Optical properties of γ-ferric oxide nanoparticles in a mesoporous silica matrix

Magnetic γ-Fe₂O₃/SiO₂ nanocomposites have been synthesized by impregnating a mesoporous silica matrix with a hexane solution of γ-ferric oxide nanoparticles. The subsequent heat treatment of samples in the course of synthesis influences the optical properties of the final nanostructural material. It is established that an increase in the temperature of annealing (crystallization) leads to a decrease in the energies of both direct and indirect allowed electron transitions to the conduction band.     

Effects of boron doping on the structural and optical properties of silicon nanocrystals in a silicon dioxide matrix

Doping of Si nanocrystals is an important topic in the emerging field of Si nanocrystals based all-Si tandem solar cells. Boron-doped Si nanocrystals embedded in a silicon dioxide matrix were realized by a co-sputtering process, followed by high temperature annealing. The x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy B 1s signal attributable to Si-B (187?eV) and/or B-B (188?eV) indicates that the boron may exist inside Si nanocrystals. A higher probability of effective boron doping was suggested for Si-rich oxide films with a low oxygen content, Then, structural and optical properties were characterized with a focus on the effects of the boron content on Si quantum dots. The results show that as the boron content increases, the nanocrystal size is slightly reduced and the Si crystallization is suppressed. The photoluminescence intensity of the films is decreased as the boron content increases. This is due to boron-induced defects and/or Auger processes induced by effective doping. These results can provide optimal conditions for future Si quantum dot based solar cells.     

Patterned immobilisation of silicon dioxide nanoparticles on the surface of a photosensitive polymer

A photosensitive co-polymer of styrene and 4-vinylbenzyl thiocyanate was synthesised and employed for the immobilisation of aminofunctionalised silica nanoparticles (SiO₂-NP) at the polymer surface. Upon UV irradiation of the co-polymer, isothiocyanate groups are generated by a photo-isomerisation reaction of the thiocyanate groups. The silica nanoparticles were selectively immobilised in irradiated areas by immersing the illuminated polymer surface in a solution of SiO₂-NP. Depending on the time of immersion and the nanoparticle concentration, different amounts of silica can be deposited in the irradiated areas, whilst no immobilisation of SiO₂-NP is observed in the non-irradiated areas. By using photolithographic methods, patterned silica structures (μm scale) were produced on the polymer surface. The SiO₂-NP covered surfaces are of potential interest to generate protective surface layers and to carry out further functionalisation reactions of the immobilised SiO₂-NP particles.     

Electromagnetic properties of silicon carbide foams and their composites with silicon dioxide as matrix in X-band

Electromagnetic wave absorbing properties of SiC-foams and their composites with SiO₂ as matrix are presented, including theory, numerical analysis, and results/discussion. The reflection coefficients of various SiC-foams and their composites with various dielectric parameters are calculated by numerical simulation. When SiC conductivities are in the range of 2–3 S m⁻¹ in the case of SiC-foams, or 2–5 S m⁻¹ in the case of composites, the minimum reflection coefficients can be obtained in the range of X-band of 8.2–12.4 GHz. These materials are light weight, heat-resistant, and good impedance match with the free space, and therefore, they are a good candidate as a wide-range frequency absorbent medium.     

Synthesis and characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles dispersed in mesoporous aluminum oxide or silicon oxide

Iron oxide nanoparticles dispersed in aluminum (Al) or silicon (Si) oxides were prepared via a polymeric precursor derived from the Pechini method. The samples were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, BET), M?ssbauer spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). BET analysis shows that the samples are mesoporous materials and have a high surface area. The size of the Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles in Al₂O₃ is smaller than that in SiO₂. M?ssbauer spectra of the samples show that the Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles in Al₂O₃ are non-magnetic at room temperature but magnetic below 50 K. The FeSi samples are magnetic at both room and low temperatures. The magnetic measurements with VSM confirmed this point.     

Synthesis of copper ferrite nanoparticles

Pseudospherical copper ferrite particles 20 to 90 nm in average size were prepared by an aerosol method through condensation of iron and copper vapors in an inert-gas flow, followed by the oxidation of the resulting two-phase powder under heterogeneous combustion conditions to an almost single-phase product. The nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, BET measurements, and vibrating-sample magnetometry. Analysis of the X-ray diffraction data and the behavior of the magnetization of reaction intermediates and final synthesis products in the range 400–1100 K made it possible to propose models for the nanostructure of the particles and establish the likely sequence of the observed phase transformations.     

Behavioural alterations induced by chronic exposure to 10 nm silicon dioxide nanoparticles

Silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO₂ NPs) are widely invested in medicine, industry, agriculture, consuming products, optical imaging agents, cosmetics, and drug delivery. However, the toxicity of these NPs on human health and the ecosystem have not been extensively studied and little information is available about their behavioural toxicities. The current study aimed to find out the behavioural alterations that might be induced by chronic exposure to 10 nm SiO₂ NPs. BALB/C mice were subjected to 36 injections of SiO₂ NPs (2 mg/kg Bw) and subjected to 11 neurobehavioural tests: elevated plus‐maze test, elevated zero‐maze test, multiradial maze test, open field test, hole‐board test, light‐dark box test, forced swimming test, tail‐suspension test, Morris water‐maze test, Y‐maze test and multiple T‐maze test. Treated mice demonstrated anxiety‐like effect, depression tendency, behavioural despair stress, exploration and locomotors activity reduction with error induction in both reference and working memories. The findings may suggest that silica NPs are anxiogenic and could aggravate depression affecting memory, learning, overall activity and exploratory behaviour. Moreover, the findings may indicate that these nanomaterials (NMs) may induce potential oxidative stress in the body leading to neurobehavioural alterations with possible changes in the vital organ including the central nervous system.     

Crystallization behavior of silicon quantum dots in a silicon nitride matrix

Silicon quantum dot superlattice was fabricated by alternating deposition of silicon rich nitride (SRN) and Si3N4 layers using RF magnetron co-sputtering. Samples were then annealed at temperatures between 800 and 1,100 degrees C and characterized by grazing incident X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). GIXRD and Raman analyses show that the formation of silicon quantum dots occurs with annealing above 1,100 degrees C for at least 60 minutes. As the annealing time increased the crystallization of silicon quantum dots was also increased. TEM images clearly showed SRN/Si3N4 superlattice structure and silicon quantum dots formation in SRN layers after annealing at 1,100 degrees C for more than 60 minutes. The changes in FTIR transmission spectra observed with annealing condition corresponded to the configuration of Si-N bonds. Crystallization of silicon quantum dots in a silicon nitride matrix started stabilizing after 60 minutes' annealing and approached completion after 120 minutes'. The systematic investigation of silicon quantum dots in a silicon nitride matrix and their properties for solar cell application are presented.     

二氧化硅/木材复合材料的晶胞与Matrix区域的变化

为了弄清楚由于二氧化硅介入木材细胞壁引起结晶区与Matrix区域的变化,通过二氧化硅/木材复合材料细胞壁膨胀率、XRD测定及分析其结晶度、结晶区长度、宽度,研究结晶区与Matrix区域的形态变化及二氧化硅凝胶粒子介入木材细胞壁的空间位置.结果表明:溶胶-凝胶法制备的二氧化硅/木材复合材料,细胞壁的膨胀率随着增重率的增加而增大,且有两个不同的增大过程,相同增重率条件下,加硅烷偶联剂法制备的细胞壁膨胀率比直接溶胶-凝胶法制备的大.XRD谱分析表明,结晶度随着增重率的增加而减小,有两个不同的减小过程,衍射峰的位置不变,晶胞不变;Scherrer公式计算表明结晶区的宽度及长度均不变.     

介孔SiO_2纳米微球的生物相容性研究进展

介孔SiO2纳米微球(MSNs)具有良好的理化性能,在疾病诊治方面具有广阔的应用前景,但若要成功应用于人体,需要完善其生物相容性研究。MSNs对于细胞的毒性与MSNs能否被摄取进入细胞,以及进入细胞的量有关,并取决于细胞的类型和MSNs本身的性状。通过一系列物理和化学方法的改进,可以明显改善MSNs的血液相容性,降低溶血作用。介孔SiO2纳米微球经静脉注射后分布于动物的肝脏、脾脏、肾脏、心脏、肠胃、肌肉和肺脏,其毒性作用与浓度有关;MSNs作为一种异物进入体内后可能会诱发机体产生一定程度的超敏反应。介孔SiO2纳米微球具有较好的生物相容性,但其采用何种方式应用仍需进一步研究。     

Decorating carbon nanotubes with Cobalt nanoparticles

A magnetic composite of multiwalls carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) decorated with Cobalt nanoparticles was synthesized successfully by a simple chemical precipitation and deoxidization method. The composite was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The pattern of XRD indicated that MWNTs and Cobalt nanoparticles coexisted in the composite. The TEM images revealed that the Cobalt nanoparticles were distributed on the surface of the MWNTs, with the size ranging from 5 to 15 nm. The hysteresis loops of the decorated MWNTs were measured by a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), the ferromagnetic signature emerged with the saturated magnetization of 5.8 emu/g, and the coercive of 310 Oe.     

Synthesis of epoxy ferrite nanocomposites in supercritical carbon dioxide

A series of epoxy ferrite nanocomposites (EFNCs) was synthesised through dispersing ferrite nanoparticles (5.0 phr, parts per hundred of resin) into diglycidylether of bisphenol A (0.1 mol) in supercritical carbon dioxide at 85 ± 1°C, 1600 psi over 1 h followed by curing with triethylene tetramine (15 phr) at 40 ± 1°C. For this purpose, ferrite nanoparticles were synthesised through size-controlled precipitation method. The size of ferrite nanoparticles was calculated through XRD and further verified through transmission electron microscopy. The synthesised EFNCs were characterised through UV-Vis, FT-IR, laser-induced breakdown spectra, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and vibrational sample magnetometry. The results showed that, with the decrease in size, the concentration of ferrite nanoparticle in EFNCs was increased ranging 3.843–4.042 phr. This resulted in a substantial increase in the compression, tensile, impact strength and Rockwell hardness of EFNCs. The effect of particle size on wear behaviour of EFNCs was investigated at various combinations of hydraulic end load ranging 1.0–3.0 bar and disc speed 230 rpm, which showed that a decrease in the size of ferrite nanoparticles imparts a remarkable reduction in wear volume over epoxy composite. All such EFNCs showed superparamagnetic behaviour with saturation magnetisation ranging 15.8–39.91 emu g^?1.     

CdS nanoparticles in R-phycoerythrin,a protein matrix

Cadmium sulfide nanoparticles (3.2 to 5.6 nm) are synthesized using R-phycoerythrin as a protein matrix. The effects of the reactant concentrations and solution pH on the particle size of CdS are examined. The optical and photochemical properties of the nanoparticles are studied. Selective fluorimetry results suggest that CdS particles 3.2 nm in diameter are heteroaggregates. It is found that, during photoreduction of methyl viologen dichloride, the synthesis of CdS nanoparticles resumes. The growth of CdS particles is presumably restricted by the dimensions of the channel in the center of the R-phycoerythrin hexamer (3.5 × 6 nm).__________Translated from Neorganicheskie Materialy, Vol. 41, No. 4, 2005, pp. 400–406.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Brekhovskikh, Bekasova.     

Dielectric properties of Al-substituted Co ferrite nanoparticles

A series of polycrystalline spinel ferrites with composition, CoFe_2−x Al _x O₄ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), have been synthesized by sol-gel method. The effect of Al-substitution on structural and dielectric properties is reported in this paper. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the nanocrystalline nature in the prepared ferrite samples. The particle size, D, decreases with increase in Al-content. The lattice parameter, a and X-ray density, d _x , decreased with increase in Al-content. The dielectric properties for all the samples have been studied as a function of frequency in the range 100 Hz–10 MHz. Dielectric properties such as dielectric constant, ɛ′, dielectric loss, ɛ″ and dielectric loss tangent, tan δ, have been studied for nanocrystalline ferrite samples as a function of frequency. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss obtained for the nanocrystalline ferrites proposed by this technique possess lower value than that of the ferrites prepared by other methods for the same composition. The low dielectric behaviour makes ferrite materials useful in high frequency applications.     

Levitation jet synthesis of nickel ferrite nanoparticles

Pseudospherical nickel ferrite particles 25 to 70 nm in average size were prepared by a crucibleless aerosol method through cocondensation of Fe and Ni vapors in an inert-gas flow containing a small amount of air. The particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray microanalysis, X-ray diffraction, BET measurements, and vibrating-sample and SQUID magnetometry. The results were used to optimize process parameters for the preparation of particles with a tailored size, specific surface area, and saturation magnetization. A dc electric field applied to the condensation zone can serve to improve the phase purity of nickel ferrite nanoparticles, reduce their size, and change their Curie temperature.     

Preparation and characterisation of NiCo ferrite nanoparticles

The NiCo ferrite has been prepared using sol-gel combustion technique making use of source materials like metal nitrates of Ni, Co and Fe. In order to reduce agglomeration, the polyvinyl alcohol has been added as a reducing agent. The characterisation studies such as XRD and TEM have been carried out to explore the particle size. An increase in particle size with an increase in calcination temperature was noticed. Similarly, the FTIR study confirms the presence of metal oxide. The above studies reveal that the sol-gel combustion technique can be used to produce a wide range of nanoparticles for different applications.     

Microwave-hydrothermal synthesis of perovskite bismuth ferrite nanoparticles

Hydrothermal microwave method (HTMW) was used to synthesize crystalline bismuth ferrite (BiFeO₃) nanoparticles (BFO) in the temperature of 180 °C with times ranging from 5 min to 1 h. BFO nanoparticles were characterized by means of X-ray analyses, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, TG-DTA and FE-SEM. X-ray diffraction results indicated that longer soaking time was benefit to refraining the formation of any impurity phases and growing BFO crystallites into almost single-phase perovskites. Typical FT-IR spectra for BFO nanoparticles presented well defined bands, indicating a substantial short-range order in the system. TG-DTA analyses confirmed the presence of lattice OH⁻ groups, commonly found in materials obtained by HTMW process. Compared with the conventional solid-state reaction process, submicron BFO crystallites with better homogeneity could be produced at the temperature as low as 180 °C. These results show that the HTMW synthesis route is rapid, cost effective, and could be used as an alternative to obtain BFO nanoparticles in the temperature of 180 °C for 1 h.     

Diffusion of Phosphorus in silicon dioxide from a spin-on source

The diffusion of phosphorus in silicon dioxide was investigated. A phosphosilicate glass which was deposited from a solution containing a silicic ester was used as the source. Using radioactive ³²P it was possible to determine the dopant profile in silicon dioxide by measuring the β activity. The profiles obtained cannot be described by the usual solution of the diffusion equation. The phosphorus mobility in silicon dioxide was found to be markedly dependent on the oxygen content of the ambient gas during diffusion. Pre-annealing in nitrogen of the SiO₂ layer into which the diffusion took place similarly influences the diffusion profile. It is presumed that a free acid of phosphorus from the doping solution participates in the diffusion process.     

Cobalt ferrite nanoparticles prepared by microwave hydrothermal synthesis and adsorption efficiency for organic dyes: Isotherms,thermodynamics and kinetic studies

Magnetic nanoferrites (MFe₂O₄, M = Co, Ni) were successfully synthesised through microwave-hydrothermal route, characterised and used for adsorption of Eriochrome Black T (EBT) and Bromophenol Blue (BRB) dyes from their aqueous solution. The powder XRD patterns confirmed the formation of cubic spinel structure for both the ferrites. Under identical conditions, the adsorption efficiency of CoFe₂O₄ was found relatively higher than the corresponding NiFe₂O_4. Further characterisations revealed that CoFe₂O₄ sample was nearly spherical in size (8–9 nm) with narrow size distribution. The sample showed superparamagnetic behaviour with saturation magnetization (M_s) value (66.4 emu/g). BET surface area calculated for the synthesized cobalt ferrite as 70.9 m²/g. Batch adsorption experiments as a function of initial dye concentration, pH, contact time and adsorbent dose showed the adsorption of dyes depends on pH. Equilibrium adsorption data were well explained by both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacities (Q_o) were found to be 82.6 and 25.6 mg/g for EBT and BRB dyes, respectively. Kinetics of the adsorption was best described by pseudo-second-order model. Various thermodynamic parameters such as ΔG, ΔH and ΔS derived from adsorption data over the temperature range 20–50 °C, accounted for a favourable, spontaneous, endothermic physisorption process. The materials showed potential for repeated use without significant decrease in adsorption capacity after proper regeneration.