Transition from Ferromagnetism to Antiferromagnetism in Ga1−x_{1-x}Mnx_xN

Using density functional theory, we study the magnetic stability of the Ga$_{1-x}$Mn$_x$N alloy system. We show that unlike Ga$_{1-x}$Mn$_x$As, which shows only ferromagnetic (FM) phase, Ga$_{1-x}$Mn$_x$N can be stable in either FM or antiferromagnetic phases depending on the alloy concentration. The magnetic order can also be altered by applying pressure or with charge compensation. A unified model is used to explain these behaviors.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Characterisation of titanium tetrachloride and titanium sulfate flocculation in wastewater treatment

Flocculation with titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) and titanium sulfate (Ti(SO4)2) was investigated in terms of different coagulant doses, pH, turbidity, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), UV-254, colour, zeta potential, particle size and molecular weight distribution. The two coagulants were compared with the commonly used coagulants such as ferric chloride (FeCl3) and aluminium sulfate (Al2(SO 4)3). Titanium tetrachloride showed the highest turbidity removal, while titanium sulfate showed the highest reduction of UV-254 and colour at all pH values. The four coagulants were found to have similar organic removal up to 60-67% and resulted in similar organic removal in terms of various MW ranges. The decantability of the settled flocs was very high for titanium tetrachloride, titanium sulfate and ferric chloride compared with aluminium sulfate. The dominating coagulation mechanisms for titanium tetrachloride and titanium sulfate are still to be studied, since different precipitation reactions might take place at different pH even without flocculant addition. Titanium tetrachloride and titanium sulfate were found as effective new coagulants in wastewater treatment not only in terms of organic matter removal, but also in sludge reduction through the production of titanium dioxide. © IWA Publishing 2009

Fabrication of (Ga,Mn)N nanowires with room temperature ferromagnetism using nitrogen plasma

Ferromagnetic properties of (Ga,Mn)N nanowires were examined by treating with nitrogen plasma at 200 ??C. Nanowires grown by chemical vapor deposition were n-type and no secondary phases were found. The magnetic moment increased and was maintained at room temperature by this treatment. Synchrotron radiation photoemission spectroscopy revealed that Ga vacancies significantly increased, but N vacancies decreased by plasma treatment, leading to a decrease of MnGa-VN complex and the enhancement of Mn activation.open111

Enhancement of magnetic properties by nitrogen implantation to Mn-implanted p-type GaN

N and Mn ions were co-implanted into p-type GaN and subsequently annealed at 700-900degreesC. Compared with Mn-implanted sample, the (Mn+N)-implanted sample revealed a larger ferromagnetic signal. This was attributed to the increase of Ga-Mn magnetic phases. Mn-N compounds, such as Mn6N2.58 and Mn3N2, decreased and the resistivity significantly increased, meaning a reduction of N vacancies. It is suggested that enhancement in ferromagnetic properties in the (Mn+N)-implanted GaN originated from the reduction of N vacancies and the increase of Ga-Mn magnetic phases.open293

Microstructural, optical, and magnetic properties of Mn-implanted p-type GaN

The microstructural, optical and magnetic properties of Mn-implanted p-type GaN were investigated. Dilute magnetic semiconductor was achieved by implanting Mn ions into p-type GaN and subsequently annealing. The Ga-Mn magnetic phases contributing to the ferromagnetic property were produced after annealing Mn-implanted p-type GaN below 800??C.open151

Methane production in an anaerobic osmotic membrane bioreactor using forward osmosis: Effect of reverse salt flux

© 2017 Elsevier Ltd This study investigated the impact of reverse salt flux (RSF) on microbe community and bio-methane production in a simulated fertilizer driven FO-AnMBR system using KCl, KNO3 and KH2PO4 as draw solutes. Results showed that KH2PO4 exhibited the lowest RSF in terms of molar concentration 19.1 mM/(m2.h), while for KCl and KNO3 it was 32.2 and 120.8 mM/(m2.h), respectively. Interestingly, bio-methane production displayed an opposite order with KH2PO4, followed by KCl and KNO3. Pyrosequencing results revealed the presence of different bacterial communities among the tested fertilizers. Bacterial community of sludge exposed to KH2PO4 was very similar to that of DI-water and KCl. However, results with KNO3 were different since the denitrifying bacteria were found to have a higher percentage than the sludge with other fertilizers. This study demonstrated that RSF has a negative effect on bio-methane production, probably by influencing the sludge bacterial community via environment modification

Open porous hydrophilic supported thin-film composite forward osmosis membrane via co-casting for treatment of high-salinity wastewater

© 2016 High-performance thin film composite (TFC) forward osmosis (FO) membranes with a low degree of internal concentration polarization (ICP) are critical for concentrating high-salinity wastewaters. This report focuses on the preparation of TFC FO membranes via a sacrificial approach. In order to improve the FO flux, hydrophilicity and morphology of the support membrane were mainly investigated. The hydrophilicity of the polysulfone (PSF) substrate was tuned by blending with sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK), and the resulting SPEEK blended PSF membrane was denoted as SPSF substrate. The pore structure of the SPSF membrane was tailored by the application of a co-casting technique, which yielded a TFC membrane with a structure parameter (S) of 191 μm. In contrast, the TFC membranes based on the PSF and SPSF substrates through single layer casting showed S values of 527 μm and 361 μm, respectively. These results indicate that the combined hydrophilicity and open pore structure are responsible for the lowered S value. Further application of the hydrophilic substrate based TFC membranes in the treatment of high salinity wastewaters (10 wt%) demonstrated the higher initial water flux (28.3 L/m2·h) with a water recovery rate of 53.2% in comparison to the TFC membrane based on the pristine PSF through the single layer casting. This new method paves a way to generate high-performing FO membranes

Core-Shell Interface-Oriented Synthesis of Bowl-Structured Hollow Silica Nanospheres Using Self-Assembled ABC Triblock Copolymeric Micelles

© 2018 American Chemical Society. Hollow porous silica nanospheres (HSNs) are emerging classes of cutting-edge nanostructured materials. They have elicited much interest as carriers of active molecule delivery due to their amorphous chemical structure, nontoxic nature, and biocompatibility. Structural development with hierarchical morphology is mostly required to obtain the desired performance. In this context, large through-holes or pore openings on shells are desired so that the postsynthesis loading of active-molecule onto HSNs via a simple immersion method can be facilitated. This study reports the synthesis of HSNs with large through-holes or pore openings on shells, which are subsequently termed bowl-structured hollow porous silica nanospheres (BHSNs). The synthesis of BHSNs was mediated by the core-shell interfaces of the core-shell corona-structured micelles obtained from a commercially available ABC triblock copolymer (polystyrene-b-poly(2-vinylpyridine)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-P2VP-PEO)). In this synthesis process, polymer@SiO2 composite structure was formed because of the deposition of silica (SiO2) on the micelles' core. The P2VP block played a significant role in the hydrolysis and condensation of the silica precursor, i.e., tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and then maintaining the shell's growth. The PS core of the micelles built the void spaces. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed a spherical hollow structure with an average particle size of 41.87 ± 3.28 nm. The average diameter of void spaces was 21.71 ± 1.22 nm, and the shell thickness was 10.17 ± 1.68 nm. According to the TEM image analysis, the average large pore was determined to be 15.95 nm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images further confirmed the presence of large single pores or openings in shells. These were formed as a result of the accumulated ethanol on the PS core acting to prevent the growth of silica