First-principles study of size-, surface- and mechanical strain-dependent electronic properties of wurtzite and zinc-blende InSb nanowires

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang, Yong [School of Mathematics, Physics and Energy Engineering, Hunan Institute of Technology, Hengyang 421002 (China); Xie, Zhong-Xiang, E-mail: xiezxhu@163.com [School of Mathematics, Physics and Energy Engineering, Hunan Institute of Technology, Hengyang 421002 (China); Yu, Xia; Wang, Hai-Bin; Deng, Yuan-Xiang [School of Mathematics, Physics and Energy Engineering, Hunan Institute of Technology, Hengyang 421002 (China); Ning, Feng, E-mail: fning@gxtc.edu.cn [College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Guangxi Teachers Education University, Nanning 530001 (China)

2016-08-06

Using first-principle calculations with density functional theory, we investigated the modification of electronic properties in zinc-blende (ZB) and wurtzite (WZ) InSb nanowires (NWs) grown along the [111] and [0001] directions for different size, different surface coverage and different mechanical strain. The results show that before the surface passivation, ZBNWs and WZNWs exhibit the metallic character and the semiconductor character, respectively. WZNWs show a crossover from a direct to an indirect as diameter decreases. After the surface passivation, both ZBNWs and WZNWs are found to be direct-gap character. The electronic band structure shows a significant response to changes in surface passivation with pseudo hydrogen and halogen. The band structure with mechanical strain is strongly dependent on the crystal orientation and the NW diameter. In ZBNWs, compressive strain induces the indirect band gap character, whereas tensile strain can not form it. WZNWs have various strain dependence in that both compressive and tensile strain make InSb show a direct band gap character. A brief analysis of these results is given. - Highlights: • InSb nanowires with different surfaces can show the different band structures. • Band gap magnitude of InSb nanowires depends on the suppression of surface states. • Different types of mechanical strains show the different effect on the band structure of the InSb nanowires.

Synthesis of [100] Wurtzite InN Nanowires and [011] Zinc-Blende InN Nanorods

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chao, Nie; Rong, Zhang; Zi-Li, Xie; Xiang-Qiang, Xiu; Bin, Liu; De-Yi, Fu; Qi-Jia, Liu; Ping, Han; Shu-Lin, Gu; Yi, Shi; You-Dou, Zheng

2008-01-01

One-dimensional wurtzite InN nanowires and zincblende InN nanorods are prepared by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) method on natural cleavage plane (110) of GaAs. The growth direction of InN nanowires is [100], with wurtzite structure. The stable crystal structure of InN is wurtzite (w-InN), zincblende structure (z-InN) is only reported for 2D InN crystals before. However, in this work, the zincblende InN nanorods [011] are synthesized and characterized. The SEM and TEM images show that every nanorod shapes a conical tip, which can be explained by the anisotropy of growth process and the theory of Ehrlich–Schwoebel barrier. (condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties)

Stability of the Wurtzite Structure

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Lawætz, Peter

1972-01-01

An analysis of available data for 20 wurtzite compounds of the ANB8-N type shows that the stability as compared with zinc blende is closely connected with deviations of the c / a ratio from the ideal value of 1.633. A simple qualitative model is proposed to account for this feature. The variation...... in c / a is then correlated with the charge parameter ZC / ℏωp, where Z is the (effective) valence, C Phillips's electronegativity difference, and ℏωp the plasma energy of the free-valence-electron gas. The results indicate that c / a may be predicted with an uncertainty of 0.1%....

Formation of cellular films consisting of wurtzite-type zinc oxide nanosheets by mediation of phosphate anions

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yamabi, Satoshi; Yahiro, Junko; Iwai, Satoko; Imai, Hiroaki

2005-01-01

We successfully prepared a wide variety of wurtzite-type zinc oxide films exhibiting columnar, cellular and densely packed morphologies in a simple aqueous solution system containing phosphate anions. As the phosphate concentration increased, the shape of crystalline units composing the films varied from hexagonal needles into seaweed-like sheets. A novel type of open cellular structures was obtained by assembly of nanoscale zinc oxide sheets covered with phosphate. Specific adsorption of phosphate anions on (001) of the wurtzite-type crystal flattened the crystal grains, and then induced the structural evolution into a cellular form. A blue shift of the absorption edge suggested that the quantum size effect occurred in the nanoscale platy crystals composing the cellular films

Unit cell parameters of wurtzite InP nanowires determined by x-ray diffraction.

Science.gov (United States)

Kriegner, D; Wintersberger, E; Kawaguchi, K; Wallentin, J; Borgström, M T; Stangl, J

2011-10-21

High resolution x-ray diffraction is used to study the structural properties of the wurtzite polytype of InP nanowires. Wurtzite InP nanowires are grown by metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy using S-doping. From the evaluation of the Bragg peak position we determine the lattice parameters of the wurtzite InP nanowires. The unit cell dimensions are found to differ from the ones expected from geometric conversion of the cubic bulk InP lattice constant. The atomic distances along the c direction are increased whereas the atomic spacing in the a direction is reduced in comparison to the corresponding distances in the zinc-blende phase. Using core/shell nanowires with a thin core and thick nominally intrinsic shells we are able to determine the lattice parameters of wurtzite InP with a negligible influence of the S-doping due to the much larger volume in the shell. The determined material properties will enable the ab initio calculation of electronic and optical properties of wurtzite InP nanowires.

Synthesis and photoluminescence of a full zinc blende phase ZnO nanorod array

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhou Shaomin; Gong Hechun; Zhang Bin; Du Zuliang; Zhang Xingtang; Wu Sixin

2008-01-01

A single-crystalline ZnO nanorod array with rectangular cross-sections has been synthesized, in which the as-obtained products are a complete metastable zinc blende (ZB) phase. X-ray powder diffraction, electron microscopy, and elemental maps have been used to show that the ZB-ZnO samples have a lattice constant a = 4.580 A, and are free from contamination by hexagonal wurtzite (HW) ZnO. Based on our experimental data, the associated growth mechanism is tentatively suggested. In addition, the photoluminescence (PL) spectrum (about 400 nm (3.1 eV)) of the as-fabricated ZB-ZnO products was detected; this is the first experimental report of the optical properties of ZB-ZnO nanorod arrays

Femtosecond Laser-Induced Formation of Wurtzite Phase ZnSe Nanoparticles in Air

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Hsuan I Wang

2012-01-01

Full Text Available We demonstrate an effective method to prepare wurtzite phase ZnSe nanoparticles from zincblende ZnSe single crystal using femtosecond pulse laser ablation. The fabricated ZnSe nanoparticles are in spherical shape and uncontaminated while synthesized under ambient environment. By controlling the laser fluences, the average size of ZnSe nanoparticles can be varied from ~16 nm to ~22 nm in diameter. In Raman spectra, the surface phonon mode becomes dominant in the smaller average particle size with uniform size distribution. The interesting phase transition from the zinc blende structure of ZnSe single crystal to wurtzite structure of ZnSe nanoparticles may have been induced by the ultrahigh ablation pressure at the local area due to the sudden injection of high energy leading to solid-solid transition.

Half-metallic zinc-blende pnictides in real environments

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shi Lijie; Liu Banggui

2005-01-01

The structural stability of half-metallic zinc-blende pnictides and the robustness of their half-metallic ferromagnetism in the presence of tetragonal and orthorhombic crystalline deformations are studied using a full-potential linear augmented plane wave method within the density-functional theory. The total energies of zinc-blende MnAs, CrAs, and CrSb are proved to increase with deformation increase, in contrast to those of other zinc-blende half-metallic pnictides, and therefore these three are stable against the deformations but the others are not. This is consistent with the experimental fact that only these three have been fabricated. On the other hand, the half-metallic ferromagnetism of the latter two is proved to be robust enough to survive large crystal deformations. This implies that half-metallic ferromagnetism may be achieved experimentally even in substantially deformed zinc-blende ultrathin films or layers of CrAs and CrSb in real environments

Band gaps of wurtzite Sc{sub x}Ga{sub 1−x}N alloys

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tsui, H. C. L.; Moram, M. A. [Department of Materials, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ (United Kingdom); Goff, L. E. [Department of Materials, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ (United Kingdom); Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE (United Kingdom); Rhode, S. K. [Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS (United Kingdom); Pereira, S. [CICECO and Dept. Physics, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro (Portugal); Beere, H. E.; Farrer, I.; Nicoll, C. A.; Ritchie, D. A. [Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE (United Kingdom)

2015-03-30

Optical transmittance measurements on epitaxial, phase-pure, wurtzite-structure Sc{sub x}Ga{sub 1−x}N films with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.26 showed that their direct optical band gaps increased from 3.33 eV to 3.89 eV with increasing x, in agreement with theory. These films contained I{sub 1}- and I{sub 2}-type stacking faults. However, the direct optical band gaps decreased from 3.37 eV to 3.26 eV for Sc{sub x}Ga{sub 1−x}N films, which additionally contained nanoscale lamellar inclusions of the zinc-blende phase, as revealed by aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy. Therefore, we conclude that the apparent reduction in Sc{sub x}Ga{sub 1−x}N band gaps with increasing x is an artefact resulting from the presence of nanoscale zinc-blende inclusions.

Growth of wurtzite CdTe nanowires on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass substrates and room-temperature bandgap parameter determination

Science.gov (United States)

Choi, Seon Bin; Song, Man Suk; Kim, Yong

2018-04-01

The growth of CdTe nanowires, catalyzed by Sn, was achieved on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass by physical vapor transport. CdTe nanowires grew along the 〈0001〉 direction, with a very rare and phase-pure wurtzite structure, at 290 °C. CdTe nanowires grew under Te-limited conditions by forming SnTe nanostructures in the catalysts and the wurtzite structure was energetically favored. By polarization-dependent and power-dependent micro-photoluminescence measurements of individual nanowires, heavy and light hole-related transitions could be differentiated, and the fundamental bandgap of wurtzite CdTe at room temperature was determined to be 1.562 eV, which was 52 meV higher than that of zinc-blende CdTe. From the analysis of doublet photoluminescence spectra, the valence band splitting energy between heavy hole and light hole bands was estimated to be 43 meV.

Chemical substitution of Cd ions by Hg in CdSe nanorods and nanodots: Spectroscopic and structural examination

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Prudnikau, Anatol; Artemyev, Mikhail; Molinari, Michael; Troyon, Michel; Sukhanova, Alyona; Nabiev, Igor; Baranov, Alexandr V.; Cherevkov, Sergey A.; Fedorov, Anatoly V.

2012-01-01

Highlights: ► We studied cadmium-by-mercury chemical substitution in CdSe nanocrystals. ► Zinc blende CdSe quantum dots can be easily converted to isostructural Cd x Hg 1−x Se. ► Wurtzite CdSe QDs require longer time to convert to a zinc blende Cd x Hg 1−x Se. ► Wurtzite CdSe nanorods transform to nanoheterogeneous luminescent Cd x Hg 1−x Se rods. - Abstract: The chemical substitution of cadmium by mercury in colloidal CdSe quantum dots (QDs) and nanorods has been examined by absorption, photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy. The crystalline structure of original CdSe QDs used for Cd/Hg substitution (zinc blende versus wurtzite) shows a strong impact on the optical and structural properties of resultant Cd x Hg 1−x Se nanocrystals. Substitution of Cd by Hg in isostructural zinc blende CdSe QDs converts them to ternary Cd x Hg 1−x Se zinc blende nanocrystals with significant NIR emission. Whereas, the wurtzite CdSe QDs transformed first to ternary nanocrystals with almost no emission followed by slow structural reorganization to a NIR-emitting zinc blende Cd x Hg 1−x Se QDs. CdSe nanorods with intrinsic wurtzite structure show unexpectedly intense NIR emission even at early Cd/Hg substitution stage with PL active zinc blende Cd x Hg 1−x Se regions.

Half-metallic ferromagnetism with low magnetic moment in zinc-blende TiBi from first-principles calculations

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chen, Zhi-Yuan; Xu, Bin; Gao, G.Y.

2013-01-01

The structural, electronic and magnetic properties of zinc-blende TiBi are investigated by using the first-principles full-potential linearized augmented plane-wave method. It is found that zinc-blende TiBi exhibits half-metallic ferromagnetism with the energy gap of 1.39 eV in the minority-spin channel. The calculated total magnetic moment of 1.00 µ B per formula unit mainly originates from the Ti atom. We also show that the half-metallicity of zinc-blende TiBi can be maintained up to 3% compression and 5% expansion of lattice constant with respect to the equilibrium lattice, and zinc-blende TiBi is still half-metallic when the spin–orbit coupling is considered. The robust half-metallicity and low magnetic moment make zinc-blende TiBi a potential candidate for spintronic applications. - Highlights: • Half-metallic ferromagnetism in zinc-blende TiBi. • Zinc-blende TiBi has low magnetic moment of 1.00 µ B /f.u. • Spin–orbit coupling does not destroy the half-metallicity of zinc-blende TiBi

High-phase-purity zinc-blende InN on r-plane sapphire substrate with controlled nitridation pretreatment

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hsiao, C.-L.; Wu, C.-T.; Hsu, H.-C.; Hsu, G.-M.; Chen, L.-C.; Liu, T.-W.; Shiao, W.-Y.; Yang, C. C.; Gaellstroem, Andreas; Holtz, Per-Olof; Chen, C.-C.; Chen, K.-H.

2008-01-01

High-phase-purity zinc-blende (zb) InN thin film has been grown by plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy on r-plane sapphire substrate pretreated with nitridation. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the phase of the InN films changes from wurtzite (w) InN to a mixture of w-InN and zb-InN, to zb-InN with increasing nitridation time. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy reveals an ultrathin crystallized interlayer produced by substrate nitridation, which plays an important role in controlling the InN phase. Photoluminescence emission of zb-InN measured at 20 K shows a peak at a very low energy, 0.636 eV, and an absorption edge at ∼0.62 eV is observed at 2 K, which is the lowest bandgap reported to date among the III-nitride semiconductors

Half-metallic ferromagnetism in Cu-doped zinc-blende ZnO from first principles study

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Li, X.F.; Zhang, J.; Xu, B.; Yao, K.L.

2012-01-01

Electronic structures and magnetism of Cu-doped zinc-blende ZnO have been investigated by the first-principle method based on density functional theory (DFT). The results show that Cu can induce stable ferromagnetic ground state. The magnetic moment of supercell including single Cu atom is 1.0 μ B . Electronic structure shows that Cu-doped zinc-blende ZnO is a p-type half-metallic ferromagnet. The half-metal property is mainly attribute to the crystal field splitting of Cu 3d orbital, and the ferromagnetism is dominated by the hole-mediated double exchange mechanism. Therefore, Cu-doped zinc-blende ZnO should be useful in semiconductor spintronics and other applications. - Highlights: → Magnetism of Cu-doped zinc-blende ZnO. → Cu-doped zinc-blende ZnO shows interesting half-metal character. → Total energies calculations reveal that Cu can induce ferromagnetic ground state. → Ferromagnetism dominated by the hole-mediated double exchange mechanism.

Surface half-metallicity and stability of zinc-blende sodium monoselenide

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tabatabaeifar, A.; Davatolhagh, S.; Moradi, M.

2017-01-01

Highlights: • Density functional study reveals. • Robust half-metallicity of zinc-blende NaSe (001) surfaces. • Stable against phase separation as indicated by negative formation energy. • Magnetically stable at room temperature because of high Curie temperature. • Surfaces are stable as indicated by low surface energies. • Therefore, zinc-blende NaSe promising candidate as spin injection material. - Abstract: The electronic structure and magnetic properties of relaxed (001) surfaces of the sp-electron half-metallic ferromagnet NaSe in the zinc-blende phase, are calculated on the basis of first principle density functional theory within the framework of self-consistent field plane wave pseudo-potential method, using the generalized gradient approximation for the exchange-correlation functional. The results of this study reveal that both Na- and Se-terminated surfaces retain the robust bulk half-metallic property. The negative value found for the bulk formation energy indicates that this material is stable against phase separation. We also obtain the surface energies and discuss their stability via the calculated bulk formation energy. The Curie temperature is estimated to be 920 K within mean field approximation, which is well above the room temperature. In the light of the above, zinc-blende NaSe appears to be a good candidate for spintronic applications as spin injection material.

Half-metallicity of zinc blend YSi and YSi/CdTe interfaces: By modified Becke–Johnson density functional calculations

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fan, S.W.; Li, W.B.; Yang, L.; Huang, X.P.; Ding, L.J.; Yao, K.L.

2015-01-01

Abstracts: Utilizing the full potential linearized augment plane wave method with the modified Becke–Johnson potential, the half-metallicity and electronic structures of zinc blend YSi and YSi/CdTe interfaces were investigated. Calculations show the equilibrium lattice parameter for zinc blend YSi is 6.57 Angstrom, which is good compatibility with CdTe. Under theoretical equilibrium lattice parameters, zinc blend YSi is a half-metallic ferromagnet. The total magnetic moment is 1.00 μ B per cell. Electronic structures show the half-metallic gap is 0.391 eV and p-d hybridization mechanism plays a crucial role in forming half-metallic ferromagnetism. Half-metallic ferromagnetism preserved in YSi/CdTe interfaces implies CdTe would be a promising substrate for epitaxial growth zinc blend YSi films. Negative cohesive energy and heat of formation indicate zinc blend YSi could be fabricated experimentally. - Highlights: • Zinc blend YSi is good compatibility with CdTe. • Zinc blend YSi is a half-metallic ferromagnet with 0.391 eV half-metallic gap. • Negative cohesive energy and heat of formation indicate YSi could be synthesized. • Half-metallicity for YSi/CdTe slabs shows CdTe could be used to fabricate YSi film

Half-metallicity of zinc blend YSi and YSi/CdTe interfaces: By modified Becke–Johnson density functional calculations

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fan, S.W., E-mail: fansw1129@126.com [Department of Physics, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002 (China); Li, W.B. [School of Physics and Chemistry, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454000 (China); Yang, L.; Huang, X.P.; Ding, L.J. [Department of Physics, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002 (China); Yao, K.L. [School of Physics and Wuhan National High Magnetic Field Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074 (China)

2015-08-01

Abstracts: Utilizing the full potential linearized augment plane wave method with the modified Becke–Johnson potential, the half-metallicity and electronic structures of zinc blend YSi and YSi/CdTe interfaces were investigated. Calculations show the equilibrium lattice parameter for zinc blend YSi is 6.57 Angstrom, which is good compatibility with CdTe. Under theoretical equilibrium lattice parameters, zinc blend YSi is a half-metallic ferromagnet. The total magnetic moment is 1.00 μ{sub B} per cell. Electronic structures show the half-metallic gap is 0.391 eV and p-d hybridization mechanism plays a crucial role in forming half-metallic ferromagnetism. Half-metallic ferromagnetism preserved in YSi/CdTe interfaces implies CdTe would be a promising substrate for epitaxial growth zinc blend YSi films. Negative cohesive energy and heat of formation indicate zinc blend YSi could be fabricated experimentally. - Highlights: • Zinc blend YSi is good compatibility with CdTe. • Zinc blend YSi is a half-metallic ferromagnet with 0.391 eV half-metallic gap. • Negative cohesive energy and heat of formation indicate YSi could be synthesized. • Half-metallicity for YSi/CdTe slabs shows CdTe could be used to fabricate YSi film.

Low-temperature solution-processed zinc oxide field effect transistor by blending zinc hydroxide and zinc oxide nanoparticle in aqueous solutions

Science.gov (United States)

Shin, Hyeonwoo; Kang, Chan-mo; Baek, Kyu-Ha; Kim, Jun Young; Do, Lee-Mi; Lee, Changhee

2018-05-01

We present a novel methods of fabricating low-temperature (180 °C), solution-processed zinc oxide (ZnO) transistors using a ZnO precursor that is blended with zinc hydroxide [Zn(OH)2] and zinc oxide hydrate (ZnO • H2O) in an ammonium solution. By using the proposed method, we successfully improved the electrical performance of the transistor in terms of the mobility (μ), on/off current ratio (I on/I off), sub-threshold swing (SS), and operational stability. Our new approach to forming a ZnO film was systematically compared with previously proposed methods. An atomic forced microscopic (AFM) image and an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis showed that our method increases the ZnO crystallite size with less OH‑ impurities. Thus, we attribute the improved electrical performance to the better ZnO film formation using the blending methods.

Crystal Structures of GaN Nanodots by Nitrogen Plasma Treatment on Ga Metal Droplets

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Yang-Zhe Su

2018-06-01

Full Text Available Gallium nitride (GaN is one of important functional materials for optoelectronics and electronics. GaN exists both in equilibrium wurtzite and metastable zinc-blende structural phases. The zinc-blende GaN has superior electronic and optical properties over wurtzite one. In this report, GaN nanodots can be fabricated by Ga metal droplets in ultra-high vacuum and then nitridation by nitrogen plasma. The size, shape, density, and crystal structure of GaN nanodots can be characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The growth parameters, such as pre-nitridation treatment on Si surface, substrate temperature, and plasma nitridation time, affect the crystal structure of GaN nanodots. Higher thermal energy could provide the driving force for the phase transformation of GaN nanodots from zinc-blende to wurtzite structures. Metastable zinc-blende GaN nanodots can be synthesized by the surface modification of Si (111 by nitrogen plasma, i.e., the pre-nitridation treatment is done at a lower growth temperature. This is because the pre-nitridation process can provide a nitrogen-terminal surface for the following Ga droplet formation and a nitrogen-rich condition for the formation of GaN nanodots during droplet epitaxy. The pre-nitridation of Si substrates, the formation of a thin SiNx layer, could inhibit the phase transformation of GaN nanodots from zinc-blende to wurtzite phases. The pre-nitridation treatment also affects the dot size, density, and surface roughness of samples.

Sodium lauryl sulfate impedes drug release from zinc-crosslinked alginate beads: switching from enteric coating release into biphasic profiles.

Science.gov (United States)

Taha, Mutasem O; Nasser, Wissam; Ardakani, Adel; Alkhatib, Hatim S

2008-02-28

The aim of this research is to investigate the effects of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) on ionotropically cross-linked alginate beads. Different levels of SLS were mixed with sodium alginate and chlorpheniramine maleate (as loaded model drug). The resulting viscous solutions were dropped onto aqueous solutions of zinc or calcium ions for ionotropic curing. The generated beads were assessed by their drug releasing profiles, infrared and differential scanning colorimetery (DSC) traits. SLS was found to exert profound concentration-dependent impacts on the characteristics of zinc-crosslinked alginate beads such that moderate modifications in the levels of SLS switched drug release from enteric coating-like behavior to a biphasic release modifiable to sustained-release by the addition of minute amounts of xanthan gum. Calcium cross-linking failed to reproduce the same behavior, probably due to the mainly ionic nature of calcium-carboxylate bonds compared to the coordinate character of their zinc-carboxylate counterparts. Apparently, moderate levels of SLS repel water penetration into the beads, and therefore minimize chlorpheniramine release. However, higher SLS levels seem to discourage polymeric cross-linking and therefore allow biphasic drug release.

Electronic properties of III-nitride semiconductors: A first-principles investigation using the Tran-Blaha modified Becke-Johnson potential

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Araujo, Rafael B.; Almeida, J. S. de; Ferreira da Silva, A.

2013-01-01

In this work, we use density functional theory to investigate the influence of semilocal exchange and correlation effects on the electronic properties of III-nitride semiconductors considering zinc-blende and wurtzite crystal structures. We find that the inclusion of such effects through the use of the Tran-Blaha modified Becke-Johnson potential yields an excellent description of the electronic structures of these materials giving energy band gaps which are systematically larger than the ones obtained with standard functionals such as the generalized gradient approximation. The discrepancy between the experimental and theoretical band gaps is then significantly reduced with semilocal exchange and correlation effects. However, the effective masses are overestimated in the zinc-blende nitrides, but no systematic trend is found in the wurtzite compounds. New results for energy band gaps and effective masses of zinc-blende and wurtzite indium nitrides are presented

Structural evolution of self-assisted GaAs nanowires grown on Si(111)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Biermanns, Andreas; Davydok, Anton; Pietsch, Ullrich [University of Siegen, Solid State Physics Group, Walter-Flex-Str. 3, 57072 Siegen (Germany); Breuer, Steffen; Geelhaar, Lutz [Paul-Drude-Institut fuer Festkoerperelektronik, Hausvogteiplatz 5-7, 10117 Berlin (Germany)

2011-04-15

GaAs nanowires are grown on Si(111) by self-assisted molecular beam epitaxy, and the ratio between wurtzite and zinc-blende phases is determined as function of nanowire length using asymmetric X-ray diffraction. We show that under the applied growth conditions, nanowires grow in both phases during the initial stage of growth, whereas the zinc-blende content increases with growth time and dominates in long nanowires. Compared to the zinc-blende units, the vertical lattice parameter of the wurtzite segments is 0.7% larger, as measured by the positions of respective diffraction peaks. (copyright 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)

Effects of Dietary Zinc Oxide and a Blend of Organic Acids on Broiler Live Performance, Carcass Traits, and Serum Parameters

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

BG Sarvari

2015-12-01

Full Text Available ABSTRACT This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of different dietary supplementation levels of zinc oxide and of an organic acid blend on broiler performance, carcass traits, and serum parameters. A total of 2400 one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks, with average initial body weight 44.21±0.19g, was distributed according to a completely randomized design in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement. Six treatments, consisting of diets containing two zinc oxide levels (0 and 0.01% of the diet and three organic acid blend levels (0, 0.15, and 0.30% were applied, with eight replicates of 50 birds each. The experimental diets were supplied ad libitum for 42 days. There were significant performance differences among birds fed the different zinc oxide and organic acid blend levels until 42 d of age (p<0.01. The result of this experiment showed that the organic acid blend did not affect feed intake, but zinc oxide increased feed intake. Carcass traits were not influenced by the experimental supplements. Zinc oxide supplementation increased serum alkaline phosphatase level (p<0.01. The organic acid blend reduced serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels (p<0.05. No interactions were found between zinc oxide and the organic acid blend for none of the evaluated parameters. We concluded that zinc oxide and the evaluated organic acid blend improve broiler performance.

Twins and strain relaxation in zinc-blende GaAs nanowires grown on silicon

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Piñero, J.C., E-mail: josecarlos.pinero@uca.es [Dpto. Ciencias de los Materiales, Universidad de Cádiz, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz (Spain); Araújo, D.; Pastore, C.E.; Gutierrez, M. [Dpto. Ciencias de los Materiales, Universidad de Cádiz, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz (Spain); Frigeri, C. [Istituto CNR-IMEM Parco Area delle Scienze 37/A, Fontanini, 43010, Parma (Italy); Benali, A.; Lelièvre, J.F.; Gendry, M. [INL-Institut des Nanotechnologies de Lyon, UMR 5270 Ecole Centrale de Lyon 36, Avenue Guy de Collongue, 69134, Ecully Cedex (France)

2017-02-15

Highlights: • A TEM-HREM study of GaAs nanowires, growth over Si, is presented. • Misfit dislocations are detected in the Si/GaAs magma interface. • The study demonstrates strain relaxation through twin formation in some nanowires. - Abstract: To integrate materials with large lattice mismatch as GaAs on silicon (Si) substrate, one possible approach, to improve the GaAs crystalline quality, is to use nanowires (NWs) technology. In the present contribution, NWs are grown on <111> oriented Si substrates by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) using vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses show that NWs are mainly grown alternating wurtzite and zinc blend (ZB) phases, and only few are purely ZB. On the latter, High Resolution Electron Microscopy (HREM) evidences the presence of twins near the surface of the NW showing limited concordance with the calculations of Yuan (2013) [1], where {111} twin planes in a <111>-oriented GaAs NW attain attractive interactions mediated by surface strain. In addition, such twins allow slight strain relaxation and are probably induced by the local huge elastic strain observed by HREM in the lattice between the twin and the surface. The latter is attributed to some slight bending of the NW as shown by the inversion of the strain from one side to the other side of the NW.

Structural properties of III-V zinc-blende semiconductors under pressure

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Froyen, S.; Cohen, M.L.

1983-01-01

The pseudopotential method within the local-density approximation is used to investigate the static and structural properties of some III-V compound semiconductors. Comparisons of calculated total energies as a function of volume and structure yield information about solid-solid phase transformations. At high pressures the results indicate that several metallic structures are lower in energy than the zinc-blende structure. From our results the compounds (AlP, AlAs, GaP, and GaAs) can be divided into two classes. In the Ga compounds, we find a pressure-induced phase transformation to either rocksalt, β-Sn, or NiAs, whereas in the Al compounds rocksalt and NiAs are stabilized with respect to β-Sn. All structures except zinc blende are metallic. We discuss the electronic structure of each phase and show how it relates to structural stability

New transformation mechanism for a zinc-blende to rocksalt phase transformation in MgS

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Durandurdu, Murat

2009-01-01

The stability of the zinc-blende structured MgS is studied using a constant pressure ab initio molecular dynamics technique. A phase transition into a rocksalt structure is observed through the simulation. The zinc-blende to rocksalt phase transformation proceeds via two rhombohedral intermediate phases within R3m (No:160) and R3-barm (No:166) symmetries and does not involve any bond breaking. This mechanism is different from the previously observed mechanism in molecular dynamics simulations. (fast track communication)

Growth of cubic InN on r-plane sapphire

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cimalla, V.; Pezoldt, J.; Ecke, G.; Kosiba, R.; Ambacher, O.; Spiess, L.; Teichert, G.; Lu, H.; Schaff, W.J.

2003-01-01

InN has been grown directly on r-plane sapphire substrates by plasma-enhanced molecular-beam epitaxy. X-ray diffraction investigations have shown that the InN layers consist of a predominant zinc blende (cubic) structure along with a fraction of the wurtzite (hexagonal) phase which content increases with proceeding growth. The lattice constant for zinc blende InN was found to be a=4.986 A. For this unusual growth of a metastable cubic phase on a noncubic substrate an epitaxial relationship was proposed where the metastable zinc blende phase grows directly on the r-plane sapphire while the wurtzite phase arises as the special case of twinning in the cubic structure

Size and temperature dependence of the tensile mechanical properties of zinc blende CdSe nanowires

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fu, Bing; Chen, Na; Xie, Yiqun; Ye, Xiang; Gu, Xiao

2013-01-01

The effect of size and temperature on the tensile mechanical properties of zinc blende CdSe nanowires is investigated by all atoms molecular dynamic simulation. We found the ultimate tensile strength and Young's modulus will decrease as the temperature and size of the nanowire increase. The size and temperature dependence are mainly attributed to surface effect and thermally elongation effect. High reversibility of tensile behavior will make zinc blende CdSe nanowires suitable for building efficient nanodevices.

Polarized and resonant Raman spectroscopy on single InAs nanowires

Science.gov (United States)

Möller, M.; de Lima, M. M., Jr.; Cantarero, A.; Dacal, L. C. O.; Madureira, J. R.; Iikawa, F.; Chiaramonte, T.; Cotta, M. A.

2011-08-01

We report polarized Raman scattering and resonant Raman scattering studies on single InAs nanowires. Polarized Raman experiments show that the highest scattering intensity is obtained when both the incident and analyzed light polarizations are perpendicular to the nanowire axis. InAs wurtzite optical modes are observed. The obtained wurtzite modes are consistent with the selection rules and also with the results of calculations using an extended rigid-ion model. Additional resonant Raman scattering experiments reveal a redshifted E1 transition for InAs nanowires compared to the bulk zinc-blende InAs transition due to the dominance of the wurtzite phase in the nanowires. Ab initio calculations of the electronic band structure for wurtzite and zinc-blende InAs phases corroborate the observed values for the E1 transitions.

Anisotropic formation and distribution of stacking faults in II-VI semiconductor nanorods.

Science.gov (United States)

Hughes, Steven M; Alivisatos, A Paul

2013-01-09

Nanocrystals of cadmium selenide exhibit a form of polytypism with stable forms in both the wurtzite and zinc blende crystal structures. As a result, wurtzite nanorods of cadmium selenide tend to form stacking faults of zinc blende along the c-axis. These faults were found to preferentially form during the growth of the (001) face, which accounts for 40% of the rod's total length. Since II-VI semiconductor nanorods lack inversion symmetry along the c-axis of the particle, the two ends of the nanorod may be identified by this anisotropic distribution of faults.

Fluorescence extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis of half-metallic ferromagnet 'zinc-blende CrAs' grown on GaAs by molecular beam epitaxy

CERN Document Server

Ofuchi, H; Ono, K; Oshima, M; Akinaga, H; Manago, T

2003-01-01

In this work, geometric structures for a half-metallic ferromagnet 'zinc-blende CrAs', which showed ferromagnetic behavior beyond room temperature, were investigated using fluorescence extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurement. The EXAFS measurements revealed that As atoms around Cr atoms in the 2 nm CrAs film grown on a GaAs(0 0 1) substrate were coordinated tetrahedrally, indicating formation of zinc-blende CrAs. The Cr-As bond length in the zinc-blende CrAs is 2.49 A. This value is close to that which was estimated from the lattice constant (5.82 A) of ferromagnetic zinc-blende CrAs calculated by full-potential linearized augmented-plane wave method. The EXAFS analysis show that the theoretically predicted zinc-blende CrAs can be fabricated on GaAs(0 0 1) substrate by low-temperature molecular-beam epitaxy.

Fluorescence extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis of half-metallic ferromagnet 'zinc-blende CrAs' grown on GaAs by molecular beam epitaxy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ofuchi, H.; Mizuguchi, M.; Ono, K.; Oshima, M.; Akinaga, H.; Manago, T.

2003-01-01

In this work, geometric structures for a half-metallic ferromagnet 'zinc-blende CrAs', which showed ferromagnetic behavior beyond room temperature, were investigated using fluorescence extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurement. The EXAFS measurements revealed that As atoms around Cr atoms in the 2 nm CrAs film grown on a GaAs(0 0 1) substrate were coordinated tetrahedrally, indicating formation of zinc-blende CrAs. The Cr-As bond length in the zinc-blende CrAs is 2.49 A. This value is close to that which was estimated from the lattice constant (5.82 A) of ferromagnetic zinc-blende CrAs calculated by full-potential linearized augmented-plane wave method. The EXAFS analysis show that the theoretically predicted zinc-blende CrAs can be fabricated on GaAs(0 0 1) substrate by low-temperature molecular-beam epitaxy

Ab initio molecular dynamics simulation of structural transformation in zinc blende GaN under high pressure

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Xiao, H.Y.; Gao, Fei; Zu, X.T.; Weber, W.J.

2010-01-01

High-pressure induced zinc blende to rocksalt phase transition in GaN has been investigated by ab initio molecular dynamics method to characterize the transformation mechanism at the atomic level. It was shown that at 100 GPa GaN passes through tetragonal and monoclinic states before rocksalt structure is formed. The transformation mechanism is consistent with that for other zinc blende semiconductors obtained from the same method. Detailed structural analysis showed that there is no bond breaking involved in the phase transition.

Compton profiles and band structure calculations of CdS and CdTe

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Heda, N.L.; Mathur, S.; Ahuja, B.L.; Sharma, B.K.

2007-01-01

In this paper we present the isotropic Compton profiles of zinc-blende CdS and CdTe measured at an intermediate resolution of 0.39 a.u. using our 20 Ci 137 Cs Compton spectrometer. The electronic band structure calculations for both the zinc-blende structure compounds and also wurtzite CdS have been undertaken using various schemes of ab-initio linear combination of atomic orbitals calculations implemented in CRYSTAL03 code. The band structure and Mulliken's populations are reported using density functional scheme. In case of wurtzite CdS, our theoretical anisotropies in directional Compton profiles are compared with available experimental data. In case of both the zinc-blende compounds, the isotropic experimental profiles are found to be in better agreement with the present Hartree-Fock calculations. A study of the equal-valence-electron-density experimental profiles of zinc-blende CdS and CdTe shows that the CdS is more ionic than CdTe. (copyright 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)

Thermal Conductivity of Wurtzite Zinc-Oxide from First-Principles Lattice Dynamics – a Comparative Study with Gallium Nitride

Science.gov (United States)

Wu, Xufei; Lee, Jonghoon; Varshney, Vikas; Wohlwend, Jennifer L.; Roy, Ajit K.; Luo, Tengfei

2016-01-01

Wurtzite Zinc-Oxide (w-ZnO) is a wide bandgap semiconductor that holds promise in power electronics applications, where heat dissipation is of critical importance. However, large discrepancies exist in the literature on the thermal conductivity of w-ZnO. In this paper, we determine the thermal conductivity of w-ZnO using first-principles lattice dynamics and compare it to that of wurtzite Gallium-Nitride (w-GaN) – another important wide bandgap semiconductor with the same crystal structure and similar atomic masses as w-ZnO. However, the thermal conductivity values show large differences (400 W/mK of w-GaN vs. 50 W/mK of w-ZnO at room temperature). It is found that the much lower thermal conductivity of ZnO originates from the smaller phonon group velocities, larger three-phonon scattering phase space and larger anharmonicity. Compared to w-GaN, w-ZnO has a smaller frequency gap in phonon dispersion, which is responsible for the stronger anharmonic phonon scattering, and the weaker interatomic bonds in w-ZnO leads to smaller phonon group velocities. The thermal conductivity of w-ZnO also shows strong size effect with nano-sized grains or structures. The results from this work help identify the cause of large discrepancies in w-ZnO thermal conductivity and will provide in-depth understanding of phonon dynamics for the design of w-ZnO-based electronics. PMID:26928396

Energy Band Structure Studies Of Zinc-Blende GaAs and InAs ...

African Journals Online (AJOL)

A self-consistent calculation of the structural and electronic properties of zinc blende GaAs and InAs has been carried out. The calculations were done using the full potential-linearized augmented plane wave (FPLAPW) method within the density functional theory (DFT). The exchange-correlation energy used is the ...

Structural and thermomechanical properties of the zinc-blende AlX (X = P, As, Sb) compounds

Science.gov (United States)

Ha, Vu Thi Thanh; Hung, Vu Van; Hanh, Pham Thi Minh; Nguyen, Viet Tuyen; Hieu, Ho Khac

2017-08-01

The structural and thermomechanical properties of zinc-blende aluminum class of III-V compounds have been studied based on the statistical moment method (SMM) in quantum statistical mechanics. Within the SMM scheme, we derived the analytical expressions of the nearest-neighbor distance, thermal expansion coefficient, atomic mean-square displacement and elastic moduli (Young’s modulus, bulk modulus and shear modulus). Numerical calculations have been performed for zinc-blende AlX (X = As, P, Sb) at ambient conditions up to the temperature of 1000 K. Our results are in good and reasonable agreements with earlier measurements and can provide useful references for future experimental and theoretical works. This research presents a systematic approach to investigate the thermodynamic and mechanical properties of materials.

Crystal orientation effects on the piezoelectric field of strained zinc-blende quantum-well structures

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Duggen, Lars; Willatzen, Morten; Lassen, Benny

2008-01-01

direction show important changes in strain and the electric distribution due to piezoelectric effects. The findings indicate the quantitative importance of a fully coupled model even for zinc blende, in particular when discussing electronic band structure and optoelectronic properties....

Molecular beam epitaxial growth and characterization of zinc-blende ZnMgSe on InP (001)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sohel, Mohammad; Munoz, Martin; Tamargo, Maria C.

2004-01-01

High crystalline quality zinc-blende structure Zn (1-x) Mg x Se epitaxial layers were grown on InP (001) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. Their band gap energies were determined as a function of Mg concentration and a linear dependence was observed. The band gap of the Zn (1-x) Mg x Se closely lattice matched to InP was found to be 3.59 eV at 77 K and the extrapolated value for zinc-blende MgSe was determined to be 3.74 eV. Quantum wells of Zn (1-x) Cd x Se with Zn (1-x) Mg x Se as the barrier layer were grown which exhibit near ultraviolet emission

Structural and electronic properties of ScxAl1−xN: First principles study

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Berkok, Houria; Tebboune, Abdelghani; Saim, Asmaa; Belbachir, Ahmed H

2013-01-01

The structural and electronic properties of Sc x Al 1−x N ternary semiconductor alloys are investigated in the rocksalt, zinc blend and wurtzite structures using the full potential linear muffin tin orbitals (FP-LMTO) method. The local density approximation (LDA) was used for the exchange and correlation energy density functional. In particular, the lattice constant, bulk modulus and band gap energies of ScN and AlN compounds and their ternary alloys Sc x Al 1−x N are calculated in rocksalt, zinc blend and wurtzite structures and discussed. A linear relationship has obtained for equilibrium lattice constants versus Sc concentration for rocksalt and zinc blend structures. The band gap is decreased with the increasing of Sc concentration in the rocksalt phase. For ZB-Sc x Al 1−x N, the band gap is the largest one at x=0.25 and changes from indirect to direct when x is more than 0.25

First-principles study on half-metallic zinc-blende CrS and its (001) surface

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Xu, Bin, E-mail: hnsqxb@163.com [Department of Mathematics and Information Sciences, North China university of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou 450011 (China); Chen, Leiming [Zhengzhou Institute of Aeronautical Industry Management, Zhengzhou, 450015 (China)

2016-11-01

Half-metallic magnets with complete (100%) spin polarization have attracted growing interest due to the potential in spintronic applications. In this paper, we use the first-principles calculations to explain the seeming contradiction between the recent experimental ferromagnetism (Demper et al., 2012 [22]) and the previous theoretical antiferromagnetic ground state for half-metallic zinc-blende CrS, and the experimental ferromagnetism of zinc-blende CrS arises from the substrate effect. We also show that both Cr- and S-terminated (001) surfaces of CrS preserve the bulk half-metallicity. The calculated surface energy indicates that the S-terminated (001) surface is more stable than the Cr-terminated (001) surface within the whole effective Cr chemical potentials, and thus the S-terminated (001) surface is more likely than the Cr-terminated (001) surface when the CrS thin films are grown on ZnSe substrate.

Effects of grinding on certain crystalline structures; Influence de broyage sur quelques structures cristallines

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tekiz, Y [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1965-06-15

The effects of grinding on certain crystalline substances (ZnO, ZnS, Sb), have been studied using X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. The treatments were carried out using a vibrating mill which involves a higher energy than more conventional equipment such as ball-mills. Various methods have been proposed for determining the width of the intrinsic profile ({beta}). In the case of zinc oxide it has been shown possible to differentiate the respective contributions of the fragmentation effects and of lattice deformation effects to the overall effects of the grinding. For the two types of zinc sulfide (blend and Wurtzite) it has been shown that the blend-wurtzite) transition point is very much decreased, and that the rate of transformation of wurtzite into the stable form (blend) at room temperature is considerably increased by the grinding. In the case of antimony, the method of fragmentation shows the existence of an anisotropy which appears to be connected with easily cleavable planes. These observations show that in the case of grinding carried out with sufficient energy, the accumulation of this energy in the matter through the creation of lattice defects can accelerate the reaction rate or bring about physical transformations. (author) [French] Les effets du broyage sur certains corps cristallises (ZnO, ZnS, Sb) ont ete etudies a l'aide de la diffraction de rayons X et de la microscopie electronique. Les broyages ont ete effectues au moyen d'un vibro-broyeur qui met en jeu une energie superieure par rapport aux appareils plus conventionnels tels que les broyeurs a boulets. Diverses methodes concernant la determination de la largeur du profil intrinseque ({beta}) ont ete proposees. Dans le cas de l'oxyde de zinc on a montre la possibilite de differencier les contributions de l'effet de fragmentation et celui de perturbation du reseau, a l'effet total du broyage. Avec les deux varietes de sulfure de zinc (blende et Wurtzite) on a montre que le point de

Growth and properties of low-dimensional III-V semiconductor nanowire heterostructures

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Heiss, Martin

2010-08-25

symmetry from cubic zinc-blende to hexagonal wurtzite structure, while the chemical composition of the material remains constant. The GaAs nanowires synthesized with the Au-free technique can be grown under conditions where a statistical wurtzite/zinc-blende polytypism occurs. A novel method for the direct correlation at the nanoscale of structural and optical properties of single GaAs nanowires is developed in order to characterize the resulting statistically distributed quantum heterostructures. Nanowires consisting of {approx}100% wurtzite and nanowires presenting zinc-blende/wurtzite polytypism are studied by photoluminescence spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy. The photoluminescence of wurtzite GaAs is found to be consistent with a bulk wurtzite band gap of 1.50 eV, slightly smaller compared to the zinc-blende GaAs band gap. In the polytypic nanowires, it is shown that the regions that are predominantly composed of either zinc-blende or wurtzite phase show photoluminescence emission close to the according bulk band gaps, while regions composed of a non periodic superlattice of wurtzite and zinc-blende phases exhibit a redshift of the photoluminescence spectra as low as 1.455 eV. The dimensions of the quantum heterostructures are correlated with the light emission, allowing us to estimate the band offsets of {delta}E{sub CB}=53{+-}20 meV and {delta}E{sub VB}=76{+-}12 meV between the two crystalline phases. These results are in excellent agreement with recent theoretical band structure calculations. (orig.)

Photoluminescence study of as-grown vertically standing wurtzite InP nanowire ensembles.

Science.gov (United States)

Iqbal, Azhar; Beech, Jason P; Anttu, Nicklas; Pistol, Mats-Erik; Samuelson, Lars; Borgström, Magnus T; Yartsev, Arkady

2013-03-22

We demonstrate a method that enables the study of photoluminescence of as-grown nanowires on a native substrate by non-destructively suppressing the contribution of substrate photoluminescence. This is achieved by using polarized photo-excitation and photoluminescence and by making an appropriate choice of incident angle of both excitation beam and photoluminescence collection direction. Using TE-polarized excitation at a wavelength of 488 nm at an incident angle of ∼70° we suppress the InP substrate photoluminescence relative to that of the InP nanowires by about 80 times. Consequently, the photoluminescence originating from the nanowires becomes comparable to and easily distinguishable from the substrate photoluminescence. The measured photoluminescence, which peaks at photon energies of ∼1.35 eV and ∼1.49 eV, corresponds to the InP substrate with zinc-blende crystal structure and to the InP nanowires with wurtzite crystal structure, respectively. The photoluminescence quantum yield of the nanowires was found to be ∼20 times lower than that of the InP substrate. The nanowires, grown vertically in a random ensemble, neither exhibit substantial emission polarization selectivity to the axis of the nanowires nor follow excitation polarization preferences observed previously for a single nanowire.

Mechanism of polarization switching in wurtzite-structured zinc oxide thin films

Science.gov (United States)

Konishi, Ayako; Ogawa, Takafumi; Fisher, Craig A. J.; Kuwabara, Akihide; Shimizu, Takao; Yasui, Shintaro; Itoh, Mitsuru; Moriwake, Hiroki

2016-09-01

The properties of a potentially new class of ferroelectric materials based on wurtzite-structured ZnO thin films are examined using the first-principles calculations. Theoretical P-E hysteresis loops were calculated using the fixed-D method for both unstrained and (biaxially) strained single crystals. Ferroelectric polarization switching in ZnO (S.G. P63mc) is shown to occur via an intermediate non-polar structure with centrosymmetric P63/mmc symmetry by displacement of cations relative to anions in the long-axis direction. The calculated coercive electric field (Ec) for polarization switching was estimated to be 7.2 MV/cm for defect-free monocrystalline ZnO. During switching, the short- and long-axis lattice parameters expand and contract, respectively. The large structural distortion required for switching may explain why ferroelectricity in this compound has not been reported experimentally for pure ZnO. Applying an epitaxial tensile strain parallel to the basal plane is shown to be effective in lowering Ec during polarization, with a 5% biaxial expansion resulting in a decrease of Ec to 3.5 MV/cm. Comparison with calculated values for conventional ferroelectric materials suggests that the ferroelectric polarization switching of wurtzite-structured ZnO may be achievable by preparing high-quality ZnO thin films with suitable strain levels and low defect concentrations.

Phase mapping of aging process in InN nanostructures: oxygen incorporation and the role of the zinc blende phase

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gonzalez, D; Lozano, J G; Herrera, M; Morales, F M; GarcIa, R; Ruffenach, S; Briot, O

2010-01-01

Uncapped InN nanostructures undergo a deleterious natural aging process at ambient conditions by oxygen incorporation. The phases involved in this process and their localization is mapped by transmission electron microscopy (TEM)-related techniques. The parent wurtzite InN (InN-w) phase disappears from the surface and gradually forms a highly textured cubic layer that completely wraps up a InN-w nucleus which still remains from the original single-crystalline quantum dots. The good reticular relationships between the different crystals generate low misfit strains and explain the apparent easiness for phase transformations at room temperature and pressure conditions, but also disable the classical methods to identify phases and grains from TEM images. The application of the geometrical phase algorithm in order to form numerical moire mappings and RGB multilayered image reconstructions allows us to discern among the different phases and grains formed inside these nanostructures. Samples aged for shorter times reveal the presence of metastable InN:O zinc blende (zb) volumes, which act as the intermediate phase between the initial InN-w and the most stable cubic In 2 O 3 end phase. These cubic phases are highly twinned with a proportion of 50:50 between both orientations. We suggest that the existence of the intermediate InN:O-zb phase should be seriously considered to understand the reason for the widely scattered reported fundamental properties of thought to be InN-w, as its bandgap or superconductivity.

Advanced Branching Control and Characterization of Inorganic Semiconducting Nanocrystals

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hughes, Steven Michael [Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States)

2007-01-01

The ability to finely tune the size and shape of inorganic semiconducting nanocrystals is an area of great interest, as the more control one has, the more applications will be possible for their use. The first two basic shapes develped in nanocrystals were the sphere and the anistropic nanorod. the II_VI materials being used such as Cadmium Selenide (CdSe) and Cadmium Telluride (CdTe), exhibit polytypism, which allows them to form in either the hexagonally packed wurtzite or cubically packed zinc blende crystalline phase. The nanorods are wurtzite with the length of the rod growing along the c-axis. As this grows, stacking faults may form, which are layers of zinc blende in the otherwise wurtzite crystal. Using this polytypism, though, the first generation of branched crystals were developed in the form of the CdTe tetrapod. This is a nanocrystal that nucleates in the zincblend form, creating a tetrahedral core, on which four wurtzite arms are grown. This structure opened up the possibility of even more complex shapes and applications. This disseration investigates the advancement of branching control and further understanding the materials polytypism in the form of the stacking faults in nanorods.

The steady-state and transient electron transport within bulk zinc-blende indium nitride: The impact of crystal temperature and doping concentration variations

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Siddiqua, Poppy; O'Leary, Stephen K.

2016-01-01

Within the framework of a semi-classical three-valley Monte Carlo electron transport simulation approach, we analyze the steady-state and transient aspects of the electron transport within bulk zinc-blende indium nitride, with a focus on the response to variations in the crystal temperature and the doping concentration. We find that while the electron transport associated with zinc-blende InN is highly sensitive to the crystal temperature, it is not very sensitive to the doping concentration selection. The device consequences of these results are then explored.

Full-zone analysis of relativistic spin splitting at band anticrossings: The case of zinc-blende semiconductors

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Chantis, Athanasios N.; Christensen, Niels Egede; Svane, Axel

2010-01-01

. In the first, the spin splitting is completely suppressed for one of the bands and doubled for the other. In the second, the absolute value of the splitting is markedly enhanced for both bands approaching the magnitude of the hybridization gap. We demonstrate these effects in zinc-blende semiconductors...

The stability and half-metallicity of (001) surface and (001) interface based on zinc blende MnAs

Science.gov (United States)

Han, Hongpei; Feng, Tuanhui; Zhang, Chunli; Feng, Zhibo; Li, Ming; Yao, K. L.

2018-06-01

Motivated by the growth of MnAs/GaAs thin films in many experimental researches, we investigate the electronic and magnetic properties of bulk, (001) surfaces and (001) interfaces for zinc blende MnAs by means of first-principle calculations. It is confirmed that zinc blende MnAs is a nearly half-metallic ferromagnet with 4.00 μB magnetic moment. The calculated density of states show that the half-metallicity exists in As-terminated (001) surface while it is lost in Mn-terminated (001) surface. For the (001) interfaces of MnAs with semiconductor GaAs, it is found that As-Ga and Mn-As interfaces not only have higher spin polarization but also are more stable among the four considered interfaces. Our results would be helpful to grow stable and high polarized thin films or multilayers for the practical applications of spintronic devices.

Lattice-Symmetry-Driven Epitaxy of Hierarchical GaN Nanotripods

KAUST Repository

Wang, Ping; Wang, Xinqiang; Wang, Tao; Tan, Chih Shan; Sheng, Bowen; Sun, Xiaoxiao; Li, Mo; Rong, Xin; Zheng, Xiantong; Chen, Zhaoying; Yang, Xuelin; Xu, Fujun; Qin, Zhixin; Zhang, Jian; Zhang, Xixiang; Shen, Bo

2017-01-01

-resolution transmission electron microscopy confirms that two kinds of lattice-symmetry, wurtzite (wz) and zinc-blende (zb), coexist in the GaN nanotripods. Periodical transformation between wz and zb drives the epitaxy of the hierarchical nanotripods with N

ab initio and experimental investigations

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

19

a Laboratoire de Magnétisme et de Physique des Hautes Energies Département .... ZnO exists in hexagonal wurtzite or cubic zinc blende structures. ..... The determination of lattice parameters, strain and crystallite size has been achieved by.

Effects of grinding on certain crystalline structures

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tekiz, Y.

1965-06-01

The effects of grinding on certain crystalline substances (ZnO, ZnS, Sb), have been studied using X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. The treatments were carried out using a vibrating mill which involves a higher energy than more conventional equipment such as ball-mills. Various methods have been proposed for determining the width of the intrinsic profile (β). In the case of zinc oxide it has been shown possible to differentiate the respective contributions of the fragmentation effects and of lattice deformation effects to the overall effects of the grinding. For the two types of zinc sulfide (blend and Wurtzite) it has been shown that the blend-wurtzite) transition point is very much decreased, and that the rate of transformation of wurtzite into the stable form (blend) at room temperature is considerably increased by the grinding. In the case of antimony, the method of fragmentation shows the existence of an anisotropy which appears to be connected with easily cleavable planes. These observations show that in the case of grinding carried out with sufficient energy, the accumulation of this energy in the matter through the creation of lattice defects can accelerate the reaction rate or bring about physical transformations. (author) [fr

Theoretical studies of the pressure-induced zinc-blende to cinnabar phase transition in CdTe and thermodynamical properties of each phase

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Brik, M.G.; Łach, P.; Karczewski, G.; Wojtowicz, T.; Kamińska, A.; Suchocki, A.

2013-01-01

Luminescence of CdTe quantum dots embedded in ZnTe is quenched at pressure of about 4.5 GPa in the high-pressure experiments. This pressure-induced quenching is attributed to the “zinc-blende–cinnabar” phase transition in CdTe, which was confirmed by the first-principles calculations. Theoretical analysis of the pressure at which the phase transition occurs for CdTe was performed using the CASTEP module of Materials Studio package with both generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and local density approximation (LDA). The calculated phase transition pressures are equal to about 4.4 GPa and 2.6 GPa, according to the GGA and LDA calculations, respectively, which is in a good agreement with the experimental value. Theoretically estimated value of the pressure coefficient of the band-gap luminescence in zinc-blende structure is in very good agreement with that recently measured in the QDs structures. The calculated Debye temperature, elastic constants and specific heat capacity for the zinc-blend structure agree well with the experimental data; the data for the cinnabar phase are reported here for the first time to the best of the authors' knowledge. - Highlights: • Quenching of luminescence of CdTe quantum dots embedded in ZnTe is theoretically explained. • The theoretical calculation of elastic and thermodynamic properties of CdTe by two types of ab-initio methods. • Theoretical calculations of some optical properties of CdTe under pressure in zinc-blende and cinnabar phases

Positron diffusion in zinc-blende-type semiconductors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Singh, R.P.; Singh, M.

1992-01-01

A theory of positron diffusion in the presence of positron scattering with acoustic, piezoelectric-acoustic, and optical phonons in zinc-blende-type semiconductors is developed. The velocity-velocity correlation function is used to calculate the diffusion coefficient and the Green's function is used to calculate the correlation function. In this formulation the relaxation time automatically appears through the imaginary part of the self-energy. The effect of screening is included within the Thomas-Fermi approximation. The theory is used to calculate the energy relaxation time and diffusion length of positrons in GaAs. It is shown that the transverse and longitudinal phonons contribute almost the same amount towards the relaxation time in the piezoelectric-acoustic-phonon scattering of positrons. It is also found that the contribution of piezoelectric-acoustic-phonon scattering is about 10% to that of acoustic-phonon scattering at low temperatures. We obtained a fairly good agreement between our theory and experimental results available to us. It is found that optical-phonon scattering plays an important role in getting good agreement between theory and experiment at high temperatures

Structural property of platinum mononitride

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yu, L.H.; Yao, K.L.; Liu, Z.L.; Zhang, Y.S.

2007-01-01

The structural stability and pressure-induced structural phase transition of platinum mononitride (PtN), as well as its electronic structure, were studied using the full potential augmented plane wave plus local orbitals method with the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) exchange-correlation functional. The total energy calculations show that the optimized wurtzite structure is most stable energetically among four structures: zinc blende, rocksalt, CsCl and wurtzite, which reveals the platinum mononitride PtN perhaps crystallizes in the wurtzite structure; the pressure of phase transition from wurtzite to rocksalt is predicted to be 41.4 GPa.The calculated bulk modulus of the wurtzite structure is 99.41 GPa, which is smaller than that of the other three structures and face-centered cubic Pt. The band structure calculations show wurtzite PtN is metallic

Topological Phase Transitions in Zinc-Blende Semimetals Driven Exclusively by Electronic Temperature

Science.gov (United States)

Trushin, Egor; Görling, Andreas

2018-04-01

We show that electronic phase transitions in zinc-blende semimetals with quadratic band touching (QBT) at the center of the Brillouin zone, like GaBi, InBi, or HgTe, can occur exclusively due to a change of the electronic temperature without the need to involve structural transformations or electron-phonon coupling. The commonly used Kohn-Sham density-functional methods based on local and semilocal density functionals employing the local density approximation (LDA) or generalized gradient approximations (GGAs), however, are not capable of describing such phenomena because they lack an intrinsic temperature dependence and account for temperature only via the occupation of bands, which essentially leads only to a shift of the Fermi level without changing the shape or topology of bands. Kohn-Sham methods using the exact temperature-dependent exchange potential, not to be confused with the Hartree-Fock exchange potential, on the other hand, describe such phase transitions. A simple modeling of correlation effects can be achieved by screening of the exchange. In the considered zinc-blende compounds the QBT is unstable at low temperatures and a transition to electronic states without QBT takes place. In the case of HgTe and GaBi Weyl points of type I and type II, respectively, emerge during the transitions. This demonstrates that Kohn-Sham methods can describe such topological phase transitions provided they are based on functionals more accurate than those within the LDA or GGA. Moreover, the electronic temperature is identified as a handle to tune topological materials.

Transparent indium zinc oxide thin films used in photovoltaic cells based on polymer blends

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Besleaga, Cristina; Ion, L.; Ghenescu, Veta; Socol, G.; Radu, A.; Arghir, Iulia; Florica, Camelia; Antohe, S.

2012-01-01

Indium zinc oxide (IZO) thin films were obtained using pulsed laser deposition. The samples were prepared by ablation of targets with In concentrations, In/(In + Zn), of 80 at.%, at low substrate temperatures under reactive atmosphere. IZO films were used as transparent electrodes in polymer-based – poly(3-hexylthiophene) and 1-(3-methoxycarbonyl)-propyl-1-phenyl-(6,6)C61 1:1 blend – photovoltaic cells. The action spectra measurements revealed that IZO-based photovoltaic structures have performances comparable with those using indium–tin–oxide as transparent electrode. - Highlights: ► Indium zinc oxide films were grown by pulsed laser deposition at room temperature. ► The films had large free carrier density and reasonably high mobility. ► These films fit for transparent electrodes in polymer-based photovoltaic cells.

Epitaxial growth of new half-metallic ferromagnet 'zinc-blende CrAs' and the substrate temperature dependence

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mizuguchi, Masaki; Akinaga, Hiro; Manago, Takashi; Ono, Kanta; Oshima, Masaharu; Shirai, Masafumi

2002-01-01

Epitaxial zinc-blende CrAs thin films were grown at two different temperatures. CrAs (2 nm) grown at 200 deg. C formed plateau-shapes, whereas CrAs (2 nm) grown at 300 deg. C formed dispersed dots. The thin film grown at 200 deg. C showed ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature, and the Curie temperature was estimated to be over 400 K

Zinc sulfide thin films deposited by RF reactive sputtering for photovoltaic applications

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shao Lexi; Chang, K.-H.; Hwang, H.-L.

2003-01-01

Zinc sulfide (ZnS) thin films with nano-scale grains of about 50 nm were deposited on glass substrates at a substrate temperature of 200 deg. C via RF reactive sputtering by using zinc plate target and hydrogen sulfide gas. The structure, compositions, electrical and optical characteristics of the deposited films were investigated for the photovoltaic device applications. All films showed a near stoichiometric composition as indicated in their AES data. Distinct single crystalline phase with preferential orientation along the (0 0 0 1) plane of wurtzite or the (1 1 1) plane of zinc blende (ZB) was revealed in their X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, and the spacing of the planes are well matched to those of (1 1 2) plane of the chalcopyrite CuInS 2 (CIS). UV-Vis measurement showed that the films had more than 65% transmittance in the wavelength larger than 350 nm, and the fundamental absorption edge shifted to shorter wavelength with the increase of sulfur incorporated in the films, which corresponds to an increase in the energy band gap ranging from 3.59 to 3.72 eV. It was found that ZnS films are suitable for use as the buffer layer of the CIS solar cells, and it is the viable alternative for replacing CdS in the photovoltaic cell structure

Polymorphic one-dimensional (N2H4)2ZnTe: soluble precursors for the formation of hexagonal or cubic zinc telluride.

Science.gov (United States)

Mitzi, David B

2005-10-03

Two hydrazine zinc(II) telluride polymorphs, (N2H4)2ZnTe, have been isolated, using ambient-temperature solution-based techniques, and the crystal structures determined: alpha-(N2H4)2ZnTe (1) [P21, a = 7.2157(4) Angstroms, b = 11.5439(6) Angstroms, c = 7.3909(4) Angstroms, beta = 101.296(1) degrees, Z = 4] and beta-(N2H4)2ZnTe (2) [Pn, a = 8.1301(5) Angstroms, b = 6.9580(5) Angstroms, c = 10.7380(7) Angstroms, beta = 91.703(1) degrees, Z = 4]. The zinc atoms in 1 and 2 are tetrahedrally bonded to two terminal hydrazine molecules and two bridging tellurium atoms, leading to the formation of extended one-dimensional (1-D) zinc telluride chains, with different chain conformations and packings distinguishing the two polymorphs. Thermal decomposition of (N2H4)2ZnTe first yields crystalline wurtzite (hexagonal) ZnTe at temperatures as low as 200 degrees C, followed by the more stable zinc blende (cubic) form at temperatures above 350 degrees C. The 1-D polymorphs are soluble in hydrazine and can be used as convenient precursors for the low-temperature solution processing of p-type ZnTe semiconducting films.

Biologically-induced precipitation of sphalerite-wurtzite nanoparticles by sulfate-reducing bacteria: implications for acid mine drainage treatment.

Science.gov (United States)

Castillo, Julio; Pérez-López, Rafael; Caraballo, Manuel A; Nieto, José M; Martins, Mónica; Costa, M Clara; Olías, Manuel; Cerón, Juan C; Tucoulou, Rémi

2012-04-15

Several experiments were conducted to evaluate zinc-tolerance of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) obtained from three environmental samples, two inocula from sulfide-mining districts and another inoculum from a wastewater treatment plant. The populations of SRB resisted zinc concentrations of 260 mg/L for 42 days in a sulfate-rich medium. During the experiments, sulfate was reduced to sulfide and concentrations in solution decreased. Zinc concentrations also decreased from 260 mg/L to values below detection limit. Both decreases were consistent with the precipitation of newly-formed sphalerite and wurtzite, two polymorphs of ZnS, forming <2.5-μm-diameter spherical aggregates identified by microscopy and synchrotron-μ-XRD. Sulfate and zinc are present in high concentrations in acid mine drainage (AMD) even after passive treatments based on limestone dissolution. The implementation of a SRB-based zinc removal step in these systems could completely reduce the mobility of all metals, which would improve the quality of stream sediments, water and soils in AMD-affected landscapes. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The pseudo-binary mercury chalcogenide alloy HgSe sub 0 sub . sub 7 S sub 0 sub . sub 3 at high pressure: a mechanism for the zinc blende to cinnabar reconstructive phase transition

CERN Document Server

Kozlenko, D P; Ehm, L; Hull, S; Savenko, B N; Shchennikov, V V; Voronin, V I

2003-01-01

The structure of the pseudo-binary mercury chalcogenide alloy HgSe sub 0 sub . sub 7 S sub 0 sub . sub 3 has been studied by x-ray and neutron powder diffraction at pressures up to 8.5 GPa. A phase transition from the cubic zinc blende structure to the hexagonal cinnabar structure was observed at P approx 1 GPa. A phenomenological model of this reconstructive phase transition based on a displacement mechanism is proposed. Analysis of the geometrical relationship between the zinc blende and the cinnabar phases has shown that the possible order parameter for the zinc blende-cinnabar structural transformation is the spontaneous strain e sub 4. This assignment agrees with the previously observed high pressure behaviour of the elastic constants of some mercury chalcogenides.

Optical phonon modes of wurtzite InP

Science.gov (United States)

Gadret, E. G.; de Lima, M. M.; Madureira, J. R.; Chiaramonte, T.; Cotta, M. A.; Iikawa, F.; Cantarero, A.

2013-03-01

Optical vibration modes of InP nanowires in the wurtzite phase were investigated by Raman scattering spectroscopy. The wires were grown along the [0001] axis by the vapor-liquid-solid method. The A1(TO), E2h, and E1(TO) phonon modes of the wurtzite symmetry were identified by using light linearly polarized along different directions in backscattering configuration. Additionally, forbidden longitudinal optical modes have also been observed. Furthermore, by applying an extended 11-parameter rigid-ion model, the complete dispersion relations of InP in the wurtzite phase have been calculated, showing a good agreement with the Raman experimental data.

Tailoring ferromagnetism in chromium-doped zinc oxide

KAUST Repository

Haq, Bakhtiar Ul

2014-03-11

The simultaneous manipulation of both charge and spin has made diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMS) a potential material for the fabrication of spintronic devices. We report DMSs based on ZnO doped with Cr in wurtzite (WZ) and zinc-blend (ZB) geometries. The injection of Cr impurities at a concentration of 6.25% has successfully tuned ferromagnetism in ZnO. To recognize the nature of magnetic interactions, two spatial configurations are investigated, where the impurity atoms are placed at minimum and maximum separation distances. The material favors the short-range magnetic coupling and has a tendency towards Cr clustering. The injection of a Cr impurity into ZnO strongly influences the electronic properties in terms of band structure, dependent on the impurity spatial distribution. It is half metallic for both structural geometries when impurity atoms have minimum separation and is metallic when they are placed far apart. Moreover, replacing Zn with Cr does not show a significant effect on the structural geometries. Our results endorse that Cr:ZnO can be efficiently used for spin-polarized transport and other spin-dependent applications in both hexagonal and cubic phases.

Effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized by a precipitation

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by a precipitation method in aqueous media from zinc nitrate hexahydrate and sodium hydroxide. The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles exhibited a crystalline structure with hexagonal structure of the wurtzite. The morphology of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles presented a spherical ...

Investigation of the thermal degradation of PET, zinc phosphinate, OMPOSS and their blends-Identification of the formed species

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vannier, Aurore [Centre de Recherche et d' Etude sur les Procedes d' Ignifugation des Materiaux (CREPIM), Parc de la porte Nord, F-62200 Bruay-la-Buissiere (France); Duquesne, Sophie, E-mail: Sophie.duquesne@ensc-lille.fr [Laboratoire des Procedes d' Elaboration de Revetements Fonctionnels (PERF), UMR-CNRS 8008/LSPES - Ecole Nationale Superieure de Chimie de Lille, BP 90108, F-59652 Villeneuve d' Ascq (France); Bourbigot, Serge [Laboratoire des Procedes d' Elaboration de Revetements Fonctionnels (PERF), UMR-CNRS 8008/LSPES - Ecole Nationale Superieure de Chimie de Lille, BP 90108, F-59652 Villeneuve d' Ascq (France); Alongi, Jenny; Camino, Giovanni [Centro di Cultura per l' Ingegneria delle Materie Plastiche - Politechnico di Torino, V.le T. Michel, 5, 15100 Alessandria (Italy); Delobel, Rene [Centre de Recherche et d' Etude sur les Procedes d' Ignifugation des Materiaux (CREPIM), Parc de la porte Nord, F-62200 Bruay-la-Buissiere (France)

2009-11-10

The incorporation of both OMPOSS and Exolit OP950 (zinc phosphinate) into PET leads to increased fire retarding properties and a synergistic effect has been established between the three components. Here the thermal degradation of OMPOSS, Exolit OP950, PET and blends of them is investigated via thermal degradation in pyrolytic and thermo-oxidative conditions. All species formed during the degradation of the additives or the blends are identified by solid state NMR and X-ray diffraction in the condensed phase and by GC-MS in the gas phase. The investigation shows that no chemical interaction occurs between the additives, which suggests that the synergy responsible for the improvement of fire properties of the material has a physical origin.

Investigation of the thermal degradation of PET, zinc phosphinate, OMPOSS and their blends-Identification of the formed species

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vannier, Aurore; Duquesne, Sophie; Bourbigot, Serge; Alongi, Jenny; Camino, Giovanni; Delobel, Rene

2009-01-01

The incorporation of both OMPOSS and Exolit OP950 (zinc phosphinate) into PET leads to increased fire retarding properties and a synergistic effect has been established between the three components. Here the thermal degradation of OMPOSS, Exolit OP950, PET and blends of them is investigated via thermal degradation in pyrolytic and thermo-oxidative conditions. All species formed during the degradation of the additives or the blends are identified by solid state NMR and X-ray diffraction in the condensed phase and by GC-MS in the gas phase. The investigation shows that no chemical interaction occurs between the additives, which suggests that the synergy responsible for the improvement of fire properties of the material has a physical origin.

The Structural, Dielectric, Lattice Dynamical and Thermodynamic Properties of Zinc-Blende CdX (X=S, Se, Te) from First-Principles Analysis

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Feng Shi-Quan; Li Jun-Yu; Cheng Xin-Lu

2015-01-01

The structural, dielectric, lattice dynamical and thermodynamic properties of zinc-blende CdX (X=S, Se, Te) are studied by using a plane-wave pseudopotential method within the density-functional theory. Our calculated lattice constants and bulk modulus are compared with the published experimental and theoretical data. In addition, the Born effective charges, electronic dielectric tensors, phonon frequencies, and longitudinal optical-transverse optical splitting are calculated by the linear-response approach. Some of the characteristics of the phonon-dispersion curves for zinc-blende CdX (X=S, Se, Te) are summarized. What is more, based on the lattice dynamical properties, we investigate the thermodynamic properties of CdX (X=S, Se, Te) and analyze the temperature dependences of the Helmholtz free energy F, the internal energy E, the entropy S and the constant-volume specific heat C_v. The results show that the heat capacities for CdTe, CdSe, and CdS approach approximately to the Petit-Dulong limit 6R. (paper)

High-pressure lattice dynamics and thermodynamic properties of zinc-blende BN from first-principles calculation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wang Huanyou; Xu Hui; Wang Xianchun; Jiang Chunzhi

2009-01-01

The density function perturbation theory (DFPT) is employed to study the lattice dynamics and thermodynamic properties (with quasiharmonic approximation) of zinc-blende BN. First we discuss the structural properties and compare the phonon spectrum with available Raman scattering experiments. Thereafter using the calculated phonon dispersions we obtain the PTV equation of state from the free energy. Our results for the above properties are generally speaking in good agreement with experiments and with similar theoretical calculations. Owing to the anharmonic effect at high temperature, the calculated linear thermal expansion coefficients (CTE) are low to experimental data.

Highly toughened polypropylene/ethylene–propylene-diene monomer/zinc dimethacrylate ternary blends prepared via peroxide-induced dynamic vulcanization

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chen, Yukun, E-mail: cyk@scut.edu.cn [The Key Laboratory of Polymer Processing Engineering, Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640 (China); School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640 (China); Xu, Chuanhui [College of Material Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640 (China); Cao, Liming [The Key Laboratory of Polymer Processing Engineering, Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640 (China); School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640 (China); Cao, Xiaodong [College of Material Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640 (China)

2013-02-15

Polypropylene (PP)/ethylene–propylene-diene monomer (EPDM)/zinc dimethacrylate (ZDMA) blends with remarkable toughness and extensibility were successfully prepared via peroxide dynamical vulcanization. A unique structure with the EPDM particles surrounded by a transition zone containing numerous polymerized ZDMA (PZDMA) nano-particles was observed for the first time by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examination, which contributed to the dramatically increase of Izod impact strength. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) confirmed that the possible PZDMA graft products resulted from peroxide dynamical vulcanization improved the compatibility between EPDM and PP phases. The specific morphology of the PP/EPDM/ZDMA blends indicated that ZDMA can lead to size reduction and good distribution uniformity of the crosslinked rubber particles and the increase of adhesion between PP matrix and EPDM phases during deformation. The synergic effect of the increase in the effective volume of the EPDM phase, the improved compatibility and adhesion between EPDM and PP phases and the deformation of those fine rubber particles is believed to result in the remarkable high toughness and extensibility of the PP/EPDM/ZDMA blends. Particularly for the PP/EPDM ratio of 70/30, the PP/EPDM/ZDMA (70/30/9, w/w/w) ternary blends with the Izod impact strength nearly 2 times higher than PP/EPDM (70/30, w/w) binary blends and 15–20 times higher than PP are achieved; besides, the elongation at break of PP/EPDM/ZDMA ternary blends is 4–5 times higher than that of PP/EPDM binary blends. - Highlights: ► ZDMA largely toughen peroxide dynamically vulcanized PP/EPDM blend. ► PZDMA graft products improved the compatibility and adhesion between EPDM and PP. ► Size reduction and good distribution uniformity of crosslinked rubber particles.

Highly toughened polypropylene/ethylene–propylene-diene monomer/zinc dimethacrylate ternary blends prepared via peroxide-induced dynamic vulcanization

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chen, Yukun; Xu, Chuanhui; Cao, Liming; Cao, Xiaodong

2013-01-01

Polypropylene (PP)/ethylene–propylene-diene monomer (EPDM)/zinc dimethacrylate (ZDMA) blends with remarkable toughness and extensibility were successfully prepared via peroxide dynamical vulcanization. A unique structure with the EPDM particles surrounded by a transition zone containing numerous polymerized ZDMA (PZDMA) nano-particles was observed for the first time by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examination, which contributed to the dramatically increase of Izod impact strength. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) confirmed that the possible PZDMA graft products resulted from peroxide dynamical vulcanization improved the compatibility between EPDM and PP phases. The specific morphology of the PP/EPDM/ZDMA blends indicated that ZDMA can lead to size reduction and good distribution uniformity of the crosslinked rubber particles and the increase of adhesion between PP matrix and EPDM phases during deformation. The synergic effect of the increase in the effective volume of the EPDM phase, the improved compatibility and adhesion between EPDM and PP phases and the deformation of those fine rubber particles is believed to result in the remarkable high toughness and extensibility of the PP/EPDM/ZDMA blends. Particularly for the PP/EPDM ratio of 70/30, the PP/EPDM/ZDMA (70/30/9, w/w/w) ternary blends with the Izod impact strength nearly 2 times higher than PP/EPDM (70/30, w/w) binary blends and 15–20 times higher than PP are achieved; besides, the elongation at break of PP/EPDM/ZDMA ternary blends is 4–5 times higher than that of PP/EPDM binary blends. - Highlights: ► ZDMA largely toughen peroxide dynamically vulcanized PP/EPDM blend. ► PZDMA graft products improved the compatibility and adhesion between EPDM and PP. ► Size reduction and good distribution uniformity of crosslinked rubber particles

The computational design of zinc-blende half-metals and their nanostructures

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shirai, Masafumi

2004-01-01

The influence of atomic disorder and heterointerfaces with III-V semiconductors on the electronic and magnetic properties of zinc-blende (ZB) CrAs is studied by ab initio calculations based on density-functional theory. Antisite Cr spins are coupled antiferromagnetically with the Cr spins at the ordinary sites, while the ferromagnetic coupling between the Cr spins at the ordinary sites is robust against defect formation. The degree of spin polarization is not reduced significantly by the impurity bands formed in the minority spin energy gap. In the ZB CrAs/GaAs junction, relatively high spin polarization is retained even at the interface in contrast to usual half-metal/semiconductor heterojunctions. Complete spin polarization is also preserved throughout ZB CrAs/GaAs multilayers and it is insensitive to the substitutional disorder between Cr and Ga sites

Effects of variation of oil and zinc oxide type on the gas barrier and mechanical properties of chlorobutyl rubber/epoxidised natural rubber blends

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Li, Lin; Zhang, Jin; Jo, Jae Ok; Datta, Sanjoy; Kim, Jin Kuk

2013-01-01

Highlights: ► A (90:10) blend of CIIR and ENR by weight was used as the base. ► Different process oil and ZnO were used to optimize the gas barrier property. ► The minimum oxygen permeability is obtained using sheet ZnO. - Abstract: In many polymer applications such as inner tire liners and fuel hoses, imparting excellent gas barrier property is of prime importance. Researches in this direction had been done based on a judicious choice of polymer type or a blend thereof and the compounding ingredients. Though butyl rubber has been the polymer of choice because of its excellent gas barrier property, yet researches were targeted to improve the same with further modification in the polymer type and variation in compounding ingredients. In this study, a (90:10) blend of chlorobutyl rubber (CIIR) and Epoxdised Natural Rubber (ENR) by weight was used as the base. Four different types of process oil and three different types of zinc oxide (ZnO) at fixed predetermined concentrations were used to optimize the gas barrier and mechanical properties. In this blend, recycled aromatic oil (RAE) and sheet zinc oxide were effective in imparting the best overall combination of properties. Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) studies of ZnO were done to understand the structure property relationship

Elastic Properties and the Band Gap of AlNxP1-x Semiconductor Alloy: A Comparative Study of Various Ab Initio Approaches

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

M. P. Polak

2016-01-01

Full Text Available Structural and elastic properties of AlNxP1-x, a novel semiconductor alloy, are studied from the first principles in both zinc-blende and wurtzite structures. Performances of the finite difference (FD method and the density functional perturbation theory (DFPT are tested and compared. Both of these methods are applied to two different approaches of alloy simulation, a supercell of 16 and 32 atoms (for zinc-blende and wurtzite structures, resp. and the alchemical mixing (AM method, where the pseudopotentials are mixed in an appropriate way to form an alloy. All elastic properties, including the elastic tensors, elastic moduli, Poisson’s ratio, B/G, and relaxation coefficient, as well as lattice parameters are calculated using all said methods. Conclusions about the use of the approaches investigated in this paper and about their performance are drawn. In addition, in both crystal structures, the band gap is studied in the whole composition range using the MBJLDA functional. The band gap bowings are unusually high, which confirms earlier reports.

Zinc Oxide Nano crystals Synthesized by Quenching Technique

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Norhayati Abu Bakar; Akrajas Ali Umar; Muhamad Mat Salleh; Muhammad Yahya

2011-01-01

This paper reports an attempt to synthesize non toxic zinc oxide (ZnO) nano crystals using a simple quenching technique. The hot zinc oxide powder was quenched in hexane solution to obtain ZnO nano crystals. As the result, diameter size of the synthesized ZnO is 200 nm. It was also exhibited a good crystalline with wurtzite phase. The nano crystals properties of ZnO were revealed from good absorbance and green luminescence under UV exposure. This may be related with oxygen vacancy ionization during the annealing process. (author)

Efficient n-type doping of zinc-blende III-V semiconductor nanowires

Science.gov (United States)

Besteiro, Lucas V.; Tortajada, Luis; Souto, J.; Gallego, L. J.; Chelikowsky, James R.; Alemany, M. M. G.

2014-03-01

We demonstrate that it is preferable to dope III-V semiconductor nanowires by n-type anion substitution as opposed to cation substitution. Specifically, we show the dopability of zinc-blende nanowires is more efficient when the dopants are placed at the anion site as quantified by formation energies and the stabilization of DX-like defect centers. The comparison with previous work on n - type III-V semiconductor nanocrystals also allows to determine the role of dimensionality and quantum confinement on doping characteristics of materials. Our results are based on first-principles calculations of InP nanowires by using the PARSEC code. Work supported by the Spanish MICINN (FIS2012-33126) and Xunta de Galicia (GPC2013-043) in conjunction with FEDER. JRC acknowledges support from DoE (DE-FG02-06ER46286 and DESC0008877). Computational support was provided in part by CESGA.

Influence of Camellia sinensis extract on Zinc Oxide nanoparticle green synthesis

Science.gov (United States)

Nava, O. J.; Luque, P. A.; Gómez-Gutiérrez, C. M.; Vilchis-Nestor, A. R.; Castro-Beltrán, A.; Mota-González, M. L.; Olivas, A.

2017-04-01

This work addresses low cost, non-toxic green synthesis of Zinc Oxide nanoparticles prepared using different amounts of Camellia sinensis extract. The Synthesized material was studied and characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The Zinc Oxide nanoparticles presented the desired Znsbnd O bond at 618 cm-1, demonstrated growth in a purely hexagonal Wurtzite crystal structure, and, depending on the amount of extract used, they presented different size and shape homogeneity. The photocatalytic activity of the obtained Zinc Oxide nanoparticles was studied. The photocatalytic degradation studies were done at a 1:1 M ratio of methylene blue to Zinc Oxide nanoparticles under UV light. The obtained results presented a better degradation rate than commercially available Zinc Oxide nanoparticles.

First-principles study of electronic and structural properties and examining the effect of pressure on structure and energy gap in In N phases

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bouchani, A.; Arabi, H.; Abolhasani, M. R.

2007-01-01

The electronic and structural properties of both zinc-blende and wurtzite phases of In N were investigated by using full potential augmented plane wave method within density functional theory. For exchange correlation potential, local density approximation, generalized gradient approximation and an alternative form of generalized gradient approximation proposed by Engel and Vosko (EV-generalized gradient approximation ) have been used. Results obtained for band structure of these compounds have been compared with experimental results as well as other theoretical work and closer to experimental data. The lattice constants, bulk modulus are calculated for each of both phases. We have also investigated the structural transitions of In N and have calculated the transition pressure between zinc-blende and rock salt phases.

Surfactant controlled low-temperature thermal decomposition route to zinc oxide nanorods from zinc(II) acetylacetonate monohydrate

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Purkayastha, Debraj Dhar; Sarma, Bedabrat; Bhattacharjee, Chira R., E-mail: crbhattacharjee@rediffmail.com

2014-10-15

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods were synthesized via a low-temperature thermal decomposition of zinc(II) acetylacetonate monohydrate, [Zn(C{sub 5}H{sub 7}O{sub 2}){sub 2}].H{sub 2}O. A relatively inexpensive surfactant, octadecylamine (C{sub 18}H{sub 37}NH{sub 2}) served both as a reaction solvent and a capping agent during the synthesis of ZnO nanorods. The synthesized nanorods were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FT-IR, UV–visible, and photoluminescence (PL) studies. The XRD spectrum furnished evidence for the hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO. TEM images revealed the material to be rod shaped having diameter 30 nm and length 200 nm. The HRTEM image showed that the lattice fringes between the two adjacent planes are 0.244 nm apart, which corresponds to the interplanar separation of the (1 0 1) plane of hexagonal ZnO. The electron diffraction (ED) pattern confirmed the single crystalline nature of the nanorods. The PL spectrum showed two UV emissions at 356 nm (∼3.48 eV) and 382 nm (∼3.25 eV). ZnO nanorods also showed very weak blue bands at 445, 453 and 470 nm. - Highlights: Low temperature thermal decomposition of zinc(II) acetylacetonate monohydrate gave zinc oxide nanorods. Powder XRD showed hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO having average diameter about 24 nm. TEM images revealed the material to be of rod shape having diameter 30 nm and length 200 nm. ZnO showed band gap luminescence at 356 nm, excitonic emission at 382 nm and defect related blue bands. The synthesis is simple and can act as a paradigm for obtaining various metal oxide nanomaterials.

Experimental Investigation of Performance and emission characteristics of Various Nano Particles with Bio-Diesel blend on Di Diesel Engine

Science.gov (United States)

Karthik, N.; Goldwin Xavier, X.; Rajasekar, R.; Ganesh Bairavan, P.; Dhanseelan, S.

2017-05-01

Present study provides the effect of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and Cerium Oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles additives on the Performance and emission uniqueness of Jatropha. Jatropha blended fuel is prepared by the emulsification technique with assist of mechanical agitator. Nano particles (Zinc Oxide (ZnO)) and Cerium Oxide (CeO2)) mixed with Jatropha blended fuel in mass fraction (100 ppm) with assist of an ultrasonicator. Experiments were conducted in single cylinder constant speed direct injection diesel engine for various test fuels. Performance results revealed that Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) of Jatropha blended Cerium Oxide (B20CE) is 3% and 11% higher than Jatropha blended zinc oxide (B20ZO) and Jatropha blended fuel (B20) and 4% lower than diesel fuel (D100) at full load conditions. Emission result shows that HC and CO emissions of Jatropha blended Cerium Oxide (B20CE) are (6%, 22%, 11% and 6%, 15%, 12%) less compared with Jatropha blended Zinc Oxide (B20ZO), diesel (D100) and Jatropha blended fuel (B20) at full load conditions. NOx emissions of Jatropha blended Cerium Oxide is 1 % higher than diesel fuel (D100) and 2% and 5% lower than Jatropha blended Zinc Oxide, and jatropha blended fuel.

Resonance Raman spectra of wurtzite and zincblende CdSe nanocrystals

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kelley, Anne Myers, E-mail: amkelley@ucmerced.edu [Chemistry and Chemical Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343 (United States); Dai, Quanqin; Jiang, Zhong-jie; Baker, Joshua A.; Kelley, David F. [Chemistry and Chemical Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343 (United States)

2013-08-30

Highlights: ► Very similar resonance Raman spectra of wurtzite and zincblende CdSe nanocrystals. ► First absolute resonance Raman cross-sections reported for CdSe nanocrystals. ► LO overtones suggest slightly stronger electron–phonon coupling in wurtzite form. - Abstract: Resonance Raman spectra and absolute differential Raman cross-sections have been measured for CdSe nanocrystals in both the wurtzite and zincblende crystal forms at four excitation wavelengths from 457.9 to 514.5 nm. The frequency and bandshape of the longitudinal optical (LO) phonon fundamental is essentially identical for both crystal forms at each excitation wavelength. The LO phonon overtone to fundamental intensity ratio appears to be slightly higher for the wurtzite form, which may suggest slightly stronger exciton–phonon coupling from the Fröhlich mechanism in the wurtzite form. The LO fundamental Raman cross-sections are very similar for both crystal forms at each excitation wavelength.

The lattice distortion effect for zinc-blende CrAs and CrSb

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yamana, Keita; Geshi, Masaaki; Tsukamoto, Hidekazu; Uchida, Ichiro; Shirai, Masafumi; Kusakabe, Koichi; Suzuki, Naoshi

2004-01-01

We investigated the stability of the ferromagnetism of CrAs and CrSb in the zinc-blende structure against the lattice distortion, systematically. A calculation within the generalized gradient approximation using a full potential linearized augmented plane wave method was performed. We compared the ferromagnetic state and the antiferromagnetic state assuming tetragonal distortion with the lattice constants a and c changing independently and determined the spin polarization ratio in the ferromagnetic phase. The result shows that complete spin polarization (half-metallic ferromagnetism) remains stable even in the presence of large tetragonal distortion. On the other hand, our calculation shows that two monolayers of CrAs is enough to produce a half-metallic state in the CrAs/GaAs multilayer. Thus, the present result suggests that the half-metallic nature persists in various atomic-scale superlattices made of distorted CrAs or CrSb

Electronic structure and photocatalytic activity of wurtzite Cu–Ga–S nanocrystals and their Zn substitution

KAUST Repository

Kandiel, Tarek

2015-03-23

Stoichiometric and gallium-rich wurtzite Cu-Ga-S ternary nanocrystals were synthesized via a facile solution-based hot injection method using 1-dodecanethiol as a sulfur source. The use of 1-dodecanethiol was found to be essential not only as a sulfur source but also as a structure-directing reagent to form a metastable wurtzite structure. In addition, the substitution of zinc in the wurtzite gallium-rich Cu-Ga-S nanocrystals was also investigated. The obtained nanocrystals were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), photoluminescence (PL), and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Electronic structures of pristine and the Zn-substituted Cu-Ga-S system were investigated using density functional theory (DFT) with HSE06 exchange-correlation functional. The calculated bandgaps accurately reflect the measured ones. The allowed electronic transitions occur upon the photon absorption from the (Cu + S) band towards the (Ga + S) one. The Zn substitution was found not to contribute to the band edge structure and hence altered the bandgaps only slightly, the direct transition nature remaining unchanged with the Zn substitution. The photocatalytic activities of H2 evolution from an aqueous Na2S/Na2SO3 solution under visible-light illumination on the synthesized nanocrystals were investigated. While the stoichiometric CuGaS2 exhibited negligible activity, the gallium-rich Cu-Ga-S ternary nanocrystals displayed reasonable activity. The optimum Zn substitution in the gallium-rich Cu-Ga-S ternary nanocrystals enhanced the H2 evolution rate, achieving an apparent quantum efficiency of >6% at 400 nm. © 2015 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Surfactant-ligand co-assisted solvothermal technique for the synthesis of different-shaped CdS nanorod-based materials

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bao Chunyan; Jin Ming; Lu Ran; Xue Pengchong; Zhang Qinglin; Wang Dejun; Zhao Yingying

2003-01-01

1-D nanorods, twinrods, golfclubs, and tripods of CdS were prepared via a surfactant-ligand co-assisted solvothermal method at 160 deg. C. The surfactant of S-dodecylisothiounium bromide (C 12 ) used in the process was favorable for synthesis of different-shaped CdS nanorod with high aspect ratio. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and TEM images showed that the 1-D nanorods had wurtzite phase and others had a zinc blende core and wurtzite arms. The morphologies of CdS prepared under different conditions suggested the 'template-assistance' of the surfactant and that the nonaqueous organic media are important for the self-assembling of inorganic components at atomic level

Magnetoconductance correction in zinc-blende semiconductor nanowires with spin-orbit coupling

Science.gov (United States)

Kammermeier, Michael; Wenk, Paul; Schliemann, John; Heedt, Sebastian; Gerster, Thomas; Schäpers, Thomas

2017-12-01

We study the effects of spin-orbit coupling on the magnetoconductivity in diffusive cylindrical semiconductor nanowires. Following up on our former study on tubular semiconductor nanowires, we focus in this paper on nanowire systems where no surface accumulation layer is formed but instead the electron wave function extends over the entire cross section. We take into account the Dresselhaus spin-orbit coupling resulting from a zinc-blende lattice and the Rashba spin-orbit coupling, which is controlled by a lateral gate electrode. The spin relaxation rate due to Dresselhaus spin-orbit coupling is found to depend neither on the spin density component nor on the wire growth direction and is unaffected by the radial boundary. In contrast, the Rashba spin relaxation rate is strongly reduced for a wire radius that is smaller than the spin precession length. The derived model is fitted to the data of magnetoconductance measurements of a heavily doped back-gated InAs nanowire and transport parameters are extracted. At last, we compare our results to previous theoretical and experimental studies and discuss the occurring discrepancies.

Study of wurtzite and zincblende GaN/InN based solar cells alloys: First-principles investigation within the improved modified Becke-Johnson potential

KAUST Repository

Ul Haq, Bakhtiar

2014-09-01

Wurtzite GaInN alloys with flexible energy gaps are pronounced for their potential applications in optoelectronics and solar cell technology. Recently the unwanted built-in fields caused by spontaneous polarization and piezoelectric effects in wurtzite (WZ) GaInN, has turned the focus towards zinc-blende (ZB) GaInN alloys. To comprehend merits and demerits of GaInN alloys in WZ and ZB structures, we performed a comparative study of the structural, electronic and optical properties of Ga1-xInxN alloys with different In concentration using first-principles methodology with density function theory with generalized gradient approximations (GGA) and modified Becke-Johnson (mBJ) potential. Investigations pertaining to total energy of GaInN for the both phases, demonstrate a marginal difference, reflecting nearly equivalent stability of the ZB-GaInN to WZ-GaInN. The larger ionic radii of indium (In), result in larger values of lattice parameters of Ga1-xInxN with higher In concentration. For In deficient Ga1-xInxN, at first, the formation enthalpies increase rapidly as the In content approaches to 45% in WZ and 47% in ZB, and then decreases with the further increase in In concentration. ZB-Ga1-xInxN alloys exhibit comparatively narrower energy gaps than WZ, and get smaller with increase in In contents. The smaller values of effective masses of free carriers, in WZ phase, than ZB phase, reflect higher carrier mobility and electrical conductivity of WZ-Ga1-xInxN. Moreover wide energy gap of WZ-Ga1-xInxN results in large values of the absorption coefficients comparatively and smaller static refractive indices compared to ZB-Ga1-xInxN. Comparable electronic and optical characteristics of the ZB-Ga1-xInxN to WZ-Ga1-xInxN endorses it a material of choice for optoelectronics and solar cell applications besides the WZ-Ga1-xInxN. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.

Study of wurtzite and zincblende GaN/InN based solar cells alloys: First-principles investigation within the improved modified Becke-Johnson potential

KAUST Repository

Ul Haq, Bakhtiar; Ahmed, Rashid; Shaari, Amiruddin; El Haj Hassan, Fouad; Kanoun, Mohammed; Goumri-Said, Souraya

2014-01-01

Wurtzite GaInN alloys with flexible energy gaps are pronounced for their potential applications in optoelectronics and solar cell technology. Recently the unwanted built-in fields caused by spontaneous polarization and piezoelectric effects in wurtzite (WZ) GaInN, has turned the focus towards zinc-blende (ZB) GaInN alloys. To comprehend merits and demerits of GaInN alloys in WZ and ZB structures, we performed a comparative study of the structural, electronic and optical properties of Ga1-xInxN alloys with different In concentration using first-principles methodology with density function theory with generalized gradient approximations (GGA) and modified Becke-Johnson (mBJ) potential. Investigations pertaining to total energy of GaInN for the both phases, demonstrate a marginal difference, reflecting nearly equivalent stability of the ZB-GaInN to WZ-GaInN. The larger ionic radii of indium (In), result in larger values of lattice parameters of Ga1-xInxN with higher In concentration. For In deficient Ga1-xInxN, at first, the formation enthalpies increase rapidly as the In content approaches to 45% in WZ and 47% in ZB, and then decreases with the further increase in In concentration. ZB-Ga1-xInxN alloys exhibit comparatively narrower energy gaps than WZ, and get smaller with increase in In contents. The smaller values of effective masses of free carriers, in WZ phase, than ZB phase, reflect higher carrier mobility and electrical conductivity of WZ-Ga1-xInxN. Moreover wide energy gap of WZ-Ga1-xInxN results in large values of the absorption coefficients comparatively and smaller static refractive indices compared to ZB-Ga1-xInxN. Comparable electronic and optical characteristics of the ZB-Ga1-xInxN to WZ-Ga1-xInxN endorses it a material of choice for optoelectronics and solar cell applications besides the WZ-Ga1-xInxN. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.

Half-metallicity and ferromagnetism of TcX (X=C, Si and Ge) in zinc blende structure

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Liu, Yong [College of Science, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004 (China); Physics Department, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada L2S 3A1 (Canada); Xing, Yue [College of Science, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004 (China); Bose, S.K., E-mail: sbose@brocku.ca [Physics Department, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada L2S 3A1 (Canada); Zhao, Yong-Hong [Department of Physics, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610068 (China)

2013-02-15

We report results of a first-principles density-functional study of three binary transition-metal compounds TcX (X=C, Si and Ge) in the hypothetical cubic zinc blende (ZB) structure. Our calculations are based on the full potential linear augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) plus local orbitals method, together with generalized gradient approximation for the exchange-correlation potential. Half-metallic (HM) ferromagnetism is observed in these binary compounds for their optimized cell volumes. In the HM state, these compounds possess an integer magnetic moment (1.000{mu}{sub B}) per formula unit, which is one of the important characteristics of half-metallic ferromagnets (HMFs). The ferromagnetic (FM) state is found to be stable for ZB TcC, TcSi and TcGe against the nonmagnetic (NM) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) states. Calculations show that half-metallicity can be maintained for a wide range of lattice constants in these binary compounds. Density functional calculations of exchange interactions and the Curie temperatures reveal similar trends for the three compounds with respect to the lattice parameter. These compounds are compatible with the traditional semiconductors, and could be useful in spin-electronics and other applications. The most important aspect of this work is to explore the possibility of not only magnetism, but HM ferromagnetism in compounds involving NM elements and 4d transition element Tc. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We study magnetism of the compounds TcSi, TcC, and TcGe. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer These compounds, with nonmagnetic constituents, are found to be ferromagnetic. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer They show robust half-metallicity in zinc blende structure. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Estimated Curie temperatures suggest that synthesis of these compounds is worth pursuing.

High quality zinc-blende CdSe nanocrystals synthesized in a hexadecylamine-oleic acid-paraffin liquid mixture

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wang Lan, E-mail: lwang322@yahoo.com.cn [Department of Applied Physics, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001 (China); Department of Physics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081 (China); Sun Xiudong, E-mail: xdsun@hit.edu.cn [Department of Applied Physics, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001 (China); Liu Wenjing [Department of Astronautic Science and Mechanics, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001 (China); Liu Bingyi [Laboratory Center for the School of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081 (China)

2010-03-15

Safe, common, and low-cost compounds were used as solvents for the non-tri-n-octylphosphine (TOP) synthesis of high quality CdSe nanocrystals (NCs) in open air. In oleic acid-paraffin liquid system, CdSe nanocrystals in the less common zinc-blende (ZB, cubic) crystal structure have been obtained. The effects of adding n-hexadecylamine (HDA) to different solutions were discussed. Stable, highly homogeneous and luminescent CdSe nanocrystals were formed by adding n-hexadecylamine to Cd solution rather than to Se solution. Without any size sorting, the size distribution of the nanocrystals can be readily controlled and the highest photoluminescence (PL) quantum efficiency (QE) of the nanocrystals was up to 20-30%.

High quality zinc-blende CdSe nanocrystals synthesized in a hexadecylamine-oleic acid-paraffin liquid mixture

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wang Lan; Sun Xiudong; Liu Wenjing; Liu Bingyi

2010-01-01

Safe, common, and low-cost compounds were used as solvents for the non-tri-n-octylphosphine (TOP) synthesis of high quality CdSe nanocrystals (NCs) in open air. In oleic acid-paraffin liquid system, CdSe nanocrystals in the less common zinc-blende (ZB, cubic) crystal structure have been obtained. The effects of adding n-hexadecylamine (HDA) to different solutions were discussed. Stable, highly homogeneous and luminescent CdSe nanocrystals were formed by adding n-hexadecylamine to Cd solution rather than to Se solution. Without any size sorting, the size distribution of the nanocrystals can be readily controlled and the highest photoluminescence (PL) quantum efficiency (QE) of the nanocrystals was up to 20-30%.

Ab initio calculations of the magnetic properties of TM (Ti, V)-doped zinc-blende ZnO

Science.gov (United States)

Goumrhar, F.; Bahmad, L.; Mounkachi, O.; Benyoussef, A.

2018-01-01

In order to promote suitable material to be used in spintronics devices, this study purposes to evaluate the magnetic properties of the titanium and vanadium-doped zinc-blende ZnO from first-principles. The calculations of these properties are based on the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker (KKR) method combined with the coherent potential approximation (CPA), using the local density approximation (LDA). We have calculated and discussed the density of states (DOSs) in the energy phase diagrams for different concentration values, of the dopants. We have also investigated the magnetic and half-metallic properties of this doped compound. Additionally, we showed the mechanism of the exchange coupling interaction. Finally, we estimated and studied the Curie temperature for different concentrations.

Structural and electronic properties of TiX (X=N, As) in rock salt and zinc blende phase: A DFT study

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Verma, U. P.; Nayak, V. [School of Studies in Phyics, jiwaji University, Gwalior-474011 (India)

2016-05-23

Quantum mechanical first principle calculations have been performed to study the electronic and structural properties of TiN and TiAs in zinc blende (ZB) and rock salt (RS) structures. The full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method has been used within the framework of density functional theory (DFT). The exchange correlation functional has been solved employing generalized gradient approximation (GGA). Our predicted results for lattice constants are in good agreement with the earlier findings. The electronic band structures of TiX are metallic in both the phases.

Precipitation of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Bicontinuous Microemulsions

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Liliana E. Romo

2011-01-01

Full Text Available Zinc oxide nanoparticles were obtained directly, avoiding the calcination step, by precipitation at 70°C in bicontinuous microemulsions stabilized with a mixture of surfactants sodium bis (2-ethylhexyl sulfosuccinate/sodium dodecyl sulfate (2/1, wt./wt. containing 0.7 M zinc nitrate aqueous solution. Two concentrations of aqueous solution of precipitating agent sodium hydroxide were used under different dosing times on microemulsion. Characterization by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy allowed us to identify particles with an acicular rod-like morphology and a hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure as small as 8.5 and 30 nm in average diameter and length, respectively. Productivities much higher than those typical in the preparation of zinc oxide nanoparticles via reverse microemulsions were obtained. Particle size was the same at the two studied sodium hydroxide concentrations, while it increases as dosing time of the precipitant agent increases. It is believed that the surfactant film on the microemulsion channels restricts the particle diameter growth.

Wurtzite InP nanowire arrays grown by selective area MOCVD

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chu, Hyung-Joon; Stewart, Lawrence; Yeh, Ting-Wei; Dapkus, P.D.

2010-01-01

InP nanowires are a unique material phase because this normally zincblende material forms in the wurtzite crystal structure below a critical diameter owing to the contribution of sidewalls to the total formation energy. This may allow control of the carrier transport and optical properties of InP nanowires for applications such as nano scale transistors, lasers and detectors. In this work, we describe the fabrication of InP nanowire arrays by selective area growth using MOCVD in the diameter range where the wurtzite structure is formed. The spatial growth rate in selective area growth is modeled by a diffusion model for the precursors. The proposed model achieves an average error of 9%. Electron microscopy shows that the grown InP nanowires are in the wurtzite crystal phase with many stacking faults. The threshold diameter of the crystal phase transition of InP nanowires is larger than the thermodynamic estimation. In order to explain this tendency, we propose a surface kinetics model based on a 2 x 2 reconstruction. This model can explain the increased tendency for wurtzite nanowire formation on InP (111)A substrates and the preferred growth direction of binary III-V compound semiconductor nanowires. (copyright 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)

Modelling the growth of ZnO thin films by PVD methods and the effects of post-annealing.

Science.gov (United States)

Blackwell, Sabrina; Smith, Roger; Kenny, Steven D; Walls, John M; Sanz-Navarro, Carlos F

2013-04-03

Results are presented for modelling of the evaporation and magnetron sputter deposition of Zn(x)O(y) onto an O-terminated ZnO (0001¯) wurtzite surface. Growth was simulated through a combination of molecular dynamics (MD) and an on-the-fly kinetic Monte Carlo (otf-KMC) method, which finds diffusion pathways and barriers without prior knowledge of transitions. We examine the effects of varying experimental parameters, such as substrate bias, distribution of the deposition species and annealing temperature. It was found when comparing evaporation and sputtering growth that the latter process results in a denser and more crystalline structure, due to the higher deposition energy of the arriving species. The evaporation growth also exhibits more stacking faults than the sputtered growth. Post-annealing at 770 K did not allow complete recrystallization, resulting in films which still had stacking faults where monolayers formed in the zinc blende phase, whereas annealing at 920 K enabled the complete recrystallization of some films to the wurtzite structure. At the latter temperature atoms could also sometimes be locked in the zinc blende phase after annealing. When full recrystallization did not take place, both wurtzite and zinc blende phases were seen in the same layer, resulting in a phase boundary. Investigation of the various distributions of deposition species showed that, during evaporation, the best quality film resulted from a stoichiometric distribution where only ZnO clusters were deposited. During sputtering, however, the best quality film resulted from a slightly O rich distribution. Two stoichiometric distributions, one involving mainly ZnO clusters and the other involving mainly single species, showed that the distribution of deposition species makes a huge impact on the grown film. The deposition of predominantly single species causes many more O atoms at the surface to be sputtered or reflected, resulting in an O deficiency of up to 18% in the

First-principles calculation on dilute magnetic alloys in zinc blend crystal structure

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ullah, Hamid; Inayat, Kalsoom; Khan, S.A; Mohammad, S.; Ali, A.; Alahmed, Z.A.; Reshak, A.H.

2015-01-01

Ab-initio calculations are performed to investigate the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of spin-polarized diluted magnetic alloys in zinc blende structure. The first-principles study is carried out on Mn doped III–V semiconductors. The calculated band structures, electronic properties and magnetic properties of Ga 1−x Mn x X (X=P, As) compounds reveal that Ga 0.75 Mn 0.25 P is half metallic turned to be metallic with increasing x to 0.5 and 0.75, whereas substitute P by As cause to maintain the half-metallicity nature in both of Ga 0.75 Mn 0.25 As and Ga 0.5 Mn 0.5 As and tune Ga 0.25 Mn 0.75 As to be metallic. Calculated total magnetic moments and the robustness of half-metallicity of Ga 0.75 Mn 0.25 P, Ga 0.75 Mn 0.25 As and Ga 0.5 Mn 0.5 As with respect to the variation in lattice parameters are also discussed. The predicted theoretical evidence shows that some Mn-doped III–V semiconductors can be effectively used in spintronic devices

Zinc and glutamate dehydrogenase in putative glutamatergic brain structures.

Science.gov (United States)

Wolf, G; Schmidt, W

1983-01-01

A certain topographic parallelism between the distribution of histochemically (TIMM staining) identified zinc and putative glutamatergic structures in the rat brain was demonstrated. Glutamate dehydrogenase as a zinc containing protein is in consideration to be an enzyme synthesizing transmitter glutamate. In a low concentration range externally added zinc ions (10(-9) to 10(-7) M) induced an increase in the activity of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) originating from rat hippocampal formation, neocortex, and cerebellum up to 142.4%. With rising molarity of Zn(II) in the incubation medium, the enzyme of hippocampal formation and cerebellum showed a biphasic course of activation. Zinc ions of a concentration higher than 10(-6) M caused a strong inhibition of GDH. The effect of Zn(II) on GDH originating from spinal ganglia and liver led only to a decrease of enzyme activity. These results are discussed in connection with a functional correlation between zinc and putatively glutamatergic system.

Indium Doped Zinc Oxide Thin Films Deposited by Ultrasonic Chemical Spray Technique, Starting from Zinc Acetylacetonate and Indium Chloride

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Rajesh Biswal

2014-07-01

Full Text Available The physical characteristics of ultrasonically sprayed indium-doped zinc oxide (ZnO:In thin films, with electrical resistivity as low as 3.42 × 10−3 Ω·cm and high optical transmittance, in the visible range, of 50%–70% is presented. Zinc acetylacetonate and indium chloride were used as the organometallic zinc precursor and the doping source, respectively, achieving ZnO:In thin films with growth rate in the order of 100 nm/min. The effects of both indium concentration and the substrate temperature on the structural, morphological, optical, and electrical characteristics were measured. All the films were polycrystalline, fitting well with hexagonal wurtzite type ZnO. A switching in preferential growth, from (002 to (101 planes for indium doped samples were observed. The surface morphology of the films showed a change from hexagonal slices to triangle shaped grains as the indium concentration increases. Potential applications as transparent conductive electrodes based on the resulting low electrical resistance and high optical transparency of the studied samples are considered.

Growth and Raman spectroscopy studies of gold-free catalyzed semiconductor nanowires

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zardo, Ilaria

2010-12-15

, enabled us to address the variation of the intensity of the scattered radiation along the nanowire length to the variation of the crystalline fraction. As well, the shift in frequency of the mode related to the crystalline Ge was attributed to phonon confinement effects. Spatially resolved Raman spectroscopy experiments were realized on single GaAs nanowires. Polarization dependent Raman scattering experiments enabled us to determine the Raman selection rules for zinc-blende GaAs nanowires. They were found to be modified with respect to the bulk. A component of the scattered light with respect to bulk GaAs is suppressed, due to the dielectric mismatch of a cylinder of nanoscale dimensions. Spatially resolved Raman spectroscopy experiments were realized on single zinc- blende/wurtzite GaAs nanowires, with different wurtzite content. The Raman spectrum of wurtzite GaAs was measured for the first time and the symmetry of the corresponding modes was determined by polarization dependent scattering experiments. The E{sub 1} - A{sub 1} splitting due to anisotropy of the crystal in wurtzite GaAs nanowires was found. The presence of strain along the zinc-blende/wurtzite nanowires was studied. Light scattering experiments on zinc-blende GaAs nanowires under hydrostatic pressure up to 20 GPa were realized with the use of a diamond anvil cell. The resonance profile of the 2LO mode suggests a stronger Froehlich coupling. The Grueneisen parameters were also found to be different from those obtained from bulk GaAs. Finally, there is evidence for a structural transition for P>16 GPa. (orig.)

The kinetic of photoreactions in zinc oxide microrods

Science.gov (United States)

Fiedot, M.; Rac, O.; Suchorska-Woźniak, P.; Nawrot, W.; Teterycz, H.

2016-01-01

Zinc oxide is the oldest sensing material used in the chemical resistive gas sensors which allow to detect many gases, such as carbon oxide, nitrogen oxides and other. This material is also widely used in medicine and daily life as antibacterial agent. For this reason this semiconductor is often synthesized on the polymer substrates such as foils and textiles. In presented results zinc oxide was deposited on the surface of poly(ethylene terephthalate) foil to obtain antibacterial material. As synthesis method chemical bath deposition was chosen. The growth of zinc oxide structures was carried out in water solution of zinc nitrate (V) and hexamethylenetetramine in 90°C during 9 h. Because antibacterial properties of ZnO are strongly depended on photocatalytic and electric properties of this semiconductor impedance spectroscopy measurements were carried out. During the measurements material was tested with and without UV light to determinate the kinetic of photoreactions in zinc oxide. Moreover the composite was analyzed by XRD diffraction and scanning electron microscope. The X-ray analysis indicated that obtained material has the structure of wurtzite which is typical of zinc oxide. SEM images showed that on the PET foil microrods of ZnO were formed. The impedance spectroscopy measurements of ZnO layer showed that in UV light significant changes in the conductivity of the material are observed.

The kinetic of photoreactions in zinc oxide microrods

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fiedot, M; Rac, O; Suchorska-Woźniak, P; Nawrot, W; Teterycz, H

2016-01-01

Zinc oxide is the oldest sensing material used in the chemical resistive gas sensors which allow to detect many gases, such as carbon oxide, nitrogen oxides and other. This material is also widely used in medicine and daily life as antibacterial agent. For this reason this semiconductor is often synthesized on the polymer substrates such as foils and textiles. In presented results zinc oxide was deposited on the surface of poly(ethylene terephthalate) foil to obtain antibacterial material. As synthesis method chemical bath deposition was chosen. The growth of zinc oxide structures was carried out in water solution of zinc nitrate (V) and hexamethylenetetramine in 90°C during 9 h. Because antibacterial properties of ZnO are strongly depended on photocatalytic and electric properties of this semiconductor impedance spectroscopy measurements were carried out. During the measurements material was tested with and without UV light to determinate the kinetic of photoreactions in zinc oxide. Moreover the composite was analyzed by XRD diffraction and scanning electron microscope. The X-ray analysis indicated that obtained material has the structure of wurtzite which is typical of zinc oxide. SEM images showed that on the PET foil microrods of ZnO were formed. The impedance spectroscopy measurements of ZnO layer showed that in UV light significant changes in the conductivity of the material are observed

X-ray investigation of CdSe nanowires

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kurtulus, Oezguel [Physics Division, Dogus University, Istanbul (Turkey); Li, Zhen [Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, Brisbane (Australia); Mews, Alf [Physical Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Hamburg (Germany); Pietsch, Ullrich [Department of Physics, University of Siegen, Siegen (Germany)

2009-08-15

CdSe nanowires (NWs) have been prepared by a solution-liquid-solid (SLS) approach using Bi nanocatalysts. Structural characterization has been performed by X-ray powder diffraction providing an admixture of wurtzite and zinc-blende (ZB) structure units separated by different types of stacking faults. The relative contributions of ZB type stacking units within the NWs were determined to be in the order of 3-6% from a set of ratios of reflection intensities appearing in only wurtzite structure to those appearing in both ZB and wurtzite (W) structure. In addition, the anisotropy of domain size within the NWs was evaluated from the evolution of peak broadening for increasing scattering length. The coherence lengths along the growth direction are found to be changing between 16 and 21 nm, smaller than the results obtained from TEM measurement, while the NW diameters are determined to be between 5 and 8 nm which is in good agreement with TEM inspection. (Abstract Copyright [2009], Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Fruit peel extract mediated green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles

Science.gov (United States)

Nava, O. J.; Soto-Robles, C. A.; Gómez-Gutiérrez, C. M.; Vilchis-Nestor, A. R.; Castro-Beltrán, A.; Olivas, A.; Luque, P. A.

2017-11-01

This work presents a study of the effects on the photocatalytic capabilities of zinc oxide nanoparticles when prepared via green synthesis using different fruit peel extracts as reducing agents. Zinc nitrate was used as a source of the zinc ions, while Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato), Citrus sinensis (orange), Citrus paradisi (grapefruit) and Citrus aurantifolia (lemon) contributed their peels for extracts. The Synthesized Samples were studied and characterized through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM). All samples presented a band at 618 cm-1, indicating the presence of the Znsbnd O bond. The different samples all presented the same hexagonal crystal growth in their structure, the Wurtzite phase. The surface morphology of the nanoparticles showed that, depending on the extract used, the samples vary in size and shape distribution due to the chemical composition of the extracts. The photocatalytic properties of the zinc oxide samples were tested through UV light aided degradation of methylene blue. Most samples exhibited degradation rates at 180 min of around 97%, a major improvement when compared to chemically synthesized commercially available zinc oxide nanoparticles.

Controllable synthesis, growth mechanism and optical properties of the ZnSe quantum dots and nanoparticles with different crystalline phases

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Feng, Bo [Key Laboratory of Excited State Physics, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 3888 Eastern Nan-Hu Road, Changchun 130033 (China); Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049 (China); Institute of Condensed State Physics, Jilin Normal University, Siping 136000 (China); Yang, Jinghai, E-mail: jhyang1@jlnu.edu.cn [Institute of Condensed State Physics, Jilin Normal University, Siping 136000 (China); Cao, Jian; Yang, Lili; Gao, Ming; Wei, Maobin; Liu, Yang [Institute of Condensed State Physics, Jilin Normal University, Siping 136000 (China); Song, Hang [Key Laboratory of Excited State Physics, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 3888 Eastern Nan-Hu Road, Changchun 130033 (China)

2013-03-15

Graphical abstract: The ZnSe quantum dots (3.5 nm) with the wurtzite structure exhibited a strong near band-edge emission (NBE) peak centered at 422 nm. The zinc blende ZnSe nanoparticles (21 nm) exhibited near-band-edge luminescence peak centered at 472 nm. Highlights: ► The results of TEM showed that the ZnSe quantum dots were about 3.5 nm. ► The ZnSe quantum dots exhibited a near band-edge emission peak centered at 422 nm. ► The ZnSe nanoparticles exhibited near-band-edge luminescence peak centered at 472 nm. - Abstract: ZnSe precursors were prepared by a solvothermal method at 180 °C without any surface-active agents. ZnSe quantum dots and nanoparticles were obtained by annealing the precursors at 300 °C for 2 h in argon atmosphere. The ZnSe quantum dots were about 3.5 nm, while the ZnSe nanoparticles were about 21 nm, as observed using TEM. The growth mechanisms for the two samples were discussed; this proved that the high coordination ability of ethylenediamine to zinc played an important role in the final phase of the products. The ZnSe quantum dots with the wurtzite structure exhibited a strong near band-edge emission (NBE) peak centered at 422 nm, which was blue-shifted in comparison to that of the bulk ZnSe, which was mainly caused by the quantum confinement effect. However, the zinc blende ZnSe nanoparticles exhibited a near-band-edge luminescence peak centered at 472 nm.

Investigation of intrinsic defect magnetic properties in wurtzite ZnO materials

Science.gov (United States)

Fedorov, A. S.; Visotin, M. A.; Kholtobina, A. S.; Kuzubov, A. A.; Mikhaleva, N. S.; Hsu, Hua Shu

2017-10-01

Theoretical and experimental investigations of the ferromagnetism induced by intrinsic defects inside wurtzite zinc oxide structures are performed using magnetic field-dependent circular dichroism (MCD-H), direct magnetization measurement (M-H) by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) as well as by generalized gradient density functional theory (GGA-DFT). To investigate localized magnetic moments of bulk material intrinsic defects - vacancies, interstitial atoms and Frenkel defects, various-size periodic supercells are calculated. It is shown that oxygen interstitial atoms (Oi) or zinc vacancies (Znv) generate magnetic moments of 1,98 и 1,26 μB respectively, however, the magnitudes are significantly reduced when the distance between defects increases. At the same time, the magnetic moments of oxygen Frenkel defects are large ( 1.5-1.8 μB) and do not depend on the distance between the defects. It is shown that the origin of the induced ferromagnetism in bulk ZnO is the extra spin density on the oxygen atoms nearest to the defect. Also dependence of the magnetization of ZnO (10 1 ̅ 0) and (0001) thin films on the positions of Oi and Znv in subsurface layers were investigated and it is shown that the magnetic moments of both defects are significantly different from the values inside bulk material. In order to check theoretical results regarding the defect induced ferromagnetism in ZnO, two thin films doped by carbon (C) and having Zn interstitials and oxygen vacancies were prepared and annealed in vacuum and air, respectively. According to the MCD-H and M-H measurements, the film, which was annealed in air, exhibits a ferromagnetic behavior, while the other does not. One can assume annealing of ZnO in vacuum should create oxygen vacancies or Zn interstitial atoms. At that annealing of the second C:ZnO film in air leads to essential magnetization, probably by annihilation of oxygen vacancies, formation of interstitial oxygen atoms or zinc vacancies

Green–white electroluminescence and green photoluminescence of zinc complexes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Janghouri, Mohammad; Mohajerani, Ezeddin [Laser and Plasma Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Tehran 1983963113 (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Amini, Mostafa M.; Najafi, Ezzatollah [Department of Chemistry, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Tehran 1983963113 (Iran, Islamic Republic of)

2014-10-15

A series of zinc complexes has been synthesized and utilized as fluorescent materials in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). All prepared complexes were characterized by elemental analysis (CHN), UV–vis, FT-IR and {sup 1}H NMR spectroscopy. The energy levels of zinc complexes were determined by cyclic voltammetry measurements. Devices with fundamental structure of ITO/PVK:PBD (50 nm)/zinc complexes/BCP (5 nm)/Alq{sub 3} (25 nm)/Al (180 nm) were fabricated. A green electroluminescence was obtained from thin film complexes at 25 nm thickness. When thickness of the complex bis(2-methylquinolin-8-olato)-bis[(acetato)-(methanol)zinc(II)] (B) in thin film decreased from 25 nm to 20, 18, and 12 nm, a white electroluminescence obtained. The white emission which was composed of blue and green attributed to the PVK:PBD blend and thickness of complex, respectively. With 12 nm thickness of complex, a maximum luminance of 4530 cd/m{sup 2} at a current density 398.32 mA/cm{sup 2} with CIE coordinates of 0.22 and 0.36 at 20 V was achieved. - Highlights: • Several new zinc complexes have been synthesized and utilized as fluorescent materials in OLEDs. • Photoluminescence emission of zinc complexes showed a red shift in respect to PVK:PBD blend. • Green electroluminescence emission from zinc complexes was achieved. • White emission has been obtained for an OLED by changing thickness of the zinc complex.

Green–white electroluminescence and green photoluminescence of zinc complexes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Janghouri, Mohammad; Mohajerani, Ezeddin; Amini, Mostafa M.; Najafi, Ezzatollah

2014-01-01

A series of zinc complexes has been synthesized and utilized as fluorescent materials in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). All prepared complexes were characterized by elemental analysis (CHN), UV–vis, FT-IR and 1 H NMR spectroscopy. The energy levels of zinc complexes were determined by cyclic voltammetry measurements. Devices with fundamental structure of ITO/PVK:PBD (50 nm)/zinc complexes/BCP (5 nm)/Alq 3 (25 nm)/Al (180 nm) were fabricated. A green electroluminescence was obtained from thin film complexes at 25 nm thickness. When thickness of the complex bis(2-methylquinolin-8-olato)-bis[(acetato)-(methanol)zinc(II)] (B) in thin film decreased from 25 nm to 20, 18, and 12 nm, a white electroluminescence obtained. The white emission which was composed of blue and green attributed to the PVK:PBD blend and thickness of complex, respectively. With 12 nm thickness of complex, a maximum luminance of 4530 cd/m 2 at a current density 398.32 mA/cm 2 with CIE coordinates of 0.22 and 0.36 at 20 V was achieved. - Highlights: • Several new zinc complexes have been synthesized and utilized as fluorescent materials in OLEDs. • Photoluminescence emission of zinc complexes showed a red shift in respect to PVK:PBD blend. • Green electroluminescence emission from zinc complexes was achieved. • White emission has been obtained for an OLED by changing thickness of the zinc complex

New spintronic superlattices composed of half-metallic compounds with zinc-blende structure

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fong, C Y; Qian, M C

2004-01-01

The successful growth of zinc-blende half-metallic compounds, namely CrAs and CrSb, in thin film forms offers a new direction to search for novel spintronic materials. By using a well documented first-principles algorithm, the VASP code, we predict the electronic and magnetic properties of superlattices made of these exciting half-metallic materials. Not only are the superlattices constructed with two of the half-metallic compounds (CrAs/MnAs) but also they are modelled to combine with both a III-V (GaAs-MnAs/CrAs/GaAs) and a IV-IV (MnC/SiC) semiconductor. We investigate variable thicknesses for the combinations. For every case, we find the equilibrium lattice constant as well as the lattice constant at which the superlattice exhibits the half-metallic properties. For CrAs/MnAs, the half-metallic properties are presented and the magnetic moments are shown to be the sum of the moments for MnAs and CrAs. The half-metallic properties of GaAs-MnAs/CrAs/GaAs are found to be crucially dependent on the completion of the d-p hybridization. The magnetic properties of MnC/SiC are discussed with respect to the properties of MnC

First-principles calculation on dilute magnetic alloys in zinc blend crystal structure

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ullah, Hamid, E-mail: hamidullah@yahoo.com [Department of Physics, Government Post Graduate Jahanzeb College, Saidu Sharif Swat (Pakistan); Inayat, Kalsoom [Department of Physics, Government Post Graduate Jahanzeb College, Saidu Sharif Swat (Pakistan); Khan, S.A; Mohammad, S. [Department of Physics, Materials Modeling Laboratory, Hazara University, Mansehra 21300 (Pakistan); Ali, A. [Department of Advanced Materials Science & Engineering, Hanseo University, Seosan-si, Chungnam-do 356-706 (Korea, Republic of); Alahmed, Z.A. [Department of Physics and Astronomy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451 (Saudi Arabia); Reshak, A.H. [New Technologies-Research Center, University of West Bohemia, Univerzitni 8, 306 14 Pilsen (Czech Republic); Center of Excellence Geopolymer and Green Technology, School of Material Engineering, University Malaysia Perlis, 01007 Kangar, Perlis (Malaysia)

2015-07-01

Ab-initio calculations are performed to investigate the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of spin-polarized diluted magnetic alloys in zinc blende structure. The first-principles study is carried out on Mn doped III–V semiconductors. The calculated band structures, electronic properties and magnetic properties of Ga{sub 1−x}Mn{sub x}X (X=P, As) compounds reveal that Ga{sub 0.75}Mn{sub 0.25}P is half metallic turned to be metallic with increasing x to 0.5 and 0.75, whereas substitute P by As cause to maintain the half-metallicity nature in both of Ga{sub 0.75}Mn{sub 0.25}As and Ga{sub 0.5}Mn{sub 0.5}As and tune Ga{sub 0.25}Mn{sub 0.75}As to be metallic. Calculated total magnetic moments and the robustness of half-metallicity of Ga{sub 0.75}Mn{sub 0.25}P, Ga{sub 0.75}Mn{sub 0.25}As and Ga{sub 0.5}Mn{sub 0.5}As with respect to the variation in lattice parameters are also discussed. The predicted theoretical evidence shows that some Mn-doped III–V semiconductors can be effectively used in spintronic devices.

Lattice Dynamics of Magnesium Stannide and Zinc Blende. An experimental study by means of inelastic neutron scattering. RCN Report

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bergsma, J.

1970-06-01

Phonon dispersion relations in Mg 2 Sn and ZnS along the directions [001] , [110] and [111] are presented. Inelastic neutron scattering experiments were carried out by means of a triple-axis crystal spectrometer; for some optic branches the inverse beryllium-filter method was applied. A graphical method of focusing and calculations of inelastic structure factors were helpful in designing experiments. Group theory was employed for the block diagonalization of the dynamical matrices and the determination of eigenvectors. The dispersion relations are described by simple shell models allowing polarization of only one of the ions in each crystal. Zinc blende was found to be mainly covalent and magnesium stannide has an appreciable ionicity. (author)

Origin of localized states in zinc-blende ZnCdSe thin films and the influence on carrier relaxation of self-assembled ZnTe/ZnCdSe quantum dots

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lee, Ling; Dai, Yue-Ru; Yang, Chu-Shou; Fan, Wen-Chung; Chou, Wu-Ching

2015-01-01

Highlights: • The localized emission in zinc-blende ZnCdSe is induced by excess selenium. • An optimized growth is demonstrated as the VI/II ratio approaches unity. • Size-independent lifetimes are observed in ZnTe/ZnCdSe quantum dots. • Localized electrons in the capping layer dominate size-independent lifetimes. - Abstract: This study discovered the origin of deep level emission in zinc-blende ZnCdSe thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy, in which a localization behavior was noticed. Pronounced deep level emission observed in films grown under a VI/II ratio of 1.74 (Se-accumulated regime) could be suppressed by a lower VI/II ratio of 1.04 (intermediate regime) and 0.74 (metal-rich regime). Hence the localized states could be correlated to excess selenium accumulated at the growth surface. The localized states also influence the carrier relaxation process of self-assembled ZnTe quantum dots embedded in a ZnCdSe matrix. Once quantum dots surmount the wetting layer, localized electrons in the capping layer dominate the type-II transition and exhibit size-independent lifetimes

Stability and electronic properties of oxygen-doped ZnS polytypes: DFTB study

Science.gov (United States)

Popov, Ilya S.; Vorokh, Andrey S.; Enyashin, Andrey N.

2018-06-01

Synthesis from aqueous solutions is an affordable method for fabrication of II-VI semiconductors. However, application of this method often imposes a disorder of crystal lattice, manifesting as a rich variety of polytypes arising from wurtzite and zinc blende phases. The origin of this disordering still remains debatable. Here, the influence of the most likely impurity at water environment - substitutional oxygen - on the polytypic equilibrium of zinc sulphide is studied by means of density-functional tight-binding method. According to calculations, the inclusion of such oxygen does not affect the polytypic equilibrium. Apart of thermodynamic stability, the electronic and elastic properties of ZnS polytypes are studied as the function of oxygen distribution.

Unique synergism in flame retardancy in ABS based composites through blending PVDF and halloysite nanotubes

Science.gov (United States)

Remanan, Sanjay; Sharma, Maya; Jayashree, Priyadarshini; Parameswaranpillai, Jyotishkumar; Fabian, Thomas; Shih, Julie; Shankarappa, Prasad; Nuggehalli, Bharath; Bose, Suryasarathi

2017-06-01

This study demonstrates flame retardant materials designed using bi-phasic polymer blends of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) containing halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and Cloisite 30B nanoclay. The prepared blends with and without nanoparticles were extensively characterized. The nanoparticles were added in different weight concentrations to improve the flame retardancy. It was observed that prepared ABS/PVDF blends showed better flame retardancy than ABS based composites. The flame resistance was further improved by the addition of nanoparticles in the blends. The microscale combustion calorimetry (MCC) test showed better flame resistance in ABS/PVDF blends filled with 5 wt% HNTs than other composites. The total heat release of ABS/PVDF blend filled with 5 wt% HNTs decreased by 31% and also the heat of combustion decreased by 26% as compared to neat ABS. When compared with nanoparticles, the addition of PVDF reduced the peak heat release rate (PHRR) and increased the char residue more effectively. A synergistic improvement was observed from both PVDF and HNTs on the flame resistance properties.

First-principles study of thermoelectric properties of CuI

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yadav, Manoj K; Sanyal, Biplab

2014-01-01

Theoretical investigations of the thermoelectric properties of CuI have been carried out employing first-principles calculations followed by the calculations of transport coefficients based on Boltzmann transport theory. Among the three different phases of CuI, viz. zinc-blende, wurtzite and rock salt, the thermoelectric power factor is found to be the maximum for the rock salt phase. We have analysed the variations of Seebeck coefficients and thermoelectric power factors on the basis of calculated electronic structures near the valence band maxima of these phases. (papers)

Notes on Piezoelectricity

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Redondo, Antonio [Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

2016-02-03

These notes provide a pedagogical discussion of the physics of piezoelectricity. The exposition starts with a brief analysis of the classical (continuum) theory of piezoelectric phenomena in solids. The main subject of the notes is, however, a quantum mechanical analysis. We first derive the Frohlich Hamiltonian as part of the description of the electron-phonon interaction. The results of this analysis are then employed to derive the equations of piezoelectricity. A couple of examples with the zinc blende and and wurtzite structures are presented at the end

Pressure dependence of elastic and dynamical properties of zinc-blende ZnS and ZnSe from first principle calculation

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

H.Y. Wang

2012-03-01

Full Text Available The density-functional theory (DFT and density-functional perturbation theory (DFPT are employed to study the pressure dependence of elastic and dynamical properties of zinc-blende ZnS and ZnSe. The calculated elastic constants and phonon spectra from 0 GPa to 15 GPa are compared with the available experimental data. Generally, our calculated values are overestimated with experimental data, but agree well with recent other theoretical values. The discrepancies with experimental data are due to the use of local density approximation (LDA and effect of temperature. In this work, in order to compare with experimental data, we calculated and discussed the pressure derivatives of elastic constants, the pressure dependence of dynamical effect charge, and mode Grüneisen parameter at Γ.

Pressure dependence of the refractive index in wurtzite and rocksalt indium nitride

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Oliva, R.; Segura, A.; Ibáñez, J.; Artús, L.; Yamaguchi, T.; Nanishi, Y.

2014-01-01

We have performed high-pressure Fourier transform infrared reflectance measurements on a freestanding InN thin film to determine the refractive index of wurtzite InN and its high-pressure rocksalt phase as a function of hydrostatic pressure. From a fit to the experimental refractive-index curves including the effect of the high-energy optical gaps, phonons, free carriers, and the direct (fundamental) band-gap in the case of wurtzite InN, we obtain pressure coefficients for the low-frequency (electronic) dielectric constant ε ∞ . Negative pressure coefficients of −8.8 × 10 −2  GPa −1 and −14.8 × 10 −2  GPa −1 are obtained for the wurtzite and rocksalt phases, respectively. The results are discussed in terms of the electronic band structure and the compressibility of both phases

Protective effect of zinc against ischemic neuronal injury in a middle cerebral artery occlusion model.

Science.gov (United States)

Kitamura, Youji; Iida, Yasuhiko; Abe, Jun; Ueda, Masashi; Mifune, Masaki; Kasuya, Fumiyo; Ohta, Masayuki; Igarashi, Kazuo; Saito, Yutaka; Saji, Hideo

2006-02-01

In this study, we investigated the effect of vesicular zinc on ischemic neuronal injury. In cultured neurons, addition of a low concentration (under 100 microM) of zinc inhibited both glutamate-induced calcium influx and neuronal death. In contrast, a higher concentration (over 150 microM) of zinc decreased neuronal viability, although calcium influx was inhibited. These results indicate that zinc exhibits biphasic effects depending on its concentration. Furthermore, in cultured neurons, co-addition of glutamate and CaEDTA, which binds extra-cellular zinc, increased glutamate-induced calcium influx and aggravated the neurotoxicity of glutamate. In a rat transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model, the infarction volume, which is related to the neurotoxicity of glutamate, increased rapidly on the intracerebral ventricular injection of CaEDTA 30 min prior to occlusion. These results suggest that zinc released from synaptic vesicles may provide a protective effect against ischemic neuronal injury.

Polarity of wurtzite crystals by photoelectron diffraction

Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

Bartoš, Igor; Romanyuk, Olexandr

2014-01-01

Roč. 315, OCT (2014), s. 506-509 ISSN 0169-4332 Grant - others:AVČR(CZ) M100101201 Institutional support: RVO:68378271 Keywords : wurtzite semiconductors * surface polarity * X-ray photoelectron diffraction * XPD Subject RIV: BM - Solid Matter Physics ; Magnetism Impact factor: 2.711, year: 2014 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016943321400066X

Heteroepitaxy of zinc-blende SiC nano-dots on Si substrate by organometallic ion beam

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Matsumoto, T.; Kiuchi, M.; Sugimoto, S.; Goto, S.

2006-01-01

The self-assembled SiC nano-dots were fabricated on Si(111) substrate at low-temperatures using the organometallic ion beam deposition technique. The single precursor of methylsilicenium ions (SiCH 3 + ) with the energy of 100 eV was deposited on Si(111) substrate at 500, 550 and 600 deg. C. The characteristics of the self-assembled SiC nano-dots were analyzed by reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED), Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscope (AFM). The RHEED patterns showed that the crystal structure of the SiC nano-dots formed on Si(111) substrate was zinc-blende SiC (3C-SiC) and it was heteroepitaxy. The self-assembled SiC nano-dots were like a dome in shape, and their sizes were the length of 200-300 nm and the height of 10-15 nm. Despite the low-temperature of 500 deg. C as SiC crystallization the heteroepitaxial SiC nano-dots were fabricated on Si(111) substrate using the organometallic ion beam

Strain relaxation and ambipolar electrical transport in GaAs/InSb core-shell nanowires.

Science.gov (United States)

Rieger, Torsten; Zellekens, Patrick; Demarina, Natalia; Hassan, Ali Al; Hackemüller, Franz Josef; Lüth, Hans; Pietsch, Ullrich; Schäpers, Thomas; Grützmacher, Detlev; Lepsa, Mihail Ion

2017-11-30

The growth, crystal structure, strain relaxation and room temperature transport characteristics of GaAs/InSb core-shell nanowires grown using molecular beam epitaxy are investigated. Due to the large lattice mismatch between GaAs and InSb of 14%, a transition from island-based to layer-like growth occurs during the formation of the shell. High resolution transmission electron microscopy in combination with geometric phase analyses as well as X-ray diffraction with synchrotron radiation are used to investigate the strain relaxation and prove the existence of different dislocations relaxing the strain on zinc blende and wurtzite core-shell nanowire segments. While on the wurtzite phase only Frank partial dislocations are found, the strain on the zinc blende phase is relaxed by dislocations with perfect, Shockley partial and Frank partial dislocations. Even for ultrathin shells of about 2 nm thickness, the strain caused by the high lattice mismatch between GaAs and InSb is relaxed almost completely. Transfer characteristics of the core-shell nanowires show an ambipolar conductance behavior whose strength strongly depends on the dimensions of the nanowires. The interpretation is given based on an electronic band profile which is calculated for completely relaxed core/shell structures. The peculiarities of the band alignment in this situation implies simultaneously occupied electron and hole channels in the InSb shell. The ambipolar behavior is then explained by the change of carrier concentration in both channels by the gate voltage.

Nanoselective area growth of GaN by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy on 4H-SiC using epitaxial graphene as a mask

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Puybaret, Renaud; Jordan, Matthew B.; Voss, Paul L.; Ougazzaden, Abdallah; Patriarche, Gilles; Sundaram, Suresh; El Gmili, Youssef; Salvestrini, Jean-Paul; Heer, Walt A. de; Berger, Claire

2016-01-01

We report the growth of high-quality triangular GaN nanomesas, 30-nm thick, on the C-face of 4H-SiC using nanoselective area growth (NSAG) with patterned epitaxial graphene grown on SiC as an embedded mask. NSAG alleviates the problems of defects in heteroepitaxy, and the high mobility graphene film could readily provide the back low-dissipative electrode in GaN-based optoelectronic devices. A 5–8 graphene-layer film is first grown on the C-face of 4H-SiC by confinement-controlled sublimation of silicon carbide. Graphene is then patterned and arrays of 75-nm-wide openings are etched in graphene revealing the SiC substrate. A 30-nm-thick GaN is subsequently grown by metal organic vapor phase epitaxy. GaN nanomesas grow epitaxially with perfect selectivity on SiC, in the openings patterned through graphene. The up-or-down orientation of the mesas on SiC, their triangular faceting, and cross-sectional scanning transmission electron microscopy show that they are biphasic. The core is a zinc blende monocrystal surrounded with single-crystal wurtzite. The GaN crystalline nanomesas have no threading dislocations or V-pits. This NSAG process potentially leads to integration of high-quality III-nitrides on the wafer scalable epitaxial graphene/silicon carbide platform.

Nanoselective area growth of GaN by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy on 4H-SiC using epitaxial graphene as a mask

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Puybaret, Renaud; Jordan, Matthew B.; Voss, Paul L.; Ougazzaden, Abdallah, E-mail: aougazza@georgiatech-metz.fr [School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332 (United States); CNRS UMI 2958, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2 Rue Marconi, 57070 Metz (France); Patriarche, Gilles [CNRS, Laboratoire de Photonique et de Nanostructures, Route de Nozay, 91460 Marcoussis (France); Sundaram, Suresh; El Gmili, Youssef [CNRS UMI 2958, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2 Rue Marconi, 57070 Metz (France); Salvestrini, Jean-Paul [Université de Lorraine, CentraleSupélec, LMOPS, EA4423, 57070 Metz (France); Heer, Walt A. de [School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332 (United States); Berger, Claire [School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332 (United States); CNRS, Institut Néel, BP166, 38042 Grenoble Cedex 9 (France)

2016-03-07

We report the growth of high-quality triangular GaN nanomesas, 30-nm thick, on the C-face of 4H-SiC using nanoselective area growth (NSAG) with patterned epitaxial graphene grown on SiC as an embedded mask. NSAG alleviates the problems of defects in heteroepitaxy, and the high mobility graphene film could readily provide the back low-dissipative electrode in GaN-based optoelectronic devices. A 5–8 graphene-layer film is first grown on the C-face of 4H-SiC by confinement-controlled sublimation of silicon carbide. Graphene is then patterned and arrays of 75-nm-wide openings are etched in graphene revealing the SiC substrate. A 30-nm-thick GaN is subsequently grown by metal organic vapor phase epitaxy. GaN nanomesas grow epitaxially with perfect selectivity on SiC, in the openings patterned through graphene. The up-or-down orientation of the mesas on SiC, their triangular faceting, and cross-sectional scanning transmission electron microscopy show that they are biphasic. The core is a zinc blende monocrystal surrounded with single-crystal wurtzite. The GaN crystalline nanomesas have no threading dislocations or V-pits. This NSAG process potentially leads to integration of high-quality III-nitrides on the wafer scalable epitaxial graphene/silicon carbide platform.

Facile Synthesis of Uniform Zinc-blende ZnS Nanospheres with Excellent Photocatalytic Activity toward Methylene Blue Degradation

Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)

PENG Si-Yan; YANG Liu-Sai; LV Ying-Ying; YU Le-Shu; HUANG Hai-Jin; WU Li-Dan

2017-01-01

Uniform and well-dispersed ZnS nanospheres have been successfully synthesized via a facile chemical route.The crystal structure,morphology,surface area and photocatalytic properties of the sample were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD),scanning electron microscopy (SEM),Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrum.The results of characterizations indicate that the products are identified as mesoporous zinc-blende ZnS nanospheres with an average diameter of 200 nm,which are comprised of nanoparticles with the crystallite size of about 3.2 nm calculated by XRD.Very importantly,photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB)shows that the as-prepared ZnS nanospheres exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity with nearly 100％ of MB decomposed after UV-light irradiation for 25 min.The excellent photocatalytic activity of ZnS nanospheres can be ascribed to the large specific surface area and hierarchical mesoporous structure.

Pressure dependence of the refractive index in wurtzite and rocksalt indium nitride

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Oliva, R. [Institut Jaume Almera, Consell Superior d' Investigacions Científiques (CSIC), Lluís Solé i Sabarís s.n., 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia (Spain); MALTA-Consolider Team, Departament de Física Aplicada, ICMUV, Universitat de València, c/Dr. Moliner 50, 46100 Burjassot, València (Spain); Segura, A. [MALTA-Consolider Team, Departament de Física Aplicada, ICMUV, Universitat de València, c/Dr. Moliner 50, 46100 Burjassot, València (Spain); Ibáñez, J., E-mail: jibanez@ictja.csic.es; Artús, L. [Institut Jaume Almera, Consell Superior d' Investigacions Científiques (CSIC), Lluís Solé i Sabarís s.n., 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia (Spain); Yamaguchi, T.; Nanishi, Y. [Faculty of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga 525-8577 (Japan)

2014-12-08

We have performed high-pressure Fourier transform infrared reflectance measurements on a freestanding InN thin film to determine the refractive index of wurtzite InN and its high-pressure rocksalt phase as a function of hydrostatic pressure. From a fit to the experimental refractive-index curves including the effect of the high-energy optical gaps, phonons, free carriers, and the direct (fundamental) band-gap in the case of wurtzite InN, we obtain pressure coefficients for the low-frequency (electronic) dielectric constant ε{sub ∞}. Negative pressure coefficients of −8.8 × 10{sup −2 }GPa{sup −1} and −14.8 × 10{sup −2 }GPa{sup −1} are obtained for the wurtzite and rocksalt phases, respectively. The results are discussed in terms of the electronic band structure and the compressibility of both phases.

100-nm thick single-phase wurtzite BAlN films with boron contents over 10%

KAUST Repository

Li, Xiaohang; Wang, Shuo; Liu, Hanxiao; Ponce, Fernando A.; Detchprohm, Theeradetch; Dupuis, Russell D.

2017-01-01

Growing thicker BAlN films while maintaining single-phase wurtzite structure and boron content over 10% has been challenging. In this study, we report on the growth of 100 nm-thick single-phase wurtzite BAlN films with boron contents up to 14.4% by MOCVD. Flow-modulated epitaxy was employed to increase diffusion length of group-III atoms and reduce parasitic reactions between the metalorganics and NH3. A large growth efficiency of ∼2000 μm mol−1 was achieved as a result. Small B/III ratios up to 17% in conjunction with high temperatures up to 1010 °C were utilized to prevent formation of the cubic phase and maintain wurtzite structure.

100-nm thick single-phase wurtzite BAlN films with boron contents over 10%

KAUST Repository

Li, Xiaohang

2017-01-11

Growing thicker BAlN films while maintaining single-phase wurtzite structure and boron content over 10% has been challenging. In this study, we report on the growth of 100 nm-thick single-phase wurtzite BAlN films with boron contents up to 14.4% by MOCVD. Flow-modulated epitaxy was employed to increase diffusion length of group-III atoms and reduce parasitic reactions between the metalorganics and NH3. A large growth efficiency of ∼2000 μm mol−1 was achieved as a result. Small B/III ratios up to 17% in conjunction with high temperatures up to 1010 °C were utilized to prevent formation of the cubic phase and maintain wurtzite structure.

Unit Cell Structure of Crystal Polytypes in InAs and InSb Nanowires

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Kriegner, Dominik; Panse, Christian; Mandl, Bernhard

2011-01-01

The atomic distances in hexagonal polytypes of III−V compound semiconductors differ from the values expected from simply a change of the stacking sequence of (111) lattice planes. While these changes were difficult to quantify so far, we accurately determine the lattice parameters of zinc blende......, wurtzite, and 4H polytypes for InAs and InSb nanowires, using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The results are compared to density functional theory calculations. Experiment and theory show that the occurrence of hexagonal bilayers tends to stretch the distances of atomic layers...

Nanostructure formation during relatively high temperature growth of Mn-doped GaAs by molecular beam epitaxy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Del Río-De Santiago, A.; Méndez-García, V.H. [CIACyT-UASLP, Sierra Leona Av. # 550, Lomas 2a Secc, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P. 78210, México (Mexico); Martínez-Velis, I.; Casallas-Moreno, Y.L. [Physics Department, CINVESTAV-IPN, Apdo. Postal 14470 D. F. México, México (Mexico); López-Luna, E. [CIACyT-UASLP, Sierra Leona Av. # 550, Lomas 2a Secc, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P. 78210, México (Mexico); Yu Gorbatchev, A. [IICO-UASLP, Av. Karakorum 1470, Lomas 4a. Sección, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P. 78210, México (Mexico); López-López, M. [Physics Department, CINVESTAV-IPN, Apdo. Postal 14470 D. F. México, México (Mexico); Cruz-Hernández, E., E-mail: esteban.cruz@uaslp.mx [CIACyT-UASLP, Sierra Leona Av. # 550, Lomas 2a Secc, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P. 78210, México (Mexico)

2015-04-01

Highlights: • The formation of different kind of nanostructures in GaMnAs layers depending on Mn concentration at relative HT-MBE is reported. In this Mn% range, it is found the formation of nanogrooves, nanoleaves, and nanowires. • It is shown the progressive photoluminescence transitions from purely GaAsMn zinc blende (for Mn% = 0.01) to a mixture of zinc blende and wurtzite GaAsMn (for Mn% = 0.2). • A critical thickness for the Mn catalyst effect was determined by RHEED. - Abstract: In the present work, we report on molecular beam epitaxy growth of Mn-doped GaAs films at the relatively high temperature (HT) of 530 °C. We found that by increasing the Mn atomic percent, Mn%, from 0.01 to 0.2, the surface morphology of the samples is strongly influenced and changes from planar to corrugated for Mn% values from 0.01 to 0.05, corresponding to nanostructures on the surface with dimensions of 200–300 nm and with the shape of leave, to nanowire-like structures for Mn% values above 0.05. From reflection high-energy electron diffraction patterns, we observed the growth mode transition from two- to three-dimensional occurring at a Mn% exceeding 0.05. The optical and electrical properties were obtained from photoluminescence (PL) and Hall effect measurements, respectively. For the higher Mn concentration, besides the Mn related transitions at approximately 1.41 eV, PL spectra sharp peaks are present between 1.43 and 1.49 eV, which we related to the coexistence of zinc blende and wurtzite phases in the nanowire-like structures of this sample. At Mn% of 0.04, an increase of the carrier mobility up to a value of 1.1 × 10{sup 3} cm{sup 2}/Vs at 77 K was found, then decreases as Mn% is further increased due to the strengthening of the ionized impurity scattering.

Exciton states in zinc-blende GaN/AlGaN quantum dot: Effects of electric field and hydrostatic pressure

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Xia Congxin; Zeng Zaiping; Liu, Z.S.; Wei, S.Y.

2010-01-01

Based on the effective-mass approximation, the effects of the electric field and hydrostatic pressure on exciton states in a cylindrical zinc-blende (ZB) GaN/AlGaN quantum dot (QD) are investigated variationally. Numerical results show that the electric field leads to a remarkable reduction of the ground-state exciton binding energy and interband transition energy in the case of any hydrostatic pressures. However, the hydrostatic pressure increases the exciton binding energy and interband transition energy in the case of any electric fields. In particular, the electric field has a remarkable influence on the exciton binding energy in the QD with large dot size and small hydrostatic pressure; moreover, the hydrostatic pressure obviously affects the exciton binding energy in the QD with small dot size and weak electric field.

First-principles calculation on electronic properties of zinc oxide by zinc–air system

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ahmad Azmin Mohamad

2017-07-01

Full Text Available First-principles calculations are performed to study the electronic properties of zinc oxide (ZnO formed on an anode after discharging a Zn–air system. Prior to calculation, the ZnO is characterised by X-ray diffraction using Rietveld refinement. Diffracted patterns proved the formation of single phase ZnO, while Rietveld analysis shows that the ZnO has a hexagonal wurtzite structure with lattice parameters, a = 3.244 and c = 5.199 Å. Geometry optimisation of the hexagonal wurtzite structure of the ZnO is performed using various exchange–correlation energy functionals. The local density approximation functional method is used to explain the structure, electronic band structure and density of state properties of hexagonal ZnO. The calculated energy band gap was 0.75 eV while the density of states reveals that the O 2p (the top valence band and Zn 4s (the bottom conduction band states domination.

Preparation of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) Thin Film as Transparent Conductive Oxide (TCO) from Zinc Complex Compound on Thin Film Solar Cells: A Study of O2 Effect on Annealing Process

Science.gov (United States)

Muslih, E. Y.; Kim, K. H.

2017-07-01

Zinc oxide (ZnO) thin film as a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) for thin film solar cell application was successfully prepared through two step preparations which consisted of deposition by spin coating at 2000 rpm for 10 second and followed by annealing at 500 °C for 2 hours under O2 and ambient atmosphere. Zinc acetate dehydrate was used as a precursor which dissolved in ethanol and acetone (1:1 mol) mixture in order to make a zinc complex compound. In this work, we reported the O2 effect, reaction mechanism, structure, morphology, optical and electrical properties. ZnO thin film in this work shows a single phase of wurtzite, with n-type semiconductor and has band gap, carrier concentration, mobility, and resistivity as 3.18 eV, 1.21 × 10-19cm3, 11 cm2/Vs, 2.35 × 10-3 Ωcm respectively which is suitable for TCO at thin film solar cell.

Electronic states of a hydrogenic impurity in a zinc-blende GaN/AlGaN quantum well

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pattammal, M.; Peter, A. John

2010-01-01

Binding energies of ground and a few low lying excited states of a hydrogenic donor confined in a zinc-blende GaN/AlGaN quantum well are investigated. They are computed within the framework of single band effective mass approximation, by means of a variational approach. The donor states are investigated with the various impurity positions as a function of well width. The calculations have been carried out with the inclusion of conduction band non-parabolicity through the energy dependent effective mass. The variational solutions have been improved by using a two-parametric trial wavefunction. The results seem better and good agreement with the other investigators. To support our results, we observe that the values of variational parameters are consistent when two parameter wave function is used. We find that the inclusion of non-parabolic effects leads to more binding for all the values of well width and is significant for narrow wells. The results are compared with the existing available literature.

Electronic states of a hydrogenic impurity in a zinc-blende GaN/AlGaN quantum well

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pattammal, M. [Dept.of Physics, Yadava College Coeducational Institute, Madurai 625 014 (India); Peter, A. John, E-mail: a.john.peter@gmail.com [Dept.of Physics, Govt. Arts and Science College, Melur 625 106 (India)

2010-09-01

Binding energies of ground and a few low lying excited states of a hydrogenic donor confined in a zinc-blende GaN/AlGaN quantum well are investigated. They are computed within the framework of single band effective mass approximation, by means of a variational approach. The donor states are investigated with the various impurity positions as a function of well width. The calculations have been carried out with the inclusion of conduction band non-parabolicity through the energy dependent effective mass. The variational solutions have been improved by using a two-parametric trial wavefunction. The results seem better and good agreement with the other investigators. To support our results, we observe that the values of variational parameters are consistent when two parameter wave function is used. We find that the inclusion of non-parabolic effects leads to more binding for all the values of well width and is significant for narrow wells. The results are compared with the existing available literature.

Thermodynamic behavior of poly(3-alkyl thiophene) blends: Equilibrium cocrystal formation and phase segregation.

Science.gov (United States)

Pal, Susmita; Nandi, Arun K

2005-02-24

The equilibrium cocrystal formation of poly(3-alkyl thiophene) (P3AT) blends has been studied by isothermal cocrystallization in a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC-7). The equilibrium melting points (T(m)0) of the cocrystals are measured using the Hoffman-Weeks extrapolation procedure. The equilibrium phase diagrams are of three different types: (a) concave upward, (b) linear, and (c) linear with phase separation at higher content of lower melting component. The phase diagram nature depends on the regioregularity difference and also on the difference in the number of carbon atoms in the pendent alkyl group of the components. The origin of biphasic nature of type "c" phase diagram has been explored from the glass transition temperature (Tg) measurement using a dynamic mechanical analyzer. The biphasic compositions show two glass transition temperatures (Tg) as well as two beta transition temperatures (T beta). The T(g)s of phase-separated regions correspond to almost the component values but the T(beta)s correspond to that of a lower (T beta) component value, and the other is higher than that of the higher (T beta) component value. Possible reasons are discussed from the interchain lamella thickness in the P3AT blends and molecular modeling using molecular mechanics program.

Ultrasound irradiation based in-situ synthesis of star-like Tragacanth gum/zinc oxide nanoparticles on cotton fabric.

Science.gov (United States)

Ghayempour, Soraya; Montazer, Majid

2017-01-01

Application of natural biopolymers for green and safe synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the textiles is a novel and interesting approach. The present study offers the use of natural biopolymer, Tragacanth gum, as the reducing, stabilizing and binding agent for in-situ synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the cotton fabric. Ultrasonic irradiation leads to clean and easy synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles in short-time at low-temperature. FESEM/EDX, XRD, FT-IR spectroscopy, DSC, photocatalytic activities and antimicrobial assay are used to characterize Tragacanth gum/zinc oxide nanoparticles coated cotton fabric. The analysis confirmed synthesis of star-like zinc oxide nanoparticles with hexagonal wurtzite structure on the cotton fabric with the average particle size of 62nm. The finished cotton fabric showed a good photocatalytic activity on degradation of methylene blue and 100% antimicrobial properties with inhibition zone of 3.3±0.1, 3.1±0.1 and 3.0±0.1mm against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An analytical model of anisotropic low-field electron mobility in wurtzite indium nitride

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wang, Shulong; Liu, Hongxia; Song, Xin; Guo, Yulong; Yang, Zhaonian

2014-01-01

This paper presents a theoretical analysis of anisotropic transport properties and develops an anisotropic low-field electron analytical mobility model for wurtzite indium nitride (InN). For the different effective masses in the Γ-A and Γ-M directions of the lowest valley, both the transient and steady state transport behaviors of wurtzite InN show different transport characteristics in the two directions. From the relationship between velocity and electric field, the difference is more obvious when the electric field is low in the two directions. To make an accurate description of the anisotropic transport properties under low field, for the first time, we present an analytical model of anisotropic low-field electron mobility in wurtzite InN. The effects of different ionized impurity scattering models on the low-field mobility calculated by Monte Carlo method (Conwell-Weisskopf and Brooks-Herring method) are also considered. (orig.)

Zinc oxide nanocolloids prepared by picosecond pulsed laser ablation in water at different temperatures

Science.gov (United States)

D'Urso, Luisa; Spadaro, Salvatore; Bonsignore, Martina; Santangelo, Saveria; Compagnini, Giuseppe; Neri, Fortunato; Fazio, Enza

2018-01-01

Zinc oxide with wide direct band gap and high exciton binding energy is one of the most promising materials for ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting devices. It further exhibits good performance in the degradation of non-biodegradable pollutants under UV irradiation. In this work, zinc oxide (ZnO) and zinc oxide/gold (ZnO/Au) nanocolloids are prepared by picosecond pulsed laser ablation (ps-PLA), using a Zn and Au metallic targets in water media at room temperature (RT) and 80°C. ZnO and Au nanoparticles (NPs) with size in the 10-50 nm range are obtained at RT, while ZnO nanorods (NRs) are formed when water is maintained at 80°C during the ps-PLA process. Au NPs, added to ZnO colloids after the ablation process, decorate ZnO NRs. The crystalline phase of all ZnO nanocolloids is wurtzite. Methylene blue dye is used to investigate the photo-catalytic activity of all the synthesised nanocolloids, under UV light irradiation.

Injectable glycosaminoglycan-protein nano-complex in semi-interpenetrating networks: A biphasic hydrogel for hyaline cartilage regeneration.

Science.gov (United States)

Radhakrishnan, Janani; Subramanian, Anuradha; Sethuraman, Swaminathan

2017-11-01

Articular hyaline cartilage regeneration remains challenging due to its less intrinsic reparability. The study develops injectable biphasic semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (SIPN) hydrogel impregnated with chondroitin sulfate (ChS) nanoparticles for functional cartilage restoration. ChS loaded zein nanoparticles (∼150nm) prepared by polyelectrolyte-protein complexation were interspersed into injectable SIPNs developed by blending alginate with poly(vinyl alcohol) and calcium crosslinking. The hydrogel exhibited interconnected porous microstructure (39.9±5.8μm pore diameter, 57.7±5.9% porosity), 92% swellability and >350Pa elastic modulus. Primary chondrocytes compatibility, chondrocyte-matrix interaction with cell-cell clustering and spheroidal morphology was demonstrated in ChS loaded hydrogel and long-term (42days) proliferation was also determined. Higher fold expression of cartilage-specific genes sox9, aggrecan and collagen-II was observed in ChS loaded hydrogel while exhibiting poor expression of collagen-I. Immunoblotting of aggregan and collagen II demonstrate favorable positive influence of ChS on chondrocytes. Thus, the injectable biphasic SIPNs could be promising composition-mimetic substitute for cartilage restoration at irregular defects. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pressure dependence of elastic constants in zinc-blende III-N and their influence on the light emission in nitride heterostructures

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lepkowski, S.P.; Majewski, J.A.

2004-01-01

We studied the nonlinear elasticity effects for the case of III-N compounds. Particularly, we determined the pressure dependences of elastic constants, in zinc-blende InN, GaN, and AlN by performing ab initio calculations in the framework of plane-wave pseudopotential implementation of the density-functional theory. We found significant and almost linear increase in C 11 , C 12 with pressure for considered nitrides compounds. Much weaker dependences on pressure was observed for C 44 . We also discussed pressure dependences of two-dimensional Poisson's ratio and elastic anisotropy coefficient. Finally, we showed that the pressure dependence of elastic constants results in significant reduction of the pressure coefficient of the energy emission in cubic InGaN/GaN quantum well and essentially improves the agreement between experimental and theoretical values. (author)

Enhanced antibacterial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized using Petroselinum crispum extracts

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Stan, Manuela, E-mail: manuela.stan@itim-cj.ro; Popa, Adriana; Toloman, Dana; Silipas, Teofil-Danut [National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donat, 400293 Cluj-Napoca (Romania); Vodnar, Dan Cristian [University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Department of Food Science and Technology, 3-5 Manastur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca (Romania); Katona, Gabriel [Babes-Bolyai University, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, 11 Arany Janos Street, 400028 Cluj-Napoca (Romania)

2015-12-23

The present contribution reports the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using aqueous leaf and root extracts of Petroselinum crispum (parsley) and characterization of as-prepared samples. ZnO NPs are subjected to X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies. The XRD studies reveal a hexagonal wurtzite structure without supplementary diffraction lines for all ZnO samples. TEM analysis shows that the particle size is influenced by the type of plant extract. The EPR spectra indicate the presence of Mn{sup 2+} ions in ZnO sample synthesized using P. crispum leaf extract, while zinc vacancy complexes and oxygen vacancies are evidenced in all analyzed samples. ZnO NPs synthesized using P. crispum extracts exhibit increased (2-16 times) antibacterial activity as compared to chemically synthesized ZnO NPs.

Enhanced antibacterial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized using Petroselinum crispum extracts

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stan, Manuela; Popa, Adriana; Toloman, Dana; Silipas, Teofil-Danut; Vodnar, Dan Cristian; Katona, Gabriel

2015-01-01

The present contribution reports the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using aqueous leaf and root extracts of Petroselinum crispum (parsley) and characterization of as-prepared samples. ZnO NPs are subjected to X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies. The XRD studies reveal a hexagonal wurtzite structure without supplementary diffraction lines for all ZnO samples. TEM analysis shows that the particle size is influenced by the type of plant extract. The EPR spectra indicate the presence of Mn 2+ ions in ZnO sample synthesized using P. crispum leaf extract, while zinc vacancy complexes and oxygen vacancies are evidenced in all analyzed samples. ZnO NPs synthesized using P. crispum extracts exhibit increased (2-16 times) antibacterial activity as compared to chemically synthesized ZnO NPs

Polar Mixing Optical Phonon Spectra in Wurtzite GaN Cylindrical Quantum Dots: Quantum Size and Dielectric Effects

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhang Li; Liao Jianshang

2010-01-01

The interface-optical-propagating (IO-PR) mixing phonon modes of a quasi-zero-dimensional (QoD) wurtzite cylindrical quantum dot (QD) structure are derived and studied by employing the macroscopic dielectric continuum model. The analytical phonon states of IO-PR mixing modes are given. It is found that there are two types of IO-PR mixing phonon modes, i.e. ρ-IO/z-PR mixing modes and the z-IO/ρ-PR mixing modes existing in QoD wurtzite QDs. And each IO-PR mixing modes also have symmetrical and antisymmetrical forms. Via a standard procedure of field quantization, the Froehlich Hamiltonians of electron-(IO-PR) mixing phonons interaction are obtained. Numerical calculations on a wurtzite GaN cylindrical QD are performed. The results reveal that both the radial-direction size and the axial-direction size as well as the dielectric matrix have great influence on the dispersive frequencies of the IO-PR mixing phonon modes. The limiting features of dispersive curves of these phonon modes are discussed in depth. The phonon modes 'reducing' behavior of wurtzite quantum confined systems has been observed obviously in the structures. Moreover, the degenerating behaviors of the IO-PR mixing phonon modes in wurtzite QoD QDs to the IO modes and PR modes in wurtzite Q2D QW and Q1D QWR systems are analyzed deeply from both of the viewpoints of physics and mathematics. (interdisciplinary physics and related areas of science and technology)

Ab initio electronic band structure calculation of InP in the wurtzite phase

Science.gov (United States)

Dacal, Luis C. O.; Cantarero, Andrés

2011-05-01

We present ab initio calculations of the InP band structure in the wurtzite phase and compare it with that of the zincblende phase. In both calculations, we use the full potential linearized augmented plane wave method as implemented in the WIEN2k code and the modified Becke-Johnson exchange potential, which provides an improved value of the bandgap. The structural optimization of the wurtizte InP gives a=0.4150 nm, c=0.6912 nm, and an internal parameter u=0.371, showing the existence of a spontaneous polarization along the growth axis. As compared to the ideal wurtzite structure (that with the lattice parameter derived from the zincblende structure calculations), the actual wurtzite structure is compressed (-1.3%) in plane and expanded (0.7%) along the c-direction. The value of the calculated band gaps agrees well with recent optical experiments. The calculations are also consistent with the optical transitions found using polarized light.

Mediated water electrolysis in biphasic systems.

Science.gov (United States)

Scanlon, Micheál D; Peljo, Pekka; Rivier, Lucie; Vrubel, Heron; Girault, Hubert H

2017-08-30

The concept of efficient electrolysis by linking photoelectrochemical biphasic H 2 evolution and water oxidation processes in the cathodic and anodic compartments of an H-cell, respectively, is introduced. Overpotentials at the cathode and anode are minimised by incorporating light-driven elements into both biphasic reactions. The concepts viability is demonstrated by electrochemical H 2 production from water splitting utilising a polarised water-organic interface in the cathodic compartment of a prototype H-cell. At the cathode the reduction of decamethylferrocenium cations ([Cp 2 *Fe (III) ] + ) to neutral decamethylferrocene (Cp 2 *Fe (II) ) in 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) solvent takes place at the solid electrode/oil interface. This electron transfer process induces the ion transfer of a proton across the immiscible water/oil interface to maintain electroneutrality in the oil phase. The oil-solubilised proton immediately reacts with Cp 2 *Fe (II) to form the corresponding hydride species, [Cp 2 *Fe (IV) (H)] + . Subsequently, [Cp 2 *Fe (IV) (H)] + spontaneously undergoes a chemical reaction in the oil phase to evolve hydrogen gas (H 2 ) and regenerate [Cp 2 *Fe (III) ] + , whereupon this catalytic Electrochemical, Chemical, Chemical (ECC') cycle is repeated. During biphasic electrolysis, the stability and recyclability of the [Cp 2 *Fe (III) ] + /Cp 2 *Fe (II) redox couple were confirmed by chronoamperometric measurements and, furthermore, the steady-state concentration of [Cp 2 *Fe (III) ] + monitored in situ by UV/vis spectroscopy. Post-biphasic electrolysis, the presence of H 2 in the headspace of the cathodic compartment was established by sampling with gas chromatography. The rate of the biphasic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was enhanced by redox electrocatalysis in the presence of floating catalytic molybdenum carbide (Mo 2 C) microparticles at the immiscible water/oil interface. The use of a superhydrophobic organic electrolyte salt was critical to

Optical characterization of InAs quantum wells and dots grown radially on wurtzite InP nanowires

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lindgren, David; Kawaguchi, Kenichi; Heurlin, Magnus; Borgström, Magnus T; Pistol, Mats-Erik; Samuelson, Lars; Gustafsson, Anders

2013-01-01

Correlated micro-photoluminescence (μPL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) measurements are reported for single core–shell InP–InAs wurtzite nanowires grown using metal–organic vapor phase epitaxy. Samples covering a radial InAs shell thickness of 1–12 ML were investigated. The effective masses for the wurtzite material were determined from the transition energy dependence of the InAs shell thickness, using a model based on linear deformation potential theory. InP cores with segments of mixed zincblende and wurtzite, on which quantum dots nucleated selectively, were also investigated. Narrow peaks were observed by μPL and the spatial origin of the emission was identified with CL imaging. (paper)

On the synthesis of a compound with positive enthalpy of formation: Zinc-blende-like RuN thin films obtained by rf-magnetron sputtering

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cattaruzza, E., E-mail: cattaruz@unive.it [Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155/B, 30172 Mestre-VE (Italy); Battaglin, G.; Riello, P. [Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155/B, 30172 Mestre-VE (Italy); Cristofori, D. [Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and Centre for Electron Microscopy “Giovanni Stevanato”, Via Torino 155/B, 30172 Mestre-VE (Italy); Tamisari, M. [Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Saragat 1, 44121 Ferrara (Italy)

2014-11-30

Highlights: • RuN thin films in the zinc-blende structure have been synthesized by rf-magnetron sputtering. • Contribute is given to the understanding of phase-formation mechanisms in systems that under ambient conditions present positive enthalpies of formation. • Contribute is given to the understanding of phenomena occurring during reactive sputtering processes. • Nanopillar structure: suitable for application requiring a high effective area, like sensing, catalysis, and electrode material for energy-storage devices. - Abstract: 4d- and 5d-transition metal nitrides are of interest both because of their importance for the understanding of mechanisms of phase formation in systems that under ambient conditions present positive enthalpies of formation and because of their appealing structural and electronic properties. In this study, we report the synthesis of thin films of ruthenium mononitride (RuN) in the zinc-blende structure by radio-frequency-magnetron sputtering. Films present a characteristic structure of packed columns ending with tetrahedral tips. The effect of changing the synthesis parameters was investigated in detail. It was found that RuN can be formed if the nitrogen partial pressure exceeds a minimum value and that the addition of argon has the major effect of increasing the deposition rate because of its higher sputter ability. Temperature plays an important role: if it is too high, decomposition/desorption effects overcome those leading to the formation of the compound. Phenomena resulting in the formation of RuN occur at the surface of the growing films and are related to the interactions of ruthenium with energetic nitrogen ions, or atoms, which can penetrate the first atomic layers by low energy implantation. Because of its properties and structure, this material is a promising candidate for applications like sensing, catalysis, and electrode material for energy-storage devices.

Hexagonal (wurtzite) GaN inclusions as a defect in cubic (zinc-blende) GaN

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zainal, N.; Novikov, S.V.; Akimov, A.V.; Staddon, C.R.; Foxon, C.T.; Kent, A.J.

2012-01-01

The dependence of the hexagonal fraction with thickness in MBE-grown bulk cubic (c-) GaN epilayer is presented in this paper. A number of c-GaN epilayers with different thicknesses were characterized via PL and XRD measurements. From the PL spectra, the signal due to h-GaN inclusions increases as the thickness of the c-GaN increases. On the contrary, in the XRD diffractogram, c-GaN shows a dominant signal at all thicknesses, and only a weak peak at ∼35° is observed in the diffractogram, implying the existence of a small amount of h-GaN in the c-GaN layer. The best quality of c-GaN is observed in the first 10 μm of GaN on the top of GaAs substrate. Even though the hexagonal content increases with the thickness, the average content remains below 20% in c-GaN layers up to 50 μm thick. The surface morphology of thick c-GaN is also presented.

ZnSe/ZnSeTe Superlattice Nanotips

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Young SJ

2010-01-01

Full Text Available Abstract The authors report the growth of ZnSe/ZnSeTe superlattice nanotips on oxidized Si(100 substrate. It was found the nanotips exhibit mixture of cubic zinc-blende and hexagonal wurtzite structures. It was also found that photoluminescence intensities observed from the ZnSe/ZnSeTe superlattice nanotips were much larger than that observed from the homogeneous ZnSeTe nanotips. Furthermore, it was found that activation energies for the ZnSe/ZnSeTe superlattice nanotips with well widths of 16, 20, and 24 nm were 76, 46, and 19 meV, respectively.

Role of defects on the electronic and magnetic properties of CrAs, CrSe and CrSb zinc-blende compounds

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Galanakis, I.; Pouliasis, S.G.

2009-01-01

We present an extended study of single impurity atoms and atomic swaps in half-metallic CrAs, CrSb and CrSe zinc-blende compounds. Although the perfect alloys present a rather large gap in the minority-spin band, all defects under study, with the exception of void impurities at Cr and sp sites and Cr impurities at sp sites (as long as no swap occurs), induce new states within the gap. The Fermi level can be pinned within these new minority states depending on the lattice constant used for the calculations and the electronegativity of the sp atoms. Although these impurity states are localized in space around the impurity atoms and very fast we regain the bulk behavior, their interaction can lead to wide bands within the gap and thus loss of the half-metallic character

Atomic-scale origin of piezoelectricity in wurtzite ZnO.

Science.gov (United States)

Lee, Jung-Hoon; Lee, Woo-Jin; Lee, Sung-Hoon; Kim, Seong Min; Kim, Sungjin; Jang, Hyun Myung

2015-03-28

ZnO has been extensively studied by virtue of its remarkably high piezoelectric responses, especially in nanowire forms. Currently, the high piezoelectricity of wurtzite ZnO is understood in terms of the covalent-bonding interaction between Zn 3d and O 2p orbitals. However, the Zn 3d orbitals are not capable of forming hybridized orbitals with the O 2pz orbitals since the Zn ion is characterized by fully filled non-interacting 3d orbitals. To resolve this puzzling problem, we have investigated the atomic-scale origin of piezoelectricity by exploiting density-functional theory calculations. On the basis of the computed orbital-resolved density of states and the band structure over the Γ-M first Brillouin zone, we propose an intriguing bonding mechanism that accounts for the observed high piezoelectricity - intra-atomic 3dz(2)-4pz orbital self-mixing of Zn, followed by asymmetric hybridization between the Zn 3dz(2)-4pz self-mixed orbital and the O 2pz orbital along the polar c-axis of the wurtzite ZnO.

Biphasic calcium phosphate–casein bone graft fortified with Cassia

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

Biphasic calcium phosphate; bone graft; Cassia occidentalis; simulated body fluid; SaOS-2 cell line. ... The study investigates the efficacy of CO extract incorporated biphasic calcium phosphate as an osteoinductive material. ... Current Issue

E1 Gap of Wurtzite InAs Single Nanowires Measured by Means of Resonant Raman Spectroscopy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Moeller, M.; Lima, M. M. Jr. de; Cantarero, A.; Dacal, L. C. O.; Iikawa, F.; Chiaramonte, T.; Cotta, M. A.

2011-01-01

Indium arsenide nanowires were synthesized with an intermixing of wurtzite and zincblende structure by chemical beam epitaxy with the vapor-liquid-solid mechanism. Resonant Raman spectroscopy of the transverse optical phonon mode at 215 cm -1 reveals an E 1 gap of 2.47 eV which is assigned to the electronic band gap at the A point in the indium arsenide wurtzite phase.

E1 Gap of Wurtzite InAs Single Nanowires Measured by Means of Resonant Raman Spectroscopy

Science.gov (United States)

Möller, M.; Dacal, L. C. O.; de Lima, M. M.; Iikawa, F.; Chiaramonte, T.; Cotta, M. A.; Cantarero, A.

2011-12-01

Indium arsenide nanowires were synthesized with an intermixing of wurtzite and zincblende structure by chemical beam epitaxy with the vapor-liquid-solid mechanism. Resonant Raman spectroscopy of the transverse optical phonon mode at 215 cm-1 reveals an E1 gap of 2.47 eV which is assigned to the electronic band gap at the A point in the indium arsenide wurtzite phase.

Thermal, Mechanical and Water Resistance Properties of LDPE/Starch Bio-Based Polymer Blends for Food Packing Applications

OpenAIRE

Berber Yamak, Hale

2016-01-01

In this study, low density polyethylene, LDPE was melt blended with starch using twin screw extruder to form biodegradable polymer blends. The LDPE/starch blend films used in food packing were obtained by hot pressing of the granules produced by extrusion process. The starch content was varied from 0 to 40 wt% of LDPE. To provide fine starch dispersion, glycerol and zinc stearate were used as plasticizer and compatibilizer, respectively. The effect of starch content on the properties of LDPE ...

Review of biphasic insulin aspart in the treatment of type 1 and 2 diabetes

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Nazia Raja-Khan

2008-01-01

Full Text Available Nazia Raja-Khan, Sarah S Warehime, Robert A GabbayDivision of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Penn State Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USABackground: Insulin is an effective treatment for achieving glycemic control and preventing complications in patients with diabetes. In order to make insulin therapy more acceptable to patients, newer formulations of insulin have been developed, such as biphasic insulins. Biphasic insulins conveniently provide both prandial and basal insulin in a single injection. One of the most well-studied biphasic insulins is biphasic insulin aspart 70/30.Objective: Our goal was to review the current literature on the safety and efficacy of biphasic insulin aspart in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.Methods: A MEDLINE search was conducted using the terms “biphasic insulin aspart” to identify clinical studies and reviews.Results: Biphasic insulin aspart more effectively reduces post-prandial glucose compared to other biphasic insulins and basal insulins. Compared to biphasic insulin aspart, fasting glucose levels are lower with NPH, similar with glargine, and similar or lower with biphasic human insulin. Treat-to-target trials have shown that a goal HbA1c below 6.5 or 7% can be achieved with biphasic insulin aspart. The risk of hypoglycemia is similar to or less than that seen with other biphasic insulins or NPH insulin.Conclusion: Biphasic insulin aspart 70/30 is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with diabetes.Keywords: biphasic insulin aspart, insulin, diabetes

Fabrication and Characterization of Thin Film Solar Cell Made from CuIn0.75Ga0.25S2 Wurtzite Nanoparticles

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Fengyan Zhang

2013-01-01

Full Text Available CuIn0.75Ga0.25S2 (CIGS thin film solar cells have been successfully fabricated using CIGS Wurtzite phase nanoparticles for the first time. The structure of the cell is Glass/Mo/CIGS/CdS/ZnO/ZnO:Al/Ag. The light absorption layer is made from CIGS Wurtzite phase nanoparticles that are formed from single-source precursors through a microwave irradiation. The Wurtzite phase nanoparticles were converted to Chalcopyrite phase film through a single-step annealing process in the presence of argon and sulfur at 450°C. The solar cell made from Wurtzite phase nanoparticles showed 1.6% efficiency and 0.42 fill factor.

Research, development, and demonstration of nickel-zinc batteries for electric vehicle propulsion. Annual report for 1980

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

1981-03-01

Progress in the development of nickel-zinc batteries for electric vehicles is reported. Information is presented on nickel electrode preparation and testing; zinc electrode preparation with additives and test results; separator development and the evaluation of polymer-blend separator films; sealed Ni-Zn cells; and the optimization of electric vehicle-type Ni-Zn cells. (LCL)

A facile arrested precipitation method for synthesis of pure wurtzite Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystals using thiourea as a sulfur source

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Li, Chunya; Ha, Enna; Wong, Wing-Leung; Li, Cuiling; Ho, Kam-Piu; Wong, Kwok-Yin

2012-01-01

Graphical abstract: High-resolution TEM image of wurtzite Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 nanocrystals. Highlights: ► Wurtzite Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 nanocrystals were synthesized by arrested precipitation method. ► XRD, EDX, TEM demonstrate that the CZTS nanocrystals are purely wurtzite structure. ► The average diameter of the bulk CZTS products is found to be 10 ± 1.1 nm. ► The estimated direct bandgap energy is 1.56 eV for wurtzite CZTS nanocrystals. ► The electrical resistivity of the wurtzite CZTS nanocrystals is low. -- Abstract: A facile route for the synthesis of wurtzite Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) nanocrystals was developed by an arrested precipitation method at 240 °C under simple reaction conditions with diethanolamine as the solvent and thiourea as sulfur source. The structure and morphology of the CZTS nanocrystals were characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Control experiments demonstrated that CZTS nanocrystals which are purely wurtzite structure are readily obtained. The average diameter of the bulk CZTS products is found to be 10 ± 1.1 nm. The estimated direct bandgap energy is 1.56 eV, which indicates that the CZTS nanocrystals produced by this method possess promising applications in photovoltaic devices.

Synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles by dc arc dusty plasma

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Senthilkumar, K., E-mail: akskumar.phy@gmail.com; Senthilkumar, O. [Shimane University, Research Project Promotion Institute (Japan); Morito, S.; Ohba, T.; Fujita, Y. [Shimane University, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Engineering (Japan)

2012-10-15

Optical emission signals of a dc arc plasma system that was used for generating ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) have been investigated in gas phase as a function of chamber pressure and arc current. In this technique, a commercially available zinc 4N rod is used as a zinc source, as well as anode in the dc circuit and ambient air as an oxygen source. A carbon rod acts as the cathode. The optical transitions of Zn(I) and O(I) in addition, excitation of high energy states of N{sub 2}, CN, and atomic nitrogen lines were observed in OES due to increase of electron temperature than gas temperature (T{sub e} > T{sub g}) by reducing the chamber pressure from 760 torr to lower pressures. The as-prepared NPs show good crystalline quality with hexagonal wurtzite structure and the particle size was ranging from few nm to 100 nm in the form of rod and spherical morphologies. The impurity nature and structural properties of as-prepared NPs by dc arc plasma experiments were correlated with OES and Raman spectroscopy.

Synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles by dc arc dusty plasma

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Senthilkumar, K.; Senthilkumar, O.; Morito, S.; Ohba, T.; Fujita, Y.

2012-01-01

Optical emission signals of a dc arc plasma system that was used for generating ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) have been investigated in gas phase as a function of chamber pressure and arc current. In this technique, a commercially available zinc 4N rod is used as a zinc source, as well as anode in the dc circuit and ambient air as an oxygen source. A carbon rod acts as the cathode. The optical transitions of Zn(I) and O(I) in addition, excitation of high energy states of N 2 , CN, and atomic nitrogen lines were observed in OES due to increase of electron temperature than gas temperature (T e > T g ) by reducing the chamber pressure from 760 torr to lower pressures. The as-prepared NPs show good crystalline quality with hexagonal wurtzite structure and the particle size was ranging from few nm to 100 nm in the form of rod and spherical morphologies. The impurity nature and structural properties of as-prepared NPs by dc arc plasma experiments were correlated with OES and Raman spectroscopy.

Progress on the biphase turbine at Cerro Prieto

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cerini, D.; Hays, L.; Studhalter, W. [Douglas Energy Company, Placentia, CA (United States)

1997-12-31

The status of a Biphase turbine power plant being installed at the Cerro Prieto geothermal field is presented. The major modules for the power plant are completed except for a back pressure steam turbine. The power plant will be started in April 1997 with the Biphase turbine alone followed by the addition of the steam turbine module two months later. The current power plant performance level is 2780 kWe due to a decline in the well. An increase in power output to 4060 kWe by adding the flow from another well is planned. The addition of five Biphase power plants with a total power output of 21.2 megawatts is described.

Preparation and spectroscopic analysis of zinc oxide nanorod thin films of different thicknesses

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Mia Nasrul Haque

2017-10-01

Full Text Available Zinc oxide thin films with different thicknesses were prepared on microscopic glass slides by sol-gel spin coating method, then hydrothermal process was applied to produce zinc oxide nanorod arrays. The nanorod thin films were characterized by various spectroscopic methods of analysis. From the images of field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM, it was observed that for the film thickness up to 200 nm the formed nanorods with wurtzite hexagonal structure were uniformly distributed over the entire surface substrate. From X-ray diffraction analysis it was revealed that the thin films had good polycrystalline nature with highly preferred c-axis orientation along (0 0 2 plane. The optical characterization done by UV-Vis spectrometer showed that all the films had high transparency of 83 % to 96 % in the visible region and sharp cut off at ultraviolet region of electromagnetic spectrum. The band gap of the films decreased as their thickness increased. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS showed the presence of zinc and oxygen elements in the films and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR revealed the chemical composition of ZnO in the film.

Polyurethane/Polylactide-Blend Films Doped with Zinc Ions for the Growth and Expansion of Human Olfactory Ensheathing Cells (OECs and Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Stem Cells (ASCs for Regenerative Medicine Applications

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Krzysztof Marycz

2016-04-01

Full Text Available Polymeric biomaterials based on polyurethane and polylactide blends are promising candidates for regenerative medicine applications as biocompatible, bioresorbable carriers. In current research we showed that 80/20 polyurethane/polylactide blends (PU/PLDL with confirmed biological properties in vitro may be further improved by the addition of ZnO nanoparticles for the delivery of bioactive zinc oxide for cells. The PU/PLDL blends were doped with different concentrations of ZnO (0.001%, 0.01%, 0.05% and undertaken for in vitro biological evaluation using human adipose stromal stem cells (ASCs and olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs. The addition of 0.001% of ZnO to the biomaterials positively influenced the morphology, proliferation, and phenotype of cells cultured on the scaffolds. Moreover, the analysis of oxidative stress markers revealed that 0.001% of ZnO added to the material decreased the stress level in both cell lines. In addition, the levels of neural-specific genes were upregulated in OECs when cultured on sample 0.001 ZnO, while the apoptosis-related genes were downregulated in OECs and ASCs in the same group. Therefore, we showed that PU/PLDL blends doped with 0.001% of ZnO exert beneficial influence on ASCs and OECs in vitro and they may be considered for future applications in the field of regenerative medicine.

Polarized recombination of acoustically transported carriers in GaAs nanowires

Science.gov (United States)

Möller, Michael; Hernández-Mínguez, Alberto; Breuer, Steffen; Pfüller, Carsten; Brandt, Oliver; de Lima, Mauricio M.; Cantarero, Andrés; Geelhaar, Lutz; Riechert, Henning; Santos, Paulo V.

2012-05-01

The oscillating piezoelectric field of a surface acoustic wave (SAW) is employed to transport photoexcited electrons and holes in GaAs nanowires deposited on a SAW delay line on a LiNbO3 crystal. The carriers generated in the nanowire by a focused light spot are acoustically transferred to a second location where they recombine. We show that the recombination of the transported carriers occurs in a zinc blende section on top of the predominant wurtzite nanowire. This allows contactless control of the linear polarized emission by SAWs which is governed by the crystal structure. Additional polarization-resolved photoluminescence measurements were performed to investigate spin conservation during transport.

Phase behavior of UCST blends: Effects of pristine nanoclay as an effective or ineffective compatibilizer

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

F. Hemmati

2013-12-01

Full Text Available The effects of unmodified nanoclay (natural montmorillonite on the miscibility, phase behavior and phase separation kinetics of polyethylene (PE/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA blends have been investigated. Depending on the blend composition, it was observed that the intercalated pristine nanoclay influences the biphasic morphology either as an effective compatibilizer or just as an ineffectual modifier. In spite of the presence of micrometer-sized agglomerated tactoids, natural nanoclay can play a thermodynamic role in reducing the interfacial tension of polymer components. The addition of clay nanoparticles was found to change the phase diagram slightly and diminishes the composition dependency of the binodal temperatures. Moreover, it was observed that a small amount of unmodified layered silicate slows down the phase separation process considerably and enhances the solubility of each polymer in the domains of its counterpart. The findings of this study verify that even poorly dispersed nanoclay with high surface tension can act as a conventional compatibilizer and change the immiscible PE/EVA blends to the partially miscible ones.

Dependence of some characteristics of granulated wurtzite boron nitride powders on conditions of their production

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Volkogon, V.M.

1986-01-01

Compaction of wurtzite boron nitride powders (both pure and with plasticizers) by different methods is studied for its peculiarities. Compaction of powders in all cases is established to obey basic regularities of compaction. Such physical and technological characteristics of wurtzite boron nitride powders granulated after preliminary compaction as specific surface, bulk weight and yield point are studied. It is shown that properties of these powders depend on the method of their compaction prior to granulation. Powders produced after preliminary compaction of initial BN W powders under high static and dynamic pressures possess the best characteristics

Wurtzite BAlN and BGaN alloys for heterointerface polarization engineering

KAUST Repository

Liu, Kaikai; Sun, Haiding; Alqatari, Feras; Guo, Wenzhe; Liu, Xinwei; Li, Jingtao; Torres Castanedo, Carlos G; Li, Xiaohang

2017-01-01

deformation and the dipole moment difference between the hexagonal and wurtzite structures. The PZ constants exhibit significant bowing because of the large lattice difference between binary alloys. Furthermore, the PZ constants of BxAl1-xN and BxGa1-xN become

Novel mechanical behaviors of wurtzite CdSe nanowires

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fu, Bing [Shanghai Normal University, Department of Physics (China); Chen, Li [MCPHS University, School of Arts and Sciences (United States); Xie, Yiqun; Feng, Jie; Ye, Xiang, E-mail: yexiang@shnu.edu.cn [Shanghai Normal University, Department of Physics (China)

2015-09-15

As an important semiconducting nanomaterial, CdSe nanowires have attracted much attention. Although many studies have been conducted in the electronic and optical properties of CdSe NWs, the mechanical properties of Wurtzite (WZ) CdSe nanowires remain unclear. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we have studied the tensile mechanical properties and behaviors of [0001]-oriented Wurtzite CdSe nanowires. By monitoring the stretching processes of CdSe nanowires, three distinct structures are found: the WZ wire, a body-centered tetragonal structure with four-atom rings (denoted as BCT-4), and a structure that consists of ten-atom rings with two four-atom rings (denoted as TAR-4) which is observed for the first time. Not only the elastic tensile characteristics are highly reversible under unloading, but a reverse transition between TAR-4 and BCT-4 is also observed. The stretching processes also have a strong dependence on temperature. A tubular structure similar to carbon nanotubes is observed at 150 K, a single-atom chain is formed at 300, 350 and 450 K, and a double-atom chain is found at 600 K. Our findings on tensile mechanical properties of WZ CdSe nanowires does not only provide inspiration to future study on other properties of CdSe nanomaterials but also help design and build efficient nanoscale devices.

Spin-relaxation time in the impurity band of wurtzite semiconductors

Science.gov (United States)

Tamborenea, Pablo I.; Wellens, Thomas; Weinmann, Dietmar; Jalabert, Rodolfo A.

2017-09-01

The spin-relaxation time for electrons in the impurity band of semiconductors with wurtzite crystal structure is determined. The effective Dresselhaus spin-orbit interaction Hamiltonian is taken as the source of the spin relaxation at low temperature and for doping densities corresponding to the metallic side of the metal-insulator transition. The spin-flip hopping matrix elements between impurity states are calculated and used to set up a tight-binding Hamiltonian that incorporates the symmetries of wurtzite semiconductors. The spin-relaxation time is obtained from a semiclassical model of spin diffusion, as well as from a microscopic self-consistent diagrammatic theory of spin and charge diffusion in doped semiconductors. Estimates are provided for particularly important materials. The theoretical spin-relaxation times compare favorably with the corresponding low-temperature measurements in GaN and ZnO. For InN and AlN we predict that tuning of the spin-orbit coupling constant induced by an external potential leads to a potentially dramatic increase of the spin-relaxation time related to the mechanism under study.

Synthesis and characterization of nanocomposite polymer blend electrolyte thin films by spin-coating method

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chapi, Sharanappa; Niranjana, M.; Devendrappa, H., E-mail: dehu2010@gmail.com [Department of Physics, Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri - 574 199 (India)

2016-05-23

Solid Polymer blend electrolytes based on Polyethylene oxide (PEO) and poly vinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) complexed with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs; Synthesized by Co-precipitation method) thin films have prepared at a different weight percent using the spin-coating method. The complexation of the NPs with the polymer blend was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The variation in film morphology was examined by polarized optical micrographs (POMs). The thermal behavior of blends was investigated under non-isothermal conditions by differential thermal analyses (DTA). A single glass transition temperature for each blend was observed, which supports the existence of compatibility of such system. The obtained results represent that the ternary based thin films are prominent materials for battery and optoelectronic device applications.

Generic Model-Based Tailor-Made Design and Analysis of Biphasic Reaction Systems

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Anantpinijwatna, Amata

systems have a broad range of application, such as the manufacture of petroleum based chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and agro-bio products. Major considerations in the design and analysis of biphasic reaction systems are physical and chemical equilibria, kinetic mechanisms, and reaction rates. The primary...... contribution of this thesis is the development of a systematic modelling framework for the biphasic reaction system. The developed framework consists of three modules describing phase equilibria, reactions and mass transfer, and material balances of such processes. Correlative and predictive thermodynamic......Biphasic reaction systems are composed of immiscible aqueous and organic liquid phases where reactants, products, and catalysts are partitioned. These biphasic conditions point to novel synthesis paths, higher yields, and faster reactions, as well as facilitate product separation. The biphasic...

Equivalence between short-time biphasic and incompressible elastic material responses.

Science.gov (United States)

Ateshian, Gerard A; Ellis, Benjamin J; Weiss, Jeffrey A

2007-06-01

Porous-permeable tissues have often been modeled using porous media theories such as the biphasic theory. This study examines the equivalence of the short-time biphasic and incompressible elastic responses for arbitrary deformations and constitutive relations from first principles. This equivalence is illustrated in problems of unconfined compression of a disk, and of articular contact under finite deformation, using two different constitutive relations for the solid matrix of cartilage, one of which accounts for the large disparity observed between the tensile and compressive moduli in this tissue. Demonstrating this equivalence under general conditions provides a rationale for using available finite element codes for incompressible elastic materials as a practical substitute for biphasic analyses, so long as only the short-time biphasic response is sought. In practice, an incompressible elastic analysis is representative of a biphasic analysis over the short-term response deltatelasticity tensor, and K is the hydraulic permeability tensor of the solid matrix. Certain notes of caution are provided with regard to implementation issues, particularly when finite element formulations of incompressible elasticity employ an uncoupled strain energy function consisting of additive deviatoric and volumetric components.

Crystal and electronic structure study of Mn doped wurtzite ZnO nanoparticles

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

O.M. Ozkendir

2016-08-01

Full Text Available The change in the crystal and electronic structure properties of wurtzite ZnO nanoparticles was studied according to Mn doping in the powder samples. The investigations were conducted by X-ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy (XAFS technique for the samples prepared with different heating and doping processes. Electronic analysis was carried out by the collected data from the X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Structure Spectroscopy (XANES measurements. Additional crystal structure properties were studied by Extended-XAFS (EXAFS analysis. Longer heating periods for the undoped wurtzite ZnO samples were determined to own stable crystal geometries. However, for some doped samples, the distortions in the crystal were observed as a result of the low doping amounts of Mn which was treated as an impurity. Besides, the changes in oxygen locations were determined to create defects and distortions in the samples.

Fabrication of hollow-sphere films of wurtzite CuInS{sub 2} on copper substrate

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lei, Shuijin, E-mail: shjlei@ncu.edu.cn [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031 (China); Wang, Chunying [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031 (China); Huang, Qiang [School of Electromechanical Engineering, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031 (China); Liu, Lei; Ge, Yang; Tang, Qingliu; Cheng, Baochang; Xiao, Yanhe; Zhou, Lang [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031 (China)

2013-12-16

As important semiconductors, I–III–VI{sub 2} compounds have attracted wide attention, among which the wurtzite structured CuInS{sub 2} has been the research focus due to its metastable phase. In this paper, the wurtzite CuInS{sub 2} hollow-sphere films have been successfully prepared on copper substrate in a self-designed solvothermal detached system. The films of Cu(OH){sub 2} one-dimensional nanostructure arrays and thioacetamide were used as the precursors and triethylene glycol was used as the solvent. Experiments showed that the amount of indium trichloride played a determinative role in the final morphology of the products. Meanwhile, the one-dimensional nanostructure arrays and the detached solvothermal system have great influences on the crystal shape as well. Based on the experimental results, a possible formation mechanism for the CuInS{sub 2} hollow spheres was also proposed. The UV–Vis absorption spectrum showed a broad absorption over the entire visible light and extending into the near-infrared region and presented the band gap of 1.53 eV for the as-prepared wurtzite CuInS{sub 2}, which indicates the potential applications in solar cells. - Highlights: • A self-designed detached system along with solvothermal treatment was developed. • Wurtzite CuInS{sub 2} hollow-sphere films were successfully fabricated on Cu substrate. • The detached system and InCl{sub 3} usage were crucial for the hollow spheres. • The broadband absorption and 1.53 eV band-gap indicates its potentials in PV.

Electric field dependence of the electron mobility in bulk wurtzite ZnO

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

Electric field dependence of the electron mobility in bulk wurtzite ZnO. K ALFARAMAWI ... tion to ultraviolet light emitters, gas sensors, surface acoustic wave devices and ..... Dorkel J M and Leturcq P H 1981 Solid-State Electron. 24 8211.

Ergonomic Synthesis Suitable for Industrial Production of Silver-Festooned Zinc Oxide Nanorods

Science.gov (United States)

Khan, G. R.; Khan, R. A.

2015-07-01

For maximizing productivity, minimizing cost, time-boxing process and optimizing human effort, a single-step, cost-effective, ultra-fast and environmentally benign synthesis suitable for industrial production of nanocrystalline ZnO, and Ag-doped ZnO has been reported in this paper. The synthesis based on microwave-supported aqueous solution method used zinc acetate dehydrate and silver nitrate as precursors for fabrication of nanorods. The synthesized products were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy. The undoped and Ag-doped ZnO nanorods crystallized in a hexagonal wurtzite structure having spindle-like morphology. The blue shift occurred at absorption edge of Ag-doped ZnO around 260 nm compared to 365 nm of bulk ZnO. The red shift occurred at Raman peak site of 434 cm-1 compared to characteristic wurtzite phase peak of ZnO (437 cm-1). The bandgap energies were found to be 3.10 eV, 3.11 eV and 3.18 eV for undoped, 1% Ag-doped, and 3% Ag-doped ZnO samples, respectively. The TEM results provided average particle sizes of 17 nm, 15 nm and 13 nm for undoped, and 1% and 3% Ag-doped ZnO samples, respectively.

Ascending-ramp biphasic waveform has a lower defibrillation threshold and releases less troponin I than a truncated exponential biphasic waveform.

Science.gov (United States)

Huang, Jian; Walcott, Gregory P; Ruse, Richard B; Bohanan, Scott J; Killingsworth, Cheryl R; Ideker, Raymond E

2012-09-11

We tested the hypothesis that the shape of the shock waveform affects not only the defibrillation threshold but also the amount of cardiac damage. Defibrillation thresholds were determined for 11 waveforms-3 ascending-ramp waveforms, 3 descending-ramp waveforms, 3 rectilinear first-phase biphasic waveforms, a Gurvich waveform, and a truncated exponential biphasic waveform-in 6 pigs with electrodes in the right ventricular apex and superior vena cava. The ascending, descending, and rectilinear waveforms had 4-, 8-, and 16-millisecond first phases and a 3.5-millisecond rectilinear second phase that was half the voltage of the first phase. The exponential biphasic waveform had a 60% first-phase and a 50% second-phase tilt. In a second study, we attempted to defibrillate after 10 seconds of ventricular fibrillation with a single ≈30-J shock (6 pigs successfully defibrillated with 8-millisecond ascending, 8-millisecond rectilinear, and truncated exponential biphasic waveforms). Troponin I blood levels were determined before and 2 to 10 hours after the shock. The lowest-energy defibrillation threshold was for the 8-milliseconds ascending ramp (14.6±7.3 J [mean±SD]), which was significantly less than for the truncated exponential (19.6±6.3 J). Six hours after shock, troponin I was significantly less for the ascending-ramp waveform (0.80±0.54 ng/mL) than for the truncated exponential (1.92±0.47 ng/mL) or the rectilinear waveform (1.17±0.45 ng/mL). The ascending ramp has a significantly lower defibrillation threshold and at ≈30 J causes 58% less troponin I release than the truncated exponential biphasic shock. Therefore, the shock waveform affects both the defibrillation threshold and the amount of cardiac damage.

X-ray diffraction analysis of InAs nanowires

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Davydok, Anton

2013-01-01

Si substrate. MBE provides the opportunity to combine a group III-V material with nearly any semiconductor substrate independent from lattice mismatch. Vertically aligned nanowire ensembles were studied performing X-ray diffraction experiments in different scattering geometries. Considering the nanowires are composed by structural units of zinc-blende and wurtzite the latter one was found to be affected by a high density of stacking faults already at nanowires with short growth time. The stacking faults density was estimated by Monte-Carlo simulations based on model of ensemble average. A strong signal of unique zinc-blende reflection was observed as well. Coherent X-ray diffraction experiments with the use of a nano-focus setup have shown 'bar-code' patterning due to stacking fault arrangement within the nanowire. The found highly defective structure cannot be attributed to wurtzite or zinc-blende phases alone. Also parasitic islands were found on the samples surfaces and characterized as pure zinc-blende objects.

Theoretical prediction of low-density hexagonal ZnO hollow structures

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tuoc, Vu Ngoc, E-mail: tuoc.vungoc@hust.edu.vn [Institute of Engineering Physics, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, 1 Dai Co Viet Road, Hanoi (Viet Nam); Huan, Tran Doan [Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3136 (United States); Thao, Nguyen Thi [Institute of Engineering Physics, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, 1 Dai Co Viet Road, Hanoi (Viet Nam); Hong Duc University, 307 Le Lai, Thanh Hoa City (Viet Nam); Tuan, Le Manh [Hong Duc University, 307 Le Lai, Thanh Hoa City (Viet Nam)

2016-10-14

Along with wurtzite and zinc blende, zinc oxide (ZnO) has been found in a large number of polymorphs with substantially different properties and, hence, applications. Therefore, predicting and synthesizing new classes of ZnO polymorphs are of great significance and have been gaining considerable interest. Herein, we perform a density functional theory based tight-binding study, predicting several new series of ZnO hollow structures using the bottom-up approach. The geometry of the building blocks allows for obtaining a variety of hexagonal, low-density nanoporous, and flexible ZnO hollow structures. Their stability is discussed by means of the free energy computed within the lattice-dynamics approach. Our calculations also indicate that all the reported hollow structures are wide band gap semiconductors in the same fashion with bulk ZnO. The electronic band structures of the ZnO hollow structures are finally examined in detail.

Structure determination of electrodeposited zinc-nickel alloys: thermal stability and quantification using XRD and potentiodynamic dissolution

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fedi, B.; Gigandet, M.P.; Hihn, J-Y; Mierzejewski, S.

2016-01-01

Highlights: • Quantification of zinc-nickel phases between 1,2% and 20%. • Coupling XRD to partial potentiodynamic dissolution. • Deconvolution of anodic stripping curves. • Phase quantification after annealing. - Abstract: Electrodeposited zinc-nickel coatings obtained by electrodeposition reveal the presence of metastable phases in various quantities, thus requiring their identification, a study of their thermal stability, and, finally, determination of their respective proportions. By combining XRD measurement with partial potentiodynamic dissolution, anodic peaks were indexed to allow their quantification. Quantification of electrodeposited zinc-nickel alloys approximately 10 μm thick was thus carried out on nickel content between 1.2% and 20%, and exhibited good accuracy. This method was then extended to the same set of alloys after annealing (250 °C, 2 h), thus bringing the structural organization closer to its thermodynamic equilibrium. The result obtained ensures better understanding of crystallization of metastable phases and of phase proportion evolution in a bi-phasic zinc-nickel coating. Finally, the presence of a monophase γ and its thermal stability in the 12% to 15% range provides important information for coating anti-corrosion behavior.

Effect of ZnO nano in the blend PET / PC ( 80/20) subjected to UV radiation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pires, Homero M.; Mendes, Luis C.; Albitres, Gerson A.V.; Cestari, Sibele P.; Mattos, Gabriela C.

2015-01-01

The aim of this research was to reuse recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) in blend with polycarbonate (PC) in order to avoid UV degradation in outdoor application. Nanocomposite based on blend of recycled (PET) and polycarbonate (PC) in the ratio of 80/20 with nano zinc oxide (ZnO) at different concentrations was prepared. The blend was subjected to ultraviolet (UV) radiation for accelerated aging chamber, we evaluated the effect of the presence nZnO filler as a barrier to UV rays. Dynamic-mechanical analysis (DMA) and nuclear magnetic resonance in the solid state (NMR). It is the degradation retardant effect at concentrations starting from 3% nZnO. (author)

Determination of main components in lanthanum titanates blend

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sizonenko, T.N.; Timchenko, A.K.

1981-01-01

Conditions for complexonometric determination of lanthanum in the presence of titanium using the disguising of the latter are studied. A method is suggested for lanthanum and titanium determination in a blend of lanthanum titanate which is used to grow monocrystals. Sulfosalicylic acid is chosen as a disguising agent. La has been determined by complexonometric titration using EDTA with xylenol orange in urotropin. The total contents of La and Ti have been determined by titration of EDTA excess with standard solution of zinc sulfate. Ti content has been calculated from the difference between the first two determinations. Reproducibility of Ti and La determination in the blend (n=21) is characterized by the following: at 19.73% La and 57.21% Ti there are (19.72+-0.16)% La and (57.10+-0.22)% Ti, Sr equals 0.0071 and 0.0034, respectively

A first principle study of band structure of III-nitride compounds

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ahmed, Rashid [Centre for High Energy Physics University of the Punjab, Lahore-54590 (Pakistan)]. E-mail: rasofi@hotmail.com; Akbarzadeh, H. [Department of Physics, Isfahan University of Technology, 841546 Isfahan (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Fazal-e-Aleem [Centre for High Energy Physics University of the Punjab, Lahore-54590 (Pakistan)

2005-12-15

The band structure of both phases, zinc-blende and wurtzite, of aluminum nitride, indium nitride and gallium nitride has been studied using computational methods. The study has been done using first principle full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method, within the framework of density functional theory (DFT). For the exchange correlation potential, generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and an alternative form of GGA proposed by Engel and Vosko (GGA-EV) have been used. Results obtained for band structure of these compounds have been compared with experimental results as well as other first principle computations. Our results show a significant improvement over other theoretical work and are closer to the experimental data.

The structure and morphology of semiconductor nanocrystals

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kadavanich, Andreas V. [Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States). Dept. of Chemistry

1997-11-01

Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals were studied using High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM). Organically capped nanocrystals were found to have faceted shapes consistent with Wulff polyhedra after the effects of capping ligands on surface energies were taken into account. The basic shape thus derived for wurtzite (WZ) structure CdSe nanocrystals capped by tri-octyl phosphine oxide (TOPO) was a truncated hexagonal prism, elongated alone the <001> axis with (100) and (002) facets. This structure has C{sub 3v} point group symmetry. The main defect in this structure is a stacking fault (a single layer of zinc blende type stacking), which does not significantly affect the shape (does not alter the point group).

Photoluminescence Polarization Anisotropy in a Single Heterostructured III-V Nanowire with Mixed Crystal Phases

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Moses, A. F.; Hoang, T. B.; Ahtapodov, L.; Dheeraj, D. L.; Fimland, B. O.; Weman, H.; Helvoort, A. T. J. van

2011-01-01

Low temperature (10 K) micro-photoluminescence (μ-PL) of single GaAs/AlGaAs core-shell nanowires with single GaAsSb inserts were measured. The PL emission from the zinc blende GaAsSb insert is strongly polarized along the nanowire axis while the PL emission from the wurtzite GaAs nanowire is perpendiculary polarized to the nanowire axis. The result indicates that the crystal phase, through the optical selection rules, has significant effect on the polarization of the PL from NWs besides the dielectric mismatch. The analysis of the PL results based on the electronic structure of these nanowires supports the correlation between the crystal phase and the PL emission.

Metastable growth of pure wurtzite InGaAs microstructures.

Science.gov (United States)

Ng, Kar Wei; Ko, Wai Son; Lu, Fanglu; Chang-Hasnain, Connie J

2014-08-13

III-V compound semiconductors can exist in two major crystal phases, namely, zincblende (ZB) and wurtzite (WZ). While ZB is thermodynamically favorable in conventional III-V epitaxy, the pure WZ phase can be stable in nanowires with diameters smaller than certain critical values. However, thin nanowires are more vulnerable to surface recombination, and this can ultimately limit their performances as practical devices. In this work, we study a metastable growth mechanism that can yield purely WZ-phased InGaAs microstructures on silicon. InGaAs nucleates as sharp nanoneedles and expand along both axial and radial directions simultaneously in a core-shell fashion. While the base can scale from tens of nanometers to over a micron, the tip can remain sharp over the entire growth. The sharpness maintains a high local surface-to-volume ratio, favoring hexagonal lattice to grow axially. These unique features lead to the formation of microsized pure WZ InGaAs structures on silicon. To verify that the WZ microstructures are truly metastable, we demonstrate, for the first time, the in situ transformation from WZ to the energy-favorable ZB phase inside a transmission electron microscope. This unconventional core-shell growth mechanism can potentially be applied to other III-V materials systems, enabling the effective utilization of the extraordinary properties of the metastable wurtzite crystals.

Generation of useful energy from process fluids using the biphase turbine

Science.gov (United States)

Helgeson, N. L.

1981-01-01

The six largest energy consuming industries in the United States were surveyed to determine the energy savings that could result from applying the Biphase turbine to industrial process streams. A national potential energy savings of 58 million barrels of oil per year (technical market) was identified. This energy is recoverable from flashing gas liquid process streams and is separate and distinct from exhaust gas waste heat recovery. The industries surveyed in this program were the petroleum chemical, primary metals, paper and pulp, stone-clay-glass, and food. It was required to determine the applicability of the Biphase turbine to flashing operations connected with process streams, to determine the energy changes associated with these flashes if carried out in a Biphase turbine, and to determine the suitability (technical and economical feasibility) of applying the Biphase turbine to these processes.

Effects of lattice parameters on piezoelectric constants in wurtzite materials: A theoretical study using first-principles and statistical-learning methods

Science.gov (United States)

Momida, Hiroyoshi; Oguchi, Tamio

2018-04-01

Longitudinal piezoelectric constant (e 33) values of wurtzite materials, which are listed in a structure database, are calculated and analyzed by using first-principles and statistical learning methods. It is theoretically shown that wurtzite materials with high e 33 generally have small lattice constant ratios (c/a) almost independent of constituent elements, and approximately expressed as e 33 ∝ c/a - (c/a)0 with ideal lattice constant ratio (c/a)0. This relation also holds for highly-piezoelectric ternary materials such as Sc x Al1- x N. We conducted a search for high-piezoelectric wurtzite materials by identifying materials with smaller c/a values. It is proposed that the piezoelectricity of ZnO can be significantly enhanced by substitutions of Zn with Ca.

Phase Behavior of Blends of Linear and Branched Polyethylenes on Micron-Length Scales via Ultra-Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (USANS)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Agamalian, M.M.; Alamo, R.G.; Londono, J.D.; Mandelkern, L.; Wignall, G.D.

1999-01-01

SANS experiments on blends of linear, high density (HD) and long chain branched, low density (LD) polyethylenes indicate that these systems form a one-phase mixture in the melt. However, the maximum spatial resolution of pinhole cameras is approximately equal to 10 3 and it has therefore been suggested that data might also be interpreted as arising from a bi-phasic melt with large a particle size ( 1 m), because most of the scattering from the different phases would not be resolved. We have addressed this hypothesis by means of USANS experiments, which confirm that HDPEILDPE blends are homogenous in the melt on length scales up to 20 m. We have also studied blends of HDPE and short-chain branched linear low density polyethylenes (LLDPEs), which phase separate when the branch content is sufficiently high. LLDPEs prepared with Ziegler-Natta catalysts exhibit a wide distribution of compositions, and may therefore be thought of as a blend of different species. When the composition distribution is broad enough, a fraction of highly branched chains may phase separate on m-length scales, and USANS has also been used to quantify this phenomenon

X-ray characterization of Au-free grown GaAs nanowires on Si

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Biermanns, Andreas; Davydok, Anton; Pietsch, Ullrich [Universitaet Siegen, Festkoerperphysik (Germany); Breuer, Steffen; Geelhaar, Lutz [Paul-Drude-Institut fuer Festkoerperelektronik, Berlin (Germany)

2011-07-01

Semiconductor nanowires (NW) are of particular interest due to the ability to synthesize single-crystalline 1D epitaxial structures and heterostructures in the nanometer range. However, many details of the growth mechanism are not well understood. In this contribution we present a x-ray diffraction study of the early stage of Au-free GaAs nanowire growth on Si(111)-substrates with native oxide using the nano-focus setup available at the ID1 beamline of ESRF. The GaAs NWs were grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), and their formation was induced by Ga droplets. Using a nanometer-sized x-ray beam, size and lattice parameters of individual wires were measured separately. Using asymmetric x-ray diffraction on particular zinc-blende (ZB) and wurtzite (W) sensitive reflections, we show that under the used conditions the NW growth starts with predominantly WZ phases and continues mainly in ZB phase. In addition we can show that the WZ segments of the NWs exhibit a different vertical lattice parameter compared to the zinc-blende segments. A combination of x-ray diffraction from single wires and grazing incidence diffraction shows that the base of the NW is compressively strained along the inplane direction. This strain is released within 20 nm from the substrate-interface.

The sensitivity of the electron transport within bulk zinc-blende gallium nitride to variations in the crystal temperature, the doping concentration, and the non-parabolicity coefficient associated with the lowest energy conduction band valley

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Siddiqua, Poppy; O' Leary, Stephen K., E-mail: stephen.oleary@ubc.ca [School of Engineering, The University of British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, British Columbia V1V 1V7 (Canada)

2016-09-07

Within the framework of a semi-classical three-valley Monte Carlo simulation approach, we analyze the steady-state and transient electron transport that occurs within bulk zinc-blende gallium nitride. In particular, we examine how the steady-state and transient electron transport that occurs within this material changes in response to variations in the crystal temperature, the doping concentration, and the non-parabolicity coefficient associated with the lowest energy conduction band valley. These results are then contrasted with those corresponding to a number of other compound semiconductors of interest.

Effect of temperature on the optical and structural properties of hexadecylamine capped ZnS nanoparticles using Zinc(II) N-ethyl-N-phenyldithiocarbamate as single source precursor

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Onwudiwe, Damian C., E-mail: dconwudiwe@webmail.co.za [Chemical Resource Beneficiation, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520 (South Africa); Strydom, Christien [Chemical Resource Beneficiation, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520 (South Africa); Oluwafemi, Oluwatobi S., E-mail: oluwafemi.oluwatobi@gmail.com [Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha Campus, Private Bag X1, Mthatha (South Africa); Songca, Sandile P. [Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, Walter Sisulu University, P.O. Box 19712, Tecoma, East London (South Africa)

2012-12-15

Graphical abstract: Display Omitted Highlights: ► HDA-capped ZnS nanoparticles were synthesized via thermolysis of a single source precursor. ► Zinc(II) N-ethyl-N-phenyldithiocarbamate was used as the single source precursor. ► The growth temperature was varied to study the optical properties of the nanocrystals. ► Change in growth temperature affects the structural properties of the ZnS nanoparticles. ► Hexagonal wurtzite phase was obtained at lower temperatures while cubic sphalerite phase was obtained at higher growth temperatures. -- Abstract: Reported in this work is the synthesis of HDA (hexadecylamine)-capped ZnS nanoparticles by a single source route using Zinc(II) N-ethyl-N-phenyldithiocarbamate as a precursor. By varying the growth temperature, the temporal evolution of the optical properties and morphology of the nanocrystals were investigated. The as-synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using UV–vis absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). All the particles exhibited quantum confinement in their optical properties with band edge emission at the early stage of the reaction. The XRD showed transition from hexagonal wurtzite phase to cubic sphalerite phase as the growth temperature increases. The TEM image showed that the particles are small and spherical in shape while the HRTEM image confirmed the crystalline nature of the material.

Zinc uptake in vitro by human retinal pigment epithelium

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Newsome, D.A.; Rothman, R.J.

1987-01-01

Zinc, an essential trace element, is present in unusually high concentrations in the chorioretinal complex relative to most other tissues. Because little has been known about the interactions between the retinal pigment epithelium and free or protein-associated zinc, we studied 65 Zn uptake by human retinal pigment epithelium in vitro. When monolayers were exposed to differing concentrations from 0 to 30 microM 65 Zn in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium with 5.4 gm/l glucose at 37 degrees C and 4 degrees C, we observed a temperature-dependent saturable accumulation of the radiolabel. With 15 microM 65 Zn, we saw a biphasic pattern of uptake with a rapid first phase and a slower second phase over 120 min. Uptake of 65 Zn was inhibited by iodacetate and cold, and reduced approximately 50% by the addition of 2% albumin to the labelling medium. Neither ouabain nor 2-deoxyglucose inhibited uptake. Cells previously exposed to 65 Zn retained approximately 70% of accumulated 65 Zn 60 min after being changed to radiolabel-free medium. Following removal of cells from the extracellular matrix adherent to the dish bottom, a variable amount of nonspecific binding of 65 Zn to the residual matrix was demonstrated. These observations are consistent with a facilitated type of transport and demonstrate the ability of human retinal pigment epithelium in vitro to accumulate and retain zinc

Analysis of a biphase-based servo format for hard-disk drives

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Makinwa, K.A.A.; Bergmans, J.W.M.; Voorman, J.O.

2000-01-01

Biphase modulation in an embedded-servo format for hard-disk drives is investigated. It is shown that for biphase, at the low linear densities typical of servo information, near-maximum-likelihood performance can be attained by a simple bit detector consisting of a full-response linear equalizer and

Zinc oxide nanoparticles as novel alpha-amylase inhibitors

Science.gov (United States)

Dhobale, Sandip; Thite, Trupti; Laware, S. L.; Rode, C. V.; Koppikar, Soumya J.; Ghanekar, Ruchika-Kaul; Kale, S. N.

2008-11-01

Amylase inhibitors, also known as starch blockers, contain substances that prevent dietary starches from being absorbed by the body via inhibiting breakdown of complex sugars to simpler ones. In this sense, these materials are projected as having potential applications in diabetes control. In this context, we report on zinc oxide nanoparticles as possible alpha-amylase inhibitors. Zinc oxide nanoparticles have been synthesized using soft-chemistry approach and 1-thioglycerol was used as a surfactant to yield polycrystalline nanoparticles of size ˜18 nm, stabilized in wurtzite structure. Conjugation study and structural characterization have been done using x-ray diffraction technique, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Cytotoxicity studies on human fibrosarcoma (HT-1080) and skin carcinoma (A-431) cell lines as well as mouse primary fibroblast cells demonstrate that up to a dose of 20 μg/ml, ZnO nanoparticles are nontoxic to the cells. We report for the first time the alpha-amylase inhibitory activity of ZnO nanoparticles wherein an optimum dose of 20 μg/ml was sufficient to exhibit 49% glucose inhibition at neutral pH and 35 °C temperature. This inhibitory activity was similar to that obtained with acarbose (a standard alpha-amylase inhibitor), thereby projecting ZnO nanoparticles as novel alpha-amylase inhibitors.

Wurtzite InP/InAs/InP core-shell nanowires emitting at telecommunication wavelengths on Si substrate

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hadj Alouane, M H; Anufriev, R; Chauvin, N; Bru-Chevallier, C; Khmissi, H; Ilahi, B; Maaref, H; Naji, K; Gendry, M; Patriarche, G

2011-01-01

Optical properties of wurtzite InP/InAs/InP core-shell nanowires grown on silicon substrates by solid source molecular beam epitaxy are studied by means of photoluminescence and microphotoluminescence. The growth conditions were optimized to obtain purely wurtzite radial quantum wells emitting in the telecom bands with a radiative lifetime in the 5-7 ns range at 14 K. Optical studies on single nanowires reveal that the polarization is mainly parallel to the growth direction. A 20-fold reduction of the photoluminescence intensity is observed between 14 and 300 K confirming the very good quality of the nanowires.

Valence-band splitting energies in wurtzite InP nanowires: Photoluminescence spectroscopy and ab initio calculations

Science.gov (United States)

Gadret, E. G.; Dias, G. O.; Dacal, L. C. O.; de Lima, M. M., Jr.; Ruffo, C. V. R. S.; Iikawa, F.; Brasil, M. J. S. P.; Chiaramonte, T.; Cotta, M. A.; Tizei, L. H. G.; Ugarte, D.; Cantarero, A.

2010-09-01

We investigated experimentally and theoretically the valence-band structure of wurtzite InP nanowires. The wurtzite phase, which usually is not stable for III-V phosphide compounds, has been observed in InP nanowires. We present results on the electronic properties of these nanowires using the photoluminescence excitation technique. Spectra from an ensemble of nanowires show three clear absorption edges separated by 44 meV and 143 meV, respectively. The band edges are attributed to excitonic absorptions involving three distinct valence-bands labeled: A, B, and C. Theoretical results based on “ab initio” calculation gives corresponding valence-band energy separations of 50 meV and 200 meV, respectively, which are in good agreement with the experimental results.

Alpha alumina synthesis by laser treatment of bi-phasic nanowires

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Aktas, Cenk, E-mail: cenk.aktas@inm-gmbh.de [Leibniz Institute for New Materials, D2 2 Campus, 66123 Saarbrücken (Germany); Lee, Juseok; Míro, Marina Martinez [Leibniz Institute for New Materials, D2 2 Campus, 66123 Saarbrücken (Germany); Barnoush, Afrooz [Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim (Norway); Saarland University, D2 2 Campus, 66123 Saarbrücken (Germany); Veith, Michael [Leibniz Institute for New Materials, D2 2 Campus, 66123 Saarbrücken (Germany)

2013-08-01

Al/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} bi-phasic nanowires (Al-core/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} shell) are prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using single source precursor (SSP) approach. Such bi-phasic nanostructures were heat-treated using an argon laser operating at visible wavelengths. Al core seems to act as an active binder, which might decrease the inhomogeneous heating and thermal gradients. Nanoindentation method is used to estimate the hardness of the laser treated surfaces. Hardness values and pop-in behaviour in loading-curve indicate a formation of α-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} with very low defect density. It is believed that Al/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} bi-phasic layers exhibit a dynamic change by transforming into alumina after the laser irradiation and this leads to alteration of the optical absorption especially in the visible wavelength region. Following the full transformation to alumina, the surface reflects back the laser light which hinders inhomogeneous and excessive heating. In this context, laser treatment of Al/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} bi-phasic nanowires provides a controlled sintering process which can open up various applications in different fields.

Structural, optoelectronic, luminescence and thermal properties of Ga-doped zinc oxide thin films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shinde, S.S.; Shinde, P.S.; Oh, Y.W.; Haranath, D.; Bhosale, C.H.; Rajpure, K.Y.

2012-01-01

Highlights: ► The ecofriendly deposition of Ga-doped zinc oxide. ► Influence of Ga doping onto physicochemical properties in aqueous media. ► Electron–phonon coupling by Raman. ► Chemical bonding structure and valence band analysis by XPS. - Abstract: Ga-doped ZnO thin films are synthesized by chemical spray pyrolysis onto corning glass substrates in aqueous media. The influence of gallium doping on to the photoelectrochemical, structural, Raman, XPS, morphological, optical, electrical, photoluminescence and thermal properties have been investigated in order to achieve good quality films. X-ray diffraction study depicts the films are polycrystalline and fit well with hexagonal (wurtzite) crystal structure with strong orientations along the (0 0 2) and (1 0 1) planes. Presence of E 2 high mode in Raman spectra indicates that the gallium doping does not change the wurtzite structure. The coupling strength between electron and LO phonon has experimentally estimated. In order to understand the chemical bonding structure and electronic states of the Ga-doped ZnO thin films XPS analysis have been studied. SEM images shows the films are adherent, compact, densely packed with hexagonal flakes and spherical grains. Optical transmittance and reflectance measurements have been carried out. Room temperature PL spectra depict violet, blue and green emission in deposited films. The specific heat and thermal conductivity study shows the phonon conduction behavior is dominant in these polycrystalline films.

Metal separations using aqueous biphasic partitioning systems

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chaiko, D.J.; Zaslavsky, B.; Rollins, A.N.; Vojta, Y.; Gartelmann, J.; Mego, W.

1996-01-01

Aqueous biphasic extraction (ABE) processes offer the potential for low-cost, highly selective separations. This countercurrent extraction technique involves selective partitioning of either dissolved solutes or ultrafine particulates between two immiscible aqueous phases. The extraction systems that the authors have studied are generated by combining an aqueous salt solution with an aqueous polymer solution. They have examined a wide range of applications for ABE, including the treatment of solid and liquid nuclear wastes, decontamination of soils, and processing of mineral ores. They have also conducted fundamental studies of solution microstructure using small angle neutron scattering (SANS). In this report they review the physicochemical fundamentals of aqueous biphase formation and discuss the development and scaleup of ABE processes for environmental remediation

Nanoscale size dependence parameters on lattice thermal conductivity of Wurtzite GaN nanowires

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mamand, S.M.; Omar, M.S.; Muhammad, A.J.

2012-01-01

Graphical abstract: Temperature dependence of calculated lattice thermal conductivity of Wurtzite GaN nanowires. Highlights: ► A modified Callaway model is used to calculate lattice thermal conductivity of Wurtzite GaN nanowires. ► A direct method is used to calculate phonon group velocity for these nanowires. ► 3-Gruneisen parameter, surface roughness, and dislocations are successfully investigated. ► Dislocation densities are decreases with the decrease of wires diameter. -- Abstract: A detailed calculation of lattice thermal conductivity of freestanding Wurtzite GaN nanowires with diameter ranging from 97 to 160 nm in the temperature range 2–300 K, was performed using a modified Callaway model. Both longitudinal and transverse modes are taken into account explicitly in the model. A method is used to calculate the Debye and phonon group velocities for different nanowire diameters from their related melting points. Effect of Gruneisen parameter, surface roughness, and dislocations as structure dependent parameters are successfully used to correlate the calculated values of lattice thermal conductivity to that of the experimentally measured curves. It was observed that Gruneisen parameter will decrease with decreasing nanowire diameters. Scattering of phonons is assumed to be by nanowire boundaries, imperfections, dislocations, electrons, and other phonons via both normal and Umklapp processes. Phonon confinement and size effects as well as the role of dislocation in limiting thermal conductivity are investigated. At high temperatures and for dislocation densities greater than 10 14 m −2 the lattice thermal conductivity would be limited by dislocation density, but for dislocation densities less than 10 14 m −2 , lattice thermal conductivity would be independent of that.

Nanoscale size dependence parameters on lattice thermal conductivity of Wurtzite GaN nanowires

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mamand, S.M., E-mail: soran.mamand@univsul.net [Department of Physics, College of Science, University of Sulaimani, Sulaimanyah, Iraqi Kurdistan (Iraq); Omar, M.S. [Department of Physics, College of Science, University of Salahaddin, Arbil, Iraqi Kurdistan (Iraq); Muhammad, A.J. [Department of Physics, College of Science, University of Kirkuk, Kirkuk (Iraq)

2012-05-15

Graphical abstract: Temperature dependence of calculated lattice thermal conductivity of Wurtzite GaN nanowires. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer A modified Callaway model is used to calculate lattice thermal conductivity of Wurtzite GaN nanowires. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer A direct method is used to calculate phonon group velocity for these nanowires. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer 3-Gruneisen parameter, surface roughness, and dislocations are successfully investigated. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Dislocation densities are decreases with the decrease of wires diameter. -- Abstract: A detailed calculation of lattice thermal conductivity of freestanding Wurtzite GaN nanowires with diameter ranging from 97 to 160 nm in the temperature range 2-300 K, was performed using a modified Callaway model. Both longitudinal and transverse modes are taken into account explicitly in the model. A method is used to calculate the Debye and phonon group velocities for different nanowire diameters from their related melting points. Effect of Gruneisen parameter, surface roughness, and dislocations as structure dependent parameters are successfully used to correlate the calculated values of lattice thermal conductivity to that of the experimentally measured curves. It was observed that Gruneisen parameter will decrease with decreasing nanowire diameters. Scattering of phonons is assumed to be by nanowire boundaries, imperfections, dislocations, electrons, and other phonons via both normal and Umklapp processes. Phonon confinement and size effects as well as the role of dislocation in limiting thermal conductivity are investigated. At high temperatures and for dislocation densities greater than 10{sup 14} m{sup -2} the lattice thermal conductivity would be limited by dislocation density, but for dislocation densities less than 10{sup 14} m{sup -2}, lattice thermal conductivity would be independent of that.

Evaluation of the finite element software ABAQUS for biomechanical modelling of biphasic tissues.

Science.gov (United States)

Wu, J Z; Herzog, W; Epstein, M

1998-02-01

The biphasic cartilage model proposed by Mow et al. (1980) has proven successful to capture the essential mechanical features of articular cartilage. In order to analyse the joint contact mechanics in real, anatomical joints, the cartilage model needs to be implemented into a suitable finite element code to approximate the irregular surface geometries of such joints. However, systematic and extensive evaluation of the capacity of commercial software for modelling the contact mechanics with biphasic cartilage layers has not been made. This research was aimed at evaluating the commercial finite element software ABAQUS for analysing biphasic soft tissues. The solutions obtained using ABAQUS were compared with those obtained using other finite element models and analytical solutions for three numerical tests: an unconfined indentation test, a test with the contact of a spherical cartilage surface with a rigid plate, and an axi-symmetric joint contact test. It was concluded that the biphasic cartilage model can be implemented into the commercial finite element software ABAQUS to analyse practical joint contact problems with biphasic articular cartilage layers.

Effect of hydroxylamine hydrochloride on the floral decoration of zinc oxide synthesized by solution method

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wahab, Rizwan; Ansari, S.G.; Kim, Young Soon; Khang, Gilson; Shin, Hyung-Shik

2008-01-01

Effect of the structure-directing agent on the floral (depicting flower) morphological variation of ZnO is systematically studied and presented here. Flowery decorated (resembling flower) zinc oxide structure composed of hexagonal nanorods (sharp tips and wider bases) was synthesized at 90 deg. C using zinc acetate dihydrate and sodium hydroxide at various concentrations of hydroxylamine hydrochloride for 12 h by solution method. Single crystalline nature with the wurtzite hexagonal phase remained unaltered with increasing concentration of hydroxylamine hydrochloride while the morphology changes from nanorod to plate like structure. Photoelectron spectroscopic measurement presented spectra close to the standard bulk ZnO, with an O 1s peak composed of surface adsorbed O-H group, O 2- in the oxygen vacancies on ZnO structure and ZnO. At higher concentration (0.8 M), surface adsorbed O-H group increases while other component decreases because of the changes in the nucleation and surface energy. Results clearly indicate that hydroxylamine hydrochloride works as a structure-directing agent without affecting other properties

Structural study of the AlP, GaAs and AlAs semiconductors with wurtzite structure

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bautista H, A.; Perez A, L.; Pal, U.; Rivas S, J.F.

2003-01-01

In this work we present ab initio calculations of optimization geometries, lattice constant and electronic structure for semiconductors wurtzite type, like AIN, CdS, Zn S, Zn Se, Ga N and GaAs. For this, we used the CASTEP program of CERUIS with LDA and GGA approximations, in the framework of Functional Density Theory. The used pseudopotentials are available in that program and were generated using the optimization scheme of Troullier-Martins. With the lattice constant just optimized, we calculate then the X-ray spectra for studied semiconductors.We analyzed the effect of used pseudopotentials on function of the results obtained. Finally, we predicted the geometry and X-ray pattern for AIP, AlAs and GaAs with wurtzite structure, giving evidence about the semiconductor character of these materials. (Author)

Polytypism and band alignment in ZnSe nanowires revealed by photoluminescence spectroscopy of embedded (Zn,Cd)Se quantum dots

Science.gov (United States)

Bieker, S.; Pfeuffer, R.; Kiessling, T.; Tarakina, N.; Schumacher, C.; Ossau, W.; Molenkamp, L. W.; Karczewski, G.

2015-03-01

We report on the optical characterization of single (Zn,Cd)Se quantum dots (QDs) embedded in vapor-liquid-solid-grown ZnSe nanowires (NWs). The temperature dependent quenching of the QD luminescence demonstrates that their electronic structure is comparable to that of self-assembled (Zn,Cd)Se QDs in ZnSe matrices. The photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectrum of single nanowire QDs reveals the presence of both zinc blende (ZB) and wurtzite (WZ) crystal modifications of ZnSe in the NW shafts. PLE provides, therefore, a complementary technique to transmission electron microscopy imaging to reveal polytypism in ZnSe NWs. A transient quenching of the PL emission suggests a type II staggered band alignment at the ZB/WZ interface in our ZnSe NWs.

Unit cell structure of the wurtzite phase of GaP nanowires : X-ray diffraction studies and density functional theory calculations

OpenAIRE

Kriegner, D.; Assali, S.; Belabbes, A.; Etzelstorfer, T.; Holy, V.; Schülli, T.U.; Bechstedt, F.; Bakkers, E.P.A.M.; Bauer, G.; Stangl, J.

2013-01-01

We present structural characterization of the wurtzite crystal structure of GaP nanowires, which were recently shown to have a direct electronic band gap. The structural parameters of the wurtzite phase do consist of two lattice parameters and one internal degree of freedom, determining the Ga-P bond length along the c direction. Using density functional theory calculations, we study the influence of the internal degree of freedom on the band structure. By synchrotron x-ray diffraction studie...

Formulation of Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanopowder into Hybrid Beads for Dye Separation

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

H. Shokry Hassan

2014-01-01

Full Text Available The sol-gel prepared zinc oxide nanopowder was immobilized onto alginate-polyvinyl alcohol polymer blend to fabricate novel biocomposite beads. Various physicochemical characterization techniques have been utilized to identify the crystalline, morphological, and chemical structures of both the fabricated zinc oxide hybrid beads and their corresponding zinc oxide nanopowder. The thermal stability investigations demonstrate that ZnO nanopowder stability dramatically decreased with its immobilization into the polymeric alginate and PVA matrix. The formulated beads had very strong mechanical strength and they are difficult to be broken up to 1500 rpm. Moreover, these hybrid beads are chemically stable at the acidic media (pH < 7 especially within the pH range of 2–7. Finally, the applicability of the formulated ZnO hybrid beads for C.I. basic blue 41 (BB41 decolorization from aqueous solution was examined.

Ab-initio investigations of the electronic properties of bulk wurtzite Beryllia and its derived nanofilms

KAUST Repository

Goumri-Said, Souraya; Kanoun, Mohammed

2010-01-01

In this Letter we investigate the electronic properties of the bulk and the nanofilm BeO in wurtzite structure. We performed a first-principles pseudo-potential method within the generalized gradient approximation. We will give more importance

Valence band offset of β-Ga2O3/wurtzite GaN heterostructure measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Science.gov (United States)

Wei, Wei; Qin, Zhixin; Fan, Shunfei; Li, Zhiwei; Shi, Kai; Zhu, Qinsheng; Zhang, Guoyi

2012-10-10

A sample of the β-Ga2O3/wurtzite GaN heterostructure has been grown by dry thermal oxidation of GaN on a sapphire substrate. X-ray diffraction measurements show that the β-Ga2O3 layer was formed epitaxially on GaN. The valence band offset of the β-Ga2O3/wurtzite GaN heterostructure is measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that the valence band of the β-Ga2O3/GaN structure is 1.40 ± 0.08 eV.

A re-examination of the biphasic theory of skeletal muscle growth.

Science.gov (United States)

Levine, A S; Hegarty, P V

1977-01-01

Because of the importance of fibre diameter measurements it was decided to re-evaluate the biphasic theory of skeletal muscle growth and development. This theory proposes an initial memophasic distribution of muscle fibres which changes to a biphasic distribution during development. The theory is based on observations made on certain muscles in mice, where two distinct populations of fibre diameters (20 and 40 micronm) contribute to the biphasic distribution. In the present investigation corss sections of frozen biceps brachii of mice in rigor mortis were examined. The rigor state was used to avoid complications produced by thaw-rigor contraction. The diameters of the outermost and innermost fibres were found to be significantly different. However, if the outer and inner fibres were combined to form one group, no significant difference between this group and other random groups was found. The distributions of all groups were monophasic. The diameters of isolated fibres from mice and rats also displayed a monophasic distribution. This evidence leads to the conclusion that the biphasic theory of muscle growth is untenable. Some of the variables which may occur in fibre size and shape are discussed. Images Fig. 1 PMID:858691

Nonlinear elasticity in wurtzite GaN/AlN planar superlattices and quantum dots

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lepkowski, S.P.; Majewski, J.A.; Jurczak, G.

2005-01-01

The elastic stiffness tensor for wurtzite GaN and AlN show a significant hydrostatic pressure dependence, which id the evidence of nonlinear elasticity of these compounds. We have examined how the pressure dependence of elastic constants for wurtzite nitrides influences elastic and piezoelectric properties of GaN/AlN planar superlattices and quantum dots. Particularly we show that built-in hydrostatic pressure, present in both quantum wells of the GaN/AlN superlattices and GaN/AlN quantum dots, increases significantly by 0.3-0.7 GPa when nonlinear elasticity is used. Consequently, the compressive volumetric strain in quantum wells and quantum dots decreases in comparison to the case of the linear elastic theory, However, the-component of the built-in electric field in the quantum wells and quantum dots increases considerably when nonlinear elasticity is taken into account. Both effects, i.e., a decrease in the compressive volumetric strain as well as an increase in the built-in electric field, decrease the band-to-band transition energies in the quantum wells and quantum dots. (author)

Annealing effect of hybrid solar cells based on poly (3-hexylthiophene) and zinc-oxide nanostructures

CSIR Research Space (South Africa)

Motaung, DE

2013-06-01

Full Text Available The structural growth and optical and photovoltaic properties of the organic–inorganic hybrid structures of zinc oxide (ZnO)-nanorods/poly-3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) and two variations of organic polymer blends of ZnO/P3HT:C(sub60) fullerene and ZnO/P3...

Three dimensional biphasic calcium phosphate nanocomposites for load bearing bioactive bone grafts

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Garai, Subhadra, E-mail: subha@nmlindia.org; Sinha, Arvind

2016-02-01

Mimicking matrix mediated bio-mineralization process, three dimensional blocks of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP, hydroxyapatite (HA) and β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP)) nanocomposites, having three different stoichiometries have been synthesized for possible application as load bearing synthetic bone graft or scaffolds. Biphasic blocks with three weight ratios of 20:80, 25:75 and 30:70 of HA and TCP respectively have been synthesized. Detailed structural and chemical characterization of the samples revealed a strong dependence of porosity and mechanical properties on the stoichiometry of biphasic blocks. Effect of physiological medium on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the three different blocks has also been studied. Bioactivity of the BCP block, exhibiting highest compressive strength in air as well as in physiological medium, has been evaluated through adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells using different markers. - Highlights: • Developed a process for the synthesis of load bearing 3d- biphasic nanocomposites. • Synthesized nanocomposites exhibited in vitro osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity for bone marrow mesenchymal cells. • Developed process is a matrix mediated biomimetic one.

A versatile light-switchable nanorod memory: Wurtzite ZnO on perovskite SrTiO3

KAUST Repository

Kumar, Anup Bera; Peng, Haiyang; Lourembam, James; Shen, Youde; Sun, Xiaowei; Wu, Tao

2013-01-01

heterojunction memory made of wurtzite ZnO nanorods grown on perovskite Nb-doped SrTiO3 (NSTO) is reported, the electronic properties of which can be drastically reconfigured by applying a voltage and light. Despite of the distinct lattice structures of Zn

Structural, optical, and magnetic studies of manganese-doped zinc oxide hierarchical microspheres by self-assembly of nanoparticles.

Science.gov (United States)

Hao, Yao-Ming; Lou, Shi-Yun; Zhou, Shao-Min; Yuan, Rui-Jian; Zhu, Gong-Yu; Li, Ning

2012-02-02

In this study, a series of manganese [Mn]-doped zinc oxide [ZnO] hierarchical microspheres [HMSs] are prepared by hydrothermal method only using zinc acetate and manganese acetate as precursors and ethylene glycol as solvent. X-ray diffraction indicates that all of the as-obtained samples including the highest Mn (7 mol%) in the crystal lattice of ZnO have a pure phase (hexagonal wurtzite structure). A broad Raman spectrum from as-synthesized doping samples ranges from 500 to 600 cm-1, revealing the successful doping of paramagnetic Mn2+ ions in the host ZnO. Optical absorption analysis of the samples exhibits a blueshift in the absorption band edge with increasing dopant concentration, and corresponding photoluminescence spectra show that Mn doping suppresses both near-band edge UV emission and defect-related blue emission. In particular, magnetic measurements confirm robust room-temperature ferromagnetic behavior with a high Curie temperature exceeding 400 K, signifying that the as-formed Mn-doped ZnO HMSs will have immense potential in spintronic devices and spin-based electronic technologies.

Towards an elastic model of wurtzite AlN nanowires

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mitrushchenkov, A; Chambaud, G; Yvonnet, J; He, Q-C

2010-01-01

Starting with ab initio calculations of AlN wurtzite [0001] nanowires with diameters up to 4 nm, a finite element method is developed to deal with larger nanostructures/nanoparticles. The ab initio calculations show that the structure of the nanowires can be well represented by an internal part with AlN bulk elastic properties, and one atomic surface layer with its own elastic behavior. The proposed finite element method includes surface elements with their own elastic properties using surface elastic coefficients deduced from the ab initio calculations. The elastic properties obtained with the finite element model compare very well with those obtained with the full ab initio calculations.

Preparation and Characterization of Apatitic Biphasic Calcium Phosphate

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Thin Thin Nwe; Kyaw Naing; Khin Mar Tun; Nyunt Wynn

2005-09-01

The apatitic biphasic calcium phosphate (ABcp) consisting of hydroxyapatite (HA) and -tricalcium phosphate ( -Tcp) has been prepared by precipitation technique using slaked lime and orthophosphoric acid. The X-ray diffraction analysis of the product I (hydroxyapatite) revealed that ABcp was partially crystalline state. However, on heating at 800 C for 8 hrs, XRD pattern indicated a perfectly crystalline form of ABcp. This observation was supported by FT-IR measurement. The change in morphology regarding in the functional nature was infered by the shift in the FT-IR frequency. The optimization of the apatitic biphasic calcium phosphate was done by the variation of disodium hydrogen phosphate concentration, setting time, hardening time as well as compressive strength. The perpared cement may be used as an artificial substitution bone

Inspection of single CdSe nanowires by use of micro-focused X-ray diffraction

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kurtulus, Oezguel [Dogus University, Istanbul (Turkey); Li, Zhen [University of Queensland, Brisbane (Australia); Arezki, Bahia; Biermanns, Andreas; Pietsch, Ullrich [University of Siegen (Germany)

2010-07-01

The morphology of CdSe nanowires (NW) can easily be controlled by various growth methods. In this study, CdSe NWs are prepared by solution-liquid-solid (SLS) approach providing needle-shaped wires of about 60nm in diameter and several microns in length. To make X-ray single NW inspection possible, the NWs were dispersed in toluene and hexadecylamine, homogenized by centrifugation and finally spin-coated on silicon substrate. SEM images revealed that the NWs are randomly oriented with length axis parallel to the substrate. However, at selected areas, the distance between neighboured NWs is in the order of one micron. These samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction using a 300 nm x 600 nm micro-focus at beamline ID1 of ESRF. Diffraction from 110W/2-20ZB basal plane was selected for single nanowire inspection. In order to measure various single objects subsequently, the sample was laterally scanned through the beam keeping the diffraction angle fixed. It was observed that the individual NWs differ slightly in peak position and peak width. From powder diffraction, it is known that NWs consist of an admixture of a wurtzite (W) and zinc-blende (ZB) structure units and the coherent illumination of sample by the micro-focus enables to visualize these zinc-blende and wurzite units separated by stacking faults.

Studies of PVC/ENR blends: blend compositions

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chantara Thevy Ratnam; Khairul Zaman Mohd Dahlan; Nasir, M.; Baharin, A.

2002-01-01

Blends of poly(vinyl chloride/epoxidized natural rubber (PVC/ENR) were prepared by using Bra bender Plasticorder at compositions ranging from 0-100% PVC. They were blended at 150 degree C mixing temperature, 50 rpm rotor speed and 10 minutes mixing time. The blends were characterized for tensile strength , elongation at break, glass transition temperatures and Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy (FTIR). Results revealed that as the PVC content increases the blend behaviour changes from elastomeric to glassy. However the blends found to be compatible at all compositions. (Author)

The standard biphasic-contrast examination of the stomach and duodenum

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Op den Orth, J.O.

1979-01-01

A standard examination has been developed, called biphasic, because it combines the advantages of positive-contrast and double-contrast techniques. The theoretical background and technique of this examination are described and the basic interpretation of double-contrast studies stated. General remarks on the results and on the complementary role of radiological examination and endoscopy are included. A quantitative study of standard biphasic-contrast examinations in patients over a period of 3 years is presented. Finally a radiological atlas of common lesions of the stomach and duodenum is given. (C.F.)

Biphasic decay of the Ca transient results from increased sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca leak

Science.gov (United States)

Sankaranarayanan, Rajiv; Li, Yatong; Greensmith, David J.; Eisner, David A.

2016-01-01

Key points Ca leak from the sarcoplasmic reticulum through the ryanodine receptor (RyR) reduces the amplitude of the Ca transient and slows its rate of decay.In the presence of β‐adrenergic stimulation, RyR‐mediated Ca leak produces a biphasic decay of the Ca transient with a fast early phase and a slow late phase.Two forms of Ca leak have been studied, Ca‐sensitising (induced by caffeine) and non‐sensitising (induced by ryanodine) and both induce biphasic decay of the Ca transient.Only Ca‐sensitising leak can be reversed by traditional RyR inhibitors such as tetracaine.Ca leak can also induce Ca waves. At low levels of leak, waves occur. As leak is increased, first biphasic decay and then slowed monophasic decay is seen. The level of leak has major effects on the shape of the Ca transient. Abstract In heart failure, a reduction in Ca transient amplitude and contractile dysfunction can by caused by Ca leak through the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca channel (ryanodine receptor, RyR) and/or decreased activity of the SR Ca ATPase (SERCA). We have characterised the effects of two forms of Ca leak (Ca‐sensitising and non‐sensitising) on calcium cycling and compared with those of SERCA inhibition. We measured [Ca2+]i with fluo‐3 in voltage‐clamped rat ventricular myocytes. Increasing SR leak with either caffeine (to sensitise the RyR to Ca activation) or ryanodine (non‐sensitising) had similar effects to SERCA inhibition: decreased systolic [Ca2+]i, increased diastolic [Ca2+]i and slowed decay. However, in the presence of isoproterenol, leak produced a biphasic decay of the Ca transient in the majority of cells while SERCA inhibition produced monophasic decay. Tetracaine reversed the effects of caffeine but not of ryanodine. When caffeine (1 mmol l−1) was added to a cell which displayed Ca waves, the wave frequency initially increased before waves disappeared and biphasic decay developed. Eventually (at higher caffeine concentrations), the

Structural refinement, photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy of wurtzite Mn-doped Zn O pellets

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Marquina, J.; Martin, J.; Luengo, J.; Vera, F.; Roa, L. [Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Optica, Universidad de los Andes, Merida 5101 (Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of); Gonzalez, J. [Centro de Estudios de Semiconductores, Universidad de los Andes, Merida 5101 (Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of); Rodriguez, F.; Renero L, C.; Valiente, R. [Malta-Consolider Team, CITIMAC, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander 69005 (Spain); Delgado, G. E., E-mail: marquinajesus@gmail.com [Laboratorio de Cristalografia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de los Andes, Merida 5101 (Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of)

2017-11-01

We report the results of the Rietveld refinement, photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy of Mn-doped Zn O ceramic pellets. Rietveld refinement shows that samples crystallize in the wurtzite structure and for the Mn-doped sample indicated that the Mn atoms substitute the Zn tetrahedral crystallographic sites in the Zn O host lattice. The emission and absorption spectra of Mn-doped Zn O have been investigated in the visible-UV region and the data have been interpreted in terms of the wurtzite Zn O electronic structure. Two broad bands, one due to superposition between donor bound excitons (DX) and free excitons (FX) and other due free-to bond excitonic recombination (FB) dominates the low-temperature photoluminescence spectra of Mn-doped Zn O bulk. In the Raman spectrum, an extra mode at ∼520 cm{sup -1} has been observed in agreement with earlier works, and it is an indicator for the incorporation of Mn{sup +2} ions into the Zn O host matrix since it is not is observed in Zn O pristine. Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffraction patterns, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) technique, and Raman spectroscopies were performed to study these effects. (Author)

Short-term in vivo evaluation of zinc-containing calcium phosphate using a normalized procedure

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Calasans-Maia, Monica, E-mail: monicacalasansmaia@gmail.com [Dental Clinical Research Center, Dentistry School, Fluminense Federal University, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil); Calasans-Maia, José, E-mail: josecalasans@gmail.com [Dental Clinical Research Center, Dentistry School, Fluminense Federal University, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil); Santos, Silvia, E-mail: silviaquimica@gmail.com [LABIOMAT, Brazilian Center for Physics Research, CBPF, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil); Mavropoulos, Elena, E-mail: elena@cbpf.br [LABIOMAT, Brazilian Center for Physics Research, CBPF, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil); Farina, Marcos, E-mail: mfarina@anato.ufrj.br [Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil); Lima, Inayá, E-mail: inayacorrea@gmail.com [Nuclear Instrumentation Laboratory, Nuclear Engineering Program, COPPE, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil); Lopes, Ricardo Tadeu [Nuclear Instrumentation Laboratory, Nuclear Engineering Program, COPPE, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil); Rossi, Alexandre, E-mail: rossi@cbpf.br [LABIOMAT, Brazilian Center for Physics Research, CBPF, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil); Granjeiro, José Mauro, E-mail: jmgranjeiro@gmail.com [Dental Clinical Research Center, Dentistry School, Fluminense Federal University, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil); Bioengineering Division, National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology, Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

2014-08-01

The effect of zinc-substituted calcium phosphate (CaP) on bone osteogenesis was evaluated using an in vivo normalized ISO 10993-6 protocol. Zinc-containing hydroxyapatite (ZnHA) powder with 0.3% by wt zinc (experimental group) and stoichiometric hydroxyapatite (control group) were shaped into cylindrical implants (2 × 6 mm) and were sintered at 1000 °C. Thermal treatment transformed the ZnHA cylinder into a biphasic implant that was composed of Zn-substituted HA and Zn-substituted β-tricalcium phosphate (ZnHA/βZnTCP); the hydroxyapatite cylinder was a highly crystalline and poorly soluble HA implant. In vivo tests were performed in New Zealand White rabbits by implanting two cylinders of ZnHA/βZnTCP in the left tibia and two cylinders of HA in the right tibia for 7, 14 and 28 days. Incorporation of 0.3% by wt zinc into CaP increased the rate of Zn release to the biological medium. Microfluorescence analyses (μXRF-SR) using synchrotron radiation suggested that some of the Zn released from the biomaterial was incorporated into new bone near the implanted region. In contrast with previous studies, histomorphometric analysis did not show significant differences between the newly formed bone around ZnHA/βZnTCP and HA due to the dissolution profile of Zn-doped CaP. Despite the great potential of Zn-containing CaP matrices for future use in bone regeneration, additional in vivo studies must be conducted to explain the mobility of zinc at the CaP surface and its interactions with a biological medium. - Highlights: • We produced a hydroxyapatite containing a low concentration (0.3 wt.%) of zinc. • The biomaterial underwent characterization before and after in vivo implant. • In vivo tests were performed according to ISO 10993-6. • Zinc-containing calcium phosphate promotes osteoconduction and bone regeneration. • Zinc-containing calcium phosphate may be useful for clinical applications.

Short-term in vivo evaluation of zinc-containing calcium phosphate using a normalized procedure

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Calasans-Maia, Monica; Calasans-Maia, José; Santos, Silvia; Mavropoulos, Elena; Farina, Marcos; Lima, Inayá; Lopes, Ricardo Tadeu; Rossi, Alexandre; Granjeiro, José Mauro

2014-01-01

The effect of zinc-substituted calcium phosphate (CaP) on bone osteogenesis was evaluated using an in vivo normalized ISO 10993-6 protocol. Zinc-containing hydroxyapatite (ZnHA) powder with 0.3% by wt zinc (experimental group) and stoichiometric hydroxyapatite (control group) were shaped into cylindrical implants (2 × 6 mm) and were sintered at 1000 °C. Thermal treatment transformed the ZnHA cylinder into a biphasic implant that was composed of Zn-substituted HA and Zn-substituted β-tricalcium phosphate (ZnHA/βZnTCP); the hydroxyapatite cylinder was a highly crystalline and poorly soluble HA implant. In vivo tests were performed in New Zealand White rabbits by implanting two cylinders of ZnHA/βZnTCP in the left tibia and two cylinders of HA in the right tibia for 7, 14 and 28 days. Incorporation of 0.3% by wt zinc into CaP increased the rate of Zn release to the biological medium. Microfluorescence analyses (μXRF-SR) using synchrotron radiation suggested that some of the Zn released from the biomaterial was incorporated into new bone near the implanted region. In contrast with previous studies, histomorphometric analysis did not show significant differences between the newly formed bone around ZnHA/βZnTCP and HA due to the dissolution profile of Zn-doped CaP. Despite the great potential of Zn-containing CaP matrices for future use in bone regeneration, additional in vivo studies must be conducted to explain the mobility of zinc at the CaP surface and its interactions with a biological medium. - Highlights: • We produced a hydroxyapatite containing a low concentration (0.3 wt.%) of zinc. • The biomaterial underwent characterization before and after in vivo implant. • In vivo tests were performed according to ISO 10993-6. • Zinc-containing calcium phosphate promotes osteoconduction and bone regeneration. • Zinc-containing calcium phosphate may be useful for clinical applications

The Influence of Doping with Transition Metal Ions on the Structure and Magnetic Properties of Zinc Oxide Thin Films

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Jenica Neamtu

2014-01-01

Full Text Available Zn1−xNixO (x=0.03÷0.10 and Zn1−xFexO (x=0.03÷0.15 thin films were synthesized by sol-gel method. The structure and the surface morphology of zinc oxide thin films doped with transition metal (TM ions have been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD and atomic force microscopy (AFM. The magnetic studies were done using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM at room temperature. Experimental results revealed that the substitution of Ni ions in ZnO wurtzite lattice for the contents x=0.03÷0.10 (Ni2+ leads to weak ferromagnetism of thin films. For Zn1-xFexO with x=0.03÷0.05, the Fe3+ ions are magnetic coupling by superexchange interaction via oxygen ions in wurtzite structure. For x=0.10÷0.15 (Fe3+ one can observe the increasing of secondary phase of ZnFe2O4 spinel. The Zn0.9Fe0.1O film shows a superparamagnetic behavior due to small crystallite sizes and the net spin magnetic moments arisen from the interaction between the iron ions through an oxygen ion in the spinel structure.

Kinetics of zinc uptake and exchange by primary cultures of rat hepatocytes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pattison, S.E.; Cousins, R.J.

1986-01-01

The kinetics of 65 Zn 2+ uptake and exchange by hepatocytes in primary culture have been examined in detail to provide a basis for analyzing hormonal regulation of hepatic zinc metabolism. 65 Zn 2+ uptake was found to be a biphasic process. The slow phase represents an exchange between Zn 2+ in the medium and preexisting, intracellular zinc pools. This exchange rate was saturable with a medium zinc concentration of 9.5 microM eliciting one-half the maximum exchange rate and a maximum exchange rate of 9.9 pmol Zn 2+ . min-1 . mg protein-1 in the presence of bovine serum albumin. In the absence of albumin, a secondary, nonsaturable uptake rate was observed. The slow phase was relatively selective, and of the divalent transition metal ions tested, only Cd 2+ and Mn 2+ caused inhibition. The rate of exchange suggests total hepatocyte zinc has a turnover rate of approximately 30 h. The fast phase of 65 Zn 2+ reflects net Zn 2+ accumulation into a labile pool. The initial rates for this process were too fast to be measured accurately, but steady-state measurements allowed determination of the labile pool size. The pool dimensions saturated in the presence [Kapp = 28.6 microM; pool capacity = 0.44 nmol Zn 2+ /mg protein] and absence [Kapp = 11.8 microM; pool capacity = 0.34 nmol Zn 2+ /mg protein] of bovine serum albumin. Kinetics and equilibria of Zn 2+ uptake into the labile pool suggest that the latter acts as a source of Zn 2+ for the slow-exchange phase. Dexamethasone stimulated slow Zn 2+ exchange and also increased the labile pool size. The data suggest physiological factors alter hepatic zinc metabolism by influencing both intracellular Zn 2+ pools

Effect of Compatibilization on Interfacial Polarization and Intrinsic Length Scales in Biphasic Polymer Blends of PαMSAN and PMMA : A Combined Experimental and Modeling Dielectric Study

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Bharati, A.; Wübbenhorst, M.; Moldenaers, Paula; Cardinaels, Ruth

2016-01-01

We describe an approach to tailor the dielectric interfacial properties of polymer blends by the interplay of compatibilizer effects on blend morphology and on blocking of charge carriers. A systematic study of the effect of the concentration of the compatibilizer, a random copolymer of

Mobility in n-doped wurtzite III-Nitrides

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

C.G. Rodrigues

2003-01-01

Full Text Available A study of the mobility of n-doped wurtzite III-Nitrides is reported. We have determined the nonequilibrium thermodynamic state of the III-Nitrides systems driven far away from equilibrium by a strong electric field in the steady state, which follows after a very fast transient. The dependence of the mobility (which depends on the nonequilibrium thermodynamic state of the sample on the electric field strength is derived, which decreases with the strength of electric field. We analyzed the contributions to the mobility arising out of the different channels of electron scattering, namely, the polar optic, deformation, piezoelectric, interactions with the phonons, and with impurities. The case of n-InN, n-GaN, and n-AlN have been analyzed: as expected the main contribution comes from the polar-optic interactions in these strongly polar semiconductors. The other interactions are in decreasing order, the deformation acoustic, the piezoelectric, and the one due to impurities.

Zinc fingers, zinc clusters, and zinc twists in DNA-binding protein domains

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vallee, B.L.; Auld, D.S.; Coleman, J.E.

1991-01-01

The authors recognize three distinct motifs of DNA-binding zinc proteins: (i) zinc fingers, (ii) zinc clusters, and (iii) zinc twists. Until very recently, x-ray crystallographic or NMR three-dimensional structure analyses of DNA-binding zinc proteins have not been available to serve as standards of reference for the zinc binding sites of these families of proteins. Those of the DNA-binding domains of the fungal transcription factor GAL4 and the rat glucocorticoid receptor are the first to have been determined. Both proteins contain two zinc binding sites, and in both, cysteine residues are the sole zinc ligands. In GAL4, two zinc atoms are bound to six cysteine residues which form a zinc cluster akin to that of metallothionein; the distance between the two zinc atoms of GAL4 is ∼3.5 angstrom. In the glucocorticoid receptor, each zinc atom is bound to four cysteine residues; the interatomic zinc-zinc distance is ∼13 angstrom, and in this instance, a zinc twist is represented by a helical DNA recognition site located between the two zinc atoms. Zinc clusters and zinc twists are here recognized as two distinctive motifs in DNA-binding proteins containing multiple zinc atoms. For native zinc fingers, structural data do not exist as yet; consequently, the interatomic distances between zinc atoms are not known. As further structural data become available, the structural and functional significance of these different motifs in their binding to DNA and other proteins participating in the transmission of the genetic message will become apparent

On the martensite character of the transformation of the wurtzite modification of BN into a graphite-like one

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kurdyumov, A.V.; Ostrovskaya, N.F.; Pilyankevich, A.N.

1977-01-01

A comparative analysis of regularities in the transformation of the wurtzite BNsub(w) and sphalerite BNsub(sp) modifications of boron nitride was carried out, which confirmed the assumption about the martensitic nature of the transformation of wurtzite BNsub(w) to graphite-like BNsub(g). New experimental data were considered, which served as a basis for a proposed atomic mechamism of lattice rearrangement in the course of the BNsub(w) → BNsub(g) martensitic transformation. The investigation was carried out on particles of the BNsub(w) powder obtained by impact compression, with an average size of monocrystal grains apptoximately 1. The BNsub(w) → BNsub(g) transformation was achieved by means of an electron beam. It is shown that electron irradiation causes grain cracking

Low-High and High-Low Biphasic Injection Forms in Computed Tomography Examinations of the Upper Abdomen

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Marti-Bonmati, L.; Arana, E.; Tobarra, E.; Sierra, C.

2006-01-01

Purpose: To analyze the influence of different biphasic and monophasic injection rate protocols in abdominal computed tomography (CT). Material and Methods: A randomized, consecutive, parallel group study was designed and conducted in 60 patients studied with the same CT helical protocol. Patients were randomly distributed into three groups: (A) monophasic (120 ml at 2.5 ml/s); (B) low-high biphasic (120 ml, first 60 ml at a rate of 2 ml/s, the other 60 ml at 2.5 ml/s); and (C) high-low biphasic (120 ml, first 60 ml at a rate of 2.5 ml/s, the other 60 ml at 2 ml/s). All patients were injected with 300 mg I/ml non-ionic contrast media at a fixed delay time of 55 s. Contrast enhancement efficacy was evaluated by attenuation coefficient measurements. Results: Although non-significant, monophasic protocol enhancements were higher than biphasic protocol enhancements in all measurements except aortic bifurcation (p = 0.003). At this level, biphasic protocols obtained an increased mean enhancement from 7.6% to 2.5% compared to monophasic protocols. Conclusion: Monophasic contrast agent injection in helical CT of the upper abdomen produces a higher enhancement of parenchymal and venous structures. No significant difference was observed between low-high and high-low biphasic protocols

Blend or not to blend: a study investigating faculty members perceptions of blended teaching

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Mehmet A Ocak

2010-12-01

Full Text Available This study examined faculty members’ perceptions of blended teaching from several perspectives. A total of 73 faculty members in Turkish Higher Education context participated in the study by completing an online survey that combined quantitative and qualitative approaches. Based on a data analysis, the faculty members’ perceptions were sorted into six categories: (a satisfaction with blended teaching, (b perceived impact on the role of the faculty, (c perceived impact on student learning, (d perceived impact on student motivation, (e advantages of blended teaching, and (f disadvantages of blended teaching. Findings indicated that faculty members were likely to agree that blended teaching provides a high degree of satisfaction and that it requires more time and commitment from the faculty. The faculty members perceived that blended teaching improves student learning and, to some extent, improves motivation. The faculty members also emphasized the importance of institutional support and the use of technology to mitigate student problems. This study presents these faculty members’ perceptions, which are helpful for those planning to implement a blended teaching approach, and makes suggestions for trouble-shooting and taking advantage of the opportunities in a blended environment successfully.

Ultraviolet magnetic circular dichroism study and x-ray absorption spectroscopy of zinc-blende type CrAs multilayer

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mizuguchi, M.; Manago, T.; Akinaga, H.; Yamada, T.; Yagi-Watanabe, K.; Yuri, M.; Chen, C.T.; Shirai, M.

2004-01-01

Full text: Half-metallic ferromagnets such as CrO 2 and Heusler alloys have attracted a great deal of attention due to its application to spin-dependent device. We have predicted by first principle calculations that zinc-blende (zb) type CrAs, which normally exists in a MnP type, shows a half-metallic band structure, and succeeded in fabrication of this film. However, the epitaxial growth with maintaining a zb structure was limited up to around the nominal thickness of 3 nm. In this contribution, ultraviolet magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) and x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) of CrAs multilayers are reported. These multilayers include zb-CrAs layers and low-temperature GaAs layers stacked alternately, and total thicknesses of zb- CrAs are thicker than 3 nm. Incident beam with the photon energy from 4 to 8 eV were used, and samples were attached on a magnet with the magnetic field of 1.0 T for the MCD measurements. Strong signal with the peak top at 6.5 eV is observed in the MCD spectrum. It can be seen that the experimental spectrum has a good agreement with the theoretical one, which indicates the formation of a superstructure as designed. It was also clarified by the XAS measurement using incident beam from 560 to 600 eV that peak positions of these multilayers shift systematically according to the thickness of each layer. The CrAs/GaAs multilayer is also expected to possess a half-metallic property by the theoretical calculation, therefore, the present result shows the multilayer will be the promising candidate as the spin electronics material

Dissolved nutrients and atrazine removal by column-scale monophasic and biphasic rain garden model systems.

Science.gov (United States)

Yang, Hanbae; McCoy, Edward L; Grewal, Parwinder S; Dick, Warren A

2010-08-01

Rain gardens are bioretention systems that have the potential to reduce peak runoff flow and improve water quality in a natural and aesthetically pleasing manner. We compared hydraulic performance and removal efficiencies of nutrients and atrazine in a monophasic rain garden design versus a biphasic design at a column-scale using simulated runoff. The biphasic rain garden was designed to increase retention time and removal efficiency of runoff pollutants by creating a sequence of water saturated to unsaturated conditions. We also evaluated the effect of C substrate availability on pollutant removal efficiency in the biphasic rain garden. Five simulated runoff events with various concentrations of runoff pollutants (i.e. nitrate, phosphate, and atrazine) were applied to the monophasic and biphasic rain gardens once every 5d. Hydraulic performance was consistent over the five simulated runoff events. Peak flow was reduced by approximately 56% for the monophasic design and 80% for the biphasic design. Both rain garden systems showed excellent removal efficiency of phosphate (89-100%) and atrazine (84-100%). However, significantly (prain garden (29-39%). Addition of C substrate in the form of glucose increased removal efficiency of nitrate significantly (prain gardens. (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of iron, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium in oral hospital diets.

OpenAIRE

Moreira, Daniele Caroline Faria; Sá, Júlia Sommerlatte Manzoli de; Cerqueira, Isabel B.; Oliveira, Ana P. F. de; Morgano, Marcelo Antonio; Quintaes, Késia Diego

2013-01-01

Background & aims: Many trace elements are nutrients essential to humans, acting in the metabolism as constituents or as enzymatic co-factors. The iron, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium contents of hospital diets (regular, blend and soft) and of oral food complement (OFC) were determined, evaluating the adequacy of each element in relation to the nutritional recommendations (DRIs) and the percent contribution alone and with OFC. Methods: Duplicate samples were taken of six daily meals ...

Characterization of the nitrogen split interstitial defect in wurtzite aluminum nitride using density functional theory

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Szállás, A.; Szász, K.; Trinh, X. T.; Son, N. T.; Janzén, E.; Gali, A.

2014-01-01

We carried out Heyd-Scuseria-Ernzerhof hybrid density functional theory plane wave supercell calculations in wurtzite aluminum nitride in order to characterize the geometry, formation energies, transition levels, and hyperfine tensors of the nitrogen split interstitial defect. The calculated hyperfine tensors may provide useful fingerprint of this defect for electron paramagnetic resonance measurement.

Characterization of the nitrogen split interstitial defect in wurtzite aluminum nitride using density functional theory

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Szállás, A., E-mail: szallas.attila@wigner.mta.hu [Institute for Solid State Physics and Optics, Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 49, H-1525 Budapest (Hungary); Szász, K. [Institute for Solid State Physics and Optics, Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 49, H-1525 Budapest (Hungary); Institute of Physics, Eötvös University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, H-1117 Budapest (Hungary); Trinh, X. T.; Son, N. T.; Janzén, E. [Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping (Sweden); Gali, A., E-mail: gali.adam@wigner.mta.hu [Institute for Solid State Physics and Optics, Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 49, H-1525 Budapest (Hungary); Department of Atomic Physics, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budafoki út 8, H-1111 Budapest (Hungary)

2014-09-21

We carried out Heyd-Scuseria-Ernzerhof hybrid density functional theory plane wave supercell calculations in wurtzite aluminum nitride in order to characterize the geometry, formation energies, transition levels, and hyperfine tensors of the nitrogen split interstitial defect. The calculated hyperfine tensors may provide useful fingerprint of this defect for electron paramagnetic resonance measurement.

Hydroxyapatite/polylactide biphasic combination scaffold loaded with dexamethasone for bone regeneration.

Science.gov (United States)

Son, Jun-Sik; Kim, Su-Gwan; Oh, Ji-Su; Appleford, Mark; Oh, Sunho; Ong, Joo L; Lee, Kyu-Bok

2011-12-15

This study presents a novel design of a ceramic/polymer biphasic combination scaffold that mimics natural bone structures and is used as a bone graft substitute. To mimic the natural bone structures, the outside cortical-like shells were composed of porous hydroxyapatite (HA) with a hollow interior using a polymeric template-coating technique; the inner trabecular-like core consisted of porous poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PLA) that was loaded with dexamethasone (DEX) and was directly produced using a particle leaching/gas forming technique to create the inner diameter of the HA scaffold. It was observed that the HA and PLA parts of the fabricated HA/PLA biphasic scaffold contained open and interconnected pore structures, and the boundary between both parts was tightly connected without any gaps. It was found that the structure of the combination scaffold was analogous to that of natural bone based on micro-computed tomography analysis. Additionally, the dense, uniform apatite layer was formed on the surface of the HA/PLA biphasic scaffold through a biomimetic process, and DEX was successfully released from the PLA of the biphasic scaffold over a 1-month period. This release caused human embryonic palatal mesenchyme cells to proliferate, differentiate, produce ECM, and form tissue in vitro. Therefore, it was concluded that this functionally graded scaffold is similar to natural bone and represents a potential bone-substitute material. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Zinc-aluminates for an in situ sulfur reduction in cracked gasoline

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Quintana-Solorzano, R.; Valente, J.S.; Hernandez-Beltran, F.J.; Castillo-Araiza, C.O. [Instituto Mexicano del Petroleo, Eje Central Lazaro Cardenas Norte 152 C.P., 07730 Mexico, D.F. (Mexico)

2008-05-30

Using additives remains as an attractive alternative for an in situ sulfur reduction in cracked gasoline since it is a practical, flexible and economical option. Zinc-aluminates prepared by the sol-gel method are used as additives for reducing sulfur in gasoline from the cracking of a high-sulfur feed in a fixed-bed bench reactor. Products distribution and feed conversion are not dramatically altered after incorporating the additive to the base catalyst with some effect on gasoline and its octane number and coke. A decrease in the gasoline sulfur content of up to 35 wt% including benzothiophene, and up to 50% excluding benzothiophene, is observed when blending the zinc-aluminates to the base catalyst, which is caused by lowering the C{sub 1} to C{sub 4} alkyl-thiophenes content. The zinc content of the zinc-aluminates has a positive effect on the gasoline sulfur reduction. It is suggested that together with the direct cracking of adsorbed thiophenic species on the additive, a further gasoline sulfur decrease is possible through cracking of saturated thiophenic species formed by hydrogenation of adsorbed thiophenic species with hydrogen produced in situ in the additive. The obtained results also demonstrate that solids with higher Lewis acidity are not unfailingly the most effective for gasoline sulfur reduction. (author)

Biphasic Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Masquerading as a Primary Skeletal Tumor

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

James Benjamin Gleason

2016-01-01

Full Text Available Biphasic malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare malignant tumor, usually presenting as a pleural-based mass in a patient with history of chronic asbestos exposure. We herein report a case of a 41-year-old man who presented with chest pain and had a chest computed tomography (CT scan suggestive of a primary skeletal tumor originating from the ribs (chondrosarcoma or osteosarcoma, with no history of asbestos exposure. CT-guided core needle biopsies were diagnosed as malignant sarcomatoid mesothelioma. Surgical resection and chest wall reconstruction were performed, confirming the diagnosis and revealing a secondary histologic component (epithelioid, supporting the diagnosis of biphasic malignant mesothelioma.

Divalent cations as modulators of neuronal excitability: Emphasis on copper and zinc

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

RICARDO DELGADO

2006-01-01

Full Text Available Based on indirect evidence, a role for synaptically released copper and zinc as modulators of neuronal activity has been proposed. To test this proposal directly, we studied the effect of copper, zinc, and other divalent cations on voltage-dependent currents in dissociated toad olfactory neurons and on their firing rate induced by small depolarizing currents. Divalent cations in the nanomolar range sped up the activation kinetics and increased the amplitude of the inward sodium current. In the micromolar range, they caused a dose dependent inhibition of the inward Na+ and Ca2+ currents (I Na and I Ca and reduced de amplitude of the Ca2+-dependent K+ outward current (I Ca-K. On the other hand, the firing rate of olfactory neurons increased when exposed to nanomolar concentration of divalent cations and decreased when exposed to micromolar concentrations. This biphasic effect of divalent cations on neuronal excitability may be explained by the interaction of these ions with high and low affinity sites in voltage-gated channels. Our results support the idea that these ions are normal modulators of neuronal excitability

Microwave Synthesis of Zinc Oxide/Reduced Graphene Oxide Hybrid for Adsorption-Photocatalysis Application

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Fatin Saiha Omar

2014-01-01

Full Text Available This work reports on synthesis of zinc oxide/reduced graphene oxide (ZnO/rGO nanocomposites in the presence of diethylenetriamine (DETA via a facile microwave method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD patterns of the nanocomposites correspond to the ZnO hexagonal phase wurtzite structure. The high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM images revealed that the ZnO nanorods, with an average length : diameter ratio of 10, were successfully deposited on the rGO sheets. Under the irradiation of sunlight, the nanocomposites showed enhanced adsorption-photocatalysis by more than twofold and photocurrent response by sixfold compared to the ZnO. The excellent photoactivity performance of the nanocomposites is contributed by smaller ZnO nanorod and the presence of rGO that acts as a photosensitizer by transferring electrons to the conduction band of ZnO within the nanocomposite during sunlight illumination.

Operation and Performance of a Biphase Turbine Power Plant at the Cerro Prieto Geothermal Field (Final Report)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hays, Lance G. [Douglas Energy Company, Placentia, CA (United States)

2000-09-01

A full scale, wellhead Biphase turbine was manufactured and installed with the balance of plant at Well 103 of the Cerro Prieto geothermal resource in Baja, California. The Biphase turbine was first synchronized with the electrical grid of Comision Federal de Electricidad on August 20, 1997. The Biphase power plant was operated from that time until May 23, 2000, a period of 2 years and 9 months. A total of 77,549 kWh were delivered to the grid. The power plant was subsequently placed in a standby condition pending replacement of the rotor with a newly designed, higher power rotor and replacement of the bearings and seals. The maximum measured power output of the Biphase turbine, 808 kWe at 640 psig wellhead pressure, agreed closely with the predicted output, 840 kWe. When combined with the backpressure steam turbine the total output power from that flow would be increased by 40% above the power derived only from the flow by the present flash steam plant. The design relations used to predict performance and design the turbine were verified by these tests. The performance and durability of the Biphase turbine support the conclusion of the Economics and Application Report previously published, (Appendix A). The newly designed rotor (the Dual Pressure Rotor) was analyzed for the above power condition. The Dual Pressure Rotor would increase the power output to 2064 kWe by incorporating two pressure letdown stages in the Biphase rotor, eliminating the requirement for a backpressure steam turbine. The power plant availability was low due to deposition of solids from the well on the Biphase rotor and balance of plant problems. A great deal of plant down time resulted from the requirement to develop methods to handle the solids and from testing the apparatus in the Biphase turbine. Finally an online, washing method using the high pressure two-phase flow was developed which completely eliminated the solids problem. The availability of the Biphase turbine itself was 100

Critical Temperature for the Conversion from Wurtzite to Zincblende of the Optical Emission of InAs Nanowires

KAUST Repository

Rota, Michele B.; Ameruddin, Amira S.; Wong-Leung, Jennifer; Belabbes, Abderrezak; Gao, Qiang; Miriametro, Antonio; Mura, Francesco; Tan, Hark Hoe; Polimeni, Antonio; Bechstedt, Friedhelm; Jagadish, Chennupati; Capizzi, Mario

2017-01-01

One hour annealing at 300 degrees C changes the optical emission characteristics of InAs nanowires (NWs) from the wurtzite (WZ) phase into that of zincblende (ZB). These results are accounted for by the conversion of a small fraction of the NW WZ

Optical study of the band structure of wurtzite GaP nanowires

OpenAIRE

Assali, S.; Greil, J.; Zardo, I.; Belabbes, A.; de Moor, M.W.A.; Kölling, S.; Koenraad, P.M.; Bechstedt, F.; Bakkers, E.P.A.M.; Haverkort, J.E.M.

2016-01-01

We investigated the optical properties of wurtzite (WZ) GaP nanowires by performing photoluminescence (PL) and time-resolved PL measurements in the temperature range from 4 K to 300 K, together with atom probe tomography to identify residual impurities in the nanowires. At low temperature, the WZ GaP luminescence shows donor-acceptor pair emission at 2.115 eV and 2.088 eV, and Burstein-Moss band-filling continuum between 2.180 and 2.253 eV, resulting in a direct band gap above 2.170 eV. Sharp...

Preventing gastric sieving by blending a solid/water meal enhances satiation in healthy humans.

Science.gov (United States)

Marciani, Luca; Hall, Nicholas; Pritchard, Susan E; Cox, Eleanor F; Totman, John J; Lad, Mita; Hoad, Caroline L; Foster, Tim J; Gowland, Penny A; Spiller, Robin C

2012-07-01

Separation of solids and liquids within the stomach allows faster gastric emptying of liquids compared with solids, a phenomenon known as sieving. We tested the hypothesis that blending a solid and water meal would abolish sieving, preventing the early rapid decrease in gastric volume and thereby enhancing satiety. We carried out 2 separate studies. Study 1 was a 2-way, crossover, satiety study of 22 healthy volunteers who consumed roasted chicken and vegetables with a glass of water (1008 kJ) or the same blended to a soup. They completed satiety visual analogue scales at intervals for 3 h. Study 2 was a 2-way, crossover, mechanistic study of 18 volunteers who consumed the same meals and underwent an MRI to assess gastric emptying, gallbladder contraction, and small bowel water content (SBWC) at intervals for 3 h. In Study 1, the soup meal was associated with reduced hunger (P = 0.02). In Study 2, the volume of the gastric contents after the soup meal decreased more slowly than after the solid/liquid meal (P = 0.0003). The soup meal caused greater gallbladder contraction (P < 0.04). SBWC showed a biphasic response with an initial "gastric" phase during which SBWC was greater when the solid/liquid meal was consumed (P < 0.001) and a later "small bowel" phase when SBWC was greater when the soup meal was consumed (P < 0.01). Blending the solid/liquid meal to a soup delayed gastric emptying and increased the hormonal response to feeding, which may contribute to enhanced postprandial satiety.

Half-metallic properties of the (1 1 0) surface of alkali earth metal monosilicides in the zinc blende phase

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bialek, B; Lee, J I

2011-01-01

An all electron ab initio method was employed to study the electronic and magnetic properties of the (1 1 0) surface of alkaline-earth metal silicides: CaSi, SrSi and BaSi, in the zinc blende structure. The three surfaces are found to conserve the half-metallic properties of their bulk structures with a wide semiconducting energy gap in the spin-up channel. Half-metallic energy gap at the surfaces is small. In the CaSi surface it is of the order of k B T, which indicates that in the CaSi (1 1 0) a transition to a metallic state is possible due to temperature fluctuations. At the same time, the CaSi surface exhibits the strongest magnetic properties with 0.91 μ B magnetic moment on the Si atom in the topmost layer and 0.21 μ B magnetic moment on the Ca atom. In each of the three surfaces we observe a reduction of magnetic moments on the atoms in the subsurface layer and the enhancement of the magnetic moment on the atoms in the topmost layer, as compared with the properties of atoms in the bulk. An analysis of the calculated total and atom projected densities of states leads to a conclusion that the surface effects in the structures are short-range phenomena

Biphasic Clinical Course Among Kenyan Children With Cerebral ...

African Journals Online (AJOL)

Background Cerebral malaria is the most severe neurological complication of Falciparum malaria. It is associated with a significant risk of death and neurological sequelae. A biphasic clinical picture is associated with an even greater risk of neurological sequelae. Objective To examine the incidence and clinical ...

Solid solutions of gadolinium doped zinc oxide nanorods by combined microwave-ultrasonic irradiation assisted crystallization

Science.gov (United States)

Kiani, Armin; Dastafkan, Kamran; Obeydavi, Ali; Rahimi, Mohammad

2017-12-01

Nanocrystalline solid solutions consisting of un-doped and gadolinium doped zinc oxide nanorods were fabricated by a modified sol-gel process utilizing combined ultrasonic-microwave irradiations. Polyvinylpyrrolidone, diethylene glycol, and triethylenetetramine respectively as capping, structure directing, and complexing agents were used under ultrasound dynamic aging and microwave heating to obtain crystalline nanorods. Crystalline phase monitoring, lattice parameters and variation, morphology and shape, elemental analysis, functional groups, reducibility, and the oxidation state of emerged species were examined by PXRD, FESEM, TEM, EDX, FTIR, micro Raman, H2-TPR, and EPR techniques. Results have verified that irradiation mechanism of gelation and crystallization reduces the reaction time, augments the crystal quality, and formation of hexagonal close pack structure of Wurtzite morphology. Besides, dissolution of gadolinium within host lattice involves lattice deformation, unit cell distortion, and angular position variation. Structure related shape and growth along with compositional purity were observed through microscopic and spectroscopic surveys. Furthermore, TPR and EPR studies elucidated more detailed behavior upon exposure to the exerted irradiations and subsequent air-annealing including the formed oxidation states and electron trapping centers, presence of gadolinium, zinc, and oxygen disarrays and defects, as well as alteration in the host unit cell via gadolinium addition.

Lattice-Symmetry-Driven Epitaxy of Hierarchical GaN Nanotripods

KAUST Repository

Wang, Ping

2017-01-18

Lattice-symmetry-driven epitaxy of hierarchical GaN nanotripods is demonstrated. The nanotripods emerge on the top of hexagonal GaN nanowires, which are selectively grown on pillar-patterned GaN templates using molecular beam epitaxy. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy confirms that two kinds of lattice-symmetry, wurtzite (wz) and zinc-blende (zb), coexist in the GaN nanotripods. Periodical transformation between wz and zb drives the epitaxy of the hierarchical nanotripods with N-polarity. The zb-GaN is formed by the poor diffusion of adatoms, and it can be suppressed by improving the ability of the Ga adatoms to migrate as the growth temperature increased. This controllable epitaxy of hierarchical GaN nanotripods allows quantum dots to be located at the phase junctions of the nanotripods and nanowires, suggesting a new recipe for multichannel quantum devices.

Microstructural changes in CdSe-coated ZnO nanowires evaluated by in situ annealing in transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Majidi, Hasti; Baxter, Jason B; Winkler, Christopher R; Taheri, Mitra L

2012-01-01

We report on the crystallite growth and phase change of electrodeposited CdSe coatings on ZnO nanowires during annealing. Both in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) reveal that the nanocrystal size increases from ∼3 to ∼10 nm upon annealing at 350 °C for 1 h and then to more than 30 nm during another 1 h at 400 °C, exhibiting two distinct growth regimes. Nanocrystal growth occurs together with a structural change from zinc blende to wurtzite. The structural transition begins at 350 °C, which results in the formation of stacking faults. Increased crystallite size, comparable to the coating thickness, can improve charge separation in extremely thin absorber solar cells. We demonstrate a nearly two-fold improvement in power conversion efficiency upon annealing. (paper)

Microstructural changes in CdSe-coated ZnO nanowires evaluated by in situ annealing in transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction

Science.gov (United States)

Majidi, Hasti; Winkler, Christopher R.; Taheri, Mitra L.; Baxter, Jason B.

2012-07-01

We report on the crystallite growth and phase change of electrodeposited CdSe coatings on ZnO nanowires during annealing. Both in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) reveal that the nanocrystal size increases from ˜3 to ˜10 nm upon annealing at 350 °C for 1 h and then to more than 30 nm during another 1 h at 400 °C, exhibiting two distinct growth regimes. Nanocrystal growth occurs together with a structural change from zinc blende to wurtzite. The structural transition begins at 350 °C, which results in the formation of stacking faults. Increased crystallite size, comparable to the coating thickness, can improve charge separation in extremely thin absorber solar cells. We demonstrate a nearly two-fold improvement in power conversion efficiency upon annealing.

Polarization of stacking fault related luminescence in GaN nanorods

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

G. Pozina

2017-01-01

Full Text Available Linear polarization properties of light emission are presented for GaN nanorods (NRs grown along [0001] direction on Si(111 substrates by direct-current magnetron sputter epitaxy. The near band gap photoluminescence (PL measured at low temperature for a single NR demonstrated an excitonic line at ∼3.48 eV and the stacking faults (SFs related transition at ∼3.43 eV. The SF related emission is linear polarized in direction perpendicular to the NR growth axis in contrast to a non-polarized excitonic PL. The results are explained in the frame of the model describing basal plane SFs as polymorphic heterostructure of type II, where anisotropy of chemical bonds at the interfaces between zinc blende and wurtzite GaN subjected to in-built electric field is responsible for linear polarization parallel to the interface planes.

First-principle study on bonding mechanism of ZnO by LDA+U method

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhou, G.C.; Sun, L.Z.; Zhong, X.L.; Chen Xiaoshuang; Wei Lu; Wang, J.B.

2007-01-01

The electronic structure and the bonding mechanism of ZnO have been studied by using the Full-Potential Linear Augmented Plane Wave (FP-LAPW) method within the density-functional theory (DFT) based on LDA+U exchange correlation potential. The valence and the bonding charge density are calculated and compared with those derived from LDA and GGA to describe the bonding mechanism. The charge transfer along with the bonding process is analyzed by using the theory of Atoms in Molecules (AIM). The bonding, the topological characteristics and the p-d coupling effects on the bonding mechanism of ZnO are shown quantitatively with the critical points (CPs) along the bonding trajectory and the charge in the atomic basins. Meanwhile, the bonding characteristics for wurtzite, zinc blende and rocksalt phase of ZnO are discussed systematically in the present paper

Pseudodirect to Direct Compositional Crossover in Wurtzite GaP/InxGa1–xP Core–Shell Nanowires

KAUST Repository

Gagliano, L.

2016-11-29

Thanks to their uniqueness, nanowires allow the realization of novel semiconductor crystal structures with yet unexplored properties, which can be key to overcome current technological limits. Here we develop the growth of wurtzite GaP/InGaP core-shell nanowires with tunable indium concentration and optical emission in the visible region from 590 nm (2.1 eV) to 760 nm (1.6 eV). We demonstrate a pseudodirect (δ-δ) to direct (δ-δ) transition crossover through experimental and theoretical approach. Time resolved and temperature dependent photoluminescence measurements were used, which led to the observation of a steep change in carrier lifetime and temperature dependence by respectively one and 3 orders of magnitude in the range 0.28 ± 0.04 ≤ x ≤ 0.41 ± 0.04. Our work reveals the electronic properties of wurtzite InGaP.

Pseudodirect to Direct Compositional Crossover in Wurtzite GaP/InxGa1–xP Core–Shell Nanowires

KAUST Repository

Gagliano, L.; Belabbes, Abderrezak; Albani, M.; Assali, S.; Verheijen, M. A.; Miglio, L.; Bechstedt, F.; Haverkort, J. E. M.; Bakkers, E. P. A. M.

2016-01-01

Thanks to their uniqueness, nanowires allow the realization of novel semiconductor crystal structures with yet unexplored properties, which can be key to overcome current technological limits. Here we develop the growth of wurtzite GaP/InGaP core

Study of vibrational modes and specific heat of wurtzite phase of BN

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Singh, Daljit, E-mail: daljit.jt@gmail.com; Sinha, M. M. [Department of Physics, SLIET, Longowal (India)

2016-05-06

In these days of nanotechnology the materials like BN is of utmost importance as in hexagonal phase it is among hardest materials. The phonon mode study of the materials is most important factor to find structural and thermodynamcal properties. To study the phonons de launey angular force (DAF) constant model is best suited as it involves many particle interactions. Therefore in this presentation we have studied the lattice dynamical properties and specific heat of BN in wurtzite phase using DAF model. The obtained results are in excellent agreement with existing results.

Study of vibrational modes and specific heat of wurtzite phase of BN

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Singh, Daljit; Sinha, M. M.

2016-01-01

In these days of nanotechnology the materials like BN is of utmost importance as in hexagonal phase it is among hardest materials. The phonon mode study of the materials is most important factor to find structural and thermodynamcal properties. To study the phonons de launey angular force (DAF) constant model is best suited as it involves many particle interactions. Therefore in this presentation we have studied the lattice dynamical properties and specific heat of BN in wurtzite phase using DAF model. The obtained results are in excellent agreement with existing results.

Impact of pulse duration in high power impulse magnetron sputtering on the low-temperature growth of wurtzite phase (Ti,Al)N films with high hardness

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shimizu, Tetsuhide, E-mail: simizu-tetuhide@tmu.ac.jp [Division of Human Mechatronics Systems, Graduate School of System Design, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 6-6, Asahigaoka, Hino-shi, 191-0065 Tokyo (Japan); Teranishi, Yoshikazu; Morikawa, Kazuo; Komiya, Hidetoshi; Watanabe, Tomotaro; Nagasaka, Hiroshi [Surface Finishing Technology Group, Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Technology Research Institute, 2-4-10, Aomi, Kohtoh-ku, 135-0064 Tokyo (Japan); Yang, Ming [Division of Human Mechatronics Systems, Graduate School of System Design, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 6-6, Asahigaoka, Hino-shi, 191-0065 Tokyo (Japan)

2015-04-30

(Ti,Al)N films were deposited from a Ti{sub 0.33}Al{sub 0.67} alloy target with a high Al content at a substrate temperature of less than 150 °C using high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HIPIMS) plasma. The pulse duration was varied from 60 to 300 μs with a low frequency of 333 Hz to investigate the effects on the dynamic variation of the substrate temperature, microstructural grain growth and the resulting mechanical properties. The chemical composition, surface morphology and phase composition of the films were analyzed by energy dispersive spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. Mechanical properties were additionally measured by using a nanoindentation tester. A shorter pulse duration resulted in a lower rate of increase in the substrate temperature with an exponentially higher peak target current. The obtained films had a high Al content of 70–73 at.% with a mixed highly (0002) textured wurtzite phase and a secondary phase of cubic (220) grains. Even with the wurtzite phase and the relatively high Al contents of more than 70 at.%, the films exhibited a high hardness of more than 30 GPa with a relatively smooth surface of less than 2 nm root-mean-square roughness. The hardest and smoothest surfaces were obtained for pulses with an intermediate duration of 150 μs. The differences between the obtained film properties under different pulse durations are discussed on the basis of the grain growth process observed by transmission electron microscopy. The feasibility of the low-temperature synthesis of AlN rich wurtzite phase (Ti,Al)N films with superior hardness by HIPIMS plasma duration was demonstrated. - Highlights: • Low temperature synthesis of AlN rich wurtzite phase (Ti,Al)N film was demonstrated. • 1 μm-thick TiAlN film was deposited under the temperature less than 150 °C by HIPIMS. • High Al content with highly (0002) textured wurtzite phase structure was obtained. • High hardness of 35 GPa were

Actinide recovery using aqueous biphasic extraction: Initial developmental studies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chaiko, D.J.; Mensah-Biney, R.; Mertz, C.J.; Rollins, A.N.

1992-08-01

Aqueous biphasic extraction systems are being developed to treat radioactive wastes. The separation technique involves the selective partitioning of either solutes or colloid-size particles between two scible aqueous phases. Wet grinding of plutonium residues to an average particle size of one micron will be used to liberate the plutonium from the bulk of the particle matrix. The goal is to produce a plutonium concentrate that will integrate with existing and developing chemical recovery processes. Ideally, the process would produce a nonTRU waste stream. Coupling physical beneficiation with chemical processing will result in a substantial reduction in the volume of mixed wastes generated from dissolution recovery processes. As part of this program, we will also explore applications of aqueous biphasic extraction that include the separation and recovery of dissolved species such as metal ions and water-soluble organics. The expertise and data generated in this work will form the basis for developing more cost-effective processes for handling waste streams from environmental restoration and waste management activities within the DOE community. This report summarizes the experimental results obtained during the first year of this effort. Experimental efforts were focused on elucidating the surface and solution chemistry variables which govern partitioning behavior of plutonium and silica in aqueous biphasic extraction systems. Additional efforts were directed toward the development of wet grinding methods for producing ultrafine particles with diameters of one micron or less

Actinide recovery using aqueous biphasic extraction: Initial developmental studies

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chaiko, D.J.; Mensah-Biney, R.; Mertz, C.J.; Rollins, A.N.

1992-08-01

Aqueous biphasic extraction systems are being developed to treat radioactive wastes. The separation technique involves the selective partitioning of either solutes or colloid-size particles between two scible aqueous phases. Wet grinding of plutonium residues to an average particle size of one micron will be used to liberate the plutonium from the bulk of the particle matrix. The goal is to produce a plutonium concentrate that will integrate with existing and developing chemical recovery processes. Ideally, the process would produce a nonTRU waste stream. Coupling physical beneficiation with chemical processing will result in a substantial reduction in the volume of mixed wastes generated from dissolution recovery processes. As part of this program, we will also explore applications of aqueous biphasic extraction that include the separation and recovery of dissolved species such as metal ions and water-soluble organics. The expertise and data generated in this work will form the basis for developing more cost-effective processes for handling waste streams from environmental restoration and waste management activities within the DOE community. This report summarizes the experimental results obtained during the first year of this effort. Experimental efforts were focused on elucidating the surface and solution chemistry variables which govern partitioning behavior of plutonium and silica in aqueous biphasic extraction systems. Additional efforts were directed toward the development of wet grinding methods for producing ultrafine particles with diameters of one micron or less.

Characterization of individual stacking faults in a wurtzite GaAs nanowire by nanobeam X-ray diffraction.

Science.gov (United States)

Davtyan, Arman; Lehmann, Sebastian; Kriegner, Dominik; Zamani, Reza R; Dick, Kimberly A; Bahrami, Danial; Al-Hassan, Ali; Leake, Steven J; Pietsch, Ullrich; Holý, Václav

2017-09-01

Coherent X-ray diffraction was used to measure the type, quantity and the relative distances between stacking faults along the growth direction of two individual wurtzite GaAs nanowires grown by metalorganic vapour epitaxy. The presented approach is based on the general property of the Patterson function, which is the autocorrelation of the electron density as well as the Fourier transformation of the diffracted intensity distribution of an object. Partial Patterson functions were extracted from the diffracted intensity measured along the [000\\bar{1}] direction in the vicinity of the wurtzite 00\\bar{1}\\bar{5} Bragg peak. The maxima of the Patterson function encode both the distances between the fault planes and the type of the fault planes with the sensitivity of a single atomic bilayer. The positions of the fault planes are deduced from the positions and shapes of the maxima of the Patterson function and they are in excellent agreement with the positions found with transmission electron microscopy of the same nanowire.

Symptomatic zinc deficiency in experimental zinc deprivation.

OpenAIRE

Taylor, C M; Goode, H F; Aggett, P J; Bremner, I; Walker, B E; Kelleher, J

1992-01-01

An evaluation of indices of poor zinc status was undertaken in five male subjects in whom dietary zinc intake was reduced from 85 mumol d-1 in an initial phase of the study to 14 mumol d-1. One of the subjects developed features consistent with zinc deficiency after receiving the low zinc diet for 12 days. These features included retroauricular acneform macullo-papular lesions on the face, neck, and shoulders and reductions in plasma zinc, red blood cell zinc, neutrophil zinc and plasma alkal...

Optical Properties of Strained Wurtzite Gallium Phosphide Nanowires

KAUST Repository

Greil, J.

2016-06-08

Wurtzite gallium phosphide (WZ GaP) has been predicted to exhibit a direct bandgap in the green spectral range. Optical transitions, however, are only weakly allowed by the symmetry of the bands. While efficient luminescence has been experimentally shown, the nature of the transitions is not yet clear. Here we apply tensile strain up to 6% and investigate the evolution of the photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of WZ GaP nanowires (NWs). The pressure and polarization dependence of the emission together with a theoretical analysis of strain effects is employed to establish the nature and symmetry of the transitions. We identify the emission lines to be related to localized states with significant admixture of Γ7c symmetry and not exclusively related to the Γ8c conduction band minimum (CBM). The results emphasize the importance of strongly bound state-related emission in the pseudodirect semiconductor WZ GaP and contribute significantly to the understanding of the optoelectronic properties of this novel material.

Lattice stability of metastable AlN and wurtzite-to-rock-salt structural transformation by CALPHAD modeling

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang, Yanhui, E-mail: yanhui.z@hotmail.com [Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Applied Materials-Applied Materials Physics (IAM-AWP), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen (Germany); High-performance Ceramics Division, Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 110016, Shenyang (China); Franke, Peter; Li, Dajian; Seifert, Hans Jürgen [Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Applied Materials-Applied Materials Physics (IAM-AWP), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen (Germany)

2016-12-01

Reliable lattice stability of cubic AlN with rock-salt structure (rs-AlN) is the prerequisite of accurate thermodynamic modeling of cubic (M, Al)N solid solutions (M = Ti, Zr, Cr etc.). In order to derive the Gibbs energy of metastable rs-AlN, and then its lattice stability, we did the pressure-temperature (P-T) assessment of AlN phases by equations-of-state modeling. Meanwhile, the molar volumes and the heat capacities of wurtzite and rock-salt AlN, as well as the wurtzite-to-rock-salt structural transition at high P&T were successfully incorporated in CALPHAD-type database by integrating thermodynamic data from experiments and ab-initio calculations. These results promise subsequent investigations on phase stabilities and transitions of solid solutions with AlN component and the development of novel multicomponent coatings. - Highlights: • Phase stability investigation for novel multi-component metastable coatings. • Structural transition at high temperature and high pressure. • Integrating thermodynamic data from ab-initio calculations and experiments. • Thermal expansion, isothermal compressibility and heat capacity of w-AlN and rs-AlN.

The photocatalytic investigation of methylene blue dye with Cr doped zinc oxide nanoparticles

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ray, Rajeev [School of Material Science and Nanotechnology, National Institute of Technology Kurukshetra, Haryana (India); Kumar, Ashavani, E-mail: ashavani@yahoo.com [Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology Kurukshetra, Haryana (India)

2015-08-28

The present work reports eco-friendly and cost effective sol-gel technique for synthesis of Chromium doped ZnO nanoparticles at room temperature. In this process Zinc nitrate, Chromium nitrate were used as precursor. Structural as well as optical properties of Cr induced ZnO samples were analysed by X-ray diffraction technique (XRD), SEM, PL and UV-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) respectively. XRD analysis shows that the samples have hexagonal (wurtzite) structure with no additional peak which suggests that Cr ions fit into the regular Zn sites of ZnO crystal structure. By using Scherrer’s formula for pure and Cr doped ZnO samples the average grain size was found to be 32 nm. Further band gap of pure and doped ZnO samples have been calculated by using UV-Vis spectra. The photo-catalytic degradation of methyl blue dye under UV irradiation was examined for synthesized samples. The results show that the concentration plays an important role in photo-catalytic activity.

Deep eutectic solvents as performance additives in biphasic reactions

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Lan, Dongming; Wang, Xuping; Zhou, Pengfei; Hollmann, F.; Wang, Yonghua

2017-01-01

Deep eutectic solvents act as surfactants in biphasic (hydrophobic/aqueous) reaction mixtures enabling higher interfacial surface areas at lower mechanical stress as compared to simple emulsions. Exploiting this effect the rate of a chemoenzymatic epoxidation reaction was increased more than

First-principles calculations of a half-metallic ferromagnet zinc blende Zn1−xVxTe

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

El Amine Monir, M.; Baltache, H.; Khenata, R.; Murtaza, G.; Azam, Sikander; Bouhemadou, A.; Al-Douri, Y.; Bin Omran, S.; Ali, Roshan

2015-01-01

First-principles calculations have been used to study the structural, elastic, electronic, magnetic and thermal properties of zinc blende Zn 1−x V x Te for x=0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1 using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method (FP-LAPW) based on spin-polarized density functional theory (DFT). The electronic exchange-correlation potential is approached using the spin generalized gradient approximation (spin-GGA). The structural properties of the Zn 1−x V x Te alloys (x=0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1) are given for the lattice constants and the bulk moduli and their pressure derivatives. The elastic constants C 11 , C 12 and C 44 are calculated using numerical first-principles calculations implemented in the WIEN2k package. An analysis of the band structures and the densities of states reveals that Zn 0.50 V 0.50 Te and Zn 0.75 V 0.25 Te exhibit a half-metallic character, while Zn 0.25 V 0.75 Te is nearly half-metallic. The band structure calculations are used to estimate the spin-polarized splitting energies Δ x (d) and Δ x (pd) produced by the V(3d)-doped and s(p)–d exchange constants N 0α (conduction band) and N 0β (valence band). The p–d hybridization reduces the magnetic moment of V from its atomic charge value of 3µ B and creates small local magnetic moments on the nonmagnetic Zn and Te sites. Finally, we present the thermal effect on the macroscopic properties of these alloys, such as the thermal expansion coefficient, heat capacity and Debye temperature, based on the quasi-harmonic Debye model. - Highlights: • Some physical properties of Vanadium doped ZnTe have been investigated. • Structural parameters for the parent compounds compare well with the available data. • The elastic and thermal properties are studied for the first time

Development of zinc oxide nanoparticle by sonochemical method and study of their physical and optical properties

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Khan, Samreen Heena; Suriyaprabha, R.; Pathak, Bhawana; Fulekar, M. H.

2016-01-01

nanoparticle under the size range of 50nm. The XRD data showed that the ZnO-3 which was synthesized using Zinc Nitrate Hexahydrate as precursor showed the hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure. The XRD data obtained were compared with the JCPDS standard data. The precursor Zinc Nitrate Hexahydrate (ZnO-3) showed the good yield, monodispersity and size of nanoparticle under the range of 50 nm. The ZnO nanoparticles synthesize using different precursor was found effective in order of ZnO-3, followed by ZnO-1 & ZnO-2. The Synthesized ZnO has wider application in environmental remediation and clean-up as a potential nano-catalyst.

Development of zinc oxide nanoparticle by sonochemical method and study of their physical and optical properties

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Khan, Samreen Heena, E-mail: samreen.heena.khan@gmail.com; Suriyaprabha, R. [Centre for Nanosciences, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, India- 382030 (India); Pathak, Bhawana, E-mail: bhawana.pathak@cug.ac.in; Fulekar, M. H., E-mail: mhfulekar@yahoo.com [School of Environment and Sustainable Development, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, India- 382030 (India)

2016-04-13

nanoparticle under the size range of 50nm. The XRD data showed that the ZnO-3 which was synthesized using Zinc Nitrate Hexahydrate as precursor showed the hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure. The XRD data obtained were compared with the JCPDS standard data. The precursor Zinc Nitrate Hexahydrate (ZnO-3) showed the good yield, monodispersity and size of nanoparticle under the range of 50 nm. The ZnO nanoparticles synthesize using different precursor was found effective in order of ZnO-3, followed by ZnO-1 & ZnO-2. The Synthesized ZnO has wider application in environmental remediation and clean-up as a potential nano-catalyst.

Blended learning

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Dau, Susanne

2016-01-01

Blended Learning has been implemented, evaluated and researched for the last decades within different educational areas and levels. Blended learning has been coupled with different epistemological understandings and learning theories, but the fundamental character and dimensions of learning...... in blended learning are still insufficient. Moreover, blended learning is a misleading concept described as learning, despite the fact that it fundamentally is an instructional and didactic approach (Oliver & Trigwell, 2005) addressing the learning environment (Inglis, Palipoana, Trenhom & Ward, 2011......) instead of the learning processes behind. Much of the existing research within the field seems to miss this perspective. The consequence is a lack of acknowledgement of the driven forces behind the context and the instructional design limiting the knowledge foundation of learning in blended learning. Thus...

Crystal orientation effects on wurtzite quantum well electromechanical fields

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Duggen, Lars; Willatzen, Morten

2010-01-01

in the literature for semiconductors, is inaccurate for ZnO/MgZnO heterostructures where shear-strain components play an important role. An interesting observation is that a growth direction apart from [1̅ 21̅ 0] exists for which the electric field in the quantum well region becomes zero. This is important for, e......A one-dimensional continuum model for calculating strain and electric field in wurtzite semiconductor heterostructures with arbitrary crystal orientation is presented and applied to GaN/AlGaN and ZnO/MgZnO heterostructure combinations. The model is self-consistent involving feedback couplings...... of spontaneous polarization, strain, and electric field. Significant differences between fully coupled and semicoupled models are found for the longitudinal and shear-strain components as a function of the crystal-growth direction. In particular, we find that the semicoupled model, typically used...

Zinc

Science.gov (United States)

... Consumer Datos en español Health Professional Other Resources Zinc Fact Sheet for Consumers Have a question? Ask ... find out more about zinc? Disclaimer What is zinc and what does it do? Zinc is a ...

Structural and electronic properties of zinc blende B{sub x}Al{sub 1-x}N{sub y}P{sub 1-y} quaternary alloys via first-principle calculations

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Abdiche, A., E-mail: abdiche_a@yahoo.fr [Engineering Physics Laboratory, Tiaret University, 14000 Tiaret (Algeria); Baghdad, R. [Engineering Physics Laboratory, Tiaret University, 14000 Tiaret (Algeria); Khenata, R., E-mail: khenata_rabah@yahoo.fr [Laboratoire de Physique Quantique et de Modelisation Mathematique (LPQ3M), Departement de Technologie, Universite de Mascara, 29000 Mascara (Algeria); Department of Physics and Astronomy, King Saud University, P.O Box 2455, Riyadh 11451 (Saudi Arabia); Riane, R. [Computational Materials Science Laboratory, University Research of Sidi-Bel-Abbes, 22000 Algeria (Algeria); Al-Douri, Y. [Institute of Nono Electronic Engineering, University Malaysia Perlis, 01000 Kangar, Perlis (Malaysia); Guemou, M. [Engineering Physics Laboratory, Tiaret University, 14000 Tiaret (Algeria); Bin-Omran, S. [Department of Physics and Astronomy, King Saud University, P.O Box 2455, Riyadh 11451 (Saudi Arabia)

2012-02-01

The structural and electronic properties of cubic zinc blende BN, BP, AlN and AlP compounds and their B{sub x}Al{sub 1-x}N{sub y}P{sub 1-y} quaternary alloys, have been calculated using the non relativistic full-potential linearized-augmented plane wave FP-LAPW method. The exchange-correlation potential is treated with the local density approximation of Perdew and Wang (LDA-PW) as well as the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) of Perdew-Burke and Ernzerhof (GGA-PBE). The calculated structural properties of BN, BP, AlN and AlP compounds are in good agreement with the available experimental and theoretical data. A nonlinear variation of compositions x and y with the lattice constants, bulk modulus, direct and indirect band gaps is found. The calculated bowing of the fundamental band gaps is in good agreement with the available experimental and theoretical value. To our knowledge this is the first quantitative theoretical investigation on B{sub x}Al{sub 1-x}N{sub y}P{sub 1-y} quaternary alloy and still awaits experimental confirmations.

Exciplex electroluminescence and photoluminescence spectra of the new organic materials based on zinc complexes of sulphanylamino-substituted ligands.

Science.gov (United States)

Kaplunov, Mikhail G; Krasnikova, Svetlana S; Nikitenko, Sergey L; Sermakasheva, Natalia L; Yakushchenko, Igor K

2012-04-03

We have investigated the electroluminescence spectra of the electroluminescent devices based on the new zinc complexes of amino-substituted benzothiazoles and quinolines containing the C-N-M-N chains in their chelate cycles. The spectra exhibit strong exciplex bands in the green to yellow region 540 to 590 nm due to interaction of the excited states of zinc complexes and triaryl molecules of the hole-transporting layer. For some devices, the intrinsic luminescence band of 460 nm in the blue region is also observed along with the exciplex band giving rise to an almost white color of the device emission. The exciplex band can be eliminated if the material of the hole-transporting layer is not a triarylamine derivative. We have also found the exciplex emission in the photoluminescence spectra of the films containing blends of zinc complex and triphenylamine material.

Modeling and predictions of biphasic mechanosensitive cell migration altered by cell-intrinsic properties and matrix confinement.

Science.gov (United States)

Pathak, Amit

2018-04-12

Motile cells sense the stiffness of their extracellular matrix (ECM) through adhesions and respond by modulating the generated forces, which in turn lead to varying mechanosensitive migration phenotypes. Through modeling and experiments, cell migration speed is known to vary with matrix stiffness in a biphasic manner, with optimal motility at an intermediate stiffness. Here, we present a two-dimensional cell model defined by nodes and elements, integrated with subcellular modeling components corresponding to mechanotransductive adhesion formation, force generation, protrusions and node displacement. On 2D matrices, our calculations reproduce the classic biphasic dependence of migration speed on matrix stiffness and predict that cell types with higher force-generating ability do not slow down on very stiff matrices, thus disabling the biphasic response. We also predict that cell types defined by lower number of total receptors require stiffer matrices for optimal motility, which also limits the biphasic response. For a cell type with robust biphasic migration on 2D surface, simulations in channel-like confined environments of varying width and height predict faster migration in more confined matrices. Simulations performed in shallower channels predict that the biphasic mechanosensitive cell migration response is more robust on 2D micro-patterns as compared to the channel-like 3D confinement. Thus, variations in the dimensionality of matrix confinement alters the way migratory cells sense and respond to the matrix stiffness. Our calculations reveal new phenotypes of stiffness- and topography-sensitive cell migration that critically depend on both cell-intrinsic and matrix properties. These predictions may inform our understanding of various mechanosensitive modes of cell motility that could enable tumor invasion through topographically heterogeneous microenvironments. © 2018 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Pretreatment of Eucalyptus in biphasic system for furfural production and accelerated enzymatic hydrolysis.

Science.gov (United States)

Zhang, Xiudong; Bai, Yuanyuan; Cao, Xuefei; Sun, Runcang

2017-08-01

Herein, an efficient biphasic pretreatment process was developed to improve the production of furfural (FF) and glucose from Eucalyptus. The influence of formic acid and NaCl on FF production from xylose in water and various biphasic systems was investigated. Results showed that the addition of formic acid and NaCl significantly promoted the FF yield, and the biphasic system of MIBK (methyl isobutyl ketone)/water exhibited the best performance for FF production. Then the Eucalyptus was pretreated in the MIBK/water system, and a maximum FF yield of 82.0% was achieved at 180°C for 60min. Surface of the pretreated Eucalyptus became relatively rough and loose, and its crystallinity index increased obviously due to the removal of hemicelluloses and lignin. The pretreated Eucalyptus samples showed much higher enzymatic hydrolysis rates (26.2-70.7%) than the raw Eucalyptus (14.5%). Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Supporting School Leaders in Blended Learning with Blended Learning

Science.gov (United States)

Acree, Lauren; Gibson, Theresa; Mangum, Nancy; Wolf, Mary Ann; Kellogg, Shaun; Branon, Suzanne

2017-01-01

This study provides a mixed-methods case-study design evaluation of the Leadership in Blended Learning (LBL) program. The LBL program uses blended approaches, including face-to-face and online, to prepare school leaders to implement blended learning initiatives in their schools. This evaluation found that the program designers effectively…

Paired associative stimulation targeting the tibialis anterior muscle using either mono or biphasic transcranial magnetic stimulation

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Mrachacz-Kersting, Natalie; Stevenson, Andrew James Thomas

2017-01-01

Paired associative stimulation (PAS) protocols induce plastic changes within the motor cortex. The objectives of this study were to investigate PAS effects targeting the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle using a biphasic transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) pulse form and, to determine whether...... a reduced intensity of this pulse would lead to significant changes as has been reported for hand muscles using a monophasic TMS pulse. Three interventions were investigated: (1) suprathreshold PAbi-PAS (n = 11); (2) suprathreshold PAmono-PAS (n = 11) where PAS was applied using a biphasic or monophasic......% for subthreshold PAbi-PAS. PAS using a biphasic pulse form at subthreshold intensities induces similar effects to conventional PAS....

Blended Learning

OpenAIRE

Bauerová, Andrea

2013-01-01

This thesis is focused on a new approach of education called blended learning. The history and developement of Blended Learning is described in the first part. Then the methods and tools of Blended Learning are evaluated and compared to the traditional methods of education. At the final part an efficient developement of the educational programs is emphasized.

Pressure-Dependent Photoluminescence Study of Wurtzite InP Nanowires.

Science.gov (United States)

Chauvin, Nicolas; Mavel, Amaury; Patriarche, Gilles; Masenelli, Bruno; Gendry, Michel; Machon, Denis

2016-05-11

The elastic properties of InP nanowires are investigated by photoluminescence measurements under hydrostatic pressure at room temperature and experimentally deduced values of the linear pressure coefficients are obtained. The pressure-induced energy shift of the A and B transitions yields a linear pressure coefficient of αA = 88.2 ± 0.5 meV/GPa and αB = 89.3 ± 0.5 meV/GPa with a small sublinear term of βA = βB = -2.7 ± 0.2 meV/GPa(2). Effective hydrostatic deformation potentials of -6.12 ± 0.04 and -6.2 ± 0.04 eV are derived from the results for the A and B transitions, respectively. A decrease of the integrated intensity is observed above 0.5 GPa and is interpreted as a carrier transfer from the first to the second conduction band of the wurtzite InP.

Cell–material interactions on biphasic polyurethane matrix

Science.gov (United States)

Dicesare, Patrick; Fox, Wade M.; Hill, Michael J.; Krishnan, G. Rajesh; Yang, Shuying; Sarkar, Debanjan

2013-01-01

Cell–matrix interaction is a key regulator for controlling stem cell fate in regenerative tissue engineering. These interactions are induced and controlled by the nanoscale features of extracellular matrix and are mimicked on synthetic matrices to control cell structure and functions. Recent studies have shown that nanostructured matrices can modulate stem cell behavior and exert specific role in tissue regeneration. In this study, we have demonstrated that nanostructured phase morphology of synthetic matrix can control adhesion, proliferation, organization and migration of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Nanostructured biodegradable polyurethanes (PU) with segmental composition exhibit biphasic morphology at nanoscale dimensions and can control cellular features of MSCs. Biodegradable PU with polyester soft segment and hard segment composed of aliphatic diisocyanates and dipeptide chain extender were designed to examine the effect polyurethane phase morphology. By altering the polyurethane composition, morphological architecture of PU was modulated and its effect was examined on MSC. Results show that MSCs can sense the nanoscale morphology of biphasic polyurethane matrix to exhibit distinct cellular features and, thus, signifies the relevance of matrix phase morphology. The role of nanostructured phases of a synthetic matrix in controlling cell–matrix interaction provides important insights for regulation of cell behavior on synthetic matrix and, therefore, is an important tool for engineering tissue regeneration. PMID:23255285

Effect of ZnO nano in the blend PET / PC ( 80/20) subjected to UV radiation; Efeito do nano ZnO na mistura PET/PC(80/20) submetida a radiacao UV

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pires, Homero M.; Mendes, Luis C.; Albitres, Gerson A.V.; Cestari, Sibele P.; Mattos, Gabriela C., E-mail: homero@ima.ufrj.br [Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (IMA/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ (Brazil). Instituto de Macromoleculas Professora Eloisa Mano

2015-07-01

The aim of this research was to reuse recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) in blend with polycarbonate (PC) in order to avoid UV degradation in outdoor application. Nanocomposite based on blend of recycled (PET) and polycarbonate (PC) in the ratio of 80/20 with nano zinc oxide (ZnO) at different concentrations was prepared. The blend was subjected to ultraviolet (UV) radiation for accelerated aging chamber, we evaluated the effect of the presence nZnO filler as a barrier to UV rays. Dynamic-mechanical analysis (DMA) and nuclear magnetic resonance in the solid state (NMR). It is the degradation retardant effect at concentrations starting from 3% nZnO. (author)

Valence-band discontinuities of wurtzite GaN, AlN, and InN heterojunctions measured by x-ray photoemission spectroscopy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Martin, G.; Botchkarev, A.; Rockett, A.; Morkoc, H.

1996-01-01

The valence-band discontinuities at various wurtzite GaN, AlN, and InN heterojunctions were measured by means of x-ray photoemission spectroscopy. A significant forward endash backward asymmetry was observed in the InN/GaN endash GaN/InN and InN/AlN endash AlN/InN heterojunctions. The asymmetry was understood as a piezoelectric strain effect. We report the valence band discontinuities for InN/GaN=1.05±0.25 eV, GaN/AlN=0.70±0.24 eV, and InN/AlN=1.81±0.20 eV, all in the standard type I lineup. These values obey transitivity to within the experimental accuracy. Tables of photoemission core level binding energies are reported for wurtzite GaN, AlN, and InN. copyright 1996 American Institute of Physics

Low temperature synthesis, photoluminescence, magnetic properties of the transition metal doped wurtzite ZnS nanowires

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cao, Jian; Han, Donglai; Wang, Bingji; Fan, Lin; Fu, Hao; Wei, Maobin; Feng, Bo; Liu, Xiaoyan; Yang, Jinghai

2013-01-01

In this paper, we synthesized the transition metal ions (Mn, Cu, Fe) doped and co-doped ZnS nanowires (NWs) by a one-step hydrothermal method. The results showed that the solid solubility of the Fe 2+ ions in the ZnS NWs was about two times larger than that of the Mn 2+ or Cu 2+ ions in the ZnS NWs. There was no phase transformation from hexagonal to cubic even in a large quantity transition metal ions introduced for all the samples. The Mn 2+ /Cu 2+ /Fe 2+ related emission peaks can be observed in the Mn 2+ ,Cu 2+ and Fe 2+ doped ZnS NWs. The ferromagnetic properties of the co-doped samples were investigated at room temperature. - graphical abstract: The stable wurtzite ZnS:TM 2+ (TM=Mn, Cu, Fe) nanowires with room temperature ferromagnetism properties were obtained. The different elongation of unit cell caused by the different doped ions was observed. Highlights: ► The transition metal ions doped wurtzite ZnS nanowires were synthesized at 180 °C. ► There was no phase transformation from hexagonal to cubic even in a large quantity introduced for all the samples. ► The room temperature ferromagnetism properties of the co-doped nanowires were investigated

Fabrication and tritium release property of Li2TiO3-Li4SiO4 biphasic ceramics

Science.gov (United States)

Yang, Mao; Ran, Guangming; Wang, Hailiang; Dang, Chen; Huang, Zhangyi; Chen, Xiaojun; Lu, Tiecheng; Xiao, Chengjian

2018-05-01

Li2TiO3-Li4SiO4 biphasic ceramic pebbles have been developed as an advanced tritium breeder due to the potential to combine the advantages of both Li2TiO3 and Li4SiO4. Wet method was developed for the pebble fabrication and Li2TiO3-Li4SiO4 biphasic ceramic pebbles were successfully prepared by wet method using the powders synthesized by hydrothermal method. The tritium release properties of the Li2TiO3-Li4SiO4 biphasic ceramic pebbles were evaluated. The biphasic pebbles exhibited good tritium release property at low temperatures and the tritium release temperature was around 470 °C. Because of the isotope exchange reaction between H2 and tritium, the addition of 0.1%H2 to purge gas He could significantly enhance the tritium gas release and the fraction of molecular form of tritium increased from 28% to 55%. The results indicate that the Li2TiO3-Li4SiO4 biphasic ceramic pebbles fabricated by wet method exhibit good tritium release property and hold promising potential as advanced breeder pebbles.

Biphase sinusoidal oscillator based on negative resistor.

Science.gov (United States)

Bayard, Jean

2010-06-01

This paper describes a biphase sinusoidal generator which provides two signals: v(ref)=V(M) sin(omegat) and v(out)=V(M) sin(omegat+DeltaPhi), where DeltaPhi is in the range 0, pi/2 or -pi/2, 0 and is not dependent on the frequency value. It is based on a negative resistor and it requires very few components. SPICE simulations and measurements on an experimental setup confirm the theoretical analysis.

Development of modified-release tablets of zolpidem tartrate by biphasic quick/slow delivery system.

Science.gov (United States)

Mahapatra, Anjan Kumar; Sameeraja, N H; Murthy, P N

2015-06-01

Zolpidem tartrate is a non-benzodiazepine analogue of imidazopyridine of sedative and hypnotic category. It has a short half-life with usual dosage regimen being 5 mg, two times a day, or 10 mg, once daily. The duration of action is considered too short in certain circumstances. Thus, it is desirable to lengthen the duration of action. The formulation design was implemented by preparing extended-release tablets of zolpidem tartrate using the biphasic delivery system technology, where sodium starch glycolate acts as a superdisintegrant in immediate-release part and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose as a release retarding agent in extended-release core. Tablets were prepared by direct compression. Both the core and the coat contained the drug. The pre-compression blends were evaluated for angle of repose, bulk density, and compressibility index. The tablets were evaluated for thickness, hardness, weight variation test, friability, and in vitro release studies. No interaction was observed between zolpidem tartrate and excipients from the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The results of all the formulations prepared were compared with reference product Stilnoct®. Optimized formulations showed release patterns that match the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) guidelines for zolpidem tartrate extended-release tablets. The mechanism of drug release was studied using different mathematical models, and the optimized formulation has shown Fickian diffusion. Accelerated stability studies were performed on the optimized formulation.

Strong band edge luminescence from InN films grown on Si substrates by electron cyclotron resonance-assisted molecular beam epitaxy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yodo, Tokuo; Yona, Hiroaki; Ando, Hironori; Nosei, Daiki; Harada, Yoshiyuki

2002-01-01

We observed strong band edge luminescence at 8.5-200 K from 200-880 nm thick InN films grown on 10 nm thick InN buffer layers on Si(001) and Si(111) substrates by electron cyclotron resonance-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The InN film on the Si(001) substrate exhibited strong band edge photoluminescence (PL) emission at 1.814 eV at 8.5 K, tentatively assigned as donor to acceptor pair [DAP (α-InN)] emission from wurtzite-InN (α-InN) crystal grains, while those on Si(111) showed other stronger band edge PL emissions at 1.880, 2.081 and 2.156 eV, tentatively assigned as donor bound exciton [D 0 X(α-InN)] from α-InN grains, DAP (β-InN) and D 0 X (β-InN) emissions from zinc blende-InN (β-InN) grains, respectively

Effects of concentration of reduced graphene oxide on properties of sol–gel prepared Al-doped zinc oxide thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chou, Ching-Tian; Wang, Fang-Hsing, E-mail: fansen@dragon.nchu.edu.tw; Chen, Wei-Chun

2016-04-30

Reduced-graphene-oxide-incorporated aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO:rGO) composite thin films were synthesized on glass substrates by using the sol–gel method. The effect of the rGO concentration (0–3 wt%) on structural, electrical, and optical properties of the composite film was investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Hall-effect measurement, and ultraviolet–visible spectrometry. All of the composite films showed a typical hexagonal wurtzite structure, and the films incorporated with 1 wt% rGO showed the highest (0 0 2) peak intensity. The sheet resistance of the films was effectively reduced by a factor of more than two as the rGO ratio increased from 0 to 1 wt%. However, the sheet resistance increased with a further increase in the rGO ratio. The optical transmittance of the composite film monotonically decreased with increasing the rGO ratio from 0 to 3 wt%. The average optical transmittance (400–700 nm) of the AZO:rGO thin film within 1 wt% rGO was above 81%. - Highlights: • Reduced-graphene-oxide-doped ZnO:Al composite films are synthesized by sol–gel. • All AZO:rGO thin films show a typical hexagonal wurtzite structure. • Sheet resistance of AZO:rGO(1 wt%) film decreases by a factor of more than two. • The average visible transmittance of the AZO:rGO(1 wt%) film was 81%.

Dietary phytate, zinc and hidden zinc deficiency.

Science.gov (United States)

Sandstead, Harold H; Freeland-Graves, Jeanne H

2014-10-01

Epidemiological data suggest at least one in five humans are at risk of zinc deficiency. This is in large part because the phytate in cereals and legumes has not been removed during food preparation. Phytate, a potent indigestible ligand for zinc prevents it's absorption. Without knowledge of the frequency of consumption of foods rich in phytate, and foods rich in bioavailable zinc, the recognition of zinc deficiency early in the illness may be difficult. Plasma zinc is insensitive to early zinc deficiency. Serum ferritin concentration≤20μg/L is a potential indirect biomarker. Early effects of zinc deficiency are chemical, functional and may be "hidden". The clinical problem is illustrated by 2 studies that involved US Mexican-American children, and US premenopausal women. The children were consuming home diets that included traditional foods high in phytate. The premenopausal women were not eating red meat on a regular basis, and their consumption of phytate was mainly from bran breakfast cereals. In both studies the presence of zinc deficiency was proven by functional responses to controlled zinc treatment. In the children lean-mass, reasoning, and immunity were significantly affected. In the women memory, reasoning, and eye-hand coordination were significantly affected. A screening self-administered food frequency questionnaire for office might help caregiver's identify patients at risk of zinc deficiency. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

A New Type of Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Cement as a Gentamicin Carrier for Osteomyelitis

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Wen-Yu Su

2013-01-01

Full Text Available Osteomyelitis therapy is a long-term and inconvenient procedure for a patient. Antibiotic-loaded bone cements are both a complementary and alternative treatment option to intravenous antibiotic therapy for the treatment of osteomyelitis. In the current study, the biphasic calcium phosphate cement (CPC, called α-TCP/HAP (α-tricalcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite biphasic cement, was prepared as an antibiotics carrier for osteomyelitis. The developed biphasic cement with a microstructure of α-TCP surrounding the HAP has a fast setting time which will fulfill the clinical demand. The X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry analyses showed the final phase to be HAP, the basic bone mineral, after setting for a period of time. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a porous structure with particle sizes of a few micrometers. The addition of gentamicin in α-TCP/HAP would delay the transition of α-TCP but would not change the final-phase HAP. The gentamicin-loaded α-TCP/HAP supplies high doses of the antibiotic during the initial 24 hours when they are soaked in phosphate buffer solution (PBS. Thereafter, a slower drug release is produced, supplying minimum inhibitory concentration until the end of the experiment (30 days. Studies of growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in culture indicated that gentamicin released after 30 days from α-TCP/HAP biphasic cement retained antibacterial activity.

Relations between blended learning possibilities and teachers' approaches to blended learning

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Stenalt, Maria Hvid; Nielsen, Tobias Alsted; Bager-Elsborg, Anna

Higher Education has embraced blended learning as a way of enhancing quality in teaching and helping students to learn. This presentation addresses relations between blended learning possiblities presented to teachers in a teacher training project and teachers’ approaches to blended learning. We...... suggest that in order to identify the level of impact of integrating technologies in teaching and learning, we need to understand the factors influencing approaches to design of courses for blended contexts. Participants in the teacher training project come from the Department of Law at Aarhus University......: • Optain locally-embedded knowledge about blended learning • Develop opportunities for law students to receive (more) feedback • Comply with strategic aims The results so far suggest that teachers provide a disciplinary perspective on the key dimensions of blended learning, which influences...

In-situ x-ray characterization of wurtzite formation in GaAs nanowires

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Krogstrup, Peter; Hannibal Madsen, Morten; Nygaard, Jesper; Feidenhans' l, Robert [Nano-Science Center, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen (Denmark); Hu Wen [Quantum Beam Science Directorate, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 1-1-1 Koto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5148 (Japan); Kozu, Miwa; Nakata, Yuka [University of Hyogo, 3-2-1 Koto, Kamigori, Hyogo 678-1297 (Japan); Takahasi, Masamitu [Quantum Beam Science Directorate, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 1-1-1 Koto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5148 (Japan); University of Hyogo, 3-2-1 Koto, Kamigori, Hyogo 678-1297 (Japan)

2012-02-27

In-situ monitoring of the crystal structure formation during Ga-assisted GaAs nanowire growth on Si(111) substrates has been performed in a combined molecular beam epitaxy growth and x-ray characterization experiment. Under Ga rich conditions, we show that an increase in the V/III ratio increases the formation rate of the wurtzite structure. Moreover, the response time for changes in the structural phase formation to changes in the beam fluxes is observed to be much longer than predicted time scales of adatom kinetics and liquid diffusion. This suggests that the morphology of the growth interface plays the key role for the relative growth structure formation rates.

Blended Learning

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Van der Baaren, John

2009-01-01

Van der Baaren, J. (2009). Blended Learning. Presentation given at the Mini symposium 'Blended Learning the way to go?'. November, 5, 2009, The Hague, The Netherlands: Netherlands Defence Academy (NDLA).

Lipase in biphasic alginate beads as a biocatalyst for esterification of butyric acid and butanol in aqueous media.

Science.gov (United States)

Ng, Choong Hey; Yang, Kun-Lin

2016-01-01

Esterification of organic acids and alcohols in aqueous media is very inefficient due to thermodynamic constraints. However, fermentation processes used to produce organic acids and alcohols are often conducted in aqueous media. To produce esters in aqueous media, biphasic alginate beads with immobilized lipase are developed for in situ esterification of butanol and butyric acid. The biphasic beads contain a solid matrix of calcium alginate and hexadecane together with 5 mg/mL of lipase as the biocatalyst. Hexadecane in the biphasic beads serves as an organic phase to facilitate the esterification reaction. Under optimized conditions, the beads are able to catalyze the production of 0.16 mmol of butyl butyrate from 0.5 mmol of butyric acid and 1.5 mmol of butanol. In contrast, when monophasic beads (without hexadecane) are used, only trace amount of butyl butyrate is produced. One main application of biphasic beads is in simultaneous fermentation and esterification (SFE) because the organic phase inside the beads is very stable and does not leach out into the culture medium. SFE is successfully conducted with an esterification yield of 6.32% using biphasic beads containing iso-octane even though the solvent is proven toxic to the butanol-producing Clostridium spp. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A new kinetic biphasic approach applied to biodiesel process intensification

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Russo, V.; Tesser, R.; Di Serio, M.; Santacesaria, E. [Naples Univ. (Italy). Dept. of Chemistry

2012-07-01

Many different papers have been published on the kinetics of the transesterification of vegetable oil with methanol, in the presence of alkaline catalysts to produce biodiesel. All the proposed approaches are based on the assumption of a pseudo-monophasic system. The consequence of these approaches is that some experimental aspects cannot be described. For the reaction performed in batch conditions, for example, the monophasic approach is not able to reproduce the different plateau obtained by using different amount of catalyst or the induction time observed at low stirring rates. Moreover, it has been observed by operating in continuous reactors that micromixing has a dramatic effect on the reaction rate. At this purpose, we have recently observed that is possible to obtain a complete conversion to biodiesel in less than 10 seconds of reaction time. This observation is confirmed also by other authors using different types of reactors like: static mixers, micro-reactors, oscillatory flow reactors, cavitational reactors, microwave reactors or centrifugal contactors. In this work we will show that a recently proposed biphasic kinetic approach is able to describe all the aspects before mentioned that cannot be described by the monophasic kinetic model. In particular, we will show that the biphasic kinetic model can describe both the induction time observed in the batch reactors, at low stirring rate, and the very high conversions obtainable in a micro-channel reactor. The adopted biphasic kinetic model is based on a reliable reaction mechanism that will be validated by the experimental evidences reported in this work. (orig.)

In vitro study on biomineralization of biphasic calcium phosphate ...

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

In this study, we report the preparation of a bone graft material, having cylindrical shape, containing biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP), gelatin (G), chitosan (C) and Terminalia chebula (TC) extract. TC extract was used as a crosslinker that gives stability to bone graft when it is placed in SBF. The graft was stable in the SBF ...

Polymer blends

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Allen, Scott D.; Naik, Sanjeev

2017-08-22

The present invention provides, among other things, extruded blends of aliphatic polycarbonates and polyolefins. In one aspect, provided blends comprise aliphatic polycarbonates such as poly(propylene carbonate) and a lesser amount of a crystalline or semicrystalline polymer. In certain embodiments, provided blends are characterized in that they exhibit unexpected improvements in their elongation properties. In another aspect, the invention provides methods of making such materials and applications of the materials in applications such as the manufacture of consumer packaging materials.

Biphasic papillary renal cell carcinoma is a rare morphological variant with frequent multifocality: a study of 28 cases.

Science.gov (United States)

Trpkov, Kiril; Athanazio, Daniel; Magi-Galluzzi, Cristina; Yilmaz, Helene; Clouston, David; Agaimy, Abbas; Williamson, Sean R; Brimo, Fadi; Lopez, Jose I; Ulamec, Monika; Rioux-Leclercq, Nathalie; Kassem, Maysoun; Gupta, Nilesh; Hartmann, Arndt; Leroy, Xavier; Bashir, Samir Al; Yilmaz, Asli; Hes, Ondřej

2018-04-01

To further characterise biphasic squamoid renal cell carcinoma (RCC), a recently proposed variant of papillary RCC. We identified 28 tumours from multiple institutions. They typically showed two cell populations-larger cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm and higher-grade nuclei, surrounded by smaller, amphophilic cells with scanty cytoplasm. The dual morphology was variable (median 72.5% of tumour, range 5-100%); emperipolesis was found in all cases. The male/female ratio was 2:1, and the median age was 55 years (range 39-86 years). The median tumour size was 20 mm (range 9-65 mm). Pathological stage pT1a was found in 21 cases, pT1b in three, and pT3a and pT3b in one each (two not available). Multifocality was found in 32%: multifocal biphasic RCC in one case, biphasic + papillary RCC in two cases, biphasic + clear cell RCC in three cases, biphasic + low-grade urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis in one case, and biphasic + Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome in one case. Positive immunostains included: PAX8, cytokeratin (CK) 7, α-methylacyl-CoA racemase, epithelial membrane antigen, and vimentin. Cyclin D1 was expressed only in the larger cells. The Ki67 index was higher in the larger cells (median 5% versus ≤1%). Negative stains included: carbonic anhydrase 9, CD117, GATA-3, WT1, CK5/6, and CK20; CD10 and 34βE12 were variably expressed. Gains of chromosomes 7 and 17 were found in two evaluated cases. Follow-up was available for 23 patients (median 24 months, range 1-244 months): 19 were alive without disease, one was alive with recurrence, and one had died of disease (two had died of other causes). Biphasic papillary RCC is a rare variant of papillary RCC, and is often multifocal. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Thermal dissociation and unfolding of insulin

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Huus, Kasper; Havelund, Svend; Olsen, Helle B

2005-01-01

The thermal stability of human insulin was studied by differential scanning microcalorimetry and near-UV circular dichroism as a function of zinc/protein ratio, to elucidate the dissociation and unfolding processes of insulin in different association states. Zinc-free insulin, which is primarily...... dimeric at room temperature, unfolded at approximately 70 degrees C. The two monomeric insulin mutants Asp(B28) and Asp(B9),Glu(B27) unfolded at higher temperatures, but with enthalpies of unfolding that were approximately 30% smaller. Small amounts of zinc caused a biphasic thermal denaturation pattern...... of insulin. The biphasic denaturation is caused by a redistribution of zinc ions during the heating process and results in two distinct transitions with T(m)'s of approximately 70 and approximately 87 degrees C corresponding to monomer/dimer and hexamer, respectively. At high zinc concentrations (>or=5 Zn(2...

Blended learning

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Staugaard, Hans Jørgen

2012-01-01

Forsøg på at indkredse begrebet blended learning i forbindelse med forberedelsen af projekt FlexVid.......Forsøg på at indkredse begrebet blended learning i forbindelse med forberedelsen af projekt FlexVid....

Structure evolution of zinc oxide thin films deposited by unbalance DC magnetron sputtering

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Aryanto, Didik, E-mail: didi027@lipi.go.id [Research Center for Physics, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Serpong 15314, Tangerang Selatan (Indonesia); Materials Research Group, Physics Department, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Gunungpati, Semarang 50229 Jawa Tengah (Indonesia); Marwoto, Putut; Sugianto [Physics Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Science, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Gunungpati, Semarang 50229 Jawa Tengah (Indonesia); Materials Research Group, Physics Department, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Gunungpati, Semarang 50229 Jawa Tengah (Indonesia); Sudiro, Toto [Research Center for Physics, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Serpong 15314, Tangerang Selatan (Indonesia); Birowosuto, Muhammad D. [Research Center for Physics, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Serpong 15314, Tangerang Selatan (Indonesia); CINTRA UMI CNRS/NTU/THALES 3288 Research Techno Plaza, 50 Nanyang Drive, Border X Block, level 6, 637553 (Singapore); Sulhadi [Physics Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Science, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Gunungpati, Semarang 50229 Jawa Tengah (Indonesia)

2016-04-19

Zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films are deposited on corning glass substrates using unbalanced DC magnetron sputtering. The effect of growth temperature on surface morphology and crystallographic orientation of ZnO thin film is studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The surface morphology and crystallographic orientation of ZnO thin film are transformed against the increasing of growth temperature. The mean grain size of film and the surface roughness are inversely and directly proportional towards the growth temperature from room temperature to 300 °C, respectively. The smaller grain size and finer roughness of ZnO thin film are obtained at growth temperature of 400 °C. The result of AFM analysis is in good agreement with the result of XRD analysis. ZnO thin films deposited in a series of growth temperatures have hexagonal wurtzite polycrystalline structures and they exhibit transformations in the crystallographic orientation. The results in this study reveal that the growth temperature strongly influences the surface morphology and crystallographic orientation of ZnO thin film.

[Improvement in zinc nutrition due to zinc transporter-targeting strategy].

Science.gov (United States)

Kambe, Taiho

2016-07-01

Adequate intake of zinc from the daily diet is indispensable to maintain health. However, the dietary zinc content often fails to fulfill the recommended daily intake, leading to zinc deficiency and also increases the risk of developing chronic diseases, particularly in elderly individuals. Therefore, increased attention is required to overcome zinc deficiency and it is important to improve zinc nutrition in daily life. In the small intestine, the zinc transporter, ZIP4, functions as a component that is essential for zinc absorption. In this manuscript, we present a brief overview regarding zinc deficiency. Moreover, we review a novel strategy, called "ZIP4-targeting", which has the potential to enable efficient zinc absorption from the diet. ZIP4-targeting strategy is possibly a major step in preventing zinc deficiency and improving human health.

Time dependent rise and decay of photocurrent in zinc oxide nanoparticles in ambient and vacuum medium

Science.gov (United States)

C, Rajkumar; Srivastava, Rajneesh K.

2018-05-01

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle has been synthesized by cost effective Co-precipitation method and studied its photo-response activity. The synthesized ZnO nanomaterial was characterized by using various analytical techniques such as x-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–visible spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). From the XRD results, it is confirmed that synthesized ZnO nanomaterial possess hexagonal wurtzite phase structure with an average crystallite size of ∼16–17 nm. The UV-Visible absorption spectrum shows that it has blue shift compared to their bulk counterparts. Photoluminescence spectra of ZnO nanoparticles have a strong violet band at 423 nm and three weak bands at 485 nm (blue), 506 nm (green), and 529 nm (green). The presence of hydroxyl group was confirmed by FTIR. The photo-response analysis was studied by the time-dependent rise and decay photocurrent of ZnO nanoparticle was tested in the air as well as vacuum medium.

Zinc content of selected tissues and taste perception in rats fed zinc deficient and zinc adequate rations

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Boeckner, L.S.; Kies, C.

1986-01-01

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of feeding zinc sufficient and zinc deficient rations on taste sensitivity and zinc contents of selected organs in rats. The 36 Sprague-Dawley male weanling rats were divided into 2 groups and fed zinc deficient or zinc adequate rations. The animals were subjected to 4 trial periods in which a choice of deionized distilled water or a solution of quinine sulfate at 1.28 x 10 -6 was given. A randomized schedule for rat sacrifice was used. No differences were found between zinc deficient and zinc adequate rats in taste preference aversion scores for quinine sulfate in the first three trial periods; however, in the last trial period rats in the zinc sufficient group drank somewhat less water containing quinine sulfate as a percentage of total water consumption than did rats fed the zinc deficient ration. Significantly higher zinc contents of kidney, brain and parotid salivary glands were seen in zinc adequate rats compared to zinc deficient rats at the end of the study. However, liver and tongue zinc levels were lower for both groups at the close of the study than were those of rats sacrificed at the beginning of the study

Influence of the Formulation Parameters on the Particle Size and Encapsulation Efficiency of Resveratrol in PLA and PLA-PEG Blend Nanoparticles: A Factorial Design.

Science.gov (United States)

Lindner, Gabriela da Rocha; Dalmolin, Luciana Facco; Khalil, Najeh Maissar; Mainardes, Rubiana Mara

2015-12-01

Polymeric nanoparticles are colloidal systems that promote protection and modification of physicochemical characteristics of a drug and that also ensure controlled and extended drug release. This paper reports a 2(3) factorial design study to optimize poly(lactide) (PLA) and poly(lactide)-polyethylene glycol (PLA-PEG) blend nanoparticles containing resveratrol (RVT) for prolonged release. The independent variables analyzed were solvent composition, surfactant concentration and ratio of aqueous to organic phase (two levels each factor). Mean particle size and RVT encapsulation efficiency were set as the dependent variables. The selected optimized parameters were set as organic phase comprised of a mixture of dichloromethane and ethyl acetate, 1% of surfactant polyvinyl alcohol and a 3:1 ratio of aqueous to organic phase, for both PLA and PLA-PEG blend nanoparticles. This formulation originated nanoparticles with size of 228 ± 10 nm and 185 ± 70 nm and RVT encapsulation efficiency of 82 ± 10% and 76 ± 7% for PLA and PLA-PEG blend nanoparticles, respectively. The in vitro release study showed a biphasic pattern with prolonged RVT release and PEG did not influence the RVT release. The in vitro release data were in favor of Higuchi-diffusion kinetics for both nanoformulations and the Kossmeyer-Peppas coefficient indicated that anomalous transport was the main release mechanism of RVT. PLA and PLA-PEG blend nanoparticles produced with single emulsion-solvent evaporation technology were found to be a promising approach for the incorporation of RVT and promoted its controlled release. The factorial design is a tool of great value in choosing formulations with optimized parameters.

CO2 Absorption by Biphasic Solvents: Comparison with Lower Phase Alone

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Xu, Zhicheng; Wang, Shujuan; Qi, Guojie; Liu, Jinzhao; Zhao, Bo; Chen, Changhe

2014-01-01

The mixtures of 2 M 1,4-butanediamine (BDA) and 4 M 2-(diethylamino)-ethanol (DEEA) have been found to be promising biphasic solvents. This work identifies the composition of the lower phase using a DX-120 Ion Chromatograph (IC) and a Metrohm 809 Titrando auto titrator. The cyclic capacities, cyclic loadings and reaction products of the biphasic solvent are compared with those of the aqueous solution with the same amine concentration as the lower phase of the biphasic solvent at the rich loading ((2B4D) L ) using a fast screening facility and a JNM ECA-600 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectrometer (NMR). Their absorption rates at different loadings are also investigated using a Wetted Wall Column (WWC). The results show that the cyclic capacity and cyclic loading of (2B4D) L are almost the same as those of 2B4D. The absorption rate of (2B4D) L is higher than 2B4D at all the 3 tested loadings, except for the fresh solutions at CO 2 pressure lower than 10 kPa. NMR results show that the reaction products of (2B4D) L had more BDA bi-carbamate, less BDA and less BDA carbamate than 2B4D. The CO 2 reaction products of (2B4D) L had twice as much carbonate/bicarbonate as with 2B4D and less BDA carbamate. (authors)

Low temperature-pyrosol-deposition of aluminum-doped zinc oxide thin films for transparent conducting contacts

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rivera, M.J. [Instituto de Investigaciones en Materiales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-360, Coyoacán, 04510 México, D.F. (Mexico); Ramírez, E.B. [Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México, Calle Prolongación San Isidro Núm. 151, Col. San Lorenzo Tezonco, Iztapalapa, 09790 México, D.F. (Mexico); Juárez, B.; González, J.; García-León, J.M. [Instituto de Investigaciones en Materiales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-360, Coyoacán, 04510 México, D.F. (Mexico); Escobar-Alarcón, L. [Departamento de Física, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, Apdo. Postal 18-1027, México, D.F. 11801 (Mexico); Alonso, J.C., E-mail: alonso@unam.mx [Instituto de Investigaciones en Materiales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-360, Coyoacán, 04510 México, D.F. (Mexico)

2016-04-30

Aluminum doped-zinc oxide (ZnO:Al) thin films with thickness ~ 1000 nm have been deposited by the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique using low substrate temperatures in the range from 285 to 360 °C. The electrical and optical properties of the ZnO:Al (AZO) films were investigated by Uv–vis spectroscopy and Hall effect measurements. The crystallinity and morphology of the films were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and high resolution scanning electron microcopy (SEM). XRD results reveal that all the films are nanocrystalline with a hexagonal wurtzite structure with a preferential orientation in the (002) plane. The size of the grains calculated from Scherrer's formula was in the range from 28 to 35 nm. AFM and SEM analysis reveals that the grains form round and hexagonal shaped aggregates at high deposition temperatures and larger rice shaped aggregates at low temperatures. All the films have a high optical transparency (~ 82%). According to the Hall measurements the AZO films deposited at 360 and 340 °C had resistivities of 2.2 × 10{sup −3}–4.3 × 10{sup −3} Ω cm, respectively. These films were n-type and had carrier concentrations and mobilities of 3.71–2.54 × 10{sup 20} cm{sup −3} and 7.4–5.7 cm{sup 2}/V s, respectively. The figure of merit of these films as transparent conductors was in the range of 2.6 × 10{sup −2} Ω{sup −1}–4.1 × 10{sup −2} Ω{sup −1}. Films deposited at 300 °C and 285 °C, had much higher resistivities. Based on the thermogravimetric analysis of the individual precursors used for film deposition, we speculate on possible film growing mechanisms that can explain the composition and electrical properties of films deposited under the two different ranges of temperatures. - Highlights: • Aluminum doped zinc oxide thin films were deposited at low temperatures by pyrosol. • Low resistivity was achieved from 340 °C substrate temperature. • All films deposited

Chiral separation of α-cyclohexylmandelic acid enantiomers by high-speed counter-current chromatography with biphasic recognition

Science.gov (United States)

Tong, Shengqiang

2010-01-01

This work concentrates on a novel chiral separation technology named biphasic recognition applied to resolution of α-cyclohexylmandelic acid enantiomers by high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC). The biphasic chiral recognition HSCCC was performed by adding lipophilic (−)-2-ethylhexyl tartrate in the organic stationary phase and hydrophilic hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin in the aqueous mobile phase, which preferentially recognized the (−)-enantiomer and (+)-enantiomer, respectively. The two-phase solvent system composed of n-hexane-methyl tert-butyl ether-water (9:1:10, v/v/v) with the above chiral selectors was selected according to the partition coefficient and separation factor of the target enantiomers. Various parameters involved in the chiral separation were investigated, namely the types of the chiral selector (CS); the concentration of each chiral selector; pH of the mobile phase; and the separation temperature. The mechanism involved in this biphasic recognition chiral separation by HSCCC was discussed. Langmuirian isotherm was employed to estimate the loading limits for each chiral selector. The overall experimental results show that the HSCCC separation of enantiomer based on biphasic recognition is much more efficient than the traditional monophasic recognition chiral separation, since it utilizes the cooperation of both lipophilic and hydrophilic chiral selectors. PMID:20303497

Polystyrene/Hyperbranched Polyester Blends and Reactive Polystyrene/Hyperbranched Polyester Blends

National Research Council Canada - National Science Library

Mulkern, Thomas

1999-01-01

.... In this work, the incorporation of HBPs in thermoplastic blends was investigated. Several volume fractions of hydroxyl functionalized hyperbranched polyesters were melt blended with nonreactive polystyrene (PS...

Zinc Absorption from Milk Is Affected by Dilution but Not by Thermal Processing, and Milk Enhances Absorption of Zinc from High-Phytate Rice in Young Dutch Women.

Science.gov (United States)

Talsma, Elise F; Moretti, Diego; Ly, Sou Chheng; Dekkers, Renske; van den Heuvel, Ellen Ghm; Fitri, Aditia; Boelsma, Esther; Stomph, Tjeerd Jan; Zeder, Christophe; Melse-Boonstra, Alida

2017-06-01

Background: Milk has been suggested to increase zinc absorption. The effect of processing and the ability of milk to enhance zinc absorption from other foods has not been measured directly in humans. Objective: We aimed to assess zinc absorption from 1 ) milk undergoing various processing and preparatory steps and 2 ) from intrinsically labeled high-phytate rice consumed with milk or water. Methods: Two randomized crossover studies were conducted in healthy young women [age:18-25 y; body mass index (in kg/m 2 ): 20-25]: 1 ) a milk study ( n = 19) comparing the consumption of 800 mL full-fat ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk [heat-treated milk (HTM)], full-fat UHT milk diluted 1:1 with water [heat-treated milk and water (MW)], water, or unprocessed (raw) milk (UM), each extrinsically labeled with 67 Zn, and 2 ) a rice study ( n = 18) comparing the consumption of 90 g intrinsically 67 Zn-labeled rice with 600 mL of water [rice and water (RW)] or full-fat UHT milk [rice and milk (RM)]. The fractional absorption of zinc (FAZ) was measured with the double-isotope tracer ratio method. In vitro, we assessed zinc extraction from rice blended into water, UM, or HTM with or without phytate. Results: FAZ from HTM was 25.5% (95% CI: 21.6%, 29.4%) and was not different from UM (27.8%; 95% CI: 24.2%, 31.4%). FAZ from water was higher (72.3%; 95% CI: 68.7%, 75.9%), whereas FAZ from MW was lower (19.7%; 95% CI: 17.5%, 21.9%) than HTM and UM (both P zinc from rice with HTM than from rice with water at various phytate concentrations. Conclusions: Milk enhanced human FAZ from high-phytate rice by 62% compared with water. Diluting milk with water decreases its absorption-enhancing proprieties, whereas UHT processing does not. This trial was registered at the Dutch trial registry as NTR4267 (http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=4267). © 2017 American Society for Nutrition.

Characterization and in vitro evaluation of biphasic α-tricalcium phosphate/β-tricalcium phosphate cement

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Arahira, Takaaki; Maruta, Michito, E-mail: maruta@college.fdcnet.ac.jp; Matsuya, Shigeki

2017-05-01

Biphasic calcium phosphate consisting of hydroxyapatite (HA) and β-tricalcium phosphate(β-TCP) is an excellent bone substitute with controllable bioresorbability. Fabrication of biphasic calcium phosphate with self-setting ability is expected to enhance its potential application as bone substitute. In this study, mixtures of α-TCP and β-TCP with various compositions were prepared through α-β phase transition of α-TCP powder at 1000 °C for various periods. These powders were mixed with 0.25 M Na{sub 2}HPO{sub 4} at a P/L ratio of 2, and then hardened at 37 °C at 100% RH for up to 24 h. Material properties of biphasic HA/β-TCP cement with different α-TCP/β-TCP composition were characterized. These cements were also evaluated with respect to cell response in vitro using MC3T3-E1 cell lines. In conclusion, mechanical and biological properties of HA/β-TCP cement could be controlled by changing the heat treatment time of α-TCP powder at 1000 °C. In vitro results indicated that cell proliferation and ALP activity increased with increase β-TCP content. - Highlights: • We could fabricate biphasic HA/β-TCP cements using heat treated α-TCP powder. • It is easy to control the ratio of α-TCP to β-TCP changing the heat treatment time up to 48 h. • Both cell number and ALP activity increased with increase in β-TCP content. • In vitro results showed that β-TCP has superior cell affinity to HA.

A Simplified Whole-Organ CT Perfusion Technique with Biphasic Acquisition: Preliminary Investigation of Accuracy and Protocol Feasibility in Kidneys.

Science.gov (United States)

Yuan, XiaoDong; Zhang, Jing; Quan, ChangBin; Tian, Yuan; Li, Hong; Ao, GuoKun

2016-04-01

To determine the feasibility and accuracy of a protocol for calculating whole-organ renal perfusion (renal blood flow [RBF]) and regional perfusion on the basis of biphasic computed tomography (CT), with concurrent dynamic contrast material-enhanced (DCE) CT perfusion serving as the reference standard. This prospective study was approved by the institutional review board, and written informed consent was obtained from all patients. Biphasic CT of the kidneys, including precontrast and arterial phase imaging, was integrated with a first-pass dynamic volume CT protocol and performed and analyzed in 23 patients suspected of having renal artery stenosis. The perfusion value derived from biphasic CT was calculated as CT number enhancement divided by the area under the arterial input function and compared with the DCE CT perfusion data by using the paired t test, correlation analysis, and Bland-Altman plots. Correlation analysis was made between the RBF and the extent of renal artery stenosis. All postprocessing was independently performed by two observers and then averaged as the final result. Mean ± standard deviation biphasic and DCE CT perfusion data for RBF were 425.62 mL/min ± 124.74 and 419.81 mL/min ± 121.13, respectively (P = .53), and for regional perfusion they were 271.15 mL/min per 100 mL ± 82.21 and 266.33 mL/min per 100 mL ± 74.40, respectively (P = .31). Good correlation and agreement were shown between biphasic and DCE CT perfusion for RBF (r = 0.93; ±10% variation from mean perfusion data [P < .001]) and for regional perfusion (r = 0.90; ±13% variation from mean perfusion data [P < .001]). The extent of renal artery stenosis was negatively correlated with RBF with biphasic CT perfusion (r = -0.81, P = .012). Biphasic CT perfusion is clinically feasible and provides perfusion data comparable to DCE CT perfusion data at both global and regional levels in the kidney. Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Predictive feedback can account for biphasic responses in the lateral geniculate nucleus.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Janneke F M Jehee

2009-05-01

Full Text Available Biphasic neural response properties, where the optimal stimulus for driving a neural response changes from one stimulus pattern to the opposite stimulus pattern over short periods of time, have been described in several visual areas, including lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN, primary visual cortex (V1, and middle temporal area (MT. We describe a hierarchical model of predictive coding and simulations that capture these temporal variations in neuronal response properties. We focus on the LGN-V1 circuit and find that after training on natural images the model exhibits the brain's LGN-V1 connectivity structure, in which the structure of V1 receptive fields is linked to the spatial alignment and properties of center-surround cells in the LGN. In addition, the spatio-temporal response profile of LGN model neurons is biphasic in structure, resembling the biphasic response structure of neurons in cat LGN. Moreover, the model displays a specific pattern of influence of feedback, where LGN receptive fields that are aligned over a simple cell receptive field zone of the same polarity decrease their responses while neurons of opposite polarity increase their responses with feedback. This phase-reversed pattern of influence was recently observed in neurophysiology. These results corroborate the idea that predictive feedback is a general coding strategy in the brain.

Crystal-phase intergradation in InAs nanostructures grown by van der Waals heteroepitaxy on graphene

Science.gov (United States)

Choi, Ji Eun; Yoo, Jinkyoung; Lee, Donghwa; Hong, Young Joon; Fukui, Takashi

2018-04-01

This study demonstrates the crystal-phase intergradation of InAs nanostructures grown on graphene via van der Waals epitaxy. InAs nanostructures with diverse diameters are yielded on graphene. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) reveals two crystallographic features of (i) wurtzite (WZ)-to-zinc blende (ZB) intergradation along the growth direction of InAs nanostructures and (ii) an increased mean fraction of ZB according to diameter increment. Based on the HR-TEM observations, a crystal-phase intergradation diagram is depicted. We discuss how the formation of a WZ-rich phase during the initial growth stage is an effective way of releasing heterointerfacial stress endowed by the lattice mismatch of InAs/graphene for energy minimization in terms of less in-plane lattice mismatching between WZ-InAs and graphene. The WZ-to-ZB evolution is responsible for the attenuation of the bottom-to-top surface charge interaction as growth proceeds.

Crystal Phase Quantum Well Emission with Digital Control

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Assali, S.; Laehnemann, J.; Vu, Thi Thu Trang

2017-01-01

One of the major challenges in the growth of quantum well and quantum dot heterostructures is the realization of atomically sharp interfaces. Nanowires provide a new opportunity to engineer the band structure as they facilitate the controlled switching of the crystal structure between the zinc......-blende (ZB) and wurtzite (WZ) phases. Such a crystal phase switching results in the formation of crystal phase quantum wells (CPQWs) and quantum dots (CPQDs). For GaP CPQWs, the inherent electric fields due to the discontinuity of the spontaneous polarization at the WZ/ZB junctions lead to the confinement...... of both types of charge carriers at the opposite interfaces of the WZ/ZB/WZ structure. This confinement leads to a novel type of transition across a ZB flat plate barrier. Here, we show digital tuning of the visible emission of WZ/ZB/WZ CPQWs in a GaP nanowire by changing the thickness of the ZB barrier...

Anisotropic light emission of single CdSe/CdS tetrapods due to asymmetric electron localization

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Limmer, Thomas; Mauser, Christian; Como, Enrico da; Rogach, Andrey; Feldmann, Jochen [Photonics and Optoelectronics Group, Physics Department and CeNS, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Muenchen, Munich (Germany); Talapin, Dmitri V. [Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL (United States)

2008-07-01

We have recently reported on highly luminescent CdSe/CdS tetrapod heterostructures, where wurtzite CdS arms were grown on CdSe zinc-blend nuclei. Due to the peculiar energy band alignment the holes remain trapped in the CdSe core, whereas electrons in ideal tetrapods are expected to delocalize symmetrically into the four CdS arms. However, polarization dependent photoluminescence experiments on single tetrapods show asymmetric localization effects for electrons. Whereas in optical excitation nearly no polarization anisotropy is observed, high polarization degrees are present in the emission process. Calculations based on the effective mass approximation show that the electron wavefunction confinement is very sensitive to changes in the shape of the tetrapods. Breaking the symmetry by increasing the thickness of one arm gives rise to a strongly asymmetric localization of the electron and leads to high polarization degrees in emission. The related decrease in electron-hole wavefunction overlap results in a correlation between emission intensity and polarization anisotropy in agreement with our experimental findings.

Comparison of stress and total energy methods for calculation of elastic properties of semiconductors.

Science.gov (United States)

Caro, M A; Schulz, S; O'Reilly, E P

2013-01-16

We explore the calculation of the elastic properties of zinc-blende and wurtzite semiconductors using two different approaches: one based on stress and the other on total energy as a function of strain. The calculations are carried out within the framework of density functional theory in the local density approximation, with the plane wave-based package VASP. We use AlN as a test system, with some results also shown for selected other materials (C, Si, GaAs and GaN). Differences are found in convergence rate between the two methods, especially in low symmetry cases, where there is a much slower convergence for total energy calculations with respect to the number of plane waves and k points used. The stress method is observed to be more robust than the total energy method with respect to the residual error in the elastic constants calculated for different strain branches in the systems studied.

Characterization of structural and electrical properties of ZnO tetrapods

Science.gov (United States)

Gu, Yu-Dong; Mai, Wen-Jie; Jiang, Peng

2011-12-01

ZnO tetrapods were synthesized by a typical thermal vapor-solid deposition method in a horizontal tube furnace. Structural characterization was carried out by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and select-area electron diffraction (SAED), which shows the presence of zinc blende nucleus in the center of tetrapods while the four branches taking hexagonal wurtzite structure. The electrical transport property of ZnO tetrapods was investigated through an in-situ nanoprobe system. The three branches of a tetrapod serve as source, drain, and "gate", respectively; while the fourth branch pointing upward works as the force trigger by vertically applying external force downward. The conductivity of each branch of ZnO-tetrapods increases 3-4 times under pressure. In such situation, the electrical current through the branches of ZnO tetrapods can be tuned by external force, and therefore a simple force sensor based on ZnO tetrapods has been demonstrated for the first time.

Traditional Semiconductors in the Two-Dimensional Limit.

Science.gov (United States)

Lucking, Michael C; Xie, Weiyu; Choe, Duk-Hyun; West, Damien; Lu, Toh-Ming; Zhang, S B

2018-02-23

Interest in two-dimensional materials has exploded in recent years. Not only are they studied due to their novel electronic properties, such as the emergent Dirac fermion in graphene, but also as a new paradigm in which stacking layers of distinct two-dimensional materials may enable different functionality or devices. Here, through first-principles theory, we reveal a large new class of two-dimensional materials which are derived from traditional III-V, II-VI, and I-VII semiconductors. It is found that in the ultrathin limit the great majority of traditional binary semiconductors studied (a series of 28 semiconductors) are not only kinetically stable in a two-dimensional double layer honeycomb structure, but more energetically stable than the truncated wurtzite or zinc-blende structures associated with three dimensional bulk. These findings both greatly increase the landscape of two-dimensional materials and also demonstrate that in the double layer honeycomb form, even ordinary semiconductors, such as GaAs, can exhibit exotic topological properties.

Comparative study of as-implanted and pre-damaged ion-beam-synthesized ZnS nanocrystallites in SiO sub 2

CERN Document Server

Gao, K Y; Grosshans, I; Hipp, W; Stritzker, B

2002-01-01

The semiconducting ZnS nanocrystallites were synthesized by sequential high dose ion implantation of Zn and S in thermally grown SiO sub 2 on Si(1 0 0) and subsequent rapid thermal annealing (RTA). Some samples were pre-implanted with Ar ions in order to investigate the influence of radiation induced damage on the formation of ZnS nanocrystallites. The crystal structure of the ZnS crystallites, their size distribution and the concentration depth profile were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) and cross-sectional transmission-electron-microscopy (XTEM). The XRD results indicate, that the phase transition from cubic zinc blende to hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnS nanocrystallites begins at temperatures below 1000 degree sign C. The RBS results show a clear redistribution of Zn and S after RTA annealing. The concentration of Zn is seriously reduced due to strong diffusion towards deeper regions and the surface, while Ar pre-implantation partially suppressed the c...

A simulation study of the reaction of human heart to biphasic electrical shocks

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Seemann Gunnar

2004-06-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background This article presents a study, which examines the effects of biphasic electrical shocks on human ventricular tissue. The effects of this type of shock are not yet fully understood. Animal experiments showed the superiority of biphasic shocks over monophasic ones in defibrillation. A mathematical computer simulation can increase the knowledge of human heart behavior. Methods The research presented in this article was done with different models representing a three-dimensional wedge of ventricular myocardium. The electrophysiology was described with Priebe-Beuckelmann model. The realistic fiber twist, which is specific to human myocardium was included. Planar electrodes were placed at the ends of the longest side of the virtual cardiac wedge, in a bath medium. They were sources of electrical shocks, which varied in magnitude from 0.1 to 5 V. In a second arrangement ring electrodes were placed directly on myocardium for getting a better view on secondary electrical sources. The electrical reaction of the tissue was generated with a bidomain model. Results The reaction of the tissue to the electrical shock was specific to the initial imposed characteristics. Depolarization appeared in the first 5 ms in different locations. A further study of the cardiac tissue behavior revealed, which features influence the response of the considered muscle. It was shown that the time needed by the tissue to be totally depolarized is much shorter when a biphasic shock is applied. Each simulation ended only after complete repolarization was achieved. This created the possibility of gathering information from all states corresponding to one cycle of the cardiac rhythm. Conclusions The differences between the reaction of the homogeneous tissue and a tissue, which contains cleavage planes, reveals important aspects of superiority of biphasic pulses. ...

Does the oral zinc tolerance test measure zinc absorption

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Valberg, L.S.; Flanagan, P.R.; Brennan, J.; Chamberlain, M.J.

1985-01-01

Increases in plasma zinc concentration were compared with radiozinc absorption after oral test doses. Ten healthy, fasting subjects were each given 385 mumol zinc chloride (25 mg Zn) labelled with 0.5 muCi /sup 65/ZnCl/sub 2/ and a non-absorbed marker, /sup 51/CrCl/sub 3/, dissolved in 100 ml of water; another 10 persons were given 354 mumol zinc chloride and 125 g of minced turkey containing 31 mumol zinc also labelled with /sup 65/Zn and /sup 51/Cr. Measurements were made of plasma zinc concentration at hourly intervals for 5 hours, radiozinc absorption by stool counting of unabsorbed radioactivity 12-36 hours later, and radiozinc retention by whole body counting at 7 days. The mean percentage of radiozinc absorbed and retained in the body from the two test meals was found to be identical (42%). In contrast the increased area under the plasma zinc curve up to 5 hours after the turkey meal, 28 +/- 9 mumol/L (mean +/- SD) was significantly less than that for zinc chloride alone, 47 +/- 15 mumol/L, p less than 0.005. Despite this difference, a good correlation was found between the area under the plasma zinc curve and /sup 65/Zn absorption in individual subjects after each meal. The discrepancy between the results of zinc absorption derived from the plasma zinc curve and /sup 65/Zn absorption for the liquid and solid test meals was most likely explained by binding of zinc to food and delayed gastric emptying of the solid meal. With a test meal of turkey meat at least this dampened the plasma appearance of zinc but did not affect its overall absorption.

Does the oral zinc tolerance test measure zinc absorption

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Valberg, L.S.; Flanagan, P.R.; Brennan, J.; Chamberlain, M.J.

1985-01-01

Increases in plasma zinc concentration were compared with radiozinc absorption after oral test doses. Ten healthy, fasting subjects were each given 385 mumol zinc chloride (25 mg Zn) labelled with 0.5 muCi 65 ZnCl 2 and a non-absorbed marker, 51 CrCl 3 , dissolved in 100 ml of water; another 10 persons were given 354 mumol zinc chloride and 125 g of minced turkey containing 31 mumol zinc also labelled with 65 Zn and 51 Cr. Measurements were made of plasma zinc concentration at hourly intervals for 5 hours, radiozinc absorption by stool counting of unabsorbed radioactivity 12-36 hours later, and radiozinc retention by whole body counting at 7 days. The mean percentage of radiozinc absorbed and retained in the body from the two test meals was found to be identical (42%). In contrast the increased area under the plasma zinc curve up to 5 hours after the turkey meal, 28 +/- 9 mumol/L (mean +/- SD) was significantly less than that for zinc chloride alone, 47 +/- 15 mumol/L, p less than 0.005. Despite this difference, a good correlation was found between the area under the plasma zinc curve and 65 Zn absorption in individual subjects after each meal. The discrepancy between the results of zinc absorption derived from the plasma zinc curve and 65 Zn absorption for the liquid and solid test meals was most likely explained by binding of zinc to food and delayed gastric emptying of the solid meal. With a test meal of turkey meat at least this dampened the plasma appearance of zinc but did not affect its overall absorption

X-ray diffraction from single GaAs nanowires

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Biermanns, Andreas

2012-11-12

In recent years, developments in X-ray focussing optics have allowed to produce highly intense, coherent X-ray beams with spot sizes in the range of 100 nm and below. Together with the development of new experimental stations, X-ray diffraction techniques can now be applied to study single nanometer-sized objects. In the present work, X-ray diffraction is applied to study different aspects of the epitaxial growth of GaAs nanowires. Besides conventional diffraction methods, which employ X-ray beams with dimensions of several tens of {mu}m, special emphasis lies on the use of nanodiffraction methods which allow to study single nanowires in their as-grown state without further preparation. In particular, coherent X-ray diffraction is applied to measure simultaneously the 3-dimensional shape and lattice parameters of GaAs nanowires grown by metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy. It is observed that due to a high density of zinc-blende rotational twins within the nanowires, their lattice parameter deviates systematically from the bulk zinc-blende phase. In a second step, the initial stage in the growth of GaAs nanowires on Si (1 1 1) surfaces is studied. This nanowires, obtained by Ga-assisted growth in molecular beam epitaxy, grow predominantly in the cubic zinc-blende structure, but contain inclusions of the hexagonal wurtzite phase close to their bottom interface. Using nanodiffraction methods, the position of the different structural units along the growth axis is determined. Because the GaAs lattice is 4% larger than silicon, these nanowires release their lattice mismatch by the inclusion of dislocations at the interface. Whereas NWs with diameters below 50 nm are free of strain, a rough interface structure in nanowires with diameters above 100 nm prevents a complete plastic relaxation, leading to a residual strain at the interface that decays elastically along the growth direction. Finally, measurements on GaAs-core/InAs-shell nanowire heterostructures are presented

Low-temperature growth of well-aligned zinc oxide nanorod arrays on silicon substrate and their photocatalytic application

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Azam A

2014-04-01

Full Text Available Ameer Azam,1 Saeed Salem Babkair21Center of Nanotechnology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 2Center of Nanotechnology, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaAbstract: Well-aligned and single-crystalline zinc oxide (ZnO nanorod arrays were grown on silicon (Si substrate using a wet chemical route for the photodegradation of organic dyes. Structural analysis using X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and selected area electron diffraction confirmed the formation of ZnO nanorods grown preferentially oriented in the (001 direction and with a single phase nature with a wurtzite structure. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy micrographs showed that the length and diameter of the well-aligned rods were about ~350–400 nm and ~80–90 nm, respectively. Raman scattering spectra of ZnO nanorod arrays revealed the characteristic E2 (high mode that is related to the vibration of oxygen atoms in the wurtzite ZnO. The photodegradation of methylene blue (MB using ZnO nanorod arrays was performed under ultraviolet light irradiation. The results of photodegradation showed that ZnO nanorod arrays were capable of degrading ~80% of MB within 60 minutes of irradiation, whereas ~92% of degradation was achieved in 120 minutes. Complete degradation of MB was observed after 270 minutes of irradiation time. Owing to enhanced photocatalytic degradation efficiency and low-temperature growth method, prepared ZnO nanorod arrays may open up the possibility for the successful utilization of ZnO nanorod arrays as a future photocatalyst for environmental remediation.Keywords: ZnO, nanorods, XRD, photodegradation

Influence of DNA-methylation on zinc homeostasis in myeloid cells: Regulation of zinc transporters and zinc binding proteins.

Science.gov (United States)

Kessels, Jana Elena; Wessels, Inga; Haase, Hajo; Rink, Lothar; Uciechowski, Peter

2016-09-01

The distribution of intracellular zinc, predominantly regulated through zinc transporters and zinc binding proteins, is required to support an efficient immune response. Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation are involved in the expression of these genes. In demethylation experiments using 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (AZA) increased intracellular (after 24 and 48h) and total cellular zinc levels (after 48h) were observed in the myeloid cell line HL-60. To uncover the mechanisms that cause the disturbed zinc homeostasis after DNA demethylation, the expression of human zinc transporters and zinc binding proteins were investigated. Real time PCR analyses of 14 ZIP (solute-linked carrier (SLC) SLC39A; Zrt/IRT-like protein), and 9 ZnT (SLC30A) zinc transporters revealed significantly enhanced mRNA expression of the zinc importer ZIP1 after AZA treatment. Because ZIP1 protein was also enhanced after AZA treatment, ZIP1 up-regulation might be the mediator of enhanced intracellular zinc levels. The mRNA expression of ZIP14 was decreased, whereas zinc exporter ZnT3 mRNA was also significantly increased; which might be a cellular reaction to compensate elevated zinc levels. An enhanced but not significant chromatin accessibility of ZIP1 promoter region I was detected by chromatin accessibility by real-time PCR (CHART) assays after demethylation. Additionally, DNA demethylation resulted in increased mRNA accumulation of zinc binding proteins metallothionein (MT) and S100A8/S100A9 after 48h. MT mRNA was significantly enhanced after 24h of AZA treatment also suggesting a reaction of the cell to restore zinc homeostasis. These data indicate that DNA methylation is an important epigenetic mechanism affecting zinc binding proteins and transporters, and, therefore, regulating zinc homeostasis in myeloid cells. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Polarity effects in the x-ray photoemission of ZnO and other wurtzite semiconductors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Allen, M. W.; Zemlyanov, D. Y.; Waterhouse, G. I. N.; Metson, J. B.; Veal, T. D.; McConville, C. F.; Durbin, S. M.

2011-01-01

Significant polarity-related effects were observed in the near-surface atomic composition and valence band electronic structure of ZnO single crystals, investigated by x-ray photoemission spectroscopy using both Al K α (1486.6 eV) and synchrotron radiation (150 to 1486 eV). In particular, photoemission from the lowest binding energy valence band states was found to be significantly more intense on the Zn-polar face compared to the O-polar face. This is a consistent effect that can be used as a simple, nondestructive indicator of crystallographic polarity in ZnO and other wurtzite semiconductors.

Profiling Student Behaviour in a Blended Course: Closing the Gap Between Blended Teaching and Blended Learning

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Bos, Nynke; Brand-Gruwel, Saskia

2018-01-01

Blended learning is often associated with student-oriented learning in which students have varying degrees of control over their learning process. However, the current notion of blended learning is often a teacher- oriented approach in which the teacher identifies the used learning technologies and

Learning new meanings for known words: Biphasic effects of prior knowledge

Science.gov (United States)

Fang, Xiaoping; Perfetti, Charles; Stafura, Joseph

2017-01-01

In acquiring word meanings, learners are often confronted by a single word form that is mapped to two or more meanings. For example, long after how to roller-“skate”, one may learn that “skate” is also a kind of fish. Such learning of new meanings for familiar words involves two potentially contrasting processes, relative to new form-new meaning learning: 1) Form-based familiarity may facilitate learning a new meaning, and 2) meaning-based interference may inhibit learning a new meaning. We examined these two processes by having native English speakers learn new, unrelated meanings for familiar (high frequency) and less familiar (low frequency) English words, as well as for unfamiliar (novel or pseudo-) words. Tracking learning with cued-recall tasks at several points during learning revealed a biphasic pattern: higher learning rates and greater learning efficiency for familiar words relative to novel words early in learning and a reversal of this pattern later in learning. Following learning, interference from original meanings for familiar words was detected in a semantic relatedness judgment task. Additionally, lexical access to familiar words with new meanings became faster compared to their exposure controls, but no such effect occurred for less familiar words. Overall, the results suggest a biphasic pattern of facilitating and interfering processes: Familiar word forms facilitate learning earlier, while interference from original meanings becomes more influential later. This biphasic pattern reflects the co-activation of new and old meanings during learning, a process that may play a role in lexicalization of new meanings. PMID:29399593

Effect of blending temperature on the mechanical properties of PVC/ENR blend upon irradiation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chantara Thevy Ratnam; Khairul Zaman Mohd Dahlan; Nasir, M.; Baharin, A.

2000-01-01

Poly (vinyl chloride) / epoxidized natural rubber blends were prepared with a Brabender plasticorder at 140, 150, 160, 170 and 180 degree C mixing temperatures. They were mixed at 50 rpm rotor speed for 10 min. The blends were irradiated with doses ranging from 0-200 kGy. Changes in tensile strength, modulus at 100% elongation, gel fraction and damping properties (tan δ) of the blends with increasing mixing temperatures and irradiation doses were investigated. In general, it was observed that the mixing temperature is important in maximizing the positive effect of irradiation. Results revealed that a readily miscible blend enjoy maximum benefit from irradiation meanwhile irradiation impart miscibility to a partially miscible PVC/ENR blend. The enhancement in blend properties is believed to be attributed by the irradiation-induced crosslinking along with irradiation-induced interaction between the polymers. The radiation-induced degradation found to be prominent at higher doses for blend that has undergone excessive thermal degradation. However evidence did not reveal the specific nature of radiation-induced reaction responsible for the improved interactions of the blends. (author)

Blending Words Found In Social Media

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Giyatmi Giyatmi

2017-12-01

Full Text Available There are many new words from the social media such as Netizen, Trentop, and Delcon. Those words include in blending. Blending is one of word formations combining two clipped words to form a brand new word. The researchers are interested in analyzing blend words used in the social media such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Blackberry Messenger. This research aims at (1 finding blend words used in the social media (2 describing kinds of blend words used in social media (3 describing the process of blend word formation used in the social media. This research uses some theories dealing with definition of blending and kinds of blending. This research belongs to descriptive qualitative research. Data of the research are English blend words used in social media. Data sources of this research are websites consisting of some English words used in social media and some social media users as the informant. Techniques of data collecting in this research are observation and simak catat. Observation is by observing some websites consisting of some English words used in social media. Simak catat is done by taking some notes on the data and encoding in symbols such as No/Blend words/Kinds of Blending. The researchers use source triangulation to check the data from the researchers with the informant and theory triangulation to determine kinds of blending and blend word formation in social media. There are115 data of blend words. Those data consists of 65 data of Instagram, 47 data of Twitter, 1 datum of Facebook, and 2 data of Blackberry Messenger. There are 2 types of blending used in social media;108 data of blending with clipping and 7 data of blending with overlapping. There are 10 ways of blend word formation found in this research.

Method of capturing or trapping zinc using zinc getter materials

Science.gov (United States)

Hunyadi Murph, Simona E.; Korinko, Paul S.

2017-07-11

A method of trapping or capturing zinc is disclosed. In particular, the method comprises a step of contacting a zinc vapor with a zinc getter material. The zinc getter material comprises nanoparticles and a metal substrate.

Quinary wurtzite Zn-Ga-Ge-N-O solid solutions and their photocatalytic properties under visible light irradiation

Science.gov (United States)

Xie, Yinghao; Wu, Fangfang; Sun, Xiaoqin; Chen, Hongmei; Lv, Meilin; Ni, Shuang; Liu, Gang; Xu, Xiaoxiang

2016-01-01

Wurtzite solid solutions between GaN and ZnO highlight an intriguing paradigm for water splitting into hydrogen and oxygen using solar energy. However, large composition discrepancy often occurs inside the compound owing to the volatile nature of Zn, thereby prescribing rigorous terms on synthetic conditions. Here we demonstrate the merits of constituting quinary Zn-Ga-Ge-N-O solid solutions by introducing Ge into the wurtzite framework. The presence of Ge not only mitigates the vaporization of Zn but also strongly promotes particle crystallization. Synthetic details for these quinary compounds were systematically explored and their photocatalytic properties were thoroughly investigated. Proper starting molar ratios of Zn/Ga/Ge are of primary importance for single phase formation, high particle crystallinity and good photocatalytic performance. Efficient photocatalytic hydrogen and oxygen production from water were achieved for these quinary solid solutions which is strongly correlated with Ge content in the structure. Apparent quantum efficiency for optimized sample approaches 1.01% for hydrogen production and 1.14% for oxygen production. Theoretical calculation reveals the critical role of Zn for the band gap reduction in these solid solutions and their superior photocatalytic acitivity can be understood by the preservation of Zn in the structure as well as a good crystallinity after introducing Ge.

Design Principles for the Blend in Blended Learning: A Collective Case Study

Science.gov (United States)

Lai, Ming; Lam, Kwok Man; Lim, Cher Ping

2016-01-01

This paper reports on a collective case study of three blended courses taught by different instructors in a higher education institution, with the purpose of identifying the different types of blend and how the blend supports student learning. Based on the instructors' and students' interviews, and document analysis of course outlines, two major…

Real space pseudopotential calculations for size trends in Ga- and Al-doped zinc oxide nanocrystals with wurtzite and zincblende structures

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bobbitt, N. Scott; Kim, Minjung [Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712 (United States); Sai, Na [Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712 (United States); Marom, Noa [Department of Physics and Engineering Physics, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70118 (United States); Chelikowsky, James R. [Center for Computational Materials, Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, Departments of Physics and Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712 (United States)

2014-09-07

Zinc oxide is often used as a popular inexpensive transparent conducting oxide. Here, we employ density functional theory and local density approximation to examine the effects of quantum confinement in doped nanocrystals of this material. Specifically, we examine the addition of Ga and Al dopants to ZnO nanocrystals on the order of 1.0 nm. We find that the inclusion of these dopants is energetically less favorable in smaller particles and that the electron binding energy, which is associated with the dopant activation, decreases with the nanocrystal size. We find that the introduction of impurities does not alter significantly the Kohn-Sham eigenspectrum for small nanocrystals of ZnO. The added electron occupies the lowest existing state, i.e., no new bound state is introduced in the gap. We verify this assertion with hybrid functional calculations.

Real space pseudopotential calculations for size trends in Ga- and Al-doped zinc oxide nanocrystals with wurtzite and zincblende structures

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bobbitt, N. Scott; Kim, Minjung; Sai, Na; Marom, Noa; Chelikowsky, James R.

2014-01-01

Zinc oxide is often used as a popular inexpensive transparent conducting oxide. Here, we employ density functional theory and local density approximation to examine the effects of quantum confinement in doped nanocrystals of this material. Specifically, we examine the addition of Ga and Al dopants to ZnO nanocrystals on the order of 1.0 nm. We find that the inclusion of these dopants is energetically less favorable in smaller particles and that the electron binding energy, which is associated with the dopant activation, decreases with the nanocrystal size. We find that the introduction of impurities does not alter significantly the Kohn-Sham eigenspectrum for small nanocrystals of ZnO. The added electron occupies the lowest existing state, i.e., no new bound state is introduced in the gap. We verify this assertion with hybrid functional calculations

A case of mumps-related acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion.

Science.gov (United States)

Hazama, Kyoko; Shiihara, Takashi; Tsukagoshi, Hiroyuki; Hasegawa, Shunji; Dowa, Yuri; Watanabe, Mio

2017-10-01

Mumps is a common childhood viral disease characterized by fever and swelling of the parotid gland. The prognosis is generally good, although some complications, such as encephalitis (0.1%), exist. Acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion is the most common type of acute encephalopathy. However, this type of encephalopathy has not been reported in association with mumps infection. A previously healthy 3-year-old Japanese boy had a brief convulsion after fever for 3days, and then had conscious disturbance and parotitis. After several days, he had a second brief convulsion and was admitted. Increased serum amylase levels and presence of anti-mumps immunoglobulin M antibody confirmed mumps parotitis. The patient had another brief seizure later the day of admission. He did not have status or cluster seizures, although the biphasic nature of his seizures, conscious disturbance between the seizures, no pleocytosis in cerebrospinal fluid, and brain magnetic resonance images were consistent with acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion. In Japan, the mumps vaccine is not administered as a part of routine immunizations. It thus has low coverage (30-40%), and as a result, mumps infections are still common. However, this is the first case of mumps-related acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion. This case may be representative of only a minority of patients with mumps-associated central nervous system involvement. Nevertheless, this diagnostic possibility may be considered. In order to prevent mumps-related complications, routine mumps vaccination might be warranted. Copyright © 2017 The Japanese Society of Child Neurology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A New Biphasic Dicalcium Silicate Bone Cement Implant

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Fausto Zuleta

2017-07-01

Full Text Available This study aimed to investigate the processing parameters and biocompatibility of a novel biphasic dicalcium silicate (C2S cement. Biphasic α´L + β-C2Sss was synthesized by solid-state processing, and was used as a raw material to prepare the cement. In vitro bioactivity and biocompatibility studies were assessed by soaking the cement samples in simulated body fluid (SBF and human adipose stem cell cultures. Two critical-sized defects of 6 mm Ø were created in 15 NZ tibias. A porous cement made of the high temperature forms of C2S, with a low phosphorous substitution level, was produced. An apatite-like layer covered the cement’s surface after soaking in SBF. The cell attachment test showed that α´L + β-C2Sss supported cells sticking and spreading after 24 h of culture. The cement paste (55.86 ± 0.23 obtained higher bone-to-implant contact (BIC percentage values (better quality, closer contact in the histomorphometric analysis, and defect closure was significant compared to the control group (plastic. The residual material volume of the porous cement was 35.42 ± 2.08% of the initial value. The highest BIC and bone formation percentages were obtained on day 60. These results suggest that the cement paste is advantageous for initial bone regeneration.

Flame synthesis of zinc oxide nanocrystals

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Merchan-Merchan, Wilson, E-mail: wmerchan-merchan@ou.edu [School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019 (United States); Farahani, Moien Farmahini [School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019 (United States)

2013-02-01

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We report a single-step flame method for the synthesis of Zn oxide nanocrystals. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Diverse flame positions lead to a variation of Zn oxide nanocrystal growth. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The synthesized crystals have polyhedral, pipet- and needle-like shape. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer High length-to-diameter aspect-ratio crystals appear in a higher temperature flame. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The crystal growth mechanism corresponds to vapor-to-solid conversion. - Abstract: Distinctive zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocrystals were synthesized on the surface of Zn probes using a counter-flow flame medium formed by methane/acetylene and oxygen-enriched air streams. The source material, a zinc wire with a purity of {approx}99.99% and diameter of 1 mm, was introduced through a sleeve into the oxygen rich region of the flame. The position of the probe/sleeve was varied within the flame medium resulting in growth variation of ZnO nanocrystals on the surface of the probe. The shape and structural parameters of the grown crystals strongly depend on the flame position. Structural variations of the synthesized crystals include single-crystalline ZnO nanorods and microprisms (ZMPs) (the ZMPs have less than a few micrometers in length and several hundred nanometers in cross section) with a large number of facets and complex axial symmetry with a nanorod protruding from their tips. The protruding rods are less than 100 nm in diameter and lengths are less than 1 {mu}m. The protruding nanorods can be elongated several times by increasing the residence time of the probe/sleeve inside the oxygen-rich flame or by varying the flame position. At different flame heights, nanorods having higher length-to-diameter aspect-ratio can be synthesized. A lattice spacing of {approx}0.26 nm was measured for the synthesized nanorods, which can be closely correlated with the (0 0 2) interplanar spacing of hexagonal ZnO (Wurtzite) cells

Efficient asymmetric hydrolysis of styrene oxide catalyzed by Mung bean epoxide hydrolases in ionic liquid-based biphasic systems.

Science.gov (United States)

Chen, Wen-Jing; Lou, Wen-Yong; Zong, Min-Hua

2012-07-01

The asymmetric hydrolysis of styrene oxide to (R)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol using Mung bean epoxide hydrolases was, for the first time, successfully conducted in an ionic liquid (IL)-containing biphasic system. Compared to aqueous monophasic system, IL-based biphasic systems could not only dissolve the substrate, but also effectively inhibit the non-enzymatic hydrolysis, and therefore markedly improve the reaction efficiency. Of all the tested ILs, the best results were observed in the biphasic system containing C(4)MIM·PF(6), which exhibited good biocompatibility with the enzyme and was an excellent solvent for the substrate. In the C(4)MIM·PF(6)/buffer biphasic system, it was found that the optimal volume ratio of IL to buffer, reaction temperature, buffer pH and substrate concentration were 1/6, 35°C, 6.5 and 100 mM, respectively, under which the initial reaction rate, the yield and the product e.e. were 18.4 mM/h, 49.4% and 97.0%. The biocatalytic process was shown to be feasible on a 500-mL preparative scale. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The bioavailability of four zinc oxide sources and zinc sulphate in broiler chickens

OpenAIRE

Veldkamp, T.; Diepen, van, J.T.M.; Bikker, P.

2014-01-01

Zinc is an essential trace element for all farm animal species. It is commonly included in animal diets as zinc oxide, zinc sulphate or organically bound zinc. Umicore Zinc Chemicals developed zinc oxide products with different mean particle sizes. Umicore Zinc Chemicals requested Wageningen UR Livestock Research to determine the bioavailability of four zinc oxide sources and zinc sulphate in broiler chickens. A precise estimate of the bioavailability of zinc sources is required both for fulf...

Number series of atoms, interatomic bonds and interface bonds defining zinc-blende nanocrystals as function of size, shape and surface orientation: Analytic tools to interpret solid state spectroscopy data

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Dirk König

2016-08-01

Full Text Available Semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs experience stress and charge transfer by embedding materials or ligands and impurity atoms. In return, the environment of NCs experiences a NC stress response which may lead to matrix deformation and propagated strain. Up to now, there is no universal gauge to evaluate the stress impact on NCs and their response as a function of NC size dNC. I deduce geometrical number series as analytical tools to obtain the number of NC atoms NNC(dNC[i], bonds between NC atoms Nbnd(dNC[i] and interface bonds NIF(dNC[i] for seven high symmetry zinc-blende (zb NCs with low-index faceting: {001} cubes, {111} octahedra, {110} dodecahedra, {001}-{111} pyramids, {111} tetrahedra, {111}-{001} quatrodecahedra and {001}-{111} quadrodecahedra. The fundamental insights into NC structures revealed here allow for major advancements in data interpretation and understanding of zb- and diamond-lattice based nanomaterials. The analytical number series can serve as a standard procedure for stress evaluation in solid state spectroscopy due to their deterministic nature, easy use and general applicability over a wide range of spectroscopy methods as well as NC sizes, forms and materials.

Blended acquisition with dispersed source arrays

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Berkhout, A.J.

2012-01-01

Blended source arrays are historically configured with equal source units, such as broadband vibrators (land) and broadband air-gun arrays (marine). I refer to this concept as homogeneous blending. I have proposed to extend the blending concept to inhomogeneous blending, meaning that a blended

Non-conventional solvents in liquid phase microextraction and aqueous biphasic systems.

Science.gov (United States)

An, Jiwoo; Trujillo-Rodríguez, María J; Pino, Verónica; Anderson, Jared L

2017-06-02

The development of rapid, convenient, and high throughput sample preparation approaches such as liquid phase microextraction techniques have been continuously developed over the last decade. More recently, significant attention has been given to the replacement of conventional organic solvents used in liquid phase microextraction techniques in order to reduce toxic waste and to improve selectivity and/or extraction efficiency. With these objectives, non-conventional solvents have been explored in liquid phase microextraction and aqueous biphasic systems. The utilized non-conventional solvents include ionic liquids, magnetic ionic liquids, and deep eutectic solvents. They have been widely used as extraction solvents or additives in various liquid phase microextraction modes including dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction, single-drop microextraction, hollow fiber-liquid phase microextraction, as well as in aqueous biphasic systems. This review provides an overview into the use of non-conventional solvents in these microextraction techniques in the past 5 years (2012-2016). Analytical applications of the techniques are also discussed. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Zinc electrode - its behaviour in the nickel oxide-zinc accumulator

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

1984-01-01

Certain aspects of zinc electrode reaction and behavior are investigated in view of their application to batteries. The properties of the zinc electrode in a battery system are discussed, emphasizing porous structure. Shape change is emphasized as the most important factor leading to limited battery cycle life. It is shown that two existing models of shape change based on electroosmosis and current distribution are unable to consistently describe observed phenomena. The first stages of electrocrystallization are studied and the surface reactions between the silver substrate and the deposited zinc layer are investigated. The reaction mechanism of zinc and amalgamated zinc in an alkaline electrolyte is addressed, and the batter system is studied to obtain information on cycling behavior and on the shape change phenomenon. The effect on cycle behavior of diferent amalgamation techniques of the zinc electrode and several additives is addressed. Impedance measurements on zinc electrodes are considered, and battery behavior is correlated with changes in the zinc electrode during cycling. 193 references.

Blended Learning

Science.gov (United States)

Imbriale, Ryan

2013-01-01

Teachers always have been and always will be the essential element in the classroom. They can create magic inside four walls, but they have never been able to create learning environments outside the classroom like they can today, thanks to blended learning. Blended learning allows students and teachers to break free of the isolation of the…

The bioavailability of four zinc oxide sources and zinc sulphate in broiler chickens

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Veldkamp, T.; Diepen, van J.T.M.; Bikker, P.

2014-01-01

Zinc is an essential trace element for all farm animal species. It is commonly included in animal diets as zinc oxide, zinc sulphate or organically bound zinc. Umicore Zinc Chemicals developed zinc oxide products with different mean particle sizes. Umicore Zinc Chemicals requested Wageningen UR

Apparatus for blending small particles

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bradley, R.A.; Reese, C.R.; Sease, J.D.

1975-01-01

An apparatus is described for blending small particles and uniformly loading the blended particles in a receptacle. Measured volumes of various particles are simultaneously fed into a funnel to accomplish radial blending and then directed onto the apex of a conical splitter which collects the blended particles in a multiplicity of equal subvolumes. Thereafter the apparatus sequentially discharges the subvolumes for loading in a receptacle. A system for blending nuclear fuel particles and loading them into fuel rod molds is described in a preferred embodiment

Influence of the spray pyrolysis seeding and growth parameters on the structure and optical properties of ZnO nanorod arrays

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rodríguez, Juan, E-mail: jrodriguez@uni.edu.pe [Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, P.O. Box 31-139, Lima 31 (Peru); Feuillet, Guy [CEA Grenoble/LETI, 17 rue des Martyrs, F-38054 Grenoble Cedex 9 (France); Donatini, Fabrice [Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inst NEEL, F-38000 Grenoble (France); CNRS, Inst NEEL, F-38042 Grenoble (France); Onna, Diego [DQIAQF-INQUIMAE, FCEyN-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pab. II, 1428 Buenos Aires (Argentina); Sanchez, Luis [Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, P.O. Box 31-139, Lima 31 (Peru); Candal, Roberto [DQIAQF-INQUIMAE, FCEyN-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pab. II, 1428 Buenos Aires (Argentina); ECyT, 3iA, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Martín de Irigoyen N° 3100 (1650), San Martín, Pcia de Buenos Aires (Argentina); Marchi, M. Claudia [DQIAQF-INQUIMAE, FCEyN-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pab. II, 1428 Buenos Aires (Argentina); CMA, FCEyN-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pab. I, 1428 Buenos Aires (Argentina); Bilmes, Sara A. [DQIAQF-INQUIMAE, FCEyN-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pab. II, 1428 Buenos Aires (Argentina); Chandezon, Frédéric [University Grenoble Alpes, INAC-SPRAM, F-38000 Grenoble (France); CNRS, INAC-SPRAM, F-38000 Grenoble (France); CEA, INAC-SPRAM, F-38000 Grenoble (France)

2015-02-01

ZnO nanorods (NRs) were grown on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates at low temperatures (90 °C) from Zn{sup 2+} precursors in alkaline media previously seeded with ZnO nanoparticles. These were deposited onto the FTO substrate heated at 350 °C by spray pyrolysis of a Zn acetate solution in a water ethanol mixture. The structure of seeds was tuned by the ethanol to water ratio, Γ, which controls the solvent evaporation rate of drops impinging the substrate. From a detailed characterization using a combination of scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV–visible absorption and cathodoluminescence spectroscopies, the dependence of the morphology and optical properties of the ZnO NRs on the seeding conditions was demonstrated. NRs grown on seeds deposited from solutions with Γ in the 0.03–0.06 range – i.e. when the surface excess of ethanol in the water–ethanol mixture has a maximum – show thinner average diameters and stacking faults due to the presence of zinc blende domains embedded into an overall wurtzite NR. They furthermore exhibit blue-shifted near band edge emission peak and a high deep level emission in cathodoluminescence. All these findings support the use of spray pyrolysis as a simple and reproducible way to control the seeds deposition, influencing the growth, the structure and the optical properties of the final ZnO NRs. - Highlights: • ZnO pyrolytic seeds tuned by the rate of solvent evaporation. • ZnO NRs grown from tuned pyrolytic seed's structure shows diameter dependence. • ZnO NRs show stacking faults due to the presence of zinc blende domains.

A prospective, randomised and blinded comparison of first shock success of monophasic and biphasic waveforms in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

NARCIS (Netherlands)

van Alem, Anouk P.; Chapman, Fred W.; Lank, Paula; Hart, Augustinus A. M.; Koster, Rudolph W.

2003-01-01

Background: Evidence suggests that biphasic waveforms are more effective than monophasic waveforms for defibrillation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), yet their performance has only been compared in un-blinded studies. Methods and results: We compared the success of biphasic truncated

Comb polymer architecture and particle size effects on the behavior of biphasic nanoparticle inks for direct-write assembly

Science.gov (United States)

Yoshikawa, Jun

Biphasic nanoparticle mixtures composed of attractive and repulsive colloidal species enable the direct-write assembly of 3D structures with much finer features than those produced by pure colloidal gels. These mixtures rely on the use of comb polymer dispersants to render one particle population stable, while the other population is attractive. In this thesis, we systematically investigate the effects of comb polymer architecture and particle size ratio on the behavior of biphasic nanoparticle inks with the overarching aim of further advancing the direct-write assembly of 3D colloidal structures. We first investigated the effects of both pure polyelectrolytes, poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA), and comb polymer dispersants composed of a PMAA backbone with methoxy-poly(ethylene oxide) (mPEO) teeth of varying molecular weights on the stability of barium titanate (BaTiO 3) suspensions. While each dispersant imparts stability to BaTiO 3 nanoparticles at low ionic strength (teeth (MWteeth = 2000) provides stability at higher ionic strengths over a broad range of particle sizes and counterion valencies. These results provide guidelines for tailoring the molecular architecture and functionality of comb polymer dispersants for optimal stabilization of the repulsive particle population within the biphasic inks. Next, particle size effects on the rheological properties of biphasic nanoparticle suspensions are studied. Shear elastic modulus, shear yield stress, and compressive yield stress are measured for mixtures of varying total volume fraction, attractive-to-repulsive volume fraction, and particle size ratio between attractive and repulsive species. Our observations indicate that the repulsive particles hinder the formation of the attractive gel network. The time required for shear elastic modulus to approach a steady-state value increases with the fraction of repulsive species. Furthermore, this behavior becomes more significant with increasing

The preparation and cathodoluminescence of ZnS nanowires grown by chemical vapor deposition

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Huang, Meng-Wen; Cheng, Yin-Wei; Pan, Ko-Ying; Chang, Chen-Chuan; Shieu, F.S.; Shih, Han C.

2012-01-01

Highlights: ► ZnS nanowires have been achieved by thermal evaporation. ► The nanowires were 20–50 nm in diameter and up to tens of nanometers in length. ► Single-crystalline wurtzite and sphalerite ZnS phase are coexist in the nanowires. ► The ZnS nanowires showed almost identical blue luminescence at room temperature. ► ZnS nanowires may be appropriate for use in UV/blue LED phosphor materials. - Abstract: Single crystal ZnS nanowires were successfully synthesized in large quantities on Si (1 0 0) substrates by simple thermal chemical vapor deposition without using any catalyst. The morphology, composition, and crystal structure were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectroscopy. SEM observations show that the nanowires have diameters about 20–50 nm and lengths up to several tens of micrometers. XRD and TEM results confirmed that the nanowires exhibited both wurtzite and zinc blende structures with growth directions aligned along [0 0 0 2] and [1 1 1], respectively. The CL spectrum revealed emission bands in the UV and blue regions. The blue emissions at 449 and ∼581 nm were attributed to surface states and impurity-related defects of the nanowires, respectively. The perfect crystal structure of the nanowires indicates their potential applications in nanotechnology and in the fabrication of nanodevices.

First-principles calculations of a half-metallic ferromagnet zinc blende Zn{sub 1−x}V{sub x}Te

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

El Amine Monir, M.; Baltache, H. [Laboratoire de Physique Quantique de la Modélisation Mathématique (LPQ3M), Université de Mascara, 29000 (Algeria); Khenata, R., E-mail: khenata_rabah@yahoo.fr [Laboratoire de Physique Quantique de la Modélisation Mathématique (LPQ3M), Université de Mascara, 29000 (Algeria); Murtaza, G. [Materials Modeling Laboratory, Department of Physics, Islamia College University, Peshawar (Pakistan); Azam, Sikander [New Technologies-Research Center, University of West Bohemia, Univerzitni 8, 306 14 Pilsen (Czech Republic); Bouhemadou, A. [Laboratory for Developing New Materials and their Characterization, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University Setif 1, 19000 Setif (Algeria); Al-Douri, Y. [Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering, University Malaysia Perlis, 01000 Kangar, Perlis (Malaysia); Bin Omran, S. [Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451 (Saudi Arabia); Ali, Roshan [Materials Modeling Lab, Department of Physics, Post Graduate Jahanzeb College, Swat (Pakistan)

2015-03-15

First-principles calculations have been used to study the structural, elastic, electronic, magnetic and thermal properties of zinc blende Zn{sub 1−x}V{sub x}Te for x=0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1 using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method (FP-LAPW) based on spin-polarized density functional theory (DFT). The electronic exchange-correlation potential is approached using the spin generalized gradient approximation (spin-GGA). The structural properties of the Zn{sub 1−x}V{sub x}Te alloys (x=0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1) are given for the lattice constants and the bulk moduli and their pressure derivatives. The elastic constants C{sub 11}, C{sub 12} and C{sub 44} are calculated using numerical first-principles calculations implemented in the WIEN2k package. An analysis of the band structures and the densities of states reveals that Zn{sub 0.50}V{sub 0.50}Te and Zn{sub 0.75}V{sub 0.25}Te exhibit a half-metallic character, while Zn{sub 0.25}V{sub 0.75}Te is nearly half-metallic. The band structure calculations are used to estimate the spin-polarized splitting energies Δ{sub x}(d) and Δ{sub x}(pd) produced by the V(3d)-doped and s(p)–d exchange constants N{sub 0α} (conduction band) and N{sub 0β} (valence band). The p–d hybridization reduces the magnetic moment of V from its atomic charge value of 3µ{sub B} and creates small local magnetic moments on the nonmagnetic Zn and Te sites. Finally, we present the thermal effect on the macroscopic properties of these alloys, such as the thermal expansion coefficient, heat capacity and Debye temperature, based on the quasi-harmonic Debye model. - Highlights: • Some physical properties of Vanadium doped ZnTe have been investigated. • Structural parameters for the parent compounds compare well with the available data. • The elastic and thermal properties are studied for the first time.

Invariance of the magnetic behavior and AMI in ferromagnetic biphase films with distinct non-magnetic metallic spacers

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Silva, E.F. [Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59078-900 Natal, RN (Brazil); Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 50670-901 Recife, PE (Brazil); Gamino, M. [Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 50670-901 Recife, PE (Brazil); Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande de Sul, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS (Brazil); Andrade, A.M.H. de [Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande de Sul, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS (Brazil); Vázquez, M. [Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid, CSIC, 28049 Madrid (Spain); Correa, M.A. [Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59078-900 Natal, RN (Brazil); Bohn, F., E-mail: felipebohn@fisica.ufrn.br [Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59078-900 Natal, RN (Brazil)

2017-02-01

We investigate the quasi-static magnetic, magnetotransport, and dynamic magnetic properties in ferromagnetic biphase films with distinct non-magnetic metallic spacer layers. We observe that the nature of the non-magnetic metallic spacer material does not have significant influence on the overall biphase magnetic behavior, and, consequently, on the magnetotransport and dynamic magnetic responses. We focus on the magnetoimpedance effect and verify that the films present asymmetric magnetoimpedance effect. Moreover, we explore the possibility of tuning the linear region of the magnetoimpedance curves around zero magnetic field by varying the probe current frequency in order to achieve higher sensitivity values. The invariance of the magnetic behavior and the asymmetric magnetoimpedance effect in ferromagnetic biphase films with distinct non-magnetic metallic spacers place them as promising candidates for probe element and open possibilities to the development of lower-cost high sensitivity linear magnetic field sensor devices.

Anti-prelog reduction of prochiral carbonyl compounds by Oenococcus oeni in a biphasic system.

Science.gov (United States)

Hu, Jian; Xu, Yan

2006-07-01

An aqueous-organic biphasic system was established and used with whole cells of Oenococcus oeni to reduce 2-octanone to (R)-2-octanol. The conversion reached 99% when the Tris/borate buffer was increased from 50 mM to 300 mM in the aqueous phase. In addition, the conversion increased as the log P value of the organic solvent changed from 0.5 to 6.6. Under optimized conditions, the conversion of (R)-2-octanol reached 99% from 0.5 M 2-octanone with an optical purity of 99% e.e. The biphasic system allows the anti-Prelog reduction of aliphatic and aromatic ketones to furnish (R)-configurated alcohols in high optical purity as well.

Investigation of diesel-ethanol blended fuel properties with palm methyl ester as co-solvent and blends enhancer

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Mat Taib Norhidayah

2017-01-01

Full Text Available Diesel engine is known as the most efficient engine with high efficiency and power but always reported as high fuel emission. Malaysia National Automotive Policy (NAP was targeting to improve competitive regional focusing on green technology development in reducing the emission of the engine. Therefore, ethanol was introduced to reduce the emission of the engine and while increasing its performance, Palm methyl ester was introduced as blend enhancer to improve engine performance and improve diesel-ethanol blends stability. This paper aimed to study the characteristics of the blends and to prove the ability of palm-methyl-ester as co-solvent in ethanol-diesel blends. Stability and thermophysical test were carried out for different fuel compositions. The stability of diesel-ethanol blended was proved to be improved with the addition of PME at the longer period and the stability of the blends changed depending on temperature and ethanol content. Density and viscosity of diesel-ethanol-PME blends also give higher result than diesel-ethanol blends and it's proved that PME is able to increase density and viscosity of blends. Besides, heating value of the blends also increases with the increasing PME in diesel-ethanol blends.

Effect of consuming zinc-fortified bread on serum zinc and iron status of zinc-deficient women: A double blind, randomized clinical trial

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Akbar Badii

2012-01-01

Full Text Available After iron deficiency, zinc deficiency is the major micronutrient deficiency in developing countries, and staple food fortification is an effective strategy to prevent and improve it among at-risk-populations. No action has been taken to reduce zinc deficiency via flour fortification so far in Iran, and little is known about the influence of zinc fortification of flour on serum zinc and the iron status, and also about the optimum and effective amount of zinc compound that is used in food fortification. The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of consuming zinc-fortified breads on the zinc and iron status in the blood serum. In this study, three types of bread were prepared from non-fortified and fortified flours, with 50 and 100 ppm elemental zinc in the form of sulfate. Eighty zinc-deficient women aged 19 to 49 years were randomly assigned to three groups; The volunteers received, daily, (1 a non-fortified bread, (2 a high-zinc bread, and (3 a low-zinc bread for one month. Serum zinc and iron were measured by Atomic Absorption before and after the study. Results showed a significant increase in serum zinc and iron levels in all groups (p 0.05. Absorption of zinc and iron in the group that consumed high-zinc bread was significantly greater than that in the group that received low-zinc bread (p < 0.01. It was concluded that fortification of flour with 50-100 ppm zinc was an effective way to achieve adequate zinc intake and absorption in zinc-deficient people. It also appeared that consuming zinc-fortified bread improved iron absorption.

Structural, phase stability, electronic, elastic properties and hardness of IrN{sub 2} and zinc blende IrN: First-principles calculations

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhou, Zhaobo [Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials of Yunnan Province & Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials of Non-Ferrous and Precious Rare Metals Ministry of Education, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093 (China); Zhou, Xiaolong, E-mail: kmzxlong@163.com [Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials of Yunnan Province & Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials of Non-Ferrous and Precious Rare Metals Ministry of Education, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093 (China); Zhang, Kunhua [State Key Laboratory of Rare Precious Metals Comprehensive Utilization of New Technologies, Kunming Institute of Precious Metals, Kunming 650106 (China)

2016-12-15

First-principle calculations were performed to investigate the structural, phase stability, electronic, elastic properties and hardness of monoclinic structure IrN{sub 2} (m-IrN{sub 2}), orthorhombic structure IrN{sub 2} (o-IrN{sub 2}) and zinc blende structure IrN (ZB IrN). The results show us that only m-IrN{sub 2} is both thermodynamic and dynamic stability. The calculated band structure and density of states (DOS) curves indicate that o-IrN{sub 2} and ZB Ir-N compounds we calculated have metallic behavior while m-IrN{sub 2} has a small band gap of ~0.3 eV, and exist a common hybridization between Ir-5d and N-2p states, which forming covalent bonding between Ir and N atoms. The difference charge density reveals the electron transfer from Ir atom to N atom for three Ir-N compounds, which forming strong directional covalent bonds. Notable, a strong N-N bond appeared in m-IrN{sub 2} and o-IrN{sub 2}. The ratio of bulk to shear modulus (B/G) indicate that three Ir-N compounds we calculated are ductile, and ZB IrN possesses a better ductility than two types IrN{sub 2}. m-IrN{sub 2} has highest Debye temperature (736 K), illustrating it possesses strongest covalent bonding. The hardness of three Ir-N compounds were also calculated, and the results reveal that m-IrN{sub 2} (18.23 GPa) and o-IrN{sub 2} (18.02 GPa) are ultraincompressible while ZB IrN has a negative value, which may be attributed to phase transition at ca. 1.98 GPa.

Ab-initio investigations of the electronic properties of bulk wurtzite Beryllia and its derived nanofilms

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Goumri-Said, Souraya; Kanoun, Mohammed Benali

2010-01-01

In this Letter we investigate the electronic properties of the bulk and the nanofilm BeO in wurtzite structure. We performed a first-principles pseudo-potential method within the generalized gradient approximation. We will give more importance to the changes in band structure and density of states between the bulk structure and its derived nanofilms. The bonding characterization will be investigated via the analysis Mulliken population and charge density contours. It is found that the nanofilm retains the same properties as its bulk structure with slight changes in electronic properties and band structure which may offer some unusual transport properties.

Radiation effect on PVC/ENR blends

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chantara Thevy Ratnam; Khairul Zaman Mohd Dahlan

1997-01-01

The effect of irradiation on the physical properties of Polyvinyl Chloride / Epoxidised Natural Rubber Blends (PVC/ENR blends) were investigated. The enhancement in tensile strength, elongation at break, hardness and aging properties of the blends have confirmed the positive effect of irradiation on the blends. It is evident from gel fraction and infra red spectroscopic studies that the blends of PVC and ENR cross-linked upon irradiation. The results also revealed that at any blend composition, the enhancement in properties depend on irradiation dose which controls the degree of radiation induced cross-linking. In an attempt to maximize the constructive effect of irradiation, the influence of various additives such as stabilizers, radiation sensitizers, fillers and processing aids on the blend properties were studied. The changes in blend properties upon irradiation with the presents of above additives were also presented in this paper

Efficient indium-tin-oxide free inverted organic solar cells based on aluminum-doped zinc oxide cathode and low-temperature aqueous solution processed zinc oxide electron extraction layer

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chen, Dazheng; Zhang, Chunfu; Wang, Zhizhe; Zhang, Jincheng; Tang, Shi; Wei, Wei; Sun, Li; Hao, Yue

2014-01-01

Indium-tin-oxide (ITO) free inverted organic solar cells (IOSCs) based on aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) cathode, low-temperature aqueous solution processed zinc oxide (ZnO) electron extraction layer, and poly(3-hexylthiophene-2, 5-diyl):[6, 6]-phenyl C 61 butyric acid methyl ester blend were realized in this work. The resulted IOSC with ZnO annealed at 150 °C shows the superior power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.01%, if decreasing the ZnO annealing temperature to 100 °C, the obtained IOSC also shows a PCE of 2.76%, and no light soaking issue is observed. It is found that this ZnO film not only acts as an effective buffer layer but also slightly improves the optical transmittance of AZO substrates. Further, despite the relatively inferior air-stability, these un-encapsulated AZO/ZnO IOSCs show comparable PCEs to the referenced ITO/ZnO IOSCs, which demonstrates that the AZO cathode is a potential alternative to ITO in IOSCs. Meanwhile, this simple ZnO process is compatible with large area deposition and plastic substrates, and is promising to be widely used in IOSCs and other relative fields.

Production of zinc pellets

Science.gov (United States)

Cooper, J.F.

1996-11-26

Uniform zinc pellets are formed for use in batteries having a stationary or moving slurry zinc particle electrode. The process involves the cathodic deposition of zinc in a finely divided morphology from battery reaction product onto a non-adhering electrode substrate. The mossy zinc is removed from the electrode substrate by the action of gravity, entrainment in a flowing electrolyte, or by mechanical action. The finely divided zinc particles are collected and pressed into pellets by a mechanical device such as an extruder, a roller and chopper, or a punch and die. The pure zinc pellets are returned to the zinc battery in a pumped slurry and have uniform size, density and reactivity. Applications include zinc-air fuel batteries, zinc-ferricyanide storage batteries, and zinc-nickel-oxide secondary batteries. 6 figs.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of biodegradable poly (D/L) lactic acid/polycaprolactone blends processed from the solvent-evaporation technique.

Science.gov (United States)

Esmaeilzadeh, Javad; Hesaraki, Saeed; Hadavi, Seyed Mohammad-Mehdi; Esfandeh, Masoud; Ebrahimzadeh, Mohammad Hosein

2017-02-01

In this study, polymer blends comprising poly(D/L) lactic acid (PDLLA) and 0-30wt% polycaprolactone (PCL) was prepared by a solvent-evaporation technique. The effect of PCL content on the dynamic-mechanical properties and tensile and flexural characteristics of the blends was evaluated. The creep and stress relaxation behaviors were also determined and using various known models such as power law, Burgers model and Weibull distribution equation. The results showed that by increasing the PCL content from 10 to 30wt%, the yield stress and flexural strength decreased from 47MPa to 26MPa and 72MPa to 29MPa respectively. In addition to tensile and flexural strength, the elastic modulus of neat PDLLA declined with increasing the PCL content, whereas the elongation or the strain percentage at the break point increased considerably. Biphasic regions were observed in the microstructures of the blends, indicating the immiscibility of PCL in PDLLA matrix. However, the PCL spherulites with an average particle diameter of 100nm to 5μm were homogeneously dispersed in PDLLA phase even at high PCL concentrations. Moreover, the microstructures of the fractured surfaces of the polymers confirmed that PDLLA with a brittle fracture behavior tends toward a soft fracture behavior when it is blended with PCL. The dynamic-mechanical tests indicated that the damping energy and dissipative ability of PDLLA improve by adding PCL. Moreover, T g of neat PDLLA by adding of 10, 20 and 30wt% decreases from 67.3 to 66.2, 65.1 and 63.5°C respectively. Increasing in the recovered viscoelastic strain due to the addition of PCL was also experienced which can be attributed to the presence of large volumetric backbone of PCL chains as well as easy movement of them in the matrix. The results of modeling studies showed a good correlation between the experimentally obtained data. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Blending into the mix

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Adams, R.G.; Gibb, W.H.; Majid, K.A. [Power Technology (United Kingdom)

1999-07-01

Successful coal blending requires finding a careful balance between fuel costs and plant performance. A recent study of a Malaysian power plant shows how the utility (Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB)) could reduce fuel costs while avoiding boiler operating problems normally associated with firing low-grade coals. TNB`s Kaper 2220 MW power station in Selangor needed an improved method of coal blending for two new 500 MW units and for two existing 300 MW units. UK`s Power Technology was commissioned to identify what coal blends the boiler could tolerate. A Coal Quality Impact Model (CQIM) analysis of the effect of different coals and coal blends on combustion performance and economics, and a performance analysis of coal yard handling facility was made to determine whether the accuracy of the required blend could be achieved (using a Coal Handling Simulation, CHAS, software package). The CQIM study showed that the proportion of cheaper coals could be increased from 20% to 50% provided each shipment was adequately sampled. The CHAS study showed that use of a flat back reclaimer or modifications to the dry coal stove would allow accurate blending. 5 figs., 1 tab.

Cysteine-rich intestinal protein binds zinc during transmucosal zinc transport

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hempe, J.M.; Cousins, R.J.

1991-01-01

The mechanism of zinc absorption has not been delineated, but kinetic studies show that both passive and carrier-mediated processes are involved. The authors have identified a low molecular mass zinc-binding protein in the soluble fraction of rat intestinal mucosa that could function as an intracellular zinc carrier. The protein was not detected in liver or pancreas, suggesting a role specific to the intestine. The protein binds zinc during transmucosal zinc transport and shows signs of saturation at higher luminal zinc concentrations, characteristics consistent with a role in carrier-mediated zinc absorption. Microsequence analysis of the protein purified by gel-filtration HPCL and SDS/PAGE showed complete identity within the first 41 N-terminal amino acids with the deduced protein sequence of cysteine-rich intestinal protein. These investigators showed that the gene for this protein is developmentally regulated in neonates during the suckling period, conserved in many vertebrate species, and predominantly expressed in the small intestine. Cysteine-rich intestinal protein contains a recently identified conserved sequence of histidine and cysteine residues, the LIM motif, which our results suggest confers metal-binding properties that are important for zinc transport and/or functions of this micronutrient

Zinc Signals and Immunity.

Science.gov (United States)

Maywald, Martina; Wessels, Inga; Rink, Lothar

2017-10-24

Zinc homeostasis is crucial for an adequate function of the immune system. Zinc deficiency as well as zinc excess result in severe disturbances in immune cell numbers and activities, which can result in increased susceptibility to infections and development of especially inflammatory diseases. This review focuses on the role of zinc in regulating intracellular signaling pathways in innate as well as adaptive immune cells. Main underlying molecular mechanisms and targets affected by altered zinc homeostasis, including kinases, caspases, phosphatases, and phosphodiesterases, will be highlighted in this article. In addition, the interplay of zinc homeostasis and the redox metabolism in affecting intracellular signaling will be emphasized. Key signaling pathways will be described in detail for the different cell types of the immune system. In this, effects of fast zinc flux, taking place within a few seconds to minutes will be distinguish from slower types of zinc signals, also designated as "zinc waves", and late homeostatic zinc signals regarding prolonged changes in intracellular zinc.

Zinc in Cellular Regulation: The Nature and Significance of "Zinc Signals".

Science.gov (United States)

Maret, Wolfgang

2017-10-31

In the last decade, we witnessed discoveries that established Zn 2+ as a second major signalling metal ion in the transmission of information within cells and in communication between cells. Together with Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ , Zn 2+ covers biological regulation with redox-inert metal ions over many orders of magnitude in concentrations. The regulatory functions of zinc ions, together with their functions as a cofactor in about three thousand zinc metalloproteins, impact virtually all aspects of cell biology. This article attempts to define the regulatory functions of zinc ions, and focuses on the nature of zinc signals and zinc signalling in pathways where zinc ions are either extracellular stimuli or intracellular messengers. These pathways interact with Ca 2+ , redox, and phosphorylation signalling. The regulatory functions of zinc require a complex system of precise homeostatic control for transients, subcellular distribution and traffic, organellar homeostasis, and vesicular storage and exocytosis of zinc ions.

Effect of Consuming Zinc-fortified Bread on Serum Zinc and Iron Status of Zinc-deficient Women: A Double Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial.

Science.gov (United States)

Badii, Akbar; Nekouei, Niloufar; Fazilati, Mohammad; Shahedi, Mohammad; Badiei, Sajad

2012-03-01

After iron deficiency, zinc deficiency is the major micronutrient deficiency in developing countries, and staple food fortification is an effective strategy to prevent and improve it among at-risk-populations. No action has been taken to reduce zinc deficiency via flour fortification so far in Iran, and little is known about the influence of zinc fortification of flour on serum zinc and the iron status, and also about the optimum and effective amount of zinc compound that is used in food fortification. The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of consuming zinc-fortified breads on the zinc and iron status in the blood serum. In this study, three types of bread were prepared from non-fortified and fortified flours, with 50 and 100 ppm elemental zinc in the form of sulfate. Eighty zinc-deficient women aged 19 to 49 years were randomly assigned to three groups; The volunteers received, daily, (1) a non-fortified bread, (2) a high-zinc bread, and (3) a low-zinc bread for one month. Serum zinc and iron were measured by Atomic Absorption before and after the study. Results showed a significant increase in serum zinc and iron levels in all groups (p 0.05). Absorption of zinc and iron in the group that consumed high-zinc bread was significantly greater than that in the group that received low-zinc bread (p bread improved iron absorption.

Temperature dependence of microwave absorption phenomena in single and biphase soft magnetic microwires

Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

El Kammouni, R.; Vázquez, M.; Lezama, L.; Kurlyandskaya, G.; Kraus, Luděk

2014-01-01

Roč. 368, Nov (2014), 126-132 ISSN 0304-8853 Institutional support: RVO:68378271 Keywords : magnetic microwire * ferromagnetic resonance * microwave absorption * biphase magnetic system Subject RIV: BM - Solid Matter Physics ; Magnetism Impact factor: 1.970, year: 2014

Decentralized Blended Acquisition

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Berkhout, A.J.

2013-01-01

The concept of blending and deblending is reviewed, making use of traditional and dispersed source arrays. The network concept of distributed blended acquisition is introduced. A million-trace robot system is proposed, illustrating that decentralization may bring about a revolution in the way we

Zinc

Science.gov (United States)

... Some early research suggests that zinc supplementation increases sperm count, testosterone levels, and pregnancy rates in infertile men with low testosterone levels. Other research suggests that taking zinc can improve sperm shape in men with moderate enlargement of a ...

Blended Learning: enabling Higher Education Reform

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Kathleen Matheos

2018-01-01

Full Text Available Blended learning research and practice have been areas of growth for two decades in Canada, with over 95% of Canadian higher education institutions involved in some form of blended learning. Despite strong evidence based research and practice blended learning, for the most part, has remained at sidelined in Canadian universities. The article argues the need for blended learning to situate itself within the timely and crucial Higher Education Reform (HER agenda. By aligning the affordances of blended learning with the components of HER, blended learning can clearly serve as an enabler for HER.

Relationship between maternal serum zinc, cord blood zinc and ...

African Journals Online (AJOL)

Background: Adequate in utero supply of zinc is essential for optimal fetal growth because of the role of zinc in cellular division, growth and differentiation. Low maternal serum zinc has been reported to be associated with low birth weight and the later is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in newborns.

Compositional dependence of optical and electrical properties of indium doped zinc oxide (IZO) thin films deposited by chemical spray pyrolysis

Science.gov (United States)

Dintle, Lawrence K.; Luhanga, Pearson V. C.; Moditswe, Charles; Muiva, Cosmas M.

2018-05-01

The structural and optoelectronic properties of undoped and indium doped zinc oxide (IZO) thin films grown on glass substrates through a simple reproducible custom-made pneumatic chemical spray pyrolysis technique are presented. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed a polycrystalline structure of hexagonal wurtzite phase growing preferentially along the (002) plane for the undoped sample. Increase in dopant content modified the orientation leading to more pronounced (100) and (101) reflections. Optical transmission spectra showed high transmittance of 80-90% in the visible range for all thin films. The optical band gap energy (Eg) was evaluated on the basis of the derivative of transmittance (dT/dλ) versus wavelength (λ) model and Tauc's extrapolation method in the region where the absorption coefficient, α ≥ 104 cm-1. The observed values of Eg were found to decrease generally with increasing In dopant concentration. From the figure of merit calculations a sample with 4 at.% In dopant concentration showed better optoelectronic properties.

Occurrence of amylose-lipid complexes in teff and maize starch biphasic pastes

CSIR Research Space (South Africa)

Wokadala, OC

2012-09-01

Full Text Available The occurrence of amylose–lipid complexes was determined in maize and teff starch biphasic pastes i.e. peak viscosity pastes at short and prolonged pasting times. Maize and teff starches were pasted for 11.5 and 130 min with or without added stearic...

Luminescence properties of calcium doped zinc oxide nanoparticles

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

El Mir, L., E-mail: Lassaad.ElMir@fsg.rnu.tn [Al Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), College of Sciences, Department of Physics, Riyadh 11623 (Saudi Arabia); Laboratory of Physics of Materials and Nanomaterials Applied at Environment (LaPhyMNE), Gabes University, Faculty of Sciences in Gabes, Gabes (Tunisia)

2017-06-15

Aerogel nanopowder of calcium-doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Ca) was synthesized by modified sol-gel method. In this process, hydrolyses was slowly released and followed by a thermal drying in supercritical conditions or ethyl alcohol. The obtained nanopowder was characterized by various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Cathodoluminescence (CL) and photoluminescence (PL). XRD data showed that Ca-doped ZnO sample has a hexagonal wurtzite structure with a slight distortion of ZnO lattice and no extra secondary phases, suggesting the substitution of Ca ions in the ZnO structure. SEM micrograph shows spherical microparticles having a rough porous fine-grained. From TEM micrograph, the samples are composed by single particles having an inhomogeneous size distribution, with most of them having a dimension in the range between 20 and 50 nm. This powder presents a strong photoluminescence band in the visible range. From photoluminescence excitation (PLE) the energy position of the obtained PL band depends on the wavelength of excitation. The luminescence results are also confirmed by cathodoluminescence technique and suggests the presence of photo-active centers in ZnO:Ca as deduced from new published works for visible photo-activated gas sensors and photo-catalysis of dyes degradation. We hope that this work provides some answers to the scientific community concerning the effect of doping in the creation of optical active centers in ZnO, promising for many technological applications.

Acute exercise induces biphasic increase in respiratory mRNA in skeletal muscle

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ikeda, Shin-ichi; Kizaki, Takako; Haga, Shukoh; Ohno, Hideki; Takemasa, Tohru

2008-01-01

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) promotes the expression of oxidative enzymes in skeletal muscle. We hypothesized that activation of the p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) in response to exercise was associated with exercise-induced PGC-1α and respiratory enzymes expression and aimed to demonstrate this under the physiological level. We subjected mice to a single bout of treadmill running and found that the exercise induced a biphasic increase in the expression of respiratory enzymes mRNA. The second phase of the increase was accompanied by an increase in PGC-1α protein, but the other was not. Administration of SB203580 (SB), an inhibitor of p38 MAPK, suppressed the increase in PGC-1α expression and respiratory enzymes mRNA in both phases. These data suggest that p38 MAPK is associated with the exercise-induced expression of PGC-1α and biphasic increase in respiratory enzyme mRNAs in mouse skeletal muscle under physiological conditions

BWR zinc addition Sourcebook

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Garcia, Susan E.; Giannelli, Joseph F.; Jarvis, Alfred J.

2014-01-01

Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs) have been injecting zinc into the primary coolant via the reactor feedwater system for over 25 years for the purpose of controlling primary system radiation fields. The BWR zinc injection process has evolved since the initial application at the Hope Creek Nuclear Station in 1986. Key transitions were from the original natural zinc oxide (NZO) to depleted zinc oxide (DZO), and from active zinc injection of a powdered zinc oxide slurry (pumped systems) to passive injection systems (zinc pellet beds). Zinc addition has continued through various chemistry regimes changes, from normal water chemistry (NWC) to hydrogen water chemistry (HWC) and HWC with noble metals (NobleChem™) for mitigation of intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) of reactor internals and primary system piping. While past reports published by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) document specific industry experience related to these topics, the Zinc Sourcebook was prepared to consolidate all of the experience gained over the past 25 years. The Zinc Sourcebook will benefit experienced BWR Chemistry, Operations, Radiation Protection and Engineering personnel as well as new people entering the nuclear power industry. While all North American BWRs implement feedwater zinc injection, a number of other BWRs do not inject zinc. This Sourcebook will also be a valuable resource to plants considering the benefits of zinc addition process implementation, and to gain insights on industry experience related to zinc process control and best practices. This paper presents some of the highlights from the Sourcebook. (author)

Zinc oxide nano-particles as sealer in endodontics and its sealing ability

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Maryam Javidi

2014-01-01

Full Text Available Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sealing ability of new experimental nano-ZOE-based sealer. Settings and Design: Three types of nano-ZOE-based sealer (calcined at different temperatures of 500, 600 and 700°C with two other commercially available sealers (AH26 and micro-sized zinc oxide eugenol sealer were used. Materials and Methods: Zinc oxide nano-particles were synthesized by a modified sol-gel method. The structure and morphology of the prepared powders were characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD and transmission electron microscopy (TEM techniques. The instrumented canals of 60 single-rooted teeth were divided into five groups (n = 10, with the remaining ten used as controls. The canals were filled with gutta-percha using one of the materials mentioned above as sealer. After 3, 45 and 90 days, the samples were connected to a fluid filtration system. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analyzed using Student′s t-test. Results: The XRD patterns and TEM images revealed that all the synthesized powders had hexagonal wurtzite structures with an average particle size of about 30-60 nm at different calcination temperatures. Microleakage in AH26 groups was significantly more than that in three groups of ZnO nano-particles at all the three evaluation intervals. Apical microleakage of ZnO micro-powders was significantly more than that of all the materials, but the sealing ability of ZnO nano-powder sealers did not differ significantly. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the synthesized ZnO nano-powder sealers are suitable for use as a nano-sealer in root canal therapy to prevent leakage; however, further studies should be carried out to verify their safety.

Zinc at glutamatergic synapses.

Science.gov (United States)

Paoletti, P; Vergnano, A M; Barbour, B; Casado, M

2009-01-12

It has long been known that the mammalian forebrain contains a subset of glutamatergic neurons that sequester zinc in their synaptic vesicles. This zinc may be released into the synaptic cleft upon neuronal activity. Extracellular zinc has the potential to interact with and modulate many different synaptic targets, including glutamate receptors and transporters. Among these targets, NMDA receptors appear particularly interesting because certain NMDA receptor subtypes (those containing the NR2A subunit) contain allosteric sites exquisitely sensitive to extracellular zinc. The existence of these high-affinity zinc binding sites raises the possibility that zinc may act both in a phasic and tonic mode. Changes in zinc concentration and subcellular zinc distribution have also been described in several pathological conditions linked to glutamatergic transmission dysfunctions. However, despite intense investigation, the functional significance of vesicular zinc remains largely a mystery. In this review, we present the anatomy and the physiology of the glutamatergic zinc-containing synapse. Particular emphasis is put on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the putative roles of zinc as a messenger involved in excitatory synaptic transmission and plasticity. We also highlight the many controversial issues and unanswered questions. Finally, we present and compare two widely used zinc chelators, CaEDTA and tricine, and show why tricine should be preferred to CaEDTA when studying fast transient zinc elevations as may occur during synaptic activity.

First-principle-based full-dispersion Monte Carlo simulation of the anisotropic phonon transport in the wurtzite GaN thin film

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wu, Ruikang; Hu, Run, E-mail: hurun@hust.edu.cn, E-mail: luoxb@hust.edu.cn; Luo, Xiaobing, E-mail: hurun@hust.edu.cn, E-mail: luoxb@hust.edu.cn [State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion and Thermal Packaging Laboratory, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074 (China)

2016-04-14

In this study, we developed a first-principle-based full-dispersion Monte Carlo simulation method to study the anisotropic phonon transport in wurtzite GaN thin film. The input data of thermal properties in MC simulations were calculated based on the first-principle method. The anisotropy of thermal conductivity in bulk wurtzite GaN is found to be strengthened by isotopic scatterings and reduced temperature, and the anisotropy reaches 40.08% for natural bulk GaN at 100 K. With the GaN thin film thickness decreasing, the anisotropy of the out-of-plane thermal conductivity is heavily reduced due to both the ballistic transport and the less importance of the low-frequency phonons with anisotropic group velocities. On the contrary, it is observed that the in-plane thermal conductivity anisotropy of the GaN thin film is strengthened by reducing the film thickness. And the anisotropy reaches 35.63% when the natural GaN thin film thickness reduces to 50 nm at 300 K with the degree of specularity being zero. The anisotropy is also improved by increasing the surface roughness of the GaN thin film.

A phenomenological model of the electrically stimulated auditory nerve fiber: temporal and biphasic response properties

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Colin eHorne

2016-02-01

Full Text Available We present a phenomenological model of electrically stimulated auditory nerve fibers (ANFs. The model reproduces the probabilistic and temporal properties of the ANF response to both monophasic and biphasic stimuli, in isolation. The main contribution of the model lies in its ability to reproduce statistics of the ANF response (mean latency, jitter, and firing probability under both monophasic and cathodic-anodic biphasic stimulation, without changing the model’s parameters. The response statistics of the model depend on stimulus level and duration of the stimulating pulse, reproducing trends observed in the ANF. In the case of biphasic stimulation, the model reproduces the effects of pseudomonophasic pulse shapes and also the dependence on the interphase gap (IPG of the stimulus pulse, an effect that is quantitatively reproduced. The model is fitted to ANF data using a procedure that uniquely determines each model parameter. It is thus possible to rapidly parameterize a large population of neurons to reproduce a given set of response statistic distributions.Our work extends the stochastic leaky integrate and fire (SLIF neuron, a well-studied phenomenological model of the electrically stimulated neuron. We extend the SLIF neuron so as to produce a realistic latency distribution by delaying the moment of spiking. During this delay, spiking may be abolished by anodic current. By this means, the probability of the model neuron responding to a stimulus is reduced when a trailing phase of opposite polarity is introduced. By introducing a minimum wait period that must elapse before a spike may be emitted, the model is able to reproduce the differences in the threshold level observed in the ANF for monophasic and biphasic stimuli. Thus, the ANF response to a large variety of pulse shapes are reproduced correctly by this model.

7 CFR 989.16 - Blend.

Science.gov (United States)

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 8 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Blend. 989.16 Section 989.16 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and... CALIFORNIA Order Regulating Handling Definitions § 989.16 Blend. Blend means to mix or commingle raisins. ...

Tracing of Zinc Nanocrystals in the Anterior Pituitary of Zinc-Deficient Wistar Rats.

Science.gov (United States)

Kuldeep, Anjana; Nair, Neena; Bedwal, Ranveer Singh

2017-06-01

The aim of this study was to trace zinc nanocrystals in the anterior pituitary of zinc-deficient Wistar rats by using autometallographic technique. Male Wistar rats (30-40 days of age, pre-pubertal period) of 40-50 g body weight were divided into the following: the ZC (zinc control) group-fed with 100 ppm zinc in diet, the ZD (zinc-deficient) group-fed with zinc-deficient (1.00 ppm) diet and the PF (pair-fed) group-received 100 ppm zinc in diet. The experiments were set for 2 and 4 weeks. Pituitary was removed and processed for the autometallographic technique. The control and pair-fed groups retained their normal morphological features. However, male Wistar rats fed on zinc-deficient diet for 2 and 4 weeks displayed a wide range of symptoms such as significant (P zinc nanocrystals in the nuclei. The present findings suggest that the dietary zinc deficiency causes decreased intensity of zinc nanocrystals localization and their distribution in the pituitary thereby contributing to the dysfunction of the pituitary of the male Wistar rats. The severity of zinc deficiency symptoms progressed after the second week of the experiment. Decreased intensity of zinc nanocrystals attenuates the pituitary function which would exert its affect on other endocrine organs impairing their functions indicating that the metabolic regulation of pituitary is mediated to a certain extent by zinc and/or hypothalamus-hypophysial system which also reflects its essentiality during the period of growth.

Effect of Blending on the Composition and Acceptability of Blends of ...

African Journals Online (AJOL)

However the blend was found deficient in lysine, leucine, iso-leucine and phenylalanine when compared with the FAO recommendations for infants. Increased levels of pigeon pea in the blend also resulted in significant increases in potassium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium and calcium. Similarly, increased levels of ...

Number series of atoms, interatomic bonds and interface bonds defining zinc-blende nanocrystals as function of size, shape and surface orientation: Analytic tools to interpret solid state spectroscopy data

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

König, Dirk, E-mail: dirk.koenig@unsw.edu.au [Integrated Materials Design Centre (IMDC) and School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering (SPREE), University of New South Wales, Sydney (Australia)

2016-08-15

Semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) experience stress and charge transfer by embedding materials or ligands and impurity atoms. In return, the environment of NCs experiences a NC stress response which may lead to matrix deformation and propagated strain. Up to now, there is no universal gauge to evaluate the stress impact on NCs and their response as a function of NC size d{sub NC}. I deduce geometrical number series as analytical tools to obtain the number of NC atoms N{sub NC}(d{sub NC}[i]), bonds between NC atoms N{sub bnd}(d{sub NC}[i]) and interface bonds N{sub IF}(d{sub NC}[i]) for seven high symmetry zinc-blende (zb) NCs with low-index faceting: {001} cubes, {111} octahedra, {110} dodecahedra, {001}-{111} pyramids, {111} tetrahedra, {111}-{001} quatrodecahedra and {001}-{111} quadrodecahedra. The fundamental insights into NC structures revealed here allow for major advancements in data interpretation and understanding of zb- and diamond-lattice based nanomaterials. The analytical number series can serve as a standard procedure for stress evaluation in solid state spectroscopy due to their deterministic nature, easy use and general applicability over a wide range of spectroscopy methods as well as NC sizes, forms and materials.

The Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitor Prevents Antigen-induced Biphasic Nasal Obstruction in Brown Norway Rats

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Hirokazu Kawasaki

2005-01-01

Conclusions: The present study provides a simple model of allergic biphasic nasal obstruction in BN rats, and also suggests that the PDE4 inhibitor may alleviate nasal obstruction in patients with allergic rhinitis.

Efficacy and safety of biphasic insulin aspart and biphasic insulin lispro mix in patients with type 2 diabetes: A review of the literature

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ajay Kumar

2016-01-01

Full Text Available Type 2 diabetes (T2D represents an escalating burden worldwide, particularly in China and India. Compared with Caucasians, Asian people with diabetes have lower body mass index, increased visceral adiposity, and postprandial glucose (PPG/insulin resistance. Since postprandial hyperglycemia contributes significantly to total glycemic burden and is associated with heightened cardiovascular risk, targeting PPG early in T2D is paramount. Premixed insulin regimens are widely used in Asia due to their convenience and effectiveness. Data from randomized controlled trials and observational studies comparing efficacy and safety of biphasic insulin aspart 30 (BIAsp 30 with biphasic insulin lispro mix (LM 25/50 and versus other insulin therapies or oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs in T2D demonstrated that BIAsp 30 and LM 25/50 were associated with similar or greater improvements in glycemic control versus comparator regimens, such as basal–bolus insulin, in insulin-naÏve, and prior insulin users. Studies directly comparing BIAsp 30 and LM 25 provided conflicting glycemic control results. Safety data generally showed increased hypoglycemia and weight gain with premixed insulins versus basal–bolus insulin or OADs. However, large observational trials documented improvements in glycated hemoglobin, PPG, and hypoglycemia with BIAsp 30 in multi-ethnic patient populations. In summary, this literature review demonstrates that premixed insulin regimens are an appropriate and effective treatment choice in T2D.

Morphology stabilization of heterogeneous blends

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1980-01-01

A heterogeneous elastomer blend is described, consisting of at least two elastomer components which are cross-linkable by irradiation and having a stabilized morphology formed by subjecting the blend to high energy radiation to a point from below to slightly above the gel dose of the blend. (author)

Locally restricted blending of Blobtrees

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Groot, de Erwin; Wyvill, B.; Wetering, van de H.M.M.

2009-01-01

Blobtrees are volume representations particularly useful for models which require smooth blending. When blending is applied to two or more Blobtree models, extra volume will be created in between the two surfaces to form a smooth connection. Although it is easy to apply blending, it is hard to

Performance of Blended Learning in University Teaching:

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Michael Reiss

2010-07-01

Full Text Available Blended learning as a combination of classroom teaching and e-learning has become a widely represented standard in employee and management development of companies. The exploratory survey “Blended Learning@University” conducted in 2008 investigated the integration of blended learning in higher education. The results of the survey show that the majority of participating academic teachers use blended learning in single courses, but not as a program of study and thus do not exploit the core performance potential of blended learning. According to the study, the main driver of blended learning performance is its embeddedness in higher education. Integrated blended programs of study deliver the best results. In blended learning, learning infrastructure (in terms of software, culture, skills, funding, content providing, etc. does not play the role of a performance driver but serves as an enabler for blended learning.

Ab-initio investigations of the electronic properties of bulk wurtzite Beryllia and its derived nanofilms

KAUST Repository

Goumri-Said, Souraya

2010-08-01

In this Letter we investigate the electronic properties of the bulk and the nanofilm BeO in wurtzite structure. We performed a first-principles pseudo-potential method within the generalized gradient approximation. We will give more importance to the changes in band structure and density of states between the bulk structure and its derived nanofilms. The bonding characterization will be investigated via the analysis Mulliken population and charge density contours. It is found that the nanofilm retains the same properties as its bulk structure with slight changes in electronic properties and band structure which may offer some unusual transport properties. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Molecular dynamics simulation of ZnO wurtzite phase under high and low pressures and temperatures

Science.gov (United States)

Chergui, Y.; Aouaroun, T.; Hadley, M. J.; Belkada, R.; Chemam, R.; Mekki, D. E.

2017-11-01

Isothermal and isobaric ensembles behaviours of ZnO wurtzite phase have been investigated, by parallel molecular dynamics method and using Buckingham potential, which contains long-range Coulomb, repulsive exponential, and attractive dispersion terms. To conduct our calculations, we have used dl_poly 4 software, under which the method is implemented. We have examined the influence of the temperature and pressure on molar volume in the ranges of 300-3000 K and 0-200 GPa. Isothermal-isobaric relationships, fluctuations, standard error, equilibrium time, molar volume and its variation versus time are predicted and analyzed. Our results are close to available experimental data and theoretical results.

Electronic structures and optical properties of wurtzite type LiBSe2 (B=Al, Ga, In): A first-principles study

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Li Longhua; Li Junqian; Wu Liming

2008-01-01

The electronic structures of three wurtzite type isostructural compounds LiBSe 2 (B=Al, Ga, In) are studied by the density functional theory (DFT). The results reveal that the presence of Li cations has direct influence on neither the band gaps (Eg) nor the bonding levels, but plays an important role in the stabilization of the structures. The band structures and densities of states (DOS) are analyzed in detail, and the band gaps of LiBSe 2 adhere to the following trend Eg (LiAlSe2) >Eg (LiGaSe2) >Eg (LiInSe2) , which is in agreement with the decrease of the bond energy of the corresponding Se 4p-B s antibonding orbitals. The role of the active s electrons of B element on the band gaps is also discussed. Finally, the optical properties are predicted, and the results would be a guide to understand the experiments. - Graphical abstract: The electronic structures and optical properties of wurtzite type LiBSe 2 (B=Al, Ga, In) have been studied by the DFT calculations. And the correlation of the electronegative of B element and the band gap decrease-trend are discussed. The comparison between different calculation methods and the experimental results is presented

Biphasic growth of orbital volume in Chinese children.

Science.gov (United States)

Wei, Nan; Bi, Hua; Zhang, Bin; Li, Xue; Sun, Fengyuan; Qian, Xuehan

2017-09-01

The aim of this study was to map out the developmental curve of the orbital volume of Chinese children aged 1-15 years. CT scanning was performed on 109 children and the orbital volume, interlateral orbital rim distance (IORD), and extent of exophthalmos were measured on the CT images and plotted against age. The development of the orbit structure followed a biphasic pattern. The first growth phase was before 3 years and the second growth phase was between 7 years and 12 years of age. The growth speed in the first phase was about 3 times that of the second one (first vs second phase: 2.28 cm 3 /year vs 0.67 cm 3 /year for orbital volume, 5.01 mm/year vs 1.57 mm/year for IORD, 1.29 mm/year vs 0.42 mm/year for the exophthalmos). During development, there was no significant difference between the left and right orbits. There was no significant difference between boys and girls before 12 years of age. However, after 12 years of age, boys had significantly larger orbital volumes (22.16±2.28 cm 3 /year vs 18.57±1.16 cm 3 /year, pChinese children, the development of orbital volume follows a biphasic pattern and a sex difference becomes significant after the age of 12 years. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Adsorption configuration of magnesium on wurtzite gallium nitride surface using first-principles calculations

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yan Han; Gan Zhiyin; Song Xiaohui; Chen Zhaohui; Xu Jingping; Liu Sheng

2009-01-01

First-principles calculations of magnesium adsorption at the Ga-terminated and N-terminated {0 0 0 1} basal plane wurtzite gallium nitride surfaces have been carried out to explain the atomic-scale insight into the initial adsorption processes of magnesium doping in gallium nitride. The results reveal that magnesium adsorption on N-terminated surfaces is preferred than that on Ga-terminated surfaces. Furthermore, the surface diffusivity of magnesium atom on the N-terminated surface is much lower than that on the Ga-terminated surface, which is due to both the larger average adsorption energies and the lower adsorption distance on N-terminated surface than that on Ga-terminated surface. The results indicate that the p-type doping on the Ga-terminated surface will be better distributed than that on the N-terminated surface.

Comparison of the lysis-centrifugation and agitated biphasic blood culture systems for detection of fungemia.

Science.gov (United States)

Murray, P R

1991-01-01

Although the detection of fungemia has been improved by the use of vented or biphasic blood culture bottles, the best recovery and earliest detection have been reported in the Isolator lysis-centrifugation system. It was recently demonstrated that improved detection of both bacteria and fungi was accomplished by mechanically agitating blood culture bottles for the first 24 h of incubation. In this study the detection of fungemia by use of the Isolator system was compared with that of an agitated biphasic system. A total of 182 fungi were isolated from blood specimens inoculated into both culture systems. No difference in the overall recovery of fungi or individual species of yeasts was observed between the two systems. However, all seven isolates of Histoplasma capsulatum were recovered in the Isolator system only. The time required to detect fungemia with each of the two systems was also compared. No statistically significant difference was observed. From the data collected during this 18-month study, it can be concluded that the overall recovery and time of detection of yeasts are equivalent in the lysis-centrifugation system and the agitated biphasic blood culture system. The lysis-centrifugation system is still superior for the detection of filamentous fungi such as H. capsulatum. PMID:1993772

RF magnetron-sputtered coatings deposited from biphasic calcium phosphate targets for biomedical implant applications

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

K.A. Prosolov

2017-09-01

Full Text Available Bioactive calcium phosphate coatings were deposited by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering from biphasic targets of hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate, sintered at different mass % ratios. According to Raman scattering and X-ray diffraction data, the deposited hydroxyapatite coatings have a disordered structure. High-temperature treatment of the coatings in air leads to a transformation of the quasi-amorphous structure into a crystalline one. A correlation has been observed between the increase in the Ca content in the coatings and a subsequent decrease in Ca in the biphasic targets after a series of deposition processes. It was proposed that the addition of tricalcium phosphate to the targets would led to a finer coating's surface topography with the average size of 78 nm for the structural elements.

Biphasic single-reactor process for dehydration of xylose and hydrogenation of produced furfural

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Ordomskiy, V.; Schouten, J.C.; Schaaf, van der J.; Nijhuis, T.A.

2013-01-01

The processes of xylose dehydration and the consecutive furfural hydrogenation have been combined in a single biphasic reactor. The dehydration was studied over Amberlyst-15 and the hydrogenation over a hydrophobic Ru/C catalyst. 1-Butanol, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran and cyclohexane were used as

PREPARATION OF ZINC ENRICHED YEAST (SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE BY CULTIVATION WITH DIFFERENT ZINC SALTS

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ľuboš Harangozo

2012-02-01

Full Text Available The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the best known microorganism and therefore widely used in many branches of industry. This study aims to investigate the accumulation of three inorganic zinc salts. Our research presents the ability of this yeast to absorb zinc from liquid medium and such enriched biomass use as a potential source of microelements in animal and/or human nutrition. It was found that the addition of different zinc forms, i.e. zinc nitrate, zinc sulphate and zinc chloride in fixed concentrations of 0, 25, 50 and 100 mg.100 ml-1 did not affect the amount of dry yeast biomass yielded, i.e. 1.0 – 1.2 g of yeast cells from 100 ml of cultivation medium, while higher presence of zinc solutions caused significantly lower yield of yeast biomass. The highest amount of zinc in yeast cells was achieved when added in the form of zinc nitrate in concentration of 200 mg.100 ml-1 YPD medium. The increment of intracellular zinc was up to 18.5 mg.g-1 of yeast biomass.

The study and microstructure analysis of zinc and zinc oxide

Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

Luptáková, Natália; Pešlová, F.; Kliber, J.

2015-01-01

Roč. 54, č. 1 (2015), s. 43-46 ISSN 0543-5846 Grant - others:KEGA(SK) KEGA 007 TnUAD-4/2013 Institutional support: RVO:68081723 Keywords : zinc * production of zinc oxide * microstructure * chemical composition * zinc slag Subject RIV: JG - Metal lurgy Impact factor: 0.959, year: 2014

Zinc Biochemistry: From a Single Zinc Enzyme to a Key Element of Life12

Science.gov (United States)

Maret, Wolfgang

2013-01-01

The nutritional essentiality of zinc for the growth of living organisms had been recognized long before zinc biochemistry began with the discovery of zinc in carbonic anhydrase in 1939. Painstaking analytical work then demonstrated the presence of zinc as a catalytic and structural cofactor in a few hundred enzymes. In the 1980s, the field again gained momentum with the new principle of “zinc finger” proteins, in which zinc has structural functions in domains that interact with other biomolecules. Advances in structural biology and a rapid increase in the availability of gene/protein databases now made it possible to predict zinc-binding sites from metal-binding motifs detected in sequences. This procedure resulted in the definition of zinc proteomes and the remarkable estimate that the human genome encodes ∼3000 zinc proteins. More recent developments focus on the regulatory functions of zinc(II) ions in intra- and intercellular information transfer and have tantalizing implications for yet additional functions of zinc in signal transduction and cellular control. At least three dozen proteins homeostatically control the vesicular storage and subcellular distribution of zinc and the concentrations of zinc(II) ions. Novel principles emerge from quantitative investigations on how strongly zinc interacts with proteins and how it is buffered to control the remarkably low cellular and subcellular concentrations of free zinc(II) ions. It is fair to conclude that the impact of zinc for health and disease will be at least as far-reaching as that of iron. PMID:23319127

An experimental study of the retention of zinc, zinc-cadmium mixture and zinc-65 in the presence of cadmium in Anguilla anguilla (L.)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pally, Monique; Foulquier, Luc

1976-07-01

Zinc uptake was studied in eels in fresh water, using stable zinc, a zinc-cadmium mixture, and zinc 65 in the presence of small amounts of cadmium. The zinc content in the eel began to increase after 45 days only, and reached approximately 85 ppm after 76 days in water initially containing 5ppm of zinc. At the conclusion of the experiment (76 days), the body organs could be classified in decreasing order in zinc content (in ppm): kidneys (152), skeleton (133), skin (129), muscles (89), head (80), gills (78), digestive tract (77), liver (63) spleen-heart-air bladder (32), and mucus (15). A comparison of experimental results obtained with the zinc-cadmium mixture and cadmium alone showed that zinc decreased the cadmium content of all organs except the gills. The presence of cadmium in water did not inhibit zinc uptake. As cadmium content in water increased, then zinc content in the digestive tract and the kidneys decreased and in all cases remained lower than when zinc alone was present. In the presence of cadmium the percentage of zinc in the kidneys was always lower than the value obtained for zinc alone, and that of the digestive tract did not increase. Contamination of eels treated with 18 and 50ppb of cadmium for 29 days, then contaminated by zinc-65 (5μCi/l) while maintaining the same low cadmium content, showed no significant difference in zinc 65 uptake in the two groups. The same applied to the body organs, and particularly the digestive tract and kidneys, where the highest activity levels were observed. By weight, muscles represented approximately 30% of the total contamination after 45 days [fr

Effect of zinc sources on yield and utilization of zinc in rice-wheat sequence

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Deb, D.L.

1990-01-01

A field experiment was conducted on an inceptisol of Delhi to evaluate three sources of zinc, namely, zinc sulphate, zincated urea and zinc oxide on yield and utilization of zinc in rice-wheat sequence. Results indicated that, amongst the three zinc sources, zinc sulphate and zincated urea gave the best performance in increasing the grain yield of rice whereas zinc oxide depressed the grain yield of wheat significantly when compared to other treatments. The highest Zn derived from fertilizer and its utilization was obtained with zinc sulphate for both rice and wheat crops. (author). 9 refs., 4 tabs

Zinc blotting assay for detection of zinc binding prolamin in barley (Hordeum vulgare) grain

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Uddin, Mohammad Nasir; Nielsen, Ane Langkilde-Lauesen; Vincze, Eva

2014-01-01

In plants, zinc is commonly found bound to proteins. In barley (Hordeum vulgare), major storage proteins are alcohol-soluble prolamins known as hordeins, and some of them have the potential to bind or store zinc. 65Zn overlay and blotting techniques have been widely used for detecting zinc......-binding protein. However, to our knowledge so far this zinc blotting assay has never been applied to detect a prolamin fraction in barley grains. A radioactive zinc (65ZnCl2) blotting technique was optimized to detect zinc-binding prolamins, followed by development of an easy-to-follow nonradioactive colorimetric...... zinc blotting method with a zinc-sensing dye, dithizone. Hordeins were extracted from mature barley grain, separated by SDS-PAGE, blotted on a membrane, renatured, overlaid, and probed with zinc; subsequently, zinc-binding specificity of certain proteins was detected either by autoradiography or color...

Neodymium conversion layers formed on zinc powder for improving electrochemical properties of zinc electrodes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhu Liqun; Zhang Hui; Li Weiping; Liu Huicong

2008-01-01

Zinc powder, as active material of secondary alkaline zinc electrode, can greatly limit the performance of zinc electrode due to corrosion and dendritic growth of zinc resulting in great capacity-loss and short cycle life of the electrode. This work is devoted to modification study of zinc powder with neodymium conversion films coated directly onto it using ultrasonic immersion method for properties improvement of zinc electrodes. Scanning electron microscopy and other characterization techniques are applied to prove that neodymium conversion layers are distributing on the surface of modified zinc powder. The electrochemical performance of zinc electrodes made of such modified zinc powder is investigated through potentiodynamic polarization, potentiostatic polarization and cyclic voltammetry. The neodymium conversion films are found to have a significant effect on inhibition corrosion capability of zinc electrode in a beneficial way. It is also confirmed that the neodymium conversion coatings can obviously suppress dendritic growth of zinc electrode, which is attributed to the amelioration of deposition state of zinc. Moreover, the results of cyclic voltammetry reveal that surface modification of zinc powder enhances the cycle performance of the electrode mainly because the neodymium conversion films decrease the amounts of ZnO or Zn(OH) 2 dissolved in the electrolyte

Blended Learning over Two Decades

Science.gov (United States)

Zhonggen, Yu; Yuexiu, Zhejiang

2015-01-01

The 21st century has witnessed vast amounts of research into blended learning since the conception of online learning formed the possibility of blended learning in the early 1990s. The theme of this paper is blended learning in mainstream disciplinary communities. In particular, the paper reports on findings from the last two decades which looked…

Evaporation characteristics of ETBE-blended gasoline.

Science.gov (United States)

Okamoto, Katsuhiro; Hiramatsu, Muneyuki; Hino, Tomonori; Otake, Takuma; Okamoto, Takashi; Miyamoto, Hiroki; Honma, Masakatsu; Watanabe, Norimichi

2015-04-28

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global warming, production of gasoline blended with ethyl tert-buthyl ether (ETBE) is increasing annually. The flash point of ETBE is higher than that of gasoline, and blending ETBE into gasoline will change the flash point and the vapor pressure. Therefore, it is expected that the fire hazard caused by ETBE-blended gasoline would differ from that caused by normal gasoline. The aim of this study was to acquire the knowledge required for estimating the fire hazard of ETBE-blended gasoline. Supposing that ETBE-blended gasoline was a two-component mixture of gasoline and ETBE, we developed a prediction model that describes the vapor pressure and flash point of ETBE-blended gasoline in an arbitrary ETBE blending ratio. We chose 8-component hydrocarbon mixture as a model gasoline, and defined the relation between molar mass of gasoline and mass loss fraction. We measured the changes in the vapor pressure and flash point of gasoline by blending ETBE and evaporation, and compared the predicted values with the measured values in order to verify the prediction model. The calculated values of vapor pressures and flash points corresponded well to the measured values. Thus, we confirmed that the change in the evaporation characteristics of ETBE-blended gasoline by evaporation could be predicted by the proposed model. Furthermore, the vapor pressure constants of ETBE-blended gasoline were obtained by the model, and then the distillation curves were developed. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Production of Phytotoxic Metabolite Using Biphasic Fermentation System from Strain C1136 of Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae, a Potential Bioherbicidal Agent

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Charles Oluwaseun ADETUNJI

2017-09-01

Full Text Available Formulation of effective and environmental friendly bioherbicides depends on the type of fermentation medium used for the production of phytotoxic metabolites. The effect of biomass, colony forming unit and the phytotoxic metabolite produced from the biphasic fermentation was carried out, while the phytotoxic metabolite was tested in vivo and in-vitro on Echinochola crus-galli and dicotyledonous Chromolaena odorata. The mutant strain of Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae C1136 (Lp90 produced the highest amount of conidia and the largest necrotic area on the two tested weeds when compared to its wild strain in the different biphasic media combinations. The study revealed that the biphasic system containing PDB + rice produced the highest bioherbicidal activities. Therefore, the phytotoxic metabolites from strain C1136 are suggested for large scale production of bioherbicides for the management of weeds in conventional farming to improve yield and enhance food security.

Zinc in human serum

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kiilerich, S.

1987-01-01

The zinc ion is essential for the living organism. Many pathological conditions have been described as a consequence of zinc deficiency. As zinc constitutes less than 0.01 per cent of the body weight, it conventionally belongs to the group of trace elements. The method of atomic absorption spectrophotometry is used to measure the concentration of zinc in serum and urine from healthy persons. The assumptions of the method is discussed. The importance of proteinbinding, diet and the diurnal variation of serum zinc concentration is presented. Serum versus plasma zinc concentration is discussed. Reference serum zinc values from 104 normal subjects are given. Zinc in serum is almost entirely bound to proteins. A preliminary model for the estimation of the distribution of zinc between serum albumin and α 2 -macroglobulin is set up. This estimate has been examined by an ultracentrufugation method. The binding of zinc to a α 2 -macroglobulin in normal persons is appoximately 7 per cent, in patients with cirrhosis of the liver of alcoholic origin approximately 6 per cent, in patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus approximately 5 per cent, and in patients with chronic renal failure approximately 2 per cent. It is concluded, therefore, that for clinical purposes it is sufficient to use the concentration of total serum zinc corrected for the concentration of serum albumin. (author)

Evaporation characteristics of ETBE-blended gasoline

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Okamoto, Katsuhiro; Hiramatsu, Muneyuki; Hino, Tomonori; Otake, Takuma; Okamoto, Takashi; Miyamoto, Hiroki; Honma, Masakatsu; Watanabe, Norimichi

2015-01-01

Highlights: • We chose 8-component hydrocarbon mixture as a model gasoline, and defined the molar mass of gasoline. • We proposed an evaporation model assuming a 2-component mixture of gasoline and ETBE. • We predicted the change in the vapor pressure of ETBE-blended gasoline by evaporation. • The vapor pressures were measured and compared as a means of verifying the model. • We presented the method for predicting flash points of the ETBE-blended gasoline. - Abstract: To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global warming, production of gasoline blended with ethyl tert-buthyl ether (ETBE) is increasing annually. The flash point of ETBE is higher than that of gasoline, and blending ETBE into gasoline will change the flash point and the vapor pressure. Therefore, it is expected that the fire hazard caused by ETBE-blended gasoline would differ from that caused by normal gasoline. The aim of this study was to acquire the knowledge required for estimating the fire hazard of ETBE-blended gasoline. Supposing that ETBE-blended gasoline was a two-component mixture of gasoline and ETBE, we developed a prediction model that describes the vapor pressure and flash point of ETBE-blended gasoline in an arbitrary ETBE blending ratio. We chose 8-component hydrocarbon mixture as a model gasoline, and defined the relation between molar mass of gasoline and mass loss fraction. We measured the changes in the vapor pressure and flash point of gasoline by blending ETBE and evaporation, and compared the predicted values with the measured values in order to verify the prediction model. The calculated values of vapor pressures and flash points corresponded well to the measured values. Thus, we confirmed that the change in the evaporation characteristics of ETBE-blended gasoline by evaporation could be predicted by the proposed model. Furthermore, the vapor pressure constants of ETBE-blended gasoline were obtained by the model, and then the distillation curves were

Evaporation characteristics of ETBE-blended gasoline

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Okamoto, Katsuhiro, E-mail: okamoto@nrips.go.jp [National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882 (Japan); Hiramatsu, Muneyuki [Yamanashi Prefectural Police H.Q., 312-4 Kubonakajima, Isawa-cho, Usui, Yamanashi 406-0036 (Japan); Hino, Tomonori; Otake, Takuma [Metropolitan Police Department, 2-1-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8929 (Japan); Okamoto, Takashi; Miyamoto, Hiroki; Honma, Masakatsu; Watanabe, Norimichi [National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882 (Japan)

2015-04-28

Highlights: • We chose 8-component hydrocarbon mixture as a model gasoline, and defined the molar mass of gasoline. • We proposed an evaporation model assuming a 2-component mixture of gasoline and ETBE. • We predicted the change in the vapor pressure of ETBE-blended gasoline by evaporation. • The vapor pressures were measured and compared as a means of verifying the model. • We presented the method for predicting flash points of the ETBE-blended gasoline. - Abstract: To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global warming, production of gasoline blended with ethyl tert-buthyl ether (ETBE) is increasing annually. The flash point of ETBE is higher than that of gasoline, and blending ETBE into gasoline will change the flash point and the vapor pressure. Therefore, it is expected that the fire hazard caused by ETBE-blended gasoline would differ from that caused by normal gasoline. The aim of this study was to acquire the knowledge required for estimating the fire hazard of ETBE-blended gasoline. Supposing that ETBE-blended gasoline was a two-component mixture of gasoline and ETBE, we developed a prediction model that describes the vapor pressure and flash point of ETBE-blended gasoline in an arbitrary ETBE blending ratio. We chose 8-component hydrocarbon mixture as a model gasoline, and defined the relation between molar mass of gasoline and mass loss fraction. We measured the changes in the vapor pressure and flash point of gasoline by blending ETBE and evaporation, and compared the predicted values with the measured values in order to verify the prediction model. The calculated values of vapor pressures and flash points corresponded well to the measured values. Thus, we confirmed that the change in the evaporation characteristics of ETBE-blended gasoline by evaporation could be predicted by the proposed model. Furthermore, the vapor pressure constants of ETBE-blended gasoline were obtained by the model, and then the distillation curves were

AKRO/SF: Blend System

Data.gov (United States)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce — The Blend was the system used by the NMFS Alaska Regional Office to monitor groundfish catch from 1991 until 2002. The Blend system combined data from industry...

Antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials of biosynthesized colloidal zinc oxide nanoparticles for a fortified cold cream formulation: A potent nanocosmeceutical application.

Science.gov (United States)

S, Sonia; H, Linda Jeeva Kumari; K, Ruckmani; M, Sivakumar

2017-10-01

Nanocosmeceuticals are promising applications of nanotechnology in personal care industries. Zinc oxide is an inorganic material that is non-toxic and skin compatible with self-cleansing and microbicidal properties. Herein, exploitation of colloidal zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONps) as potent biomaterial for a topical formulation of cosmetic and dermatological significance is employed. ZnONps were green synthesized using environmentally benign Adhatoda vasica leaf extract and characterized by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The results reveal that the biosynthesized ZnONps exhibit an absorption peak at 352nm. XRD and HR-TEM analyses confirm the hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnONps with particle size of about 10nm to 12nm. Elemental analysis by EDX confirms the presence of zinc and oxygen. Zeta potential of -24.6mV affirms the stability of nanoparticles. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of biosynthesized ZnONps exhibit mean zone of inhibition from 08.667±0.282 to 21.666±0.447 (mm) and 09.000±0.177 to 19.000±0.307 (mm) respectively, in a dose-dependent manner. The IC 50 value exerted from the antioxidant activity of ZnONps is found to be 139.27μgmL -1 . ZnONps infused cold cream formulation of microbicidal and antioxidant properties was further tested against clinical skin pathogens. The nano-based cold cream exhibited significant inhibitory action against Candida sp., which showed resistance against a commercial antifungal cream (2%). Therefore, this study demonstrates the exploitation of ZnONps as promising colloidal drug carriers in cosmeceuticals that can significantly alleviate human skin infections and oxidative stress induced cellular damage. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Impact of residual elements on zinc quality in the production of zinc oxide

Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

Luptáková, Natália; Dymáček, Petr; Pešlová, F.; Jurkovič, Z.; Barborák, O.; Stodola, J.

2016-01-01

Roč. 55, č. 3 (2016), s. 407-410 ISSN 0543-5846 Institutional support: RVO:68081723 Keywords : zinc * metallography * microstructure of zinc * zinc oxide * production of zinc oxide Subject RIV: JG - Metallurgy Impact factor: 0.959, year: 2014

Species dependent radiotracer study of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) using an aqueous biphasic system

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Roy, K.; Lahiri, S. [Chemical Sciences Div., Saha Inst. of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata (India)

2008-07-01

The speciation study of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) was carried out using a polyethylene glycol (PEG) based aqueous biphasic extraction system (ABS). Neutron activated Cr(III) and Cr(VI) salts were assayed in a HPGe detector before and after employing aqueous biphasic extraction. Different salts of various salting out abilities were taken as the salt rich phase. The best condition for extraction of Cr(VI) and the maximum differential attitude of ABS to Cr(VI) and Cr(III) was observed when 2 M Na{sub 2}SO{sub 4} and PEG 4000 (50% w/w) solutions were used. Cr(III) can also be extracted by the PEG with prior complexation with diphenylthiocarbazone (dithizone). The chromium dithizonate complex is quantitatively extracted by the PEG rich phase. (orig.)

Cyclic AMP Pathway Activation and Extracellular Zinc Induce Rapid Intracellular Zinc Mobilization in Candida albicans

Science.gov (United States)

Kjellerup, Lasse; Winther, Anne-Marie L.; Wilson, Duncan; Fuglsang, Anja T.

2018-01-01

Zinc is an essential micronutrient, required for a range of zinc-dependent enzymes and transcription factors. In mammalian cells, zinc serves as a second messenger molecule. However, a role for zinc in signaling has not yet been established in the fungal kingdom. Here, we used the intracellular zinc reporter, zinbo-5, which allowed visualization of zinc in the endoplasmic reticulum and other components of the internal membrane system in Candida albicans. We provide evidence for a link between cyclic AMP/PKA- and zinc-signaling in this major human fungal pathogen. Glucose stimulation, which triggers a cyclic AMP spike in this fungus resulted in rapid intracellular zinc mobilization and this “zinc flux” could be stimulated with phosphodiesterase inhibitors and blocked via inhibition of adenylate cyclase or PKA. A similar mobilization of intracellular zinc was generated by stimulation of cells with extracellular zinc and this effect could be reversed with the chelator EDTA. However, zinc-induced zinc flux was found to be cyclic AMP independent. In summary, we show that activation of the cyclic AMP/PKA pathway triggers intracellular zinc mobilization in a fungus. To our knowledge, this is the first described link between cyclic AMP signaling and zinc homeostasis in a human fungal pathogen. PMID:29619016

Reactivation in vitro of zinc-requiring apo-enzymes by rat liver zinc-thionein

OpenAIRE

Udom, Albert O.; Brady, Frank O.

1980-01-01

The ability of rat liver zinc-thionein to donate its metal to the apo-enzymes of the zinc enzymes horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase, yeast aldolase, thermolysin, Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase and bovine erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase was investigated. Zinc-thionein was as good as, or better than, ZnSO4, Zn(CH3CO2)2 or Zn(NO3)2 in donating its zinc to these apo-enzymes. Apo-(alcohol dehydrogenase) could not be reactivated by zinc salts or by zinc-thionein. Incubation of the other apo-e...

Evaluation of parallel milliliter-scale stirred-tank bioreactors for the study of biphasic whole-cell biocatalysis with ionic liquids.

Science.gov (United States)

Dennewald, Danielle; Hortsch, Ralf; Weuster-Botz, Dirk

2012-01-01

As clear structure-activity relationships are still rare for ionic liquids, preliminary experiments are necessary for the process development of biphasic whole-cell processes involving these solvents. To reduce the time investment and the material costs, the process development of such biphasic reaction systems would profit from a small-scale high-throughput platform. Exemplarily, the reduction of 2-octanone to (R)-2-octanol by a recombinant Escherichia coli in a biphasic ionic liquid/water system was studied in a miniaturized stirred-tank bioreactor system allowing the parallel operation of up to 48 reactors at the mL-scale. The results were compared to those obtained in a 20-fold larger stirred-tank reactor. The maximum local energy dissipation was evaluated at the larger scale and compared to the data available for the small-scale reactors, to verify if similar mass transfer could be obtained at both scales. Thereafter, the reaction kinetics and final conversions reached in different reactions setups were analysed. The results were in good agreement between both scales for varying ionic liquids and for ionic liquid volume fractions up to 40%. The parallel bioreactor system can thus be used for the process development of the majority of biphasic reaction systems involving ionic liquids, reducing the time and resource investment during the process development of this type of applications. Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Intervertebral Disc Tissue Engineering with Natural Extracellular Matrix-Derived Biphasic Composite Scaffolds.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Baoshan Xu

Full Text Available Tissue engineering has provided an alternative therapeutic possibility for degenerative disc diseases. However, we lack an ideal scaffold for IVD tissue engineering. The goal of this study is to fabricate a novel biomimetic biphasic scaffold for IVD tissue engineering and evaluate the feasibility of developing tissue-engineered IVD in vitro and in vivo. In present study we developed a novel integrated biphasic IVD scaffold using a simple freeze-drying and cross-linking technique of pig bone matrix gelatin (BMG for the outer annulus fibrosus (AF phase and pig acellular cartilage ECM (ACECM for the inner nucleus pulposus (NP phase. Histology and SEM results indicated no residual cells remaining in the scaffold that featured an interconnected porous microstructure (pore size of AF and NP phase 401.4 ± 13.1 μm and 231.6 ± 57.2 μm, respectively. PKH26-labeled AF and NP cells were seeded into the scaffold and cultured in vitro. SEM confirmed that seeded cells could anchor onto the scaffold. Live/dead staining showed that live cells (green fluorescence were distributed in the scaffold, with no dead cells (red fluorescence being found. The cell-scaffold constructs were implanted subcutaneously into nude mice and cultured for 6 weeks in vivo. IVD-like tissue formed in nude mice as confirmed by histology. Cells in hybrid constructs originated from PKH26-labeled cells, as confirmed by in vivo fluorescence imaging system. In conclusion, the study demonstrates the feasibility of developing a tissue-engineered IVD in vivo with a BMG- and ACECM-derived integrated AF-NP biphasic scaffold. As well, PKH26 fluorescent labeling with in vivo fluorescent imaging can be used to track cells and analyse cell--scaffold constructs in vivo.

Biogenic synthesis of Zinc oxide nanostructures from Nigella sativa seed: Prospective role as food packaging material inhibiting broad-spectrum quorum sensing and biofilm.

Science.gov (United States)

Al-Shabib, Nasser A; Husain, Fohad Mabood; Ahmed, Faheem; Khan, Rais Ahmad; Ahmad, Iqbal; Alsharaeh, Edreese; Khan, Mohd Shahnawaz; Hussain, Afzal; Rehman, Md Tabish; Yusuf, Mohammad; Hassan, Iftekhar; Khan, Javed Masood; Ashraf, Ghulam Md; Alsalme, Ali Mohammed; Al-Ajmi, Mohamed F; Tarasov, Vadim V; Aliev, Gjumrakch

2016-12-05

Bacterial spoilage of food products is regulated by density dependent communication system called quorum sensing (QS). QS control biofilm formation in numerous food pathogens and Biofilms formed on food surfaces act as carriers of bacterial contamination leading to spoilage of food and health hazards. Agents inhibiting or interfering with bacterial QS and biofilm are gaining importance as a novel class of next-generation food preservatives/packaging material. In the present study, Zinc nanostructures were synthesised using Nigella sativa seed extract (NS-ZnNPs). Synthesized nanostructures were characterized hexagonal wurtzite structure of size ~24 nm by UV-visible, XRD, FTIR and TEM. NS-ZnNPs demonstrated broad-spectrum QS inhibition in C. violaceum and P. aeruginosa biosensor strains. Synthesized nanostructures inhibited QS regulated functions of C. violaceum CVO26 (violacein) and elastase, protease, pyocyanin and alginate production in PAO1 significantly. NS-ZnNPs at sub-inhibitory concentrations inhibited the biofilm formation of four-food pathogens viz. C. violaceum 12472, PAO1, L. monocytogenes, E. coli. Moreover, NS-ZnNPs was found effective in inhibiting pre-formed mature biofilms of the four pathogens. Therefore, the broad-spectrum inhibition of QS and biofilm by biogenic Zinc oxide nanoparticles and it is envisaged that these nontoxic bioactive nanostructures can be used as food packaging material and/or as food preservative.

Entanglement in miscible blends

Science.gov (United States)

Watanabe, Hiroshi

2010-03-01

The entanglement length Le of polymer chains (corresponding to the entanglement molecular weight Me) is not an intrinsic material parameter but changes with the interaction with surrounding chains. For miscible blends of cis-polyisoprene (PI) and poly(tert-butyl styrene) (PtBS), changes of Le on blending was examined. It turned out that the Le averaged over the number fractions of the Kuhn segments of the components (PI and PtBS) satisfactorily describes the viscoelastic behavior of pseudo-monodisperse blends in which the terminal relaxation time is the same for PI and PtBS.

Aqueous biphasic extraction of uranium and thorium from contaminated soils. Final report

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chaiko, D.J.; Gartelmann, J.; Henriksen, J.L.; Krause, T.R.; Deepak; Vojta, Y.; Thuillet, E.; Mertz, C.J.

1995-07-01

The aqueous biphasic extraction (ABE) process for soil decontamination involves the selective partitioning of solutes and fine particulates between two immiscible aqueous phases. The biphase system is generated by the appropriate combination of a water-soluble polymer (e.g., polyethlene glycol) with an inorganic salt (e.g., sodium carbonate). Selective partitioning results in 99 to 99.5% of the soil being recovered in the cleaned-soil fraction, while only 0.5 to 1% is recovered in the contaminant concentrate. The ABE process is best suited to the recovery of ultrafine, refractory material from the silt and clay fractions of soils. During continuous countercurrent extraction tests with soil samples from the Fernald Environmental Management Project site (Fernald, OH), particulate thorium was extracted and concentrated between 6- and 16-fold, while the uranium concentration was reduced from about 500 mg/kg to about 77 mg/kg. Carbonate leaching alone was able to reduce the uranium concentration only to 146 mg/kg. Preliminary estimates for treatment costs are approximately $160 per ton of dry soil. A detailed flowsheet of the ABE process is provided

Injectable TEMPO-oxidized nanofibrillated cellulose/biphasic calcium phosphate hydrogel for bone regeneration.

Science.gov (United States)

Safwat, Engie; Hassan, Mohammad L; Saniour, Sayed; Zaki, Dalia Yehia; Eldeftar, Mervat; Saba, Dalia; Zazou, Mohamed

2018-05-01

Nanofibrillated cellulose, obtained from rice straw agricultural wastes was used as a substrate for the preparation of a new injectable and mineralized hydrogel for bone regeneration. Tetramethyl pyridine oxyl (TEMPO) oxidized nanofibrillated cellulose, was mineralized through the incorporation of a prepared and characterized biphasic calcium phosphate at a fixed ratio of 50 wt%. The TEMPO-oxidized rice straw nanofibrillated cellulose was characterized using transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, and carboxylic content determination. The injectability and viscosity of the prepared hydrogel were evaluated using universal testing machine and rheometer testing, respectively. Cytotoxicity and alkaline phosphatase level tests on osteoblast like-cells for in vitro assessment of the biocompatibility were investigated. Results revealed that the isolated rice straw nanofibrillated cellulose is a nanocomposite of the cellulose nanofibers and silica nanoparticles. Rheological properties of the tested materials are suitable for use as injectable material and of nontoxic effect on osteoblast-like cells, as revealed by the positive alkaline phosphate assay. However, nanofibrillated cellulose/ biphasic calcium phosphate hydrogel showed higher cytotoxicity and lower bioactivity test results when compared to that of nanofibrillated cellulose.

Miscibility evolution of polycarbonate/polystyrene blends during compounding

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Chuai, Chengzhi; Almdal, Kristoffer; Johannsen, Ib

2002-01-01

The miscibility evolution of polycarbonate/polystyrene (PC/PS) blends during the compounding process in three blending methods of industrial relevance, namely melt blending, remelt blending in a twin-screw extruder and third melt blending in an injection molding machine, was investigated...... polymer in the other. The observed solubility strongly depends on blend composition and blending method. The T-g measurements showed maximum mutual solubility around 50/50 composition. The miscibility of PC/PS blended after the third stage (melt injection molding) was higher than that after the first...... by measuring their glass transition temperatures (T-g) and their specific heat increment (DeltaC(p)). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to examine nine blend compositions. Shifts in glass transition temperature (T-g) of the two phases in melt-mixed PC/PS blends suggest partial miscibility of one...

Electronic structure engineering of ZnO with the modified Becke-Johnson exchange versus the classical correlation potential approaches

KAUST Repository

Ul Haq, Bakhtiar

2013-12-01

In this study, we report investigations of structural and electronic properties of ZnO in wurtzite (WZ), rock salt (RS) and zinc-blende (ZB) phases. Calculations have been done with full-potential linearized augmented plane wave plus local orbital method developed within the frame work of Density Functional Theory (DFT). For structural properties investigations, Perdew and Wang proposed local density approximations (LDA) and Perdew et al. proposed generalized gradient approximations (GGA) have been applied. Where for electronic properties in addition to these, Tran-Blaha modified Becke-Johnson (mBJ) potential has been used. Our computed band gap values of ZnO in WZ and ZB phases with mBJ potential are significantly improved compared to those with LDA and GGA; however, in RS phase, energy gap is significantly overestimated compared to experimental measurements. The Zn-d band was found to be more narrower with mBJ potential than that of LDA and GGA. On the other hand, our evaluated crystal field splitting energy values overestimate the experimental values. © 2013 Taylor and Francis.

The preparation and cathodoluminescence of ZnS nanowires grown by chemical vapor deposition

Science.gov (United States)

Huang, Meng-Wen; Cheng, Yin-Wei; Pan, Ko-Ying; Chang, Chen-Chuan; Shieu, F. S.; Shih, Han C.

2012-11-01

Single crystal ZnS nanowires were successfully synthesized in large quantities on Si (1 0 0) substrates by simple thermal chemical vapor deposition without using any catalyst. The morphology, composition, and crystal structure were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectroscopy. SEM observations show that the nanowires have diameters about 20-50 nm and lengths up to several tens of micrometers. XRD and TEM results confirmed that the nanowires exhibited both wurtzite and zinc blende structures with growth directions aligned along [0 0 0 2] and [1 1 1], respectively. The CL spectrum revealed emission bands in the UV and blue regions. The blue emissions at 449 and ˜581 nm were attributed to surface states and impurity-related defects of the nanowires, respectively. The perfect crystal structure of the nanowires indicates their potential applications in nanotechnology and in the fabrication of nanodevices.

Fluorescent lighting with aluminum nitride phosphors

Science.gov (United States)

Cherepy, Nerine J.; Payne, Stephen A.; Seeley, Zachary M.; Srivastava, Alok M.

2016-05-10

A fluorescent lamp includes a glass envelope; at least two electrodes connected to the glass envelope; mercury vapor and an inert gas within the glass envelope; and a phosphor within the glass envelope, wherein the phosphor blend includes aluminum nitride. The phosphor may be a wurtzite (hexagonal) crystalline structure Al.sub.(1-x)M.sub.xN phosphor, where M may be drawn from beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, zinc, scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, ytterbium, bismuth, manganese, silicon, germanium, tin, boron, or gallium is synthesized to include dopants to control its luminescence under ultraviolet excitation. The disclosed Al.sub.(1-x)M.sub.xN:Mn phosphor provides bright orange-red emission, comparable in efficiency and spectrum to that of the standard orange-red phosphor used in fluorescent lighting, Y.sub.2O.sub.3:Eu. Furthermore, it offers excellent lumen maintenance in a fluorescent lamp, and does not utilize "critical rare earths," minimizing sensitivity to fluctuating market prices for the rare earth elements.

Investigations of solvents and various sulfur sources influence on the shape-controlled synthesis of CuInS2 nanocrystals

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kruszynska, Marta; Borchert, Holger; Parisi, Jürgen; Kolny-Olesiak, Joanna

2011-01-01

CuInS 2 (CIS) nanocrystals were successfully synthesized through a hot-injection technique employing a reaction of copper (I) acetate and indium (III) acetate with tert-dodecanethiol as a source of sulfur, and trioctylphosphine oxide and 1-dodecanethiol were used as ligands. The reaction medium was a mixture of two solvents: oleylamine and 1-octadecene. Varying the ratio between both solvents leads to the formation of wurtzite CuInS 2 particles with shapes ranging from triangular to rod-shaped with length up to 50 nm. Oleylamine turned out to influence the reaction condition in two opposite ways: by leading to monomer depletion before the injection of the sulfur precursor, and at the same time increasing the activity of the monomers remaining in solution. By changing the sulfur source from tert-dodecanethiol to sulfur dissolved in oleylamine, triangular particles with zinc blend structure and a smaller size (∼5 nm) were synthesized. The final materials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and absorption spectroscopy (UV–Vis).

1D Piezoelectric Material Based Nanogenerators: Methods, Materials and Property Optimization.

Science.gov (United States)

Li, Xing; Sun, Mei; Wei, Xianlong; Shan, Chongxin; Chen, Qing

2018-03-23

Due to the enhanced piezoelectric properties, excellent mechanical properties and tunable electric properties, one-dimensional (1D) piezoelectric materials have shown their promising applications in nanogenerators (NG), sensors, actuators, electronic devices etc. To present a clear view about 1D piezoelectric materials, this review mainly focuses on the characterization and optimization of the piezoelectric properties of 1D nanomaterials, including semiconducting nanowires (NWs) with wurtzite and/or zinc blend phases, perovskite NWs and 1D polymers. Specifically, the piezoelectric coefficients, performance of single NW-based NG and structure-dependent electromechanical properties of 1D nanostructured materials can be respectively investigated through piezoresponse force microscopy, atomic force microscopy and the in-situ scanning/transmission electron microcopy. Along with the introduction of the mechanism and piezoelectric properties of 1D semiconductor, perovskite materials and polymers, their performance improvement strategies are summarized from the view of microstructures, including size-effect, crystal structure, orientation and defects. Finally, the extension of 1D piezoelectric materials in field effect transistors and optoelectronic devices are simply introduced.

Shape and phase control of CdS nanocrystals using cationic surfactant in noninjection synthesis

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Zou Yu

2011-01-01

Full Text Available Abstract Monodispersed CdS nanocrystals with controllable shape and phase have been successfully synthesized in this study by adding cationic surfactant in noninjection synthesis system. With the increase of the amount of cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC added, the shape of the CdS nanocrystals changed from spherical to multi-armed, and the phase changed from zinc-blende to wurtzite. It was found that halide ion Cl- plays a key role in the transformation, and other halide ions such as Br- can also induce similar transformation. We proposed that the strong binding between Cd2+ and halide ions reduced the reactivity of the precursors, decreased the nuclei formed in the nucleation stage, and led to the high concentration of precursor in the growth stage, resulting in the increase of size and phase transformation of CdS nanocrystals. In addition, it was found that the multi-armed CdS nanocrystals lost quantum confinement effect because of the increase of the size with the increase of the concentration of CTAC.

Tunable absorption resonances in the ultraviolet for InP nanowire arrays.

Science.gov (United States)

Aghaeipour, Mahtab; Anttu, Nicklas; Nylund, Gustav; Samuelson, Lars; Lehmann, Sebastian; Pistol, Mats-Erik

2014-11-17

The ability to tune the photon absorptance spectrum is an attracting way of tailoring the response of devices like photodetectors and solar cells. Here, we measure the reflectance spectra of InP substrates patterned with arrays of vertically standing InP nanowires. Using the reflectance spectra, we calculate and analyze the corresponding absorptance spectra of the nanowires. We show that we can tune absorption resonances for the nanowire arrays into the ultraviolet by decreasing the diameter of the nanowires. When we compare our measurements with electromagnetic modeling, we generally find good agreement. Interestingly, the remaining differences between modeled and measured spectra are attributed to a crystal-phase dependence in the refractive index of InP. Specifically, we find indication of significant differences in the refractive index between the modeled zinc-blende InP nanowires and the measured wurtzite InP nanowires in the ultraviolet. We believe that such crystal-phase dependent differences in the refractive index affect the possibility to excite optical resonances in the large wavelength range of 345 InP nanowire-based solar cells and photodetectors.

InP and InAs nanowires hetero- and homojunctions: energetic stability and electronic properties.

Science.gov (United States)

Dionízio Moreira, M; Venezuela, P; Miwa, R H

2010-07-16

We performed an ab initio total energy investigation, within the density functional theory, of the energetic stability and the electronic properties of hydrogenated InAs/InP nanowire (NW) heterojunctions, as well as InAs and InP homojunctions composed of different structural arrangements, zinc-blend (zb) and wurtzite (w). For InAs/InP NW heterojunctions our results indicate that w and zb NW heterojunctions are quite similar, energetically, for thin NWs. We also examined the robustness of the abrupt interface through an atomic swap at the InAs/InP interface. Our results support the formation of abrupt (non-abrupt) interfaces in w (zb) InAs/InP heterojunctions. Concerning InAs/InP NW-SLs, our results indicate a type-I band alignment, with the energy barrier at the InP layers, in accordance with experimental works. For InAs or InP zb/w homojunctions, we also found a type-I band alignment for thin NWs, however, on increasing the NW diameter both InAs and InP homojunctions exhibit a type-II band alignment.

InP and InAs nanowires hetero- and homojunctions: energetic stability and electronic properties

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dionizio Moreira, M; Venezuela, P; Miwa, R H

2010-01-01

We performed an ab initio total energy investigation, within the density functional theory, of the energetic stability and the electronic properties of hydrogenated InAs/InP nanowire (NW) heterojunctions, as well as InAs and InP homojunctions composed of different structural arrangements, zinc-blend (zb) and wurtzite (w). For InAs/InP NW heterojunctions our results indicate that w and zb NW heterojunctions are quite similar, energetically, for thin NWs. We also examined the robustness of the abrupt interface through an atomic As↔P swap at the InAs/InP interface. Our results support the formation of abrupt (non-abrupt) interfaces in w (zb) InAs/InP heterojunctions. Concerning InAs/InP NW-SLs, our results indicate a type-I band alignment, with the energy barrier at the InP layers, in accordance with experimental works. For InAs or InP zb/w homojunctions, we also found a type-I band alignment for thin NWs, however, on increasing the NW diameter both InAs and InP homojunctions exhibit a type-II band alignment.

Controlled growth of high-density CdS and CdSe nanorod arrays on selective facets of two-dimensional semiconductor nanoplates

KAUST Repository

Wu, Xue-Jun

2016-03-14

The rational synthesis of hierarchical three-dimensional nanostructures with specific compositions, morphologies and functionalities is important for applications in a variety of fields ranging from energy conversion and electronics to biotechnology. Here, we report a seeded growth approach for the controlled epitaxial growth of three types of hierarchical one-dimensional (1D)/two-dimensional (2D) nanostructures, where nanorod arrays of II-VI semiconductor CdS or CdSe are grown on the selective facets of hexagonal-shaped nanoplates, either on the two basal facets of the nanoplate, or on one basal facet, or on the two basal facets and six side facets. The seed engineering of 2D hexagonal-shaped nanoplates is the key factor for growth of the three resulting types of 1D/2D nanostructures. The wurtzite- and zinc-blende-type polymorphs of semiconductors are used to determine the facet-selective epitaxial growth of 1D nanorod arrays, resulting in the formation of different hierarchical three-dimensional (3D) nanostructures. © 2016 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved.

Effects of Blended-Cement Paste Chemical Composition Changes on Some Strength Gains of Blended-Mortars

Science.gov (United States)

Kirgiz, Mehmet Serkan

2014-01-01

Effects of chemical compositions changes of blended-cement pastes (BCPCCC) on some strength gains of blended cement mortars (BCMSG) were monitored in order to gain a better understanding for developments of hydration and strength of blended cements. Blended cements (BC) were prepared by blending of 5% gypsum and 6%, 20%, 21%, and 35% marble powder (MP) or 6%, 20%, 21%, and 35% brick powder (BP) for CEMI42.5N cement clinker and grinding these portions in ball mill at 30 (min). Pastes and mortars, containing the MP-BC and the BP-BC and the reference cement (RC) and tap water and standard mortar sand, were also mixed and they were cured within water until testing. Experiments included chemical compositions of pastes and compressive strengths (CS) and flexural strengths (FS) of mortars were determined at 7th-day, 28th-day, and 90th-day according to TS EN 196-2 and TS EN 196-1 present standards. Experimental results indicated that ups and downs of silica oxide (SiO2), sodium oxide (Na2O), and alkali at MP-BCPCC and continuously rising movement of silica oxide (SiO2) at BP-BCPCC positively influenced CS and FS of blended cement mortars (BCM) in comparison with reference mortars (RM) at whole cure days as MP up to 6% or BP up to 35% was blended for cement. PMID:24587737

Effects of Blended-Cement Paste Chemical Composition Changes on Some Strength Gains of Blended-Mortars

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Mehmet Serkan Kirgiz

2014-01-01

Full Text Available Effects of chemical compositions changes of blended-cement pastes (BCPCCC on some strength gains of blended cement mortars (BCMSG were monitored in order to gain a better understanding for developments of hydration and strength of blended cements. Blended cements (BC were prepared by blending of 5% gypsum and 6%, 20%, 21%, and 35% marble powder (MP or 6%, 20%, 21%, and 35% brick powder (BP for CEMI42.5N cement clinker and grinding these portions in ball mill at 30 (min. Pastes and mortars, containing the MP-BC and the BP-BC and the reference cement (RC and tap water and standard mortar sand, were also mixed and they were cured within water until testing. Experiments included chemical compositions of pastes and compressive strengths (CS and flexural strengths (FS of mortars were determined at 7th-day, 28th-day, and 90th-day according to TS EN 196-2 and TS EN 196-1 present standards. Experimental results indicated that ups and downs of silica oxide (SiO2, sodium oxide (Na2O, and alkali at MP-BCPCC and continuously rising movement of silica oxide (SiO2 at BP-BCPCC positively influenced CS and FS of blended cement mortars (BCM in comparison with reference mortars (RM at whole cure days as MP up to 6% or BP up to 35% was blended for cement.

Determination of the spin orbit coupling and crystal field splitting in wurtzite InP by polarization resolved photoluminescence

Science.gov (United States)

Chauvin, Nicolas; Mavel, Amaury; Jaffal, Ali; Patriarche, Gilles; Gendry, Michel

2018-02-01

Excitation photoluminescence spectroscopy is usually used to extract the crystal field splitting (ΔCR) and spin orbit coupling (ΔSO) parameters of wurtzite (Wz) InP nanowires (NWs). However, the equations expressing the valence band splitting are symmetric with respect to these two parameters, and a choice ΔCR > ΔSO or ΔCR InP NWs grown on silicon. The experimental results combined with a theoretical model and finite difference time domain calculations allow us to conclude that ΔCR > ΔSO in Wz InP.

Introducing blended e-learning course design

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Gyamfi, Samuel Adu; Ryberg, Thomas

2012-01-01

In the face of diminishing education budgets in higher education, blended learning has been found to be a viable and effective approach to deliver high-quality, up-to-date, on-demand solutions to developing cross-curricular skills of undergraduates. However, research has also shown that blended...... learning solutions do not often live up to the potential of the approach or fail to produce the intended results because the students are not always equipped to handle the technical, psychological and organisational challenges of blended learning approaches. This project surveyed seventy-five first year...... the students’ e-readiness for an implementation of a blend-ed course design....

Transformation of zinc hydroxide chloride monohydrate to crystalline zinc oxide.

Science.gov (United States)

Moezzi, Amir; Cortie, Michael; McDonagh, Andrew

2016-04-25

Thermal decomposition of layered zinc hydroxide double salts provides an interesting alternative synthesis for particles of zinc oxide. Here, we examine the sequence of changes occurring as zinc hydroxide chloride monohydrate (Zn5(OH)8Cl2·H2O) is converted to crystalline ZnO by thermal decomposition. The specific surface area of the resultant ZnO measured by BET was 1.3 m(2) g(-1). A complicating and important factor in this process is that the thermal decomposition of zinc hydroxide chloride is also accompanied by the formation of volatile zinc-containing species under certain conditions. We show that this volatile compound is anhydrous ZnCl2 and its formation is moisture dependent. Therefore, control of atmospheric moisture is an important consideration that affects the overall efficiency of ZnO production by this process.

Optical study of the band structure of wurtzite GaP nanowires

KAUST Repository

Assali, S.

2016-07-25

We investigated the optical properties of wurtzite (WZ) GaP nanowires by performing photoluminescence (PL) and time-resolved PL measurements in the temperature range from 4 K to 300 K, together with atom probe tomography to identify residual impurities in the nanowires. At low temperature, the WZ GaP luminescence shows donor-acceptor pair emission at 2.115 eV and 2.088 eV, and Burstein-Moss band-filling continuum between 2.180 and 2.253 eV, resulting in a direct band gap above 2.170 eV. Sharp exciton α-β-γ lines are observed at 2.140–2.164–2.252 eV, respectively, showing clear differences in lifetime, presence of phonon replicas, and temperature-dependence. The excitonic nature of those peaks is critically discussed, leading to a direct band gap of ∼2.190 eV and to a resonant state associated with the γ-line ∼80 meV above the Γ8C conduction band edge.

Carrier thermalization dynamics in single zincblende and wurtzite InP Nanowires.

Science.gov (United States)

Wang, Yuda; Jackson, Howard E; Smith, Leigh M; Burgess, Tim; Paiman, Suriati; Gao, Qiang; Tan, Hark Hoe; Jagadish, Chennupati

2014-12-10

Using transient Rayleigh scattering (TRS) measurements, we obtain photoexcited carrier thermalization dynamics for both zincblende (ZB) and wurtzite (WZ) InP single nanowires (NW) with picosecond resolution. A phenomenological fitting model based on direct band-to-band transition theory is developed to extract the electron-hole-plasma density and temperature as a function of time from TRS measurements of single nanowires, which have complex valence band structures. We find that the thermalization dynamics of hot carriers depends strongly on material (GaAs NW vs InP NW) and less strongly on crystal structure (ZB vs WZ). The thermalization dynamics of ZB and WZ InP NWs are similar. But a comparison of the thermalization dynamics in ZB and WZ InP NWs with ZB GaAs NWs reveals more than an order of magnitude slower relaxation for the InP NWs. We interpret these results as reflecting their distinctive phonon band structures that lead to different hot phonon effects. Knowledge of hot carrier thermalization dynamics is an essential component for effective incorporation of nanowire materials into electronic devices.

Transport and mobility properties of wurtzite InN and GaN

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yarar, Zeki

2007-01-01

The results of an ensemble Monte Carlo model of the electron transport in wurtzite gallium nitride (GaN) and indium nitride (InN) are presented. There is a controversy over the material parameters of InN, therefore the recently reported and the traditionally accepted parameter values for InN are used in simulations and the results are compared. The steady-state and transient electron transport characteristics are analyzed and the valley populations of electrons are determined as a function of electric field. The low-field mobility of electrons is also obtained as a function of temperature and over a wide range of carrier concentrations. It is seen that with the recently published material parameters the peak velocity of carriers in InN increases significantly, while the field at which it is attained decreases. The calculated maximum low field mobility at 300 K in InN with the recent material parameters is about 10000 cm 2 /V s for low carrier concentrations. (copyright 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)

Optical study of the band structure of wurtzite GaP nanowires

KAUST Repository

Assali, S.; Greil, J.; Zardo, I.; Belabbes, Abderrezak; de Moor, M. W. A.; Koelling, S.; Koenraad, P. M.; Bechstedt, F.; Bakkers, E. P. A. M.; Haverkort, J. E. M.

2016-01-01

We investigated the optical properties of wurtzite (WZ) GaP nanowires by performing photoluminescence (PL) and time-resolved PL measurements in the temperature range from 4 K to 300 K, together with atom probe tomography to identify residual impurities in the nanowires. At low temperature, the WZ GaP luminescence shows donor-acceptor pair emission at 2.115 eV and 2.088 eV, and Burstein-Moss band-filling continuum between 2.180 and 2.253 eV, resulting in a direct band gap above 2.170 eV. Sharp exciton α-β-γ lines are observed at 2.140–2.164–2.252 eV, respectively, showing clear differences in lifetime, presence of phonon replicas, and temperature-dependence. The excitonic nature of those peaks is critically discussed, leading to a direct band gap of ∼2.190 eV and to a resonant state associated with the γ-line ∼80 meV above the Γ8C conduction band edge.

Influence of soil zinc concentrations on zinc sensitivity and functional diversity of microbial communities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lock, K.; Janssen, C.R.

2005-01-01

Pollution induced community tolerance (PICT) is based on the phenomenon that toxic effects reduce survival of the most sensitive organisms, thus increasing community tolerance. Community tolerance for a contaminant is thus a strong indicator for the presence of that contaminant at the level of adverse concentrations. Here we assessed PICT in 11 soils contaminated with zinc runoff from galvanised electricity pylons and 11 reference soils sampled at 10 m distance from these pylons. Using PICT, the influence of background concentration and bioavailability of zinc on zinc sensitivity and functional diversity of microbial communities was assessed. Zinc sensitivity of microbial communities decreased significantly with increasing zinc concentrations in pore water and calcium chloride extracted fraction while no significant relationship was found with total zinc concentration in the soil. It was also found that functional diversity of microbial communities decreased with increasing zinc concentrations, indicating that increased tolerance is indeed an undesirable phenomenon when environmental quality is considered. The hypothesis that zinc sensitivity of microbial communities is related to background zinc concentration in pore water could not be confirmed. - Zinc sensitivity of microbial communities and functional diversity decrease with increasing zinc concentration in the pore water

Electrochemical synthesis and characterization of zinc carbonate and zinc oxide nanoparticles

Science.gov (United States)

Pourmortazavi, Seied Mahdi; Marashianpour, Zahra; Karimi, Meisam Sadeghpour; Mohammad-Zadeh, Mohammad

2015-11-01

Zinc oxide and its precursor i.e., zinc carbonate is widely utilized in various fields of industry, especially in solar energy conversion, optical, and inorganic pigments. In this work, a facile and clean electrodeposition method was utilized for the synthesis of zinc carbonate nanoparticles. Also, zinc oxide nanoparticles were produced by calcination of the prepared zinc carbonate powder. Zinc carbonate nanoparticles with different sizes were electrodeposited by electrolysis of a zinc plate as anode in the solution of sodium carbonate. It was found that the particle size of zinc carbonate might be tuned by process parameters, i.e., electrolysis voltage, carbonate ion concentration, solvent composition and stirring rate of the electrolyte solution. An orthogonal array design was utilized to identify the optimum experimental conditions. The experimental results showed that the minimum size of the electrodeposited ZnCO3 particles is about 24 nm whereas the maximum particle size is around 40 nm. The TG-DSC studies of the nanoparticles indicated that the main thermal degradation of ZnCO3 occurs in two steps over the temperature ranges of 150-250 and 350-400 °C. The electrosynthesized ZnCO3 nanoparticles were calcined at the temperature of 600 °C to prepare ZnO nanoparticles. The prepared ZnCO3 and ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by SEM, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and FT-IR techniques.

Synthesis of transparent ZnO/PMMA nanocomposite films through free-radical copolymerization of asymmetric zinc methacrylate acetate and in-situ thermal decomposition

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang Lin [Department of Chemistry, Nanchang University, 999 Xuefu Avenue, Nanchang 330031 (China); Institute of Polymers, Nanchang University, 999 Xuefu Avenue, Nanchang 330031 (China); Li Fan, E-mail: lfan@ncu.edu.cn [Institute of Polymers, Nanchang University, 999 Xuefu Avenue, Nanchang 330031 (China); Chen Yiwang, E-mail: ywchen@ncu.edu.cn [Department of Chemistry, Nanchang University, 999 Xuefu Avenue, Nanchang 330031 (China); Institute of Polymers, Nanchang University, 999 Xuefu Avenue, Nanchang 330031 (China); Wang Xiaofeng [Institute of Polymers, Nanchang University, 999 Xuefu Avenue, Nanchang 330031 (China)

2011-08-15

In this paper, a new and simple approach for in-situ preparation of transparent ZnO/poly(metyl methacrylate) (ZnO/PMMA) nanocomposite films was developed. Poly(methyl methacrylate)-co-poly(zinc methacrylate acetate) (PMMA-co-PZnMAAc) copolymer was synthesized via free-radical polymerization between methyl methacrylate (MMA) and zinc methacrylate acetate (ZnMAAc), where asymmetric ZnMAAc with only one terminal double bond (C=C) was applied to act as the precursor for ZnO nanocrystals and could avoid cross-link. Subsequently, transparent ZnO/PMMA nanocomposite films were obtained by in-situ thermal decomposition. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image revealed that ZnO nanocrystals were homogeneously dispersed in PMMA matrix. With thermal decomposition time increasing, the absorption intensity in UV region and photoluminescence intensity of ZnO/PMMA nanocomposite films enhanced. However, the optical properties diminished when the thermal decomposition temperature increased. The TGA measurement displayed ZnO/PMMA nanocomposite films prepared by the in-situ synthesis method possessed better thermal stability compared with those prepared by the physical blending method and pristine PMMA films. - Highlights: > ZnO/PMMA hybrid films were prepared via free-radical polymerization and in-situ thermal decomposition. > ZnO NCs are homogeneously dispersed in the PMMA matrix and these films have good optical properties. > Thermal stability of these films is improved compared with those of physically blending ones.

Synthesis of transparent ZnO/PMMA nanocomposite films through free-radical copolymerization of asymmetric zinc methacrylate acetate and in-situ thermal decomposition

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhang Lin; Li Fan; Chen Yiwang; Wang Xiaofeng

2011-01-01

In this paper, a new and simple approach for in-situ preparation of transparent ZnO/poly(metyl methacrylate) (ZnO/PMMA) nanocomposite films was developed. Poly(methyl methacrylate)-co-poly(zinc methacrylate acetate) (PMMA-co-PZnMAAc) copolymer was synthesized via free-radical polymerization between methyl methacrylate (MMA) and zinc methacrylate acetate (ZnMAAc), where asymmetric ZnMAAc with only one terminal double bond (C=C) was applied to act as the precursor for ZnO nanocrystals and could avoid cross-link. Subsequently, transparent ZnO/PMMA nanocomposite films were obtained by in-situ thermal decomposition. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image revealed that ZnO nanocrystals were homogeneously dispersed in PMMA matrix. With thermal decomposition time increasing, the absorption intensity in UV region and photoluminescence intensity of ZnO/PMMA nanocomposite films enhanced. However, the optical properties diminished when the thermal decomposition temperature increased. The TGA measurement displayed ZnO/PMMA nanocomposite films prepared by the in-situ synthesis method possessed better thermal stability compared with those prepared by the physical blending method and pristine PMMA films. - Highlights: → ZnO/PMMA hybrid films were prepared via free-radical polymerization and in-situ thermal decomposition. → ZnO NCs are homogeneously dispersed in the PMMA matrix and these films have good optical properties. → Thermal stability of these films is improved compared with those of physically blending ones.

Science-based design of stable quantum dots for energy-efficient lighting

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Martin, James E. [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); Rohwer, Lauren E. S. [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); van Swol, Frank B. [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); Zhou, Xiaowang [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); Lu, Ping [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

2015-09-01

II-VI quantum dots, such as CdSe and CdTe, are attractive as downconversion materials for solid-state lighting, because of their narrow linewidth, tunable emission. However, for these materials to have acceptable quantum yields (QYs) requires that they be coated with a II-VI shell material whose valence band offset serves to confine the hole to the core. Confinement prevents the hole from accessing surface traps that lead to nonradiative decay of the exciton. Examples of such hole-confined core/shell QDs include CdTe/CdSe and CdSe/CdS. Unfortunately, the shell can also cause problems due to lattice mismatch, which ranges from 4-6% for systems of interest. This lattice mismatch can create significant interface energies at the heterojunction and places the core under radial compression and the shell under tangential tension. At elevated temperatures (~240°C) interfacial diffusion can relax these stresses, as can surface reconstruction, which can expose the core, creating hole traps. But such high temperatures favor the hexagonal Wurtzite structure, which has lower QY than the cubic zinc blende structure, which can be synthesized at lower temperatures, ~140°C. In the absence of alloying the core/shell structure can become metastable, or even unstable, if the shell is too thick. This can cause result in an irregular shell or even island growth. But if the shell is too thin thermallyactivated transport of the hole to surface traps can occur. In our LDRD we have developed a fundamental atomistic modeling capability, based on Stillinger-Weber and Bond-Order potentials we developed for the entire II-VI class. These pseudo-potentials have enabled us to conduct large-scale atomistic simulations that have led to the computation of phase diagrams of II-VI QDs. These phase diagrams demonstrate that at elevated temperatures the zinc blende phase of CdTe with CdSe grown on it epitaxially becomes thermodynamically unstable due to alloying. This is accompanied by a loss of hole

The relative efficiency of zinc carriers on growth and zinc nutrition of corn

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Prasad, B.; Sinha, K.

1981-01-01

A comparison of different zinc carriers showed that application of Zn-DTPA, Zn-EDTA, Zn-fulvate and ZnSO 4 significantly increased the dry matter yield and zinc uptake by corn over the control treatment where no zinc was applied. The chelates in particular enhanced to a greater extent the uptake of both native and applied sources than that observed with ZnSO 4 as the zinc carrier. Both the dry matter yield and zinc uptake by corn showed a positive and significant relationship with self-diffusion coefficient of zinc showing thereby that diffusion contributed mainly the supply of Zn from the ambient soil matrix to plant roots. The effectiveness of the chelates varied depending on their capacity to retain Zn in a soluble form in the soil solution. It is evident that zinc nutrition of plants in alkaline and calcareous soils can be more effectively regulated by both synthetic and natural chelates or organic manures which contain substantial amount of complexed zinc. (orig.)

Coalescence in PLA-PBAT blends under shear flow: Effects of blend preparation and PLA molecular weight

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nofar, M. [Center for High Performance Polymer and Composite Systems (CREPEC), Chemical Engineering Department, Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1J4, Canada and CREPEC, Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B2 (Canada); Heuzey, M. C.; Carreau, P. J., E-mail: pierre.carreau@polymtl.ca [Center for High Performance Polymer and Composite Systems (CREPEC), Chemical Engineering Department, Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1J4 (Canada); Kamal, M. R. [CREPEC, Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B2 (Canada); Randall, J. [NatureWorks LLC, 15305 Minnetonka Boulevard, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55345 (United States)

2016-07-15

Blends containing 75 wt. % of an amorphous polylactide (PLA) with two different molecular weights and 25 wt. % of a poly[(butylene adipate)-co-terephthalate] (PBAT) were prepared using either a Brabender batch mixer or a twin-screw extruder. These compounds were selected because blending PLA with PBAT can overcome various drawbacks of PLA such as its brittleness and processability limitations. In this study, we investigated the effects of varying the molecular weight of the PLA matrix and of two different mixing processes on the blend morphology and, further, on droplet coalescence during shearing. The rheological properties of these blends were investigated and the interfacial properties were analyzed using the Palierne emulsion model. Droplet coalescence was investigated by applying shear flows of 0.05 and 0.20 s{sup −1} at a fixed strain of 60. Subsequently, small amplitude oscillatory shear tests were conducted to investigate changes in the viscoelastic properties. The morphology of the blends was also examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs. It was observed that the PBAT droplets were much smaller when twin-screw extrusion was used for the blend preparation. Shearing at 0.05 s{sup −1} induced significant droplet coalescence in all blends, but coalescence and changes in the viscoelastic properties were much more pronounced for the PLA-PBAT blend based on a lower molecular weight PLA. The viscoelastic responses were also somehow affected by the thermal degradation of the PLA matrix during the experiments.

Coalescence in PLA-PBAT blends under shear flow: Effects of blend preparation and PLA molecular weight

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nofar, M.; Heuzey, M. C.; Carreau, P. J.; Kamal, M. R.; Randall, J.

2016-01-01

Blends containing 75 wt. % of an amorphous polylactide (PLA) with two different molecular weights and 25 wt. % of a poly[(butylene adipate)-co-terephthalate] (PBAT) were prepared using either a Brabender batch mixer or a twin-screw extruder. These compounds were selected because blending PLA with PBAT can overcome various drawbacks of PLA such as its brittleness and processability limitations. In this study, we investigated the effects of varying the molecular weight of the PLA matrix and of two different mixing processes on the blend morphology and, further, on droplet coalescence during shearing. The rheological properties of these blends were investigated and the interfacial properties were analyzed using the Palierne emulsion model. Droplet coalescence was investigated by applying shear flows of 0.05 and 0.20 s"−"1 at a fixed strain of 60. Subsequently, small amplitude oscillatory shear tests were conducted to investigate changes in the viscoelastic properties. The morphology of the blends was also examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs. It was observed that the PBAT droplets were much smaller when twin-screw extrusion was used for the blend preparation. Shearing at 0.05 s"−"1 induced significant droplet coalescence in all blends, but coalescence and changes in the viscoelastic properties were much more pronounced for the PLA-PBAT blend based on a lower molecular weight PLA. The viscoelastic responses were also somehow affected by the thermal degradation of the PLA matrix during the experiments.

Morphology Evolution of Polycarbonate-Polystyrene Blends During Compounding

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Chuai, Chengzhi; Almdal, Kristoffer; Johannsen, Ib

2001-01-01

The morphology evolution of polycarbonate-polystyrene (PC/PS) blends during the compounding process in three blending methods of industrial relevance, namely melt blending, re-melt blending in a twin-screw extruder and tri-melt blending in an injection-moulding machine, was investigated using......-empirical model. The results show that the formation of co-continuous morphology strongly depends on blend composition and melt blending method, whereas the model prediction for phase inversion deviates from the experimental values. Further, we found that the initial mechanism of morphology evolution involves...... scanning electron microscopy (SEM) Co examine nine blend compositions. Blends were prepared at compositions where phase inversion was expected to occur according to model predictions. The experimental results were compared to the values of the point of phase inversion calculated with the semi...

Paired Associative Stimulation Targeting the Tibialis Anterior Muscle using either Mono or Biphasic Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Natalie Mrachacz-Kersting

2017-04-01

Full Text Available Paired associative stimulation (PAS protocols induce plastic changes within the motor cortex. The objectives of this study were to investigate PAS effects targeting the tibialis anterior (TA muscle using a biphasic transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS pulse form and, to determine whether a reduced intensity of this pulse would lead to significant changes as has been reported for hand muscles using a monophasic TMS pulse. Three interventions were investigated: (1 suprathreshold PAbi-PAS (n = 11; (2 suprathreshold PAmono-PAS (n = 11 where PAS was applied using a biphasic or monophasic pulse form at 120% resting motor threshold (RMT; (3 subthreshold PAbi-PAS (n = 10 where PAS was applied as for (1 at 95% active motor threshold (AMT. The peak-to-peak motor evoked potentials (MEPs were quantified prior to, immediately following, and 30 min after the cessation of the intervention. TA MEP size increased significantly for all interventions immediately post (61% for suprathreshold PAbi-PAS, 83% for suprathreshold PAmono-PAS, 55% for subthreshold PAbi-PAS and 30 min after the cessation of the intervention (123% for suprathreshold PAbi-PAS, 105% for suprathreshold PAmono-PAS, 80% for subthreshold PAbi-PAS. PAS using a biphasic pulse form at subthreshold intensities induces similar effects to conventional PAS.

Zinc triggers microglial activation.

Science.gov (United States)

Kauppinen, Tiina M; Higashi, Youichirou; Suh, Sang Won; Escartin, Carole; Nagasawa, Kazuki; Swanson, Raymond A

2008-05-28

Microglia are resident immune cells of the CNS. When stimulated by infection, tissue injury, or other signals, microglia assume an activated, "ameboid" morphology and release matrix metalloproteinases, reactive oxygen species, and other proinflammatory factors. This innate immune response augments host defenses, but it can also contribute to neuronal death. Zinc is released by neurons under several conditions in which microglial activation occurs, and zinc chelators can reduce neuronal death in animal models of cerebral ischemia and neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we show that zinc directly triggers microglial activation. Microglia transfected with a nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) reporter gene showed a severalfold increase in NF-kappaB activity in response to 30 microm zinc. Cultured mouse microglia exposed to 15-30 microm zinc increased nitric oxide production, increased F4/80 expression, altered cytokine expression, and assumed the activated morphology. Zinc-induced microglial activation was blocked by inhibiting NADPH oxidase, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1), or NF-kappaB activation. Zinc injected directly into mouse brain induced microglial activation in wild-type mice, but not in mice genetically lacking PARP-1 or NADPH oxidase activity. Endogenous zinc release, induced by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, likewise induced a robust microglial reaction, and this reaction was suppressed by the zinc chelator CaEDTA. Together, these results suggest that extracellular zinc triggers microglial activation through the sequential activation of NADPH oxidase, PARP-1, and NF-kappaB. These findings identify a novel trigger for microglial activation and a previously unrecognized mechanism by which zinc may contribute to neurological disorders.

Effects of dietary supplementation with tribasic zinc sulfate or zinc sulfate on growth performance, zinc content and expression of zinc transporters in young pigs.

Science.gov (United States)

Deng, Bo; Zhou, Xihong; Wu, Jie; Long, Ciming; Yao, Yajun; Peng, Hongxing; Wan, Dan; Wu, Xin

2017-10-01

An experiment was conducted to compare the effects of zinc sulfate (ZS) and tribasic zinc sulfate (TBZ) as sources of supplemental zinc on growth performance, serum zinc (Zn) content and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of Zn transporters (ZnT1/ZnT2/ZnT5/ZIP4/DMT1) of young growing pigs. A total of 96 Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire pigs were randomly allotted to two treatments and were fed a basal diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg Zn from either ZS or TBZ for 28 days. Feed : gain ratio in pigs fed TBZ were lower (P zinc transporter in either duodenum or jejunum of pigs fed TBZ were higher (P < 0.05) than pigs fed ZS. These results indicate that TBZ is more effective in serum Zn accumulation and intestinal Zn absorption, and might be a potential substitute for ZS in young growing pigs. © 2017 Japanese Society of Animal Science.

Availability of native and fertilizer zinc in some Indian soils: studies with 65Zinc

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chaudhury, J.; Deb, D.L.

1979-01-01

Isotopically exchangeable zinc (Et values) was determined by different methods in some soils having pH(H 2 O) varying from 3.05 to 8.40 using 65 Zn. The Et values obtained using different extractants showed significant correlation with available zinc, organic carbon and soil pH. The recovery of applied zinc in the aqueous phase was less than one percent in most of the soils having pH higher than 7.0. Application of zinc with complexing agents like DTPA and EDTA increased the recovery of applied zinc in the solution to about 95 percent. Soil pH, organic C and DTPA extractable zinc showed significant relationship with the recovery of applied zinc under different treatments. Use of EDTA and DTPA extractants reduced the zinc buffering capacity of soil to a value less than one, irrespective of the initial pH of the soil, whereas the values were comparatively higher in presence of different levels of zinc carrier. (auth.)

65Zinc and endogenous zinc content and distribution in islets in relationship to insulin content

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Figlewicz, D.P.; Forhan, S.E.; Hodgson, A.T.; Grodsky, G.M.

1984-01-01

Uptake of 65 Zn and distribution of 65 Zn, total zinc, and insulin were measured in rat islets and islet granules under different conditions of islet culture. Specific activity of islet zinc ( 65 Zn/zinc) was less than 15% that of extracellular zinc even after 48 h. In contrast, once in the islet, 65 Zn approached 70% of equilibrium with granular zinc in 24 h and apparent equilibrium by 48 h. During a 24-h culture, at either high or low glucose, reduction of both islet zinc and insulin occurred. However, zinc depletion was greater than that predicted if zinc loss was proportional to insulin depletion and occurred only from the granular compartment, which represents only one third of the total islet zinc. Extension of culture to 48 h caused additional insulin depletion, but islet zinc was unchanged. Omission of calcium during the 48-h culture caused a predicted increase in insulin retention, presumably by inhibiting secretion; however, zinc retention was not increased proportionately. Pretreatment of rats with tolbutamide caused a massive depletion of insulin stored in isolated islets, with little change in total islet zinc; subsequent culture of these islets resulted in a greater loss of granular zinc than predicted from the small loss of granular insulin. None of the conditions tested affected the percentage of either 65 Zn or total zinc that was distributed in the islet granules. Results show that zinc exists in a metabolically labile islet compartment(s) as well as in secretory granules; and extra-granular zinc, although not directly associated with insulin storage, may act as a reservoir for granular zinc and may regulate insulin synthesis, storage, and secretion in ways as yet unknown

Blended Learning Design

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Pedersen, Lise

2015-01-01

University College Lillebaelt has decided that 30 percent of all educational elements must be generated as blended learning by the end of the year 2015 as part of a modernization addressing following educational needs: 1. Blended learning can help match the expectations of the future students who...... learning. 4. Blended learning can contribute to supporting and improving efficiency of educational efforts. This can for instance be done through programmes for several classes by using video conferencing, allocating traditional face to face teaching to synchronous and asynchronous study activities produce...... digital materials which can be employed didactically and reused by the teachers. This can also mean that the particular competencies which teaches have in Svendborg can be used at other locations in UCL and disseminated to a larger group of students without further costs. Educational Innovation...

The Potential for Zinc Stable Isotope Techniques and Modelling to Determine Optimal Zinc Supplementation

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Cuong D. Tran

2015-05-01

Full Text Available It is well recognised that zinc deficiency is a major global public health issue, particularly in young children in low-income countries with diarrhoea and environmental enteropathy. Zinc supplementation is regarded as a powerful tool to correct zinc deficiency as well as to treat a variety of physiologic and pathologic conditions. However, the dose and frequency of its use as well as the choice of zinc salt are not clearly defined regardless of whether it is used to treat a disease or correct a nutritional deficiency. We discuss the application of zinc stable isotope tracer techniques to assess zinc physiology, metabolism and homeostasis and how these can address knowledge gaps in zinc supplementation pharmacokinetics. This may help to resolve optimal dose, frequency, length of administration, timing of delivery to food intake and choice of zinc compound. It appears that long-term preventive supplementation can be administered much less frequently than daily but more research needs to be undertaken to better understand how best to intervene with zinc in children at risk of zinc deficiency. Stable isotope techniques, linked with saturation response and compartmental modelling, also have the potential to assist in the continued search for simple markers of zinc status in health, malnutrition and disease.

The Potential for Zinc Stable Isotope Techniques and Modelling to Determine Optimal Zinc Supplementation

Science.gov (United States)

Tran, Cuong D.; Gopalsamy, Geetha L.; Mortimer, Elissa K.; Young, Graeme P.

2015-01-01

It is well recognised that zinc deficiency is a major global public health issue, particularly in young children in low-income countries with diarrhoea and environmental enteropathy. Zinc supplementation is regarded as a powerful tool to correct zinc deficiency as well as to treat a variety of physiologic and pathologic conditions. However, the dose and frequency of its use as well as the choice of zinc salt are not clearly defined regardless of whether it is used to treat a disease or correct a nutritional deficiency. We discuss the application of zinc stable isotope tracer techniques to assess zinc physiology, metabolism and homeostasis and how these can address knowledge gaps in zinc supplementation pharmacokinetics. This may help to resolve optimal dose, frequency, length of administration, timing of delivery to food intake and choice of zinc compound. It appears that long-term preventive supplementation can be administered much less frequently than daily but more research needs to be undertaken to better understand how best to intervene with zinc in children at risk of zinc deficiency. Stable isotope techniques, linked with saturation response and compartmental modelling, also have the potential to assist in the continued search for simple markers of zinc status in health, malnutrition and disease. PMID:26035248