Formation of single-crystalline BaTiO3 nanorods from glycolate by tuning the supersaturation conditions

We have studied peculiarities in the formation of single-crystalline barium titanate (BaTiO₃) nanorods from a glycolate-mediated complex via a single-step hydrothermal process under different supersaturation (S_R) conditions. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed the formation of pure BaTiO₃ with an S_R of above 19. The tetragonality for the BaTiO₃ (c/a) reached 1.013 at S_R = 19–29 and dropped to 1.010 for S_R = 39. According to the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and XRD analyses, the rod-shaped particles exhibited single crystallinity and crystal growth along the [001] plane. With scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the morphological evolution from a plate-shaped intermediate precursor (S_R = 6–9) to a rod-shaped product with an aspect ratio of 6–9 (S_R = 19–29), and to non-polar material with an irregular structure (S_R = 39), was observed. The negative slope, linear dependence of the particles’ width and length on the supersaturation level in the range S_R = 19–39 was established for the first time. The replacement of the prevailing crystallization mechanism from in-situ topotactic transformation into dissolution-precipitation above S_R = 19 was observed. It was shown that with a simple regulation of the S_R, the structural and morphological characteristics of the obtained BaTiO₃ nanoparticle can be effectively tuned.     

In Vivo Albumin-Binding of a C-Functionalized Cyclam Platform for 64Cu-PET/CT Imaging in Breast Cancer Model

An improved glucose-chelator-albumin bioconjugate (GluCAB) derivative, GluCAB-2^Mal, has been synthesized and studied for in vivo ⁶⁴Cu-PET/CT imaging in breast cancer mice models together with its first-generation analogue GluCAB-1^Mal. The radioligand works on the principle of tumor targeting through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect with a supportive role played by glucose metabolism. [⁶⁴Cu]Cu-GluCAB-2^Mal (99 % RCP) exhibited high serum stability with immediate binding to serum proteins. In vivo experiments for comparison between tumor targeting of [⁶⁴Cu]Cu-GluCAB-2^Mal and previous-generation [⁶⁴Cu]Cu-GluCAB-1^Mal encompassed microPET/CT imaging and biodistribution analysis in an allograft E0771 breast cancer mouse model. Tumor uptake of [⁶⁴Cu]Cu-GluCAB-2^Mal was clearly evident with twice as much accumulation as compared to its predecessor and a tumor/muscle ratio of up to 5 after 24 h. Further comparison indicated a decrease in liver accumulation for [⁶⁴Cu]Cu-Glu-CAB-2^Mal.     

[2.2]Paracyclophane-Based TCN-201 Analogs as GluN2A-Selective NMDA Receptor Antagonists

Recent studies have shown the involvement of GluN2A subunit-containing NMDA receptors in various neurological and pathological disorders. In the X-ray crystal structure, TCN-201 ( 1 ) and analogous pyrazine derivatives 2 and 3 adopt a U-shape (hairpin) conformation within the binding site formed by the ligand binding domains of the GluN1 and GluN2A subunits. In order to mimic the resulting π/π-interactions of two aromatic rings in the binding site, a [2.2]paracyclophane system was designed to lock these aromatic rings in a parallel orientation. Acylation of [2.2]paracyclophane ( 5 ) with oxalyl chloride and chloroacetyl chloride and subsequent transformations led to the oxalamide 7 , triazole 10 and benzamides 12 . The GluN2A inhibitory activities of the paracyclophane derivatives were tested with two-electrode voltage clamp electrophysiology using Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing selectively functional NMDA receptors with GluN2A subunit. The o-iodobenzamide 12 b with the highest similarity to TCN-201 showed the highest GuN2A inhibitory activity of this series of compounds. At a concentration of 10 μM, 12 b reached 36 % of the inhibitory activity of TCN-201 ( 1 ). This result indicates that the [2.2]paracyclophane system is well accepted by the TCN-201 binding site.     

Silver-substituted (Ag1-xCux)2ZnSnS4 solar cells from aprotic molecular inks

To battle the high open-circuit voltage deficit (V_OC,def) in kesterite (Cu₂ZnSnS₄ or CZTS) solar cells, a current field of research relates to point defect engineering by cation substitution. For example, by partly replacing Cu with an element of a larger ionic radius, such as Ag, the degree of Cu/Zn disorder decreases, and likewise does the associated band tailing. In this paper, solution-processed (Ag_1-xCu_x)₂ZnSnS₄ (ACZTS) samples are prepared through the aprotic molecular ink approach using DMSO as the solvent. The successful incorporation of silver into the CZTS lattice is demonstrated with relatively high silver concentrations, namely Ag/(Ag+Cu) ratios of 13% and 26%. The best device was made with 13% Ag/(Ag+Cu) and had an efficiency of 4.9%. The samples are compared to the pure CZTS sample in terms of microstructure, phase distribution, photoluminescence, and device performance. In the XRD patterns, a decrease in the lattice parameter c/a ratio is observed for ACZTS, as well as significant peak splitting with Ag addition for several of the characteristic kesterite XRD reflections. In addition to the improvement in efficiency, other advantageous effects of Ag-incorporation include enhanced grain growth and an increased band gap. A too high concentration of Ag leads to the formation of secondary phases such as SnS and Ag₂S as detected by XRD.     

Study of Pb-based and Pb-free perovskite solar cells using Cu-doped Ni1-xO thin films as hole transport material

SCAPS solar cell simulation program was applied to model an inverted structure of perovskite solar cells using Cu-doped Ni_1-xO thin films as hole transport layer. The Cu-doped Ni_1-xO film were made by co-sputtering deposition under different deposition conditions. By increasing the amount of the Cu-dopant, the film crystallinity enhanced whereas the bandgap energy decreased. The transmittance of the thin films decreased significantly by increasing the sputtering power of copper. High quality, uniform, compact, and pin-hole free films with low surface roughness were achieved. The structural, chemical, surface morphology, optical, electrical, and electronic properties of the Cu doped Ni_1-xO films were used as input parameters in the simulation of Pb-based (MAPbI_3-xCl_x) and Pb-free (MAGeI₃) perovskite solar cells. Simulation results showed that the performance of both Pb-based and Pb-free perovskite solar cell devices significantly enhanced with Cu-doped Ni_1-xO film. The highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) for the Pb-free perovskite solar cell is 8.9% which is lower than the highest PCE of 17.5% for the Pb-based perovskite solar cell.     

Effect of metallurgical evolution during post-weld aging treatment on localised corrosion of resistance spot welding joints of A286 superalloy

The combined effect of resistance spot welding and precipitation hardening on the localised corrosion of A286 superalloy is studied. The specimens tested by double loop electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation were welded in the solution treated condition, and then subjected to different precipitation hardening treatments. For both base metal and weld nugget, the maximum localised corrosion is reached when η phase is clearly observable. The fact that the localised corrosion resistance of weld nugget is different from that shown by base metal may be explained by the segregation of Ni and Ti towards the interdendritic region of weld nugget (studied by using scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X-ray analysis).     

强变形工艺对2519A铝合金组织与性能的影响

通过硬度测试、拉伸性能测试、透射电镜观察等分析手段研究了不同强变形工艺下2519A铝合金的力学性能与微观组织。结果表明,经50%的冷轧变形和165 ℃人工时效后,2519A合金的力学性能明显提高,其抗拉强度、屈服强度和伸长率分别为522 MPa、468 MPa和8.5%。而在冷变形前添加165 ℃×2 h预时效处理,合金的力学性能进一步提高,其抗拉强度、屈服强度和伸长率分别达到535 MPa、497 MPa和8%。预时效处理可以提高合金中θ′相的密度,使析出相分布更加均匀,有助于提高合金的力学性能。     

超深超高压裂缝性致密砂岩气藏高效开发技术——以塔里木盆地克拉苏气田为例

塔里木盆地库车坳陷克拉苏气田属于国内罕见的超深超高压裂缝性致密砂岩气藏,气田开发在超深圈闭及断层的落实、储层气水分布的预测、气藏精细描述、裂缝活动性变化的评价及预测、动态监测资料录取、渗流机理研究及对水侵的预测和治理等方面面临诸多难题。为此,通过开展超深复杂构造地震处理解释、裂缝性致密储层定量描述与地质建模、断层活动性评价、超高压气井动态监测以及超高压条件下的渗流机理实验,结合考虑水侵影响的优化开发技术政策,攻关形成了适用于该气藏的系列配套开发技术,并应用于气田开发实践。结果表明:(1)对于山前超深复杂构造,宽方位、高覆盖、高密度的地震采集技术和基于高精度速度模型的叠前深度偏移处理技术可以有效改善地震资料的品质,提高圈闭和断层的落实程度;(2)沿轴线高部位集中布井的井网可以较好地规避构造偏移的风险,实现储量的有效动用、延缓边部水侵;(3)防水、控水、排水是裂缝性致密砂岩气藏开发全生命周期都需要考虑的关键问题,温和开采、见水排水是主要的开发技术对策;(4)系列配套开发技术在该气田取得了良好的应用效果,钻井成功率、产能到位率均达到100%,高效井比例达到78%,该气田年产气量从3×10~8 m~3快速上升到74×10~8 m~3。