Oxygen-rich carbon-nitrogen quantum dots as cocatalysts for enhanced photocatalytic H2 production activity of TiO2 nanofibers

We developed an one-step hydrothermal method to synthesize carbon-nitrogen quantum dots(CNQDs) with oxygen-rich functional groups.The sample was characterized by TEM,AFM,FT-IR,XPS,UV-vis absorption and PL spectra.The 0/C and N/C atomic ratio of typical CNQDs with diameters of 3-6 nm are ca.0.4 and 0.2,respectively.Without noble metal cocatalyst,the photocatalytic H_2 production rate of CNQDs/TiO_2 nanofibers(NFs)(112.4 μmol h~(-1) g~(-1)) is 1.8 times higher than that of TiO_2 NFs.The good absorption of light contributes to the enhanced photocatalytic H_2 performance.The CNQDs could be promising in biomedical imaging,optical data recording storage and photo/electrocatalysis,etc.     

Bionic titania coating carbon multi-layer material derived from natural leaf and its superior photocatalytic performance

Bionic titania coating carbon multi-layer material was fabricated by employing canna leaves as substrate and carbon precursor. Titania nanocrystals were assembled and coated on the natural films. The carbonation treatment under pure N_2 atmosphere yielded the ultrathin multi-film hybrid material. The carbon layer was coated with small anatase titania crystallite(8–10 nm) and possessed a highly specific surface area of 248.3 m~2 g~(-1). Examination using UV–visible spectrophotometer(UV–vis) showed that the band gap of the multi-layer material was reduced to 2.75 eV, and the hydrogen production by photocatalytic splitting of water under visible light irradiation was about 302 μmol g~(-1) after six hour.     

High sensitivity, fast speed and self-powered ultraviolet photodetectors based on ZnO micro/nanowire networks

Ultraviolet(UV) photodetectors(PDs) based on ZnO micro/nanowire(MNW) networks with Pt contacts have been fabricated on glass substrates. The PDs exhibited a high photosensitivity(5 103) for 365 nm UV light with a fast recovery time(0.2 s) at a reverse bias voltage of 2 V. The light induced modulation of Schottky barrier and MNW–MNW junction barrier was employed to account for the results. It was also observed that the PD had a high on–off ratio of 800 without external bias. The photovoltaic effect was proposed to explain the self-powered phenomenon.     

Bilirubin sensor based on CuO-CdO composites deposited in a nafion/glassy carbon electrode matrixes

Copper oxide-cadmium oxide nanocomposites(CuO-CdO NCs) were synthesized by solvothermal technique in a basic medium. CuO-CdO NCs were characterized using conventional techniques, such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy(FTIR), UV–Visible Spectroscopy(UV/Vis), Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy(FESEM), X-ray electron dispersive spectroscopy(XEDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), and powder X-ray diffraction(XRD). A selective and enzyme-less Bilirubin(BLR) sensor was developed with a thin-layer of NCs onto a glassy carbon electrode(GCE, surface area = 0.0316 cm~2) using 5% nafion binders at room conditions. Improved electrochemical performances of higher sensitivity, lower detection limit,linear dynamic range(LDR), and long-term stability of preferred BLR were achieved by a reliable currentvoltage(I-V) approach. The calibration curve was found linear(R~2= 0.9347) in a wide range of BLR concentration(10.0 pM ~ 10.0 mM). Based on the signal to noise ratio value of 3, the sensitivity and limit of detection(LOD) of the sensor were calculated as 95.0 pA μM~(-1) cm~(-2) and 1.0 ± 0.1 pM respectively.Solvothermally synthesized CuO-CdO NCs/GCE is an excellent advancement of developing a selective and sensitive BLR sensor by electrochemical approach and practically implemented in real sample applications.     

Structural,elemental, optical and magnetic study of Fe doped ZnO and impurity phase formation

We have prepared a series of(ZnO)1-x(Fe2O3)x≤0.10bulk samples with various concentrations of Fe dopant by ball milling and investigated their structural, compositional, optical and magnetic properties by means of X-ray diffraction(XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),Raman spectrometer and vibrating sample magnetometer(VSM), respectively. Information about different impurity phases was obtained through Rietveld refinements of XRD data analysis. XPS results showed different valence states(Fe2+ tand Fe3+) supported by shaking satellite peaks in samples. With increasing Fe doping percentage, the crystal quality deteriorated and a shift of E2 low band(characteristic of ZnO) has been observed in Raman spectra. Energy band gap estimated from reflectance UV–vis spectroscopy showed shift for all bulk samples. The magnetic behavior was examined using a vibrating sample magnetometer(VSM), indicating ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature(300 K). The effective magnetic moment per Fe atom decreases with increase in doping percentage which indicates that ferromagnetic behavior arises from the substitution of Fe ions in the ZnO lattice.     

Promising psyllium-based composite containing TiO2 nanoparticles as aspirin-carrier matrix

Composite nanomaterials represent a new trend in the biomedical field. Coupling inorganic/organic constituents with non-toxicity/biocompatibility properties leads to develop the new systems having special characteristics that can be used in various bio-applications. This paper describes the preparation and characterization of psyllium-based composites containing TiO2 nanoparticles in order to develop new therapeutic strategies for aspirin drug delivery. The structural characteristics of obtained materials were investigated by FTIR spectroscopy. The UV–vis spectrophotometric analysis was performed to evaluate the aspirin release behavior under different pH conditions at 37 1C. Combining psyllium(as an excellent source of fiber) with TiO2 inorganic unit(as vehicle of aspirin) it was found that polymeric-TiO2networks have promising potential for controlled aspirin release as therapeutic agent.     

Synthesis of dental resins using diatomite and nano-sized SiO2 and TiO2

The mechanical properties of dental composites were improved by porous diatomite and nano-sized silica (OX-50) used as co-fillers.The resin composites,filled with silanized OX-50 and silanized diatomit...     

Photocatalytic enhancement of Mg-doped ZnO nanocrystals hybridized with reduced graphene oxide sheets

Hybridization of Mg-doped ZnO and reduced graphene oxide(MZO–RGO) were synthesized through one pot reaction process. Crystallization of MZO–RGO upon thermal decomposition of the stearate precursors was investigated by X-ray diffraction technique. XRD studies point toward the particles size with 10–15 nm,which was confirmed by transmittance electronic microscopy,and also indicates that graphene oxide has been directly reduced into its reduced state graphene during the synthesis. Graphene hybridized MZO photocatalyst showed enhanced catalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue(MB). The degree of photocatalytic activity enhancement strongly depended both on the coverage of graphene on the surface of MZO nanoparticles and the Mg doping concentration. The sample of 2 wt% graphene hybridized 5 at% Mg-doped ZnO showed the highest photocatalytic activity,which remained good photocatalytic activity after nine cycling runs.     

Corrosion study of resorbable Ca60Mg15Zn25 bulk metallic glasses in physiological fluids

The corrosion activity of amorphous plates of Ca_(60)Mg_(15)Zn_(25)alloy was investigated.The biocompatible elements were selected for the alloy composition.The electrochemical corrosion and immersion tests were carried out in a multi-electrolyte fluid and Ringer's solution.Better corrosion behavior was observed for the samples tested in a multi-electrolyte fluid despite the active dissolution of Ca and Mg in Ringer's solution.The experimental results indicated that reducing concentration of NaCl from 8.6 g/dm~3for Ringer's solution to 5.75 g/dm~3caused the decrease of the corrosion rate.The volume of the hydrogen evolved after 480 min in Ringer's solution(40.1 ml/cm~2)was higher in comparison with that obtained in a multi-electrolyte fluid(24.4 ml/cm~2).The values of opencircuit potential(E_(OCP))for the Ca_(60)Mg_(15)Zn_(25)glass after 1 h incubation in Ringer's solution and a multielectrolyte fluid were determined to be-1553 and-1536 m V vs.a saturated calomel electrode(SCE).The electrochemical measurements indicated a shift of the corrosion current density(j_(corr))from 1062μA/cm~2for the sample tested in Ringer's solution to 788μA/cm~2for the specimen immersed in a multi-electrolyte fluid.The corrosion products analysis was conducted by using the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS).The corrosion products were identified to be CaCO_3,Mg(OH)_2,CaO,MgO and Zn O.The mechanism of corrosion process was proposed and described based on the microscopic observations.The X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR)also indicated that Ca(OH)_2,CaCO_3,Zn(OH)_2and Ca(Zn(OH)_3)_2·2H_2O mainly formed on the surface of the studied alloy.     

Growth, structural, optical, thermal and dielectric properties of a novel semi-organic nonline ar optical crystal: Dichloro-diglycine zinc II

Dichloro-diglycine zinc II(DCDGZ II),a semi-organic nonlinear optical material has been synthesized and single crystals were grown from the aqueous solution up to dimensions 20×10×3 mm3.The title compound,DCDGZ II(C4H10Cl2N2O4Zn H2O) crystallizes into monoclinic structure with the space group of C2/c.The unit-cell parameters were found to be a=14.4191(7),b=6.9180(2),c=12.9452(6) and Z=4.In the crystal structure,DCDGZ II layer is building up alternatingly with layers of water in which the zinc ions lie on a twofold axis.Theoretical calculations for polarizability,which are useful for device fabrication were made using Clausius–Mosotti equation and Penn analysis and the results were compared.Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopic studies were performed for the identification of the different functional groups presented in the compound.The UV–vis–NIR absorption spectrum reveals that the lower UV cut-off wavelength is 240 nm.The optical band gap of the crystal was estimated as 2.2 eV.The surface morphology,thermal behaviour,dielectric properties have been studied using SEM,TG/DTA and LCR HITESTER analyzer.The nonlinear optical property of the crystal was also confirmed using Kurtz powder technique.     

Activated carbon derived from rice husk by NaOH activation and its application in supercapacitor

Four activated carbon(AC) samples prepared from rice husk under different activation temperatures have been characterized by N2adsorption–desorption isotherms, thermogravimetric analysis(TGA–DTA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM). The specific surface area of AC sample reached 2681 m2 g 1under activation temperature of 800 1C. The AC samples were then tested as electrode material; the specific capacitance of the as-prepared activated carbon electrode was found to be 172.3 F g 1using cyclic voltammetry at a scan rate of 5 mV s 1and 198.4 F g 1at current density 1000 mA g 1in the charge/discharge mode.& 2014 Chinese Materials Research Society. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.     

The enhanced corrosion resistance of UMAO coatings on Mg by silane treatment

The surface silanization was carried out on ultrasonic micro-arc oxidation(UMAO) coatings on pure magnesium using KH550 as silane coupling agent(SCA). The surface morphology, chemical bonds and corrosion resistance of the silane films were investigated by scanning electron microscope(SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) and electrochemical workstation, respectively. The results showed that hybrid coatings were successfully prepared on pure magnesium by UMAO-Na OH(1 mol/L, 2 mol/L, 3 mol/L)-SCA processing. The organic films with Si–O–Mg bonds are helpful for the reduction of the pores in UMAO coatings. The pores decreased with increasing Na OH concentration. Compared with single UMAO treatment, the corrosion potentials(Ecorr) of magnesium plates with UMAO-Na OH(1 mol/L,2 mol/L, 3 mol/L)-SCA treatment increased by 29 m V, 53 m V and 75 m V, respectively, meanwhile the corrosion current density(Icorr) reduced one to two orders of magnitude. It indicated that the corrosion resistance of the coatings was improved by silane treatment.     

Fabrication and character ization of electrospun TiO2/CuS micro–nano-scaled composite fibers

A process to fabricate a kind of novel micro–nano scaled TiO2/CuS composite fibers by electrospinning technique and chemical precipitation method was developed in the present study. The microstructures and photoelectronic properties of the fibers were characterize d using SEM, FT-IR, UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results revealed that the TiO2 portion in the composite fibers was a mixture rutile and anatase phases while TiO2 and CuS had been fully composite. The fibers had smooth surface with a diameter of 50–300 nm. Comparing with pure TiO2 fiber, the TiO2/CuS micro–nano-scaled composite fibers exhibited a strong absorption in the visible light region and the efficiency of photo-induced charge separation were enhanced. This composite system is of widely potential applications in the areas such as solar cells, supercapacity, photocatalysis, etc.     

La2O3–Al2O3 –SiO2 glass-infiltrated 3Y-TZP all-ceramic composite for the dental restora tive application

The 3 mol% yttria stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (3Y-TZP) powder had three particle size distributions, while the fine one was lower than 100 nm. The 3Y-TZP compact was prepared by dry-pressing under pressures ranged from 10 to 30 MPa and then presintered at 1250°C for 2 h. The matrix dry-pressed under the pressure of 20 MPa had a porosity of 16.7% and could be easily processed by computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM), and which had been infiltrated by the La2O3–Al2O3–SiO2 glass at 1200°C for 4 h. The flexural strength and fracture toughness of the composite were 710.7 MPa and 6.51 MPa m^1/2, respectively. The low shrinkage (0.3%) of the composite can satisfy the net-shape fabrication standard. XRD results illustrated that zirconia in the La2O3–Al2O3–SiO2 glass-infiltrated 3Y-TZP all-ceramic composite was mainly in the tetragonal phase. SEM and EDS results indicated that the pores of the matrix were almost filled by the La2O3–Al2O3 –SiO2 glass     

Band structur e design of semiconduc tors for enhanced photocatalytic activity: The case of TiO2

General strategies are proposed by passivated co-doping in present paper to improve the photocatalytic activity of semiconductors for degradation of environmental pollutants.The ideal band gap of semiconductors for enhancement of photocatalytic activity can be lowered to match with visible light absorption and the location of the Conduction Band(CB) should be raised to meet the reducing capacity.Then we apply the strategy to anatase TiO2.It is predicted that nonmetal–metal co-doping TiO2can modify the catalyst band edges by raising the valence band(VB) edge signifcantly and making the CB edge increased 0.24 eV.Therefore,the band gap for co-doping system should be narrowed to about2.72 eV.(N,Ta) is predicted to be the target donor–acceptor combination with the band gap of 2.71 eV,which red-shifts the TiO2absorption edge to 457.6 nm in visible range.The band engineering principle will be ft to other wide-band-gap semiconductors for enhanced photocatalytic activity.     

Fabrication of fine spongy nanoporous Ag-Au alloys with improved catalysis properties

Fine NP-AgAu(nanoporous AgAu) alloys with spongy structure was fabricated by chemical dealloying from rapidly solidified amorphous precursors Ag_(38.75-x)Cu_(38.75)Si_(22.5)Au_x(x=0, 0.5, 1 and 5). The results indicate that the addition of small content Au in precursor can refine both the ligaments and pores obviously. Among the present components of the precursors, NP-AgAu alloys dealloying from Ag_(37.75)Cu_(38.75)Si_(22.5)Au_1 had the finest spongy structure. The size of pores was 5–10 nm and the grain size of ligaments was 10–20 nm. It also had the highest surface area of 106.83 m~2g~(-1) and the best catalytic activity towards electro-oxidation of formaldehyde with the peak current of 665 mA mg~(-1).     

Microstructure and oxidation resistance of SiC–MoSi2 multi-phase coating for SiC coated C/C composites

In order to improve the anti-oxidation of C/C composites, a SiC–MoSi2multi-phase coating for SiC coated carbon/carbon composites(C/C)was prepared by low pressure chemical vapor deposition(LPCVD) using methyltrichlorosilane(MTS) as precursor, combined with slurry painting from MoSi2 powder. The phase composition and morphology were analyzed by scanning electron microscope(SEM) and X-ray diffraction(XRD) methods, and the deposition mechanism was discussed. The isothermal oxidation and thermal shock resistance were investigated in a furnace containing air environment at 1500 1C. The results show that the as-prepared SiC–MoSi2coating consists of MoSi2 particles as a dispersing phase and CVD–SiC as a continuous phase. The weight loss of the coated samples is 1.51% after oxidation at 1500 1C for 90 h, and 4.79% after 30 thermal cycles between 1500 1C and room temperature. The penetrable cracks and cavities in the coating served as the diffusion channel of oxygen, resulted in the oxidation of C/C composites, and led to the weight loss in oxidation.     

Preparation of Cu（In,Ga）Se2 thin film by sputtering from Cu（In,Ga）Se2 quaternary target

Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin films were prepared by directly sputtering Cu(In,Ga)Se2 quaternary target consisting of Cu:In:Ga:Se 25:17.5:7.5:50 at%. The composition and structure of CIGS layers have been investigated after annealing at 550 ℃ under vacuum and a Se-containing atmosphere. The results show that recrystallization of the CIGS thin film occurs and a chalcopyrite structure with a preferred orientation in the (112) direction was obtained. The CIGS thin film annealed under vacuum exhibits a loss of a portion of Se, while the film annealed under Se-containing atmosphere reveals compensation of Se. Several solar cells with three different absorber thicknesses were fabricated using a soda lime glass/Mo/CIGS/CdS/i-ZnO/ZnO:Al/Al grid stack structure. The highest conversion efficiency of 9.65% with an open circuit voltage of 452.42 mV, short circuit current density of 32.16 mA cm2 and fill factor of 66.32% was obtained on a 0.755 cm2 cell area.     

Electroch emical properties and interfacial reactions of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4-δ nanorods

LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4-δ which possesses a high voltage of 4.7 V vs.Li+/Li and stable structure has been considered as a promising cathode material for high energy Li-ion batteries.In this study,well-crystalli...     

Effect of sintering temperature on the preparation of Cu–Ti3SiC2 metal matrix composite

Ti3SiC2 has the potential to replace graphite as reinforcing particles in Cu matrix composites for applications in brush,electrical contacts and electrode materials.In this paper the fabrication of Cu-Ti3SiC2 metal matrix composites prepared by warm compaction powder metallurgy forming and spark plasma sintering(SPS) was studied.The stability of Ti3SiC2 at different sintering temperatures was also studied.The present experimental results indicate that the reinforcing particles in Cu-Ti3SiC2 composites are not stable at and above 800℃.The decomposition of Ti3SiC2 will lead to the formation of TiC and/or other carbides and TiSi2.If purity is the major concern,the processing and servicing temperatures of the Cu-Ti3SiC2 composite should be limited to 750℃ or lower.The composites prepared by warm compaction forming and SPS sintering at 750℃ have lower density when compared with the composites prepared by SPS sintering at 950℃,but their electrical resistivity values are very close to each other and even lower.