Ion beam induced evolution of surface morphology and optical properties of SnO2–ZnO nanocomposite thin films

SnO₂–ZnO nanocomposite thin films, prepared by a simple carbothermal reduction based vapor deposition method, were irradiated with 8 MeV Si³⁺ ions for engineering the morphological and optical properties. The surface morphology of the nanocomposites was studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM), while the optical properties were investigated by photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) and Raman spectroscopy. AFM studies on the irradiated samples revealed growth of nanoparticles at lower fluence and a significant change in surface morphology leading to the formation of nanosheets and their aggregates at higher fluences. A tentative mechanism underlying the observed ion induced evolution of surface morphology of SnO₂–ZnO nanocomposite is proposed. PL studies revealed strong enhancement in the UV emissions from the nanocomposite thin film at lower fluence, while a drastic decrease in the UV emissions along with a significant enhancement in the defect emissions has been observed at higher fluences.     

Performance improvement of conventional and inverted polymer solar cells with hydrophobic fluoropolymer as nonvolatile processing additive

The morphology of the photoactive layer critically affects the performance of the bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells (PSCs). To control the morphology, we introduced a hydrophobic fluoropolymer polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as nonvolatile additive into the P3HT:PCBM active layer. The effect of PVDF on the surface and the bulk morphology were investigated by atomic force microscope and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Through the repulsive interactions between the hydrophilic PCBM and the hydrophobic PVDF, much more uniform phase separation with good P3HT crystallinity is formed within the active layer, resulting enhanced light harvesting and improved photovoltaic performance in conventional devices. The PCE of the conventional device can improve from 2.40% to 3.07% with PVDF additive. The PVDF distribution within the active layer was investigated by secondary ion mass spectroscopy, confirming a bottom distribution of PVDF. Therefore, inverted device structure was designed, and the PCE can improve from 2.81% to 3.45% with PVDF additive. Our findings suggest that PVDF is a promising nonvolatile processing additive for high performance polymer solar cells.     

Doping-free hybrid white organic light-emitting diodes with fluorescent blue,phosphorescent green and red emission layers

Industrialized white organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) currently require host-guest doping, a complicated process necessitating precise control of the guest concentration to get high efficiency and stability. Two doping-free, hybrid white OLEDs with fluorescent blue, and phosphorescent green and red emissive layers (EMLs) are reported in this work. An ultra-thin red phosphorescent EML was situated in a blue-emitting electron transport layer (ETL), while the ultra-thin green phosphorescent EML was placed either in the ETL (Device 1), or the hole transport layer (HTL) (Device 2). Device 2 exhibits higher efficiency and more stable spectrum due to the enhanced utilization of excitons by ultra-thin green EML at the exciton generation zone within the HTL. Values of current efficiency (CE), power efficiency (PE), and CRI obtained for the optimized hybrid white OLEDs fabricated through a doping-free process were of 23.2 cd/A, 20.5 lm/W and 82 at 1000 cd/m², respectively.     

氯甲烷在镁修饰的ZSM-5分子筛催化剂上催化转化研究

在镁修饰的ZSM-5分子筛催化剂上,氯甲烷可以被催化转化为烃类产品。分别采用了离子交换和浸渍的方法来修饰ZSM-5分子筛。离子交换的Mg-ZSM-5催化剂和浸渍的Mg/ZSM-5催化剂都可以提高反应产物中的低碳烯烃的选择性,降低烷烃的选择性,并且保持较高的反应活性,但高的浸渍量对反应活性有一定的影响。NH3-TPD的结果表明,浸渍镁的ZSM-5催化剂的强酸中心数目明显减少。镁的修饰对催化剂酸性的影响导致了产物中低碳烯烃的增加。浸渍Mg的ZSM-5催化剂是潜在氯甲烷转化生成低碳烯烃的催化剂。     

透红外大尺寸氧氟化物玻璃研究

锗酸盐和氟铝酸盐透红外玻璃材料作为窗口或头罩材料具有广泛的应用前景。结合锗酸盐玻璃含有少量水的问题，在成分中引入氟化物，实验表明：随氟化物含量增加．玻璃中羟基含量逐渐降低。同时通过对熔制温度的调整，获得了不合羟基的红外玻璃。针对氟铝酸盐玻璃在冷却过程中易析晶的问题，在氟化物组分中加入少量重金属氧化物TeO2，得到析晶性能好的氧氟铝酸盐玻璃。同时给出了两类红外材料的一些物理、化学性质。     

Small volume PCR in PDMS biochips with integrated fluid control and vapour barrier

In this paper we demonstrate a new method for microfabricating PDMS devices that controls vapour diffusion, thereby reducing water loss at elevated temperatures and greatly increasing the reliability of the PCR. In the past, the vapour and liquid diffusion properties of the PDMS material in microfluidic devices have impaired performance. We show that this water loss is primarily due to vapour diffusion from the PDMS biochip and by implanting a polyethylene vapour barrier layer in the PDMS, the overall fluid loss was almost eliminated (reduced by a factor of 3). We have also developed a procedure to ensure irreversible bonding between the PDMS and the implant. With this improved microfabrication method we demonstrate the feasibility and advantages of performing small volume PCR genetic amplification (i.e. with less than 2 μl of PCR sample) within a PDMS–glass hybrid biochip. Diaphragm pumps and pinch-off valves were integrated in the system and these enabled fluid retention during the amplification stage and will facilitate higher levels of on-chip automation.     

A novel nickel-based mixed rare-earth oxide/activated carbon supercapacitor using room temperature ionic liquid electrolyte

Mesopore nickel-based mixed rare-earth oxide (NMRO) and activated carbon (AC) with rich oxygen-contained groups were prepared as electrode materials in a supercapacitor using room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) electrolyte. These electrode materials were characterized by XPS, XRD, N₂ adsorption, SEM as well as various electrochemical techniques, and showed good properties and operated well with RTIL electrolyte. A 3 V asymmetrical supercapacitor was fabricated, which delivered a real power density of 458 W kg⁻¹ as well as a real energy density of 50 Wh kg⁻¹, and during a 500-cycle galvanostatic charge/discharge measurement, no capacity decay was visible. Such promising energy-storage performance was to a large extent ascribed to nonvolatile RTIL electrolyte with wide electrochemical windows and high stable abilities worked with both electrode materials.     

Pitting corrosion resistance of La added 316L stainless steel in simulated body fluids

Lanthanum (La), a rare earth element with anticoagulative and antiphlogistic function, was added into the medical grade 316L stainless steel in order to improve its biocompatibility. The corrosion resistance of the La added 316L steel in two different simulated body fluids, simulated blood plasma and Hank's solution, was evaluated. The result showed that the addition of La in the steel could largely affect the corrosion behavior of the steel. The steel with 0.01% La showed the widest passive region and the best resistance to pitting attack, within the addition range of La from 0.01% to 0.08%. The corrosion resistance improvement of La added 316L stainless steel is probably due to the effect of La on the purification of the steel, the modification of inclusions, and the passive film formation in the simulated body fluids.     

Effect of Magnetic Interaction on Thermally Activated Reversal in a Magnet With a Distribution of Energy Barriers

The time dependence of magnetization is usually expressed as M(t)=M₀-SInt [see Proc. Phys. Soc. 62, 562 (1949)] for magnetic viscosity experiments. Considering magnetic interaction during the thermal activation process, a form as M(t)=M₀-SIn(t+t₀) is deduced. The dipolar interaction and exchange coupling in a magnet can lead to positive and nonpositive t₀, respectively. In the experiments of the magnetic viscosity for nanocrystalline Pr₂Fe₁₄B ribbons, the existence of positive t₀ is confirmed.