2,751 research outputs found

    Development Of Si02 Thin Film On singlecrystal Sic By anodic oxidation technique.

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    Anodic silicon dioxide (Si02) thin film is growth on p- and n-type silicon (Si) and p-type 4H-silicon carbide (SiC) substrate with the thickness ranging from 50-130 nm. Filem nipis Si02 tersadur anod telah ditumbuhkankan di atas substrat silikon (Si) jenis p dan n serta silikon karbida jenis-p dengan ketebalan dalam julat 50-130

    The influence of the preparation method of NiOx photocathodes on the efficiency of p-type dye-sensitised solar cells

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    Improving the efficiency of p-type dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) is an important part of the development of high performance tandem DSCs. The optimization of the conversion efficiency of p-DSCs could make a considerable contribution in the improvement of solar cells at a molecular level. Nickel oxide is the most widely used material in p-DSCs, due to its ease of preparation, chemical and structural stability, and electrical properties. However, improvement of the quality and conductivity of NiO based photocathodes needs to be achieved to bring further improvements to the solar cell efficiency. The subject of this review is to consider the effect of the preparation of NiO surfaces on their efficiency as photocathodes. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

    Current developments of nanoscale insight into corrosion protection by passive oxide films

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    Oxide passive films are a key for the durability of metals and alloys components as well as a central issue in corrosion science and engineering. Herein, we discuss current developments of the nanometer and sub-nanometer scale knowledge of the barrier properties and adsorption properties of passive oxide films brought by recent model experimental and theoretical investigations. The discussed aspects include (i) the chromium enrichment and its homogeneity at the nanoscale in passive films formed on Cr-bearing alloys such as stainless steel, (ii) the corrosion properties of grain boundaries in early intergranular corrosion before penetration and propagation in the grain boundary network, and (iii) the interaction of organic inhibitor molecules with incompletely passivated metallic surfaces. In all three cases, key issues are highlighted and future developments that we consider as most relevant are identified.Comment: Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science, Elsevier, final accepted preprin

    Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) Coatings

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    Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO), also known as micro-arc oxidation (MAO), functionalizes surfaces, improving the mechanical, thermal, and corrosion performance of metallic substrates, along with other tailored properties (e.g., biocompatibility, catalysis, antibacterial response, self-lubrication, etc.). The extensive field of applications of this technique ranges from structural components, in particular, in the transport sector, to more advanced fields, such as bioengineering. The present Special Issue covers the latest advances in PEO‐coated light alloys for structural (Al, Mg) and biomedical applications (Ti, Mg), with 10 research papers and 1 review from leading research groups around the world

    Low temperature solution synthesis of ZnSb, MnSb, and Sr-Ru-O compounds

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    2011 Fall.Includes bibliographical references.Increasing energy demands are fueling research in the area of renewable energy and energy storage. In particular, Li-ion batteries and superconducting wires are attractive choices for energy storage. Improving safety, simplifying manufacturing processes, and advancing technology to increase energy storage capacity is necessary to compete with current marketed energy storage devices. These advancements are accomplished through the study of new materials and new morphologies. Increasing dependence on and rising demand for portable electronic devices has continued to drive research in the area of Li-ion batteries. In order to compete with existing batteries and be applicable to future energy needs such as powering hybrid vehicles, the drawbacks of Li-ion batteries must be addressed including (i) low power density, (ii) safety, and (iii) high manufacturing costs. These drawbacks can be addressed through new materials and morphologies for the anode, cathode, and electrolyte. New intermetallic anode materials such as ZnSb, MnSb, and Mn2Sb are attractive candidates to replace graphite, the current industry standard anode material, because they are safer while maintaining comparable theoretical capacity. Electrodeposition is an inexpensive method that could be used for the synthesis of these electrode materials. Direct electrodeposition allows for excellent electrical contact to the current collector without the use of a binder. To successfully electrodeposit zinc and manganese antimonides, metal precursors with excellent solubility in water were needed. To promote solubility, particularly for the antimony precursor, coordinating ligands were added to the deposition bath solutions. This work shows that the choice of coordinating ligand and metal-ligand speciation can alter both the electrochemistry and the film composition. This work focuses on the search for appropriate coordinating ligands, solution pH, and bath temperatures so that high quality films of ZnSb, MnSb, and Mn2Sb may be electrochemically deposited on a conducting substrate. Increasing use of natural resources for energy generation has driven research in the area of energy storage using superconducting materials. To meet energy storage needs the materials must have the following features: (i) safety, (ii) superconductivity at or above liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K), (iii) low cost manufacturing processes, and (iv) robustness. The search for materials that meet all of these criteria is on-going, specifically in the area of high temperature superconductivity. The precise mechanism of superconductivity is not known. A few theories explain some of the phenomenological aspects, but not all. In order to logically select and synthesize high temperature superconductors for industrial applications, the precise mechanism must first be elucidated. Additionally, a synthetic method that yields pure, high quality crystals is required because transition temperatures have been shown to vary depending on the preparation method due to impurities. Before measuring properties of superconductors, the development of a synthesis method that yields pure, high quality crystals is required. Most superconductors are synthesized using traditional solid state methods. This synthesis route precludes formation of kinetically stable phases. Low temperature synthesis is useful for probing thermodynamic verses kinetic stability of compounds as well as producing high quality single crystals. A novel low temperature hydrothermal synthesis of Sr-Ru-O compounds has been developed. These materials are important because of their interesting properties including superconductivity and ferromagnetism. Sr2RuO4 is particularly interesting as it is superconducting and isostructural to La2CuO4, which is only superconducting when doped. Therefore, Sr2RuO4 is a good choice for study of the mechanism of superconductivity. Additionally, new kinetically stable phases of the Sr-Ru-O family may be formed which may also be superconducting. Sr-Ru-O compounds were previously synthesized via the float zone method. There is one report of using hydrothermal synthesis, but the temperatures used were 480-630 °C. In general, hydrothermal methods are advantageous because of the potential for moderate temperatures and pressures to be used. Additionally, the reaction temperature, precursor choice, and reaction time can all be used to tune the composition and morphology of the product. Hydrothermal methods are inexpensive and a one-step synthesis which is very convenient to scale up for industrial application. This work shows how a hydrothermal method at temperatures between 140 °C and 210 °C was developed for the synthesis of the Sr-Ru-O family of compounds

    Electrochemical fabrication of AuCo nanostructures

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    Electrodeposited Au/CoAu multilayered nanowires are materials with alternating layers of Au and CoAu in a wire where the layer thickness and wire diameter are nanometer size. They can be used for different applications. For example, the wires may exhibit giant magnetoresistance (GMR), a change in the materials resistance with a magnetic field, having applications as a sensor material for microdevices. If Co is etched from CoAu nanowires, rough, porous gold nanostructures will be left behind, which could be used as novel catalysts. In this study, the electrodeposition of Au/CoAu multilayered nanowires and nanotubes in nanoporous templates was explored from a non-cyanide electrolyte. The multilayers were deposited with a pulse current control and the template pore size played an important role in determining whether nanowires or nanotubes were formed. The magnetic and magnetoresistive properties of Au/CoAu multilayered nanostructures were examined. Au/CoAu multilayered thin films exhibited both normal and inverse CIP GMR. After electrodeposition, the solid nanowires were released from the template and one component was electrochemically etched from the nanowires. The electrochemical etching conditions were predetermined by the investigation of electrochemical etching behavior of CoAu alloy and pure Co thin films. By precisely controlling the electrochemical etching potential and time, the surface area of the nanowires was enhanced. Nano-bamboo structures were created after partial etching and Au nanodisk structures were created after complete etching. Compared to conventional chemical etching, the anodization etching process presented here can be controlled to produce partially etched structures. The anodization process was monitored by two techniques. The current was recorded during etching and the total charge was proportional to the layer size. In addition, cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used as a way to observe the partial etching of the nanowires. In addition, the annealing post-treatment was tested to enhance the magnetoresistive properties of Au/CoAu multilayered nanostructures and to improve the quality of the multilayer interface by promoting phase segregation. Furthermore, hollow nano-bamboo structure and ordered nanorings with various aspect ratios were developed through the electrochemical etching of Au/CoAu nanotubes in a similar way. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this has not been done before

    FABRICATION OF DRUG ELUTING TI IMPLANTS FOR DENTAL/ORTHOPEDIC APPLICATIONS

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    Titanium and its alloys are typically used for fabrication of dental and orthopedic implants as they possess various desirable properties including biocompatibility and corrosion resistance. In spite of such benefits, titanium implants show lack of osseointegration after surgery in minor cases. The objective of this research has been to modify the surface of titanium alloy for medical applications through increasing surface hydrophilicity and drug loading. Primarily, anodization method is employed for fabrication of nanotubes on titanium surface to act as anchoring cite for cells. Considering the key role of surface hydrophilicity on cellular attachment to the surface and subsequent biological behavior of attached cells, the fabrication condition of nanotubes during anodization and following heat treatment is optimized. It is shown that anodization voltage, anodization duration and heat treatment temperature and duration can be controlled to fabricate a nanotubular surface that maintains its hydrophilicity over a long period of time. In order to verify the role of surface morphology on obtained characteristics, smooth, anodized-smooth, rough and anodized-rough surfaces are explored. The results show that anodized-smooth and anodized-rough surfaces show higher hydrophilicity than non anodized surfaces. Hydrophilic nanotubes not only promote cell adsorption; but also increase absorption of aqueous drug solution. Consequently, nanotubes are successfully loaded with drug and act as nano drug reservoirs that are potential to deliver the loaded drug locally after surgery. It is shown that dimension of nanotubes can affect rate of drug release. In fact the results indicate that nanotubes with higher aspect ratio (ratio of length to diameter) prolong drug release. A novel method for fabrication of naotubes was investigated which suggests a new way for controlling length of nanotubes. It is shown that heat treatment of the substrate prior to anodization affects length of nanotubes obtained eventually after anodization. In fact, the results show that anatase crystalline structure affects mechanism of formation of nanotubes to form longer nanotubes. Finally, it is demonstrated that corrosion resistance of heat treated nanotubular surface is higher than either heat treated surface or nanotubular surface alone

    Hydrogen Sensor Application of Anodic Titanium Oxide Nanostructures

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    Hydrogen (H2) fuel cells have been considered a promising renewable energy source. The recent growth of H2 economy has required highly sensitive, micro-sized and cost-effective H2 sensor for monitoring concentrations and alerting to leakages due to the flammability and explosiveness of H2 Titanium dioxide (TiO2) made by electrochemical anodic oxidation has shown great potential as a H2 sensing material. The aim of this thesis is to develop highly sensitive H2 sensor using anodized TiO2. The sensor enables mass production and integration with microelectronics by preparing the oxide layer on suitable substrate. Morphology, elemental composition, crystal phase, electrical properties and H2 sensing properties of TiO2 nanostructures prepared on Ti foil, Si and SiO2/Si substrates were characterized. Initially, vertically oriented TiO2 nanotubes as the sensing material were obtained by anodizing Ti foil. The morphological properties of tubes could be tailored by varying the applied voltages of the anodization. The transparent oxide layer creates an interference color phenomena with white light illumination on the oxide surface. This coloration effect can be used to predict the morphological properties of the TiO2 nanostructures. The crystal phase transition from amorphous to anatase or rutile, or the mixture of anatase and rutile was observed with varying heat treatment temperatures. However, the H2 sensing properties of TiO2 nanotubes at room temperature were insufficient. H2 sensors using TiO2 nanostructures formed on Si and SiO2/Si substrates were demonstrated. In both cases, a Ti layer deposited on the substrates by a DC magnetron sputtering method was successfully anodized. A mesoporous TiO2 layer obtained on Si by anodization in an aqueous electrolyte at 5°C showed diode behavior, which was influenced by the work function difference of Pt metal electrodes and the oxide layer. The sensor enabled the detection of H2 (20-1000 ppm) at low operating temperatures (50–140°C) in ambient air. A Pd decorated tubular TiO2 layer was prepared on metal electrodes patterned SiO2/Si wafer by anodization in an organic electrolyte at 5°C. The sensor showed significantly enhanced H2 sensing properties, and detected hydrogen in the range of a few ppm with fast response/recovery time. The metal electrodes placed under the oxide layer also enhanced the mechanical tolerance of the sensor. The concept of TiO2 nanostructures on alternative substrates could be a prospect for microelectronic applications and mass production of gas sensors. The gas sensor properties can be further improved by modifying material morphologies and decorating it with catalytic materials.Siirretty Doriast

    Growth of Ordered Iron Oxide Nanowires for Photo-electrochemical Water Oxidation

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    This work reports the synthesis of ordered and vertically aligned iron oxide nanowires for photo-electrochemical (PEC) water oxidation. The nanowires exhibited promising PEC activity for water oxidation with saturated photocurrents of ∼0.8 mA cm-2 at 1.23 V vs RHE. Various factors inevitably affect their photochemical activity such as crystallinity, morphology, compositional gradient, and surface states. They were studied with HRTEM, EELS, and Raman shift techniques. The nanowires had complex compositional and morphological structures at nano and atomic scales. The nanowires annealed at 350 °C had an outer shell dominated by Fe3+ cations, while the core had mixed oxidation states of iron cations (+2 and +3). In contrast, nanowires annealed at 450 °C are fully oxidized with Fe3+ cations only and were found to be more active. At the same time, we observed anisotropic compositional gradients of nickel cations inside the iron oxide, originating from the nickel support film. Our work shows that the methodology used can affect the composition of the surface and near surface of the grown nanowires. It therefore points out the importance of a detailed analysis, in order to obtain a realistic structure-activity relationship in photo-electrocatalysis
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