Electrical conductivity of doped ZnS

The electrical conductivity of doped ZnS with different impurities (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu) of various concentrations has been measured to verify the existence of ladder-like levels of ‘killers’ of luminescence. Attempts have been made to ascertain the separation between the valence band of the host ZnS and the ground state of the acceptor impurities and also to investigate the effect of various concentrations of impurities on the electrical conductivity of doped ZnS.     

Electrical conductivity and dielectric measurements of CoMTPP

Results of X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD) show that the powder of 5,10, 15,20-Tetrakis(4-methoxyphenyl)-21H,23H-porphine cobalt(II) (CoMTPP) has polycrystalline nature with triclinic structure. Miller's indices, (hkl), values for each diffraction peak in XRD spectrum are calculated. The electrical conductivity and dielectric properties of bulk CoMTPP have been investigated in the frequency range 42 Hz–5 MHz and in the temperature range 298–413 K. The frequency dependence of electrical conductivity, σ (ω, Τ), follows the Jonscher's universal dynamic law. The obtained results have been discussed in terms of the correlated barrier hopping (CBH) model, which is well adapted to CoMTPP semiconductor material. Complex impedance data are obtained at different frequency and temperature. The best fitting for the Cole–Cole plots can be represented by an equivalent circuit element composed of RQC. The conductivity in the direct regime, σ_dc, is described by the variable range hopping (VRH). The values of dielectric constant, ?^′ (ω), and dielectric loss, ?″ (ω), are found to be decrease with increasing frequency due to the interface states capacitance.     

Electrical conductivity studies on carbazole thin films

Thin films of carbazole have been prepared using vacuum evaporation technique. The electrical conductivity studies are carried out in both low and high temperature regions and the activation energies have been determined. In the low temperature region the electrical conduction is due to hopping of charge carriers in a coulomb gap. Carbazole thin films have been used to fabricate capacitors and the variation of capacitance, dielectric constant; conductivity and dielectric loss in the frequency range between 100 Hz and 3.16 MHz are investigated. The effect of annealing on the dielectric properties is also investigated. The surface topography of the deposited films is studied using scanning electron microscopy. Film morphologies are found to change by annealing.     

Health monitoring of bolted joints via electrical conductivity measurements

The use of electrical resistance as a diagnostic parameter in structural health monitoring of bolted joints is discussed in the paper. The proposed method is based on the phenomenon that the electrical constriction resistance of the rough contact interface between two conductive members clamped by a bolt is a sensitive indicator of bolted joint integrity. A simple formula for relationship between relative electrical conductance changes and relative tightening torque changes is analytically obtained. Based on this formula, a methodology is described for detecting a loosening failure of conductive bolted joints.     

Graphite nanoplatelets and carbon nanotubes based polyethylene composites: Electrical conductivity and morphology

Graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) and/or multiwalled-carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/low density polyethylene (LDPE) composites have been obtained either via melt-mixing or solvent assisted methods.     

Effects of Sn,Ca additions on thermal conductivity of Mg matrix alloys

In the present work, the effects of Sn, Ca additions on thermal conductivity were investigated in as cast Mg–Sn–Ca alloys. The measured values of thermal conductivity of Mg–3Sn–xCa alloys obviously increased from 85.6 to 126.3?W?m^??1?K^??1 with the increasing Ca from 0 to 1.5?wt-%, and then decreased to 98.3?W?m^??1?K^??1 with the 2.5?wt-% Ca. In addition, the thermal conductivity of the Mg–Sn–Ca (Sn/Ca atomic ratio of 1) alloys decreased slightly from 154.2 to 132.1?W?m^??1?K^??1 with the increasing Sn, Ca. Meanwhile, the microstructures of the selected alloys were discussed in detail, suggesting that the solute atoms that caused lattice distortion had greater effect on thermal conductivity compared with the second phases formed in as cast Mg–Sn–Ca alloys.     

Electrical conductivity of (PbO)1−x (SnO) x

Electrical conductivity of lead tin monoxide has been measured as a function of composition (x), temperature and electric field. Heat treatment of samples in vacuum produces an irreversible increase in conductivity and is probably due to chemisorption of oxygen. The thermal activation energies in screen printed layers have been found to be lower than that in pressed pellets and is considered to be due to more grain boundaries being present in the former. The non ohmic electrical conduction in pellets followsJ ∝V ⁿ relationship wheren ranges between 2 and 1·25 for different compositions and temperatures. The theory of space charge limited currents (sclc) in defect insulators has been invoked to explain the observed results.     

Influence of superplasticizer and curing on porosity and pore structure of cement paste

Most concrete produced today contains admixtures. Superplasticizers (SP) are used for the purpose of improving workability and reducing the water to cement ratio; therefore producing more durable concrete. SP cause better dispersion even at high water to cement ratio. Although SP improves the dispersion of particles, it is not quite clear how the addition of SP affect the porosity and pore size distribution of cement paste. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of one type of SP on porosity and pore size distribution under different curing regimes. Paste specimens with and without SP were prepared at constant water to cement ratio of 0.45. Specimens were cured for 28 days and some for six months. Specimens were exposed to high temperature (45°C) and normal temperature curing (20°C) and also subjected to different relative humidities (100%, 55% and 25%). Curing at high temperature was carried out to simulate temperature in hot climates. Tests on porosity and pore size distribution were conducted using mercury intrusion porosimetry. The results show that the inclusion of SP decreases the total intruded pore volume of paste. The dominant pore diameter, however, does not seem to be affected and the percentage of pores smaller than 100 nm increases in the presence of SP.     

Numerical homogenization of hardened cement paste

Based upon a three-dimensional computer-tomography of hardened cement paste, a finite-element mesh at micrometer length scale is introduced. Effective material properties are obtained through numerical homogenization techniques using representative volume elements. Statistical tests, two- and three-dimensional computations and a comparison with experimental data are shown. For the hydration products of hardened cement paste a visco-plastic constitutive equation of Perzyna type including isotropic damage is introduced. The inelastic material parameters are identified solving an optimization problem through a combination of a stochastic genetic algorithm and the deterministic Levenberg-Marquardt method. The time-consuming evaluations of the corresponding objective function are distributed within a network environment automatically.     

Characterisation of pore structure development of alkali-activated slag cement during early hydration using electrical responses

This paper describes the results of a study investigating early age changes in pore structure of alkali-activated slag cement (AASC)-based paste. Capillary porosity, pore solution electrical conductivity and electrical resistivity of hardened paste samples were examined and the tortuosity determined using Archie's law. X-ray computed micro-tomography (X-ray μCT) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis were also carried out to explain conclusions based on electrical resistivity measurements. AASC pastes with 0.35 and 0.50 water-binder ratios (w/b) were tested at 3, 7, 14 and 28 days and benchmarked against Portland cement (PC) controls. Results indicated that for a given w/b, the electrical resistivity and capillary porosity of the AASC paste were lower than that of the PC control, whilst an opposite trend was observed for the pore solution conductivity, which is due to AASC paste's significantly higher ionic concentration.Further, capillary pores in AASC paste were found to be less tortuous than that in the PC control according to estimations using Archie's law and from the results of X-ray μCT and SEM analysis. In order to achieve comparable levels of tortuosity, therefore, AASC-based materials are likely to require longer periods of curing. The work confirms that the electrical resistivity measurement offers an effective way to investigate pore structure changes in AASC-based materials, despite threshold values differing significantly from PC controls due to intrinsic differences in pore solution composition and microstructure.     

Experiments and micromechanical modeling of electrical conductivity of carbon nanotube/cement composites with moisture

Carbon nanotube (CNT)/cement composites have been proposed as a multifunctional material for self-sensing and traffic monitoring due to their unique electric conductivity which changes with the application of mechanical load. However, material constituent and environmental factors may significantly affect the potential application of these materials. Therefore, it is necessary to understand an influence of material constituent such as porosity and dispersion of CNT and environmental factor such as moisture on the electrical conductivity of CNT/cement composite. This paper investigates the effect of moisture on the effective electrical conductivity of CNT/cement composites. To prepare the specimens, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are well dispersed in cement paste, which is then molded and cured into cubic test specimens. By drying the specimens from the fully saturated state to the fully dry state, the effective electrical conductivity is measured at different moisture contents. As the water in the specimen is replaced by air voids, the electrical conductivity significantly decreases. Different ratios of MWCNTs to cement have been used in this study. Micromechanical models have been used to predict the effective electrical conductivities. A comprehensive model is proposed to take into account the effects of individual material phases on the effective electrical conductivity of CNT/cement composites with moisture effect.     

Discrete modeling of plastic cement paste subjected to drying

Prior to initial setting, cement paste may be regarded as a suspension consisting of solid particles and water. Drying leads to a curved water surface in the spaces between the solid particles at the specimen boundary. A negative capillary pressure is built up which results in shrinkage strain and, possibly, cracking. The concept of discrete modeling has been employed for simulating these processes. In 2D models consisting of circular solid particles and a liquid phase, the drying induced capillary pressure build-up and the corresponding particle displacements are simulated by using the Distinct Element Method. Under certain conditions, crack initiation due to capillary forces may be observed. The simulations allow the demonstration of different influences on the risk of plastic shrinkage cracking.     

Electrical conductivity of modified poly(vinyl chloride)

Chemical modification of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) by dehydrochlorination with ethanolic KOH is found to yield modified PVC with conjugated polyene sequence. The semiconducting nature of ethoxide-modified PVC is illustrated with temperature dependence of conductivity (σ). The relative ratios (r) of conductivity,σ _modifiedpvc /σ _{unmodifiedpvc} , are greater than unity in the temperature range 50° to 180°C,r being maximum in the vicinity of glass-transition temperature (T _g).T _g inferred from conductivity-temperature profiles is found to be greater for modified PVC relative to unmodified PVC, which is explicable in terms of restricted free rotation limiting segmental motion. For comparison with the conductivity andT _g of ethoxide-modified PVC, LiCl-modified PVC and (aniline + S₂O ₈ ²⁻ )-modified PVC have also been studied.     

The microstructure of cement paste and concrete––a visual primer

This paper represents an attempt to provide an introduction to the microstructure of cement paste and concrete as seen in backscatter-mode scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Illustrations are provided of the ‘internal architecture' underlying the microstructure of hardened cement paste and paste in concrete, at the size scales accessible to this instrument. Concrete is a uniquely complex engineering material. The aim of this paper is to provide researchers and practitioners who deal with it an acquaintance with its internal structure.     

Super-linear frequency dependence of ac conductivity in nanocrystalline lithium ferrite

An attempt has been made to synthesize nanocrystalline high dense lithium ferrite, namely, Li_0.5M_xFe_2.5−xO₄ (M = Bi, Pb; x = 0, 0.02) by a solution combustion technique. Various characterization methods like XRD and TG-DTA were employed to validate the structure and phase purity. UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopic studies were conducted to obtain the oxidation states of metal ions. Raman analysis was used to identify the phonon modes involved in specific atomic motions present in the synthesized materials. Morphology of sample surface was explored by electron microscope and elemental analysis was done by energy dispersive analysis. The nanocrystalline nature of the materials were confirmed through transmission electron microscopy. Strong temperature dependence of electron spin resonance linewidth was exhibited by the samples and a resonance field was observed for all the materials. Ac electrical properties were investigated using the super-linear power law and activation energies were calculated for all compositions. The conductivity data were consistent with an asymmetric double well potential model.     

Effects of cement size distribution on capillary pore structure of the simulated cement paste

The evolution of tricalcium silicate (C₃S) microstructure during hydration is tri-dimensionally simulated based on an “Integrated Particle Kinetics Model”. The hydration degree, the contact surfaces between the hydrated particles, the hydraulic radius and the capillary pore size distribution of the simulated cement paste at various degrees of hydration are calculated. Three examples of the C₃S microstructure development with different size distributions are presented. The effects of the cement size distribution on pore structure of cement paste are demonstrated and the results are discussed. In these examples, the cement size distribution varies between 3–40, 5–40 and 10–40 μm, respectively.     

耐热和导电铜合金发展现状

铜和铜合金具有优异的导电、导热及其它性能，是重要的工业材料之一。笔者就其发展现状和今后的开发与利用提出了看法。     

Electrical properties of cement paste obtained from impedance spectroscopy

The impedance spectra of hydrating Portland cement paste showed a small part of a large depressed arc and a single depressed arc at low- and high-frequency regions, respectively. A new equivalent circuit was proposed for hydrating cement paste, which consists of a serial combination of a resistor and a constant phase element (CPE) with a resistor in parallel for the bulk effects, and a parallel combination of a resistor and a CPE for the electrode effects. The microstructural evolution in hydrating cement paste was associated with the changes in the resistances, capacitance and the critical relaxation time.     

Microstructure, mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of industrial Cu-0.5%Cr alloy processed by severe plastic deformation

Microstructure, mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of industrial Cu-0.5% alloy subjected to equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) by route A and cold rolling with and without aging treatment were investigated. The lamellar grains in thickness of 100 nm were obtained after eight ECAP passes. They were not further pancake shaped, but fragmentary and obtained less sharp boundaries with more dislocations in addition to cold rolling. After aging at 450 °C for 1 h, high density of dislocations and some coarse grains were observable after ECAP and the additional cold rolling, respectively. The tensile tests show that tensile strength arrived at 460 MPa and 484 MPa after four and eight passes of ECAP, respectively, the corresponding tensile strength increased to 570 MPa and 579 MPa after the additional cold rolling. However, the electrical conductivity was not more than 35% IACS. It was proved that four passes of ECAP followed by 90% cold rolling and aging at 450 °C for 1 h offered a short process for Cu-0.5%Cr alloy to balance the paradox of high strength and electrical conductivity, under which the tensile strength 554 MPa, elongation to failure 22% and electrical conductivity 84% of IACS could be obtained. The high strength was explained by precipitation strengthening and fine grain strengthening.     

Evolution of microstructure and electrical conductivity of electroless copper deposits on a glass substrate

This paper describes the evolution of the microstructure and conductivity of electroless copper deposition on a glass substrate for applications in electronics manufacture. The glass was activated using a (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane pre-treatment followed by a Pd/Sn catalyst. Surface morphology of the deposited copper films was characterized using a dual beam focused ion beam field emission scanning electron microscope, and together with atomic force microscopy, showed clearly that the roughness and grain size tended to increase with the plating time. Film thickness measurements showed a high initial deposition rate, which slowed to a constant level as the thickness increased above 100 nm. This corresponded with the resistivity of the films which decreased rapidly as the thickness increased from 20 to 100 nm, but then remained largely stable at a level approximately twice that of bulk copper.