N-doped TiO2 coatings grown by atmospheric pressure MOCVD for visible light-induced photocatalytic activity

N-doped TiO2 films were deposited by atmospheric pressure CVD from titanium tetra-isopropoxide (TTIP) and N2H4 as reactive gas in the temperature range 400–500 °C on various substrates. The films grown at 400 °C are amorphous and exhibit a compact structure and a smooth surface morphology. Increasing the deposition temperature first leads to the crystallization in the anatase structure (temperature range 410–450 °C) and then to the formation of rutile, so that an anatase-rutile mixture is observed in the temperature range 450–500 °C. Correlation between the structure, the morphology, optical properties, hydrophilicity and photocatalytic activity of the thin films both under UVand VIS light are presented and discussed in relation with deposition conditions

Effect of H2 on the microstructure and properties of TiO2 films grown by atmospheric pressure MOCVD on steel substrates

TiO2 thin films were deposited under atmospheric pressure by MOCVD in the range 400-600 °C on various steel substrates under hydrogen ambiance. It is unusual to study the growth of functional oxide layers under H2 partial pressure, i.e. a reactive gas generally used as reductive atmosphere in CVD. Titanium tetra-isopropoxide was used as single source precursor of Ti and O. The growth rate of TiO2 layers grown under nitrogen increases with the temperature and reaches a maximum in the range 500-550 °C. At these temperatures the diffusion of substrate ions enhances the formation of rutile leading to a lower UV photocatalytic activity. Addition of H2 in the input gas phase during the deposition (i) reduces the formation of interface oxide layer, (ii) prevents the diffusion of cations from the steel substrate toward the TiO2 layer and (iii) favors the growth of anatase. This leads to an increase of photocatalytic efficiency under UV irradiation

Growth of TiO2 thin films by AP-MOCVD on stainless steel substrates for photocatalytic applications

TiO2 thin films were deposited under atmospheric pressure by MOCVD in the temperature range 400–600 °C on stainless steel and Si(100) substrates. Titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) was used as Ti and O source. Single-phased anatase and bi-phased (anatase/rutile) coatings with controlled composition have been deposited depending on the temperature and the TTIP mole fraction. The films grown on stainless steel at low temperature (b420 °C) and low TTIP mole fraction (b10−4) are constituted of pure anatase and they exhibit a high photocatalytic activity under UV light and a high hydrophilicity. In the temperature range 430–600 °C the rutile starts growing leading to anatase/rutile mixtures and subsequently to a progressive decrease of both photocatalytic activity and wettability. Correlations between functional properties and microstructure of the films are discussed

Characterization of the Interfaces in LiFePO4/PEO-LiTFSI Composite Cathodes and to the Adjacent Layers

Interface resistances between the different components of battery cells limit their fast charge and discharge capability which is required for different applications such as electromobility. To decrease interface resistances, it is necessary to understand which individual interface they arise at and how they can be controlled. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is a well-established technique for the distinction of different contributions to the internal cell resistance and allows the characterization of interface resistances. Especially the use of suitable cell setups allows one to attribute the measured resistances to specific interfaces. In this contribution, we investigate the impedance of dry polymer full cells containing a lithium iron phosphate/ poly(ethylene oxide)-lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide composite cathode, a solid polymer electrolyte separator and a lithium-metal anode. Based on the results on different cell setups, we are able to reliably determine the planar resistances between the components as well as the charge transfer resistance inside the composite cathode. For unoptimized systems, we find high planar resistances, which can be significantly reduced by coating and processing strategies. For the charge transfer resistance, we find a dependence on the SOC as well as on the charging direction. Possible mechanisms for the evolution of interface resistances are discussed also based on chemical analysis performed by photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)

Effects of safinamide on pain in patients with fluctuating Parkinson's disease

Background: Non-motor symptoms (NMS) are integral to Parkinson's Disease (PD) and management remains a challenge. Safinamide is a novel molecule in relation to addressing NMS due to its multifocal mechanism of action with both dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic properties. Objective: To investigate the efficacy of safinamide on NMS and its burden in PD patients with motor fluctuations after 6 months of treatment. Methods: This observational, multicenter, open-label, pilot study assessed a wide range of NMS using the following rating scales, NMSS (non-motor symptom scale), KPPS (King's PD pain scale), HADS (hospital anxiety and depression scale), PDQ-8 (Parkinson's disease quality of life questionnaire), and PDSS-2 (Parkinson's disease sleep scale), EuroQol-5D 3 level version (EQ-5D-3L), CGI-I (clinical global impression of improvement), and PGI-C (patient global impression of change). Motor examination using UPDRS part III (Unified Parkinson's disease rating scale, motor examination), UPDRS IV (complications of therapy) and Hoehn and Yahr staging were also obtained. Results: 27 patients were included in the analysis and were evaluated at baseline and ≥ 6 months after safinamide treatment. 26 patients had a daily maintenance dose of 100 mg and 1 patient a daily dose of 50 mg. Significant improvements in UPDRS IV, KPPS item 5 (region-specific "off" dystonia), KPPS domain 3 (items 4-6, fluctuation related pain) and KPPS total score were observed after treatment with safinamide, while maintaining stable dopaminergic medication. No statistically significant differences were found in NMSS, HADS, PDSS-2, EQ-5D-3L, and PDQ-8 after treatment. Conclusions: Our results suggest that safinamide may have a beneficial effect on pain, a key unmet need in fluctuating PD patients.The study was funded by Zambon SpA with an unconditional research grant. In addition, the study was funded by MultiPark, the strategic research area for neuroscience at Lund University; the Swedish Parkinson Foundation; the Swedish Parkinson Academy and the Faculty of Medicine at Lund University.I was not given any grant numbers or any other details. The funds were used to finance the study personell and the logistic needs of the study.S

In situ monitoring of corrosion mechanisms and phosphate inhibitor surface deposition during corrosion of zinc–magnesium–aluminium (ZMA) alloys using novel time-lapse microscopy

In-situ time-lapse optical microscopy was used to examine the microstructural corrosion mechanisms in three zinc-magnesium-aluminium (ZMA) alloy coated steels immersed in 1% NaCl pH 7. Preferential corrosion of MgZn2 lamellae within the eutectic phases was observed in all the ZMA alloys followed by subsequent dissolution of Zn rich phases. The total extent and rate of corrosion, measured using time-lapse image analysis and scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) estimated mass loss, decreased as Mg and Al alloying additions were increased up to a level of 3 wt% Mg and 3.7 wt% Al. This was probably due to the increased presence of MgO and Al2O3 at the alloy surface retarding the kinetics of cathodic oxygen reduction. The addition of 1 x 10-2 mol/dm3 Na3PO4 to 1% NaCl pH 7 had a dramatic influence on the corrosion mechanism for a ZMA with passivation of anodic sites through phosphate precipitation observed using time-lapse. Intriguing rapid precipitation of filamentous phosphate was also observed and it is postulated that these filaments nucleate and grow due to super saturation effects. Polarisation experiments showed that the addition of 1 x 10-2 mol/dm3 Na3PO4 to the 1% NaCl electrolyte promoted an anodic shift of 50mV in open circuit potential for the ZMA alloy with a reduction in anodic current of 2.5 orders of magnitude suggesting that it was acting primarily as an anodic inhibitor supporting the inferences from the time-lapse investigations. These phosphate additions resulted in a 98% reduction in estimated mass loss as measured by SVET demonstrating the effectiveness of phosphate inhibitors for this alloy system

Chromate-free smart release corrosion inhibitive pigments containing cations

A smart release chrome-free inhibiting system is utilised in an organic coating system to inhibit cathodic disbondment of hot dip galvanised steel. The non-toxic smart release cation system is relatively cheap, easy to process and highly effective. An in-situ scanning Kelvin probe is used to assess the protection offered by the cation containing pigments in a poly-vinyl-butyral model coating. The inhibition of cathodic delamination under the SKP testing conditions exceeds that of hexavalent chromate by the inhibitor system containing magnesium(II) ions

Human-biometeorologisch angepasste Routenführungen durch mathematische Optimierung

Innerstädtische Freiflächen, aber auch Wälder und Waldfächen, werden zur Erholung, zur Bewegung und dem Aufenthalt im Freien von verschiedenen Bevölkerungs- und Nutzergruppen aufgesucht. Für den Aufenthalt im Freiraum spielen bioklimatische und lufthygienische Faktoren eine wichtige Rolle, die sich für verschiedene Altersgruppen unterscheiden. Tatsächlich können durch die grüne Infrastruktur nicht nur eine Vielzahl von Vorteilen verzeichnet werden, sondern es entstehen durchaus auch gesundheitliche Beeinträchtigungen durch sogenannte biologische Noxe. Ziel der Forschungskooperation ist es, möglichst lokalklimatisch, lufthygienisch und gesundheitlich optimierte Routen auszuweisen. Eine erste Untersuchung erfolgt am Beispiel von Waldflächen und der Ozonvorläufersubstanz Isopren. Isopren gehört zur Gruppe der biogenen Kohlenwasserstoffe und wird von verschiedenen Baumarten in unterschiedlicher Konzentration emittiert. Diese Emissionsrate hängt von unterschiedlichen Bedingungen ab, wie meteorologische Faktoren (z.B. Strahlungstemperatur und - intensität), aber auch dem Alter der Bäume sowie den Standort- und Bodeneigenschaften. Bei autochthonen Wetterlagen erreichen die Isoprenemissionen ihr Maximum. Nur sind dies auch die Zeitpunkte, an denen Menschen Grünflächen zur Erholung und Abkühlung aufsuchen. Hierzu gehören auch Waldflächen. Dort finden sich unterschiedliche Baumarten, respektive unterschiedliche Emissionspotenziale; allerdings sind dort aber auch viele Wanderrouten zu verzeichnen. Ziel ist es daher, diejenigen Bereiche, in denen ein erhöhtes Ozonbildungspotenzial vorhanden ist, durch eine angepasste Wegeführung zu meiden. Hierzu werden OpenStreetMap-Daten des betrachteten Wandergebiets in ein mathematisches Knoten-Kanten-Netzwerk transfomiert und jeder Kante deren Länge und deren Isoprenwert basierend auf dem Baumbestand entlang der Kante zugeordnet. In einer ersten Untersuchung wird dabei zwischen drei Isoprenwerten (niedrig, mittel, hoch) unterschieden. Der Isoprenwert eines Weges ergibt sich aus der Summe der Isoprenwerte aller Kanten entlang des Weges. Das zugrundeliegende Optimierungsproblem beschreibt die Aufgabe, zu einem gegebenen Wanderweg einen alternativen Weg geringeren Isoprenwerts zu ermitteln. Dabei soll der neue Weg den selben Start- und Endknoten wie der gegebene Weg haben und möglichst wenig von diesem abweichen. Das Problem wird mathematisch modelliert und mit Methoden der ganzzahligen Optimierung gelöst. Die beschriebene Technik liefert nachweislich gute Lösungen und ist auf jedes beliebige Wandergebiet durch Austauschen der Datengrundlage übertragbar. Gleichzeitig eröffnet die Problemstellung neue Forschungsrichtungen in der mathematischen Grundlagenforschung zu restringierten Kürzesten-Wege-Problemen. Die vorgestellte Arbeit bildet die Basis zur algorithmischen Berechenbarkeit gesundheitsfreundlicher Wanderwege und motiviert tiefergehende Forschung zukünftig auch tagesaktuelle Werte wie Wind oder Temperatur in die Berechnungen einfließen zu lassen und so tagesaktuelle Empfehlungen auszusprechen. Das Vorhaben ist in das Verbundprojekt „Ageing Smart – Räume intelligent gestalten“ eingebunden. Das Projekt wird durch die Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung gefördert. Das Gesamtprojekt adressiert die geburtenstarken Jahrgänge 1955 bis 1969, die Babyboomer. Durch deren Eintritt in das Rentenalter sind Kommunen oftmals damit konfrontiert, altersgerechte Wohnstandorte, Versorgungs- sowie Freizeitstrukturen zu schaffen. Ziel des Gesamtprojektes ist es, ein datengestütztes Entscheidungsunterstützungssystem zu entwickeln, das öffentliche Akteure in ihren Planungsprozessen unterstützt

On the Surface Modification of LLZTO with LiF via a Gas-Phase Approach and the Characterization of the Interfaces of LiF with LLZTO as Well as PEO+LiTFSI

In this study we present gas-phase fluorination as a method to create a thin LiF layer on Li₆.₅La₃Zr₁.₅Ta₀.₅O₁₂ (LLZTO). We compared these fluorinated films with LiF films produced by RF-magnetron sputtering, where we investigated the interface between the LLZTO and the deposited LiF showing no formation of a reaction layer. Furthermore, we investigated the ability of this LiF layer as a protection layer against Li₂CO₃ formation in ambient air. By this, we show that Li₂CO₃ formation is absent at the LLZTO surface after 24 h in ambient air, supporting the protective character of the formed LiF films, and hence potentially enhancing the handling of LLZTO in air for battery production. With respect to the use within hybrid electrolytes consisting of LLZTO and a mixture of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI), we also investigated the interface between the formed LiF films and a mixture of PEO+LiTFSI by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), showing decomposition of the LiTFSI at the interface