Study of deuterium plasma interaction with a tungsten target within RPI-IBIS facility

The paper presents results of experimental research on the interaction of a pulsed plasma-ion stream with a tungsten (W) target. The pulsed deuterium plasma was produced within the RPI-IBIS (Multi-Rod Plasma Injector) facility at IPJ in Swierk. Measurements were carried out by means of optical spectroscopy and corpuscular diagnostic techniques. Structural changes in the irradiated targets were investigated with a SEM. Before experiments with the W-target there were determined operational conditions, when clean deuterium plasma streams can be generated. For that purpose a so-called “slow or PID (Plasma Ion Deposition) mode” of the RPI-IBIS operation was chosen. Particular attention was paid to the identification of spectral lines from WI and WII species. The obtained results, i.e. optical spectra and other characteristics have demonstrated applicability of the RPI-IBIS facility for research on the interaction of plasma streams with W-targets, e.g. those constituting some internal parts of fusion facilities.Представлено результати експериментальних досліджень по взаємодії імпульсного плазмово-іонного потоку з вольфрамовою мішенню. Імпульсні дейтерієві потоки плазми генерувались в СПІ-ІБІС (стержневий плазмовий інжектор), який знаходиться в ІЯП у Шверку. Виміри проводились за допомогою оптичної спектроскопії та корпускулярної діагностики. Структурні зміни облучаємої мішені досліджувались за допомогою SEM. Перед експериментами з вольфрамовою мішенню визначались робочі умови, коли генерувались чисті дейтерієві плазмові потоки. Був вибраний так званий режим “повільний або PID-моди” (плазмового іонного осадження). Частична увага приділялась ідентифікації спектральних ліній WI та WII. Отримані результати, оптичні спектри та інші характеристики, продемонстрували можливість застосовувати установку СПІ-ІБІС для досліджень взаємодії плазмових потоків з W-мішенню, які складають деякі внутрішні частини термоядерного реактору.Представлены результаты экспериментальных исследований по взаимодействию импульсного плазменно-ионного потока с вольфрамовой мишенью. Импульсные дейтериевые потоки плазмы генерировались внутри СПИ-ИБИС (стержневой плазменный инжектор), который расположен в ИЯП в Шверке. Измерения проводились с помощью оптической спектроскопии и корпускулярной диагностики. Структурные изменения облучаемой мишени исследовались с помощью SEM. Перед экспериментами с вольфрамовой мишенью определялись рабочие условия, когда генерировались чистые дейтериевые плазменные потоки. Для этой цели был выбран так называемый режим “медленной или PID-моды” (плазменного ионного осаждения). Частичное внимание уделялось идентификации спектральных линий WI и WII. Полученные результаты, оптические спектры и другие характеристики, продемонстрировали применимость установки СПИ-ИБИС для исследований взаимодействия плазменных потоков с W-мишенью, которые составляют некоторые внутренние части термоядерного реактора

Nanopores with controlled profiles in track - etched membranes

Track-etched membranes are porous systems consisting of a polymer foil with thin channels-pores - from surface to surface. The increasing interest in this kind of material is connected with the development of nanoporous materials with unique properties such as diode-like effects in membranes with highly asymmetrical nanopores. The materials can be used for molecular sensors and atom beam optics, development of nanocapillary bodies for modelling the transport of molecules and ions in constrained volumes. Control over pore geometry opens the way to a number of new applications of track-etch membranes (TMs). The nanopores were obtained by the ion-track etching method using surfactant-doped alkaline solutions. Control over the pore profile and dimensions was achieved by varying the alkali concentration in the etchant and the etching time. The pore geometry was characterized in detail using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM images of the surfaces and cleavages of TMs with different pore morphology are shown

Radiation synthesis of silver nano- and microparticles in cellulose fibers

Polymer nanocomposites containing metal nanoparticles have attracted a great interest due to their unique chemical and physical properties. “Green” chemistry promotes application of natural fibers in such structures, among them cellulose is one of the most frequently used. However, cellulose fabric have ability to absorb moisture, so under certain conditions of humidity and temperature they can be subjected to microbial attack. One of the most popular and best known antibacterial agents is silver, which serves as a potential antibacterial material acting against an exceptionally broad spectrum of bacteria including activity against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were grown at the cellulose fibers surface by direct reduction of AgNO3 with electron beam (EB) application. Nanocomposites obtained according to the method described in the text were investigated with X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope with back-scattered electrons detector (SEM-BSE) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) as well as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in order to determine influence of different size silver particles on fibers thermal properties

Studies on template-synthesized polypyrrole nanostructures

The paper presents a short review of recent achievements in the rapidly growing field of the template synthesis of nanostructures together with their possible application. The results of our own work, concerning the polypyrrole nanotubules synthesis inside pores of track-etched membranes, have been presented as well. Finally, the kinetics of nanotubule growth process using the SEM method and permeability for air of the resulting structures has been also determined

Silica materials with biocidal activity

Pathogenic microorganisms like fungi, bacteria and algae are harmful to human beings and animals. Moreover, they contribute to the destruction of building materials by their biodegradation. Therefore, they create serious hazard for the natural environment. To prevent these phenomena, different materials with biocidal activity are being developed. In elaboration of such materials, one of the most difficult problems to be solved is the achievement of their high effectiveness in controlling harmful microorganism population with the guarantee of safety of their application to the natural environment and humans. As a result of investigation carried out in the INCT on new biocides based on quaternary N-alkylammonium salts (QAC), mainly benzalkonium chloride, and water glass (WG) large group of new silica materials with biocidal activity were synthesised. Possibilities of technology modification in order to obtain different profitable properties of materials are presented in the paper. Preliminary investigations concerning biocidal activity against selected mould fungi, bacteria and algae were performed. Results of microbiological investigations proved stable effectiveness of biocides for protection from harmful microorganisms growth, which does not decrease even after washing of biocidal material with water. Silica materials with biocidal activity due to structural binding of biocidal agent (QAC) can be applied in building industry as materials of high ecological safety

Montmorillonite modified by unsaturated compatibilizing agents and by ionizing radiation as a potential filler in polymeric composites

For last several years we have studied modifications of montmorillonite (MMT) with different agents and the structural changes resulting from the processes. The aim of present work was focused on the preparation of polymer composites from epoxy resin and dispersed phase modified chemically and subsequently activated by irradiation. The paper presents investigations concerning intercalation of MMT by the synthesized unsaturated organophilic agents (on the basis of quaternary ammonium salts). The process was studied by: wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), Fourier- -transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA); additionally mechanical properties of the polymer composite as well as its microscopic structure were tested. It was found that unsaturated quaternary ammonium salts can intercalate between MMT layers. The possibility of radiation-induced compatibilization between modified MMT particles and polymeric matrix was also studied. It was confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy that in the synthesized salts stable radicals are formed during irradiation, however their influence on mechanical properties of the final composite is insignificant

Polymeric Track Etched Membranes - Application for Advanced Porous Structures Formation

Track etched membranes are porous systems consisting of a thin polymer foil with channels from surface to surface. Latent ion tracks are the result of the passage of swift ions through solid matter and they can be etched selectively. As a result, conical, cylindrical or other shape channels can be obtained. The increasing interest in the polymer track etched membranes with nanochannels is connected with development and creation of nanoporous materials of unique properties. The template synthesis method based on deposition of materials inside well-defined uniform pores of membranes offers unique possibilities of formation of one-dimensional, high aspect ratio (length to diameter) cylindrical species having form of rods, wires, tubules, multiwall tubules and multilayer rods, practically from any solid material. Metal-organic frameworks are a class of hybrid materials comprising metal ion-based vertices and organic ligands (linkers) which serve to connect the vertices into one-, two- or three-dimensional periodic structures. A specific property of porous structures is their intrinsic porosity, which renders them potentially useful for gas storage, separation and catalysis. The possibility of obtaining a new composite material: polymeric track etched membrane with pores filled with hybrid porous material has been demonstrated

Changes of stainless steels surface morphology as a result of interaction with intense pulsed plasma beams containing ions of rare earth elements

Among different methods used in surface engineering such as CVD, PVD, ion implantation etc., the techniques using high intensity ion or plasma beams are relatively new ones. The results reported thus far show that the treatment of steel surface with high intensity plasma pulses can lead to changes of its morphology and mechanical properties. Stainless steels have very good corrosion resistance, but they have low hardness and poor tribological properties. The intense pulsed plasma beams were used for modification of alloyed steels especially austenitic (1.4301 and 1.4401) and ferritic (1.4016) stainless steels with various content of alloying elements. Samples were irradiated with 2, 5 or 10 short (μs scale) intense (density of energy was about 5 J/cm2) pulses. Heating and cooling processes were of non-equilibrium type. In all samples the near surface layer of the thickness in μm range was melted and simultaneously doped with cerium and lanthanum. The aim of this work was to investigate the changes of stainless steel surface morphology after melting, rare earth elements (REE) addition and rapid solidification after interaction with intense pulsed plasma beams. The surface morphology was analyzed using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique. Changes of surface roughness were determined by profilometric measurements. The efficiency of REE addition process was also determined

The origin and chronology of medieval silver coins based on the analysis of chemical composition

Medieval Central Europe coins – the Saxon coins, also called as the Otto and Adelheid denarii, as well as the Polish ones, the Władysław Herman and Bolesław Śmiały coins – were examined to determine their provenance and dating. Their attribution and chronology often constitute a serious problem for historians and numismatists. For hundreds of years, coins were in uncontrolled conditions and in variable environment. Destructed and inhomogeneous surface were the effect of corrosion processes. Electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS)), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis (energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) and total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF)), and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) were applied. The results of these investigations are significant for our knowledge of the history of Central European coinage, especially of Polish coinage