Low-field positive and high-field negative magnetoresistances in multiphase Fe-oxide thin films at room temperature

Multiphase Fe-oxide thin films are fabricated on glass substrates by a facing-target sputtering tech- nique. X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveal that Fe, Fe3BO4, γ -Fe2BO3B and FeO coexist in the films. High resolution transmission electron microscopy shows the well-defined colum- nar grain structure with the unoxidized Fe as the core and iron-oxide as the shell. The low-field positive and high-field negative magnetoresistances coexist in such a system at room temperature, which can be explained by considering a shell/core model. Nonlinear current-voltage curve and photovoltaic effect further confirm the tunneling-type conduction.     

Photovoltaic properties of MEH-PPV/TiO2 nanocomposites

Photovoltaic properties of photodiodes based on nano-TiO2 and poly[2-methoxy,5-（2＇-ethlhexyloxy）-p-phenylenevinylene] （MEH-PPV） composites are investigated. By comparing composite devices with the same weight of TiO2 （nanoparticles and nanotubes）：MEH-PPV, it was found that the device with TiO2 nanotubes exhibited better performance. By further optimizing the weight radio of TiO2 nanotubes： MEH-PPV, we gained the device with a short circuit current density of 9.27μA/cm^2 with a light intensity of 16.7mW/cm^2 at the 500 nm wavelength, the highest open-circuit voltage of 1.1V, and a photosensitivity of 332 at reverse bias of -0.6V. The photosensitivity is improved by a factor of 33 compared with the undoped MEH-PPV device.     

Measurement of GaAs start duration in different solution concentration using infrared images

This paper proposes a new infrared method to measure the start duration of GaAs substrate in chemical etching. When etching starts, the temperature of liquid-film will change because of heat release in the chemical reaction. As a result, the start duration of GaAs can be tested by collecting real-time in-frared thermal images in the course of temperature variation. Both theoretical analysis and experi-mental results show that the line shape liquid film of a 2-mm width is a good monitoring subject. By making use of the grey distribution change of a certain cross section of the line shape liquid film, the start duration of reaction between GaAs and H2SO4-H202-H20 is obtained. The start durations of reac-tion between GaAs substrate and H2SO4： H202： H20 （=5：1：50 and 15：3：50） solution are about 0.2 s and 0.3-0.4 s, respectively. This result and relative method will impulse the research of wet chemical etching technology of GaAs and so on.     

Preparation and performance of LiNi0. 8Co0.2O2 cathode material based on Co-substituted α-Ni（OH）2 precursor

Co-substituted α-Ni（OH）2 was synthesized by a novel microwave homogeneous precipitation method in the presence of urea. LiNi0.8Co0.2O2 cathode material was synthesized by calcining Co-substituted α-Ni（OH）2 precursor and LiOH·H2O at 900℃for 10 h in flowing oxygen. XRD, FTIR, FESEM and electrochemical tests were used to study the physical and the electrochemical performances of the materials. The results show that the prepared LiNi0.8Co0.2O2 compound has a good layered hexagonal structure. Moreover, the LiNi0.8Co0.2O2cathode material demonstrates stable cyclability with a high initial specific discharge capacity of 183.9 mAh/g. The good electrochemical performance could be attributed to the uniform distribution of Ni^2＋ and Co^2＋ ions in the crystal structure and a minimal cation mixing in LiNi0.8Co0.2O2 host structure.     

Preparation of Fe3O4@Au nano-composites by self-assembly technique for immobilization of glucose oxidase

Superparamagnetism amination nanocrystals Fe₃O₄ with 3-aminopropyltriethyloxy silane (APTES) were prepared by modified co-precipitation method. Next, 4-5 nm gold nanoparticles, prepared by classical Frens procedure, were coated on the surface of the amination Fe₃O₄ by self-assembly technology. The prepared Fe₃O₄@Au nanocomposite particles were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis, infrared spectrum (FT-IR), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) in order to elucidate the morphology, optics and magnetic properties of the nanocomposites. Their uniform distribution of particle size, which is about 15 nm, and good magnetic responsiveness were observed. In view of the fact that Fe₃O₄ owns superparamagnetism and that nano-gold can readily combine with biological molecules, glucose oxidase (GO _x ) was chosen as a model to penetrate the condition of immobilizing enzyme, and enzymatic properties of resultant immobilized enzyme were studied as well. By systematic optimization, we established that at 28°C, and pH (5.5) and when mole ratio of Fe₃O₄:HAuCl₄ was 0.5:1, the immobilization provided the best results. Finally, we are glad to find that the immobilized enzyme exhibits excellent thermostability in addition to its better stability than free enzyme. Thus, herein described immobilized enzyme could be used repeatedly with the assistance of an external magnetic field. Supported by the Science Foundation of Sichuan Province, China (Grant No. 2005A033) and Science Foundation of Sichuan Agricultural University for Distinguished Young Teachers (Grant No. 007202)     

Preparation and magnetic properties of CoFe2O4/TiO2 composite films

Using （Ti（OC4H9）4） and metal chlorates as starting materials, CoFe2O4/TiO2 composite films were prepared by sol-gel method. The effects of heat treatment temperature and pH of the precursor on microstructure and magnetic properties were studied. The phase structure of the samples was examined by X-ray diffraction. The microstructure was examined by scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope and polarized microscope. The magnetic property was measured by vibrating sample magnetometer. The results show that the crystals of different phases grow up independently. CoFe2O4 is uniformly embedded into the TiO2 matrix in the prepared composite films, and the growth of composite films is dependent on the heat treatment temperatures and PH of the precursor. The average size of CoFe2O4 crystal is 19 nm in Nanocomposite film prepared when the heat treatment temperature is 800℃ and the pH of the precursor is between 2 and 3. The magnetism of the composite films is enhanced as the heat treatment temperature increases.     

Preparation and characterization of three-dimensionally ordered macroporous polystyrene <Emphasis Type="Italic">via</Emphasis> atom-transfer radical polymerization

Three-dimensionally ordered macroporous polystyrene （3DOM PS） with pore size of 350 nm was fab- ricated using Cp2Co/Ethyl 2-bromoisobutyrate （EBiB） catalytic system by ATRP. The resulting polymers were detected by FT-IR, 1H-NMR, SEM, and GPC. The microstructure of 3DOM PS was confirmed by FT-IR and 1H-NMR. SEM micrographs show that both silica spheres within the templates and pores in the 3DOM polystyrene are arranged in highly ordered fashion, and the shrinkage of the pores in the 3DOM PS is 24%. GPC curves show that the 3DOM PS possesses slightly lower Mn and narrow MWD compared with bulk one. This result indicats that living polymerization is different from non-living polymerizationin in the confined space.     

An in-situ DRIFTS study in the reaction between NO x and soot on BaAl2O4

The interactions between NO, O2 and their mixture on BaAl2O4, as well as the reaction of NOx with soot in the presence of O2, have been investigated using Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy （DRIFTS）. NO adsorption produces only nitrites species in the absence of O2. NO2 adsorption produces nitrates species besides nitrites species. The produced nitrites will further react with O2, Osurf^-. and Olattice^2- to form nitrates. The reaction of NOx with soot begins with the reaction of nitrates with soot oxygenated complex （C（O））, which is regarded as the key and rate determining step. A reaction pathway is proposed for the catalyzed reaction of NOx with soot in the presence of O2.     

State of water and its implications for supersaturated structures in Mg(NO3)2 aerosols

One technique based on the difference spectra was developed to study the state of water in supersaturated Mg(NO₃)₂ aerosols. The technique could be derived from the observation that the Raman scattering and infrared absorbance cross sections of molecular vibrations of interest remain practically constant from diluted solutions to supersaturated aerosols. The spectra of solvated water were obtained and primarily related to the first hydration layers of solute molecules in supersaturated Mg(NO₃)₂ aerosols. Based on this investigation, a chain structure was proposed to occur in the supersaturated Mg(NO₃)₂ aerosols at low relative humidities (RHs). Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20673010 and 20640420450), “111” Project (Grant No. B07012), and China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Grant No. 20070410466)     

Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of horseradish peroxidase in MnO2 nanosheet film

A novel material MnO2 nanosheet has been used as the support matrix for the immobilization of horseradish peroxidase （HRP）. HRP entrapped in MnO2 nanosheet film exhibits facile direct electron transfer with the electron transfer rate constant of 6.86 s^-1. The HRP/MnO2 nanosheet film gives a reversible redox couple with the apparent formal peak potential （E^0＇） of -0.315 V （vs. Ag/AgCl） in pH 6.5 phosphate buffer solution （PBS）. The formal potential E^0＇ of HRP shifts linearly with pH with a slope of -53.75 mV.pH^-1, denoting that an electron transfer accompanies single-proton transportation. The immobilized HRP shows an electrocatslytic activity to the reduction of H2O2. The response time of the biosensor for H2O2 is less than 3 s, and the detection limit is 0.21 μmol · L^-1 based on signal/noise = 3.     

Modification of TiO2 nanotubes arrays by CdS and their photoelectrocatalytic hydrogen generation properties

In order to realize hydrogen generation under visible light, novel CdS/TiO2 nanotubes arrays are developed by electrochemical anodizaUon of Ti in 0.15 mol/L NHTF ＋ 0.08 mol/L H2C2O4 electrolyte. The diameter of the nanotube is 80-100 nm and the length is approximately 550 nm. The CdS nano-particles are deposited on the TiO2 nanotubes arrays by chemical bath deposition （CBD） in the ammonia-thiourea system. A 300 W Xe lamp is used as the light source, CdS/TiO2 nanotube arrays are used as the photoanode with the application of 1.0 V bath voltage, and 0.1 mol/L Na2S ＋ 0.04 mol/L Na2SO3 solution is used as the electrolyte, then the rate of photoelectrocatalytic hydrogen generation is 245.4 μL/（h·cm^2）. This opens new perspectives for photoelectrocatalytic hydrogen generation by using CdS/TiO2 nanotubes arrays.     

Influence of O2/Ar ratio on the properties of transparent conductive niobium-doped ZnO films

Niobium-doped ZnO transparent conductive films are deposited on glass substrates by radio frequency sputtering at 300℃. The influence of O2/Ar ratio on the structural, electrical and optical properties of the as-deposited films is investigated by X-ray diffraction, Hall measurement and optical transmission spectroscopy. The lowest resistivity of 4.0×10^-4Ω· cm is obtained from the film deposited at the O2/Ar ratio of 1/12. The average optical transmittance of the films is over 90%.     

Dielectric properties of low dielectric constant Ba0.60Sr0.40Mg0.15Ti0.85O3-Mg2TiO4 composite thin films for tunable applications

Ba0.60Sr0.40Mg0.15Ti0.85O3-xmol%Mg2TiO4 （x = 0-40 mol%） （BSTM-MT） composite thin films were fabricated by sol-gel method. The precursor solution of these composite thin films was prepared through mixing the Ba0.80Sr0.40Mg0.15Ti0.85O3 and Mg2TiO4 solution. The microstructures and dielectric tunability of composite thin films were investigated. The dielectric constant of composite thin films can be tailored from 155 to 55 by changing the concentration of Mg2TiO4. The dielectric loss of these composite thin films were still kept below 0.01 and the tunability was above 20% at a dc-applied electric field of 500 kV/cm. Suitable dielectric constant, low dielectric loss, and high tunability of this kind of composite thin films can be useful for potential microwave tunable applications.     

Investigation on the key factors in the hydrothermal synthesis of BN： The way of introducing sodium azide

The way of introducing sodium azide (NaN_3) into the reaction solution played an important role in the preparation of cBN by hydrothermal synthesis method. The results showed that both cBN content and crystalline perfection of the samples improved with increasing R_N value, and pure cBN could be obtained at 300℃ and 10 MPa when R_N increased to 3:1. Here R_N is defined as R_N =NaN_3(I)/NaN_3(II), wherNaN_3(I) denotes the amount of NaN_3 (in molar) that is added into the autoclave at the beginning of threaction process, and NaN_3(II) is the amount of NaN_3 (also in molar) introduced into the autoclave ahigh temperature and high pressure (i.e. 300℃ and 10 MPa). In order to explain the experimental results, a preliminary model was proposed in this paper.     

Holocene climatic and environmental changes recorded in Baahar Nuur Lake core in the Ordos Plateau, Inner Mongolia of China

A 5.3 m lake core was drilled in Baahar Nuur Lake in the Ordos Plateau, and measurements of meangrain size, organic δ 13C (δ 13Corg), organic carbon content (TOC), C/N, carbonate content, carbonate δ 13C(δ 13Ccar) and δ 18O (δ 18Ocar) were conducted for retrieving the Holocene chronosequence of climaticchanges based on 15 AMS 14C dates. The record documented four major stages of climate change inthe Ordos Plateau: (IV) a cold and dry condition before ～7.65 14C ka BP; (III) a warm and humid stagebetween ～7.65 and ～5.40 ka BP; (II) a generally drier and cooler climate since ～5.40 ka BP with twohumid events occurring from ～4.70 to ～4.60 ka BP and from ～4.20 to ～3.70 ka BP, and (I) a dry climatecharacterized by complete desiccation of the lake after 3.70 ka BP. Stage III can be further divided intothree sub-stages: (IIIa) a warm and humid episode from ～7.65 to ～6.70 ka BP, (IIIb) a warm and relativelydry episode from ～6.70 to ～6.20 ka BP, and (IIIc) the magthermal and maghumid episode of the Holo-cene from ～6.20 to ～5.40 ka BP.     

Development and characterization of interspecific hybrids between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> and <Subscript>O. latifolia</Subscript> by <Subscript>in situ</Subscript> hybridization

Oryza sativa and O. latifolia belong to the AA and CCDD genomes of Oryza, respectively. In this study, interspecific hybrids of these species were obtained using the embryo rescue technique. Hybrid panicle traits, such as long awns, small grain, exoteric large purple stigma, grain shattering and dispersed panicles, resemble that of the paternal parent, O. latifolia, whereas there is obvious heterosis in such respects as plant height, tillering ability and vegetative vigor. Chromosome pairing and the genomic components of the hybrid were subsequently investigated using genomic in situ hybridization （GISH） and fluorescent in situ hybridization （FISH） analysis. Based on the mitotic metaphase chromosome numbers of the root tips investigated, the hybrid is a triploid with 36 chromosomes. The genomic constitution of the hybrid is ACD. In the meiotic metaphase Ⅰ of the hybrid pollen mother cell, poor chromosome pairing was identified and most of the chromosomes were univalent, which resulted in complete male sterility in the hybrid.     

Magnetoelectric and converse magnetoelectric res ponses in TbxDy1-xFe2-y alloy ＆ Pb（Mg1/3Nb2/3）（1-x）TixO3 crystal laminated composites

Measured results of magnetoelectric （ME） and converse magnetoelectric （CME） effects of TbxDy1-xFe2-y/ Pb（Mg1/3Nb2/3）（1-x）TixO3/TbxDy1-xFe2-y （TD/PMNT/TD） and PMNT/TD/PMNT laminated composites are presented. ME effect was determined by measuring laminate voltage output under a Helmholtz-generated AC field biased by a DC field （0-1 kOe） （1Oe = 79.58 A/m）. The CME effect was measured by recording the voltage induced in a solenoid encompassing the ME sample while exposed to a DC bias field and PMNT layer driven by a 10 V AC source. The ME and CME responses in the two laminated structure are linear. The highest values of ME coefficients in TD/PMNT/TD and PMNT/TD/PMNT composites are 384 mV/Oe and 158 mV/Oe, respectively, while the highest values of CME coefficients in the two composites are 118 mG/V and 162 mG/V （1 G=10^-4 T）, respectively.     

Heteroseneous oxidation of carbonyl sulfide on mineral oxides

Heterogeneous oxidation of carbonyl sulfide （OCS） on mineral oxides including SiO2, Fe2O3, CaO, MgO, ZnO and TiO2, which are the main components of atmospheric particles, were investigated using in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy （in situ DRIFTS）, ion chromatography （IC）, temperature-programmed desorption （TPD）, X-ray diffraction （XRD） and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller （BET） methods. The main products and intermediates of the heterogeneous oxidation of OCS on these oxides were identified with in situ DRIFTS and IC. The reaction mechanism and kinetics were also discussed. It is found that the reaction mechanism on these mineral oxides is the same as that on Al2O3 for the same final products and the intermediates at room temperature. Namely, OCS can be catalytically oxidized to produce surface SO4^2- species and gaseous CO2 through the surface hydrogen thiocarbonate （HSCO2-） and HSO; species. The activity series for heterogeneous oxidation of OCS follows： Al2O3 ≈ CaO 〉 MgO 〉 TiO2 ≈ ZnO 〉 Fe2O3 〉 SiO2. The specific area, basic hydroxyl and surface basicity of these oxides have effect on the reactivity. This study suggests that heterogeneous reactions of OCS on mineral dust may be an unneglectable sink of OCS.     

Compression behavior and equation of state of Ni77P23 amorphous alloy

The compression behavior of Ni77P23 amorphous alloy is investigated at room temperature in a diamond-anvil cell instrument using insitu high pressure energy dispersive X-ray diffraction with a syn- chrotron radiation source. The equation of state is determined by fitting the experimental data accord- ing to Birch-Murnaghan equation: -ΔV/V0=0.08606P-3.2×10-4P2 5.7×10-6P3. It is found that the structure of Ni77P23 amorphous alloy is stable under pressures up to 30.5 GPa.     

Mineral magnetic properties of surface sediments at Bei’anhe, Beijing, and its environmental significance

A multiparameter investigation of surface sediments from the Bei＇anhe section （Beijing） has been conducted using environmental magnetic approaches. The studied sedimentary sequence consists of pluvial and lacustrine silts and clay of the Holocene age. Magnetite, hematite and pyrrhotite were identiffed as the dominant magnetic minerals. The mineral magnetic characteristics are considered to reflect the Holocene paleoenvironmental processes of the studied area, which are different from the mineral magnetic properties of typical polluted sections reported in the Beijing area. The low-field magnetic susceptibility and saturated isothermal remanence magnetization of the section decrease gradually with increasing depth. This indicates that the concentration of magnetic minerals in the strata decreases down the section. Values of interparametric ratios, such as ARM/SIRM, XARM/Xand SIRM/X, gradually increase with increasing depth, which indicates a down-section decreasing trend in the magnetic grain size of the sediments. Pyrrhotite occurs below the depth of 22 cm, suggesting the existence of redox interface. The magnetic variations of the Bei＇anhe surface sediments might be controlled by two geological processes： reductive diagenesis and pedogenesis. Our findings may have provided a reference point for magnetic investigation of polluted surface sediments in the Beijing area.