Synthesis of CdS and CdSe nanocrystallites using a novel single-molecule precursors approach

The synthesis of CdS and CdSe nanocrystallites using the thermolysis of several dithioor diselenocarbamato complexes of cadmium in trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) is reported. The nanodispersed materials obtained show quantum size effects in their optical spectra and exhibit near band-edge luminescence. The influence of experimental parameters on the properties of the nanocrystallites is discussed. HRTEM images of these materials show well-defined, crystalline nanosized particles. Standard size fractionation procedures can be performed in order to narrow the size dispersion of the samples. The TOPO-capped CdS and CdSe nanocrystallites and simple organic bridging ligands, such as 2,2¢-bipyrimidine, are used as the starting materials for the preparation of novel nanocomposites. The optical properties shown by these new nanocomposites are compared with those of the starting nanodispersed materials

HYTHEC: An EC funded search for a long term massive hydrogen production route using solar and nuclear technologies

The objective of HYTHEC-HYdrogen THErmo-chemicat Cycles-is to investigate the effective potential for massive hydrogen production of the S-I thermo-chemical cycle, and to compare it with the hybrid S Westinghouse (WH) cycle. The project aims to conduct flow-sheeting, industrial scale-up, safety and costs modelling, to improve the fundamental knowledge and efficiency of the S-I cycle H-2 production step, and to investigate a solar primary energy source for the H2SO4 decomposition step which is common to both the cycles. Initial reference flow-sheets have been prepared and compared. First data and results are available now on the coupling of S-I cycle with a very high temperature nuclear reactor, scale-up to industrial level and cost estimation, improvement of the knowledge of the HIx mixture (S-I cycle) and membrane separation, splitting of sulphuric acid using a solar furnace, and plant concepts regarding the WH process. (C) 2006 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved