Field emission property of ZnO nanowires prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis

The field emission property of cold cathode emitters utilizing the ZnO nanowires with various conditions prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique was discussed. It is found that the emission current was enhanced in the emitters having higher aspect ratio as well as smaller sheet resistance. Applying of post-annealing process, utilization of additional Mo back electrode in the cathode, and coating of Moon the ZnO nanowires resulted in the improvement of the emission current and lowering the threshold voltage. A threshold voltage of about 5.5 V/mu m to obtain 1.0 mu A/cm(2) was achieved in the sample prepared at the growth temperatures varying continuously from 250 degrees C to 300 degrees C. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.ArticleSUPERLATTICES AND MICROSTRUCTURES. 84:144-153 (2015)journal articl

Selective expression of KCNS3 potassium channel α-subunit in parvalbumin-containing GABA neurons in the human prefrontal cortex

The cognitive deficits of schizophrenia appear to be associated with altered cortical GABA neurotransmission in the subsets of inhibitory neurons that express either parvalbumin (PV) or somatostatin (SST). Identification of molecular mechanisms that operate selectively in these neurons is essential for developing targeted therapeutic strategies that do not influence other cell types. Consequently, we sought to identify, in the human cortex, gene products that are expressed selectively by PV and/or SST neurons, and that might contribute to their distinctive functional properties. Based on previously reported expression patterns in the cortex of mice and humans, we selected four genes: KCNS3, LHX6, KCNAB1, and PPP1R2, encoding K+ channel Kv9.3 modulatory α-subunit, LIM homeobox protein 6, K+ channel Kvβ1 subunit, and protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 2, respectively, and examined their colocalization with PV or SST mRNAs in the human prefrontal cortex using dual-label in situ hybridization with 35S- and digoxigenin-labeled antisense riboprobes. KCNS3 mRNA was detected in almost all PV neurons, but not in SST neurons, and PV mRNA was detected in >90% of KCNS3 mRNA-expressing neurons. LHX6 mRNA was detected in almost all PV and >90% of SST neurons, while among all LHX6 mRNA-expressing neurons 50% expressed PV mRNA and >44% expressed SST mRNA. KCNAB1 and PPP1R2 mRNAs were detected in much larger populations of cortical neurons than PV or SST neurons. These findings indicate that KCNS3 is a selective marker of PV neurons, whereas LHX6 is expressed by both PV and SST neurons. KCNS3 and LHX6 might be useful for characterizing cell-type specific molecular alterations of cortical GABA neurotransmission and for the development of novel treatments targeting PV and/or SST neurons in schizophrenia. © 2012 Georgiev et al

Mild hydrothermal treatment to prepare highly dispersed multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with improved dispersion property have been prepared by a mild and fast hydrothermal treatment. The hydrothermal process avoids using harsh oxidants and organic solvents, which is environmental friendly and greatly decreases the damage to intrinsic structure of MWCNTs. The modified MWCNTs were highly soluble in polar solvents such as water, ethanol and dimethylformamide. Morphological observation by TEM indicated that the diameter and inherent structure were well reserved in modified MWCNTs. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy were used to quantify functional groups created on the MWCNT surface, and to determine rational parameters of hydrothermal process.ArticleAPPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE. 257(6):1845-1849 (2011)journal articl

Synthesis of optical quality ZnO nanowires utilizing ultrasonic spray pyrolysis

ZnO nanowires were grown by an ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique. The aspect ratio and size of the wire were dependent mainly on the pH value of a precursor solution and the growth temperature. By high-resolution transmission electron microscopic analysis and photoluminescence measurements, it was confirmed that the nanowires are monocrystalline with good optical quality.ArticleJOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE-MATERIALS IN ELECTRONICS. 20:341-345 (2009)journal articl

Position-selective growth of ZnO nanowires by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis

Position-selective growth of ZnO nanowires was realized by utilizing a patterned soda-lime glass layer. The soda-lime glass layer contributes as the origin of nucleation sites for the growth of nanowires in economically viable ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique. The formation of nanowires took place with good reproducibility at relatively low substrate temperatures of 250-400 degrees C when the soda-lime glass matrix was present at the surface of substrates, and such a nitrate compound as nitric acid or nitrate salt was mixed in the precursor solutions. Based on this technique, the position-selective growth and density-controlled growth of ZnO nanowires can be performed on various types of substrate. The presence of a CaO compound in the glass matrix was revealed as an important condition to grow the nanowires. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.ArticleJOURNAL OF CRYSTAL GROWTH. 311(20):4499-4504 (2009)journal articl

Synthesis of a cuprite thin film by oxidation of a Cu metal precursor utilizing ultrasonically generated water vapor

A Cu2O thin film of cuprite crystal structure was fabricated via a decomposition reaction of water vapor generated by ultrasonic vibration. The thin film, which was grown on a soda-lime glass substrate at 530 degrees C, exhibited a prominent (111) preferred orientation with an optical bandgap of about 2.1 eV and resistivity of 2.81 x 10(4) Omega cm. Generation of H-2 gas during the reaction process contributed to suppressing the growth of impurity tenorite phase. In a conventional process of thermal oxidation, the formation of the cuprite phase was always accompanied by that of the tenorite phase due to an excess oxygen exposure near the surface of the films.ArticleTHIN SOLID FILMS. 556:211-215 (2014)journal articl

Fabrication of flower-shaped Bi(2)O(3) superstructure by a facile template-free process

A novel flower-shaped Bi(2)O(3) superstructure has been successfully synthesized by calcination of the precursor, which was prepared via a citric acid assisted hydrothermal process. The precursor and Bi(2)O(3) were characterized with respect to morphology, crystal structure and elemental chemical state by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was shown that both the precursor and Bi(2)O(3) flower-shaped superstructure were constructed of numerous nanosheets while the nanosheets consisted of a great deal of nanoparticles. Furthermore, key factors for the formation of the superstructures have been proposed; a mechanism for the growth of the superstructure has been presented based on the FESEM investigation of different growth stages.ArticleAPPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE. 257(15):6577-6582 (2011)journal articl