersive x-ray spectrum.

Benzyl Alcohol-Mediated Versatile Method to Fabricate Nonstoichiometric Metal Oxide Nanostructures.

Science.gov (United States)

Qamar, Mohammad; Adam, Alaaldin; Azad, Abdul-Majeed; Kim, Yong-Wah

2017-11-22

Nanostructured metal oxides with cationic or anionic deficiency find applications in a wide range of technological areas including the energy sector and environment. However, a facile route to prepare such materials in bulk with acceptable reproducibility is still lacking; many synthesis techniques are still only bench-top and cannot be easily scaled-up. Here, we report that the benzyl alcohol (BA)-mediated method is capable of producing a host of nanostructured metal oxides (MO x , where M = Ti, Zn, Ce, Sn, In, Ga, or Fe) with inherent nonstoichiometry. It employs multifunctional BA as a solvent, a reducing agent, and a structure-directing agent. Depending on the oxidation states of metal, elemental or nonstoichiometric oxide forms are obtained. Augmented photoelectrochemical oxidation of water under visible light by some of these nonstoichiometric oxides highlights the versatility of the BA-mediated synthesis protocol.

Features of Magnetorefractive Effect in a [CoFe/Cu] n Multilayer Metallic Nanostructure

Science.gov (United States)

Yurasov, A. N.; Telegin, A. V.; Bannikova, N. S.; Milyaev, M. A.; Sukhorukov, Yu. P.

2018-02-01

The features of magnetorefractive effect (MRE) in metallic multilayer film Ni48Fe12Cr40(50 Å)/[Co90Fe10(14 Å)/Cu(22 Å)]8/Cr(20 Å) nanostructures, which exhibit giant magnetoresistance at room temperature, are investigated experimentally and theoretically. We show that the MRE in these structures reaches 1.5% in an applied magnetic field of 3.5 kOe, in a broad part of the IR region, and can change sign for both transmission and reflection of light. The refraction and extinction coefficients that are calculated for the nanostructures in an external magnetic field are in good agreement with our experimental data. The deduced formulas can be applied to estimating the MRE in multilayer metallic nanostructures.

TiO{sub 2} flower-like nanostructures decorated with CdS/PbS nanoparticles

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Trenczek-Zajac, Anita, E-mail: anita.trenczek-zajac@agh.edu.pl [AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow (Poland); Kusior, Anna; Lacz, Agnieszka; Radecka, Marta [AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow (Poland); Zakrzewska, Katarzyna [AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Computer Science, Electronics and Telecommunications, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow (Poland)

2014-12-15

Highlights: • TiO{sub 2} flower-like nanostructures were prepared with the use of Ti foil and 30% H{sub 2}O{sub 2}. • QDs of CdS and PbS were deposited using the SILAR method. • The SILAR method makes it possible to control the size of QDs. • Band gap energy of CdS was found to be 2.35 eV. • Sensitization of TiO{sub 2} with CdS or PbS improves the photoelectrochemical properties. - Abstract: Flower-like nanostructures of TiO{sub 2} were prepared by immersing Ti foil in 30% H{sub 2}O{sub 2} at 80 °C for times varying from 15 to 240 min. Upon annealing at 450 °C in an Ar atmosphere, the received amorphous samples crystallized in an anatase structure with rutile as a minority phase. SEM images revealed that partially formed flowers were present at the surface of the prepared samples as early as after 15 min of immersion. The size of the individual flowers increased from 400–800 nm after 15 min of reaction to 2.5–6.0 μm after 240 min. It was also found that surface is very rough and surface development is considerable. After 45 min of immersion, the nanoflowers were sensitized with CdS and PbS quantum dots (QDs-CdS/QDs-PbS) deposited using the SILAR method from water- and methanol-based precursor solutions at different concentrations (0.001–0.1 M). QDs-CdS crystallized in the hawleyite structure, while QDs-PbS in the galena form. SEM analysis showed the tendency of quantum dots to agglomerate at high concentrations of the precursor in water-based solutions. QDs obtained from methanol-based solutions were uniformly distributed. The produced QDs-PbS were smaller than QDs-CdS. Based on the optical reflectance spectra, the band-gap energies of TiO{sub 2} nanostructures with and without QDs were calculated to be 3.32 eV for flower-like TiO{sub 2} nanostructures and 2.35 eV for QDs-CdS. The photoelectrochemical behaviour of nanoflowers was found to improve significantly after the deposition of QDs-CdS.

Optical transmission theory for metal-insulator-metal periodic nanostructures

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Blanchard-Dionne Andre-Pierre

2016-11-01

Full Text Available A semi-analytical formalism for the optical properties of a metal-insulator-metal periodic nanostructure using coupled-mode theory is presented. This structure consists in a dielectric layer in between two metallic layers with periodic one-dimensional nanoslit corrugation. The model is developed using multiple-scattering formalism, which defines transmission and reflection coefficients for each of the interface as a semi-infinite medium. Total transmission is then calculated using a summation of the multiple paths of light inside the structure. This method allows finding an exact solution for the transmission problem in every dimension regime, as long as a sufficient number of diffraction orders and guided modes are considered for the structure. The resonant modes of the structure are found to be related to the metallic slab only and to a combination of both the metallic slab and dielectric layer. This model also allows describing the resonant behavior of the system in the limit of a small dielectric layer, for which discontinuities in the dispersion curves are found. These discontinuities result from the out-of-phase interference of the different diffraction orders of the system, which account for field interaction for both inner interfaces of the structure.

Characterization of the porous anodic alumina nanostructures with a metal interlayer on Si substrates

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fang, Chia-Hui; Chen, Hung-Ing; Hsiao, Jui-Ju; Wang, Jen-Cheng; Nee, Tzer-En, E-mail: neete@mail.cgu.edu.tw

2014-04-15

Porous anodic alumina (PAA) films produced by the anodization technique have made possible the mass production of porous nano-scale structures where the pore height and diameter are controllable. A metal interlayer is observed to have a significant influence on the characteristics of these PAA nanostructures. In this study, we investigate in-depth the effect of the current density on the properties of porous anodic alumina nanostructures with a metal interlayer. A thin film layer of tungsten (W) and titanium (Ti) was sandwiched between a porous anodic alumina film and a silicon (Si) substrate to form PAA/W/Si and PAA/Ti/Si structures. The material and optical characteristics of the porous anodic alumina nanostructures, with and without a metal interlayer, on silicon substrates were studied using the scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The current densities of the porous anodic alumina nanostructures with the metal interlayer are higher than for the PAA/Si, resulting in an increase of the growth rate of the oxide layer. It can be observed from the X-ray diffraction curves that there is more aluminum oxide inside the structure with the metal interlayer. Furthermore, it has been found that there is a reduction in the photoluminescence intensity of the oxygen vacancy with only one electron due to the formation of oxygen vacancies inside the aluminum oxide during the re-crystallization process. This leads to competition between the two kinds of different oxygen-deficient defect centers (F+ and F centers) in the carrier recombination mechanism from the PL spectra of the porous anodic alumina nanostructures, with and without a metal interlayer, on silicon substrates. -- Highlights: • Study of porous anodic alumina (PAA) films with metal interlayers on silicon. • The highly ordered PAA film with a fairly regular nano-porous structure. • The luminescence properties of PAA films were

An environment-dependent semi-empirical tight binding model suitable for electron transport in bulk metals, metal alloys, metallic interfaces, and metallic nanostructures. I. Model and validation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hegde, Ganesh, E-mail: ghegde@purdue.edu; Povolotskyi, Michael; Kubis, Tillmann; Klimeck, Gerhard, E-mail: gekco@purdue.edu [Network for Computational Nanotechnology (NCN), Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 (United States); Boykin, Timothy [Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alabama, Huntsville, Alabama (United States)

2014-03-28

Semi-empirical Tight Binding (TB) is known to be a scalable and accurate atomistic representation for electron transport for realistically extended nano-scaled semiconductor devices that might contain millions of atoms. In this paper, an environment-aware and transferable TB model suitable for electronic structure and transport simulations in technologically relevant metals, metallic alloys, metal nanostructures, and metallic interface systems are described. Part I of this paper describes the development and validation of the new TB model. The new model incorporates intra-atomic diagonal and off-diagonal elements for implicit self-consistency and greater transferability across bonding environments. The dependence of the on-site energies on strain has been obtained by appealing to the Moments Theorem that links closed electron paths in the system to energy moments of angular momentum resolved local density of states obtained ab initio. The model matches self-consistent density functional theory electronic structure results for bulk face centered cubic metals with and without strain, metallic alloys, metallic interfaces, and metallic nanostructures with high accuracy and can be used in predictive electronic structure and transport problems in metallic systems at realistically extended length scales.

An environment-dependent semi-empirical tight binding model suitable for electron transport in bulk metals, metal alloys, metallic interfaces, and metallic nanostructures. I. Model and validation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hegde, Ganesh; Povolotskyi, Michael; Kubis, Tillmann; Klimeck, Gerhard; Boykin, Timothy

2014-01-01

Semi-empirical Tight Binding (TB) is known to be a scalable and accurate atomistic representation for electron transport for realistically extended nano-scaled semiconductor devices that might contain millions of atoms. In this paper, an environment-aware and transferable TB model suitable for electronic structure and transport simulations in technologically relevant metals, metallic alloys, metal nanostructures, and metallic interface systems are described. Part I of this paper describes the development and validation of the new TB model. The new model incorporates intra-atomic diagonal and off-diagonal elements for implicit self-consistency and greater transferability across bonding environments. The dependence of the on-site energies on strain has been obtained by appealing to the Moments Theorem that links closed electron paths in the system to energy moments of angular momentum resolved local density of states obtained ab initio. The model matches self-consistent density functional theory electronic structure results for bulk face centered cubic metals with and without strain, metallic alloys, metallic interfaces, and metallic nanostructures with high accuracy and can be used in predictive electronic structure and transport problems in metallic systems at realistically extended length scales

An environment-dependent semi-empirical tight binding model suitable for electron transport in bulk metals, metal alloys, metallic interfaces, and metallic nanostructures. I. Model and validation

Science.gov (United States)

Hegde, Ganesh; Povolotskyi, Michael; Kubis, Tillmann; Boykin, Timothy; Klimeck, Gerhard

2014-03-01

Semi-empirical Tight Binding (TB) is known to be a scalable and accurate atomistic representation for electron transport for realistically extended nano-scaled semiconductor devices that might contain millions of atoms. In this paper, an environment-aware and transferable TB model suitable for electronic structure and transport simulations in technologically relevant metals, metallic alloys, metal nanostructures, and metallic interface systems are described. Part I of this paper describes the development and validation of the new TB model. The new model incorporates intra-atomic diagonal and off-diagonal elements for implicit self-consistency and greater transferability across bonding environments. The dependence of the on-site energies on strain has been obtained by appealing to the Moments Theorem that links closed electron paths in the system to energy moments of angular momentum resolved local density of states obtained ab initio. The model matches self-consistent density functional theory electronic structure results for bulk face centered cubic metals with and without strain, metallic alloys, metallic interfaces, and metallic nanostructures with high accuracy and can be used in predictive electronic structure and transport problems in metallic systems at realistically extended length scales.

Synthesis of nanostructured solid-state phases of V{sub 7}O{sub 16} and V{sub 2}O{sub 5} compounds for ppb-level detection of ammonia

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Huotari, J., E-mail: joni.huotari@ee.oulu.fi [Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, P.O. Box 4500, FIN-90014, University of Oulu (Finland); Lappalainen, J. [Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, P.O. Box 4500, FIN-90014, University of Oulu (Finland); Eriksson, J.; Bjorklund, R. [Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 83, Linköping (Sweden); Heinonen, E. [Center of Microscopy and Nanotechnology, Erkki Koiso-Kanttilankatu 3, Tietotalo 1, Linnanmaa, FIN-90570, Oulu (Finland); Miinalainen, I. [Biocenter Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, FI-90014, University of Oulu (Finland); Puustinen, J. [Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, P.O. Box 4500, FIN-90014, University of Oulu (Finland); Lloyd Spetz, A. [Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, P.O. Box 4500, FIN-90014, University of Oulu (Finland); Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 83, Linköping (Sweden)

2016-08-05

Solid state phase of V{sub 7}O{sub 16} with separate V{sub 2}O{sub 5} phase were fabricated by pulsed laser deposition. The crystal structure and symmetry of the deposited films were studied with X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. Rietveld analysis was performed to the X-ray diffraction measurement results. The surface potentials and morphologies of the films were studied with atomic force microscopy, and microstructure of the thin films was analysed by transmission electron microscopy. Raman spectroscopy and Rietveld refinement results confirmed that the thin-film crystal structures varied between orthorombic V{sub 2}O{sub 5} phase and another phase, triclinic V{sub 7}O{sub 16}, previously found only in the walls of vanadium oxide nanotubes (VO{sub x}-NT), bound together with organic amine. We have earlier presented the first results of stable and pure metal-oxide solid-state phase of V{sub 7}O{sub 16} manufactured from ceramic V{sub 2}O{sub 5} target. Here we show more detailed study of these structures. The microstructure studies showed a variation on the porosity of the films according to crystal structures and also some fibre-like nanostructures were found in the films. The surface morphology depended strongly on the crystal structure and the surface potential studies showed ∼50 meV difference in the work function values between the phases. Compounds were found to be extremely sensitive towards ammonia, NH{sub 3}, down to ∼40 ppb concentrations, and have shown to have the stability and selectivity to control the Selective Catalytic Reduction process, where nitrogen oxides are reduced by ammonia in, e.g. diesel exhausts. - Highlights: • The triclinic V{sub 7}O{sub 16} phase is proven to exist in solid state thin-film form. • The existence of V{sub 7}O{sub 16} in thin-film form is proven by several methods. • The structure of mixed V{sub 7}O{sub 16} and V{sub 2}O{sub 5} is proven to be sensitive to NH{sub 3} at ppb-level.

Near-field effects and energy transfer in hybrid metal-oxide nanostructures.

Science.gov (United States)

Herr, Ulrich; Kuerbanjiang, Balati; Benel, Cahit; Papageorgiou, Giorgos; Goncalves, Manuel; Boneberg, Johannes; Leiderer, Paul; Ziemann, Paul; Marek, Peter; Hahn, Horst

2013-01-01

One of the big challenges of the 21st century is the utilization of nanotechnology for energy technology. Nanoscale structures may provide novel functionality, which has been demonstrated most convincingly by successful applications such as dye-sensitized solar cells introduced by M. Grätzel. Applications in energy technology are based on the transfer and conversion of energy. Following the example of photosynthesis, this requires a combination of light harvesting, transfer of energy to a reaction center, and conversion to other forms of energy by charge separation and transfer. This may be achieved by utilizing hybrid nanostructures, which combine metallic and nonmetallic components. Metallic nanostructures can interact strongly with light. Plasmonic excitations of such structures can cause local enhancement of the electrical field, which has been utilized in spectroscopy for many years. On the other hand, the excited states in metallic structures decay over very short lifetimes. Longer lifetimes of excited states occur in nonmetallic nanostructures, which makes them attractive for further energy transfer before recombination or relaxation sets in. Therefore, the combination of metallic nanostructures with nonmetallic materials is of great interest. We report investigations of hybrid nanostructured model systems that consist of a combination of metallic nanoantennas (fabricated by nanosphere lithography, NSL) and oxide nanoparticles. The oxide particles were doped with rare-earth (RE) ions, which show a large shift between absorption and emission wavelengths, allowing us to investigate the energy-transfer processes in detail. The main focus is on TiO2 nanoparticles doped with Eu(3+), since the material is interesting for applications such as the generation of hydrogen by photocatalytic splitting of water molecules. We use high-resolution techniques such as confocal fluorescence microscopy for the investigation of energy-transfer processes. The experiments are

Multifunctional, Nanostructured Metal Rubber Protective Films for Space Exploration, Phase II

Data.gov (United States)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration — NanoSonic has developed revolutionary nanostructured, yet macroscale, multifunctional Metal RubberTM films. In support of NASA's Vision for Space Exploration, low...

Multifunctional, Nanostructured Metal Rubber Protective Films for Space Exploration, Phase I

Data.gov (United States)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration — NanoSonic has developed revolutionary nanostructured, yet macroscale, multifunctional Metal RubberTM films. In support of NASA's Vision for Space Exploration, low...

Nature of radiative recombination processes in layered semiconductor PbCdI{sub 2} nanostructural scintillation material

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bukivskii, A.P. [Institute of Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 03028 Kyiv (Ukraine); Gnatenko, Yu.P., E-mail: yuriygnatenko@ukr.net [Institute of Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 03028 Kyiv (Ukraine); Piryatinskii, Yu.P. [Institute of Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 03028 Kyiv (Ukraine); Gamernyk, R.V. [Lviv National University, 8 Kyryl o and Mefodiy Str., 29005 Lviv (Ukraine)

2017-05-15

We report on the efficient photoluminescence (PL) and radioluminescence (RL) of the PbI{sub 2} nanoclusters (NCLs), which are naturally formed in the nanostructured Pb{sub 1-X}Cd{sub x}I{sub 2} alloys (X=0.70). Here, we carried out the studies of the nature of radiative recombination processes in the NCLs of various sizes by measuring PL temperature evolution. Our results indicate that at low temperatures the PL is mainly caused by exciton emission and recombination of donor-acceptor pairs, generated in volume of large NCLs. The broad bands, which are associated with the deep intrinsic surface states, including self-trapped excitons (STEs), are dominant in the PL spectra at higher temperature (>100 K). Our work shows that the nature of emission, associated with RL bands is analogous to that for PL bands. It was shown that the investigated nanostructured material is strongly radiation-resistant. Thus, the Pb{sub 1-X}Cd{sub X}I{sub 2} alloys can be considered as new effective layered semiconductor nanostructured materials which can be suitable for the elaboration of perspective semiconductor scintillators. These nanomaterials have promising prospects for applications in new generations of devices for biomedical diagnostics and industrial imaging applications. - Highlights: •The intense PL and RL of nanostructural PbCdI{sub 2} alloys were observed. •The nature of recombination processes of the nanoscintillators was established. •The low temperature PL is caused by exciton and donor-acceptor pairs recombination. •The broad PL bands are due to the deep intrinsic states formed on the NCLs surface. •The PL associated with STEs for NCLs of different sizes was analyzed in detail. •It was shown that the nature of PL and RL spectra is same.

Preface to the Viewpoint Set: Nanostructured metals - Advances in processing, characterization and application

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Huang, Xiaoxu

2009-01-01

with increasingly finer structures in order to improve properties and sustainability. The structural scale of interest in such materials is therefore reduced to the nanometer range, which means that characterization and modeling of nanostructured metals now address an audience including not only physicists...... and materials scientists but also technologists and engineers. The present Viewpoint Set therefore covers metallic materials with a structural scale ranging from micrometer to nanometer in dimensions and focuses on processing techniques such as plastic deformation and phase transformations. As a result......The theme of two viewpoint sets has been nanostructured metals: one in 2003 on “Mechanical properties of fully dense nanocrystalline metals” (Scripta Materialia 2003;49:625–680) and one in 2004 on “Metals and alloys with a structural scale from the micrometer to the atomic dimensions” (Scripta...

A general soft-enveloping strategy in the templating synthesis of mesoporous metal nanostructures.

Science.gov (United States)

Fang, Jixiang; Zhang, Lingling; Li, Jiang; Lu, Lu; Ma, Chuansheng; Cheng, Shaodong; Li, Zhiyuan; Xiong, Qihua; You, Hongjun

2018-02-06

Metal species have a relatively high mobility inside mesoporous silica; thus, it is difficult to introduce the metal precursors into silica mesopores and suppress the migration of metal species during a reduction process. Therefore, until now, the controlled growth of metal nanocrystals in a confined space, i.e., mesoporous channels, has been very challenging. Here, by using a soft-enveloping reaction at the interfaces of the solid, liquid, and solution phases, we successfully control the growth of metallic nanocrystals inside a mesoporous silica template. Diverse monodispersed nanostructures with well-defined sizes and shapes, including Ag nanowires, 3D mesoporous Au, AuAg alloys, Pt networks, and Au nanoparticle superlattices are successfully obtained. The 3D mesoporous AuAg networks exhibit enhanced catalytic activities in an electrochemical methanol oxidation reaction. The current soft-enveloping synthetic strategy offers a robust approach to synthesize diverse mesoporous metal nanostructures that can be utilized in catalysis, optics, and biomedicine applications.

Ultrasmooth metallic films with buried nanostructures for backside reflection-mode plasmonic biosensing

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lindquist, N.C.; Johnson, T.W.; Jose, J.; Otto, L.M. [Laboratory of Nanostructures and Biosensing, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (United States); Oh, S.H. [Laboratory of Nanostructures and Biosensing, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (United States); Department of Biophysics and Chemical Biology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-747 (Korea, Republic of)

2012-11-15

A new plasmonic device architecture based on ultrasmooth metallic surfaces with buried plasmonic nanostructures is presented. Using template-stripping techniques, ultrathin gold films with less than 5 Aa surface roughness are optically coupled to an arbitrary arrangement of buried metallic gratings, rings, and nanodots. As a prototypical example, linear plasmonic gratings buried under an ultrasmooth 20 nm thick gold surface for biosensing are presented. The optical illumination and collection are completely decoupled from the microfluidic delivery of liquid samples due to the backside, reflection-mode geometry. This allows for sensing with opaque or highly scattering liquids. With the buried nanostructure design, high sensitivity and decoupled backside (reflective) optical access are maintained, as with traditional prism-based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors. In addition, the benefits offered by nanoplasmonic sensors such as spectral tunability and high-resolution, wide-field SPR imaging with normal-incidence epi-illumination that is simple to construct and align are gained as well. Beyond sensing, the buried plasmonic nanostructures with ultrasmooth metallic surfaces can benefit nanophotonic waveguides, surface-enhanced spectroscopy, nanolithography, and optical trapping. (Copyright copyright 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Synergetic effect between adsorption and photodegradation on nanostructured TiO{sub 2}/activated carbon fiber felt porous composites for toluene removal

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Li, Min; Lu, Bin; Ke, Qin-Fei; Guo, Ya-Jun; Guo, Ya-Ping, E-mail: ypguo@shnu.edu.cn

2017-07-05

Highlights: • Nanostructured TiO{sub 2}/activated carbon fiber felt porous composites are prepared. • Nanostructures TiO{sub 2} particles on fibers are constructed by nanocrystals. • They have synergetic adsorption-photocatalytic activities for toluene removal. • The adsorption efficiency reaches 98% at toluene concentrations <1150 ppm. • Carbon fibers can hinder the recombination of electron-hole pairs on TiO{sub 2}. - Abstract: The low quantum efficiency and limited adsorption efficiency of TiO{sub 2} makes it only fit for the removal of VOCs with low concentrations. Herein, we for the first time fabricated nanostructured TiO{sub 2}/activated carbon fiber felt (TiO{sub 2}/ACFF) porous composites by the in situ deposition of TiO{sub 2} microspheres on the carbon fibers in ACFF. Interestingly, the TiO{sub 2} microspheres exhibit hierarchical nanostructures constructed by nanocrystals as building blocks. The TiO{sub 2}/ACFF porous composites possess excellent adsorption and photodegradation properties for toluene because of the synergetic effects between the nanostructured TiO{sub 2} and ACFF. The adsorption efficiencies of the TiO{sub 2}/ACFF porous composites reach approximately 98% at the toluene concentration (<1150 ppm) and approximately 77% even at the high concentration of 6900 ppm. Moreover, the ACFF in the TiO{sub 2}/ACFF porous composites significantly enhances photocatalytic property for toluene by hindering the recombination of electron-hole pairs, reducing the TiO{sub 2} band gap energy (E{sub g}) to 2.95 eV and accelerating toluene adsorption. At the toluene concentrations of 230 ppm and 460 ppm, the photocatalytic oxidation efficiency of toluene into CO{sub 2} arrives at 100% and 81.5%, respectively. Therefore, the TiO{sub 2}/ACFF porous composites with synergetic adsorption and photocatalytic activities have great potentials for toluene removal.

Monoclinic BiVO{sub 4} micro-/nanostructures: Microwave and ultrasonic wave combined synthesis and their visible-light photocatalytic activities

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang, Yafang; Li, Guangfang; Yang, Xiaohui; Yang, Hao; Lu, Zhong [Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education and Hubei Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology Key Laboratory, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Xiongchu Avenue, Wuhan 430073 (China); Chen, Rong, E-mail: rchenhku@hotmail.com [Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education and Hubei Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology Key Laboratory, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Xiongchu Avenue, Wuhan 430073 (China); Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Lumo Road, Wuhan 430074 (China)

2013-02-25

Graphical abstract: Monoclinic BiVO{sub 4} with different sizes and morphologies were synthesized by a facile microwave and ultrasonic wave combined technique for the first time and exhibited different optical properties and visible-light-driven photocatalytic efficiency. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer BiVO{sub 4} nanostructures were prepared by microwave and ultrasonic wave combined method. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer BiVO{sub 4} nanostructures could be modulated by varying the solvent and pH value. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Different BiVO{sub 4} nanostructures exhibited different photocatalytic activities. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The photocatalytic performance was influenced by the band gap, phase and size. - Abstract: Monoclinic bismuth vanadate (m-BiVO{sub 4}) micro-/nanostructures with different sizes and morphologies were successfully prepared via a facile and rapid microwave and ultrasonic wave combined technique. The obtained BiVO{sub 4} products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS). It was found that the solvent and pH value had a significant influence on morphology, size and crystalline structure of the product. Nut-like, potato-like and broccoli-like monoclinic BiVO{sub 4} were fabricated in different solvents. The crystal phase could be modulated by varying the pH value of reaction system. The photocatalytic activities of the products were also evaluated by the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. The result revealed that the photocatalytic activities of BiVO{sub 4} nanostructures were closely related to the crystalline phase, band gap and particle size. Monoclinic BiVO{sub 4} nanoparticles with small crystal size and large band gap exhibited remarkable photocatalytic performance.

Size-dependent electronic properties of metal nanostructures

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

Table of contents. Size-dependent electronic properties of metal nanostructures · Slide 2 · Slide 3 · Slide 4 · Slide 5 · Slide 6 · Slide 7 · Slide 8 · Slide 9 · Slide 10 · Slide 11 · Slide 12 · Slide 13 · Slide 14 · Slide 15 · Slide 16 · Slide 17 · Slide 18 · Slide 19 · Nanocrystalline film at liquid-liquid interface · Slide 21 · Slide 22.

Characterization of magnetization processes in nanostructured rare earth-transition metal films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zheng Guangping; Zhan Yangwen; Liu Peng; Li Mo

2003-01-01

We synthesize rare earth-transition metal (RE-TM) amorphous films using the electrodeposition method (RE=Nd, Gd and TM=Co). Nanocrystructured RE-TM films are prepared by thermal treatment of as-synthesized films below the glass-crystal transition temperature. Based on the magnetoelastic effect, the magnetization processes in nanostructured samples are characterized by acoustic internal friction measurements using the vibrating-reed technique. Since internal friction and the Young's modulus are sensitive to grain boundary and magnetic domains movement, this technique seems to characterize the effects of nanostructures on the magnetization processes in RE-TM films well. We find that the magnetoelastic effect in nanostructured RE-TM film increases with an increase in grain size

High-capacity nanostructured germanium-containing materials and lithium alloys thereof

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Graetz, Jason A. (Upton, NY); Fultz, Brent T. (Pasadena, CA); Ahn, Channing (Pasadena, CA); Yazami, Rachid (Los Angeles, CA)

2010-08-24

Electrodes comprising an alkali metal, for example, lithium, alloyed with nanostructured materials of formula Si.sub.zGe.sub.(z-1), where 0sub.zGe.sub.(z-1), where 0

The continuous and persistent periodical growth induced by substrate accommodation in In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanostructure chains and their photoluminescence properties

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shariati, Mohsen [Islamic Azad University, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Roudehen (Iran, Islamic Republic of)

2014-12-10

The growth of pyramidal and triangular beaded In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanocrystal chains by using oxygen-assisted thermal evaporation, substrate accommodation and condensation method has been articulated. Self-assembled In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanocrystal chains have been synthesized by the vapor-solid (VS) and vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth mechanism and also through controlling the kinetics factors (saturation ratio). A periodical one-dimensional (1-D) and persistent (0-D) growth was proposed to explain the formation of lateral nanostructures, and this formation aspect was ascribed to the alternate 1-D and 0-D growth. Preparing the needed growth factor, the In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanocrystal chains extended to several micrometers. The growth mechanism analysis was useful to realize the relation between the kinetics factors and the complex nanostructure. The morphology and size of nanocrystals intensively were changed by oxygen concentration and led to interesting photoluminescence property. (orig.)

Reduction of front-metallization grid shading in concentrator cells through laser micro-grooved cover glass

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

García-Linares, Pablo, E-mail: pablo.garcia-linares@cea.fr; Voarino, Philippe; Besson, Pierre; Baudrit, Mathieu [CEA-LITEN, Laboratoire de Photovoltaïque à Concentration, INES, Le Bourget du Lac (France); Dominguez, César [CEA-LITEN, Laboratoire de Photovoltaïque à Concentration, INES, Le Bourget du Lac (France); Instituto de Energía Solar - Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid (Spain); Dellea, Olivier; Fugier, Pascal [CEA-LITEN, Laboratoire de Surfaces Nanostructurées, Grenoble (France)

2015-09-28

Concentrator solar cell front-grid metallizations are designed so that the trade-off between series resistance and shading factor (SF) is optimized for a particular irradiance. High concentrator photovoltaics (CPV) typically requires a metallic electrode pattern that covers up to 10% of the cell surface. The shading effect produced by this front electrode results in a significant reduction in short-circuit current (I{sub SC}) and hence, in a significant efficiency loss. In this work we present a cover glass (originally meant to protect the cell surface) that is laser-grooved with a micrometric pattern that redirects the incident solar light towards interfinger regions and away from the metallic electrodes, where they would be wasted in terms of photovoltaic generation. Quantum efficiency (QE) and current (I)-voltage (V) characterization under concentration validate the proof-of-concept, showing great potential for CPV applications.

Do dielectric nanostructures turn metallic in high-electric dc fields?

Science.gov (United States)

Silaeva, E P; Arnoldi, L; Karahka, M L; Deconihout, B; Menand, A; Kreuzer, H J; Vella, A

2014-11-12

Three-dimensional dielectric nanostructures have been analyzed using field ion microscopy (FIM) to study the electric dc field penetration inside these structures. The field is proved to be screened within a few nanometers as theoretically calculated taking into account the high-field impact ionization process. Moreover, the strong dc field of the order of 0.1 V/Å at the surface inside a dielectric nanostructure modifies its band structure leading to a strong band gap shrinkage and thus to a strong metal-like optical absorption near the surface. This metal-like behavior was theoretically predicted using first-principle calculations and experimentally proved using laser-assisted atom probe tomography (APT). This work opens up interesting perspectives for the study of the performance of all field-effect nanodevices, such as nanotransistor or super capacitor, and for the understanding of the physical mechanisms of field evaporation of dielectric nanotips in APT.

Nanostructured light-absorbing crystalline CuIn{sub (1–x)}Ga{sub x}Se{sub 2} thin films grown through high flux, low energy ion irradiation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hall, Allen J.; Hebert, Damon; Rockett, Angus A. [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1304 W. Green St., Urbana, Illinois 61801 (United States); Shah, Amish B. [Center for Microanalysis of Materials, Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 104 South Goodwin Ave, Urbana, Illinois 61801 (United States); Bettge, Martin [Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Avenue, Argonne, Illinois 60438 (United States)

2013-10-21

A hybrid effusion/sputtering vacuum system was modified with an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) coil enabling ion assisted physical vapor deposition of CuIn{sub 1−x}Ga{sub x}Se{sub 2} thin films on GaAs single crystals and stainless steel foils. With <80 W rf power to the ICP coil at 620–740 °C, film morphologies were unchanged compared to those grown without the ICP. At low temperature (600–670 °C) and high rf power (80–400 W), a light absorbing nanostructured highly anisotropic platelet morphology was produced with surface planes dominated by (112){sub T} facets. At 80–400 W rf power and 640–740 °C, both interconnected void and small platelet morphologies were observed while at >270 W and above >715 °C nanostructured pillars with large inter-pillar voids were produced. The latter appeared black and exhibited a strong (112){sub T} texture with interpillar twist angles of ±8°. Application of a negative dc bias of 0–50 V to the film during growth was not found to alter the film morphology or stoichiometry. The results are interpreted as resulting from the plasma causing strong etching favoring formation of (112){sub T} planes and preferential nucleation of new grains, balanced against conventional thermal diffusion and normal growth mechanisms at higher temperatures. The absence of effects due to applied substrate bias suggests that physical sputtering or ion bombardment effects were minimal. The nanostructured platelet and pillar films were found to exhibit less than one percent reflectivity at angles up to 75° from the surface normal.

Optical anisotropy of quasi-1D rare-earth silicide nanostructures on Si(001)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chandola, S., E-mail: sandhya.chandola@isas.de [Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften – ISAS – e.V., Schwarzschildstraße 8, 12489 Berlin (Germany); Speiser, E.; Esser, N. [Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften – ISAS – e.V., Schwarzschildstraße 8, 12489 Berlin (Germany); Appelfeller, S.; Franz, M.; Dähne, M. [Institut für Festkörperphysik, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstraße 36, 10623 Berlin (Germany)

2017-03-31

Highlights: • Reflectance anisotropy spectroscopy (RAS) is capable of distinguishing optically between the semiconducting wetting layer and the metallic nanowires of rare earth (Tb and Dy) silicide nanostructures grown on vicinal Si(001). • The spectra of the wetting layer show a distinctive line shape with a large peak appearing at 3.8 eV, which is assigned to the formation of 2 × 3 and 2 × 4-like subunits of the 2 × 7 reconstruction. The spectra of the metallic nanowires show peaks at the E{sub 1} and E{sub 2} transitions of bulk Si which is assigned to strong substrate strain induced by the nanowires. • The optical anisotropy of the Tb nanowires is larger than for the Dy nanowires, which is related to the preferential formation of more strained bundles as well as larger areas of clean Si surfaces in the case of Tb. • RAS is shown to be a powerful addition to surface science techniques for studying the formation of rare-earth silicide nanostructures. Its surface sensitivity and rapidity of response make it an ideal complement to the slower but higher resolution of scanning probes of STM and AFM. - Abstract: Rare earth metals are known to interact strongly with Si(001) surfaces to form different types of silicide nanostructures. Using STM to structurally characterize Dy and Tb silicide nanostructures on vicinal Si(001), it will be shown that reflectance anisotropy spectroscopy (RAS) can be used as an optical fingerprint technique to clearly distinguish between the formation of a semiconducting two-dimensional wetting layer and the metallic one-dimensional nanowires. Moreover, the distinctive spectral features can be related to structural units of the nanostructures. RAS spectra of Tb and Dy nanostructures are found to show similar features.

Scalable and template-free synthesis of nanostructured Na{sub 1.08}V{sub 6}O{sub 15} as high-performance cathode material for lithium-ion batteries

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zheng, Shili, E-mail: slzheng@ipe.ac.cn [National Engineering Laboratory for Hydrometallurgical Cleaner Production Technology, Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing (China); Wang, Xinran; Yan, Hong [National Engineering Laboratory for Hydrometallurgical Cleaner Production Technology, Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing (China); University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing (China); Du, Hao; Zhang, Yi [National Engineering Laboratory for Hydrometallurgical Cleaner Production Technology, Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing (China)

2016-09-15

Highlights: • Nanostructured Na{sub 1.08}V{sub 6}O{sub 15} was synthesized through additive-free sol-gel process. • Prepared Na{sub 1.08}V{sub 6}O{sub 15} demonstrated high capacity and sufficient cycling stability. • The reaction temperature was optimized to allow scalable Na{sub 1.08}V{sub 6}O{sub 15} fabrication. - Abstract: Developing high-capacity cathode material with feasibility and scalability is still challenging for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In this study, a high-capacity ternary sodium vanadate compound, nanostructured NaV{sub 6}O{sub 15}, was template-free synthesized through sol-gel process with high producing efficiency. The as-prepared sample was systematically post-treated at different temperature and the post-annealing temperature was found to determine the cycling stability and capacity of NaV{sub 6}O{sub 15}. The well-crystallized one exhibited good electrochemical performance with a high specific capacity of 302 mAh g{sup −1} when cycled at current density of 0.03 mA g{sup −1}. Its relatively long-term cycling stability was characterized by the cell performance under the current density of 1 A g{sup −1}, delivering a reversible capacity of 118 mAh g{sup −1} after 300 cycles with 79% capacity retention and nearly 100% coulombic efficiency: all demonstrating its significant promise of proposed strategy for large-scale synthesis of NaV{sub 6}O{sub 15} as cathode with high-capacity and high energy density for LIBs.

Self-organized synthesis of silver dendritic nanostructures via an electroless metal deposition method

Science.gov (United States)

Qiu, T.; Wu, X. L.; Mei, Y. F.; Chu, P. K.; Siu, G. G.

2005-09-01

Unique silver dendritic nanostructures, with stems, branches, and leaves, were synthesized with self-organization via a simple electroless metal deposition method in a conventional autoclave containing aqueous HF and AgNO3 solution. Their growth mechanisms are discussed in detail on the basis of a self-assembled localized microscopic electrochemical cell model. A process of diffusion-limited aggregation is suggested for the formation of the silver dendritic nanostructures. This nanostructured material is of great potential to be building blocks for assembling mini-functional devices of the next generation.

The Process of Nanostructuring of Metal (Iron Matrix in Composite Materials for Directional Control of the Mechanical Properties

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Elena Zemtsova

2014-01-01

Full Text Available We justified theoretical and experimental bases of synthesis of new class of highly nanostructured composite nanomaterials based on metal matrix with titanium carbide nanowires as dispersed phase. A new combined method for obtaining of metal iron-based composite materials comprising the powder metallurgy processes and the surface design of the dispersed phase is considered. The following stages of material synthesis are investigated: (1 preparation of porous metal matrix; (2 surface structuring of the porous metal matrix by TiC nanowires; (3 pressing and sintering to give solid metal composite nanostructured materials based on iron with TiC nanostructures with size 1–50 nm. This material can be represented as the material type “frame in the frame” that represents iron metal frame reinforcing the frame of different chemical compositions based on TiC. Study of material functional properties showed that the mechanical properties of composite materials based on iron with TiC dispersed phase despite the presence of residual porosity are comparable to the properties of the best grades of steel containing expensive dopants and obtained by molding. This will solve the problem of developing a new generation of nanostructured metal (iron-based materials with improved mechanical properties for the different areas of technology.

The role of silicon on the microstructure and magnetic behaviour of nanostructured (Fe{sub 0.7}Co{sub 0.3}){sub 100−x}Si{sub x} powders

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hocine, M. [Département de Génie Mécanique, Faculté de Technologies, Université de M' sila, B.P 166 Ichbelia, M' sila (Algeria); UR-MPE, M' hamed Bougara University, Boumerdes, 35000 Algeria (Algeria); Guittoum, A., E-mail: aguittoum@gmail.com [Nuclear Research Centre of Algiers, 02Bd Frantz Fanon, BP 399, Alger-Gare, Algiers (Algeria); Hemmous, M. [Nuclear Research Centre of Algiers, 02Bd Frantz Fanon, BP 399, Alger-Gare, Algiers (Algeria); Martínez-Blanco, D. [SCTs, University of Oviedo, EPM, Mieres, 33600 Spain (Spain); Gorria, P. [Department of Physics, EPI, University of Oviedo, Gijón, 33203 Spain (Spain); Rahal, B. [Nuclear Research Centre of Algiers, 02Bd Frantz Fanon, BP 399, Alger-Gare, Algiers (Algeria); Blanco, J.A. [Department of Physics, University of Oviedo, CalvoSotelo St., Oviedo, 330 07 Spain (Spain); Sunol, J.J. [Departament de Fisica, Universitat de Girona, Campus de Montillivi, Girona, 17071 Spain (Spain); Laggoun, A. [UR-MPE, M' hamed Bougara University, Boumerdes, 35000 Algeria (Algeria)

2017-01-15

Single-phase(Fe{sub 0.7}Co{sub 0.3}){sub 100−x}Si{sub x} nanostructured powders (x=0,5, 10, 15 and 20) have been elaborated by mechanical alloying in order to investigate the effect of silicon on the microstructure and magnetic properties of these alloys. A disordered Fe(Co, Si) solid solution with body centred cubic (bcc) crystal structure is formed after 72 h of milling for all the compositions. The addition of Si gives rise to a progressive decrease of the lattice parameter, from about 2.865 Å for the binary Fe{sub 70}Co{sub 30} compound down to 2.841 Å for the powder with x=20. The sample with the uppermost Si content exhibits the lowest value for the mean grain size (≈10 nm) as well as the largest microstrain (above 1.1%). All the samples are ferromagnetic at room temperature, although the saturation magnetization value reduces almost linearly by adding Si to the composition. A similar trend is observed for the hyperfine magnetic field obtained from the analysis of the room temperature Mössbauer spectra. The hyperfine field distributions show a broad double-peak shape for x>0, which can be ascribed to multiple local environments for the Fe atoms inside a disordered solid solution. - Highlights: • Single-phase (Fe{sub 0.7}Co{sub 0.3}){sub 100−x}Si{sub x} nanostructured powders (x=0, 5, 10, 15 and 20) have been elaborated by mechanical alloying. • The sample with the uppermost Si content exhibits the lowest value for the mean grain size. • The magnetic and hyperfine parameters of (Fe{sub 0.7}Co{sub 0.3}){sub 100−x}Si{sub x} depended intimately on Si content.

Morphology-controlled synthesis of MoS{sub 2} nanostructures with different lithium storage properties

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wang, Xiwen; Zhang, Zhian, E-mail: zza75@163.com; Chen, Yaqiong; Qu, Yaohui; Lai, Yanqing; Li, Jie

2014-07-05

Highlights: • MoS{sub 2} nanospheres, nanoribbons and nanoparticles were prepared by hydrothermal method. • The surfactant and temperature control the shape and crystal structure of MoS{sub 2}. • MoS{sub 2} nanospheres exhibit the excellent lithium storage property. - Abstract: A one-step hydrothermal process was employed to prepare a series of MoS{sub 2} nanostructures via simply altering the surfactant as soft template and hydrothermal reaction temperature. Three kinds of MoS{sub 2} nanostructures (three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical nanospheres, one-dimensional (1D) nanoribbons, and large aggregated nanoparticles) were successfully achieved and investigated well by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis (BET). Electrochemical tests reveal that these MoS{sub 2} samples could deliver high initial discharge capacities (higher than 1050.0 mA h g{sup −1}), but various cycling performances. The hierarchical MoS{sub 2} nanospheres assembled by sheet-like subunits show the highest specific capacity of 1355.1 mA h g{sup −1}, and 66.8% of which can be retained after 50 cycles. The good lithium storage property of hierarchical MoS{sub 2} nanospheres can be attributed to the higher electrolyte/MoS{sub 2} contact area and stable 3D layered structure.

Explosive force of primacord grid forms large sheet metal parts

Science.gov (United States)

1966-01-01

Primacord which is woven through fish netting in a grid pattern is used for explosive forming of large sheet metal parts. The explosive force generated by the primacord detonation is uniformly distributed over the entire surface of the sheet metal workpiece.

Theory of Quantum Transport in Metallic and Hybrid Nanostructures

CERN Document Server

Glatz, Andreas; Vinokur, Valerii M

2006-01-01

There is a major development emerging at the intersection of modern physics, computer science, and materials science, which struggles to squeeze more devices into a restricted volume and constitutes a central focus of modern nanotechnology. Utilizing the metal-based hybrid nanostructures may offer significant advantages over those exploiting purely semiconductor materials. First, the chemistry of metals is typically simpler than that of semiconductors. Second, the electric properties of metals are much less sensitive to the structural defects and impurities than those of semiconductors. Next, metallic devices allow better electric and thermal contacts. And, last but by no means least, the high electron velocity in metals promises to accelerate enormously operation rates with respect to those in semiconductor-based devices. The book reflects scientific developments in the physics of metallic compounds based nanodevices presented at the NATO-sponsored Workshop on nanophysics held in St. Petersburg, Russia in th...

Silicon nanostructures-induced photoelectrochemical solar water splitting for energy applications

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Dadwal, U.; Singh, R. [Nanoscale Research Facility (NRF), Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016 (India); Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016 (India); Ranjan, Neha [Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi-110025 (India)

2016-05-23

We study the photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar water splitting assisted with synthesized nanostructures. Si nanowires decorated with silver dendrite nanostructures have been synthesized using metal assisted wet chemical etching of (100) Si wafer. Etching has been carried out in an aqueous solution consisting of 5M HF and 0.02M AgNO{sub 3}. Investigations showed that such type of semiconductor nanostructures act as efficient working electrodes for the splitting of normal water in PEC method. An enhancement in the photon-to-current conversion efficiency and solar-to-hydrogen evolution was observed for obtaining a practical source of clean and renewable fuel.

Investigation of the properties of carbon-base nanostructures doped YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7−δ} high temperature superconductor

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Dadras, Sedigheh, E-mail: dadras@alzahra.ac.ir; Ghavamipour, Mahshid

2016-03-01

In this research, we have investigated the effects of three samples of carbon-base nanostructures (carbon nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes and silicon carbide nanoparticles) doping on the properties of Y{sub 1}Ba{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7−δ} (YBCO) high temperature superconductor. The pure and doped YBCO samples were synthesized by sol–gel method and characterized by resistivity versus temperature (ρ–T), current versus voltage (I–V), through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. The results confirmed that for all the samples, the orthorhombic phase of YBCO compound is formed. We found that the pinning energy and critical current density of samples increase by adding carbon nanostructures to YBCO compound. Also critical temperature is improved by adding carbon nanotubes to YBCO compound, while it does not change much for carbon and silicon carbide nanoparticles doped compounds. Furthermore, the samples were characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy in 300 K and the band gap of the samples was determined. We found that the carbon nanotubes doping decreases YBCO band gap in normal state from 1.90 eV to 1.68 eV, while carbon and SiC nanoparticles doping increases it to 2.20 and 3.37 eV respectively.

Fuel sub-assembly

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jolly, R.

1982-01-01

A fuel sub-assembly for a liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor is described in which the bundle of fuel pins are braced apart by a series of spaced grids. The grids at the lower end are capable of yielding, thus allowing pins swollen by irradiation to be withdrawn with a reduced risk of damage. (U.K.)

Characteristic structures and properties of nanostructured metals prepared by plastic deformation

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Huang, Xiaoxu

2011-01-01

This chapter focuses on describing the characteristic microstructures of nanostructured metals produced by plastic deformation to ultrahigh strains and their correlation with hardening by annealing and softening by deformation. The results suggest that optimising microstructure and the mechanical...

Anti-irradiation performance against helium bombardment in bulk metallic glass (Cu{sub 47}Zr{sub 45}Al{sub 8}){sub 98.5}Y{sub 1.5}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mei, Xianxiu, E-mail: xxmei@dlut.edu.cn [Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion and Electron Beams, Dalian University of Technology, Ministry of Education, Dalian 116024 (China); Wang, Bin; Dong, Chuang; Gong, Faquan; Wang, Younian [Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion and Electron Beams, Dalian University of Technology, Ministry of Education, Dalian 116024 (China); Wang, Zhiguang [Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000 (China)

2013-07-15

Highlights: ► This paper used He{sup 2+} ion-irradiated metallic glass (Cu{sub 47}Zr{sub 45}Al{sub 8}){sub 98.5}Y{sub 1.5} and the W metal with the energy of 500 keV. ► There was no significant irradiation damage phenomenon on the surface of metallic glass at different irradiation fluences. ► For irradiated W, the peeling, delamination and flaking appeared numerously at fluences of 1 × 10{sup 18} and 2 × 10{sup 18} ions/cm{sup 2}. ► The resistance to He{sup 2+} irradiation of metallic glass (Cu{sub 47}Zr{sub 45}Al{sub 8}){sub 98.5}Y{sub 1.5} was superior to the one in W metal. -- Abstract: In order to compare the resistance to He{sup 2+} ion induced irradiation between metallic glass and polycrystal W metal, this paper used different fluences of He{sup 2+} ion-irradiated metallic glass (Cu{sub 47}Zr{sub 45}Al{sub 8}){sub 98.5}Y{sub 1.5} and polycrystal W with an energy of 500 keV. The SRIM simulation calculation results showed that the range (1.19 μm) of He{sup 2+} in metallic glass was greater than the one (0.76 μm) in polycrystal W. The SEM analysis showed that there was no significant irradiation damage phenomenon on the surface of metallic glass, and there was only a damage layer 1.45 μm away from the surface when the fluence reached 2 × 10{sup 18} ions/cm{sup 2}. For W, there were surface peeling, flaking and other surface damages at a fluence of 1 × 10{sup 18} ions/cm{sup 2}; when the fluence increased to 2 × 10{sup 18} ions/cm{sup 2}, multilayer detachment phenomenon appeared. The surface root mean square roughness of metallic glass (Cu{sub 47}Zr{sub 45}Al{sub 8}){sub 98.5}Y{sub 1.5} first increased and then decreased with the increase of fluence. The surface reflectivity of (Cu{sub 47}Zr{sub 45}Al{sub 8}){sub 98.5}Y{sub 1.5} decreased with the increase of fluence. Through detection by XRD, it was found that (Cu{sub 47}Zr{sub 45}Al{sub 8}){sub 98.5}Y{sub 1.5} always maintained amorphous phase after different fluences of radiation. The

Fermi level pinning in metal/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/InGaAs gate stack after post metallization annealing

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Winter, R.; Krylov, I.; Cytermann, C.; Eizenberg, M. [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000 (Israel); Tang, K.; Ahn, J.; McIntyre, P. C. [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 (United States)

2015-08-07

The effect of post metal deposition annealing on the effective work function in metal/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/InGaAs gate stacks was investigated. The effective work functions of different metal gates (Al, Au, and Pt) were measured. Flat band voltage shifts for these and other metals studied suggest that their Fermi levels become pinned after the post-metallization vacuum annealing. Moreover, there is a difference between the measured effective work functions of Al and Pt, and the reported vacuum work function of these metals after annealing. We propose that this phenomenon is caused by charging of indium and gallium induced traps at the annealed metal/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} interface.

Rapid synthesis and optical properties of hematite ({alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}) nanostructures using a simple thermal decomposition method

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Al-Gaashani, R., E-mail: Rashad_jashani@yahoo.com [School of Applied Physics, Faculty Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor (Malaysia); Department of Physics, Thamar University, Dhamar, Republic of Yemen (Yemen); Radiman, S. [School of Applied Physics, Faculty Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor (Malaysia); Tabet, N. [Department of Physics and Center of Research Excellence in Renewable Energy, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran (Saudi Arabia); Daud, A.R. [School of Applied Physics, Faculty Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor (Malaysia)

2013-02-15

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer A novel method for the synthesis of hematite nanopowder is reported. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The morphology of {alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} changed with altering the preparation temperature. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The coral like nano {alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} prepared at 500 and 600 Degree-Sign C showed novel optical behavior. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The coral like nano {alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} could be used to enhance efficiency of the solar cells. - Abstract: Hematite nanostructures were prepared by a simple technique using the thermal decomposition of iron (III) nitrate 9-hydrate at different temperatures under air atmosphere. Observations using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the morphology of the nanostructures changed as the temperature was varied while their size increased with increasing preparation time. Samples prepared at 300, 400, and 500 Degree-Sign C were made of particles with a quantum dots (QDs) size. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed that the as-synthesized powders are pure {alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}. The optical energy gap of the samples varied from 3.2 eV to 2.7 eV as the preparation temperature increased from 300 Degree-Sign C to 600 Degree-Sign C.

GeO{sub x} interfacial layer scavenging remotely induced by metal electrode in metal/HfO{sub 2}/GeO{sub x}/Ge capacitors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lee, Taehoon; Jung, Yong Chan; Seong, Sejong; Ahn, Jinho, E-mail: jhahn@hanyang.ac.kr [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763 (Korea, Republic of); Lee, Sung Bo [Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Research Institute of Advanced Materials (RIAM), Seoul National University, Seoul 08826 (Korea, Republic of); Park, In-Sung, E-mail: parkis77@hanyang.ac.kr [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763 (Korea, Republic of); Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763 (Korea, Republic of)

2016-07-11

The metal gate electrodes of Ni, W, and Pt have been investigated for their scavenging effect: a reduction of the GeO{sub x} interfacial layer (IL) between HfO{sub 2} dielectric and Ge substrate in metal/HfO{sub 2}/GeO{sub x}/Ge capacitors. All the capacitors were fabricated using the same process except for the material used in the metal electrodes. Capacitance-voltage measurements, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and electron energy loss spectroscopy were conducted to confirm the scavenging of GeO{sub x} IL. Interestingly, these metals are observed to remotely scavenge the interfacial layer, reducing its thickness in the order of Ni, W, and then Pt. The capacitance equivalent thickness of these capacitors with Ni, W, and Pt electrodes are evaluated to be 2.7 nm, 3.0 nm, and 3.5 nm, and each final remnant physical thickness of GeO{sub x} IL layer is 1.1 nm 1.4 nm, and 1.9 nm, respectively. It is suggested that the scavenging effect induced by the metal electrodes is related to the concentration of oxygen vacancies generated by oxidation reaction at the metal/HfO{sub 2} interface.

Improved tribological properties of TiC with porous nanostructured TiO{sub 2} intermediate layer

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shanaghi, Ali, E-mail: alishanaghi@gmail.com [Surface Engineering Laboratory, Materials Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-143, Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Department of Physics and Materials Science, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong (China); Ahangarani, Shahrokh, E-mail: sh.ahangarani@gmail.com [Advanced Materials and Renewable Energies Department, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology, P.O. Box 15815-3538, Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Sabour Rouhaghdam, Ali Reza, E-mail: sabour01@modares.ac.ir [Surface Engineering Laboratory, Materials Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-143, Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Chu, Paul K., E-mail: paul.chu@cityu.edu.hk [Department of Physics and Materials Science, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong (China)

2011-12-15

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The porous TiO{sub 2} nanoparticle coating is deposited as an intermediate layer on steel. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer A homogenous and low friction TiC nanostructure coating is deposited by plasma CVD. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Intermediate layer can be determined the nucleation and growth of the TiC coating. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The porous interlayer improves the friction and wear of the TiC nanostructure coating. - Abstract: The mismatch in the thermal expansion coefficients between TiC coatings and steel substrates and residual stress in the TiC degrade the tribological properties. In this work, a porous nanostructured TiO{sub 2} coating is deposited as an intermediate layer on hot-work steel (H{sub 11}) before final deposition of the TiC film. This intermediate layer is expected to reduce the interfacial energy, decreases the thermal mismatch between TiC and steel, and improves the tribological properties. Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and pin-on-disk are used to study the structure as well as tribological properties such as friction, wear, and hardness. Our results reveal that the porous TiO{sub 2} interlayer improves the friction, wear, hardness, and elastic modulus of the system.

Coating of biodegradable magnesium alloy bone implants using nanostructured diopside (CaMgSi{sub 2}O{sub 6})

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Razavi, Mehdi, E-mail: mehdi.razavi@okstate.edu [Biomaterials Research Group, Department of Materials Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111 (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Torabinejad Dental Research Center, School of Dentistry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746-73461 (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Department of Anatomical Sciences and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746-73461 (Iran, Islamic Republic of); School of Materials Science and Engineering, Helmerich Advanced Technology Research Center, Oklahoma State University, Tulsa, OK 74106 (United States); School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Helmerich Advanced Technology Research Center, Oklahoma State University, Tulsa, OK 74106 (United States); Fathi, Mohammadhossein [Biomaterials Research Group, Department of Materials Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111 (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Dental Materials Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Savabi, Omid [Torabinejad Dental Research Center, School of Dentistry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746-73461 (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Beni, Batoul Hashemi [Department of Anatomical Sciences and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746-73461 (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Razavi, Seyed Mohammad [School of Dentistry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746-73461 (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Vashaee, Daryoosh [School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Helmerich Advanced Technology Research Center, Oklahoma State University, Tulsa, OK 74106 (United States); and others

2014-01-01

Magnesium alloys with their biodegradable characteristic can be a very good candidate to be used in orthopedic implants. However, magnesium alloys may corrode and degrade too fast for applications in the bone healing procedure. In order to enhance the corrosion resistance and the in vitro bioactivity of a magnesium alloy, a nanostructured diopside (CaMgSi{sub 2}O{sub 6}) film was coated on AZ91 magnesium alloy through combined micro-arc oxidation (MAO) and electrophoretic deposition (EPD) methods. The crystalline structures, morphologies and compositions of the coated and uncoated substrates were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and immersion test in simulated body fluid (SBF) were employed to evaluate the corrosion resistance and the in vitro bioactivity of the samples. The results of our investigation showed that the nanostructured diopside coating deposited on the MAO layer increases the corrosion resistance and improves the in vitro bioactivity of the biodegradable magnesium alloy.

Surface functionalization of nanostructured LaB{sub 6}-coated Poly Trilobal fabric by magnetron sputtering

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wu, Yan, E-mail: wuyanchn@hotmail.com [Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Branch, Jiaxing Nanyang Polytechnic Institute, Jiaxing 314003 (China); Key Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structural Evolution and Processing of Materials (Ministry of Education), Shandong University, Jinan 250061 (China); Zhang, Lin, E-mail: zhanglin2007@sdu.edu.cn [Key Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structural Evolution and Processing of Materials (Ministry of Education), Shandong University, Jinan 250061 (China); Min, Guanghui, E-mail: ghmin@sdu.edu.cn [Key Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structural Evolution and Processing of Materials (Ministry of Education), Shandong University, Jinan 250061 (China); Yu, Huashun; Gao, Binghuan; Liu, Huihui; Xing, Shilong; Pang, Tao [Key Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structural Evolution and Processing of Materials (Ministry of Education), Shandong University, Jinan 250061 (China)

2016-10-30

Highlights: • Nanostructured LaB{sub 6} films were deposited on flexible textile substrates by dc magnetron sputtering. • The pronounced influence of the working pressure on the morphologies and optical properties of LaB{sub 6} films has been revealed. • The concept of Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) was employed and LaB{sub 6}-coated PET textiles with ultraviolet protection ability were obtained. - Abstract: Nanostructured LaB{sub 6} films were deposited on flexible Poly Trilobal substrates (PET textiles) through direct current magnetron sputtering in order to broaden its applications and realize surface functionalization of polyester fabrics. Characterizations and performances were investigated by employing a scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV–vis) spectrophotometer. Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) conducted by the integral conversion was employed to measure the ultraviolet protection ability. As expected, the growth of LaB{sub 6} film depending on the pressure variation enhanced UV-blocking ability (UPF rating at 30.17) and absorption intensity of the textiles.

Resistance to He{sup 2+} irradiation damage in metallic glass Ta{sub 38}Ni{sub 62}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hou, Wenjing [Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion and Electron Beams (Dalian University of Technology), Ministry of Education, Dalian 116024 (China); Mei, Xianxiu, E-mail: xxmei@dlut.edu.cn [Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion and Electron Beams (Dalian University of Technology), Ministry of Education, Dalian 116024 (China); Zhang, Xiaonan; Wang, Yingmin; Qiang, Jianbing [Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion and Electron Beams (Dalian University of Technology), Ministry of Education, Dalian 116024 (China); Sun, Jianrong [Institute of Modern Physics, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000 (China); Wang, Younian [Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion and Electron Beams (Dalian University of Technology), Ministry of Education, Dalian 116024 (China)

2016-10-15

Highlights: • Metallic glass Ta{sub 38}Ni{sub 62} irradiated by different fluence of He{sup 2+} remained amorphous. • The helium bubble layer appeared at the end of ion range 1.01 μm away from surface. • Helium bubbles were larger in the layer center and reduced to top and bottom sides. • No significant damage appeared in the surface of metallic glass Ta{sub 38}Ni{sub 62}. • Ta{sub 38}Ni{sub 62} better resisted to He{sup 2+} irradiation than W and V{sub 87.5}Cr{sub 4.17}Ti{sub 4.17}Nb{sub 4.17}. - Abstract: Metallic glass Ta{sub 38}Ni{sub 62} strips, metallic W, and V{sub 87.5}Cr{sub 4.17}Ti{sub 4.17}Nb{sub 4.17} alloy were irradiated using a 500 keV He{sup 2+} ion beam at different fluence to compare the metallic glass resistance to irradiation. Metallic glass Ta{sub 38}Ni{sub 62} remained amorphous at different He{sup 2+} irradiation fluence. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed the presence of helium bubbles at the end of the range of helium ions in the metallic glass. No significant damage resulted in the metallic glass surface, and the root mean square roughness increased nonlinearly with the increase in fluence. At 1 × 10{sup 18} ions/cm{sup 2}, metallic W appeared in larger sunken areas on the surface and V{sub 87.5}Cr{sub 4.17}Ti{sub 4.17}Nb{sub 4.17} alloy experienced multi-layer flaking. The metallic glass Ta{sub 38}Ni{sub 62} resistance to He{sup 2+} ion beam irradiation was better than that of metallic W, and that of the V{sub 87.5}Cr{sub 4.17}Ti{sub 4.17}Nb{sub 4.17} alloy was the poorest.

Rapid preparation of α-FeOOH and α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanostructures by microwave heating and their application in electrochemical sensors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Marinho, J.Z.; Montes, R.H.O. [Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Instituto de Química, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG (Brazil); Moura, A.P. de; Longo, E.; Varela, J.A. [Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Química, 14800-900 Araraquara, SP (Brazil); Munoz, R.A.A. [Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Instituto de Química, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG (Brazil); Lima, R.C., E-mail: rclima@iqufu.ufu.br [Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Instituto de Química, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG (Brazil)

2014-01-01

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Simple microwave method leads to the rapid formation of the goethite and hematite. • Homogenous nucleation and growth of particles are controlled by synthesis time. • Modified electrode with α-FeOOH nanoplates improved the electrochemical response. • The sample is directly heated by microwaves and its crystallization is accelerated. • Fe{sup 3+} nanostructures are promising for development of electrochemical sensors. - Abstract: α-FeOOH (goethite) and α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} (hematite) nanostructures have been successfully synthesized using the microwave-assisted hydrothermal (MAH) method and by the rapid burning in a microwave oven of the as-prepared goethite, respectively. The orthorhombic α-FeOOH to rhombohedralα-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} structural transformation was observed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy results. Plates-like α-FeOOH prepared in 2 min and rounded and quasi-octahedral shaped α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} particles obtained in 10 min were observed using field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The use of microwave heating allowed iron oxides to be prepared with shorter reaction times when compared to other synthesis methods. α-FeOOH nanoplates were incorporated into graphite-composite electrodes, which presented electrocatalytic properties towards the electrochemical oxidation of ascorbic acid in comparison with unmodified electrodes. This result demonstrates that such α-FeOOH nanostructures are very promising chemical modifiers for the development of improved electrochemical sensors.

Facile synthesis of nanostructured transition metal oxides as electrodes for Li-ion batteries

Science.gov (United States)

Opra, Denis P.; Gnedenkov, Sergey V.; Sokolov, Alexander A.; Minaev, Alexander N.; Kuryavyi, Valery G.; Sinebryukhov, Sergey L.

2017-09-01

At all times, energy storage is one of the greatest scientific challenge. Recently, Li-ion batteries are under special attention due to high working voltage, long cycle life, low self-discharge, reliability, no-memory effect. However, commercial LIBs usage in medium- and large-scale energy storage are limited by the capacity of lithiated metal oxide cathode and unsafety of graphite anode at high-rate charge. In this way, new electrode materials with higher electrochemical performance should be designed to satisfy a requirement in both energy and power. As it known, nanostructured transition metal oxides are promising electrode materials because of their elevated specific capacity and high potential vs. Li/Li+. In this work, the perspective of an original facile technique of pulsed high-voltage plasma discharge in synthesis of nanostructured transition metal oxides as electrodes for lithium-ion batteries has been demonstrated.

Optically enhanced SnO{sub 2}/CdSe core/shell nanostructures grown by sol-gel spin coating method

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kumar, Vijay, E-mail: vijaynadda83@gmail.com; Goswami, Y. C. [School of Physical Sciences, ITM University, Turari, Gwalior, MP 474001 (India); Rajaram, P. [School of Studies in Physics, Jiwaji University, Gwalior MP 474011 (India)

2015-08-28

Synthesis of SnO{sub 2}/CdSe metal oxide/ chalcogenide nanostructures on glass micro slides using ultrasonic sol-gel process followed by spin coating has been reported. Stannous chloride, cadmium chloride and selenium dioxide compounds were used for Sn, Cd and Se precursors respectively. Ethylene glycol was used as complexing agent. The samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, AFM and UV-spectrophotometer. All the peaks shown in diffractograms are identified for SnO{sub 2}. Peak broadening observed in core shell due to stress behavior of CdSe lattice. Scanning electron microscope and AFM exhibits the conversion of cluster in to nanorods structures forms. Atomic force microscope shows the structures in nanorods form and a roughness reduced 1.5194 nm by the deposition of CdSe. Uv Visible spectra shows a new absorption edge in the visible region make them useful for optoelectronic applications.

Structural transformations of TiO{sub 2} films with deposition temperature and electrical properties of nanostructure n-TiO{sub 2}/p-Si heterojunction diode

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Aksoy, Seval; Caglar, Yasemin, E-mail: yasemincaglar@anadolu.edu.tr

2014-11-15

Highlights: • Titanium oxide (TiO{sub 2}) films have been deposited on p-Si substrates by sol gel spin coating technique. • The effect of deposition temperatures on structural and morphological properties of TiO{sub 2} films. • The electrical parameters of nanostructure n-TiO{sub 2}/p-Si heterojunction diode such as n, R{sub s} and ϕ{sub b} were investigated. - Abstract: Titanium oxide (TiO{sub 2}) films have been deposited on p-Si substrates by sol–gel method using spin coating technique. Structural and morphological properties were studied as a function of deposition temperatures by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The deposition temperatures were chosen from 700 °C to 1100 °C. Crystallization of the anatase phase and its transformation to the rutile phase were observed at 700 °C and 800 °C, respectively. The fabrication of nanostructure n-TiO{sub 2}/p-Si heterojunction diode was formed by using T7 film deposited at 700 °C. The electrical parameters such as barrier height (ϕ{sub b}) and ideality factor (n) of nanostructure n-TiO{sub 2}/p-Si heterojunction diode were investigated by using I–V measurements and observed to be 0.58 eV and 5.39, respectively. Also, the values of ϕ{sub b} and series resistance (R{sub s}) were determined by using Cheung’s and Norde methods. From the I–V measurements taken at room temperature, the space charge limited (SCLC) mechanism was determined at the low voltage region. The obtained results showed that n-TiO{sub 2}/p-Si heterojunction diode is a good candidate for the applications of semiconductor electronic devices.

Ferroelectric self-assembled PbTiO{sub 3} perovskite nanostructures onto (100)SrTiO{sub 3} substrates from a novel microemulsion aided sol-gel preparation method

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Calzada, M L [Institucion Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (CSIC), Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid (Spain); Torres, M [Institucion Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (CSIC), Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid (Spain); Fuentes-Cobas, L E [Centro de Investigacion en Materiales Avanzados, Chihuahua (Mexico); Mehta, A [Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA (United States); Ricote, J [Institucion Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (CSIC), Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid (Spain); Pardo, L [Institucion Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (CSIC), Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid (Spain)

2007-09-19

A novel preparation method, which involves the use of microemulsions, sol-gel chemistry and chemical solution deposition, has been developed in this work for the preparation of layers of PbTiO{sub 3} nanostructures supported on SrTiO{sub 3} substrates. A transparent solution was first prepared by mixing a PbTiO{sub 3} precursor sol and a microemulsion formed by water, cyclohexane and the surfactant Brij 30 (polyoxyethylene(4) lauryl ether). The solution was deposited onto the SrTiO{sub 3} substrate by spin-coating and dried under controlled conditions (temperature, time and relative humidity) to favor the rearrangement of the micelles in the deposited coat. After a rapid thermal treatment of crystallization at 650 deg. C, nanostructures with uniform sizes of {approx}40 nm diameter and showing periodicity in some zones of the substrate are obtained. The analysis of these nanostructures by grazing-incidence x-ray synchrotron radiation indicates that they have a perovskite structure with a <100> preferred orientation and that they are under strained conditions. Thermal treatments at higher temperatures produce the collapse of the ordered nanoparticles' network and the formation of larger isolated particles of PbTiO{sub 3} with a truncated-pyramid morphology. Piezoresponse force microscopy studies demonstrate that the spontaneous polarization of these PbTiO{sub 3} nanostructures can be switched and that they have piezoelectric activity. These results support the fabrication strategy here proposed as a promising approach for the preparation of nanoferroelectrics onto substrates of possible interest in future nanoelectronic devices.

Thin nanostructured crystalline TiO{sub 2} films and their applications in solar cells

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cheng Yajun

2007-06-15

Research on thin nanostructured crystalline TiO{sub 2} films has attracted considerable interests because of their intriguing physical properties and potential applications in photovoltaics. Nanostructured TiO{sub 2} film plays an important role in the TiO{sub 2} based dye-sensitized solar cells because they act as a substrate for the adsorption of dye molecules and a matrix for the transportation of electrons as well. Thus they can influence the solar cell performance significantly. Consequently, the control of the morphology including the shape, size and size distribution of the TiO{sub 2} nanostructures is critical to tune and optimize the performance of the solar cells. To control the TiO{sub 2} morphology, a strategy using amphiphilic block copolymer as templating agent coupled with sol-gel chemistry has been applied. Especially, a good-poor solvent pair induced phase separation process has been developed to guide the microphase separation behavior of the block copolymers. The amphiphilic block copolymers used include polystyrene-block-poly (ethylene oxide) (PS-b-PEO), poly (methyl methacrylate)-block-poly (ethylene oxide) (PMMA-b-PEO), and poly (ethylene oxide)-block-polystyrene-block-poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO-b-PS-b-PEO). The block copolymer undergoes a good-poor-solvent pair induced phase separation in a mixed solution of 1, 4-dioxane or N, N-dimethyl formamide (DMF), concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl) and Titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP). Specifically, in the system of PS-b-PEO, a morphology phase diagram of the inorganic-copolymer composite films was mapped by adjusting the weight fractions among 1, 4-dioxane, HCl, and TTIP in solution. The amorphous TiO{sub 2} within the titania-block copolymer composite films was crystallized by calcination at temperatures above 400 C, where the organic block copolymer was simultaneously burned away. This strategy is further extended to other amphiphilic block copolymers of PMMA-b-PEO and PEO-b-PS-b-PEO, where the

Morphological influence of TiO{sub 2} nanostructures (nanozigzag, nanohelics and nanorod) on photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Khan, Sadaf Bashir; Hou, Mengjing; Shuang, Shuang; Zhang, Zhengjun, E-mail: zjzhang@tsinghua.edu.cn

2017-04-01

Highlights: • Glancing angle deposition technique is used to fabricate various columnar nanostructures in a single step to tune physiochemical properties. • Enhanced surface area induces porosity, with dispersion of active sites at different length scales of pores. • The increase interface between nanostructures and organic dye is promising factor to enhance photocatalytic degradation. • Morphologies having high surface to volume ratio increases the number of catalytic reaction sites to facilitate organic molecules adsorption favorable for reaction kinetics. - Abstract: Hierarchical nanostructures have drawn significant attention and incredible performance in photodriven chemical conversion area due to its unique physicochemical properties. Herein, we study the morphological influence of TiO{sub 2} nanostructures on photocatalytic degradation of different organic dyes methyl blue, methyl violet and methyl orange present in industrial wastewater. Nanorod, nanohelics and nanozigzag TiO{sub 2} nanofilms were fabricated by using galancing angle deposition technique (GLAD). TiO{sub 2} nanofilms were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and raman analysis. BET surface area analysis were carried out by using nitrogen adsorption desorption curves. The results show that TiO{sub 2} morphology had great influence on photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes due to difference in specific surface area and pore volume of nanostructures. The photocatalytic degradation experiments were carried out for three hours under UV–vis light irradiation. Catalysis recycling and organic dyes concentration influence were also studied. In case of high concentration of organic dyes, negligible degradation rate is observed. TiO{sub 2} nanozigzag films show better degradation performance than nanohelics and nanorod due to presence of large surface area for reaction, higher porosity with dispersion of active sites at different length

Chemically synthesized metal-oxide-metal segmented nanowires with high ferroelectric response

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Herderick, Edward D; Padture, Nitin P [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Center for Emergent Materials, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 (United States); Polomoff, Nicholas A; Huey, Bryan D, E-mail: padture.1@osu.edu [Department of Chemical, Materials, and Biomolecular Engineering, Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269 (United States)

2010-08-20

A chemical synthesis method is presented for the fabrication of high-definition segmented metal-oxide-metal (MOM) nanowires in two different ferroelectric oxide systems: Au-BaTiO{sub 3}-Au and Au-PbTiO{sub 3}-Au. This method entails electrodeposition of segmented nanowires of Au-TiO{sub 2}-Au inside anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates, followed by topotactic hydrothermal conversion of the TiO{sub 2} segments into BaTiO{sub 3} or PbTiO{sub 3} segments. Two-terminal devices from individual MOM nanowires are fabricated, and their ferroelectric properties are measured directly, without the aid of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) methods. The MOM nanowire architecture provides high-quality end-on electrical contacts to the oxide segments, and allows direct measurement of properties of nanoscale volume, strain-free oxide segments. Unusually high ferroelectric responses, for chemically synthesized oxides, in these MOM nanowires are reported, and are attributed to the lack of residual strain in the oxides. The ability to measure directly the active properties of nanoscale volume, strain-free oxides afforded by the MOM nanowire architecture has important implications for fundamental studies of not only ferroelectric nanostructures but also nanostructures in the emerging field of multiferroics.

Development of membrane filters with nanostructured porous layer by coating of metal nanoparticles sintered onto a micro-filter

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Park, Seok Joo; Park, Young Ok; Lee, Dong Geun; Ryu, Jeong In

2008-01-01

The membrane filter adhered with nanostructured porous layer was made by heat treatment after deposition of nanoparticle-agglomerates sintered in aerosol phase onto a conventional micron-fibrous metal filter as a substrate filter. The Sintered-Nanoparticle-Agglomerates-coated NanoStructured porous layer Membrane Filter (SNA-NSMF), whose the filtration performance was improved compared with the conventional metal membrane filters, was developed by adhesion of nanoparticle-agglomerates of dendrite structure sintered onto the micron-fibrous metal filter. The size of nanoparticle-agglomerates of dendrite structure decreased with increasing the sintering temperature because nanoparticle-agglomerates shrank. When shrinking nanoparticle-agglomerates were deposited and treated with heat onto the conventional micron-fibrous metal filter, pore size of nanostructured porous layer decreased. Therefore, pressure drops of SNA-NSMFs increased from 0.3 to 0.516 KPa and filtration efficiencies remarkably increased from 95.612 to 99.9993%

Evaluation of sub grid scale and local wall models in Large-eddy simulations of separated flow

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Sam Ali Al

2015-01-01

Full Text Available The performance of the Sub Grid Scale models is studied by simulating a separated flow over a wavy channel. The first and second order statistical moments of the resolved velocities obtained by using Large-Eddy simulations at different mesh resolutions are compared with Direct Numerical Simulations data. The effectiveness of modeling the wall stresses by using local log-law is then tested on a relatively coarse grid. The results exhibit a good agreement between highly-resolved Large Eddy Simulations and Direct Numerical Simulations data regardless the Sub Grid Scale models. However, the agreement is less satisfactory with relatively coarse grid without using any wall models and the differences between Sub Grid Scale models are distinguishable. Using local wall model retuned the basic flow topology and reduced significantly the differences between the coarse meshed Large-Eddy Simulations and Direct Numerical Simulations data. The results show that the ability of local wall model to predict the separation zone depends strongly on its implementation way.

Low-density to high-density transition in Ce{sub 75}Al{sub 23}Si{sub 2} metallic glass

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zeng, Q S; Lou, H B; Gong, Y; Wang, X D; Jiang, J Z [International Center for New-Structured Materials, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027 (China); Fang, Y Z; Wu, F M [College of Mathematics, Physics and Information Engineering, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, Zhejiang (China); Yang, K; Li, A G; Yan, S; Yu, X H [Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203 (China); Lathe, C, E-mail: qiaoshizeng@gmail.co, E-mail: jiangjz@zju.edu.c [HASYLAB am DESY, Notkestrasse 85, Hamburg D-22603 (Germany)

2010-09-22

Using in situ high-pressure x-ray diffraction (XRD), we observed a pressure-induced polyamorphic transition from the low-density amorphous (LDA) state to the high-density amorphous (HDA) state in Ce{sub 75}Al{sub 23}Si{sub 2} metallic glass at about 2 GPa and 300 K. The thermal stabilities of both LDA and HDA metallic glasses were further investigated using in situ high-temperature and high-pressure XRD, which revealed different pressure dependences of the onset crystallization temperature (T{sub x}) between them with a turning point at about 2 GPa. Compared with Ce{sub 75}Al{sub 25} metallic glass, minor Si doping shifts the onset polyamorphic transition pressure from 1.5 to 2 GPa and obviously stabilizes both LDA and HDA metallic glasses with higher T{sub x} and changes their slopes dT{sub x}/dP. The results obtained in this work reveal another polyamorphous metallic glass system by minor alloying (e.g. Si), which could modify the transition pressure and also properties of LDA and HDA metallic glasses. The minor alloying effect reported here is valuable for the development of more polyamorphous metallic glasses, even multicomponent bulk metallic glasses with modified properties, which will trigger more investigations in this field and improve our understanding of polyamorphism and metallic glasses.

GREENER PRODUCTION OF NOBLE METAL NANOSTRUCTURES AND NANOCOMPOSITES: RISK REDUCTION AND APPLICATIONS

Science.gov (United States)

The synthesis of nanometal/nano metal oxide/nanostructured polymer and their stabilization (through dispersant, biodegradable polymer) involves the use of natural renewable resources such plant material extract, biodegradable polymers, sugars, vitamins and finally efficient and s...

Autonomous Operation of Hybrid Microgrid with AC and DC Sub-Grids

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Loh, Poh Chiang; Blaabjerg, Frede

2011-01-01

the power flow among all the sources distributed throughout the two types of sub-grids, which certainly is tougher than previous efforts developed for only either ac or dc microgrid. This wider scope of control has not yet been investigated, and would certainly rely on the coordinated operation of dc...... sources, ac sources and interlinking converters. Suitable control and normalization schemes are therefore developed for controlling them with results presented for showing the overall performance of the hybrid microgrid.......This paper investigates on the active and reactive power sharing of an autonomous hybrid microgrid. Unlike existing microgrids which are purely ac, the hybrid microgrid studied here comprises dc and ac sub-grids, interconnected by power electronic interfaces. The main challenge here is to manage...

Room temperature ferromagnetism and gas sensing in ZnO nanostructures: Influence of intrinsic defects and Mn, Co, Cu doping

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mhlongo, Gugu H., E-mail: gmhlongo@csir.co.za [DST/CSIR National Centre for Nanostructured Materials, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria 0001 (South Africa); Shingange, Katekani; Tshabalala, Zamaswazi P.; Dhonge, Baban P. [DST/CSIR National Centre for Nanostructured Materials, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria 0001 (South Africa); Mahmoud, Fawzy A. [Solid State Physics Dept., National Research Centre, P.O. 12622, Dokki, Giza (Egypt); Mwakikunga, Bonex W.; Motaung, David E. [DST/CSIR National Centre for Nanostructured Materials, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria 0001 (South Africa)

2016-12-30

Highlights: • Preparation of Mn, Co, Cu doped ZnO via microwave-assisted method. • Doping alters the morphology of ZnO nanostructures. • Concentration of zinc and oxygen related defects vary with doping. • Correlation between PL and EPR was established. • Both undoped and doped ZnO nanostructures showed selectivity towards NH{sub 3}. - Abstract: Undoped and transition metal (Cu, Co and Mn) doped ZnO nanostructures were successfully prepared via a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method followed by annealing at 500 °C. Numerous characterization facilities such as X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) were employed to acquire the structural and morphological information of the prepared ZnO based products. Combination of defect structure analysis based on photoluminescence (PL) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) indicated that co-existing oxygen vacancies (V{sub O}) and zinc interstitials (Zn{sub i}) defects are responsible for the observed ferromagnetism in undoped and transition metal (TM) doped ZnO systems. PL analysis demonstrated that undoped ZnO has more donor defects (V{sub O} and Zn{sub i}) which are beneficial for gas response enhancement. Undoped ZnO based sensor exhibited a higher sensor response to NH{sub 3} gas compared to its counterparts owing to high content of donor defects while transition metal doped sensors showed short response and recovery times compared to undoped ZnO.

Improving the performance parameters of metal cylindrical grid shell ...

African Journals Online (AJOL)

Improving the performance parameters of metal cylindrical grid shell structures. ... Finite element models are designed taking into account minimization of production and ... The force factors and deformation parameters of the basic circuits of a ...

Experimental identification for physical mechanism of fiber-form nanostructure growth on metal surfaces with helium plasma irradiation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Takamura, S., E-mail: takamura@aitech.ac.jp [Faculty of Engineering, Aichi Institute of Technology, Yakusa-cho, Toyota 470-0392 (Japan); Uesugi, Y. [Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-1192 (Japan)

2015-11-30

Highlights: • Initial growth process of fiber-form nanostructure on metal surfaces under helium ion irradiation is given based on experimental knowledge, where the pitting of original surface and forming nano-walls and/or loop-like nanostructure works as precursors. • The physical mechanism of fiber growth is discussed in terms of shear modulus of metals influenced by helium content as well as surface temperature. • The physical model explains the reason why tantalum does not make sufficiently grown nano-fibers, and the temperature dependence of surface morphology of titanium. - Abstract: The initial stage of fiber-form nanostructure growth on metal surface with helium plasma irradiation is illustrated, taking recent research knowledge using a flux gradient technique, and including loop-like nano-scale structure as precursors. The growth mechanism of fibers is discussed in terms of the shear modulus of various materials that is influenced by the helium content as well as the surface temperature, and the mobility of helium atoms, clusters and/or nano-bubbles in the bulk, loops and fibers. This model may explain the reason why tantalum does not provide fiber-form nanostructure although the loop-like structure was identified. The model also suggests the mechanism of an existence of two kinds of nanostructure of titanium depending on surface temperature. Industrial applications of such nanostructures are suggested in the properties and the possibilities of its growth on other basic materials.

Multistep structural transition of hydrogen trititanate nanotubes into TiO{sub 2}-B nanotubes: a comparison study between nanostructured and bulk materials

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Morgado, Edisson Jr [PETROBRAS S.A./CENPES, Research and Development Centre, Avenida Horacio Macedo, 950, Cidade Universitaria, Quadra 7, 21941-598 Rio de Janeiro-RJ (Brazil); Jardim, P M [Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, Pontifical Catholic University, CP 38008, 22453-900 Rio de Janeiro-RJ (Brazil); Marinkovic, Bojan A [Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, Pontifical Catholic University, CP 38008, 22453-900 Rio de Janeiro-RJ (Brazil); Rizzo, Fernando C [Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, Pontifical Catholic University, CP 38008, 22453-900 Rio de Janeiro-RJ (Brazil); Abreu, Marco A S de [PETROBRAS S.A./CENPES, Research and Development Centre, Avenida Horacio Macedo, 950, Cidade Universitaria, Quadra 7, 21941-598 Rio de Janeiro-RJ (Brazil); Zotin, Jose L [PETROBRAS S.A./CENPES, Research and Development Centre, Avenida Horacio Macedo, 950, Cidade Universitaria, Quadra 7, 21941-598 Rio de Janeiro-RJ (Brazil); Araujo, Antonio S [Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, CP 1662, 59078-970 Natal-RN (Brazil)

2007-12-12

H-trititanate nanotubes obtained by alkali hydrothermal treatment of TiO{sub 2} followed by proton exchange were compared to their bulk H{sub 2}Ti{sub 3}O{sub 7} counterpart with respect to their thermally induced structural transformation paths. As-synthesized and heat-treated samples were characterized by XRD, TEM/SAED, DSC and spectroscopy techniques, indicating that H{sub 2}Ti{sub 3}O{sub 7} nanotubes showed the same sequence of structural transformations as their bulk counterpart obtained by conventional solid state reaction. Nanostructured H{sub 2}Ti{sub 3}O{sub 7} converts into TiO{sub 2}(B) via multistep transformation without losing its nanotubular morphology. The transformation occurs between 120 and 400 deg. C through topotactic mechanisms with the intermediate formation of nanostructured H{sub 2}Ti{sub 6}O{sub 13} and H{sub 2}Ti{sub 12}O{sub 25}, which are more condensed layered titanates eventually rearranging to TiO{sub 2}(B). Our results suggest that the intermediate tunnel structure H{sub 2}Ti{sub 12}O{sub 25} is the final layered intermediate phase, on which TiO{sub 2}(B) nucleates and grows. The conversion of nanostructured TiO{sub 2}(B) into anatase is completed at a much lower temperature than its bulk counterpart and is accompanied by loss of the nanotubular morphology.

Thermo-plasmonics of Irradiated Metallic Nanostructures

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Ma, Haiyan

Thermo-plasmonics is an emerging field in photonics which aims at harnessing the kinetic energy of light to generate nanoscopic sources of heat. Localized surface plasmons (LSP) supported by metallic nanostructures greatly enhance the interactions of light with the structure. By engineering...... delivery, nano-surgeries and thermo-transportations. Apart from generating well-controlled temperature increase in functional thermo-plasmonic devices, thermo-plasmonics can also be used in understanding complex phenomena in thermodynamics by creating drastic temperature gradients which are not accessible...... using conventional techniques. In this thesis, we present novel experimental and numerical tools to characterize thermo-plasmonic devices in a biologically relevant environment, and explore the thermodiffusion properties and measure thermophoretic forces for particles in temperature gradients ranging...

Preparation of nanostructured PbS thin films as sensing element for NO{sub 2} gas

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kaci, S., E-mail: k_samira05@yahoo.fr [Centre de Recherche en Technologie des Semi-conducteurs pour l’Energétique (CRTSE) Division Couches Minces et Interfaces, 02 Bd Frantz Fanon, B.P. 140, 7 Merveilles, 16038 Algiers (Algeria); Keffous, A.; Hakoum, S. [Centre de Recherche en Technologie des Semi-conducteurs pour l’Energétique (CRTSE) Division Couches Minces et Interfaces, 02 Bd Frantz Fanon, B.P. 140, 7 Merveilles, 16038 Algiers (Algeria); Trari, M. [Université des Sciences et Technologies Houari Boumediene (USTHB), Laboratoire de Stockage et de Valorisation des Eneriges Renouvelables, Faculté de Chimie, BP 32, EL Alia, 16111 Bab Ezzouar, Algiers (Algeria); Mansri, O.; Menari, H. [Centre de Recherche en Technologie des Semi-conducteurs pour l’Energétique (CRTSE) Division Couches Minces et Interfaces, 02 Bd Frantz Fanon, B.P. 140, 7 Merveilles, 16038 Algiers (Algeria)

2014-06-01

In this work, we demonstrate that semiconducting films of A{sub IV}B{sub VI} compounds, in particular, of nanostructured lead sulfide (PbS) which prepared by chemical bath deposition (CBD), can be used as a sensing element for nitrogen dioxide (NO{sub 2}) gas. The CBD method is versatile, simple in implementation and gives homogeneous semiconductor structures. We have prepared PbS nanocrystalline thin film at different reaction baths and temperatures. In the course of deposition, variable amounts of additives, such as organic substances among them, were introduced into the baths. The energy dispersive analysis (EDX) confirms the chemical composition of PbS films. A current–voltage (I–V) characterization of Pd/nc-PbS/a-SiC:H pSi(100)/Al Schottky diode structures were studied in the presence of NO{sub 2} gas. The gas sensing behavior showed that the synthesized PbS nanocrystalline thin films were influenced by NO{sub 2} gas at room temperature. The results can be used for developing an experimental sensing element based on chemically deposited nanostructured PbS films which can be applicable in gas sensors.

DNA nanostructure-directed assembly of metal nanoparticle superlattices

Science.gov (United States)

Julin, Sofia; Nummelin, Sami; Kostiainen, Mauri A.; Linko, Veikko

2018-05-01

Structural DNA nanotechnology provides unique, well-controlled, versatile, and highly addressable motifs and templates for assembling materials at the nanoscale. These methods to build from the bottom-up using DNA as a construction material are based on programmable and fully predictable Watson-Crick base pairing. Researchers have adopted these techniques to an increasing extent for creating numerous DNA nanostructures for a variety of uses ranging from nanoelectronics to drug-delivery applications. Recently, an increasing effort has been put into attaching nanoparticles (the size range of 1-20 nm) to the accurate DNA motifs and into creating metallic nanostructures (typically 20-100 nm) using designer DNA nanoshapes as molds or stencils. By combining nanoparticles with the superior addressability of DNA-based scaffolds, it is possible to form well-ordered materials with intriguing and completely new optical, plasmonic, electronic, and magnetic properties. This focused review discusses the DNA structure-directed nanoparticle assemblies covering the wide range of different one-, two-, and three-dimensional systems.

Fabrication and characterization of nanostructured anatase TiO{sub 2} films prepared by electrochemical anodization and their photocatalytic properties

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yurddaskal, Metin [Dokuz Eylul University, The Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Buca 35390, Izmir (Turkey); Dokuz Eylul University, Center for Fabrication and Applications of Electronic Materials (EMUM), Buca, 35390, Izmir (Turkey); Dikici, Tuncay, E-mail: tuncay.dikici@ikc.edu.tr [Dokuz Eylul University, The Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Buca 35390, Izmir (Turkey); Izmir Katip Celebi University, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cigli 35620, Izmir (Turkey); Yildirim, Serdar [Dokuz Eylul University, The Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Buca 35390, Izmir (Turkey); Dokuz Eylul University, Center for Fabrication and Applications of Electronic Materials (EMUM), Buca, 35390, Izmir (Turkey); Yurddaskal, Melis [Celal Bayar University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Muradiye, 45140 Manisa (Turkey); Toparli, Mustafa; Celik, Erdal [Dokuz Eylul University, Center for Fabrication and Applications of Electronic Materials (EMUM), Buca, 35390, Izmir (Turkey); Dokuz Eylul University, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Buca 35390, Izmir (Turkey)

2015-12-05

In this study, nanostructured anatase titanium dioxide (TiO{sub 2}) films were fabricated by electrochemical anodization of titanium first, and then annealed at 500 °C for 2 h. Effect of electrolyte concentration, anodization time and electrolyte temperature on the surface morphology of the resulting TiO{sub 2} thin films were investigated. The phase structures, surface morphology and chemical composition were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The photocatalytic activity tests of the samples were evaluated by the degradation of aqueous methylene blue (MB) solutions under UV light illumination for different periods of time. The results showed that the structure of nanostructured TiO{sub 2} films depended strongly on the anodization parameters. It was found that there were micro-scale pores (<10 μm) and nano-scale pores (diameter in the range from 40 to 70 nm) on the anodized titanium surfaces. This study indicated that structures, surface morphology, and surface area of the nanostructured anatase TiO{sub 2} films played an important role on their photocatalytic performance. The results clearly proved that nanostructured anatase TiO{sub 2} film prepared with optimum process parameters resulted in enhancement of the photocatalytic activity. - Highlights: • TiO{sub 2} thin films were prepared on titanium substrates by electrochemical anodization at 30 V. • Effect of various anodization parameters on the photocatalytic activity of titanium was investigated. • Micro- and nanoscale TiO{sub 2} pores formed on the titanium by anodizing. • Surface morphology of the TiO{sub 2} films plays an important role on the photocatalytic performance. • The sample anodized for 240 min showed the highest photocatalytic activity.

Characterization of physicochemical properties of Pd/TiO{sub 2} nanostructured catalysts prepared by the photodeposition method

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Camposeco, R. [Molecular Engineering Program, Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo, 07730 México, D.F. (Mexico); Department of Chemistry, UAM-A, 55534 México, D.F. (Mexico); Castillo, S., E-mail: scastill@imp.mx [Molecular Engineering Program, Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo, 07730 México, D.F. (Mexico); Department of Chemical Engineering, ESIQIE-IPN, 75876 México, D.F. (Mexico); Mejía-Centeno, Isidro; Navarrete, J.; Marín, J. [Molecular Engineering Program, Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo, 07730 México, D.F. (Mexico)

2014-09-15

In this work, the sol–gel and hydrothermal methods were used to synthesize TiO{sub 2}-nanostructured supports. The palladium supported on sol–gel TiO{sub 2} and on hydrothermal-method-TiO{sub 2} nanotubes was obtained by incorporating it through photodeposition. The characterization was performed by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, N{sub 2} physisorption, pulse chemisorption, ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Both sol–gel-palladium–TiO{sub 2} and palladium-nanotube samples showed different palladium dispersion and physicochemical properties. In the palladium-nanotube sample, high surface area (243 m{sup 2}/g), H{sub 2}Ti{sub 3}O{sub 7} stable phase, and low band gap energy (2.35 eV) were obtained. Palladium-nanotubes and palladium-TiO{sub 2}, used as reference samples, were prepared by wet impregnation. - Highlights: • The precursors of TiO{sub 2} nanotubes were synthesized by the sol–gel method. • TiO{sub 2} nanostructures showed improved textural and morphological properties. • Pd nanoparticles around 1 nm were obtained by the photodeposition method. • TiO{sub 2}-nanotube-based catalysts can be a powerful tool for facing air pollution.

Research of Smart Payment System of Power Grid Using Strongly Sub-feasible SQP Algorithm

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Yang Fang

2017-01-01

Full Text Available With the continuous development and perfection of “Internet + Electricity”, the regional grid operation has gradually realized the Internet-based automation. In order to improve the smart level of regional grid operation, this paper analyzes the status quo of power grid terminal in Fujian local power (group company, and introduces the strongly sub-feasible sequence quadratic programming (SQP. The smart payment system based on strongly sub-feasible SQP algorithm is described by its structure, function and implementation process. Through the information technology to improve the efficiency of the service, so that payment staff and smart terminal of self-service payment system has been information between the interactive mode, the actual operation effect is good.

Photocatalytic degradation of Lissamine Green B dye by using nanostructured sol–gel TiO{sub 2} films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ćurković, Lidija, E-mail: lcurkov@fsb.hr [Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb, Ivana Lučića 5, 10000 Zagreb (Croatia); Ljubas, Davor [Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb, Ivana Lučića 5, 10000 Zagreb (Croatia); Šegota, Suzana [Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000 Zagreb (Croatia); Bačić, Ivana [Forensic Science Centre Ivan Vučetić, Ministry of the Interior, Ilica 335, Zagreb (Croatia)

2014-08-01

Highlights: • Nanostructured photocatalytic TiO{sub 2} films were prepared by sol–gel methods. • The addition of PEG to the TiO{sub 2} film changes the surface morphology and roughness parameters. • The addition of PEG to the initial sols increases photocatalytic properties of TiO{sub 2}. • LGB water solution could be decolourised within 2 h. • The influence of photolysis and adsorption on the LGB removal from the solution is negligible. - Abstract: Nanostructured sol–gel TiO{sub 2} films were prepared on a glass substrate by means of the dip-coating technique with titanium tetraisopropoxide as a precursor. TiO{sub 2} sols were synthesized with and without the addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a structure-directing agent. The synthesized sol–gel TiO{sub 2} were characterized by XRD, AFM, FTIR and Micro-Raman spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the films was evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of Lissamine Green B (LGB) dye (dissolved in water) as a model pollutant with the predominant irradiation wavelength of 365 nm (UV-A). It was found that the addition of PEG to the initial sol affects the surface morphology and the photocatalytic properties of prepared sol–gel TiO{sub 2} films. AFM analysis confirmed the presence of nanostructured sol–gel titania films on the glass substrate. Roughness parameters (R{sub a}, R{sub q}, and Z{sub max}) of the sol–gel TiO{sub 2} film with the addition of PEG are higher than the parameters of the sol–gel TiO{sub 2} film without the addition of PEG. The TiO{sub 2} film prepared with the addition of PEG has a higher surface density (a larger active surface area) and better photocatalytic activity in the degradation of the LGB dye solution than the TiO{sub 2} film prepared without the addition of PEG.

Vicinal surfaces for functional nanostructures

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tegenkamp, Christoph [Institut fuer Festkoerperphysik, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universitaet Hannover, Appelstrasse 2, D-30167 Hannover (Germany)], E-mail: tegenkamp@fkp.uni-hannover.de

2009-01-07

Vicinal surfaces are currently the focus of research. The regular arrangements of atomic steps on a mesoscopic scale reveal the possibility to functionalize these surfaces for technical applications, e.g. nanowires, catalysts, etc. The steps of the vicinal surface are well-defined defect structures of atomic size for nucleation of low-dimensional nanostructures. The concentration and therefore the coupling between the nanostructures can be tuned over a wide range by simply changing the inclination angle of the substrate. However, the coupling of these nano-objects to the substrate is just as important in controlling their electronic or chemical properties and making a functionality useable. On the basis of stepped insulating films, these aspects are fulfilled and will be considered in the first part of this review. Recent results for the epitaxial growth of wide bandgap insulating films (CaF{sub 2}, MgO, NaCl, BaSrO) on metallic and semiconducting vicinal substrates (Si(100), Ge(100), Ag(100)) will be presented. The change of the electronic structure, the adsorption behavior as well as the kinetics and energetics of color centers in the presence of steps is discussed. The successful bridging of the gap between the atomic and mesoscopic world, i.e. the functionalization of vicinal surfaces by nanostructures, is demonstrated in the second part by metal adsorption on semiconducting surfaces. For (sub)monolayer coverage these systems have in common that the surface states do not hybridize with the support, i.e. the semiconducting surfaces are insulating. Here I will focus on the latest results of macroscopic transport measurements on Pb quantum wires grown on vicinal Si(111) showing indeed a one-dimensional transport behavior. (topical review)

Enhancement of oxidative electrocatalytic properties of platinum nanoparticles by supporting onto mixed WO{sub 3}/ZrO{sub 2} matrix

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rutkowska, Iwona A., E-mail: ilinek@chem.uw.edu.pl; Wadas, Anna; Kulesza, Pawel J., E-mail: pkulesza@chem.uw.edu.pl

2016-12-01

Highlights: • The electrocatalytic system utilizing Pt nanoparticles dispersed on mixed metal oxide (WO{sub 3}/ZrO{sub 2}) system is proposed. • The system is characterized by high activity toward oxidations of ethanol, methanol and acetaldehyde in acid medium. • The enhancement effect is facilitated by presence of hydroxyl groups, high mobility of protons and improved distribution of electrons. • Strong interactions between Pt and the mixed oxide WO{sub 3}/ZrO{sub 2} support are postulated. - Abstract: Nanostructured mixed metal (W, Zr) oxide matrices (in a form of layered intercalated films of WO{sub 3} and ZrO{sub 2}) are considered here for supporting and activating catalytic platinum nanoparticles toward electrooxidation of ethanol. Remarkable increases of electrocatalytic (voltammetric, chronoamperometric) currents measured in 0.5 mol dm{sup −3} H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} (containing 0.5 mol dm{sup −3} ethanol) have been observed. Comparison has been made to the behavior of methanol and acetaldehyde under analogous conditions. The enhancement effects are interpreted in terms of specific interactions between platinum nanoparticles and the metal oxide species, high acidity of the mixed oxide sites, as well as high population of surface hydroxyl groups and high mobility of protons existing in close vicinity of Pt catalytic sites. The metal oxide nanostructures are expected to interact competitively (via the surface hydroxyl groups) with adsorbates of the undesirable reaction intermediates, including CO, facilitating their desorption (“third body effect”), or even oxidative removal (e.g., of CO to CO{sub 2}). The fact that the partially reduced tungsten oxide (H{sub x}WO{sub 3}) component is characterized by fast electron transfers coupled to proton displacements tends to improve the overall charge propagation at the electrocatalytic interface.

Silicon-based metallic micro grid for electron field emission

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, Jaehong; Jeon, Seok-Gy; Kim, Jung-Il; Kim, Geun-Ju; Heo, Duchang; Shin, Dong Hoon; Sun, Yuning; Lee, Cheol Jin

2012-01-01

A micro-scale metal grid based on a silicon frame for application to electron field emission devices is introduced and experimentally demonstrated. A silicon lattice containing aperture holes with an area of 80 × 80 µm 2 and a thickness of 10 µm is precisely manufactured by dry etching the silicon on one side of a double-polished silicon wafer and by wet etching the opposite side. Because a silicon lattice is more rigid than a pure metal lattice, a thin layer of Au/Ti deposited on the silicon lattice for voltage application can be more resistant to the geometric stress caused by the applied electric field. The micro-fabrication process, the images of the fabricated grid with 88% geometric transparency and the surface profile measurement after thermal feasibility testing up to 700 °C are presented. (paper)

Spray coating of self-aligning passivation layer for metal grid lines

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Vuorinen, T.; Janka, M.; Rubingh, J.E.J.M.; Tuukkanen, S.; Groen, P.; Lupo, D.

2014-01-01

In applications such as organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) or photovoltaic cells a homogenous voltage distribution in the large anode layer needs to be ensured by including a metal grid with a transparent conductor layer. To ensure sufficient conductivity, relatively thick metal lines are used,

Attosecond nanotechnology: NEMS of energy storage and nanostructural transformations in materials

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Beznosyuk, Sergey A., E-mail: bsa1953@mail.ru; Maslova, Olga A., E-mail: maslova-o.a@mail.ru [Altai State University, Barnaul, 656049 (Russian Federation); Zhukovsky, Mark S., E-mail: zhukovsky@list.ru [Altai State Technical University, Barnaul, 656038 (Russian Federation)

2015-10-27

The attosecond technology of the nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS) energy storage as active center fast transformation of nanostructures in materials is considered. The self-organizing relaxation of the NEMS active center containing nanocube of 256-atoms limited by planes (100) in the FCC lattice matrix of 4d-transition metals (Ru, Rh, Pd) is described by the quantum NEMS-kinetics (NK) method. Typical for these metals change of the NEMS active center physicochemical characteristics during the time of relaxation is presented. There are three types of intermediate quasistationary states of the NEMS active center. Their forms are plainly distinguishable. The full relaxed NEMS active centers (Ru{sub 256}, Rh{sub 256}, Pd{sub 256}) accumulate next storage energies: E{sub Ru} = 2.27 eV/at, E{sub Rh} = 1.67 eV/at, E{sub Pd} = 3.02 eV/at.

Electronic states and phonon properties of Ge{sub x}Si{sub 1−x} nanostructures

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhao, P.Q. [Department of Applied Physics, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816 (China); National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093 (China); Liu, L.Z. [National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093 (China); Yang, Y.M. [Department of Physics, Southern University, Nanjing 210096 (China); Wu, X.L., E-mail: hkxlwu@nju.edu.cn [National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093 (China); Department of Physics, NingBo University, NingBo 3153001 (China)

2015-07-15

Ge{sub x}Si{sub 1−x} nanostructures that can be manipulated through size reduction, geometry variation, and alloying, are considered as one of the key developments for next generation technologies, due to their easy processing, unique properties, and compatibility with the existent silicon-based microelectronic industry. In this review, we have thoroughly discussed the major advances in electronic structures and phonon properties of Ge{sub x}Si{sub 1−x} nanocrystals (NCs). Experimental and theoretical characterization related to several main factors, for example, size, composition, strain, temperature, and interface and surface were presented with special emphasis in low-frequency Raman scattering. Current difficulties in explaining the Raman spectra are the assignment of the low-frequency modes because of the complexity of the environment around the NCs, thus different theoretical models are introduced in detail to deal with different properties of Ge{sub x}Si{sub 1−x} alloy NCs including Lamb’s theory, complex-frequency (CF) model, core–shell matrix (CMS) model and spatial coherence effect model. - Highlights: • Major advances in electronic structures and phonon properties of Ge{sub x}Si{sub 1−x} nanocrystals are discussed thoroughly. • Experimental and theoretical characterization related to size, composition, strain, temperature, and interface/surface are elucidated. • Low-frequency Raman spectra are specially described based on spatial coherence effect model.

The development of biopolymer-based nanostructured materials : plastics, gels, IPNs and nanofoams

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Soest, van J.J.G.

2006-01-01

The ability to design products with structural features on a nanometric scale is a major technology driver in materials research Nanostructured materials are defined as materials with structural features on a sub-micron scale determining specific properties They consist of materials such as metals,

Biopolymer nanostructures induced by plasma irradiation and metal sputtering

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Slepička, P., E-mail: petr.slepicka@vscht.cz [Department of Solid State Engineering, Institute of Chemical Technology, 166 28 Prague (Czech Republic); Juřík, P. [Department of Solid State Engineering, Institute of Chemical Technology, 166 28 Prague (Czech Republic); Malinský, P.; Macková, A. [Nuclear Physics Institute, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Rez, Prague 25068 (Czech Republic); Faculty of Science, J.E. Purkyně University, Ústí nad Labem (Czech Republic); Kasálková, N. Slepičková; Švorčík, V. [Department of Solid State Engineering, Institute of Chemical Technology, 166 28 Prague (Czech Republic)

2014-08-01

Modification based on polymer surface exposure to plasma treatment exhibits an easy and cheap technique for polymer surface nanostructuring. The influence of argon plasma treatment on biopolymer poly(L-lactide acid (PLLA) will be presented in this paper. The combination of Ar{sup +} ion irradiation, consequent sputter metallization (platinum) and thermal annealing of polymer surface will be summarized. The surface morphology was studied using atomic force microscopy. The Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy were used as analytical methods. The combination of plasma treatment with consequent thermal annealing and/or metal sputtering led to the change of surface morphology and its elemental ratio. The surface roughness and composition has been strongly influenced by the modification parameters and metal layer thickness. By plasma treatment of polymer surface combined with consequent annealing or metal deposition can be prepared materials applicable both in tissue engineering as cell carriers, but also in integrated circuit manufacturing.

Diffusion and surface alloying of gradient nanostructured metals

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Zhenbo Wang

2017-03-01

Full Text Available Gradient nanostructures (GNSs have been optimized in recent years for desired performance. The diffusion behavior in GNS metals is crucial for understanding the diffusion mechanism and relative characteristics of different interfaces that provide fundamental understanding for advancing the traditional surface alloying processes. In this paper, atomic diffusion, reactive diffusion, and surface alloying processes are reviewed for various metals with a preformed GNS surface layer. We emphasize the promoted atomic diffusion and reactive diffusion in the GNS surface layer that are related to a higher interfacial energy state with respect to those in relaxed coarse-grained samples. Accordingly, different surface alloying processes, such as nitriding and chromizing, have been modified significantly, and some diffusion-related properties have been enhanced. Finally, the perspectives on current research in this field are discussed.

Magnetic and structural investigations on La{sub 0.6}Sr{sub 0.4}MnO{sub 3} nanostructured manganite: Evidence of a ferrimagnetic shell

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Andrade, V.M.; Caraballo-Vivas, R.J. [Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal Fluminense, 24210-340 Niterói, RJ (Brazil); Costas-Soares, T. [Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal Fluminense, 24210-340 Niterói, RJ (Brazil); IF Sudeste MG, Campus Juiz de Fora - Núcleo de Física, 36080-001 Juiz de Fora, MG (Brazil); Pedro, S.S. [Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal Fluminense, 24210-340 Niterói, RJ (Brazil); Rocco, D.L., E-mail: rocco@if.uff.br [Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal Fluminense, 24210-340 Niterói, RJ (Brazil); Reis, M.S. [Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal Fluminense, 24210-340 Niterói, RJ (Brazil); Campos, A.P.C. [Divisão de Metrologia de Materiais, Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia, 25250-020 Duque de Caxias, RJ (Brazil); Coelho, A.A. [Instituto de Física “Gleb Wataghin”, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Caixa Postal 6165, 13083-859 Campinas, SP (Brazil)

2014-11-15

This paper presents the structural and magnetic properties of La{sub 0.6}Sr{sub 0.4}MnO{sub 3} nanoparticles with sizes from 21 to 106 nm, which have been prepared using the sol–gel method. The reduction of the nanoparticles' size tends to broaden the paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition, as well as to promote magnetic hysteresis and a remarkable change on the magnetic saturation. In order to better understand the magnetic behavior of those nanoparticles, a simple model based on a ferromagnetic core and a ferrimagnetic shell was considered, where the magnetization was described in terms of the standard mean-field Brillouin function. This model matches the experimental data, leading to conclusion the nanoparticles with size <40nm are single magnetic domain. In addition, the output fitting parameters give information on the Landé factor of the core and shell. - Graphical abstract: Core–shell model: The core has a ferromagnetic character, while the shell is ferrimagnetic. Each one has two sub-lattices (Mn{sup 3+} and Mn{sup 4+}) that interact through a mean-field (see Eq. (6)). Interactions strength and signals are also represented in this figure. In this figure the arrows (or vectors) represent the magnetic moment of ions Mn{sup 3+} (s=2) and Mn{sup 4+} (s=3/2). βλ's describe the ferromagnetic interaction between Mn{sup 4+} ions into the core (βλ{sub co}) and into the shell (βλ{sub sh}), while αλ's represent ferromagnetic interaction between Mn{sup 3+} ions into the core (αλ{sub co}) and into the shell (αλ{sub sh}). The −λ{sub sh} and +λ{sub co}co are associated to the mean field parameter of interaction between Mn{sup 3+} and Mn{sup 4+} sub-lattices in the shell (ferrimagnetic, negative sign) and core (ferromagnetic, positive sign), respectively. - Highlights: • Evidences of ferromagnetic shell in La{sub 0.6}Sr{sub 0.4}MnO{sub 3} ferromagnetic nanoparticles. • Core(ferromagnetic)–shell(ferromagnetic) model for

Comparison of modification strategies towards enhanced charge carrier separation and photocatalytic degradation activity of metal oxide semiconductors (TiO{sub 2}, WO{sub 3} and ZnO)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kumar, S. Girish [Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, 560012 Karnataka (India); Department of Chemistry, School of Engineering and Technology, CMR University, Bengaluru, 562149, Karnataka (India); Rao, K.S.R. Koteswara, E-mail: raoksrk@gmail.com [Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, 560012 Karnataka (India)

2017-01-01

Graphical abstract: Semiconductor metal oxides: Modifications, charge carrier dynamics and photocatalysis. - Highlights: • TiO{sub 2}, WO{sub 3} and ZnO based photocatalysis is reviewed. • Advances to improve the efficiency are emphasized. • Differences and similarities in the modifications are highlighted. • Charge carrier dynamics for each strategy are discussed. - Abstract: Metal oxide semiconductors (TiO{sub 2}, WO{sub 3} and ZnO) finds unparalleled opportunity in wastewater purification under UV/visible light, largely encouraged by their divergent admirable features like stability, non-toxicity, ease of preparation, suitable band edge positions and facile generation of active oxygen species in the aqueous medium. However, the perennial failings of these photocatalysts emanates from the stumbling blocks like rapid charge carrier recombination and meager visible light response. In this review, tailoring the surface-bulk electronic structure through the calibrated and veritable approaches such as impurity doping, deposition with noble metals, sensitizing with other compounds (dyes, polymers, inorganic complexes and simple chelating ligands), hydrogenation process (annealing under hydrogen atmosphere), electronic integration with other semiconductors, modifying with carbon nanostructures, designing with exposed facets and tailoring with hierarchical morphologies to overcome their critical drawbacks are summarized. Taking into account the materials intrinsic properties, the pros and cons together with similarities and striking differences for each strategy in specific to TiO{sub 2}, WO{sub 3} & ZnO are highlighted. These subtlety enunciates the primacy for improving the structure-electronic properties of metal oxides and credence to its fore in the practical applications. Future research must focus on comparing the performances of ZnO, TiO{sub 2} and WO{sub 3} in parallel to get insight into their photocatalytic behaviors. Such comparisons not only reveal

Calcium looping technology using improved stability nanostructured sorbent for cyclic CO{sub 2} capture

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Luo, Cong; Zheng, Ying; Ding, Ning; Zheng, Chu-guang [Huazhong Univ. of Science and Technology, Wuhan (China). State Key Lab. of Coal Combustion

2013-07-01

One of the post-combustion CO{sub 2} capture technologies that have sufficiently been proved to be the best candidates for practical large scale post-combustion application is the calcium looping cycle. However, the CO{sub 2} capture capacity of a calcium-based sorbent derived from natural limestone decays through long-term cyclic utilization; thus, the development of novel sorbents to achieve a high CO{sub 2} capture capacity is an critical challenge for the calcium looping cycle technology. In this paper, we report the preparation and character of a new calcium-based sorbent produced via the combustion of a dry gel. The results show that the novel calcium-based sorbent has a much higher residual carbonation conversion as well as a better performance of anti-sintering when compared with the calcium-based sorbent derived from commercial micrometer grade CaCO{sub 3} and nanometer grade CaCO{sub 3}. It is reasonable to propose that the different final carbonation performances are induced by their different pore structures and BET surface areas rather than by different particle sizes. Compared with the commercial nano CaO, the morphology of the new sorbent shows a more rough porous appearance with hollow nanostructure. During carbonation, CO{sub 2} diffused more easily through the hollow structure than through a solid structure to reach the unreacted CaO. Besides, there is less chance for the hollow nanostructured particles to be merged together during the high temperature reactions.

Three-dimensional noble-metal nanostructure: A new kind of substrate for sensitive, uniform, and reproducible surface-enhanced Raman scattering

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tian Cui-Feng; You Hong-Jun; Fang Ji-Xiang

2014-01-01

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful vibrational spectroscopy technique for highly sensitive structural detection of low concentration analyte. The SERS activities largely depend on the topography of the substrate. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in SERS substrate, especially focusing on the three-dimensional (3D) noble-metal substrate with hierarchical nanostructure. Firstly, we introduce the background and general mechanism of 3D hierarchical SERS nanostructures. Then, a systematic overview on the fabrication, growth mechanism, and SERS property of various noble-metal substrates with 3D hierarchical nanostructures is presented. Finally, the applications of 3D hierarchical nanostructures as SERS substrates in many fields are discussed. (invited review — international conference on nanoscience and technology, china 2013)

A new, high energy rechargeable lithium ion battery with a surface-treated Li{sub 1.2}Mn{sub 0.54}Ni{sub 0.13}Co{sub 0.13}O{sub 2} cathode and a nano-structured Li{sub 4}Ti{sub 5}O{sub 12} anode

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Liu, Xiaoyu; Huang, Tao; Yu, Aishui, E-mail: asyu@fudan.edu.cn

2015-11-05

Through elaborate design, a new rechargeable lithium ion battery has been developed by comprising a surface-treated Li{sub 1.2}Mn{sub 0.54}Ni{sub 0.13}Co{sub 0.13}O{sub 2} cathode and a nano-structured Li{sub 4}Ti{sub 5}O{sub 12} anode. After precondition Na{sub 2}S{sub 2}O{sub 8} treatment, the initial coulombic efficiency of Li{sub 1.2}Mn{sub 0.54}Ni{sub 0.13}Co{sub 0.13}O{sub 2} cathode has been significantly increased and can be compatible with that of the nano-structured Li{sub 4}Ti{sub 5}O{sub 12} anode. The optimization of structure and morphology for both active electrode materials result in their remarkable electrochemical performances in respective lithium half-cells. Ultimately, the rechargeable lithium ion full battery consisting of both electrodes delivers a specific capacity of 99.0 mAh g{sup −1} and a practical energy density of 201 Wh kg{sup −1}, based on the total weight of both active electrode materials. Furthermore, as a promising candidate in the lithium ion battery field, this full battery also achieves highly attractive electrochemical performance with high coulombic efficiency, excellent cycling stability and outstanding rate capability. Thus the proposed battery displays broad practical application prospects for next generation of high-energy lithium ion battery. - Highlights: • The Li{sub 1.2}Mn{sub 0.54}Ni{sub 0.13}Co{sub 0.13}O{sub 2} cathode is surface-treated by Na{sub 2}S{sub 2}O{sub 8}. • The nano-sized Li{sub 4}Ti{sub 5}O{sub 12} anode is obtained by a solid-state method. • A new Li{sub 1.2}Mn{sub 0.54}Ni{sub 0.13}Co{sub 0.13}O{sub 2}/Li{sub 4}Ti{sub 5}O{sub 12} lithium ion battery is developed. • The battery shows high coulombic efficiency, specific capacity and energy density. • The battery shows high capacity retention rate and good high-rate capability.

Adsorption of heavy metals on conventional and nanostructured materials for wastewater treatment purposes: A review.

Science.gov (United States)

Burakov, Alexander E; Galunin, Evgeny V; Burakova, Irina V; Kucherova, Anastassia E; Agarwal, Shilpi; Tkachev, Alexey G; Gupta, Vinod K

2018-02-01

The problem of water pollution is of a great concern. Adsorption is one of the most efficient techniques for removing noxious heavy metals from the solvent phase. This paper presents a detailed information and review on the adsorption of noxious heavy metal ions from wastewater effluents using various adsorbents - i.e., conventional (activated carbons, zeolites, clays, biosorbents, and industrial by-products) and nanostructured (fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, graphenes). In addition to this, the efficiency of developed materials for adsorption of the heavy metals is discussed in detail along with the comparison of their maximum adsorption capacity in tabular form. A special focus is made on the perspectives of further wider applications of nanostructured adsorbents (especially, carbon nanotubes and graphenes) in wastewater treatment. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A hierarchical nanostructure consisting of amorphous MnO{sub 2}, Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanocrystallites, and single-crystalline MnOOH nanowires for supercapacitors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hu, Chi-Chang; Hung, Ching-Yun [Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsin-Chu 30013 (China); Chang, Kuo-Hsin [Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsin-Chu 30013 (China); Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Cheng University, Chia-Yi 621 (China); Yang, Yi-Lin [Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Cheng University, Chia-Yi 621 (China)

2011-01-15

In this communication, a porous hierarchical nanostructure consisting of amorphous MnO{sub 2} (a-MnO{sub 2}), Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanocrystals, and single-crystalline MnOOH nanowires is designed for the supercapacitor application, which is prepared by a simple two-step electrochemical deposition process. Because of the gradual co-transformation of Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanocrystals and a-MnO{sub 2} nanorods into an amorphous manganese oxide, the cycle stability of a-MnO{sub 2} is obviously enhanced by adding Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4}. This unique ternary oxide nanocomposite with 100-cycle CV activation exhibits excellent capacitive performances, i.e., excellent reversibility, high specific capacitances (470 F g{sup -1} in CaCl{sub 2}), high power property, and outstanding cycle stability. The highly porous microstructures of this composite before and after the 10,000-cycle CV test are examined by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). (author)

Facile sonochemical synthesis and morphology control of CePO{sub 4} nanostructures via an oriented attachment mechanism: Application as luminescent probe for selective sensing of Pb{sup 2+} ion in aqueous solution

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shiralizadeh Dezfuli, Amin [Center of Excellence in Electrochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Tehran, Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Ganjali, Mohammad Reza, E-mail: ganjali@khayam.ut.ac.ir [Center of Excellence in Electrochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Tehran, Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Biosensor Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular–Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Norouzi, Parviz [Center of Excellence in Electrochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Tehran, Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Biosensor Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular–Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of)

2014-09-01

CePO{sub 4} nanostructures with hexagonal phase were controllably synthesized using Ce(NO{sub 3}){sub 3} reaction with NH{sub 4}H{sub 2}PO{sub 4} through a sonochemical method by simply varying the reaction conditions. By adding ethanol and polyethylene glycol (PEG), coral-reef nanostructures (CRNs) were synthesized and controlling over pH caused to nanorods/nanowires. Oriented attachment (OA) is proposed as dominant mechanism on the growth of nanostructures which is in competition with Ostwald ripening (OR). The crystal structure and morphology of the nanostructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), respectively. The luminescent properties of CePO{sub 4} with different morphologies have been studied. Among the nanostructures, nanoparticles with the highest intensity of fluorescent have been used as luminescent probe for selective sensing of Pb{sup 2+} ion in aqueous solution. - Highlights: • Facile sonochemical method has been used for synthesis of CePO{sub 4} nanostructures. • Coral-reef as a new morphology of nanostructures is introduced. • CePO{sub 4} NPs have been used as luminescent probe for selective sensing of Pb{sup 2+} ion.

Nanostructured composite reinforced material

Science.gov (United States)

Seals, Roland D [Oak Ridge, TN; Ripley, Edward B [Knoxville, TN; Ludtka, Gerard M [Oak Ridge, TN

2012-07-31

A family of materials wherein nanostructures and/or nanotubes are incorporated into a multi-component material arrangement, such as a metallic or ceramic alloy or composite/aggregate, producing a new material or metallic/ceramic alloy. The new material has significantly increased strength, up to several thousands of times normal and perhaps substantially more, as well as significantly decreased weight. The new materials may be manufactured into a component where the nanostructure or nanostructure reinforcement is incorporated into the bulk and/or matrix material, or as a coating where the nanostructure or nanostructure reinforcement is incorporated into the coating or surface of a "normal" substrate material. The nanostructures are incorporated into the material structure either randomly or aligned, within grains, or along or across grain boundaries.

Distance-dependent metal enhanced fluorescence by flowerlike silver nanostructures fabricated in liquid crystalline phase

Science.gov (United States)

Zhang, Ying; Yang, Chengliang; Zhang, Guiyang; Peng, Zenghui; Yao, Lishuang; Wang, Qidong; Cao, Zhaoliang; Mu, Quanquan; Xuan, Li

2017-10-01

Flowerlike silver nanostructure substrates were fabricated in liquid crystalline phase and the distance dependent property of metal enhanced fluorescence for such substrate was studied for the first time. The distance between silver nanostructures and fluorophore was controlled by the well-established layer-by-layer (LbL) technique constructing alternate layers of poly (allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly (sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS). The Rhodamine 6G (R6G) molecules were electrostatically attached to the outmost negative charged PSS layer. The fluorescence enhancement factor of flowerlike nanostructure substrate increased firstly and then decreased with the distance increasing. The best enhanced fluorescence intensity of 71 fold was obtained at a distance of 5.2 nm from the surface of flowerlike silver nanostructure. The distance for best enhancement effect is an instructive parameter for the applications of such substrates and could be used in the practical MEF applications with the flowerlike nanostructure substrates fabricated in such way which is simple, controllable and cost-effective.

A better ferrimagnetic half-metal LuCu{sub 3}Mn{sub 4}O{sub 12}: Predicted from first-principles investigation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lv Shuhui; Li Hongping [State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022 (China); Graduate School, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049 (China); Han Deming; Wu Zhijian [State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022 (China); Liu Xiaojuan, E-mail: lxjuan@ciac.jl.c [State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022 (China); Meng Jian, E-mail: jmeng@ciac.jl.c [State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022 (China)

2011-03-15

Electronic structure calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and GGA+U for manganite cuprate compound LuCu{sub 3}Mn{sub 4}O{sub 12} have been performed, using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method. The calculated results indicate that LuCu{sub 3}Mn{sub 4}O{sub 12} is ferrimagnetic and half-metallic in both GGA and GGA+U calculations. The minority-spin band gap is 0.7 eV within GGA, which is larger than that of LaCu{sub 3}Mn{sub 4}O{sub 12} (0.3 eV), indicating its better half-metallicity. Further, the minority-spin gap enlarges from 0.7 to 2.8 eV with U taken into account, and simultaneously the Fermi level being shifted to the middle of the gap, making the half-metallic energy gap to be 1.21 eV. These results demonstrate that electronic correlation effect enhances the stability of half-metallic property. These facts make this system interesting candidates for applications in spintronic devices. - Research highlights: The electronic and magnetic properties of LuCu{sub 3}Mn{sub 4}O{sub 12} are analyzed. Both GGA and GGA+U methods are reported and compared. A better half-metal LuCu{sub 3}Mn{sub 4}O{sub 12} is obtained with large half-metallic gap. The results agree very well with the experimental data.

The in vitro sub-cellular localization and in vivo efficacy of novel chitosan/GMO nanostructures containing paclitaxel.

Science.gov (United States)

Trickler, W J; Nagvekar, A A; Dash, A K

2009-08-01

To determine the in vitro sub-cellular localization and in vivo efficacy of chitosan/GMO nanostructures containing paclitaxel (PTX) compared to a conventional PTX treatment (Taxol). The sub-cellular localization of coumarin-6 labeled chitosan/GMO nanostructures was determined by confocal microscopy in MDA-MB-231 cells. The antitumor efficacy was evaluated in two separate studies using FOX-Chase (CB17) SCID Female-Mice MDA-MB-231 xenograph model. Treatments consisted of intravenous Taxol or chitosan/GMO nanostructures with or without PTX, local intra-tumor bolus of Taxol or chitosan/GMO nanostructures with or without PTX. The tumor diameter and animal weight was monitored at various intervals. Histopathological changes were evaluated in end-point tumors. The tumor diameter increased at a constant rate for all the groups between days 7-14. After a single intratumoral bolus dose of chitosan/GMO containing PTX showed significant reduction in tumor diameter on day 15 when compared to control, placebo and intravenous PTX administration. The tumor diameter reached a maximal decrease (4-fold) by day 18, and the difference was reduced to approximately 2-fold by day 21. Qualitatively similar results were observed in a separate study containing PTX when administered intravenously. Chitosan/GMO nanostructures containing PTX are safe and effective administered locally or intravenously. Partially supported by DOD Award BC045664.

Acidic gases (CO{sub 2}, NO{sub 2} and SO{sub 2}) capture and dissociation on metal decorated phosphorene

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kuang, Anlong, E-mail: alkuang@swu.edu.cn [School of Physical Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715 (China); Kuang, Minquan; Yuan, Hongkuan; Wang, Guangzhao; Chen, Hong [School of Physical Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715 (China); Yang, Xiaolan [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191 (China)

2017-07-15

Highlights: • The light metal decorated phosphorene sheets are very effective for capture of CO{sub 2}, NO{sub 2} and SO{sub 2} because of large adsorption energies. • The adsorption energy is obviously dependent on the amount of electrons transferred between acidic gases and metal decorated phosphorene. • Pt-decorated phosphorene can effectively catalyze the dissociation of acidic gas. - Abstract: Density functional theory is employed to investigate the adsorption and dissociation of several acidic gases (CO{sub 2}, NO{sub 2} and SO{sub 2}) on metal (Li, Al, Ni and Pt) decorated phosphorene. The results show that light metal (Li, Al) decorated phosphorene exhibits a strong adsorption of acidic gases, i.e., the adsorption energy of CO{sub 2} on Li decorated phosphorene is 0.376 eV which is the largest in all adsorption of CO{sub 2} on metal decorated phosphorene and Al decorated phosphorene is most effective for capture of NO{sub 2} and SO{sub 2} due to large adsorption energies of 3.951 and 3.608 eV, respectively. Moreover, Li and Al light metals have stronger economic effectiveness and more friendly environment compared with the transition metals, the strong adsorption ability of acidic gases and low price suggest that Li, Al decorated phosphorene may be useful and promising for collection and filtration of exhaust gases. The reaction energy barriers of acidic gases dissociated process on Pt decorated phosphorene are relatively low and the reaction processes are significantly exothermic, indicating that the dissociation process is favorable.

Direct writing of metal nanostructures: lithographic tools for nanoplasmonics research.

Science.gov (United States)

Leggett, Graham J

2011-03-22

Continued progress in the fast-growing field of nanoplasmonics will require the development of new methods for the fabrication of metal nanostructures. Optical lithography provides a continually expanding tool box. Two-photon processes, as demonstrated by Shukla et al. (doi: 10.1021/nn103015g), enable the fabrication of gold nanostructures encapsulated in dielectric material in a simple, direct process and offer the prospect of three-dimensional fabrication. At higher resolution, scanning probe techniques enable nanoparticle particle placement by localized oxidation, and near-field sintering of nanoparticulate films enables direct writing of nanowires. Direct laser "printing" of single gold nanoparticles offers a remarkable capability for the controlled fabrication of model structures for fundamental studies, particle-by-particle. Optical methods continue to provide a powerful support for research into metamaterials.

Nanostructured rare earth doped Nb{sub 2}O{sub 5}: Structural, optical properties and their correlation with photonic applications

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pereira, Rafael Ramiro; Aquino, Felipe Thomaz [Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP CEP 14040-901 (Brazil); Ferrier, Alban [PSL Research University, Chimie ParisTech-CNRS, Institut de Recherche de Chimie Paris, 75005 Paris (France); Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, 75005 Paris (France); Goldner, Philippe [PSL Research University, Chimie ParisTech-CNRS, Institut de Recherche de Chimie Paris, 75005 Paris (France); Gonçalves, Rogéria R., E-mail: rrgoncalves@ffclrp.usp.br [Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP CEP 14040-901 (Brazil)

2016-02-15

In the present work, we report on a systematic study on structural and spectroscopic properties Eu{sup 3+} and Er{sup 3+}-doped Nb{sub 2}O{sub 5} prepared by sol–gel method. The Eu{sup 3+} ions were used as structural probe to determine the symmetry sites occupied by lanthanide ions. The Eu{sup 3+}-doped Nb{sub 2}O{sub 5} nanocrystalline powders were annealed at different temperatures to verify how the different Nb{sub 2}O{sub 5} crystalline phases affect the structure and the luminescence properties. Er{sup 3+}-doped Nb{sub 2}O{sub 5} was prepared showing an intense NIR luminescence, and, visible luminescence on the green and red, deriving from upconversion process. The synthetized materials can find widespread applicability in photonics as red luminophor for white LED (with tricolor), optical amplifiers and upconverter materials. - Highlights: • Vis and NIR emission from nanostructured lanthanide doped Nb{sub 2}O{sub 5}. • Eu{sup 3+}-doped Nb{sub 2}O{sub 5} as Red luminophor. • Multicolor tunability of intense upconversion emission from lanthanide doped Nb{sub 2}O{sub 5}. • Potential application as biological markers. • Broad band NIR emission.

Solvothermal synthesis of carbon coated N-doped TiO{sub 2} nanostructures with enhanced visible light catalytic activity

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yan Xuemin, E-mail: yanzhangmm2002@163.com [College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023 (China); Kang Jialing; Gao Lin; Xiong Lin; Mei Ping [College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023 (China)

2013-01-15

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Chitosan was used as carbon and nitrogen resource to modify TiO{sub 2} nanostructure. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Nanocomposites with mesostructure were obtained by one-step solvothermal method. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Carbon species were modified on the surface of TiO{sub 2}. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Nitrogen was doped into the anatase titania lattice. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer CTS-TiO{sub 2} nanocomposites show superior visible light photocatalytic activity. - Abstract: Visible light-active carbon coated N-doped TiO{sub 2} nanostructures(CTS-TiO{sub 2}) were prepared by a facile one-step solvothermal method with chitosan as carbon and nitrogen resource at 180 Degree-Sign C. The as-prepared samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N{sub 2} adsorption-desorption analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The CTS-TiO{sub 2} nanocomposites possess anatase phase of nanocrystalline structure with average particle size of about 5-7 nm. A wormhole mesostructure can be observed in the CTS-TiO{sub 2} nanocomposites due to the constituent agglomerated of nanoparticles. It has been evidenced that the nitrogen was doped into the anatase titania lattice and the carbon species were modified on the surface of TiO{sub 2}. The photocatalytic activities of the as-prepared photocatalysts were measured by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation at {lambda} {>=} 400 nm. The results show that CTS-TiO{sub 2} nanostructures display a higher visible light photocatalytic activity than pure TiO{sub 2}, commercial P25 and C-coated TiO{sub 2} (C-TiO{sub 2}) photocatalysts. The higher photocatalytic activity could be attributed to the band-gap narrowed by N-doping and the accelerated separation of the photo-generated electrons

A high-sensitive ultraviolet photodetector composed of double-layered TiO{sub 2} nanostructure and Au nanoparticles film based on Schottky junction

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wang, Huan; Qin, Pei [School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 (China); Yi, Guobin, E-mail: ygb702@163.com [School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 (China); Zu, Xihong [School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 (China); Zhang, Li, E-mail: zhangli2368@126.com [School of Materials and Energy, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 (China); Hong, Wei; Chen, Xudong [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen (Zhongshan) University, Guangzhou, 510275 (China)

2017-06-15

In this study, a Schottky-type ultraviolet (UV) photodetector based on double-layered nanostructured TiO{sub 2}/Au films was fabricated. Double-layered titanium dioxide (TiO{sub 2}) nanostructures composed of one layer of TiO{sub 2} nano-flowers on one layer of TiO{sub 2} nanorods on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) pre-coated glass substrates were synthesized via a convenient hydrothermal method using titanium butoxide and hydrochloric acid as the starting precursor, without involving the use of any other surfactants and catalysts. A granular-shaped thin-layer of Au film using vacuum sputter coating technique was subsequently deposited on TiO{sub 2} for the formation of Schottky-type photodetector. The as-fabricated Schottky device showed various photocurrent responses when irradiated with different wavelength of UV light. This suggests that the newly-developed photodetectors have promising potential for identifying different UV light wavelengths. - Highlights: • A novel double-layered TiO{sub 2} nanostructure was synthesized by a simple method. • An UV photodetector composed of TiO{sub 2} and Au was designed and fabricated. • The preparation method of TiO{sub 2}/Au UV photodetector was simple and convenient. • The UV photodetector based on TiO{sub 2}/Au showed excellent sensitivity to UV light.

Influence of silicon and atomic order on the magnetic properties of (Fe{sub 80}Al{sub 20}){sub 100}-{sub x}Si{sub x} nanostructured system

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Velez, G. Y., E-mail: gyovelca@univalle.edu.co; Perez Alcazar, G. A.; Zamora, Ligia E. [Universidad del Valle, Departamento de Fisica (Colombia); Romero, J. J.; Martinez, A. [Instituto de Magnetismo Aplicado IMA (Spain)

2010-01-15

Mechanically alloyed (Fe{sub 80}Al{sub 20}){sub 100-x}Si{sub x} alloys (with x = 0, 10, 15 and 20) were prepared by using a high energy planetary ball mill, with milling times of 12, 24 and 36 h. The structural and magnetic study was conducted by X-rays diffraction and Moessbauer spectrometry. The system is nanostructured and presents only the BCC disordered phase, whose lattice parameter remains constant with milling time, and decreases when the Si content increases. We found that lattice contraction is influenced 39% by the iron substitution and 61% by the aluminum substitution, by silicon atoms. The Moessbauer spectra and their respective hyperfine magnetic field distributions show that for every milling time used here, the ferromagnetism decreases when x increases. For samples with x {>=} 15 a paramagnetic component appears. From the shape of the magnetic field distributions we stated that the larger ferromagnetic phase observed in the samples alloyed during 24 and 36 h is a consequence of the structural disorder induced by mechanical alloying.

Morphology and growth of titania nanotubes. Nanostructuring and applications

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Albu, Sergiu P.

2012-10-26

Self-ordering phenomena during anodic oxidation of metals and the formation of porous oxides have been of a great interest to science and technology for more than 50 years. Particularly, after Masuda et al. demonstrated ideally ordered porous alumina by fine tuning the experimental parameters during aluminum anodization, these structures were increasingly used as a template for the deposition and growth of large varieties of 1D functional materials. For some time, such self-organized oxide structures seemed to be limited to Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}, but in 1999 Zwilling et al. reported self-organized oxide structures (aligned nanotubes) anodically grown on Ti in a dilute fluoride solution. Dilute fluoride electrolytes were then found suitable to grow ordered tubular or porous oxides on a large range of other metals and alloys. Subsequently, the control over the morphology (diameter, length, smoothness of the walls) was strongly improved by continuously optimizing the anodizing conditions. Most research work has been directed towards TiO{sub 2} nanotubes, as TiO{sub 2} with its semiconductive nature makes the nanotubular structures promising for use in solar cells, photocatalysis and sensors, and also its ion insertion properties and its high degree of biocompatibility have attracted wide interest. The experimental optimization of growth parameters led to various semi-quantitative or qualitative models that provide a mechanistic reasoning for the occurrence of self-organization. Although theoretical modeling of self-ordered structures grown anodically on valve metals was increasingly refined, a main source of difficulty remained, namely the multitude of experimental factors which influence the growth of self-ordered nanostructures. The present work represents an attempt to provide a detailed experimental view over the growth of TiO{sub 2} nanotubes in organic electrolytes. The first part is based on describing the methods and set-ups used for growth and characterization of

Tailoring dislocation structures and mechanical properties of nanostructured metals produced by plastic deformation

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Huang, Xiaoxu

2009-01-01

The presence of a dislocation structure associated with low-angle dislocation boundaries and interior dislocations is a common and characteristic feature in nanostructured metals produced by plastic deformation, and plays an important role in determining both the strength and ductility...

Electro-deposition as a repair method for embedded metal grids

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Oostra, A. Jolt [Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen (Netherlands); Reddy, Anil; Smits, Edsger C.P.; Abbel, Robert; Groen, Wilhelm A. [Holst Centre/TNO, High Tech Campus 31, 5605 KN Eindhoven (Netherlands); Blom, Paul W.M. [Max Planck Institute für Polymerforschung, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz (Germany); Michels, Jasper J., E-mail: michels@mpip-mainz.mpg.de [Holst Centre/TNO, High Tech Campus 31, 5605 KN Eindhoven (Netherlands); Max Planck Institute für Polymerforschung, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz (Germany)

2016-03-31

A method is presented to self-repair cracks in embedded silver grid structures used in large area organic electronics. The repair procedure is based on electro-deposition, incited by the application of a moderate DC voltage across the crack. During this process the organic anode that is in direct electrical contact with the silver grid, functions as an appropriate medium for ion migration. Restoration of conductivity is achieved by the formation of dendritic metal structures that connect the cathodic to the anodic side of the crack. The metal dendrites decrease the gap resistance by one order of magnitude. Subsequently, another three orders of magnitude are gained upon sintering the dendrites using a high voltage pulse, yielding restored conductance levels nearly within one order of magnitude difference from native track conductance. - Highlights: • An innovative method to repair cracks in embedded silver electrodes is presented. • The method targets application in flexible hybrid- and organic electronics. • The mechanism relies on dendritic growth of metallic structures. • Sintering yields restored conductivity levels approaching the original value.

Pseudocapacitive properties of nano-structured anhydrous ruthenium oxide thin film prepared by electrostatic spray deposition and electrochemical lithiation/delithiation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Park, S.H.; Kim, J.Y.; Kim, K.B. [Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul (Korea, Republic of)

2010-10-15

Nano-structured anhydrous ruthenium oxide (RuO{sub 2}) thin films were prepared using an electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) technique followed by electrochemical lithiation and delithiation. During the electrochemical lithiation process, RuO{sub 2} decomposed to nano-structured metallic ruthenium Ru with the concomitant formation of Li{sub 2}O. Nano-structured RuO{sub 2} was formed upon subsequent electrochemical extraction of Li from the Ru/Li{sub 2}O nanocomposite. Electrochemical lithiation/deliathiation at different charge/discharge rates (C-rate) was used to control the nano-structure of the anhydrous RuO{sub 2}. Electrochemical lithiation/delithiation of the RuO{sub 2} thin film electrode at different C-rates was closely related to the specific capacitance and high rate capability of the nano-structured anhydrous RuO{sub 2} thin film. Nano-structured RuO{sub 2} thin films prepared by electrochemical lithiation and delithiation at 2C rate showed the highest specific capacitance of 653 F g{sup -1} at 20 mV s{sup -1}, which is more than two times higher than the specific capacitance of 269 F g{sup -1} for the as-prepared RuO{sub 2}. In addition, it showed 14% loss in specific capacitance from 653 F g{sup -1} at 20 mV s{sup -1} to 559 F g{sup -1} at 200 mV s{sup -1}, indicating significant improvement in the high rate capability compared to the 26% loss of specific capacitance of the as-prepared RuO{sub 2} electrode from 269 F g{sup -1} at 20 mV s{sup -1} to 198 F g{sup -1} at 200 mV s{sup -1} for the same change in scan rate. (Abstract Copyright [2010], Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Design of Novel Metal Nanostructures for Broadband Solar Energy Conversion

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Kristine A. Zhang

2015-01-01

Full Text Available Solar power holds great potential as an alternative energy source, but current photovoltaic cells have much room for improvement in cost and efficiency. Our objective was to develop metal nanostructures whose surface plasmon resonance (SPR spectra closely match the solar spectrum to enhance light absorption and scattering. We employed the finite-difference time-domain simulation method to evaluate the effect of varying key parameters. A novel nanostructure with SPR absorption matching a region of the solar spectrum (300 to 1500 nm that contains 90% of solar energy was successfully designed. This structure consists of a large gold-silica core-shell structure with smaller gold nanoparticles and nanorods on its surface. Such complex nanostructures are promising for broad and tunable absorption spectra. In addition, we investigated the SPR of silver nanoparticle arrays, which can achieve scattering close to the solar spectrum. We demonstrated an improvement in efficiency of over 30% with optimal nanoparticle radius and periods of 75 nm and 325 nm, respectively. In combination, our studies enable high-efficiency, tunable, and cost-effective enhancement of both light absorption and scattering, which has potential applications in solar energy conversion as well as biomedical imaging.

Electronic properties of metal-In{sub 2}O{sub 3} interfaces

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nazarzadehmoafi, Maryam

2017-02-22

The behavior of the electronic properties of as-cleaved melt-grown In{sub 2}O{sub 3} (111) single crystals was studied upon noble metals, In and Sn deposition using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. The stoichiometry, structural quality and crystal orientation, surface morphology, and the electron concentration were examined by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Laue diffraction, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), and Hall-effect measurement, respectively. The similarity of the measured-fundamental and surface-band gaps reveals the nearly flat behavior of the bands at the as-cleaved surface of the crystals. Ag and Au/In{sub 2}O{sub 3} interfaces show Schottky behavior, while an ohmic one was observed in Cu, In, and Sn/In{sub 2}O{sub 3} contacts. From agreement of the bulk and surface band gaps, rectifying contact formation as well as the occurrence of photovoltage effect at the pristine surface of the crystals, it can be deduced that SEAL is not an intrinsic property of the as-cleaved surface of the studied crystals. Moreover, for thick Au and Cu overlayer regime at room temperature, Shockley-like surface states were observed. Additionally, the initial stage of Cu and In growth on In{sub 2}O{sub 3} was accompanied by the formation of a two dimensional electron gas (2DEG) fading away for higher coverages which are not associated with the earlier-detected 2DEG at the surface of In{sub 2}O{sub 3} thin films. The application of the Schottky-Mott rule, using in situ-measured work functions of In{sub 2}O{sub 3} and the metals, showed a strong disagreement for all the interfaces except for Ag/In{sub 2}O{sub 3}. The experimental data also disagree with more advanced theories based on the electronegativity concept and metal-induced gap states models.

4,6-Dimethyl-dibenzothiophene conversion over Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-TiO{sub 2}-supported noble metal catalysts

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nunez, Sara [Departamento de Ingenieria de Procesos e Hidraulica, Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, San Rafael Atlixco 186, Vicentina, Iztapalapa, 09340, Mexico, D.F. (Mexico); Escobar, Jose, E-mail: jeaguila@imp.mx [Instituto Mexicano del Petroleo, Eje Central Lazaro Cardenas 152, San Bartolo Atepehuacan, Gustavo A. Madero, 07730, Mexico, D.F. (Mexico); Vazquez, Armando; Reyes, Jose Antonio de los [Departamento de Ingenieria de Procesos e Hidraulica, Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, San Rafael Atlixco 186, Vicentina, Iztapalapa, 09340, Mexico, D.F. (Mexico); Hernandez-Barrera, Melissa [Instituto Mexicano del Petroleo, Eje Central Lazaro Cardenas 152, San Bartolo Atepehuacan, Gustavo A. Madero, 07730, Mexico, D.F. (Mexico)

2011-03-15

Research highlights: {yields} Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} and Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-TiO{sub 2} (molar ratio Al/Ti = 2, AT2) mixed oxides were pore-filling impregnated to obtain Pd, Pt and Pd-Pt catalysts with {approx}1 wt% nominal metal loading. {yields} Reduced catalysts were tested in the 4,6-dimethyl-dibenzothiophene hydrodesulfurization (HDS). {yields} In Pd-containing materials, TiO{sub 2} incorporation into the alumina support was favorable to the catalytic activity of noble metal catalysts. {yields} Enhanced intrinsic activity (per exposed metallic site) was obtained in Pt-containing catalysts supported on the AT2 mixed oxide. {yields} Yield to different products over various catalysts seemed to be strongly influenced by metallic particles dispersion. - Abstract: Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} and Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-TiO{sub 2} (molar ratio Al/Ti = 2, AT2) mixed oxides were synthesized using a low-temperature sol-gel method and were further pore-filling impregnated to obtain Pd and Pt catalysts with {approx}1 wt% nominal metal loading. Simultaneous impregnation was used to prepare bimetallic materials at Pd:Pt = 80:20. Solids characterization was carried out by N{sub 2}-physisorption, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM and E-FTEM), X-ray diffraction, temperature-programmed reduction and CO-chemisorption. Reduced (350 deg. C, H{sub 2} flow) catalysts were tested in the 4,6-dimethyl-dibenzothiophene hydrodesulfurization (HDS) (in n-dodecane, at 300 deg. C and 5.5 MPa, batch reactor). In Pd-containing materials, TiO{sub 2} incorporation into the alumina support was favorable to the catalytic activity of noble metal catalysts, where bimetallic Pd-Pt with AT2 carrier had the highest organo-S compound conversion. Enhanced intrinsic activity (per exposed metallic site) was obtained in Pt-containing catalysts supported on the AT2 mixed oxide (as compared to alumina-supported ones). Yield to different products over various catalysts seemed to be strongly influenced by

Ion-implanted Si-nanostructures buried in a SiO{sub 2} substrate studied with soft-x-ray spectroscopy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Williams, R.; Rubensson, J.E.; Eisebitt, S. [Forschungszentrum Juelich (Germany)] [and others

1997-04-01

In recent years silicon nanostructures have gained great interest because of their optical luminescence, which immediately suggests several applications, e.g., in optoelectronic devices. Nanostructures are also investigated because of the fundamental physics involved in the underlying luminescence mechanism, especially attention has been drawn to the influence of the reduced dimensions on the electronic structure. The forming of stable and well-defined nanostructured materials is one goal of cluster physics. For silicon nanostructures this goal has so far not been reached, but various indirect methods have been established, all having the problem of producing less well defined and/or unstable nanostructures. Ion implantation and subsequent annealing is a promising new technique to overcome some of these difficulties. In this experiment the authors investigate the electronic structure of ion-implanted silicon nanoparticles buried in a stabilizing SiO{sub 2} substrate. Soft X-ray emission (SXE) spectroscopy features the appropriate information depth to investigate such buried structures. SXE spectra to a good approximation map the local partial density of occupied states (LPDOS) in broad band materials like Si. The use of monochromatized synchrotron radiation (MSR) allows for selective excitation of silicon atoms in different chemical environments. Thus, the emission from Si atom sites in the buried structure can be separated from contributions from the SiO{sub 2} substrate. In this preliminary study strong size dependent effects are found, and the electronic structure of the ion-implanted nanoparticles is shown to be qualitatively different from porous silicon. The results can be interpreted in terms of quantum confinement and chemical shifts due to neighboring oxygen atoms at the interface to SiO{sub 2}.

Synthesis of nanostructured CuInS{sub 2} thin films and their application in dye-sensitized solar cells

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhao, Yu; Zhuang, Mixue; Liu, Zhen; Wei, Aixiang [Guangdong University of Technology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Soft Condensed Matter, School of Material and Energy, Guangzhou (China); Luo, Fazhi [Guangdong University of Technology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Soft Condensed Matter, School of Material and Energy, Guangzhou (China); The Fifth Electronics Research Institute of Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Guangzhou (China); Liu, Jun [Guangdong University of Technology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Soft Condensed Matter, School of Material and Energy, Guangzhou (China); Zhejiang University, State Key Lab of Silicon Materials, Hangzhou (China)

2016-03-15

CuInS{sub 2} (CIS) nanostructure thin films were successfully synthesized on FTO conductive glass substrates by solvothermal method. It is found that the surface morphology and microstructure of CIS thin films can be tailored by simply adjusting the concentration of oxalic acid. CIS nanostructure films with texture of ''nanosheet array'' and ''flower-like microsphere'' were obtained and used as Pt-free counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The nanosheet array CIS was found to have a better electrocatalytic activity than the flower-like microsphere one. DSSCs based on nanosheet array CIS thin film counter electrode show conversion efficiency of 3.33 %, which is comparable to the Pt-catalyzed DSSCs. The easy synthesis, low cost, morphology tunable and excellent electrocatalytic property may make the CuInS{sub 2} nanostructure competitive as counter electrode in DSSCs. (orig.)

Chemically Designed Metallic/Insulating Hybrid Nanostructures with Silver Nanocrystals for Highly Sensitive Wearable Pressure Sensors.

Science.gov (United States)

Kim, Haneun; Lee, Seung-Wook; Joh, Hyungmok; Seong, Mingi; Lee, Woo Seok; Kang, Min Su; Pyo, Jun Beom; Oh, Soong Ju

2018-01-10

With the increase in interest in wearable tactile pressure sensors for e-skin, researches to make nanostructures to achieve high sensitivity have been actively conducted. However, limitations such as complex fabrication processes using expensive equipment still exist. Herein, simple lithography-free techniques to develop pyramid-like metal/insulator hybrid nanostructures utilizing nanocrystals (NCs) are demonstrated. Ligand-exchanged and unexchanged silver NC thin films are used as metallic and insulating components, respectively. The interfaces of each NC layer are chemically engineered to create discontinuous insulating layers, i.e., spacers for improved sensitivity, and eventually to realize fully solution-processed pressure sensors. Device performance analysis with structural, chemical, and electronic characterization and conductive atomic force microscopy study reveals that hybrid nanostructure based pressure sensor shows an enhanced sensitivity of higher than 500 kPa -1 , reliability, and low power consumption with a wide range of pressure sensing. Nano-/micro-hierarchical structures are also designed by combining hybrid nanostructures with conventional microstructures, exhibiting further enhanced sensing range and achieving a record sensitivity of 2.72 × 10 4 kPa -1 . Finally, all-solution-processed pressure sensor arrays with high pixel density, capable of detecting delicate signals with high spatial selectivity much better than the human tactile threshold, are introduced.

Removal of Heavy Metals from Drinking Water by Magnetic Carbon Nanostructures Prepared from Biomass

OpenAIRE

Muneeb Ur Rahman Khattak, Muhammad; Zahoor, Muhammad; Muhammad, Bakhtiar; Khan, Farhat Ali; Ullah, Riaz; AbdEI-Salam, Naser M.

2017-01-01

Heavy metals contamination of drinking water has significant adverse effects on human health due to their toxic nature. In this study a new adsorbent, magnetic graphitic nanostructures were prepared from watermelon waste. The adsorbent was characterized by different instrumental techniques (surface area analyzer, FTIR, XRD, EDX, SEM, and TG/DTA) and was used for the removal of heavy metals (As, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn) from water. The adsorption parameters were determined for heavy metals adsorpti...

Analysis of nanostructuring in high figure-of-merit Ag{sub 1-x}Pb{sub m}SbTe{sub 2+m} thermoelectric materials

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cook, Bruce A; Harringa, Joel L [Materials and Engineering Physics Program, Ames Laboratory, Iowa State University Ames, IA (United States); Kramer, Matthew J [Materials Science and Engineering, Iowa State University Ames, IA (United States); Han, Mi-Kyung [Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University Evanston, IL (United States); Chung, Duck-Young [Material Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, IL (United States); Kanatzidis, Mercouri G [Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University Evanston, IL (United States); Material Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, IL (United States)

2009-04-23

Thermoelectric materials based on quaternary compounds Ag{sub 1-x}Pb{sub m}SbTe{sub 2+m} exhibit high dimensionless figure-of-merit values, ranging from 1.5 to 1.7 at 700 K. The primary factor contributing to the high figure of merit is a low lattice thermal conductivity, achieved through nanostructuring during melt solidification. As a consequence of nucleation and growth of a second phase, coherent nanoscale inclusions form throughout the material, which are believed to result in scattering of acoustic phonons while causing only minimal scattering of charge carriers. Here, characterization of the nanosized inclusions in Ag{sub 0.53}Pb{sub 18}Sb{sub 1.2}Te{sub 20} that shows a strong tendency for crystallographic orientation along the {l_brace}001{r_brace} planes, with a high degree of lattice strain at the interface, consistent with a coherent interfacial boundary is reported. The inclusions are enriched in Ag relative to the matrix, and seem to adopt a cubic, 96 atom per unit cell Ag{sub 2}Te phase based on the Ti{sub 2}Ni type structure. In-situ high-temperature synchrotron radiation diffraction studies indicated that the inclusions remain thermally stable to at least 800 K. (Abstract Copyright [2009], Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Broadband THz pulse emission and transmission properties of nanostructured Pt thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hu, Mingzhe [Department of Physics and Electronics, Liupanshui Normal University, Liupanshui, Guizhou 553004 (China); College of Electronics and Information, Guizhou University, Huaxi 550025, Guiyang, Guizhou (China); Mu, Kaijun; Zhang, Cunlin [Department of Physics, Capital Normal University, Yuquan Road 100082, Beijing (China); Gu, Haoshuang, E-mail: guhs@hubu.edu.cn [Department of Electronic Sci& Tech, Hubei University, Xueyuan Road 430062, Wuhan, Hubei (China); Ding, Zhao [College of Electronics and Information, Guizhou University, Huaxi 550025, Guiyang, Guizhou (China)

2015-10-01

The THz transmission and emitting properties of a composite metallic nanostructure, composed of Ag nanowires electrodeposited in an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template and a Pt thin film, were investigated by using a femtosecond pulse laser irradiation. The microstructure of the above sub-wavelength nanostructure was investigated by XRD, SEM, AFM and TEM. The results indicated that the thickness of the Pt thin film was about 200 nm and the Ag nanowire array had a sparse and random distribution inside the AAO template, with a length distribution in the range of 10–25 μm. The THz radiation properties of above sub-wavelength nanostructure indicated that the generated THz fluence from the Pt film was a magnitude of μW scale with a broadband frequency range and its subsequent transmission could be significantly improved by the better impedance matching property of the Ag nanowire embedded AAO film compared with that of the empty AAO film.

Surface Nanostructures Formed by Phase Separation of Metal Salt-Polymer Nanocomposite Film for Anti-reflection and Super-hydrophobic Applications

Science.gov (United States)

Con, Celal; Cui, Bo

2017-12-01

This paper describes a simple and low-cost fabrication method for multi-functional nanostructures with outstanding anti-reflective and super-hydrophobic properties. Our method employed phase separation of a metal salt-polymer nanocomposite film that leads to nanoisland formation after etching away the polymer matrix, and the metal salt island can then be utilized as a hard mask for dry etching the substrate or sublayer. Compared to many other methods for patterning metallic hard mask structures, such as the popular lift-off method, our approach involves only spin coating and thermal annealing, thus is more cost-efficient. Metal salts including aluminum nitrate nonahydrate (ANN) and chromium nitrate nonahydrate (CNN) can both be used, and high aspect ratio (1:30) and high-resolution (sub-50 nm) pillars etched into silicon can be achieved readily. With further control of the etching profile by adjusting the dry etching parameters, cone-like silicon structure with reflectivity in the visible region down to a remarkably low value of 2% was achieved. Lastly, by coating a hydrophobic surfactant layer, the pillar array demonstrated a super-hydrophobic property with an exceptionally high water contact angle of up to 165.7°.

Ceramic nanostructures and methods of fabrication

Science.gov (United States)

Ripley, Edward B [Knoxville, TN; Seals, Roland D [Oak Ridge, TN; Morrell, Jonathan S [Knoxville, TN

2009-11-24

Structures and methods for the fabrication of ceramic nanostructures. Structures include metal particles, preferably comprising copper, disposed on a ceramic substrate. The structures are heated, preferably in the presence of microwaves, to a temperature that softens the metal particles and preferably forms a pool of molten ceramic under the softened metal particle. A nano-generator is created wherein ceramic material diffuses through the molten particle and forms ceramic nanostructures on a polar site of the metal particle. The nanostructures may comprise silica, alumina, titania, or compounds or mixtures thereof.

Multi-morphological growth of nano-structured In{sub 2}Se{sub 3} by ambient pressure triethylene glycol based solution syntheses

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Li, Tongfei; Wang, Jian; Lai, Junyun; Zheng, Xuerong; Liu, Weiyan; Ji, Junna [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Advanced Ceramics and Machining Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072 (China); Liu, Hui [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401 (China); Jin, Zhengguo, E-mail: zhgjin@tju.edu.cn [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Advanced Ceramics and Machining Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072 (China)

2015-10-15

In{sub 2}Se{sub 3} nanoparticles, flower-like shaped and sheet-shaped nanocrystals were synthesized by a new, facile, ambient pressure triethylene glycol based solution chemical route using indium(III) chloride and selenium powder as precursors. The growing morphology, crystallization, chemical stoichiometry and light absorption property of the In{sub 2}Se{sub 3} products synthesized were characterized by TEM, HRTEM, FESEM, XRD, EDX and UV–vis–NIR measurements. Multi-morphological growth of the nano-structured In{sub 2}Se{sub 3} in triethylene glycol based solution syntheses with changed assisting agents and reaction styles was demonstrated. - Highlights: • Multimorphological growth of In{sub 2}Se{sub 3} was demonstrated based on solution chemistry. • A new, facile, low cost and fast air pressure TEG based solution process was used. • Nanoparticles, flower-like shaped and sheet-shaped nanocrystals were synthesized. • Morphology, crystallization, stoichiometry and light absorption was characterized. • Solution growth of β-In{sub 2}Se{sub 3} nanosheets was firstly reported by this submission.

One pot synthesis of CdS/TiO{sub 2} hetero-nanostructures for enhanced H{sub 2} production from water and removal of pollutants from aqueous streams

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mani, A. Daya; Subrahmanyam, Ch., E-mail: csubbu@iith.ac.in

2016-01-15

Highlights: • Novel one pot synthesis of CdS/TiO{sub 2} hetero nanostructures by combustion synthesis. • Excellent visible light photocatalytic activity for H{sub 2} production from water. • Enhanced activity for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous streams. - Abstract: To achieve more effective coupling of cadmium sulfide (CdS) to the TiO{sub 2}, single step synthesis of CdS/TiO{sub 2} composites is advantageous. In the present study a novel one pot synthesis of several CdS/TiO{sub 2} hetero-nanostructures was explored through combustion technique. As the process involves the simultaneous nucleation of CdS and TiO{sub 2} it leads to the proper connectivity between the constituent materials. All the catalysts were characterized by using several techniques and the excellent visible light activity of the composites has been asserted by the H{sub 2} production from water containing sacrificial reagents, removal of methylene blue and Cr(VI) from aqueous streams. Therefore the present synthetic strategy which is devoid of using molecular linker at interface is more suitable for solar applications, which require faster rates of electron transfer at the hetero junctions.

Preparation of the Nanostructured Radioisotope Metallic Oxide by Neutron Irradiation for Use as Radiotracers

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Sang-Ei Seo

2017-10-01

Full Text Available Metallic oxides manganese dioxide (MnO2, samarium oxide (Sm2O3, and dysprosium oxide (Dy2O3 with nanorod-like structures were synthesized by the hydrothermal synthesis method, respectively. Subsequently, the nanostructured radioisotopes MnO2 with Mn-56, Sm2O3 with Sm-153, and Dy2O3 with Dy-165 were prepared by neutron irradiation from the HANARO research reactor, respectively. The three different elements, Mn, Sm, and Dy, were selected as radiotracers because these elements can be easily gamma-activated from neutrons (activation limits: 1 picogram (Dy, 1–10 picogram (Mn, 10–100 picogram (Sm. Furthermore, the synthesized radioisotopes can be used as radiotracers in Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis as the rare earth metals Dy and Sm were not present in the Korean environment. The successful synthesis of the radioisotope metallic oxides was confirmed by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDS, X-ray Diffraction (XRD analysis, and gamma spectroscopy analysis. The synthesized nanostructured radioisotope metallic oxides may be used as radiotracers in scientific, environmental, engineering, and industrial fields.

Nonvacuum, maskless fabrication of a flexible metal grid transparent conductor by low-temperature selective laser sintering of nanoparticle ink.

Science.gov (United States)

Hong, Sukjoon; Yeo, Junyeob; Kim, Gunho; Kim, Dongkyu; Lee, Habeom; Kwon, Jinhyeong; Lee, Hyungman; Lee, Phillip; Ko, Seung Hwan

2013-06-25

We introduce a facile approach to fabricate a metallic grid transparent conductor on a flexible substrate using selective laser sintering of metal nanoparticle ink. The metallic grid transparent conductors with high transmittance (>85%) and low sheet resistance (30 Ω/sq) are readily produced on glass and polymer substrates at large scale without any vacuum or high-temperature environment. Being a maskless direct writing method, the shape and the parameters of the grid can be easily changed by CAD data. The resultant metallic grid also showed a superior stability in terms of adhesion and bending. This transparent conductor is further applied to the touch screen panel, and it is confirmed that the final device operates firmly under continuous mechanical stress.

Effect of Er{sup 3+} ions on the phase formation and properties of In{sub 2}O{sub 3}nanostructures crystallized upon microwave heating

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lemos, Samantha C.S.; Romeiro, Fernanda C.; Paula, Leonardo F. de [Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG (Brazil); Gonçalves, Rosana F. [UNIFESP, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, 09972-270 Diadema, SP (Brazil); Moura, Ana P. de [LIEC, Instituto de Química, Universidade Estadual Paulista, 14800-900 Araraquara, SP (Brazil); Ferrer, Mateus M.; Longo, Elson [INCTMN-UFSCar, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 13565-905 São Carlos, SP (Brazil); Patrocinio, Antonio Otavio T. [Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG (Brazil); Lima, Renata C., E-mail: rclima@ufu.br [Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG (Brazil)

2017-05-15

Regular sized nanostructures of indium oxide (In{sub 2}O{sub 3}) were homogeneously grown using a facile route, i.e. a microwave-hydrothermal method combined with rapid thermal treatment in a microwave oven. The presence of Er{sup 3+} doping plays an important role in controlling the formation of cubic (bcc) and rhombohedral (rh) In{sub 2}O{sub 3} phases. The samples presented broad photoluminescent emission bands in the green-orange region, which were attributed to the recombination of electrons at oxygen vacancies. The photocatalytic activities of pure bcc-In{sub 2}O{sub 3} and a bcc-rh-In{sub 2}O{sub 3} mixture towards the UVA degradation of methylene blue (MB) were also evaluated. The results showed that Er{sup +3} doped In{sub 2}O{sub 3} exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity with a photonic efficiency three times higher than the pure oxide. The improved performance was attributed to the higher surface area, the greater concentration of electron traps due the presence of the dopant and the possible formation of heterojunctions between the cubic and rhombohedral phases. - Graphical abstract: Photodegradation curves as a function of irradiation time of the samples obtained upon rapid microwave heating. - Highlights: • Efficient and rapid microwave heating to obtain Er{sup 3+} doped In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanostructures. • Er{sup 3+} ions doping is fundamental to stabilizing the crystalline rhombohedral phase. • Symmetry breaking induced by vacancies in the lattice leads to photoluminescence. • Surface area of doped sample was two times higher than the surface of pure oxide. • The presence of defects in the lattice structure favors photocatalytic activity.

Lifetime of ALD Al<sub>2sub>O>3sub> Passivated Black Silicon Nanostructured for Photovoltaic Applications

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Plakhotnyuk, Maksym; Davidsen, Rasmus Schmidt; Schmidt, Michael Stenbæk

Black silicon nano-structures provide significant reduction of silicon surface reflection due to highly corrugated nano-structures with excellent light trapping properties. However, most recent RIE techniques for black silicon nano-structuring have one very important limitation for PV applications...

Cobalt-phthalocyanine-derived ultrafine Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles as high-performance anode materials for lithium ion batteries

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wang, Heng-guo, E-mail: wanghengguo@cust.edu.cn; Zhu, Yanjie; Yuan, Chenpei; Li, Yanhui; Duan, Qian, E-mail: duanqian88@hotmail.com

2017-08-31

Highlights: • Transition-metal oxides nanoparticles are prepared by deriving from metal-phthalocyanine. • Co{sub 3}O{sub 4}, Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}, and CuO nanoparticles can be prepared due to the adjustability of central metals. • This present strategy is simple, general, effective yet mass-production. • The Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles exhibit good lithium storage performances. - Abstract: In this work, we present a simple, general, effective yet mass-production strategy to prepare transition-metal oxides (TMOs) nanoparticles using the metal-phthalocyanine as both the precursor and the starting self-sacrificial template. As the central metals of metal-phthalocyanine are easily tunable, various TMOs nanoparticles including Co{sub 3}O{sub 4}, Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}, and CuO have been successfully prepared by deriving from the corresponding metal-phthalocyanine. As a proof-of-concept demonstration of the application of such nanostructured TMOs, Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles were evaluated as anode materials for LIBs, which show high initial capacity (1132.9 mAh g{sup −1} at 0.05 A g{sup −1}), improved cycling stability (585.6 mAh g{sup −1} after 200 cycles at 0.05 A g{sup −1}), and good rate capability (238.1 mAh g{sup −1} at 2 A g{sup −1}) due to the unique properties of the ultrafine Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles. This present strategy might open new avenues for the design of a series of transition metal oxides using organometallic compounds for a range of applications.

Metal Nanoparticles and Carbon-Based Nanostructures as Advanced Materials for Cathode Application in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Pietro Calandra

2010-01-01

Full Text Available We review the most advanced methods for the fabrication of cathodes for dye-sensitized solar cells employing nanostructured materials. The attention is focused on metal nanoparticles and nanostructured carbon, among which nanotubes and graphene, whose good catalytic properties make them ideal for the development of counter electrode substrates, transparent conducting oxide, and advanced catalyst materials.

Failure of metals III: Fracture and fatigue of nanostructured metallic materials

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pineau, André; Amine Benzerga, A.; Pardoen, Thomas

2016-01-01

Pushing the internal or external dimensions of metallic alloys down to the nanometer scale gives rise to strong materials, though most often at the expense of a low ductility and a low resistance to cracking, with negative impact on the transfer to engineering applications. These characteristics are observed, with some exceptions, in bulk ultra-fine grained and nanocrystalline metals, nano-twinned metals, thin metallic coatings on substrates and freestanding thin metallic films and nanowires. This overview encompasses all these systems to reveal commonalities in the origins of the lack of ductility and fracture resistance, in factors governing fatigue resistance, and in ways to improve properties. After surveying the various processing methods and key deformation mechanisms, we systematically address the current state of the art in terms of plastic localization, damage, static and fatigue cracking, for three classes of systems: (1) bulk ultra-fine grained and nanocrystalline metals, (2) thin metallic films on substrates, and (3) 1D and 2D freestanding micro and nanoscale systems. In doing so, we aim to favour cross-fertilization between progress made in the fields of mechanics of thin films, nanomechanics, fundamental researches in bulk nanocrystalline metals and metallurgy to impart enhanced resistance to fracture and fatigue in high-strength nanostructured systems. This involves exploiting intrinsic mechanisms, e.g. to enhance hardening and rate-sensitivity so as to delay necking, or improve grain-boundary cohesion to resist intergranular cracks or voids. Extrinsic methods can also be utilized such as by hybridizing the metal with another material to delocalize the deformation - as practiced in stretchable electronics. Fatigue crack initiation is in principle improved by a fine structure, but at the expense of larger fatigue crack growth rates. Extrinsic toughening through hybridization allows arresting or bridging cracks. The content and discussions are based on

P-type sub-tungsten-oxide based urchin-like nanostructure for superior room temperature alcohol sensor

Science.gov (United States)

Yao, Yao; Yin, Mingli; Yan, Junqing; Liu, Shengzhong (Frank)

2018-05-01

Nanowires assembled sub-WO3 urchin-like nanostructures have been fabricated via a solvothermal method. The detailed structure and morphology features were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results reveal that the individual nanowires are grown along the [0 0 1] direction, and assembled together to form an urchin-like nanostructure. Sensing performance of the sub-WO3 was investigated toward alcohol vapor. At room temperature, the sensor devices based on the WO3-x exhibit significantly higher sensitivity comparing to that of the stoichiometric WO3. The superior sensing performance of this WO3-x sensor is ascribed to the large specific surface area and abundant oxygen vacancies. The obvious enhancement of the gas sensing property can be very useful for the future design and development of room temperature gas sensors for other volatile organic compounds.

One-process fabrication of metal hierarchical nanostructures with rich nanogaps for highly-sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Liu, Gui-qiang; Yu, Mei-dong; Liu, Zheng-qi; Liu, Xiao-shan; Huang, Shan; Pan, Ping-ping; Wang, Yan; Liu, Mu-lin; Gu, Gang

2015-01-01

One-process fabrication of highly active and reproducible surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates via ion beam deposition is reported. The fabricated metal–dielectric–metal (MDM) hierarchical nanostructure possesses rich nanogaps and a tunable resonant cavity. Raman scattering signals of analytes are dramatically strengthened due to the strong near-field coupling of localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) and the strong interaction of LSPRs of metal NPs with surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) on the underlying metal film by crossing over the dielectric spacer. The maximum Raman enhancement for the highest Raman peak at 1650 cm −1 is 13.5 times greater than that of a single metal nanoparticle (NP) array. Moreover, the SERS activity can be efficiently tailored by varying the size and number of voids between adjacent metal NPs and the thickness of the dielectric spacer. These findings may broaden the scope of SERS applications of MDM hierarchical nanostructures in biomedical and analytical chemistry. (paper)

Recent Advances in Metal Chalcogenides (MX; X = S, Se) Nanostructures for Electrochemical Supercapacitor Applications: A Brief Review

Science.gov (United States)

Theerthagiri, Jayaraman; Durai, Govindarajan; Rana, Abu ul Hassan Sarwar; Sangeetha, Kirubanandam; Kuppusami, Parasuraman; Kim, Hyun-Seok

2018-01-01

Supercapacitors (SCs) have received a great deal of attention and play an important role for future self-powered devices, mainly owing to their higher power density. Among all types of electrical energy storage devices, electrochemical supercapacitors are considered to be the most promising because of their superior performance characteristics, including short charging time, high power density, safety, easy fabrication procedures, and long operational life. An SC consists of two foremost components, namely electrode materials, and electrolyte. The selection of appropriate electrode materials with rational nanostructured designs has resulted in improved electrochemical properties for high performance and has reduced the cost of SCs. In this review, we mainly spotlight the non-metallic oxide, especially metal chalcogenides (MX; X = S, Se) based nanostructured electrode materials for electrochemical SCs. Different non-metallic oxide materials are highlighted in various categories, such as transition metal sulfides and selenides materials. Finally, the designing strategy and future improvements on metal chalcogenide materials for the application of electrochemical SCs are also discussed. PMID:29671823

Nitrogen-modified carbon nanostructures derived from metal-organic frameworks as high performance anodes for Li-ion batteries

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shen, Cai; Zhao, Chongchong; Xin, Fengxia; Cao, Can; Han, Wei-Qiang

2015-01-01

Here, we report preparation of nitrogen-modified nanostructure carbons through carbonization of Cu-based metal organic nanofibers at 700 °C under argon gas atmosphere. After removal of copper through chemical treatment with acids, pure N-modified nanostructure carbon with a nitrogen content of 8.62 wt% is obtained. When use as anodes for lithium-ion battery, the nanostructure carbon electrode has a discharge capacity of 853.1 mAh g −1 measured at a current of 500 mA g −1 after 800 cycles.

Reversible mechano-electrochemical writing of metallic nanostructures with the tip of an atomic force microscope

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Christian Obermair

2012-12-01

Full Text Available We recently introduced a method that allows the controlled deposition of nanoscale metallic patterns at defined locations using the tip of an atomic force microscope (AFM as a “mechano-electrochemical pen”, locally activating a passivated substrate surface for site-selective electrochemical deposition. Here, we demonstrate the reversibility of this process and study the long-term stability of the resulting metallic structures. The remarkable stability for more than 1.5 years under ambient air without any observable changes can be attributed to self-passivation. After AFM-activated electrochemical deposition of copper nanostructures on a polycrystalline gold film and subsequent AFM imaging, the copper nanostructures could be dissolved by reversing the electrochemical potential. Subsequent AFM-tip-activated deposition of different copper nanostructures at the same location where the previous structures were deleted, shows that there is no observable memory effect, i.e., no effect of the previous writing process on the subsequent writing process. Thus, the four processes required for reversible information storage, “write”, “read”, “delete” and “re-write”, were successfully demonstrated on the nanometer scale.

Reversible mechano-electrochemical writing of metallic nanostructures with the tip of an atomic force microscope.

Science.gov (United States)

Obermair, Christian; Kress, Marina; Wagner, Andreas; Schimmel, Thomas

2012-01-01

We recently introduced a method that allows the controlled deposition of nanoscale metallic patterns at defined locations using the tip of an atomic force microscope (AFM) as a "mechano-electrochemical pen", locally activating a passivated substrate surface for site-selective electrochemical deposition. Here, we demonstrate the reversibility of this process and study the long-term stability of the resulting metallic structures. The remarkable stability for more than 1.5 years under ambient air without any observable changes can be attributed to self-passivation. After AFM-activated electrochemical deposition of copper nanostructures on a polycrystalline gold film and subsequent AFM imaging, the copper nanostructures could be dissolved by reversing the electrochemical potential. Subsequent AFM-tip-activated deposition of different copper nanostructures at the same location where the previous structures were deleted, shows that there is no observable memory effect, i.e., no effect of the previous writing process on the subsequent writing process. Thus, the four processes required for reversible information storage, "write", "read", "delete" and "re-write", were successfully demonstrated on the nanometer scale.

Ultrafast direct imprinting of nanostructures in metals by pulsed laser melting

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cui Bo; Keimel, Chris; Chou, Stephen Y

2010-01-01

We report a method of one-step direct patterning of metallic nanostructures. In the method, termed laser assisted direct imprinting (LADI), the surface of a metal film on a substrate is melted by a single excimer laser pulse and subsequently imprinted within ∼100 ns using a transparent quartz mold, while the substrate is kept at a low temperature and in a solid phase. Using LADI, we imprinted gratings with ∼100 nm linewidth, 100 nm depth, and 200 nm pitch, as well as isolated mesas of ∼20 μm size, in Al, Au, Cu and Ni thin films. We found that the quartz mold was able to imprint metals even at temperatures higher than its melting point. The technique could be extended to other metals regardless of their ductility and hardness, and would find applications in photonic and plasmonic device production.

Effects of coexisting spin disorder and antiferromagnetism on the magnetic behavior of nanostructured (Fe{sub 79}Mn{sub 21}){sub 1−x}Cu{sub x} alloys

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mizrahi, M., E-mail: mizrahi@fisica.unlp.edu.ar, E-mail: cabrera@fisica.unlp.edu.ar [INIFTA-CCT- La Plata-CONICET and Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, C. C. 67, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 1900 La Plata (Argentina); Cabrera, A. F., E-mail: mizrahi@fisica.unlp.edu.ar, E-mail: cabrera@fisica.unlp.edu.ar; Desimoni, J. [IFLP-CCT-La Plata-CONICET and Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas C.C. 67, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 1900 La Plata (Argentina); Stewart, S. J. [IFLP-CCT-La Plata-CONICET and Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas C.C. 67, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 1900 La Plata (Argentina); Instituto Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional Arturo Jauretche, Av. Calchaquí No. 6200, Florencio Varela (Argentina)

2014-06-07

We report a magnetic study on nanostructured (Fe{sub 79}Mn{sub 21}){sub 1−x}Cu{sub x} (0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.30) alloys using static magnetic measurements. The alloys are mainly composed by an antiferromagnetic fcc phase and a disordered region that displays a spin-glass-like behavior. The interplay between the antiferromagnetic and magnetically disordered phases establishes an exchange anisotropy that gives rise to a loop shift at temperatures below the freezing temperature of moments belonging to the disordered region. The loop shift is more noticeable as the Cu content increases, which also enhances the spin-glass-like features. Further, in the x = 0.30 alloy the alignment imposed by applied magnetic fields higher than 4 kOe prevail over the configuration determined by the frustration mechanism that characterizes the spin glass-like phase.

Quadruple metal-metal bonds with strong donor ligands. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy of M{sub 2}(form){sub 4} (M = Cr, Mo, W; form = N,N{prime}-diphenylformamidinate)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lichtenberger, D.L.; Lynn, M.A.; Chisholm, M.H.

1999-12-29

The He I photoelectron spectra of M{sub 2}(form){sub 4}(M = Cr, Mo, W; form - N,N{prime}-diphenylformamidinate) and Mo{sub 2}(cyform){sub 4} (cyform = N,N{prime}-dicyclohexylformamidinate) are presented. For comparison, the Ne I, He I, and He II photoelectron spectra of Mo{sub 2}(p-CH{sub 3}-form){sub 4} have also been obtained. The valence ionization features of these molecules are interpreted based on (1) the changes that occur with the metal and ligand substitutions, (2) the changes in photoelectron cross sections with excitation source, and (3) the changes from previously studied dimetal complexes. These photoelectron spectra are useful for revealing the effects that better electron donor ligands have on the valence electronic structure of M{sub 2}(L-L){sub 4} systems. Comparison with the He I spectra of the isoelectronic M{sub 2}(O{sub 2}CCH{sub 3}){sub 4} compounds is particularly revealing. Unlike with the more electron-withdrawing acetate ligand, several formamidinate-based ionizations derived from the nitrogen p{sub {pi}} orbitals occur among the metal-metal {sigma}, {pi}, and {delta} ionization bands. Although these formamidinate-based levels are close in energy to the occupied metal-metal bonds, they have little direct mixing interaction with them. The shift of the metal-metal bond ionizations to lower ionization energies for the formamidinate systems is primarily a consequence of the lower electronegativity of the ligand and the better {pi} donation into empty metal levels. The metal-metal {delta} orbital experiences some additional net bonding interaction with ligand orbitals of the same symmetry. Also, an additional bonding interaction from ligand-to-metal electron donation to the {delta}* orbital is identified. These spectra suggest a greater degree of metal-ligand covalency than in the related M{sub 2}(O{sub 2}CCH{sub 3}){sub 4} systems. Fenske-Hall molecular orbital and density functional (ADF) calculations agree with the assignment and

Sub-surface laser nanostructuring in stratified metal/dielectric media: a versatile platform towards flexible, durable and large-scale plasmonic writing

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Siozios, A; Bellas, D V; Lidorikis, E; Patsalas, P; Kalfagiannis, N; Cranton, W M; Koutsogeorgis, D C; Bazioti, C; Dimitrakopulos, G P; Vourlias, G

2015-01-01

Laser nanostructuring of pure ultrathin metal layers or ceramic/metal composite thin films has emerged as a promising route for the fabrication of plasmonic patterns with applications in information storage, cryptography, and security tagging. However, the environmental sensitivity of pure Ag layers and the complexity of ceramic/metal composite film growth hinder the implementation of this technology to large-scale production, as well as its combination with flexible substrates. In the present work we investigate an alternative pathway, namely, starting from non-plasmonic multilayer metal/dielectric layers, whose growth is compatible with large scale production such as in-line sputtering and roll-to-roll deposition, which are then transformed into plasmonic templates by single-shot UV-laser annealing (LA). This entirely cold, large-scale process leads to a subsurface nanoconstruction involving plasmonic Ag nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in a hard and inert dielectric matrix on top of both rigid and flexible substrates. The subsurface encapsulation of Ag NPs provides durability and long-term stability, while the cold character of LA suits the use of sensitive flexible substrates. The morphology of the final composite film depends primarily on the nanocrystalline character of the dielectric host and its thermal conductivity. We demonstrate the emergence of a localized surface plasmon resonance, and its tunability depending on the applied fluence and environmental pressure. The results are well explained by theoretical photothermal modeling. Overall, our findings qualify the proposed process as an excellent candidate for versatile, large-scale optical encoding applications. (paper)

Nanostructurization effects in PVP-stabilized tetra-arsenic tetra-sulfide As{sub 4}S{sub 4} nanocomposites

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shpotyuk, O., E-mail: olehshpotyuk@yahoo.com [Institute of Physics of Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa, 13/15, Al. Armii Krajowej, Czestochowa, 42200 (Poland); Vlokh Institute of Physical Optics, 23, Dragomanov Str., Lviv, 79005 (Ukraine); Scientific Research Company “Carat”, 202, Stryjska Str., 79031, Lviv (Ukraine); Bujňáková, Z.; Baláž, P. [Institute of Geotechnics of Slovak Academy of Sciences, 45, Watsonova Str., Košice, 04001 (Slovakia); Ingram, A. [Opole University of Technology, 75, Ozimska Str., Opole, 45370 (Poland); Demchenko, P. [Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, 1, Universytetska Str., 79000 Lviv (Ukraine); Kovalskiy, A. [Department of Physics & Astronomy, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN, 37044 (United States); Vlcek, M. [Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Pardubice, 532 10, Pardubice (Czech Republic); Shpotyuk, Ya. [Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, 1, Universytetska Str., 79000 Lviv (Ukraine); Centre for Innovation and Transfer of Natural Sciences and Engineering Knowledge, 1, Pigonia Str., 35310, Rzeszow (Poland); Cebulski, J.; Dziedzic, A. [Centre for Innovation and Transfer of Natural Sciences and Engineering Knowledge, 1, Pigonia Str., 35310, Rzeszow (Poland)

2017-01-15

Nanostructurization in three types of tetra-arsenic tetra-sulfide As{sub 4}S{sub 4} polymorphs composed by (1) preferential β-As{sub 4}S{sub 4}, (2) realgar α-As{sub 4}S{sub 4} and (3) admixture of As{sub 4}S{sub 4} in the form of β-realgar, pararealgar and intermediate χ-phase subjected to mechanochemical ball milling in a water solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) are characterized with multiexperimental structure-sensitive probes. Void structure of pelletized As{sub 4}S{sub 4}-PVP nanocomposites is probed by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy complemented with atomic-sensitive techniques such as X-ray powder diffraction, Raman scattering and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Appearance of arsenolite As{sub 2}O{sub 3} crystallites is character for all As{sub 4}S{sub 4} polymorphs affected by wet milling. Positron annihilation lifetime data considered in terms of substitution positron-positronium trapping confirm complicated nature of nanocomposites. Modified x3-x2-coupling decomposition algorithm developed in addition to unconstrained x3-term fitting procedure is applied to parameterize annihilation channels in these nanocomposites. Interfacial free-volume voids between neighboring nanoparticles in PVP environment are defined as most favorable trapping sites, they being rather loosely composed by As{sub 4}S{sub 4} crystallites in full respect to variety of crystallographic polymorphs used for milling. Detected annihilation channels are ascribed preferentially to intrinsic free-volume voids insensitive to trapping states at the surface of oxidized nanocomposites. - Highlights: • PVP-stabilized tetra-arsenic tetra-sulfide nanocomposites prepared by wet milling. • As{sub 4}S{sub 4}-PVP composites by complementary atomic-specific and deficient structure probes. • Surface oxidation due to crystalline arsenolite As{sub 2}O{sub 3} under wet milling. • Free-volume structure of PVP-stabilized As{sub 4}S{sub 4

Raman spectra, photoluminescence, magnetism and magnetoelectric coupling in pure and Fe doped BaTiO{sub 3} nanostructures

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Verma, Kuldeep Chand, E-mail: kuldeep0309@yahoo.co.in [Akal School of Physics, Eternal University, Baru Sahib, Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh 173 101 (India); Gupta, Vinay [Department of Physics and Astrophysics, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007 (India); Kaur, Jaspreet [Akal School of Physics, Eternal University, Baru Sahib, Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh 173 101 (India); Kotnala, R.K. [National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi 110 012 (India)

2013-11-25

Highlights: •Multiferroic nanostructures by surfactant free hydrothermal method. •Stoichiometric effect on nanostructures. •Raman spectroscopy and Photoluminescence. •Transmission electron microscopy. •Magnetoelectric coupling. -- Abstract: Structural, microstructural, Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence, saturation magnetization and magnetoelectric (ME) measurement of BaTiO{sub 3} (BFT0) and BaFe{sub 0.01}Ti{sub 0.99}O{sub 3} (BFT1) nanostructures have been studied. BFT0 and BFT1 were prepared by a hydrothermal method of processing temperature 180 °C/48 h. The X-ray diffraction pattern shows the coexistence of cubic/tetragonal and hexagonal phases for BFT0 and cubic/tetragonal for BFT1. The Raman spectra confirm the coexistence of tetragonal and hexagonal phases in BFT0 and cubic in BFT1. Transmission electron microscopy images show nanorods of hexagonal shaped faces for BFT0 and cubic shaped nanowires for BFT1. The resulting mechanism of the formation of these nanostructures is discussed. The experimental and theoretical results by photoluminescence are related to the degree of disorder existing in both BFT0 and BFT1 and suggest the presence of localized states existing inside of the band gap which are directly affected for degree of order–disorder. A strong ferromagnetism in BFT1 and diamagnetism in BFT0 is observed by magnetic hysteresis. As BFT1 is ferromagnetic, the value of linear coefficient, α called Magnetoelectric (ME) coefficient is calculated as ∼16 mV/Oe cm at a fixed frequency of 850 Hz. This ME coefficient α corresponds to induction of polarization by a magnetic field or of magnetization by an electric field. The observed optimum dc bias field at which the maximum ME coupling occurs is ∼750 Oe.

Strong, ductile, and thermally stable Cu-based metal-intermetallic nanostructured composites.

Science.gov (United States)

Dusoe, Keith J; Vijayan, Sriram; Bissell, Thomas R; Chen, Jie; Morley, Jack E; Valencia, Leopolodo; Dongare, Avinash M; Aindow, Mark; Lee, Seok-Woo

2017-01-09

Bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) and nanocrystalline metals (NMs) have been extensively investigated due to their superior strengths and elastic limits. Despite these excellent mechanical properties, low ductility at room temperature and poor microstructural stability at elevated temperatures often limit their practical applications. Thus, there is a need for a metallic material system that can overcome these performance limits of BMGs and NMs. Here, we present novel Cu-based metal-intermetallic nanostructured composites (MINCs), which exhibit high ultimate compressive strengths (over 2 GPa), high compressive failure strain (over 20%), and superior microstructural stability even at temperatures above the glass transition temperature of Cu-based BMGs. Rapid solidification produces a unique ultra-fine microstructure that contains a large volume fraction of Cu 5 Zr superlattice intermetallic compound; this contributes to the high strength and superior thermal stability. Mechanical and microstructural characterizations reveal that substantial accumulation of phase boundary sliding at metal/intermetallic interfaces accounts for the extensive ductility observed.

One-dimensional titania nanostructures: Synthesis and applications in dye-sensitized solar cells

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wang, Hao [Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials and Hubei Collaborative Innovation Centre for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062 (China); State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000 (China); Guo, Zhiguang, E-mail: zguo@licp.cas.cn [Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials and Hubei Collaborative Innovation Centre for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062 (China); State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000 (China); Wang, Shimin [Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials and Hubei Collaborative Innovation Centre for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062 (China); Liu, Weimin [State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000 (China)

2014-05-02

One-dimensional (1D) titania (TiO{sub 2}) in the form of nanorods, nanowires, nanobelts and nanotubes have attracted much attention due to their unique physical, chemical and optical properties enabling extraordinary performance in biomedicine, sensors, energy storage, solar cells and photocatalysis. In this review, we mainly focus on synthetic methods for 1D TiO{sub 2} nanostructures and the applications of 1D TiO{sub 2} nanostructures in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Traditional nanoparticle-based DSCs have numerous grain boundaries and surface defects, which increase the charge recombination from photoanode to electrolyte. 1D TiO{sub 2} nanostructures can provide direct and rapid electron transport to the electron collecting electrode, indicating a promising choice for DSCs. We divide the applications of 1D TiO{sub 2} nanostructures in DSCs into four parts, that is, 1D TiO{sub 2} nanostructures only, 1D TiO{sub 2} nanostructure/nanoparticle composites, branched 1D TiO{sub 2} nanostructures, and 1D TiO{sub 2} nanostructures combined with other materials. This work will provide guidance for preparing 1D TiO{sub 2} nanostructures, and using them as photoanodes in efficient DSCs. - Graphical abstract: 1D TiO{sub 2} nanostructures which can provide direct and rapid pathways for electron transport have promising applications in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The synthetic methods and applications of 1D TiO{sub 2} nanostructures in DSCs are summarized in this review article.

An investigation of the sub-grid variability of trace gases and aerosols for global climate modeling

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Y. Qian

2010-07-01

Full Text Available One fundamental property and limitation of grid based models is their inability to identify spatial details smaller than the grid cell size. While decades of work have gone into developing sub-grid treatments for clouds and land surface processes in climate models, the quantitative understanding of sub-grid processes and variability for aerosols and their precursors is much poorer. In this study, WRF-Chem is used to simulate the trace gases and aerosols over central Mexico during the 2006 MILAGRO field campaign, with multiple spatial resolutions and emission/terrain scenarios. Our analysis focuses on quantifying the sub-grid variability (SGV of trace gases and aerosols within a typical global climate model grid cell, i.e. 75×75 km².

Our results suggest that a simulation with 3-km horizontal grid spacing adequately reproduces the overall transport and mixing of trace gases and aerosols downwind of Mexico City, while 75-km horizontal grid spacing is insufficient to represent local emission and terrain-induced flows along the mountain ridge, subsequently affecting the transport and mixing of plumes from nearby sources. Therefore, the coarse model grid cell average may not correctly represent aerosol properties measured over polluted areas. Probability density functions (PDFs for trace gases and aerosols show that secondary trace gases and aerosols, such as O<sub>3sub>, sulfate, ammonium, and nitrate, are more likely to have a relatively uniform probability distribution (i.e. smaller SGV over a narrow range of concentration values. Mostly inert and long-lived trace gases and aerosols, such as CO and BC, are more likely to have broad and skewed distributions (i.e. larger SGV over polluted regions. Over remote areas, all trace gases and aerosols are more uniformly distributed compared to polluted areas. Both CO and O<sub>3sub> SGV vertical profiles are nearly constant within the PBL during daytime, indicating that trace gases

In vitro activity of the new water-dispersible Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@usnic acid nanostructure against planktonic and sessile bacterial cells

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Grumezescu, Alexandru Mihai, E-mail: grumezescu@yahoo.com [Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Department of Science and Engineering of Oxidic Materials and Nanomaterials (Romania); Cotar, Ani Ioana [Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Department of Microbiology Immunology (Romania); Andronescu, Ecaterina; Ficai, Anton; Ghitulica, Cristina Daniela; Grumezescu, Valentina; Vasile, Bogdan Stefan [Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Department of Science and Engineering of Oxidic Materials and Nanomaterials (Romania); Chifiriuc, Mariana Carmen [Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Department of Microbiology Immunology (Romania)

2013-07-15

A new water-dispersible nanostructure based on magnetite (Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}) and usnic acid (UA) was prepared in a well-shaped spherical form by a precipitation method. Nanoparticles were well individualized and homogeneous in size. The presence of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@UA was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The UA was entrapped in the magnetic nanoparticles during preparation and the amount of entrapped UA was estimated by thermogravimetric analysis. Fabricated nanostructures were tested on planktonic cells growth (minimal inhibitory concentration assay) and biofilm development on Gram-positive Staphylococcusaureus (S.aureus),Enterococcus faecalis (E.faecalis) and Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E.coli),Pseudomonasaeruginosa (P.aeruginosa) reference strains. Concerning the influence of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@UA on the planktonic bacterial cells, the functionalized magnetic nanoparticles exhibited a significantly improved antimicrobial activity against E.faecalis and E.coli, as compared with the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} control. The UA incorporated into the magnetic nanoparticles exhibited a very significant inhibitory effect on the biofilm formed by the S.aureus and E.faecalis, on a wide range of concentrations, while in case of the Gram-negative microbial strains, the UA-loaded nanoparticles inhibited the E.coli biofilm development, only at high concentrations, while for P.aeruginosa biofilms, no inhibitory effect was observed. The obtained results demonstrate that the new water-dispersible Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@UA nanosystem, combining the advantages of the intrinsic antimicrobial features of the UA with the higher surface to volume ratio provided by the magnetic nanocarrier dispersible in water, exhibits efficient antimicrobial activity against planktonic and adherent cells, especially on Gram-positive strains.

Topotactic reduction yielding black titanium oxide nanostructures as metallic electronic conductors.

Science.gov (United States)

Tominaka, Satoshi

2012-10-01

Detailed analyses of reduced, single crystal, rutile-type TiO(2) via high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are reported which reveal that the reduction proceeds topotactically via interstitial diffusion of Ti ions at low temperature, around 350 °C. This important finding encouraged the production of various nanostructured reduced titanium oxides from TiO(2) precursors with morphology retention, and in the process, the synthesis of black titanium oxide nanorods using TiO(2) nanorods was demonstrated. Interestingly, as opposed to the semiconductive behavior of Ti(2)O(3) synthesized at high temperature, topotactically synthesized Ti(2)O(3) exhibits metallic electrical resistance, and the value at room temperature is quite low (topotactically synthesized Ti(2)O(3). This work shows that topotactically reduced titanium oxides can have fascinating properties as well as nanostructures.

Transparent and conductive electrodes by large-scale nanostructuring of noble metal thin-films

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Linnet, Jes; Runge Walther, Anders; Wolff, Christian

grid, and nano-wire thin-films [1]. The indium and carbon films do not match the chemical stability nor the electrical performance of the noble metals, and many metal films are not uniform in material distribution leading to significant surface roughness and randomized transmission haze. We demonstrate...

Study of the nanostructure of Gum Metal using energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yano, T.; Murakami, Y.; Shindo, D.; Kuramoto, S.

2009-01-01

The nanostructure of Gum Metal, which has many anomalous mechanical properties, was investigated using transmission electron microscopy with energy filtering. A precise analysis of the weak diffuse electron scattering that was observed in the electron diffraction patterns of the Gum Metal specimen revealed that Gum Metal contains a substantial amount of the nanometer-sized ω phase. The morphology of the ω phase appeared to have a correlation with the faulting in the {2 1 1} planes, which are one of the characteristic lattice imperfections of the Gum Metal specimen. It is likely that the nanometer-sized ω phase may be a type of obstacle related to the restriction of the dislocation movement, which has been a significant problem in research on Gum Metal

Effect of nickel seed layer on growth of α-V{sub 2}O{sub 5} nanostructured thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sharma, Rabindar Kumar; Kant, Chandra; Kumar, Prabhat; Singh, Megha, E-mail: meghasingh-08@yahoo.com; Reddy, G. B. [Thin film Laboratory, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi-110016 (India)

2015-08-28

In this communication, we reported the role of Ni seed layer on the growth of vanadium pentoxide (α-V{sub 2}O{sub 5}) nanostructured thin films (NSTs) using plasma assisted sublimation process (PASP). Two different substrates, simple glass substrate and the Ni coated glass substrate (Ni thickness ∼ 100 nm) are employing in the present work. The influence of seed layer on structural, morphological, and vibrational properties have been studied systematically. The structural analysis divulged that both films deposited on simple glass as well as on Ni coated glass shown purely orthorhombic phase, no other phases are detected. The morphological studies of V{sub 2}O{sub 5} film deposited on both substrates are carried out by SEM, revealed that features of V{sub 2}O{sub 5} NSTs is completely modified in presence of Ni seed layer and the film possessing the excellent growth of nanorods (NRs) on Ni coated glass rather than simple glass. The HRTEM analysis of NRs is performed at very high magnification, shows very fine fringe pattern, which confirmed the single crystalline nature of nanorods. The vibrational study of NRs is performed using micro-Raman spectroscopy, which strongly support the XRD observations.

Silicon-embedded copper nanostructure network for high energy storage

Science.gov (United States)

Yu, Tianyue

2016-03-15

Provided herein are nanostructure networks having high energy storage, electrochemically active electrode materials including nanostructure networks having high energy storage, as well as electrodes and batteries including the nanostructure networks having high energy storage. According to various implementations, the nanostructure networks have high energy density as well as long cycle life. In some implementations, the nanostructure networks include a conductive network embedded with electrochemically active material. In some implementations, silicon is used as the electrochemically active material. The conductive network may be a metal network such as a copper nanostructure network. Methods of manufacturing the nanostructure networks and electrodes are provided. In some implementations, metal nanostructures can be synthesized in a solution that contains silicon powder to make a composite network structure that contains both. The metal nanostructure growth can nucleate in solution and on silicon nanostructure surfaces.

Silicon-embedded copper nanostructure network for high energy storage

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yu, Tianyue

2018-01-23

Provided herein are nanostructure networks having high energy storage, electrochemically active electrode materials including nanostructure networks having high energy storage, as well as electrodes and batteries including the nanostructure networks having high energy storage. According to various implementations, the nanostructure networks have high energy density as well as long cycle life. In some implementations, the nanostructure networks include a conductive network embedded with electrochemically active material. In some implementations, silicon is used as the electrochemically active material. The conductive network may be a metal network such as a copper nanostructure network. Methods of manufacturing the nanostructure networks and electrodes are provided. In some implementations, metal nanostructures can be synthesized in a solution that contains silicon powder to make a composite network structure that contains both. The metal nanostructure growth can nucleate in solution and on silicon nanostructure surfaces.

An optimized metal grid design to improve the solar cell performance under solar concentration using multiobjective computation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Djeffal, F.; Bendib, T.; Arar, D.; Dibi, Z.

2013-01-01

Highlights: ► A new MOGA-based approach to design the solar cell metal grid is proposed. ► The cell parameters have been ascertained including the high illumination effects. ► An improved electrical behavior of the solar cell is found. ► The proposed optimized metal grid design is suitable for photovoltaic applications. -- Abstract: In this paper, a new multiobjective genetic algorithm (MOGA)-based approach is proposed to optimize the metal grid design in order to improve the electrical performance and the conversion efficiency behavior of the solar cells under high intensities of illumination. The proposed approach is applied to investigate the effect of two different metal grid patterns (one with 2 busbars outside the active area (linear grid) and another one with a circular busbar surrounding the active area (circular grid)) on the electrical performance of high efficiency c-Si solar cells under concentrated light (up to 150 suns). The dimensional and electrical parameters of the solar cell have been ascertained, and analytical expressions of the power losses and conversion efficiency, including high illumination effects, have been presented. The presented analytical models are used to formulate different objective functions, which are the prerequisite of the multiobjective optimization. The optimized design can also be incorporated into photovoltaic circuit simulator to study the impact of our approach on the photovoltaic circuit design

Morphological evolution of TiO{sub 2} nanotube arrays with lotus-root-shaped nanostructure

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yu, Dongliang; Song, Ye; Zhu, Xufei, E-mail: zhuxufei.njust@163.com; Yang, Ruiquan; Han, Aijun

2013-07-01

TiO{sub 2} nanotube arrays (TNAs) with lotus-root-shaped nanostructure have been fabricated by a modified two-step electrochemical anodization method. In the present work, different morphologies formed under different anodizing voltages are investigated in detail by field-emission scanning electron microscope. The results show that the concaves left by the first-step anodization can guide the uniform growth of TNAs in some degree as the second-step anodizing voltage is the same with that in the first step, however, when lower voltages are adopted in the second-step anodization, no guidance can be achieved, and different morphological TNAs with lotus-root-shaped nanostructure are fabricated. And we find that the nanotube diameters are directly proportional to the applied voltage in the second-step anodization. Furthermore, a possible mechanism for the growth of the TiO{sub 2} nanotubes with the special morphology is proposed for the first time, which depends on both the oxygen bubble mold and the viscous flow of the barrier oxide from the pore base to the pore wall.

Hierarchically Nanostructured Transition Metal Oxides for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Science.gov (United States)

Zheng, Mingbo; Tang, Hao; Li, Lulu; Hu, Qin; Zhang, Li; Xue, Huaiguo

2018-01-01

Abstract Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) have been widely used in the field of portable electric devices because of their high energy density and long cycling life. To further improve the performance of LIBs, it is of great importance to develop new electrode materials. Various transition metal oxides (TMOs) have been extensively investigated as electrode materials for LIBs. According to the reaction mechanism, there are mainly two kinds of TMOs, one is based on conversion reaction and the other is based on intercalation/deintercalation reaction. Recently, hierarchically nanostructured TMOs have become a hot research area in the field of LIBs. Hierarchical architecture can provide numerous accessible electroactive sites for redox reactions, shorten the diffusion distance of Li‐ion during the reaction, and accommodate volume expansion during cycling. With rapid research progress in this field, a timely account of this advanced technology is highly necessary. Here, the research progress on the synthesis methods, morphological characteristics, and electrochemical performances of hierarchically nanostructured TMOs for LIBs is summarized and discussed. Some relevant prospects are also proposed. PMID:29593962

Bias polarity-sensitive electrical failure characteristics of ZnSe nanowire in metal–semiconductor–metal nanostructure

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Yu Tan

2014-04-01

Full Text Available The effect of bias polarity on the electrical breakdown behavior of the single ZnSe nanowire (NW in the metal–semiconductor–metal (M–S–M nanostructure under high current density and high bias conditions has been studied in the present paper. The experimental results show that the failure of the ZnSe NW in M–S–M nanostructure was sensitive to bias polarity since the NW commonly collapsed at the negatively biased Au metal electrode due to high Joule heat produced in NW at the reversely biased Schottky barrier. Thus, the electrical breakdown behavior of the ZnSe NW was highly dominated by the cathode-controlled mode due to the high resistance of the depletion region of ZnSe NW at the reversely biased Schottky contact.

Positioning of Carbon nanostructures on metal surfaces using laser acceleration and the Raman analyses of the patterns

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Karmenyan, A; Perevedentseva, E; Chiou, A; Cheng, C-L

2007-01-01

The laser-induced acceleration of nanoparticles using intense light irradiation was used for positioning and ordering of carbon nanomaterials to form periodical surface structures. Such systems are of interest for different nanotechnology applications. The nanodiamond with averaged size 100 nm, and fullerene (C 60 ) suspended in distilled water were accelerated using high focused laser beam and attached onto metal surface of silver and gold thin films evaporated on Si substrate. The laser was operating both in CW and femtosecond modes with the wavelength of ∼800 nm, pulse duration 150 fs, and average laser power of 300-600 mW. In case of pulse irradiation the repetition rate of 76 MHZ was applied. The nanoparticles were positioned on the metal surface in accordance with a predetermined program to allow patterning of the nanoparticles. The positioning was analyzed for different treatment conditions and compared to the calculated data. To investigate the obtained nanoparticles/metal structures, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) was used utilizing its high sensitivity on the local properties of the nanostructures. SERS allows the observing of carbon nanostructures with their characteristic peculiarities, such as blinking effect and selective enhancement. Here we try to explain the spectral and spatial peculiarities occurring during the laser acceleration process and the interaction of attached carbon nanostructures with metal surface

An anti CuO{sub 2}-type metal hydride square net structure in Ln{sub 2}M{sub 2}As{sub 2}H{sub x} (Ln = La or Sm, M = Ti, V, Cr, or Mn)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mizoguchi, Hiroshi; Park, SangWon; Hosono, Hideo [Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama (Japan). Materials Research Center for Element Strategy; Hiraka, Haruhiro; Ikeda, Kazutaka; Otomo, Toshiya [High-Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), Tsukuba (Japan). Inst. of Materials Structure Science

2015-03-02

Using a high pressure technique and the strong donating nature of H{sup -}, a new series of tetragonal La{sub 2}Fe{sub 2}Se{sub 2}O{sub 3}-type layered mixed-anion arsenides, Ln{sub 2}M{sub 2}As{sub 2}H{sub x}, was synthesized (Ln=La or Sm, M=Ti, V, Cr, or Mn; x∼3). In these compounds, an unusual M{sub 2}H square net, which has anti CuO{sub 2} square net structures accompanying two As{sup 3-} ions, is sandwiched by (LaH){sub 2} fluorite layers. Notably, strong metal-metal bonding with a distance of 2.80 Aa was confirmed in La{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}As{sub 2}H{sub 2.3}, which has metallic properties. In fact, these compounds are situated near the boundary between salt-like ionic hydrides and transition-metal hydrides with metallic characters.

Influence of strain and metal thickness on metal-MoS{sub 2} contacts

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Saidi, Wissam A., E-mail: alsaidi@pitt.edu [Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261 (United States)

2014-09-07

MoS{sub 2} and other transition metal dichalcogenides are considered as potential materials in many applications including future electronics. A prerequisite for these applications is to understand the nature of the MoS{sub 2} contact with different metals. We use semi-local density functional theory in conjunction with dispersion corrections to study the heterostructures composed of Pd and Pt monolayers with (111) orientation grown pseudomorphically on MoS{sub 2}(001). The interface properties are mapped as a function of the number of deposited overlayers, as well as a function of tensile and compressive strains. Although we show that the dependence of the contacts on strain can be fully explained using the d-band model, we find that their evolution with the number of deposited metal layers is markedly different between Pd and Pt, and at variance with the d-band model. Specifically, the Pt/MoS{sub 2} heterostructures show an anomalous large stability with the deposition of two metal monolayers for all investigated strains, while Pd/MoS{sub 2} exhibits a similar behavior only for compressive strains. It is shown that the results can be rationalized by accounting for second-nearest-neighbor effect that couples MoS{sub 2} with the subsurface metal layers. The underpinnings of this behavior are attributed to the larger polarizability and cohesive energy of Pt compared to Pd, that leads to a larger charge-response in the subsurface layers.

Wide band gap materials and devices for NO{sub x}, H{sub 2} and O{sub 2} gas sensing applications

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ali, Majdeddin

2008-01-22

response to deuterium D{sub 2}, NO{sub x}, and O{sub 2} of metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) and metal-metal oxide-oxide-semiconductor (MMOOS) structures with rhodium (Rh) gate were investigated in dependence on the operating temperature and gas partial pressures was investigated in chapter 3. The response of the sensor was measured as a shift in the capacitance-voltage (C-V) curve along the voltage axis. Positive and negative flat-band voltage shifts up to 1 V were observed for oxidizing and reducing gases, respectively. Depending on the type of insulator that is chosen, differences in the sensitivity of the sensor were observed. In chapter 4: The performance of SiC-based field effect transistors (FETs) with different gate materials (mixture of metal oxides: indium oxide and tin oxide (In{sub x}Sn{sub y}O{sub z}), indium oxide and vanadium oxide (In{sub x}V{sub y}O{sub z}), as well as mixtures of metal oxides with metal additives) were investigated as NO{sub x}, O{sub 2}, and D{sub 2} gas detectors. The response to these gases was investigated in dependence on the operating temperature and gas partial pressures. The composition and microstructure of the sensing gate electrode are the key parameters that influence the sensing mechanism, and hence key performance parameters: sensitivity, selectivity, and response time. By choosing the appropriate temperature and catalyst material (gate material), devices that are significantly sensitive to certain gases may be realized. In addition, the temperature of maximum response varies dependent on the gas species being measured. This information, along with a careful choice of catalyst (gate material) can be used to enhance device selectivity. In chapter 5: Polycrystalline and nano-structured In{sub 2}O{sub 3} thin films were investigated with the aim to obtain information about their NO{sub x} and O{sub 2} gas sensing properties. The response to these gases was investigated in dependence on the operating temperature and gas partial

Preparation of nanostructured La{sub 0.7}Ca{sub 0.3−x}Ba{sub x}MnO{sub 3} ceramics by a combined sol–gel and spark plasma sintering route and resulting magnetocaloric properties

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ayadi, F.; Regaieg, Y. [Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, ITODYS, UMR 7086 CNRS, 15 rue J.-A. de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13 (France); Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, Université de Sfax, LPM, B.P 1171, 3000 Sfax (Tunisia); Cheikhrouhou-Koubaa, W.; Koubaa, M.; Cheikhrouhou, A. [Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, Université de Sfax, LPM, B.P 1171, 3000 Sfax (Tunisia); Lecoq, H.; Nowak, S.; Ammar, S. [Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, ITODYS, UMR 7086 CNRS, 15 rue J.-A. de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13 (France); Sicard, L., E-mail: lorette.sicard@univ-paris-diderot.fr [Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, ITODYS, UMR 7086 CNRS, 15 rue J.-A. de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13 (France)

2015-05-01

This work proposes an original, easy to achieve and inexpensive route to synthesize manganite ceramics for magnetic refrigeration, combining sol–gel chemistry to Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). The target La{sub 0.7}Ca{sub 0.3−x}Ba{sub x}MnO{sub 3} (x=0, 0.1, 0.2) compounds are obtained as single phases which crystallize in the orthorhombic structure (Pnma space group). SPS allows a quick sintering at a relatively low temperature (700 °C in this work) compared to the conventional solid state method (≥1100 °C), leading to densified ultrafine grained pellets (85% of compactness). Magnetic studies show that Ba substitution does not affect significantly the relative cooling power (RCP) of these manganites, while it increases their Curie temperature (T{sub C}) by several tens of degrees. Typically, RCP values ranging between 267 and 270 J/kg (for a magnetic field change of 5 T) and T{sub C} between 205 and 245 K were measured when x was increased from 0 to 0.2, respectively. These results combined to the fact that the synthesis route is economically advantageous makes the obtained ceramics interesting as active refrigerants for magnetic refrigeration technology below room temperature. - Highlights: • Nanostructured La{sub 0.7}Ca{sub 0.3−x}Ba{sub x}MnO{sub 3} ceramics were obtained as single phase. • An original and low cost method was developed combining sol–gel chemistry and SPS. • The method can be extended to prepare most dense nanostructured oxides. • Our ceramics have higher RCP than those obtained by the solid state method. • The optimum temperature of the magnetocaloric effect is tunable with Ba content.

Manipulation of plasmonic wavefront and light–matter interaction in metallic nanostructures: A brief review

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Li Jia-Fang; Li Zhi-Yuan

2014-01-01

The control and application of surface plasmons (SPs), is introduced with particular emphasis on the manipulation of the plasmonic wavefront and light–matter interaction in metallic nanostructures. We introduce a direct design methodology called the surface wave holography method and show that it can be readily employed for wave-front shaping of near-infrared light through a subwavelength hole, it can also be used for designing holographic plasmonic lenses for SPs with complex wavefronts in the visible band. We also discuss several issues of light–matter interaction in plasmonic nanostructures. We show theoretically that amplification of SPs can be achieved in metal nanoparticles incorporated with gain media, leading to a giant reduction of surface plasmon resonance linewidth and enhancement of local electric field intensity. We present an all-analytical semiclassical theory to evaluate spaser performance in a plasmonic nanocavity incorporated with gain media described by the four-level atomic model. We experimentally demonstrate amplified spontaneous emission of SP polaritons and their amplification at the interface between a silver film and a polymer film doped with dye molecules. We discuss various aspects of microscopic and macroscopic manipulation of fluorescent radiation from gold nanorod hybrid structures in a system of either a single nanoparticle or an aligned group of nanoparticles. The findings reported and reviewed here could help others explore various approaches and schemes to manipulate plasmonic wavefront and light–matter interaction in metallic nanostructures for potential applications, such as optical displays, information integration, and energy harvesting technologies. (topical review - plasmonics and metamaterials)

Nanostructured palladium-La{sub 0.75}Sr{sub 0.25}Cr{sub 0.5}Mn{sub 0.5}O{sub 3}/Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}-ZrO{sub 2} composite anodes for direct methane and ethanol solid oxide fuel cells

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jiang, San Ping; Ye, Yinmei; He, Tianmin; Ho, See Boon [School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798 (Singapore)

2008-10-15

A palladium-impregnated La{sub 0.75}Sr{sub 0.25}Cr{sub 0.5}Mn{sub 0.5}O{sub 3-{delta}}/yttria-stabilized zirconia (LSCM/YSZ) composite anode is investigated for the direct utilization of methane and ethanol fuels in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Impregnation of Pd nanoparticles significantly enhances the electrocatalytic activity of LSCM/YSZ composite anodes for the methane and ethanol electrooxidation reaction. At 800 C, the maximum power density is increased by two and eight times with methane and ethanol fuels, respectively, for a cell with the Pd-impregnated LSCM/YSZ composite anode, as compared with that using a pure LSCM/YSZ anode. No carbon deposition is observed during the reaction of methane and ethanol fuels on the Pd-impregnated LSCM/YSZ composite anode. The results show the promises of nanostructured Pd-impregnated LSCM/YSZ composites as effective anodes for direct methane and ethanol SOFCs. (author)

Studies on the adsorption of RuN{sub 3} dye on sheet-like nanostructured porous ZnO films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang, Rong; Pan, Jie; Briggs, Evan P.; Thrash, Marvin; Kerr, Lei L. [Department of Paper and Chemical Engineering, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056 (United States)

2008-04-15

The interface between the ZnO and dye directly impacts the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) performance. Nanostructured porous ZnO film was developed by a simple chemical solution process. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images demonstrated the uniform ZnO films with sheet-like nanostructure. Adsorption studies indicated that the maximum adsorption capacity of RuN{sub 3} dye on the surface of ZnO films was approximately 0.016 mmol RuN{sub 3}/g ZnO films. Adsorption studies were conducted at 25 and 40 C. The results showed that the dye adsorption was significantly influenced by temperatures. Moreover, the problem of the dye aggregation on the ZnO surface was reduced at higher adsorption temperatures. The adsorption chemistry was studied with Raman spectroscopy. (author)

An anti CuO{sub 2}-type metal hydride square net structure in Ln{sub 2}M{sub 2}As{sub 2}H{sub x} (Ln = La or Sm, M = Ti, V, Cr, or Mn)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mizoguchi, Hiroshi; Park, SangWon; Hosono, Hideo [Materials Research Center for Element Strategy, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8503 (Japan); Hiraka, Haruhiro; Ikeda, Kazutaka; Otomo, Toshiya [Institute of Materials Structure Science, High-Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), Tsukuba 305-0801 (Japan)

2015-03-02

Using a high pressure technique and the strong donating nature of H{sup -}, a new series of tetragonal La{sub 2}Fe{sub 2}Se{sub 2}O{sub 3}-type layered mixed-anion arsenides, Ln{sub 2}M{sub 2}As{sub 2}H{sub x}, was synthesized (Ln=La or Sm, M=Ti, V, Cr, or Mn; x∼3). In these compounds, an unusual M{sub 2}H square net, which has anti CuO{sub 2} square net structures accompanying two As{sup 3-} ions, is sandwiched by (LaH){sub 2} fluorite layers. Notably, strong metal-metal bonding with a distance of 2.80 Aa was confirmed in La{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}As{sub 2}H{sub 2.3}, which has metallic properties. In fact, these compounds are situated near the boundary between salt-like ionic hydrides and transition-metal hydrides with metallic characters. (copyright 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Metal-insulator transition in SrTi{sub 1−x}V{sub x}O{sub 3} thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gu, Man [Department of Physics, University of Virginia, 382 McCormick Rd., Charlottesville, Virginia 22904 (United States); Wolf, Stuart A. [Department of Physics, University of Virginia, 382 McCormick Rd., Charlottesville, Virginia 22904 (United States); Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Virginia, 395 McCormick Rd., Charlottesville, Virginia 22904 (United States); Lu, Jiwei [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Virginia, 395 McCormick Rd., Charlottesville, Virginia 22904 (United States)

2013-11-25

Epitaxial SrTi{sub 1−x}V{sub x}O{sub 3} (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) thin films were grown on (001)-oriented (LaAlO{sub 3}){sub 0.3}(Sr{sub 2}AlTaO{sub 6}){sub 0.7} (LSAT) substrates using the pulsed electron-beam deposition technique. The transport study revealed a temperature driven metal-insulator transition (MIT) at 95 K for x = 0.67. The films with higher vanadium concentration (x > 0.67) were metallic corresponding to a Fermi liquid system. In the insulating phase (x < 0.67), the resistivity behavior was governed by Mott's variable range hopping mechanism. The possible mechanisms for the induced MIT are discussed, including the effects of electron correlation, lattice distortion, and Anderson localization.

MICROARRAY IMAGE GRIDDING USING GRID LINE REFINEMENT TECHNIQUE

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

V.G. Biju

2015-05-01

Full Text Available An important stage in microarray image analysis is gridding. Microarray image gridding is done to locate sub arrays in a microarray image and find co-ordinates of spots within each sub array. For accurate identification of spots, most of the proposed gridding methods require human intervention. In this paper a fully automatic gridding method which enhances spot intensity in the preprocessing step as per a histogram based threshold method is used. The gridding step finds co-ordinates of spots from horizontal and vertical profile of the image. To correct errors due to the grid line placement, a grid line refinement technique is proposed. The algorithm is applied on different image databases and results are compared based on spot detection accuracy and time. An average spot detection accuracy of 95.06% depicts the proposed method’s flexibility and accuracy in finding the spot co-ordinates for different database images.

Superconducting properties of GdBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub y} films by metal-organic deposition using new fluorine-free complex solutions

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nakamura, T. [Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Shizuoka University, Johoku 3-5-1, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 432-8561 (Japan); Kita, R. [Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Shizuoka University, Johoku 3-5-1, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 432-8561 (Japan); CREST-JST, Honcho 4-1-8, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012 (Japan)], E-mail: terkita@ipc.shizuoka.ac.jp; Miura, O. [Tokyo Metropolitan University, Minamiosawa 1-1, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0364 (Japan); CREST-JST, Honcho 4-1-8, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012 (Japan); Ichinose, A. [CRIEPI, Nagasaka 2-6-1, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 240-0916 (Japan); CREST-JST, Honcho 4-1-8, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012 (Japan); Matsumoto, K. [Kyushu Institute of Techonology, Sensui-cho, Tobata-ku, Kitakyushu, Hukuoka 804-8550 (Japan); CREST-JST, Honcho 4-1-8, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012 (Japan); Yoshida, Y. [Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603 (Japan); CREST-JST, Honcho 4-1-8, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012 (Japan); Mukaida, M. [Kyushu University, Hakozaki 6-10-1, Higashi-ku 4-3-16, Fukuoka 992-8510 (Japan); CREST-JST, Honcho 4-1-8, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012 (Japan); Horii, S. [University of Tokyo, Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8586 (Japan); CREST-JST, Honcho 4-1-8, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012 (Japan)

2008-09-15

GdBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub y} (GdBCO) films have been prepared on LaAlO{sub 3} single-crystal substrates by metal-organic deposition (MOD) using new fluorine-free complex solutions consisting of metal 2-ethylhexanates (2-EH) and metal naphthenates. The dispersion of T{sub c} values for GdBCO films improved by using a complex solution, rather than only a solution of metal naphthenates. c-axis oriented GdBCO films with flat surfaces were grown under lower calcining temperatures and higher firing temperatures than in the process using only metal naphthenates. The T{sub c} and J{sub c} of the GdBCO films were 91.2 K and 0.61 MA/cm{sup 2}, respectively, at 77 K at self-field.

A microbial-mineralization-inspired approach for synthesis of manganese oxide nanostructures with controlled oxidation states and morphologies

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Oba, Manabu; Oaki, Yuya; Imai, Hiroaki [Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522 (Japan)

2010-12-21

Manganese oxide nanostructures are synthesized by a route inspired by microbial mineralization in nature. The combination of organic molecules, which include antioxidizing and chelating agents, facilitates the parallel control of oxidation states and morphologies in an aqueous solution at room temperature. Divalent manganese hydroxide (Mn(OH){sub 2}) is selectively obtained as a stable dried powder by using a combination of ascorbic acid as an antioxidizing agent and other organic molecules with the ability to chelate to manganese ions. The topotactic oxidation of the resultant Mn(OH){sub 2} leads to the selective formation of trivalent manganese oxyhydroxide ({beta}-MnOOH) and trivalent/tetravalent sodium manganese oxide (birnessite, Na{sub 0.55}Mn{sub 2}O{sub 4}.1.5H{sub 2}O). For microbial mineralization in nature, similar synthetic routes via intermediates have been proposed in earlier works. Therefore, these synthetic routes, which include in the present study the parallel control over oxidation states and morphologies of manganese oxides, can be regarded as new biomimetic routes for synthesis of transition metal oxide nanostructures. As a potential application, it is demonstrated that the resultant {beta}-MnOOH nanostructures perform as a cathode material for lithium ion batteries. (Copyright copyright 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Metallicity of Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 6}P{sub 5} with single and double copper-pnictide layers

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Li, Li, E-mail: lil2@ornl.gov [Materials Science & Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 (United States); Parker, David [Materials Science & Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 (United States); Chi, Miaofang [Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 (United States); Tsoi, Georgiy M.; Vohra, Yogesh K. [Department of Physics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294 (United States); Sefat, Athena S., E-mail: sefata@ornl.gov [Materials Science & Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 (United States)

2016-06-25

We report thermodynamic and transport properties, and also theoretical calculations, for Cu-based compound Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 6}P{sub 5} and compare with CaCu{sub 2-δ}P{sub 2}. Both materials have layers of edge-sharing copper pnictide tetrahedral CuP{sub 4}, similar to Fe–As and Fe–Se layers (with FeAs{sub 4}, FeSe{sub 4}) in the iron-based superconductors. Despite the presence of this similar transition-metal pnictide layer, we find that both Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 6}P{sub 5} and CaCu{sub 2-δ}P{sub 2} have temperature-independent magnetic susceptibility and show metallic behavior with no evidence of either magnetic ordering or superconductivity down to 1.8 K CaCu{sub 2-δ}P{sub 2} is slightly off-stoichiometric, with δ = 0.14. Theoretical calculations suggest that unlike Fe 3d-based magnetic materials with a large density of states (DOS) at the Fermi surface, Cu have comparatively low DOS, with the majority of the 3d spectral weight located well below Fermi level. The room-temperature resistivity value of Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 6}P{sub 5} is only 9 μΩ-cm, due to a substantial plasma frequency and an inferred electron-phonon coupling λ of 0.073 (significantly smaller than that of metallic Cu). Also, microscopy result shows that Cu–Cu distance along the c-axis within the double layers can be very short (2.5 Å), even shorter than metallic elemental copper bond (2.56 Å). The value of dρ/dT for CaCu{sub 2-δ}P{sub 2} at 300 K is approximately three times larger than in Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 6}P{sub 5}, which suggests the likelihood of stronger electron-phonon coupling. This study shows that the details of Cu–P layers and bonding are important for their transport characteristics. In addition, it emphasizes the remarkable character of the DOS of ‘122’ iron-based materials, despite much structural similarities. - Highlights: • A comprehensive study on Cu-based compound Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 6}P{sub 5} and compare with CaCu{sub 2-δ}P{sub 2}. • Both materials have layers of

Recent Progress in Metal-Organic Frameworks and Their Derived Nanostructures for Energy and Environmental Applications.

Science.gov (United States)

Xie, Zhiqiang; Xu, Wangwang; Cui, Xiaodan; Wang, Ying

2017-04-22

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), as a very promising category of porous materials, have attracted increasing interest from research communities due to their extremely high surface areas, diverse nanostructures, and unique properties. In recent years, there is a growing body of evidence to indicate that MOFs can function as ideal templates to prepare various nanostructured materials for energy and environmental cleaning applications. Recent progress in the design and synthesis of MOFs and MOF-derived nanomaterials for particular applications in lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, dye-sensitized solar cells, and heavy-metal-ion detection and removal is reviewed herein. In addition, the remaining major challenges in the above fields are discussed and some perspectives for future research efforts in the development of MOFs are also provided. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Pd/PdO functionalization of SnO{sub 2} nanowires and ZnO nanotetrapods

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

De Zorzi, C.; Rossetto, G. [ICIS-CNR, Padova (Italy); Calestani, D.; Zha, M.Z.; Zappettini, A.; Lazzarini, L.; Villani, M.; Zanotti, L. [IMEM-CNR, Parma (Italy); El Habra, N. [ICIS-CNR, Padova (Italy); Dipt. Scienze Chimiche, Universita di Padova (Italy)

2011-08-15

Tin oxide (SnO{sub 2}) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures are widely studied because of their peculiar physical and chemical properties and the large number of possible application fields. Surface functionalization of these materials is a very important topic because it is a powerful tool for modifying or tuning their properties, in order to better match the device requests. For example, palladium/palladium oxide (Pd/PdO) nanoparticles are often used to enhance selectivity of chemoresistive gas sensing properties of metal-oxide nanostructures. SnO{sub 2} nanowires and ZnO nanotetrapods have been grown on large areas by a combination of metal evaporation and controlled oxidation, while a MOCVD (Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition) process has been chosen in order to deposit Pd/PdO nanoparticles on the surface of the obtained oxide nanostructures. Samples morphology, structure and composition have been studied by means of SEM and TEM microscopy, EDS microanalysis and X-Ray diffraction. The different results, obtained as a function of the synthesis and annealing parameters, are discussed focusing the attention to the experimental conditions that allowed the authors to obtain an optimal ''spotted'' coverage of oxide nanostructures, which is often required for gas sensing application. (copyright 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)

Combined sonochemical/CVD method for preparation of nanostructured carbon-doped TiO{sub 2} thin film

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rasoulnezhad, Hossein [Semiconductor Department, Materials and Energy Research Center (MERC), Karaj (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Kavei, Ghassem, E-mail: kaveighassem@gmail.com [Semiconductor Department, Materials and Energy Research Center (MERC), Karaj (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Ahmadi, Kamran [Semiconductor Department, Materials and Energy Research Center (MERC), Karaj (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Rahimipour, Mohammad Reza [Ceramic Department, Materials and Energy Research Center (MERC), Karaj (Iran, Islamic Republic of)

2017-06-30

Highlights: • Combination of sonochemical and CVD methods for preparation of nanostructured carbon-doped TiO{sub 2} thin film on glass substrate, for the first time. • High transparency, monodispersity and homogeneity of the prepared thin films. • Preparation of the carbon-doped TiO{sub 2} thin films with nanorod and nanosphere morphologies. - Abstract: The present work reports the successful synthesis of the nanostructured carbon-doped TiO{sub 2} thin films on glass substrate by combination of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and ultrasonic methods, for the first time. In this method the ultrasound waves act as nebulizer for converting of sonochemically prepared TiO{sub 2} sol to the mist particles. These mist particles were thermally decomposed in subsequent CVD chamber at 320 °C to produce the carbon-doped TiO{sub 2} thin films. The obtained thin films were characterized by means of X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The results show that the prepared thin films have anatase crystal structure and nanorod morphology, which calcination of them at 800 °C results in the conversion of nanorods to nanoparticles. In addition, the prepared samples have high transparency, monodispersity and homogeneity. The presence of the carbon element in the structure of the thin films causes the narrowing of the band-gap energy of TiO{sub 2} to about 2.8 eV, which results in the improvement of visible light absorption capabilities of the thin film.

Influence of different fuel agents on the combustion synthesis of the nanostructured Li{sub 1.05}Mn{sub 2}O{sub 4} oxide

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Amaral, Fabio A.; Guerra, R.F.; Santana, L.K.; Canobre, S.C., E-mail: fabioamaral@iqufu.ufu.br [Universidade Federal de Uberlandia (LAETE/UFU), MG (Brazil). Inst. de Quimica. Lab. de Armazenamento de Energia e Tratamento de Efluentes

2014-08-15

In this work nanostructured Li{sub 1.05}Mn{sub 2}O{sub 4} oxide was obtained by Solution Combustion Synthesis (SCS) using three different fuel agents in order to obtain a unique phase with a crystalline cubic structure belonging to the F{sub d3m} spatial group. The phase of interest could be obtained, following the order: glycine (at 600 °C for 2 h) ‹ urea (at 750 °C for 2 h) ‹ maleic anhydride (at 750 °C for 4 h), with crystallite size in the range from 4.6 to 9.7 nm (nanometric character) and the unit cell parameter of the calcined samples at 750 °C for 2 h were similar to the JCPDS 35-0782 with cubic structure (a = 8.247 Å). Charge and discharge tests from the samples obtained by glycine fuel (at 750 °C for 4 h) presented the highest experimental specific capacities of 115 mA h g{sup -1} and 92% of retention after 10 cycles. (author)

Transparent and conductive electrodes by large-scale nano-structuring of noble metal thin-films

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Linnet, Jes; Runge Walther, Anders; Wolff, Christian

2018-01-01

grid, and nano-wire thin-films. The indium and carbon films do not match the chemical stability nor the electrical performance of the noble metals, and many metal films are not uniform in material distribution leading to significant surface roughness and randomized transmission haze. We demonstrate...

Bad metal behaviour in the new Hg-rich amalgam KHg{sub 6} with polar metallic bonding

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tambornino, Frank; Hoch, Constantin, E-mail: constantin.hoch@cup.uni-muenchen.de

2015-01-05

Highlights: • The novel Hg-rich amalgam KHg{sub 6} was synthesised by electrocrystallisation. • The structure was investigated by single crystal and powder diffraction. • Thermal decomposition, electric resistance and magnetic susceptibiliy were examined. • Band structure, total and partial density of states and Bader charges were calculated. • Bad metal behaviour results from ionic, metallic and covalent bonding contributions. - Abstract: The new mercury-rich amalgam KHg{sub 6} crystallises with the BaHg{sub 6} structure type (orthorhombic, space group Pnma (No. 62), a = 13.394(9) Å, b = 5.270(3) Å, c = 10.463 Å). It was prepared by electrolysis of a solution of KI in N,N′-Dimethylformamide at 343 K at a reactive Hg cathode. The structure of KHg{sub 6} shows motifs of ionic packing, covalent Hg cluster formation and metallic properties. KHg{sub 6} decomposes peritectically at 443 K. The combination of alkali metals with a noble metal with moderate electron affinity results in the formation of polar metal–metal bonding with considerable but incomplete electron transfer from the electropositive to the electronegative sublattice, resulting in typical “bad metal behaviour”, illustrated by resistance and susceptibility measurements and quantum theoretical calculations.

Synthesis of NiCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanostructures with different morphologies for the removal of methyl orange

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tian, Yaxi; Li, Haizhen; Ruan, Zhongyuan; Cui, Guijia; Yan, Shiqiang, E-mail: yansq@lzu.edu.cn

2017-01-30

Highlights: • Magnetic materials NiCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} with six different morphologies were successfully synthesized by a facile method. • Adsorption capacity strongly depends on the morphology. • It could be easily recovered from solution. - Abstract: Aiming to investigate the adsorption removal performance of NiCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} as water purification adsorbents, magnetic materials NiCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} with six different morphologies were successfully synthesized by a facile method. NiCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} with six different morphologies were characterized by scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, N{sub 2} adsorption-desorption, vibrating sample magnetometry and X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry. In this study, we mainly explored the effect of specific surface area, pore volume and pore size on the performance for the removal of methyl orange, and the adsorption capacity followed an order of (b) NiCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanorods > (e) balsam-like NiCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} > (f) rose-like NiCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} > (d) NiCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoribbons > (a) NiCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} flowerlike nanostructures > (c) dandelion-like NiCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} spheres. The results indicated that NiCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanorods exhibited better adsorption performance. The reasons for the excellent adsorption capacity of NiCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanorods were also discussed in depth by analyzing scale and surface characteristics. Besides, NiCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} could be easily recovered from solution, which may avoid potential secondary pollution. Moreover, adsorption kinetics, the influence of pH and adsorption mechanism were comprehensively investigated. This finding indicated that NiCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} were promising adsorbents for water purification.

Morphology evolution and nanostructure of chemical looping transition metal oxide materials upon redox processes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Qin, Lang; Cheng, Zhuo; Guo, Mengqing; Fan, Jonathan A.; Fan, Liang-Shih

2017-01-01

Transition metal are heavily used in chemical looping technologies because of their high oxygen carrying capacity and high thermal reactivity. These oxygen activities result in the oxide formation and oxygen vacancy formation that affect the nanoscale crystal phase and morphology within these materials and their subsequent bulk chemical behavior. In this study, two selected earlier transition metals manganese and cobalt as well as two selected later transition metals copper and nickel that are important to chemical looping reactions are investigated when they undergo cyclic redox reactions. We found Co microparticles exhibited increased CoO impurity presence when oxidized to Co_3O_4 upon cyclic oxidation; CuO redox cycles prefer to be limited to a reduced form of Cu_2O and an oxidized form of CuO; Mn microparticles were oxidized to a mixed phases of MnO and Mn_3O_4, which causes delamination during oxidation. For Ni microparticles, a dense surface were observed during the redox reaction. The atomistic thermodynamics methods and density functional theory (DFT) calculations are carried out to elucidate the effect of oxygen dissociation and migration on the morphological evolution of nanostructures during the redox processes. Our results indicate that the earlier transition metals (Mn and Co) tend to have stronger interaction with O_2 than the later transition metals (Ni and Cu). Also, our modified Brønsted−Evans−Polanyi (BEP) relationship for reaction energies and total reaction barriers reveals that reactions of earlier transition metals are more exergonic and have lower oxygen dissociation barriers than those of later transition metals. In addition, it was found that for these transition metal oxides the oxygen vacancy formation energies increase with the depth. The oxide in the higher oxidation state of transition metal has lower vacancy formation energy, which can facilitate forming the defective nanostructures. The fundamental understanding of these metal

Metal-organic framework templated synthesis of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/TiO{sub 2} nanocomposite for hydrogen production

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Krafft, Kathryn E. de; Wang, Cheng; Lin, Wenbin [University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC (United States). Department of Chemistry

2012-04-17

A new metal-organic framework (MOF)-templated method has been developed for the synthesis of a metal oxide nanocomposite with interesting photophysical properties. Fe-containing nanoscale MOFs are coated with amorphous titania, then calcined to produce crystalline Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/TiO{sub 2} composite nanoparticles. This material enables photocatalytic hydrogen production from water using visible light, which cannot be achieved by either Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} or TiO{sub 2} alone or a mixture of the two. (Copyright copyright 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Use of fundamental condensation heat transfer experiments for the development of a sub-grid liquid jet condensation model

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Buschman, Francis X., E-mail: Francis.Buschman@unnpp.gov; Aumiller, David L.

2017-02-15

Highlights: • Direct contact condensation data on liquid jets up to 1.7 MPa in pure steam and in the presence of noncondensable gas. • Identified a pressure effect on the impact of noncondensables to suppress condensation heat transfer not captured in existing data or correlations. • Pure steam data is used to develop a new correlation for condensation heat transfer on subcooled liquid jets. • Noncondensable data used to develop a modification to the renewal time estimate used in the Young and Bajorek correlation for condensation suppression in the presence of noncondensables. • A jet injection boundary condition, using a sub-grid jet condensation model, is developed for COBRA-IE which provides a more detailed estimate of the condensation rate on the liquid jet and allows the use of jet specific closure relationships. - Abstract: Condensation on liquid jets is an important phenomenon for many different facets of nuclear power plant transients and analyses such as containment spray cooling. An experimental facility constructed at the Pennsylvania State University, the High Pressure Liquid Jet Condensation Heat Transfer facility (HPLJCHT), has been used to perform steady-state condensation heat transfer experiments in which the temperature of the liquid jet is measured at different axial locations allowing the condensation rate to be determined over the jet length. Test data have been obtained in a pure steam environment and with varying concentrations of noncondensable gas. This data extends the available jet condensation data from near atmospheric pressure up to a pressure of 1.7 MPa. An empirical correlation for the liquid side condensation heat transfer coefficient has been developed based on the data obtained in pure steam. The data obtained with noncondensable gas were used to develop a correlation for the renewal time as used in the condensation suppression model developed by Young and Bajorek. This paper describes a new sub-grid liquid jet

Use of fundamental condensation heat transfer experiments for the development of a sub-grid liquid jet condensation model

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Buschman, Francis X.; Aumiller, David L.

2017-01-01

Highlights: • Direct contact condensation data on liquid jets up to 1.7 MPa in pure steam and in the presence of noncondensable gas. • Identified a pressure effect on the impact of noncondensables to suppress condensation heat transfer not captured in existing data or correlations. • Pure steam data is used to develop a new correlation for condensation heat transfer on subcooled liquid jets. • Noncondensable data used to develop a modification to the renewal time estimate used in the Young and Bajorek correlation for condensation suppression in the presence of noncondensables. • A jet injection boundary condition, using a sub-grid jet condensation model, is developed for COBRA-IE which provides a more detailed estimate of the condensation rate on the liquid jet and allows the use of jet specific closure relationships. - Abstract: Condensation on liquid jets is an important phenomenon for many different facets of nuclear power plant transients and analyses such as containment spray cooling. An experimental facility constructed at the Pennsylvania State University, the High Pressure Liquid Jet Condensation Heat Transfer facility (HPLJCHT), has been used to perform steady-state condensation heat transfer experiments in which the temperature of the liquid jet is measured at different axial locations allowing the condensation rate to be determined over the jet length. Test data have been obtained in a pure steam environment and with varying concentrations of noncondensable gas. This data extends the available jet condensation data from near atmospheric pressure up to a pressure of 1.7 MPa. An empirical correlation for the liquid side condensation heat transfer coefficient has been developed based on the data obtained in pure steam. The data obtained with noncondensable gas were used to develop a correlation for the renewal time as used in the condensation suppression model developed by Young and Bajorek. This paper describes a new sub-grid liquid jet

Designing deoxidation inhibiting encapsulation of metal oxide nanostructures for fluidic and biological applications

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ghosh, Moumita, E-mail: ghoshiisc@gmail.com [Instrumentation and Applied Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012 (India); Centre for Nano Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012 (India); IV. Institute of Physics, Georg-August-Universität-Göttingen, Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1, 37077 Göttingen (Germany); III. Institute of Physics – Biophysics and Complex Systems, Georg-August-Universität-Göttingen, Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1, 37077 Göttingen (Germany); Ghosh, Siddharth [III. Institute of Physics – Biophysics and Complex Systems, Georg-August-Universität-Göttingen, Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1, 37077 Göttingen (Germany); Seibt, Michael [IV. Institute of Physics, Georg-August-Universität-Göttingen, Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1, 37077 Göttingen (Germany); Schaap, Iwan A.T. [III. Institute of Physics – Biophysics and Complex Systems, Georg-August-Universität-Göttingen, Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1, 37077 Göttingen (Germany); Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS (United Kingdom); Schmidt, Christoph F. [III. Institute of Physics – Biophysics and Complex Systems, Georg-August-Universität-Göttingen, Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1, 37077 Göttingen (Germany); Mohan Rao, G. [Instrumentation and Applied Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012 (India)

2016-12-30

Graphical abstract: To retain atomic structure and morphology of ZnO nanostructures (caused by deoxidation of ZnO) in water/bio-fluids, we propose and demonstrate a robust and inexpensive encapsulation technique using bio-compatible non-ionic surfactant. - Highlights: • Aqueous solutions of ZnO nanorods with and without surfactant are prepared. • With time ZnO nanorods show structural deterioration in different aqueous solutions. • Crystallinity of ZnO nanorods in absence of aqueous solution remain unaffected. • Encapsulation of bio-compatible surfactant in alchohol avoid ZnO deoxidation. • Crystallinity and structure of ZnO nanorods after encapsulation remain unaffected. - Abstract: Due to their photoluminescence, metal oxide nanostructures such as ZnO nanostructures are promising candidates in biomedical imaging, drug delivery and bio-sensing. To apply them as label for bio-imaging, it is important to study their structural stability in a bio-fluidic environment. We have explored the effect of water, the main constituent of biological solutions, on ZnO nanostructures with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photoluminescence (PL) studies which show ZnO nanorod degeneration in water. In addition, we propose and investigate a robust and inexpensive method to encapsulate these nanostructures (without structural degradation) using bio-compatible non-ionic surfactant in non-aqueous medium, which was not reported earlier. This new finding is an immediate interest to the broad audience of researchers working in biophysics, sensing and actuation, drug delivery, food and cosmetics technology, etc.

Amorphous filler metal foils for brazing zirconium grid plates

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Plyushchev, A.N.; Kalin, B.A.; Fedotov, V.T.; Sevryukov, O.N.; Mamedova, T.T.; Shestakov, E.F.; Timoshin, S.N.

2001-01-01

A new amorphous ribbon filler metal of Zr-5.5 Fe-2.5 Be-1.0 Nb-8.0 Cu-2.0 Sn-0.4 Cr (mass %) with the temperature of melting onset of 745-750 deg C is designed to braze spacer grids of zirconium base alloys. The brazing conditions (780-790 deg C, 40-45 s) are determined which provide minimal standing at temperatures above 700 deg C (∼ 1.5 min) for spacer grids. Mechanical tests show that tensile strength of brazed joints is 55-59 kgf what is twice that of analogous welded joints. In addition, the brazed joints exhibit high corrosion resistance when testing in a distilled steam-water mixture at a temperature of 350 deg C and 16.5 MPa pressure for 10000 h [ru

Insights into magnetic interactions in a monodisperse Gd{sub 12}Fe{sub 14} metal cluster

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zheng, Xiu-Ying; Zhang, Hui; Liu, Pengxin; Du, Ming-Hao; Han, Ying-Zi; Wei, Rong-Jia; Kong, Xiang-Jian; Long, La-Sheng; Zheng, Lan-Sun [Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, State Key Lab. of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surface and Dept. of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen Univ. (China); Wang, Zhenxing; Ouyang, Zhong-Wen [Wuhan National High Magnetic Field Center and School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan (China); Zhuang, Gui-Lin [College of Chemcal Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou (China)

2017-09-11

The largest Ln-Fe metal cluster [Gd{sub 12}Fe{sub 14}(μ{sub 3}-OH){sub 12}(μ{sub 4}-OH){sub 6}(μ{sub 4}-O){sub 12}(TEOA){sub 6}(CH{sub 3}COO){sub 16}(H{sub 2} O){sub 8}].(CH{sub 3}COO){sub 2}(CH{sub 3}CN){sub 2}.(H{sub 2}O){sub 20} (1) and the core-shell monodisperse metal cluster of 1 a rate at SiO{sub 2} (1 a=[Gd{sub 12}Fe{sub 14}(μ{sub 3}-OH){sub 12}(μ{sub 4}-OH){sub 6}(μ{sub 4}-O){sub 12}(TEOA){sub 6}(CH{sub 3}COO){sub 16} (H{sub 2}O){sub 8}]{sup 2+}) were prepared. Experimental and theoretical studies on the magnetic properties of 1 and 1 a rate at SiO{sub 2} reveal that encapsulation of one cluster into one silica nanosphere not only effectively decreases intermolecular magnetic interactions but also significantly increases the zero-field splitting effect of the outer layer Fe{sup 3+} ions. (copyright 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

In(OH){sub 3} and In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanorice and microflowers: morphology transformation and optical properties

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ren Weian; Liu Ying; Mei Zongwei; Wen Xiaogang, E-mail: wenxg2001@163.com [Sichuan University, School of Materials Science and Engineering (China); Wang Suhua [Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Intelligent Machines (China)

2013-02-15

In this work, In(OH){sub 3} and In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanostructures with controllable complex morphologies were successfully synthesized through a simple hydrothermal process followed by annealing. The In(OH){sub 3} nanostructures were synthesized using urea as the alkaline source at a relatively low temperature without any templates or surfactants. The morphology transformation of In(OH){sub 3} from nanorice to microflowers was observed. The In(OH){sub 3} nanorice are 180 nm in diameter and 550 nm in length, the microflowers are about 3 {mu}m in diameter and composed of thin nanoflakes with 4-nm thickness. In{sub 2}O{sub 3} with similar morphology was formed by annealing In(OH){sub 3} precursors. The nanostructures were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Our results suggest that a new nucleation-growth-etching-regrowth mechanism can explain the morphology transformation from nanorice to flower-like frameworks. Raman spectrum and photoluminescence (PL) properties of In{sub 2}O{sub 3} were also measured, and a 3-nm blue-shift of PL spectrum was observed due to the thinness of the nanostructures.

Hierarchical flower-like carbon nanosheet assembly with embedded hollow NiCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles for high- performance lithium ion batteries

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fang, Ling; Qiu, Huajun; Luo, Pan; Li, Wenxiang; Zhang, Huijuan; Wang, Yu, E-mail: wangy@cqu.edu.cn

2017-05-01

Highlights: • Flower-like NiCo{sub 2}O{sub 4}@carbon nanosphere is firstly synthesized for Li-ion batteries. • The nanostructure exhibits the unique feature of hollow NiCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles embedded inside and graphitized carbon layers coating outside. • The sample reveals stable structure, large specific surface area and good electrical conductivity. • The composite exhibits superior rate capability, cycling capacity and excellent Coulombic efficiency. - Abstract: The fabrication of closely bounded metal oxides/carbon hybrid nano-structures is significant for its use in energy-related areas especially lithium ion batteries (LIBs). In this research, a flower-like carbon sphere with hollow NiCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles encapsulated inside the carbon thin nanopetal is fabricated by using a mixed basic carbonate nickel and cobalt sphere as the precursor and templates followed by the outer carbon membrane covering and two-step calcination process. When tested as anode material for LIBs, this flower-like carbon-based hybrid sphere demonstrates a significantly enhanced reversible capacity and cycling stability at various current densities.

Single attosecond pulse generation by using plasmon-driven double optical gating technology in crossed metal nanostructures

Science.gov (United States)

Feng, Liqiang; Liu, Katheryn

2018-05-01

An effective method to obtain the single attosecond pulses (SAPs) by using the multi-cycle plasmon-driven double optical gating (DOG) technology in the specifically designed metal nanostructures has been proposed and investigated. It is found that with the introduction of the crossed metal nanostructures along the driven and the gating polarization directions, not only the harmonic cutoff can be extended, but also the efficient high-order harmonic generation (HHG) at the very highest orders occurs only at one side of the region inside the nanostructure. As a result, a 93 eV supercontinuum with the near stable phase can be found. Further, by properly introducing an ultraviolet (UV) pulse into the driven laser polarization direction (which is defined as the DOG), the harmonic yield can be enhanced by two orders of magnitude in comparison with the singe polarization gating (PG) technology. However, as the polarized angle or the ellipticity of the UV pulse increase, the enhancement of the harmonic yield is slightly reduced. Finally, by superposing the selected harmonics from the DOG scheme, a 30 as SAP with intensity enhancement of two orders of magnitude can be obtained.

Study of uranium oxide milling in order to obtain nanostructured UC{sub x} target

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Guillot, Julien, E-mail: guillotjulien@ipno.in2p3.fr [Institut de Physique Nucléaire CNRS/IN2P3 UMR 8608 – Université Paris Sud, F-91406 ORSAY Cedex (France); Tusseau-Nenez, Sandrine; Roussière, Brigitte; Barré-Boscher, Nicole [Institut de Physique Nucléaire CNRS/IN2P3 UMR 8608 – Université Paris Sud, F-91406 ORSAY Cedex (France); Brisset, François [ICMMO UMR 8182 CNRS – Université Paris Sud, F-91405 Orsay Cedex (France); Mhamed, Maher Cheikh; Lau, Christophe [Institut de Physique Nucléaire CNRS/IN2P3 UMR 8608 – Université Paris Sud, F-91406 ORSAY Cedex (France); Nowak, Sophie [ITODYS, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, CNRS UMR-7086, F-75013 Paris (France); IPSL CNRS UMR 7583 Universités Paris Est Créteil et Paris Diderot, F-94010 Créteil Cedex (France)

2016-05-01

A R&D program is developed at the ALTO facility to provide new beams of exotic neutron-rich nuclei, as intense as possible. In the framework of European projects, it has been shown that the use of refractory targets with nanometric structure allows us to obtain beams of nuclei unreachable until now. The first parameter to be controlled in the processing to obtain targets with a homogeneous nanostructure is the grinding of uranium dioxide, down to 100 nm grain size. In this study, dry and wet grinding routes are studied and the powders are analyzed in terms of phase stabilization, specific surface area and grain morphology. It appears that the grinding, as well dry as wet, leads to the decrease of the particle size. The oxidation of UO{sub 2} is observed whatever the grinding. However, the dry grinding is the most efficient and leads to the oxidation of UO{sub 2} into U{sub 4}O{sub 9} and U{sub 3}O{sub 7} whose quantities increase with the grinding time while crystallite sizes decrease.

Half metallic ferromagnetism in tri-layered perovskites Sr{sub 4}T{sub 3}O{sub 10}(T = Co, Rh)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ghimire, Madhav Prasad, E-mail: ghimire.mpg@gmail.com [Faculty of Science, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 3323, Khumaltar, Lalitpur (Nepal); International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA), National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba 305-0044 (Japan); Thapa, R. K.; Sandeep [Department of Physics, Mizoram University, Aizawl 796-004 (India); Rai, D. P. [Department of Physics, Pachhunga University College, Aizawl 796-001 (India); Sinha, T. P. [Department of Physics, Bose Institute, Kolkata 700-009 (India); Hu, Xiao [International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA), National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba 305-0044 (Japan)

2015-02-14

First-principles density functional theory (DFT) is used to investigate the electronic and magnetic properties of Sr{sub 4}Rh{sub 3}O{sub 10}, a member of the Ruddlesden-Popper series. Based on the DFT calculations taking into account the co-operative effect of Coulomb interaction (U) and spin-orbit couplings (SOC), Sr{sub 4}Rh{sub 3}O{sub 10} is found to be a half metallic ferromagnet (HMF) with total magnetic moment μ{sub tot} = 12 μ{sub B} per unit cell. The material has almost 100% spin-polarization at the Fermi level despite of sizable SOC. Replacement of Rh atom by the isovalent Co atom is considered. Upon full-replacement of Co, a low-spin to intermediate spin transition happens resulting in a HMF state with the total magnetic moment three-time larger (i.e., μ{sub tot} = 36 μ{sub B} per unit cell), compared to Sr{sub 4}Rh{sub 3}O{sub 10}. We propose Sr{sub 4}Rh{sub 3}O{sub 10} and Sr{sub 4}Co{sub 3}O{sub 10} as candidates of half metals.

Dechlorination Reaction of Metal Chloride Wastes with Inorganic Composite (SiO{sub 2}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}- P{sub 2}O{sub 5}) at 650 .deg. C

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ahn, Soo Na; Park, Hwan Seo; Cho, In Hak; Kim, In Tae; Cho, Yong Zun [Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of)

2011-05-15

Pyrochemical process to recover uranium and transuranic elements from the spent nuclear fuel indispensably generates radioactive metal chlorides waste containing fission products. These wastes are difficult to solidify and stabilize by conventional method due to their volatility and low comparability with silicate glass. Our research group is under development of dechlorination method to remove Clinduced problems. For dechlorination of metal chloride waste, an inorganic composite, SiO{sub 2}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-P{sub 2}O{sub 5} (SAP), has been investigated as dechlorination agent. The composite reacts with metal chloride to produce aluminosilicates, alumino phosphate and orthophosphate. The products are thermally stable up to 1200 .deg. C and compatible with silicate glass. In this study, modified SAP containing Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} as another component was investigated to enhance the dechlorination reaction and characterize the reaction behavior of LiCl

A Self-Templating Scheme for the Synthesis of Nanostructured Transition Metal Chalcogenide Electrodes for Capacitive Energy Storage

KAUST Repository

Xia, Chuan; Alshareef, Husam N.

2015-01-01

Due to their unique structural features including well-defined interior voids, low density, low coefficients of thermal expansion, large surface area and surface permeability, hollow micro/nanostructured transition metal sulfides with high

Structural and magnetic properties of γ-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanostructured compacts processed by spark plasma sintering

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Saravanan, P., E-mail: psdrdo@gmail.com [Department of Physics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan (China); Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Hyderabad 500058 (India); Hsu, Jen-Hwa, E-mail: jhhsu@phys.ntu.edu.tw [Department of Physics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan (China); Sivaprahasam, D. [International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials, Chennai 600113 (India); Kamat, S.V. [Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Hyderabad 500058 (India)

2013-11-15

Gram quantities of γ-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanopowders having mean particle size of 20±4 nm were synthesized using a hydrothermal method and then consolidated into dense nanostructured compacts by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at relatively low temperatures: 300–350 °C. The cubic spinel structure of the as-synthesized γ-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticles (NPs) did not get altered by the SPS process; nevertheless, a moderate increase in their grain sizes was evident in the SPSed compacts (80–125 nm). The physical properties such as density (ρ), coercivity (H{sub c}) and magnetization (M{sub s}) values of γ-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} NPs were affected by the SPS temperature. Significantly, higher values of ρ (4.45 g/cm{sup 3}), H{sub c} (274 Oe) and M{sub s} (67.2 emu/g) were achieved for the bulk compact SPSed at 350 °C. This work highlights the merits of sintering γ-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} NPs by SPS –as a new method of compaction with useful magnetic properties; which cannot be realized with the conventional sintering techniques. Highlights: • γ-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticles with mean size of 20±4 nm were hydrothermally synthesized. • Spark plasma sintering of γ-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} was performed below phase transition temperature. • Sintered compacts were investigated with respect to SPS temperature: 300–350 °C. • Cubic spinel structure of γ-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticles was retained in sintered compacts. • Maximum values: ρ (4.45 g/cm{sup 3}), H{sub c} (274 Oe) and M{sub s} (67.2 emu/g) obtained at 350 °C.

ZnO/TiO{sub 2} particles and their solar cell application

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kerli, S., E-mail: suleymankerli@ksu.edu.tr [Department of EnergySystemsEngineering, Faculty of Elbistan Technology, Kahramanmaras SutcuImamUniversity, Kahramanmaras (Turkey); Akgül, Ö., E-mail: omeraakgul@gmail.com [Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Dept. of Physics, 46100 K.Maras-Turkey (Turkey); Alver, Ü., E-mail: ualver@ktu.edu.tr [Karadeniz Technical University, Dept. of Metallurgical and Materials Eng. 61080, Trabzon-Turkey (Turkey)

2016-03-25

ZnO/TiO{sub 2} particles were investigated for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Nano-structured ZnO particles were produced by the hydrothermal method. TiO{sub 2} (P25) nanoparticles, was bought from the company of Degussa. Crystal structures and morphological properties of particles were examined by XRD and SEM. As an application, dye sensitized solar cells were fabricated from nano-structured produced metal oxide particles. The working electrodes of the DSSCs were obtained by mixture of ZnO and TiO{sub 2} powders. I-V characteristics of the cells were measured by using a solar simulator and the efficiency of the solar cells were obtained by using I-V graphs. ZnO cells sensitized with Ruthenium 535-bisTBA (N719) dyes yield higher efficiencies than corresponding TiO{sub 2} cells. By increasing TiO{sub 2} amount in the mixture of ZnO/TiO{sub 2}, it was observed that efficiencies of cells are getting lower.

Synthesis and characterization of a novel tube-in-tube nanostructured PPy/MnO{sub 2}/CNTs composite for supercapacitor

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Li, Juan, E-mail: lj-panpan@163.com [College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046 (China); Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871 (China); Que, Tingli [College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046 (China); Huang, Jianbin, E-mail: JBhuang@pku.edu.cn [College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046 (China); Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871 (China)

2013-02-15

Graphical abstract: A novel tube-in-tube nanostructured PPy/MnO{sub 2}/CNTs composite have been successfully fabricated. Its inner tubules are CNTs and the outer tubules are template-synthesized PPy. Most MnO{sub 2} nanoparticles are sandwiched between the inner and outer wall, some relatively large particles are also latched onto the outside wall of the PPy tube. The composite yields a good electrochemical reversibility through 1000 cycles’ cyclic voltammogram (CV) test and galvanostatic charge–discharge experiments at different current densities. Display Omitted Highlights: ► We fabricate a ternary organic–inorganic complex of PPy/MnO{sub 2}/CNTs composite. ► We characterize its morphological structures and properties by several techniques. ► The composite possesses the typical tube-in-tube nanostructures. ► Most MnO{sub 2} nanoparticles are sandwiched between the inner CNTs and outer PPy wall. ► The composite has good electrochemical reversibility for supercapacitor. -- Abstract: Ternary organic–inorganic complex of polypyrrole/manganese dioxide/carbon nanotubes (PPy/MnO{sub 2}/CNTs) composite was prepared by in situ chemical oxidation polymerization of pyrrole in the host of inorganic matrix of MnO{sub 2} and CNTs, using complex of methyl orange (MO)/FeCl{sub 3} was used as a reactive self-degraded soft-template. The morphological structures of the composite were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopic (HRTEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. All the results indicate that the PPy/MnO{sub 2}/CNTs composite possesses the typical tube-in-tube nanostructures: the inner tubules are CNTs and the outer tubules are template-synthesized PPy. MnO{sub 2} nanoparticles may either sandwich the space between the inner and outer tubules or directly latch onto the wall of the PPy tubes. The composite

Mechanical behavior of Fe{sub 75}Mo{sub 5}P{sub 10}C{sub 7.5}B{sub 2.5} bulk-metallic glass under torsional loading

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang Xinjian [School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072 (China); Huang Lu [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee, TN 37996 (United States); Key Laboratory of Aerospace Materials and Performance (Ministry of Education), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Beijing 100191 (China); Chen Xu, E-mail: xchen@tju.edu.cn [School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072 (China); Liaw, Peter K. [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee, TN 37996 (United States); An Ke [Neutron Scattering Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TN 37831 (United States); Zhang Tao [Key Laboratory of Aerospace Materials and Performance (Ministry of Education), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Beijing 100191 (China); Wang Gongyao [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee, TN 37996 (United States)

2010-11-15

Research highlights: {yields} Fe{sub 75}Mo{sub 5}P{sub 10}C{sub 7.5}B{sub 2.5} bulk-metallic glass exhibits a brittle characteristic under torsional loading. {yields} The BMG occurs in a tensile mode failure under torsional loading. {yields} A slight cyclic-hardening behavior was observed in the initial loading cycles during torsional-fatigue tests. {yields} The torsional fatigue-fracture surface consists of three main regions. - Abstract: Pure- and cyclic-torsional studies were conducted on a Fe{sub 75}Mo{sub 5}P{sub 10}C{sub 7.5}B{sub 2.5} (atomic percent, at.%) bulk-metallic glass at room temperature for an understanding of its damage and fracture mechanisms. Under pure-torsional loading, the metallic glass exhibited very little plastic strain before fracture. The fracture initiated along the maximum tensile-stress plane, which is about 45{sup o} to the axial direction. The shear-fracture strength ({approx}510 MPa) is much lower than the compressive-fracture strength ({approx}3280 MPa), which suggests that different deformation mechanisms be present under various loading modes. Instead of an apparent vein-type structure, the fracture morphologies revealed a crack-initiation site, a mirror region, a mist region, and a hackle region. Under cyclic-torsional loading, fatigue cracks initiated from casting defects, and propagate generally along the maximum tensile-stress plane. A slight cyclic-hardening behavior was observed in initial loading steps. The fatigue-fracture surface consists of three main regions: the fatigue crack-initiation, crack-propagation, and final-fast-fracture areas. The striations resulting from the blunting and re-sharpening of the fatigue crack tip were observed in the crack-propagation region. Based on these results, the damage and fracture mechanisms of the metallic glass induced by torsional loadings are elucidated.

Modes of interaction between nanostructured metal and a conducting mirror as a function of separation and incident polarization

Science.gov (United States)

Bonnie, F.; Arnold, M. D.; Smith, G. B.; Gentle, A. R.

2013-09-01

The optical resonances that occur in nanostructured metal layers are modulated in thin film stacks if the nanostructured layer is separated from a reflecting conducting layer by various thicknesses of thin dielectric. We have measured and modeled the optical response of interacting silver layers, with alumina spacer thickness ranging from a few nm to 50 nm, for s- and p-polarized incident light, and a range of incident angles. Standard thin film models, including standard effective medium models for the nanostructured layer, will break down for spacer thickness below a critical threshold. For example, with polarisation in the film plane and some nano-islands, it may occur at around 10 nm depending on spacer refractive index. Of particular interest here are novel effects observed with the onset of percolation in the nanolayer. Hot spot effects can be modified by nearby mirrors. Other modes to consider include (a) a two-particle mode involving a particle and its mirror image (b) A Fano resonance from hybridisation of localized and de-localised plasmon modes (c) a Babinet's core-(partial) shell particle with metal core-dielectric shell in metal (d) spacing dependent phase modulation (e) the impact of field gradients induced by the mirror at the nano-layer.

CH{sub 4} reforming with CO{sub 2} for syngas production over nickel catalysts supported on mesoporous nanostructured γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Majidian, Nasrollah; Habibi, Narges [Islamic Azad University, Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Rezaei, Mehran [University of Kashan, Kashan (Iran, Islamic Republic of)

2014-07-15

Nanostructured γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} with high surface area and mesoporous structure was synthesized by sol-gel method and employed as catalyst support for nickel catalysts in methane reforming with carbon dioxide. The prepared samples were characterized by XRD, BET, TPR, TPH, SEM and TPO techniques. The BET analysis showed a high surface area of 204m{sup 2}g{sup -1} and a narrow pore-size distribution centered at a diameter of 5.5 nm for catalyst support. The results revealed that an increase in nickel loading from 5 to 15 wt% decreased the surface area of catalyst from 182 to 160 m{sup 2}g{sup -1}. In addition, the catalytic results showed an increase in methane conversion with increase in nickel content. TPO analysis revealed that the coke deposition increased with increasing in nickel loading, and the catalyst with 15 wt% of nickel showed the highest degree of carbon formation. SEM and TPH analyses confirmed the formation of whisker type carbon over the spent catalysts. Increasing CO{sub 2}/CH{sub 4} ratio increased the methane conversion. The BET analysis of spent catalysts indicated that the mesoporous structure of catalysts still remained after reaction.

Mapping of electromagnetic fields enhanced by gold nanostructures

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Fiutowski, Jacek; Maibohm, Christian; Kostiučenko, Oksana

2012-01-01

Laser ablation of an ‘imaging’ polymer layer allows near-field mapping of metal nanostructures with subdiffraction resolution......Laser ablation of an ‘imaging’ polymer layer allows near-field mapping of metal nanostructures with subdiffraction resolution...

Vicinal surfaces for functional nanostructures.

Science.gov (United States)

Tegenkamp, Christoph

2009-01-07

Vicinal surfaces are currently the focus of research. The regular arrangements of atomic steps on a mesoscopic scale reveal the possibility to functionalize these surfaces for technical applications, e.g. nanowires, catalysts, etc. The steps of the vicinal surface are well-defined defect structures of atomic size for nucleation of low-dimensional nanostructures. The concentration and therefore the coupling between the nanostructures can be tuned over a wide range by simply changing the inclination angle of the substrate. However, the coupling of these nano-objects to the substrate is just as important in controlling their electronic or chemical properties and making a functionality useable. On the basis of stepped insulating films, these aspects are fulfilled and will be considered in the first part of this review. Recent results for the epitaxial growth of wide bandgap insulating films (CaF(2), MgO, NaCl, BaSrO) on metallic and semiconducting vicinal substrates (Si(100), Ge(100), Ag(100)) will be presented. The change of the electronic structure, the adsorption behavior as well as the kinetics and energetics of color centers in the presence of steps is discussed. The successful bridging of the gap between the atomic and mesoscopic world, i.e. the functionalization of vicinal surfaces by nanostructures, is demonstrated in the second part by metal adsorption on semiconducting surfaces. For (sub)monolayer coverage these systems have in common that the surface states do not hybridize with the support, i.e. the semiconducting surfaces are insulating. Here I will focus on the latest results of macroscopic transport measurements on Pb quantum wires grown on vicinal Si(111) showing indeed a one-dimensional transport behavior.

Vicinal surfaces for functional nanostructures

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tegenkamp, Christoph

2009-01-01

Vicinal surfaces are currently the focus of research. The regular arrangements of atomic steps on a mesoscopic scale reveal the possibility to functionalize these surfaces for technical applications, e.g. nanowires, catalysts, etc. The steps of the vicinal surface are well-defined defect structures of atomic size for nucleation of low-dimensional nanostructures. The concentration and therefore the coupling between the nanostructures can be tuned over a wide range by simply changing the inclination angle of the substrate. However, the coupling of these nano-objects to the substrate is just as important in controlling their electronic or chemical properties and making a functionality useable. On the basis of stepped insulating films, these aspects are fulfilled and will be considered in the first part of this review. Recent results for the epitaxial growth of wide bandgap insulating films (CaF 2 , MgO, NaCl, BaSrO) on metallic and semiconducting vicinal substrates (Si(100), Ge(100), Ag(100)) will be presented. The change of the electronic structure, the adsorption behavior as well as the kinetics and energetics of color centers in the presence of steps is discussed. The successful bridging of the gap between the atomic and mesoscopic world, i.e. the functionalization of vicinal surfaces by nanostructures, is demonstrated in the second part by metal adsorption on semiconducting surfaces. For (sub)monolayer coverage these systems have in common that the surface states do not hybridize with the support, i.e. the semiconducting surfaces are insulating. Here I will focus on the latest results of macroscopic transport measurements on Pb quantum wires grown on vicinal Si(111) showing indeed a one-dimensional transport behavior. (topical review)

An effective hydrothermal route for the synthesis of multiple PDDA-protected noble-metal nanostructures.

Science.gov (United States)

Chen, Hongjun; Wang, Yuling; Dong, Shaojun

2007-12-10

In this article, we demonstrate an effective hydrothermal route for the synthesis of multiple PDDA-protected (PDDA = poly(diallyl dimethylammonium) chloride) noble-metal (including silver, platinum, palladium, and gold) nanostructures in the absence of any seeds and surfactants, in which PDDA, an ordinary and water-soluble polyelectrolyte, acts as both a reducing and a stabilizing agent. Under optimal experimental conditions, Ag nanocubes, Pt and Pd nanopolyhedrons, and Au nanoplates can be obtained, which were characterized by transmission electron microscopy , scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. More importantly, the nanostructures synthesized show potential applications in surface-enhanced Raman scattering and electrocatalysis, in which Ag nanocubes and Pt nanopolyhedrons were chosen as the examples, respectively.

Crystallization of Zr<sub>2sub>Pd_xCu>1-xsub> and Zr<sub>2sub>Ni_xCu>1-xsub> Metallic Glass

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Xu, Min [Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA (United States)

2008-01-01

One interesting aspect of rretallic glasses is the numerous instances of the deviation of the phase selection from the amorphous state to thermodynamically stable phases during the crystallization process. Their devitrification pathways allow us to study the relationship between the original amorphous structure and their crystalline counter parts. Among the various factors of phase selections, size and electronic effects have been most extensively studied. Elucidating the phase selection process of a glassy alloy will be helpful to fill in the puzzle of the changes from disordered to ordered structures. In this thesis, Two model Zr<sub>2sub>Pd_xCu>1-xsub> and Zr<sub>2sub>Ni_xCu>1-xsub> (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1) glassy systems were investigated since: (1) All of the samples can be made into a homogenous metallic glass; (2) The atomic radii differ from Pd to Cu is by 11%, while Ni has nearly the identical atomic size compare to Cu. Moreover, Pd and Ni differ by only one valence electron from Cu. Thus, these systems are ideal to test the idea of the effects of electronic structure and size factors; (3) The small number of components in these pseudo binary systems readily lend themselves to theoretical modeling. Using high temperature X-ray diffraction (HTXRD) and thermal analysis, topological, size, electronic, bond and chemical distribution factors on crystallization selections in Zr<sub>2sub>Pd_xCu>1-xsub> and Zr<sub>2sub>Ni_xCu>1-xsub> metallic glass have been explored. All Zr<sub>2sub>Pd_xCu>1-xsub> compositions share the same Cu11b phase with different pathways of meta-stable, icosahedral quasicrystalline phase (i-phase), and C16 phase formations. The quasicrystal phase formation is topologically related to the increasing icosahedral short range order (SRO) with Pd content in Zr<sub>2sub>Pd_xCu>1-xsub> system. Meta-stable C16 phase is competitive with

Enhancement of chitosan-graphene oxide SPR sensor with a multi-metallic layers of Au–Ag–Au nanostructure for lead(II) ion detection

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)