Piezoelectric nonlinearity and frequency dispersion of the direct piezoelectric response of BiFeO3 ceramics

We report on the frequency and stress dependence of the direct piezoelectric d33 coefficient in BiFeO3 ceramics. The measurements reveal considerable piezoelectric nonlinearity, i.e., dependence of d33 on the amplitude of the dynamic stress. The nonlinear response suggests a large irreversible contribution of non-180{\deg} domain walls to the piezoelectric response of the ferrite, which, at present measurement conditions, reached a maximum of 38% of the total measured d33. In agreement with this interpretation, both types of non-180{\deg} domain walls, characteristic for the rhombohedral BiFeO3, i.e., 71{\deg} and 109{\deg}, were identified in the poled ceramics using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In support to the link between nonlinearity and non-180{\deg} domain wall contribution, we found a correlation between nonlinearity and processes leading to deppining of domain walls from defects, such as quenching from above the Curie temperature and high-temperature sintering. In addition, the nonlinear piezoelectric response of BiFeO3 showed a frequency dependence that is qualitatively different from that measured in other nonlinear ferroelectric ceramics, such as "soft" (donor-doped) Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT); possible origins of this dispersion are discussed. Finally, we show that, once released from pinning centers, the domain walls can contribute extensively to the electromechanical response of BiFeO3; in fact, the extrinsic domain-wall contribution is relatively as large as in Pb-based ferroelectric ceramics with morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) composition, such as PZT. This finding might be important in the search of new lead-free MPB compositions based on BiFeO3 as it suggests that such compositions might also exhibit large extrinsic domain-wall contribution to the piezoelectric response.Comment: 38 pages, 11 figure

TEM and DFT Study of Basal-plane Inversion Boundaries in SnO2-doped ZnO

In our recent study (Ribie et al. 2020) we reported the structure of inversion boundaries (IBs) in Sb2O3 -doped ZnO. Here, we focus on IBs that form in SnO2-doped ZnO. Using atomic resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) methods we confirm that in SnO2-doped ZnO the IBs form in head-to-head configuration, where ZnO4 tetrahedra in both ZnO domains point towards the IB plane composed of a close packed layer of octahedrally coordinated Sn and Zn atoms. The in-plane composition is driven by the local charge balance, following Pauling's principle of electroneutrality for ionic crystals, according to which the average oxidation state of cations is 3+. To satisfy this condition, the cation ratio in the IB-layer is Sn4+ : Zn2+ =1:1. This was confirmed by concentric electron probe analysis employing energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) showing that Sn atoms occupy 0.504 +/- 0.039 of the IB layer, while the rest of the octahedral sites are occupied by Zn. IBs in SnO2-doped ZnO occur in the lowest energy, IB3 translation state with the cation sublattice expansion of Delta IB(zn-zn) of +91 pm with corresponding O-sublattice contraction Delta IB(O-O) of -46 pm. Based on quantitative HRTEM and HAADF-STEM analysis of in-plane ordering of Sn and Zn atoms, we identified two types of short-range distributions, (i) zigzag and (ii) stripe. Our density functional theory (DFT) calculations showed that the energy difference between the two arrangements is small (similar to 6 meV) giving rise to their alternation within the octahedral IB layer. As a result, cation ordering intermittently changes its type and the direction to maximize intrinsic entropy of the IB layer driven by the in-plane electroneutrality and 6-fold symmetry restrictions. A long-range in-plane disorder, as shown by our work would enhance quantum well effect to phonon scattering, while Zn2+ located in the IB octahedral sites, would modify the the bandgap, and enhance the in-plane conductivity and concentration of carriers

Mogućnosti poboljšanja efekata rada ventilacionog sistema u odeljenjima prasilište i odgajalište na farmi svinja “Farkaždin”

Analysis of ventilation systems efficiency in farrowing room and nursery is presented in this paper. Those rooms are selected because of the most sensitive categories in pig production cycle. From this reason, these farm confinements should be carefully analyzed and, if possible, additionally equipped and specially adopted. Based on the present conditions analysis, this paper should suggest improvements of microclimate conditions in the researched confinements. Existing microclimate conditions are monitored in the piglets breath zone, in 12 measuring points, and the zones that are in front and between the fans, as well. Results of the existing conditions analysis emphasized the inefficiency of the present ventilation systems. Especially low effect is achieved in removal of harmful gasses and airborn dust particles. Along with the defined problems, possible solutions are suggested. The solutions included installation of additional ventilation equipment. Combined effects of the existing and the additional equipment, along with its possibilities for fine regulation, should significantly improve the existing conditions.U radu je prikazana analiza rada ventilacionih sistema u odeljenjima prasilišta i odgajališta. Ova odeljenja karakteristična su po tome što se u njima drže najosetljivije kategorije u svinjarskoj proizvodnji. Upravo stoga, ovim odeljenjima treba posvetiti pažnju, i ukoliko postoje mogućnosti i opravdanost uvođenja dodatnih uređaja i adaptacije objekata, iste treba razmotriti i uvesti u praksu. Cilj rada je da se na osnovu analize postojećeg stanja, veličine odeljenja i rasporeda bokseva, kao i rasporeda i broja ventilatora, formira predlog poboljšanja mikroklimatskih parametara u odeljenjima. Postojeće stanje mikroklime snimano je u zoni disanja životinja, u 12 mernih tačaka, pri čemu se vodilo računa da se obuhvati zona uticaja ventilatora, kao i delovi odeljenja gde je njihov efekat manje izražen. Analiza postojećeg stanja mikroklime otkrila je da su efekti rada postojećih sistema ventilacije nedovoljni. Pogotovo je slab efekat iznošenja gasovitih produkata i čestica prašine. Uz analizu, na osnovu uočenih problema, dati su i predlozi za prevazilaženje postojećih problema. Predložena rešenja podrazumevaju ugradnju dodatne ventilacione opreme. Kombinovanjem efekata rada postojeće opreme, sa dodatnom opremom, a pogotovo širokim mogućnostima njene regulacije, može se očekivati značajno poboljšanje postojećeg stanja

Barrier properties, migration into the food simulants and antimicrobial activity of paper-based materials with functionalized surface

The study investigates four paper-based materials designed for short-time wrapping of meat products by determining morpho-structure, capillary-hydroscopic, barrier and antibacterial properties, wettability and migration into food simulants. The paper-based materials are coded as RO, SP, IT and SLO. RO and SLO samples exhibit the best barrier properties against water vapors. The low solubility and contact angles of RO, IT and SLO in A simulant (distilled water) make them suitable for aqueous food storage. The extremely high solubility of SP and SLO in simulant B (acetic acid) shows that wax and hydrophobized starch, respectively are carried by the acidic media, thus these agents are unlikely to coat the paper designed to package acidic food. SLO inhibits E. coli, Salmonella enterica, Lysteria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fluorescens. Polyethylene coated on RO and IT surface and wax impregnated on SP have a lower antimicrobial activity in comparison with hydrophobized starch coated on SLO

Dizajn, klasifikacija, perspektiva i moguća aplikacija dronova u poljoprivredu Srbije

The paper analyzes the possibility and the needs for the use of specific types of robots (mini unmanned aircraft with different designs and the designation of UAVs) and the possibility of using in agriculture (agrodrone). The year 2015 was proclaimed (Fortune Magazine, 2016) as the year of increasing and widespread use of UAVs in various areas of human activity, especially in agriculture and forestry (75% of use). This is important for large farm areas, where UAV has many useful functions and a very cost-effective commercial application. Today, the needs for UAVs have increased sharply with various opportunities for both civilian and military needs. There is also a significant interest in the development of new drones that can autonomously fly in different environments and locations and can perform various missions and tasks. Over the past decade, a wide range of applications for drones has gained the significance that led to the discovery of various types of unmanned UAVs of different sizes and weights. In this review, the classification of UAVs ranging based on a detailed overview of the development of the drone industry in recent years, this paper demonstrates the evolution of drones and differents application technologies. Of course, this development is very advanced and revolutionary, as well as the development of mobile and smart phones and the Internet, which will open the way for many users to participate in defining the future of UAV implementation. LIVONA Company, Belgrade, Serbia (and Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture in Belgrade, in tehnical cooperation) has a study and plans on the implementation of the model micro drone EBee SQ Livona RTK in the future general plans for inspection of protection Soils of territory Minicipality of Stara Pazova (351 km2), and agricultural company Napredak , and exspecially plans for soils of agriculture of R. Serbia. VEKOM GeoCompany from Belgrade, (in cooperation with Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture in Belgrade), has a study and plans on the implementation of the model of the drone Aibot KX6 model, in the future of application of agricultural soils of region Open pit Kolubara for area from app. 600 km2 and the other soils of Region). Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture in Belgrade, in cooperation with Municipality of Ub, has a study and plans on the implementation of the model micro drone Hubsan H109S X4 PRO in the future plans general inspection of protection Soils and Waters of territory of Municipality Ub (456 km2).U radu su analizirane mogućnosti i potrebe upotrebe specifičnih vrsta robota (mini bespilotnih letelica sa različitim dizajnom, označane kao UAV) i način korištenja u poljoprivredi (agrodron). Časopis Fortune je 2015.godinu proglasio kao godinu sve većeg i široko rasprostranjene upotrbe UAV letelica, u različitim oblastima ljudske delatnosti, posebno u poljoprivredi i šumarstvu (75% upotrebe). Ovo je naročito važno za velike farme i oblasti pod šumama, gde UAV ima mnogo korisnih funkcija i veoma isplative komercijalne aplikacije. Danas, potrebe za UAV imaju nagli porast sa različitim mogućnostima kako za civilne tako i za vojne potrebe. Takođe postoji značajan interes za razvoj novih bespilotnih letelica koji mogu autonomno leteti u različitim okruženjima i lokacijama i obaviti različite misije i zadatke. Tokom protekle decenije XXI veka, širok spektar aplikacija za bespilotne letelice je dobio značaj koji je doveo do konstrukcija različitih tipova bespilotnih UAV, različitih veličina i težina i svakako namene. Naravno, tehnološki razvoj kod dron sistema je veoma tehničko-tehnološki napredan i revolucionaran, uz razvoj mobilnih i pametnih (android) telefona i interneta, brzo otvora puteve i mogućnosti za mnoge korisnike u definisanju nove budućnosti implementacije UAV u različitim oblastima primene . Kompanija Livona d.o.o., Beograd i Institut za poljoprivrednu tehniku, Poljoprivredni fakultet u Beogradu, u tehničkoj saradnji imaju planove o implementaciji modela mikro drona EBee SK Livona RTK u narednim generalnim planovima za inspekciju, zaštitu i korišćenje poljoprivrednih zemljišta Republike Srbije, i posebno teritorije Opštine Stara Pazova (351 km2), gde je posebno mesto poljoprivrednog preduzeća Napredak a.d. VekomGeo d.o.o, Beograd u saradnji sa Institutom za poljoprivrednu tehniku Poljoprivrednog fakulteta u Beogradu ima planove o budućoj upotrebi drona model Aibot X6, za nadzor na površinama od 600 km2 (i poljoprivredna zemljišta) otvorenog kopa R.B. Kolubara ili drugih objekata. Institut za poljoprivrednu tehniku, Poljoprivredni fakultet u Beogradu, ima planove o saradnji sa opštinom Ub, zbog upotrebe modela mikro drona Hubsan H109S Ks4 PRO u inspekciji oko zaštite i načina korišćenja zemljišta i voda na ovoj teritoriji (456 km2)

Long-term oxidization and phase transition of InN nanotextures

The long-term (6 months) oxidization of hcp-InN (wurtzite, InN-w) nanostructures (crystalline/amorphous) synthesized on Si [100] substrates is analyzed. The densely packed layers of InN-w nanostructures (5-40 nm) are shown to be oxidized by atmospheric oxygen via the formation of an intermediate amorphous In-Ox-Ny (indium oxynitride) phase to a final bi-phase hcp-InN/bcc-In2O3 nanotexture. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy and selected area electron diffraction are used to identify amorphous In-Ox-Ny oxynitride phase. When the oxidized area exceeds the critical size of 5 nm, the amorphous In-Ox-Ny phase eventually undergoes phase transition via a slow chemical reaction of atomic oxygen with the indium atoms, forming a single bcc In2O3 phase

UV-visible and IR spectroelectrochemical studies of FeVO4 sol-gel films for electrochromic applications

The sol-gel synthesis route, in combination with dip-coating deposition, was used for the preparation of FeVO4 films. TEM measurements of Fe/V (1 : 1)-oxide films heated at 400degreesC reveal that the films consist of a triclinic FeVO4-I and an orthorhombic FeVO4-II phases with a grain size of up to 50 nm. The electrochromic properties of the films were tested in 1 M LiClO4/propylene carbonate (PC) using various electrochemical techniques and in-situ UV-visible spectroelectrochemical measurements. The best compromise between the charge capacity per film thickness (Qd(-1) = -0.14 mC cm(-2) nm(-1)), electrochemical stability (>1000 cycles) and optical modulation (DeltaT(v)is = 0.15) was achieved in the potential range of 4.80 to 1.80 V vs. Li, which suggests that FeVO4 films can be used as counter-electrodes in electrochromic devices. Extensive IR-spectroscopy studies of FeVO4 films in charged/discharged states revealed the following spectra changes: (i) small charging (-0.01 mC cm(-2) nm(-1)) leads to a variation in the intensity of all the vibrational bands without shifting their frequencies, (ii) higher chargings bring about the intensity and frequency changes of bridging V-O...Fe and V...O...Fe stretchings showing that vanadium, and probably also iron, are involved in the insertion/extraction processes, (iii) below 500 cm(-1) broad absorption appears due to the Li+-O modes, which also remained in the IR spectra of discharged (bleached) states revealing the irreversible lithiation, and (iv) charging to -0.30 and -0.50 mC cm(-2) nm(-1) leads to the amorphisation of the film structure