Investigation on photoluminescence properties and defect chemistry of GdAlO3:Dy3+ Ba2+ phosphors

GdAlO₃:Dy³⁺ Ba²⁺ phosphors are synthesized by citrate-based sol-gel method. Photoluminescence and positron annihilation studies are used to investigate the emission and defect chemistry of the phosphors respectively. The strong yellow (Dy³⁺) emission properties of phosphors are discussed for various concentrations of Dy³⁺ ions. Upon the addition of Ba²⁺ ion, an enhancement in emission intensity is observed due to the lattice distortions around Dy³⁺ ion. The positron studies indicate the presence of defects at crystallite boundaries, vacancy clusters and large voids in the materials. The influence of Ba²⁺ ion on the photoluminescence and lattice distortion around Dy³⁺ is also explored.     

Effect of Ti defects on electrochemical properties of highly-ordered titania nanotube arrays

In this paper, highly-ordered TiO₂ nanotube (TNT) electrodes fabricated by anodization at 20 V in 0.1 M F⁻-based solution were annealed in O₂, N₂ and CO respectively. The surface properties of the TiO₂ electrodes after annealing treatment by different gases were studied by means of photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical properties of the TNT electrodes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, steady-state polarization and photocurrent response measurements. The results showed that Tiⁿ⁺ (n = 0-3) cations and oxygen vacancies existed in the TNT electrode after annealing in CO, leading to a very efficient electron transfer rate of 1.34 × 10^− 3 cm/s. Steady-state polarization measurement and photocurrent response demonstrated that the electrode potential of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) reduced by 20% and the photocurrent response increased by 50% for CO-annealed TNT electrode compared with O₂-annealed TNT electrode.     

Preparation and study of carbon nano-onion for lithium storage

Carbon nano-onions were prepared by burning castor oil. The as-prepared carbon nano-onions were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscope to confirm the nano-onion structures. The carbon nano-onions were used as anodes for rechargeable Li-ion batteries and demonstrated high reversible capacity and relatively good rate capability. The electrochemical performance can be attributed to the unusual surface properties and unique structural features of the carbon nano-onion anode, which amplify both surface area and extensive intermingling between curved graphite layer over small length scales, thereby leading to fast kinetics and short pathways for both Li ions and electrons.     

Polypyrrole/titanium oxide nanotube arrays composites as an active material for supercapacitors

The authors present the first reported use of vertically oriented titanium oxide nanotube/polypyrrole (PPy) nanocomposites to increase the specific capacitance of TiO2 based energy storage devices. To increase their electrical storage capacity, titanium oxide nanotubes were coated with PPy and their morphologies were characterized. The incorporation of PPy increased the specific capacitance of the titanium oxide nanotube based supercapacitor system, due to their increased surface area and additional pseudo-capacitance.     

Improve photocurrent quantum efficiency of carbon nanotube by chemical treatment

High photocurrent quantum efficiency (QE) of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is important to their photovoltaic applications. The ability of photocurrent generation of CNTs depends on their band structure and surface state. For given CNTs, it is possible to improve the QE of photocurrent by chemical modification. Here, we study the effects of simple chemical treatment on the QE of CNTs by measuring the photocurrent of macroscopic CNT bundles. The QE of the H₂O₂-treated CNT bundle reaches 5.28% at 0.1 V bias voltage at a laser (λ = 473 nm) illumination, which is 85% higher than that of the pristine sample. But the QE of the CNTs treated in concentrated HNO₃ is lower than that of the pristine sample. It shows that moderate chemical treatment can enhance the photocurrent QE and excessive chemical treatment will decrease the QE because of introducing lots of structural defects.     

Characterization of lattice defects in metallic materials by positron annihilation spectroscopy: A review

Positron is an excellent probe of lattice defects in solids. A thermallized positron delocalized in lattice can be trapped at open volume defects, e.g. vacancies, dislocations, grain boundaries etc. Positron annihilation spectroscopy is a non-destructive technique which enables characterization of open volume lattice defects in solids on the atomic scale. Positron lifetime and Doppler broadening of annihilation photo-peak are the most common observables related to positron annihilation process. Positron lifetime spectroscopy enables to identify defects in solids and to determine their concentrations while coincidence measurement of Doppler broadening provides information about local chemical environment of defects. This article provides a review of the state-of-art of defect characterization in bulk metallic materials by positron annihilation spectroscopy. Advanced analysis of positron annihilation data and recent developments of positron annihilation methodology are described and discussed on examples of defect studies of metallic materials. Future development in the field is proposed as well.     

Effects of annealing on the photoluminescence of ZnSe nanorods coated with Au

Au-functionalized ZnSe nanorods were synthesized by the thermal evaporation of ZnSe powder followed by Au sputter-deposition and thermal annealing. Photoluminescence (PL) showed that the intensity of near-band edge (NBE) emission of ZnSe nanorods was enhanced remarkably by Au-coating and annealing in a H₂ atmosphere. The intensity ratio of NBE emission to the deep level emission, I_NBE/I_DL of Au-coated ZnSe nanorods after annealing in a H₂ atmosphere was ∼68 times higher than that of the pristine (unannealed, uncoated) ZnSe nanorods. The increase in I_NBE/I_DL might be due to a combination of carrier transfer from the defect level to the Fermi level of Au nanoparticles, surface plasmon resonance in Au nanoparticles and hydrogen passivated deep level defects.     

室温辐射探测器用碲锌镉晶体的退火改性研究进展

碲锌镉(CdZnTe)作为一种重要的Ⅱ-VI族化合物半导体,因其具备优异的光电性能,成为制备室温辐射探测器的理想材料.但生长态的CdZnTe晶体中不可避免地会引入Cd空位、沉淀/夹杂相、杂质和位错等缺陷,严重影响了所制备器件的质量和光电性能.因此,需对生长态晶体进行退火改性处理以提高晶体的质量.本文分析了CdZnTe材...     

Divacancies at room temperature in germanium

We have studied the annealing of vacancy defects in neutron and proton irradiated germanium. After neutron irradiation the Sb-doped samples were annealed at 473, 673 and 773 K for 30 min. The positron lifetime was measured as a function of temperature (30 - 295 K). A lifetime component of 330 ps with no temperature dependence is observed in as irradiated samples, identified as the positron lifetime in a neutral divacancy. The average positron lifetime in the samples annealed at 473 K has a definite temperature dependence, suggesting that the divacancies become negative as the crystal recovers and the Fermi level moves upward in the band gap. Proton irradiation of germanium at 37 K with subsequent room temperature annealing also resulted in a similar lifetime component 315 ps, in good agreement with the neutron irradiation experiment.     

Molecular pore size characterization within chitosan biopolymer using positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy

Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy has been used to study a chitosan biopolymer, to which nanoclay has been added, and the effect of water absorption and cross-linking on the microporosity. All measurements were conducted at room temperature. The free volume size of the biopolymer samples was obtained based on the ortho-positronium lifetime, and the relative concentration of free volume cavities was measured by the ortho-positronium intensity. Using the PALS technique, effects of hydration were observed as a reduction in the measured pore size. Similarly, the cross-linked samples exhibited an increase in intensity of the smallest pores commensurate with the SEM observations.     

Ni 2p X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of nanostructured nickel oxide

Herein the detailed analysis of the Ni 2p X-ray photoelectron spectra of nanostructured nickel oxide samples with three different average crystallite sizes is reported. The observed main line broadening and the increase in the relative intensity of the ∼1.5 eV satellite structure are discussed taking into account the large surface to volume ratio, high concentration of Ni²⁺ vacancies and enhancement in the Ni 3d-O 2p hybridization. The influence of these factors on the possible local and non-local screening mechanisms accompanying the photoemission of Ni 2p core level electron is analyzed on the basis of the Ni₇O₃₆ cluster calculations.     

Annealing effects on microstructure and mechanical properties of chromium oxide coatings

Reactive radio frequency magnetron sputter-deposited chromium oxide coatings were annealed at different temperatures and times. The influence of annealing temperature on the microstructure, surface morphology and mechanical properties was examined by X-ray diffraction, nanoindentation, pin-on-disc wear and scratch tests, respectively. X-ray results show that the chromium oxide sputtered at room temperature in low oxygen flux is primarily amorphous. Annealing below 400 °C did not cause much change, while annealing at higher temperature of 500 °C caused a significant change in microstructure and mechanical properties. Hardness increased from 12.3 GPa to 26 GPa, and the wearability improved with higher annealing temperature due to the formation of crystalline Cr₂O₃ phase, which occurs at 470 °C. Annealing time had little effect on mechanical properties and microstructure, although coating surface roughness increased with a longer annealing time. Coating adhesion was improved by annealing, due to residual stress relief and possible interfacial interdiffusion.     

Supercapacitance of ruthenium oxide deposited on titania and titanium substrates

Titanium planar sheet formed by a chemical polishing process and titania nanotube array formed by an electrochemical anodization process are used as electrode substrates, on which electroactive ruthenium oxides are deposited by an electroreduction and electrooxidation process for supercapacitor applications. Morphological characterization and electrochemical properties of the electrode substrates and ruthenium oxide electrodes have been investigated. Crystalline titania nanotube array shows a much higher electric double layer capacitance than titanium planar sheet due to its high surface area of nanotube walls. Additionally, the well-defined ruthenium oxide–titania/titanium nanotube array electrode exhibits a much higher redox supercapacitance and a lower capacitance decay than ruthenium oxide/titanium planar film electrode. Such a superior energy-storage performance of ruthenium oxide–titania/titanium is ascribed to highly accessible nanotube channels for the reversible redox reaction of ruthenium oxide. The modification strategy of ruthenium oxide electrode by introducing highly ordered nanotube array structure instead of planar film structure can significantly improve specific capacitance as well as cyclic charge-discharge stability.     

Three-detector setup for positron-lifetime spectroscopy of solids containing Co radionuclide

A three-detector BaF₂ positron-lifetime spectrometer is described. The spectrometer is suited for investigations of the neutron-irradiated reactor pressure vessel steels with a high content of ⁶⁰Co. Both timing and energy information about annihilation γ-rays is used for selection of coincidence events. In the triple-coincidence mode, the time resolution of around 220 ps FWHM and the coincidence count rate of 15 s⁻¹ for a 4 MBq ²²Na positron source are simultaneously achieved. Test measurements performed have shown that in this mode the ⁶⁰Co prompt-peak contribution in the positron-lifetime spectrum is suppressed to be below 1% when ⁶⁰Co activity of a pair of specimens studied does not exceed the level of 4 MBq.     

One Step Synthesis and Growth Mechanism of Carbon Nanotubes

A simple one step,reproducible,synthesis route for carbon nanotubes was proposed.No external catalyst was used for the synthesis.These nanotubes were obtained after decomposition of acetone at 650 ℃ in a specially designed autoclave.The pressure generated due to decomposition of acetone played a vital role in the synthesis.The X-ray diffraction pattern and transmission electron microscopy of the sample showed that the diameter of nanotubes is in the range of 3—14 nm.The thermo gravimetric analysis showed 3%weight loss below500 ℃;the content of amorphous carbon is very less.The growth mechanism of CNTs was also proposed in the present paper.     

TiO2纳米管阵列的制备工艺对其光催化性能的影响

采用阳极氧化法,在醇(丙三醇、乙二醇)-水-NH4F电解液体系中制备高度有序的TiO2纳米管阵列。采用场发射扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线衍射仪(XRD)对TiO2纳米管阵列的形貌和晶型结构进行表征,讨论了阳极氧化法制备工艺(阳极氧化电压、氧化时间、电解液)对TiO2纳米管的形貌、结构及其甲基橙光催化降解性能的影响;分析了退火温度对TiO2阵列的物相及其光催化性能的影响。研究结果表明,采用高电压、增加氧化时间有利于TiO2纳米管阵列光催化的提高,在其它参数相同的情况下,采用丙三醇作为电解液制备获得的TiO2纳米管阵列较乙二醇体系具有更加优异的光催化性能。     

Production of positron annihilation radiation by cosmic-rays near sea level

Production of positron annihilation radiation by cosmic-rays in Al, Fe, Sn and Pb is measured by means of a triggered HPGe detector. The equipment is located in Belgrade, at an absolute height of 125 m a.s.l. The production rate per unit mass is found to be proportional to the square of the atomic number of the material divided by its mass number, with the proportionality constant equal to 8.1(3)×10⁻⁶ s⁻¹ g⁻¹.     

Development of Transition Edge Sensor Gamma-Ray Detectors for Positron-Annihilation-Spectroscopy

We are beginning development of a Transition Edge Sensor (TES) based gamma-ray detector for use in Coincidence-Doppler-Broadening (CDB) Positron-Annihilation-Spectroscopy (PAS) studies. We are specifically motivated to asses and study damage to nuclear Reactor Pressure Vessels (RPVs) which results from neutron irradiation during reactor operation. In this paper we provide a brief introduction to CDB-PAS and discuss our detector design.