Ammonia gas sensing and magnetic permeability of enhanced surface area and high porosity lanthanum substituted Co–Zn nano ferrites

This work reports magnetic permeability and ammonia gas sensing characteristics of La³⁺ substituted Co–Zn nano ferrites possessing chemical formula Co_0.7Zn_0.3La_xFe_2-2xO₄ (x = 0–0.1) synthesized by a sol-gel route. Refinement of X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the ferrite powders by the Rietveld technique has revealed the creation of single-phase spinel structure. The tenancy of constituent cations at tetrahedral/octahedral sites was obtained from the refinement of XRD. The crystallite sizes calculated from the W–H method vary from 20 to 24 nm. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) profiles of the ferrite samples were analyzed for the morphological details. The energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) patterns of the samples were obtained to test the elemental purity of the ferrites within their stoichiometry. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) image of the ferrite (x = 0.1) exhibits the spherical and oval shaped particles with a mean size of 20 nm. Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectra were analyzed to confirm the superseding of La³⁺ cations at octahedral sites. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis of nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms of the ferrites was performed to investigate the porous structure and to determine the surface area of the nanocrystalline ferrites. The oxidation states of the constituent ions were confirmed by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The complex permeability as a function of frequency was studied to explore the effects of structural parameters on the magnetic behaviour of the ferrites. Analysis of gas sensing properties of the ferrites have proved that the Co–Zn–La ferrite with controlled La composition can be utilized as an effective ammonia gas sensing material in commercial gas sensors.     

Multiferroic behaviour in ‘Bi’ doped solid solution SmFeO3-BaTiO3 perovskite system

The solid solution of (Sm_0.75Bi_0.25FeO₃)_0.5 (BaTiO₃)_0.5 perovskite system is developed through conventional solid state reaction route. Prepared compound is thoroughly analyzed for its multipurpose use by studying its multiferroic character. The XRD spectra verifies the synthesized material is crystallize in tetragonal structure (space group = P4mm). The identification of the involved elements and their actual oxidation states are inspected through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) technique. Dielectric studies reveal the material has high dielectric constant at room temperature for possible storage devices. The relaxation process in the system is related to the short-range portability of charge transporters as studied from modulus spectra. Material can be beneficial for memory devices according to the room temperature multiferroic studies.     

Experimental investigation of Co and Fe-Doped CuO nanostructured electrode material for remarkable electrochemical performance

The current research work presents a facile and cost–effective co-precipitation method to prepare doped (Co & Fe) CuO and undoped CuO nanostructures without usage of any type of surfactant or capping agents. The structural analysis reveals monoclinic crystal structure of synthesized pure CuO and doped-CuO nanostructures. The effect of different morphologies on the performance of supercapacitors has been found in CV (cyclic voltammetry) and GCD (galvanic charge discharge) investigations. The specific capacitances have been obtained 156 (±5) Fg^?1, 168(±5) Fg^?1 and 186 (±5) Fg^?1 for CuO, Co-doped CuO and Fe-doped CuO electrodes, respectively at scan rate of 5 mVs^?1, while it is found to be 114 (±5) Fg^?1, 136 (±5) Fg^?1 and 170 (±5) Fg^?1 for CuO, Co–CuO and Fe–CuO, respectively at 0.5 Ag^-1 as calculated from the GCD. The super capacitive performance of the Fe–CuO nanorods is mainly attributed to the synergism that evolves between CuO and Fe metal ion. The Fe-doped CuO with its nanorods like morphology provides superior specific capacitance value and excellent cyclic stability among all studied nanostructured electrodes. Consequently, it motivates to the use of Fe-doped CuO nanostructures as electrode material in the next generation energy storage devices.     

Indirect charge transfer of holes via surface states in ZnO nanowires for photoelectrocatalytic applications

In this work, ZnO nanowires with high aspect ratio were obtained by fast and simple electrochemical anodization. Morphological, structural and photoelectrochemical characteristics of the synthesized ZnO nanowires were evaluated by using different techniques: field emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV–VIS spectroscopy, Mott-Schottky analysis and photoelectrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The synthesized ZnO nanowires presented high roughness and high crystallinity. Besides, surface defects were identified in the sample. The value of the donor density (N_D) was in the order of 10¹⁹ cm^?3 in the dark and 10²⁰ cm^?3 under illumination. In addition, the ZnO nanowires presented good photosensibility, with a photocurrent density response 85 times higher than a ZnO compact layer, and lower resistance to charge transfer. The charge transfer processes taking place at the ZnO/electrolyte interface were studied, since these processes strongly influence the photoelectrocatalytic efficiency of the material. According to the results, the charge transfer of holes in the synthesized ZnO nanowires occurs indirectly via surface states. In this regard, surface states may be an important feature for photoelectrocatalytic applications since they could provide lower onset voltages and higher anodic current densities.     

Interface mixing and hydrogen absorption in Pd/Mg and Pd/Al/Mg thin films

Pd/Mg bilayers and Pd/Al/Mg trilayers were prepared onto glass substrates at room temperature (RT) by UHV magnetron sputtering. Mixing effects at the Pd–Mg and Al–Mg interfaces were studied in-situ, immediately after deposition, by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Additionally, the interfaces of the Pd/Al/Mg trilayer for the Al thickness equal to 1 nm were examined. Hydrogen absorption was monitored in-situ at RT by simultaneous resistivity and optical transmittance measurements. Formation of MgH₂ phase was confirmed by ex-situ X-ray diffraction measurements. The XPS studies revealed rather sharp interface between Al and Mg layers. On the other hand, a significant interface mixing for the Pd/Mg bilayers and Pd/1 nm – Al/Mg trilayers was observed. Further studies showed that an additional layer of Al, deposited between magnesium and palladium layers, can significantly improve the hydrogen absorption kinetics at RT. The optimal thickness of the Al layer was found to be 0.5 nm.     

Enhancement of resistance to galvanic corrosion of ZE41 Mg alloy by equal channel angular pressing

The galvanic corrosion behavior of as-received and ECAPed ZE41 Mg alloy coupled with Al7075 alloy is investigated using zero resistance ammeter in three different corrosive environments, 0, 0.1, and 1 M NaCl, to mimic the conditions experienced in engineering applications. The mechanism of galvanic corrosion for the ZE41 Mg–Al7075 aluminum alloy is explained. It is observed that a robust surface film containing a composite layer of oxide/hydroxide of magnesium and aluminum is established in deionized water (0 M). However, only a single layer of magnesium oxide/hydroxide is detected in chloride-containing environments. Equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) improved the resistance to galvanic corrosion by 58% and 54% when compared with the as-cast counterparts in 0 and 1 M NaCl solution, respectively. In contrast, galvanic corrosion resistance decreased by 26% in 0.1 M NaCl after ECAP while the as-received samples evinced pits unfavorable to be used in engineering applications. ECAP is a promising method to combat galvanic corrosion encountered by ZE41 magnesium alloy used in automobiles and components of military vehicles.     

Comprehending the role of the S-phase on the corrosion behavior of austenitic stainless steel exposed to H2S/CO2-saturated liquid and vapor environments

The corrosion behavior of austenitic stainless steel after low-temperature liquid oxy-nitriding (LON) was investigated by exposing in H₂S/CO₂-saturated liquid and vapor environments up to 720 h at 60 °C. The corrosion rates before and after LON were compared by the weightlessness method, and the microstructure as well as the corrosion scales were characterized using surface analysis methods. The results indicated that the composite S-phase layer with the outer Fe₃O₄ layer and the inner nitrogen-rich sublayer could improve the corrosion performance in H₂S/CO₂-saturated environment. The base material (BM) suffered local corrosion first, which then transformed into uniform corrosion. As a comparison, The LON sample, covered with a thin corrosion product layer, indicated slight local corrosion. The excellent corrosion resistance of the S-phase should be attributed to the blocking effect of the continuous Fe₃O₄ film as well as the suppression of the atomic mobility by the nitrogen-containing supersaturated solid solution.     

高质量浓度曲拉通X-100对煤泥浮选的抑制效应及机理

表面活性剂在煤泥浮选领域中应用广泛,且表面活性剂常被用于煤泥浮选促进剂,本文从另一个方面探究了表面活性剂在过量的情况下对煤泥浮选的抑制效应及其机理。以低灰煤粒和表面活性剂曲拉通X-100为研究对象,采用X射线光电子能谱(XPS)表征曲拉通X-100在煤表面的吸附状态,静态接触角测定仪测定曲拉通X-100对煤表面疏水性的影响,并探究了不同质量浓度曲拉通X-100液滴在煤粒表面的润湿与铺展情况,采用诱导时间测量仪分析不同质量浓度曲拉通X-100水溶液中的气泡与煤粒的黏附情况,最后通过紫外分光光度计定量表征浮选槽中残留曲拉通X-100质量浓度与不同浮选时间下浮选结果的对应关系。结果表明:高质量浓度曲拉通X-100会抑制煤粒上浮,随着浮选试验的进行,曲拉通X-100质量浓度逐渐降低,低质量浓度曲拉通X-100会促进煤粒被上浮气泡黏附而浮出;高质量浓度曲拉通X-100能够在煤粒表面发生有效吸附,该吸附属于物理吸附,且在一定程度上提高了煤表面的疏水性;高质量浓度曲拉通X-100水溶液更容易润湿煤表面,从而减缓了气泡-煤粒黏附过程中的液膜薄化与破裂速率;在高质量浓度曲拉通X-100水溶液中,气泡表面因罩盖有曲拉通X-100分子,导致气泡表面发生改性,难以与煤粒发生有效黏附。高质量浓度曲拉通X-100主要通过对气泡改性,以及减缓气泡与煤粒碰撞-黏附过程中的液膜薄化-破裂速率来抑制煤粒的浮选。     

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) sensing performance of p-polypyrrole/n-tungsten oxide hybrid nanocomposites at room temperature

Polypyrrole (PPy)–tungsten oxide (WO₃) hybrid nanocomposite have been successfully synthesized using different weight percentages of tungsten oxide (10–50%) dispersed in polypyrrole matrix by solid state synthesis method. The sensor based on PPy–WO₃ was fabricated on glass substrate using cost effective spin coating method for detection of NO₂ gas in the low concentration range of 5–100 ppm. The gas sensing performance of hybrid material was studied and compared with those of pure PPy and WO₃. It was found that PPy–WO₃ hybrid nanocomposite sensor can complement the drawbacks of pure PPy and WO₃. The structure, morphology and surface composition properties of PPy–WO₃ hybrid nanocomposites were employed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The presence of WO₃ in PPy matrix and their interaction was confirmed using XRD, FTIR techniques. The porous surface morphology was observed with addition of WO₃ in PPy matrix which is useful morphology for gas sensing applications. TEM image of PPy–WO₃ hybrid nanocomposites shows the average diameter of 80–90 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to characterize the chemical composition of nanocomposites. It was observed that 50% WO₃ loaded PPy sensor operating at room temperature exhibit maximum response of 61% towards 100 ppm of NO₂ gas and able to detect low concentration of 5 ppm NO₂ gas with reasonable response of 8%. The hybrid sensor shows better sensitivity, selectivity, reproducibility and stability compared to pure PPy and WO₃. The proposed sensing mechanism of hybrid nanocomposite in presence of air and NO₂ atmosphere was discussed with the help of energy band diagram. Furthermore, the interaction of NO₂ gas with PPy–WO₃ hybrid nanocomposites sensor was studied by cole–cole plot using impedance spectroscopy.     

Reversible,repeatable and low phase transition behaviour of spin coated nanostructured vanadium oxide thin films with superior mechanical properties

Smooth, uniform and crystalline vanadium oxide thin films were deposited on quartz by spin coating technique with four different rpm i.e., 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 and subsequently post annealed at 350, 450 and 550?°C in vacuum. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were utilized for microstructural characterizations and phase analysis, respectively, for vanadium oxide powder and deposited film. Nanorods were observed to be grown after vacuum annealing. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) technique was utilized to study the elemental oxidation state of deposited vanadium oxide films. Thermo-optical and electrical properties such as solar transmittance (τ_s), reflectance (ρ_s), absorptance (α_s), infrared (IR) emittance (ε_ir) and sheet resistance (R_s) of different thin films were evaluated. Based on the optical characteristics the optimized condition of the film processing was identified to be spin coated at 3000?rpm. Subsequently, the nanoindentation technique was utilized to measure hardness and Young's modulus of the optimized film. The measured nanomechanical properties were found to be superior to those reported for sputtered vanadium oxide films. Finally, temperature dependent phase transition characteristics of optimized vanadium oxide films were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique. Reversible and repeatable phase transition was found to occur in the range of 44–48?°C which was significantly lower than the phase transition temperature (i.e., 68?°C) of bulk VO₂.