Effect of Cesium Aluminate Nanofiller on Optical Properties of Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone Nanocomposite Films

The nanocomposite films of poly vinylpyrrolidone (PVP) with different amounts viz., 2, 4, 6 and 8?wt% of cesium aluminate (CsAlO₂) have been fabricated using solvent casting technique. The effect of nanofiller content on the optical properties of PVP/CsAlO₂ nanocomposite films has been established by UV-visible spectroscopy. The UV-visible transmittance studies revealed that the UV light absorbing nature of nanocomposite films with considerable visible transparency. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectral studies visualizes the effect of CsAlO₂ nanofiller on the structural behaviors of PVP, while optical studies reveals an obvious change in the electronic band structure leading to a significant reduction in optical band gaps. The scanning electron microscopic (SEM) studies establish the morphological changes in PVP matrix upon doping with CsAlO₂. The measured refractive index (RI) depends on the volume fraction of CsAlO₂ nanofiller and the result indicates that a substantial increase of RI values from 1.85 to 2.64 at wave length 360 nm. The dielectric studies, optical conductivity measurements and Urbach energy analysis also supports the dopant dependent optical property, tuning of PVP/CsAlO₂ nanocomposite films to enable effective material property engineering to suit specified application requirements.     

Magnetic and Dielectric Properties of YIG/HDPE Composites for High-Frequency Applications

A low loss high-frequency magnetic composite with Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ (YIG) ultrafine particles embedded in a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix was fabricated by using a simple low-temperature hot-pressing technique. The magnetic and dielectric properties of the as-prepared composites were investigated in detail. The results indicate that as the volume of the ceramic fillers increases, the permittivity, permeability, dielectric and magnetic loss of the composite all increase. The cut-off frequencies of the composites are all above 700 MHz. Since the low resistivity of YIG, the dielectric losses of the composites are high and decrease with frequency in the lower frequency range. Good frequency stability of the permittivities and permeabilities, and low dielectric and magnetic losses within the measurement range have been observed.     

Optical,Electrochemical, and Structural Properties of Spray Coated Dihexyl Substituted Poly (3,4 Propylene Dioxythiophene) Film for Optoelectronics Devices

The dihexyl substituted poly (3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) (PProDOT-Hx₂) thin films uniformly deposited by cost effective spray coating technique on transparent conducting oxide coated substrates. The electro-optical properties of PProDOT-Hx₂ films were studied by UV-Vis spectroscopy that shows the color contrast about 45% with coloration efficiency of ～ 185 cm²/C. The electrochemical properties of PProDOT-Hx₂ films were studied by cyclic voltammetry and AC impedance techniques. The cyclic voltammogram shows that redox reaction of films are diffusion controlled and ions transportation will be faster on the polymer film at higher scan rate. Impedance spectra indicate that polymer films are showing interface charge transfer process as well as capacitive behavior between the electrode and electrolyte. The XRD of the PProDOT-Hx₂ thin films revealed that the films are in amorphous nature, which accelerates the transportation of ions during redox process.     

Effect of Lithium Perchlorate on the Optoelectrical and Thermal Properties of Poly(Vinylpyrrolidone)/Nano-Cesium Aluminate Solid Polymer Electrolytes

Solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) with varying amounts, namely, 5, 10, and 15?wt% of lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄) as an electrolyte and 8?wt% cesium aluminum oxide (CsAlO₂) nanoparticle have been fabricated by solution intercalation technique. The optoelectrical behaviors of the SPE films have been evaluated using UV–visible spectroscopy. The UV–visible spectral studies revealed the UV light-absorbing nature of NC films with considerable visible transparency. The chemical structure and morphological behaviors of PVP/8?wt% of CsAlO₂–LiClO₄ SPE films have been established by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The AC conductivity of the SPEs was evaluated at room temperature by digital LCR meter in the frequency range 100 Hz–5?MHz. The thermal behaviors such as T_g and degradation patterns of the SPEs have been evaluated using differential scanning calorimetric analysis and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively.     

Structural,Electrical and Optical Characterization of Pure and Doped Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) (PVA) Polymer Electrolyte Films

A sodium ion conducting polymer electrolyte based on Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) (PVA) complexed with Sodium Iodide (NaI) was prepared using solution cast technique. The structural properties of composite PVA polymer electrolyte films were examined by XRD. The XRD results revealed that the amorphous domains of PVA polymer matrix increased in size with the increase of NaI salt concentration. The variation in film morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy. FT-IR spectra studies for pure PVA and complexed films revealed the vibrational changes that occurred due to the effect of dopant salt in the polymer. DC conductivity was measured in the temperature range of 303–373° K and the conductivity was found to increase with the increase of dopant concentration as well as temperature. Optical absorption studies were made in the wavelength range 200–600 nm. The absorption edge, direct band gap, and indirect band gap values were evaluated.     

Structural and Optical Properties of Nanoscale Galinobisuitite Thin Films

Galinobisuitite thin films of (Bi₂S₃)(PbS) were prepared using the chemical bath deposition technique (CBD). Thin films were prepared by a modified chemical deposition process by allowing the triethanolamine (TEA) complex of Bi³⁺ and Pb²⁺ to react with S²⁻ ions, which are released slowly by the dissociation of the thiourea (TU) solution. The films are polycrystalline and the average crystallite size is 35 nm. The composition of the films was measured using the atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) technique. The films are very adherent to the substrates. The crystal structure of Galinobisuitite thin films was calculated by using the X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The surface morphology and roughness of the films were studied using scanning electron microscopes (SEM), transmission electron microscopes (TEM) and stylus profilers respectively. The optical band gaps of the films were estimated from optical measurements.     

Structural, thermal and mechanical properties of transparent Yb:(Y0.97Zr0.03)2O3 ceramic

Yb doped (Y_0.97Zr_0.03)₂O₃ transparent ceramics were fabricated by solid state reaction and vacuum sintering. The microstructure, thermal and mechanical properties of Y₂O₃ ceramic, as well as the effect of Yb doping concentration on these properties were investigated in detail. The lattice parameter and unit cell volume decrease with the increasing of Yb content, whereas thermal expansive coefficient increases. With Yb content increasing from 0 to 8 at.%, the mean grain size increases from 15.82 μm to 26.54 μm, and the thermal conductivity at room temperature (RT) decreases from 11.97 to 6.39 W/m/K. The microhardness decreases with Yb content, and the microhardness and fracture toughness of (Y_0.97Zr_0.03)₂O₃ transparent ceramic is 11.11 GPa and 1.29 MPa m^1/2, respectively.     

XANES study of polyaniline-V2O5 and sulfonated polyaniline-V2O5 nanocomposites

In this work, two materials for secondary lithium battery cathodes formed by polyaniline-V₂O₅ and sulfonated polyaniline-V₂O₅, which have a higher charge capacity than the V₂O₅ xerogel, were synthesized. X-ray absorption and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies were employed to analyze the short-range interactions in these materials. Based on these experiments, it was possible to observe significant differences in the symmetry of the VO₅ units, and this was attributed to the intimate contact between V₂O₅ and the polymers, and to some flexibility of the VO₅ square pyramids due to the low range order of the nanocomposites.     

Influence of K2CrO4 Doping on the Structural,Optical and Dielectric Properties of Polyvinyl Alcohol/K2CrO4 Composite Films

Polyvinyl alcohol/potassium chromate (K₂CrO₄) composite films were prepared by solution casting technique using distilled water as a solvent, and were further investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and dielectric measurements. Microscopic studies reveal that K₂CrO₄ was homogenously mixed with polyvinyl alcohol matrix due to interfacial interaction between polyvinyl alcohol and K₂CrO₄. The composite films showed very high dielectric constant and relatively low dielectric loss. Hence, such composite materials with improved dielectric properties could be useful for fabrication of electrical charge storage device.     

The catalytic performance in oxidative coupling of methane and the surface basicity of La2O3, Nd2O3, ZrO2 and Nb2O5

The catalytic performance in oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) of unmodified pure La₂O₃, Nd₂O₃, ZrO₂ and Nb₂O₅ has been investigated under various conditions. The results confirmed that the activity of La₂O₃ and Nd₂O₃ was always much higher than that of the remaining two. The surface basicity/base strength distribution of pure La₂O₃, Nd₂O₃, ZrO₂ and Nb₂O₅ was measured using a test reaction of transformation of 2-butanol and a temperature-programmed desorption of CO₂. Both methods showed that La₂O₃ and Nd₂O₃ had high basicity and contained medium and strong basic sites (lanthanum oxide more and neodymium oxide somewhat less). ZrO₂ had only negligible amount of weak basic sites and Nb₂O₅ was rather acidic. The confrontation of the basicity and catalytic performance indicated that in the case of investigated oxides, the basicity (especially strong basic sites) could be a decisive factor in determination of the catalytic activity in OCM. Only in the case of ZrO₂ it was observed a moderate catalytic performance in spite of negligible basicity. The influence of a gas atmosphere used in the calcination of oxides (flowing oxygen, helium and nitrogen) on their basicity and catalytic activity in OCM had been also investigated. Contrary to earlier observations with MgO, no effect of calcination atmosphere on the catalytic performance of investigated oxides in OCM and on their basicity was observed.     

Dielectric,magnetoelectric and magnetodielectric properties in CMFO-SBN composites

The paper reports synthesis of Sr_0.5Ba_0.5Nb₂O₆ (SBN) and Co_1.2−xMn_xFe_1.8O₄ (CMFO) via ceramic and hydroxide co-precipitation routes respectively. The nanopowders of SBN-CMFO0.1 (MSBN0.1) and SBN-CMFO0.3 (MSBN0.3) are compacted to form the desired magnetoelectric (ME)/magnetodielectric (MD) composites. The Bi₂O₃ is used as a sintering aid. The Bi₂O₃ at three weight percent is observed to cause agglomeration of SBN and CMFO particles and improve the magneto-mechanical coupling. The composites are investigated for their ferroelectric, ferromagnetic, dielectric, magnetoelectric (ME) and magnetodielectric (MD) properties. The results on the magnetocapacitance (M_c) are observed interesting and could be correctly understood in terms of the stress induced variation in the dielectric constant. The MC is observed to remain fairly constant between 10 to 500 kHz and possess a useful magnitude of M_c nearly 4%.     

Surface Functionalization of Al2O3 Nanoparticles with Biocompatible Modifiers,Preparation and Characterization of Poly(Vinyl Pyrrolidone)/Modified Al2O3 Nanocomposites

In this present investigation, for increasing compatibility between nanoparticles and polymer matrix as well as preventing of aggregation, surface modification of aluminum oxide nanoparticles was performed with citric acid (CA) and ascorbic acid as biosafe and environmentally friendly modifier agents. For fabrication of nanocomposites, different contents (3, 5, 7?wt%) of nanoparticles were incorporated into the poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) matrix by ultrasonication technique. Transmission electron microscopy images of nanocomposites show a good dispersion of nanoparticles into the polymer matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis results show that the thermal stability of the nanocomposites shifted to higher temperature in comparison with the neat polymer matrix.     

Structural and optical properties of Tm:Y2O3 transparent ceramic with La2O3, ZrO2 as composite sintering aid

The paper reports the use of La₂O₃ and ZrO₂ co-doping as a composite sintering aid for the fabrication of Tm:Y₂O₃ transparent ceramics. Two groups of experiments were conducted for investigating the influences of composite sintering aids on the microstructures and the optical properties of Tm:Y₂O₃ transparent ceramics in contrast to single La³⁺ and single Zr⁴⁺ doped Tm:Y₂O₃. Samples with composite sintering aids could realize fine microstructures and good optical properties at relatively low sintering temperatures. Grain sizes around 10 μm and transmittances close to theoretical value at wavelength of 2 μm were achieved for the 9 at.% La³⁺, 3 at.% Zr⁴⁺ co-doped samples sintered at 1500-1600 °C. The influences of the composite sintering aids on the emission intensities and the phonon energies of Tm:Y₂O₃ ceramics were also investigated.     

Structural and electrochemical characteristics of Li4−xAlxTi5O12 as anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Al-doped Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ in the form of Li_4−xAl_xTi₅O₁₂ (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2) was synthesized via solid state reaction in an Ar-flowing atmosphere. Al-doping does not change the phase composition and particle morphology, but easily results in the lattice distortion and thus the poor crystallinity of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂. Al-doping decreases the specific capacity of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂, while improves remarkably its cycling stability at high charge/discharge rate. The substitution of Al for Li site can enhance the electronic conductivity of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ via the generation of mixing Ti⁴⁺/Ti³⁺, whereas impede the Li-ion diffusion in the lattice. Excessive Al causes large electrode polarization due to the lower Li-ion conductivity, and thus leads to low specific capacity at high current densities. Li_3.9Al_0.1Ti₅O₁₂ exhibits a relatively high specific capacity and an excellent cycling stability.     

Mixed oxides Ca2Fe2O5 and Ca2Co2O5 as anode materials for Li-ion batteries

The electrochemical performance of mixed oxides, Ca₂Fe₂O₅ and Ca₂Co₂O₅ for use in Li-ion batteries was studied with Li as the counter electrode. The compounds were prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction and SEM. Ca₂Fe₂O₅ showed a reversible capacity of 226 mAh/g at the 14th cycle and retained 183 mAh/g at the end of 50 cycles at 60 mA/g in the voltage window 0.005-2.5 V. A reversible capacity in the range, 365-380 mAh/g, which is stable up to 50 charge-discharge cycles is exhibited by Ca₂Co₂O₅ in the voltage window, 0.005-3.0 V and at 60 mA/g. This corresponds to recycleable moles of Li of 3.9±0.1 (theoretical: 4.0). Significant improvement in the cycling performance and attainable reversible capacity were noted for Ca₂Co₂O₅ on cycling to an upper cut-off voltage of 3.0 V as compared to 2.5 V. Coulombic efficiency for both compounds is >98%. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) data clearly indicate the reversible formation/decomposition of polymeric surface film on the electrode surface of Ca₂Co₂O₅ in the voltage window, 0.005-3.0 V. Cyclic voltammetry results compliment the galvanostatic cycling data.     

Microwave dielectric properties of the (1 − x)Mg2TiO4-xCaTiO3-y wt.% ZnNb2O6 ceramics system

Composite ceramics based on (1 − x)Mg₂TiO₄-xCaTiO₃-y wt.% ZnNb₂O₆ (x = 0.12-0.16, y = 0-8) were prepared by a conventional mixed-oxide route. Zn²⁺ partially replaced Mg²⁺ in Mg₂TiO₄ and formed the spinel-structured (Mg_1−δZn_δ)₂TiO₄ phase. Nb²⁺, is known to be solid soluble in CaTiO₃, was found to change its shape from cubic to pliable. A bi-phase system (Mg_1−δZn_δ)₂TiO₄ and CaTiO₃ exhibited in all samples, where a small amount of second phase Mg_1−δZn_δTiO₃ was also detected. The microwave dielectric properties of specimens were strongly related to ZnNb₂O₆ and CaTiO₃ content. As y increased, ?_r and τ_f decreased, however, Q × f decreased to a minimum value and started to increase thereafter. It was also found that ?_r and τ_f increased and Q × f decreased with increasing x. The optimized microwave dielectric properties with ?_r = 18.37, Q × f = 31,027 GHz (at 6 GHz), and τ_f = 0.51 ppm/°C were achieved for (1 − x)Mg₂TiO₄-xCaTiO₃-y wt.% ZnNb₂O₆ (x = 0.12, y = 4) sintered at 1360 °C for 6 h.     

热处理对 Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 厚膜介电性能的影响

采用柠檬酸盐法制备了Ba_(0.6)Sr_(0.4)TiO_3粉体,通过丝网印刷法制备了Ba_(0.6)Sr_(0.4)TiO_3厚膜,研究了在空气气氛中进行热处理前后厚膜样品的介电性能。研究结果表明,在空气气氛中进行热处理可以有效地提高厚膜样品的介电性能。经过1000°C热处理,厚膜样品在10 kH z下的介电损耗由1.7%降为1.1%,其优质系数由33提高到55。     

Long-term degradation of Ta2O5-doped Bi2O3 systems

Bismuth oxide in δ-phase is a well-known high oxygen ion conductor and can be used as an electrolyte for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). 5-10 mol% Ta₂O₅ are doped into Bi₂O₃ to stabilize δ-phase by solid state reaction process. One Bi₂O₃ sample (7.5TSB) was stabilized by 7.5 mol% Ta₂O₅ and exhibited single phase δ-Bi₂O₃-like (type I) phase. Thermo-mechanical analyzer (TMA), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), AC impedance and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) were used to characterize the properties. The results showed that holding at 800-850 °C for 1 h was the appropriate sintering conditions to get dense samples. Obvious conductivity degradation phenomenon was obtained by 1000 h long-term treatment at 650 °C due to the formation of α-Bi₂O₃ phase and Bi₃TaO₇, and 〈1 1 1〉 vacancy ordering in Bi₃TaO₇ structure.     

Low-temperature firing and microwave dielectric properties of 16CaO–9Li2O–12Sm2O3–63TiO2 ceramics with V2O5 addition

The sintering behaviors and microwave dielectric properties of the 16CaO–9Li₂O–12Sm₂O₃–63TiO₂ (abbreviated CLST) ceramics with different amounts of V₂O₅ addition had been investigated in this paper. The sintering temperature of the CLST ceramic had been efficiently decreased by nearly 100 °C. No secondary phase was observed in the CLST ceramics and complete solid solution of the complex perovskite phase was confirmed. The CLST ceramics with small amounts of V₂O₅ addition could be well sintered at 1200 °C for 3 h without much degradation in the microwave dielectric properties. Especially, the 0.75 wt.% V₂O₅-doped ceramics sintered at 1200 °C for 3 h have optimum microwave dielectric properties of Kr = 100.4, Q × f = 5600 GHz, and TCF = 7 ppm/°C. Obviously, V₂O₅ could be a suitable sintering aid that improves densification and microwave dielectric properties of the CLST ceramics.