Theoretical investigations on the spin Hamiltonian parameters for Er3+ ion in LiYF4

The spin Hamiltonian parameters g_∥, g_⊥, A_∥ and A_⊥ for Er³⁺ ion in LiYF₄ are investigated by using the perturbation formulas of these parameters for a 4f¹¹ ion in tetragonal symmetry. In these formulas, the contributions to the spin Hamiltonian parameters from the second-order perturbation terms and the admixtures of different states are considered. The relevant crystal field parameters are calculated from the superposition model and the local structural parameters of the Y³⁺ site occupied by impurity Er³⁺. The theoretical optical spectra within ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴I_13/2 states and the spin Hamiltonian parameters obtained in this work are consistent with the observed values.     

Charge transport and luminescent properties of PMMA-dehydrate nanotubed titanic acid nanocomposites

In this paper, we doped p-type conductivity dehydrated nanotubed titanic acid (DNTA) into insulator polymer poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The electric properties of this nanocomposite were investigated. The photoluminescence efficiency of fluorescent dye 4-(dicyanomethylene)-2-t-butyl-6(1,1,7,7-tetramethyljulolidyl-9-enyl)-4H-pyran (DCJTB) in PMMA matrix was enhanced by doping with DNTA. Moreover, screen effect by DNTA with high permittivity caused the emission from DCJTB to be blue-shifted.     

The electrode/sample contact effects on the dielectric properties of the CaCu3Ti4O12 ceramic

In this paper, the contact effects at the electrode/sample interfaces on the dielectric properties of the CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ (CCTO) ceramic were studied. The experimental results provide clear evidence that the colossal dielectric constant in CCTO is related to the ceramic itself; however, it may also partly originated from the electrode/sample contact effects which depends on the surface resistivity of the sample. When the surface resistivity of the ceramic is as high as 1.2 × 10⁸ Ω cm, no obvious mobile space charges can be observed, and the dielectric properties of the sample is inert to the different metal electrodes and various sample thicknesses, indicating the colossal dielectric constant (near 2000 at 10 kHz) at room temperature is due to the true properties of the ceramic itself. However, after the surface resistivity is lowered to 3.1 × 10⁷ Ω cm through post-annealing the sample in N₂ atmosphere at 750 °C, obvious mobile space charges can be observed, and the dielectric properties of the sample become sensitive to the different types of contacts. The dielectric constant of the sample with Pt electrode shows a significant enhancement (up to 5000 at 10 kHz), comparing with that of the sample with Ag electrode. Clearly, in this case, the extrinsic contact contributes partly to the colossal dielectric constant of CCTO ceramic.     

Improving surface quality in BEAM with optimized electrode

Blasting erosion arc machining (BEAM) introduces a high-efficiency and low-cost machining technique in dealing with difficult-to-cut materials. Despite its high machining efficiency, the machined surface is quite rough. It leads to an excessive allowance for subsequent processing. This paper presents an optimized tool electrode design that enables an enhanced hybrid arc breaking mechanism. Both flow field simulation and machining test verify that the optimized electrode can guarantee a much better gap flow field and debris expelling effect. The corresponding machined surface is significantly improved in aspects of surface roughness, smoothness, uniformity, recast layer as well as heat affected zone.     

Enhanced near-infrared transmission of ZnO-doped Y2O3–MgO nanocomposites with reduced light scattering due to decreased refractive index difference

Y₂O₃–MgO nanocomposites have received attention owing to their high optical and mechanical properties. However, the inevitable light scattering stemming from the refractive index difference between the two phases limits their applications in the near-infrared region. In this study, the grain boundary light scattering was reduced by doping ZnO into MgO. Y₂O₃–Mg_1?xZn_xO nanocomposites were fabricated by hot-press sintered nanopowders synthesized via the sol-gel combustion process. The addition of ZnO reduced the sintering temperature by almost 300 °C and reduced the average grain size by more than 50 nm. Transmittance of 75%–85% was maintained for all samples in the wavelength range of 2–6 µm. The near-infrared cut-on wavelength shifted from 1222 to 843 nm when the ZnO concentration was up to 25 mol%. This work demonstrates the potential of ZnO-doped Y₂O₃–MgO nanocomposites as infrared transparent ceramics over a wide infrared transmission range.     

Conducting polymer coated graphene oxide reinforced C–epoxy composites for enhanced electrical conduction

Enhanced electrical conductivities were achieved in C–epoxy composites by integrating them with conducting polymers (CPs), namely poly pyrrole (PPY), poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and graphene oxide (GO) enwrapped by CPs. By in-situ polymerization of pyrrole or 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) in the presence of the GO (template), sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (structure directing agent), ferric chloride (oxidant), the electrically conductive sheets of GO enwrapped CPs were obtained. The formation of CP coating on GO was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and thermo gravimetric analysis studies. Different wt% of CP and CP coated GO were added to the epoxy resin and this resin was used to prepare the 2D laminated C–epoxy composites by hand layup method. DC electrical conductivity of the prepared C–epoxy composites were analyzed using current–voltage (I–V) characteristics and impedance measurements. Typical results showed that CP coated GO, at 0.5 wt% addition to epoxy imparted highest DC electrical conductivity for C–epoxy composite.     

Electrospun Pt/SnO2 nanofibers as an excellent electrocatalysts for hydrogen oxidation reaction with ORR-blocking characteristic

Pt/SnO₂ nanofibers were synthesized via electrospinning. The unique electrochemical properties were in evidence based on the activity that allowed a hydrogen oxidation reaction and inhibit an oxygen reduction reaction. A high electrochemically active surface area value of 81.17 m²/g-Pt was achieved with ultra-low Pt loading (4.03 wt.%). The kinetics of a hydrogen oxidation reaction was investigated using a linear sweep voltammetry technique under a hydrogen atmosphere. A diffusion-limited current was achieved at 0.07 V and was stable at a high potential. This preparation technique shows great promise for the design of anode electrocatalyst material for fuel cells.     

Studies of the structure of vacuum deposited silicon films on metal substrates as anode materials for Li-ion batteries

Our prepared vacuum deposited silicon films on Ni and Cu substrates show excellent cycle performance opposing to the conventional silicon film having short cycle life. In this paper, the reasons for this long cycle behavior were studied by the measurements of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). At first glance, it seemed that the vacuum deposited silicon films were amorphous from XRD. However, we found that the films consisted of nano-particles with polycrystalline structure. Large surface energy and specific volume of the nano-crystals kept the structure stable against collapsing during the expansion and shrinkage process under lithium insertion and extraction. Consequently, the vacuum deposited silicon films presented good cycling performance.     

Growth,thermal and optical properties of Yb:GdYAl3(BO3)4 crystal

Single crystal of Yb:GdYAl₃(BO₃)₄(Yb:GdYAB) has been grown by the flux method. The structure of Yb:GdYAB crystal has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The experiment show that the crystal has the same structure as that of YAl₃(BO₃)₄ crystal and its unit cell constants have been measured to be a = 9.30146 Å, c = 7.24164 Å, Vol = 542.59 Å³. The absorption and fluorescence spectrum of Yb:GdYAl₃(BO₃)₄ crystal have also been measured at room temperature. In the absorption spectra, there are two absorption bands at 938 nm and 974 nm, respectively, which is suitable for InGaAs diode laser pumping. In the fluorescence spectra, there are two fluorescence peaks at 992 and 1040 nm. The thermal properties of Yb:GdYAl₃(BO₃)₄ crystal have been studied for the first time. The thermal expansion coefficient along c-axis is almost 5.4 times larger than that along a-axis. The specific heat of the crystal has been measured to be 0.77 J/g °C at room temperature. The calculated thermal conductivity is 5.26 Wm⁻¹ K⁻¹ along a-direction.