The effect of isosaccharinic acid (ISA) on the mobilization of metals in municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) dry scrubber residue

Co-landfilling of incineration ash and cellulose might facilitate the alkaline degradation of cellulose. A major degradation product is isosaccharinic acid (ISA), a complexing agent for metals. The impact of ISA on the mobility of Pb, Zn, Cr, Cu and Cd from a municipal solid waste incineration dry scrubber residue was studied at laboratory using a reduced 2(5-1) factorial design. Factors investigated were the amount of calcium isosaccharinate (Ca(ISA)(2)), L/S ratio, temperature, contact time and type of atmosphere (N(2), air, O(2)). The effects of pH and Ca(ISA)(2) as well as other factors on the leaching of metals were quantified and modelled using multiple linear regression (alpha=0.05). Cd was excluded from the study since the concentrations were below the detection limit. The presence of Ca(ISA)(2) resulted in a higher leaching of Cu indicating complex formation. Ca(ISA)(2) alone had no effect on the leaching of Pb, Zn and Cr. A secondary effect on the mobilization was predicted to occur since Ca(ISA)(2) had a positive effect on the pH and the leaching of Pb, Zn and Cr increased with increasing pH. The leaching of Pb varied from 24 up to 66 wt.% of the total Pb amount (1.74+/-0.02 g(kgTS)(-1)) in the dry scrubber residue. The corresponding interval for Zn (7.29+/-0.07 g(kgTS)(-1)) and Cu (0.50+/-0.02 g(kgTS)(-1)) were 0.5-14 wt.% of Zn and 0.8-70wt.% of Cu. Maximum leaching of Cr (0.23+/-0.03 g(kgTS)(-1)) was 4.0 wt.%. At conditions similar to a compacted and covered landfill (4 degrees C, 7 days, 0 vol.% O(2)) the presence of ISA can increase the leaching of Cu from 2 to 46 wt.% if the amount of cellulose-based waste increases 20 times, from the ratio 1:100 to 1:5. As well, the leaching of Pb, Zn, and Cr can increase from 32 to 54 wt.% (Pb), 0.8-8.0 wt.% (Zn), and 0.5 to 4.0 wt.% (Cr) depending on the amount of cellulose and L/S ratio and pH value. Therefore, a risk (alpha=0.05) exists that higher amounts of metals are leached from landfills where cellulose-containing waste and ash are co-disposed. This corresponds to an additional 29 t of Pb and 17 t of Cu leached annually from a compacted and covered landfill in the north of Sweden.     

Chemical and ecotoxicological characterization of solid residues produced during the co-pyrolysis of plastics and pine biomass

A mixture of 70% (w/w) pine biomass and 30% (w/w) plastics (mixture of polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene) was subjected to pyrolysis at 400 °C, for 15 min, with an initial pressure of 40 MPa. Part of the solid residue produced was subjected to extraction with dichloromethane (DCM). The extracted residue (residue A) and raw residue (residue B) were analyzed by weight loss combustion and submitted to the leaching test ISO/TS 21268-2 using two different leachants: DCM (0.2%, v/v) and calcium chloride (0.001 mol/L). The concentrations of the heavy metals Cd, Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb and Cu were determined in the eluates and in the two residues. The eluates were further characterized by determining their pH and the concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX). The presence of other organic contaminants in the eluates was qualitatively evaluated by gas chromatography, coupled with mass spectrometry. An ecotoxicological characterization was also performed by using the bio-indicator Vibrio fischeri. The chemical and ecotoxicological results were analyzed according to the French proposal of Criteria on the Evaluation Methods of Waste Ecotoxicity (CEMWE). Residue A was not considered to be ecotoxic by the ecotoxicological criterion (EC₅₀ (30 min) ≥10%), but it was considered to be ecotoxic by the chemical criterion (Ni ≥ 0.5 mg/L). Residue B was considered to be ecotoxic by the ecotoxicological criterion: EC₅₀ (30 min) ≤ 10%. Besides that, residue B was considered to be hazardous according the European legislation (BTEX concentrations higher than 100 ppb). The results indicate that volatile organic contaminants can be present in sufficient amounts in these residues and their eluates to induce ecotoxicity levels. The extraction of the pyrolysis residue with DCM was an efficient method for removing lighter organic contaminants.     

Preparation, characterization, and stability of calcium zinc hydrophosphate

Calcium zinc hydrophosphate phases with different Zn/(Zn + Ca) molar ratios (x_Zn, from 0 to 1) were synthesized using co-precipitation method at pH 10, 25 °C. X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) were used to characterize the synthesized products. Thermal behavior of the products was examined by thermal analytical instruments (TG-DSC-MS), while the chemical stability of the products was tested by toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP).The results showed that the phase constituents of formed calcium zinc hydrophosphate phases were related to the molar contents of Zn²⁺. With the increase of x_Zn, it formed calcium-deficient hydorxyapatite (CaHap), calcium zinc hydorxyapatite (CaZnHap), CaZn₂(PO₄)₂·2H₂O, and Zn₃(PO₄)₂·4H₂O, respectively. All the calcium zinc hydrophosphates were thermally stable up to 600 °C, and less Zn²⁺ leached in a wide pH range of 2-11, which indicated that calcium zinc hydrophosphate could effectively hold Zn²⁺ in their crystal phases with stabilization ratios of over 99.99%.     

Influence of thermal treatment on the structure and adsorption properties of layered zinc hydroxychloride

Layered zinc hydroxychloride (Zn₅(OH)₈Cl₂·H₂O) synthesized by hydrolyzing the ZnO particles in aqueous ZnCl₂ solutions at 100 °C for 48 h was outgassed at different temperatures ranging from 100 to 250 °C for 2 h and the structure and adsorption properties of the products were examined by various means. Outgassing at 100-150 °C eliminated the H₂O molecules in interlayer of zinc hydroxychloride. The layered structure of zinc hydroxychloride was disintegrated at 175 °C by breaking the OH?Cl hydrogen-bond in interlayer to form curled thin films composed of poorly crystallized β-Zn(OH)Cl and ZnO, leading to the increment of the specific surface area from 4 to 39 m²/g. The β-Zn(OH)Cl was decomposed at 225 °C to form ZnO. The crystallinity of ZnO was increased on elevating the outgassing temperature, giving rise to the UV absorption property. The H₂O and CO₂ adsorption measurements revealed that the zinc hydroxychloride outgassed at 100-150 °C possessed a high H₂O and CO₂ adsorption selectivity, and the selectivity diminished by the formation of thin films of ZnO above 175 °C.     

Long-term leaching from MSWI air-pollution-control residues: leaching characterization and modeling

Long-term leaching of Ca, Fe, Mg, K, Na, S, Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Mo, Sb, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, V, P, Cl, and dissolved organic carbon from two different municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) air-pollution-control residues was monitored during 24 months of column percolation experiments; liquid-to-solid (L/S) ratios of 200-250L/kg corresponding to more than 10,000 years in a conventional landfill were reached. Less than 2% of the initially present As, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, and Sb had leached during the course of the experiments. Concentrations of Cd, Fe, Mg, Hg, Mn, Ni, Co, Sn, Ti, and P were generally bellow 1microg/L; overall less than 1% of their mass leached. Column leaching data were further used in a two-step geochemical modeling in PHREEQC in order to (i) identify solubility controlling minerals and (ii) evaluate their interactions in a water-percolated column system over L/S of 250L/kg. Adequate predictions of pH, alkalinity, and the leaching of Ca, S, Al, Si, Ba, and Zn were obtained in a simultaneous calculation. Also, it was suggested that removal of Ca and S together with depletion of several minerals apparently caused dissolution of ettringite-like phases. In turn, significant increase in leaching of oxyanions (especially Sb and Cr) was observed at late stage of leaching experiments.     

Electrical and gas sensing properties of self-aligned copper-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles

Electrical and gas sensing properties of nanocrystalline ZnO:Cu, having Cu X wt% (X = 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5) in ZnO, in the form of pellet were investigated. Copper chloride and zinc acetate were used as precursors along with oxalic acid as a precipitating reagent in methanol. Material characterization was done by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and inductive coupled plasma with optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). FE-SEM showed the self-aligned Cu-doped ZnO nano-clusters with particles in the range of 40-45 nm. The doping of 0.5% of copper changes the electrical conductivity by an order of magnitude whereas the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) reduces with increase in copper wt% in ZnO. The material has shown an excellent sensitivity for the H₂, LPG and CO gases with limited temperature selectivity through the optimized operating temperature of 130, 190 and 220 °C for H₂, LPG and CO gases, respectively at 625 ppm gas concentration. The %SF was observed to be 1460 for H₂ at 1% Cu doping whereas the 0.5% Cu doping offered %SF of 950 and 520 for CO and LPG, respectively. The response and recovery time was found to be 6 to 8 s and 16 s, respectively.     

Efficiency modeling of solidification/stabilization of multi-metal contaminated industrial soil using cement and additives

In a laboratory study, formulations of 15% (w/w) of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), calcium aluminate cement (CAC) and pozzolanic cement (PC) and additives: plasticizers cementol delta ekstra (PCDE) and cementol antikorodin (PCA), polypropylene fibers (PPF), polyoxyethylene-sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80) and aqueous acrylic polymer dispersion (Akrimal) were used for solidification/stabilization (S/S) of soils from an industrial brownfield contaminated with up to 157, 32,175, 44,074, 7614, 253 and 7085 mg kg⁻¹ of Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni and As, respectively. Soils formed solid monoliths with all cementitious formulations tested, with a maximum mechanical strength of 12 N mm⁻² achieved after S/S with CAC + PCA. To assess the S/S efficiency of the used formulations for multi-element contaminated soils, we propose an empirical model in which data on equilibrium leaching of toxic elements into deionized water and TCLP (toxicity characteristic leaching procedure) solution and the mass transfer of elements from soil monoliths were weighed against the relative potential hazard of the particular toxic element. Based on the model calculation, the most efficient S/S formulation was CAC + Akrimal, which reduced soil leachability of Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni and As into deionized water below the limit of quantification and into TCLP solution by up to 55, 185, 8750, 214, 4.7 and 1.2-times, respectively; and the mass transfer of elements from soil monoliths by up to 740, 746, 104,000, 4.7, 343 and 181-times, respectively.     

Oxidation of carbon monoxide over Cu- and Ag-NaY catalysts with aqueous hydrogen peroxide

A novel oxidation reaction of CO with aqueous H₂O₂ over Cu-NaY (2-15 wt%) and Ag-NaY (5-15 wt%) catalysts has been achieved at low temperatures (55-70 °C) using a flow mode system. The employed catalysts were prepared by the incipient wetness impregnation of NaY zeolite (Si/Al = 5.6, surface area = 910 m²/g) with an aqueous solution of known concentrations of copper acetate and silver nitrate. Solids were subjected to thermal treatment at 300-450 °C prior to catalytic measurements unless subjected to subsequent reduction with hydrogen at 350 °C. The physicochemical characterization of the catalysts was probed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-IR and combined thermal analyses TGA-DrTGA. The XRD data indicated that, the Ag particles have an ordered location in the sodalite cavity and the center of a single six-ring. The FT-IR data also proved the presence of a new peak at 1385 cm⁻¹ that is assigned to Ag-coordinated with the framework.A slow induced oxidation of CO (induction period, t_ind) took place at the initial stage of the CO oxidation reaction after which the reaction obeyed first-order kinetics. The utilized metal ions are proposed to be reduced to lower oxidation states such as Cu⁺ and Ag⁰ during the first period of reaction, t_ind, where the reaction proceeded favorably on such sites. Such argument was evidenced by carrying out the oxidation reaction over H₂-reduced Cu10-NaY and Ag10-NaY catalysts. The reduction caused a decrease in the t_ind, giving an evidence that the lower oxidation states Cu⁺ and Ag⁰ are the active sites in the studied oxidation reaction. The enhancement in catalytic activity was interpreted in terms of the facile adsorption of CO on the low oxidation state species.     

Distribution, correlation and risk assessment of selected metals in urban soils from Islamabad, Pakistan

Urban soil samples were analyzed for Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Sr and Zn by atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. Multivariate statistical approach was used to study the apportionment of selected metals in the soil samples during summer and winter. The degree of contamination along with the geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor and contamination factor was also evaluated. In water-extract of the soil samples, relatively higher levels were noted for Na, Ca, K, Fe, Mg, and Pb with average concentrations of 56.38, 33.82, 12.53, 7.127, 5.994, and 1.045 mg/kg during summer, while the mean metal levels during winter were 76.45, 38.05, 3.928, 0.627, 8.726, and 0.878 mg/kg, respectively. In case of acid-extract of the soils, Ca, Fe, Mg, Na, K, Mn and Sr were found at 27,531, 12,784, 2769, 999.9, 737.9, 393.5, and 115.1 mg/kg, during summer and 23,386, 3958, 3206, 254.6, 1511, 453.6, and 53.30 mg/kg, during winter, respectively. Most of the metals showed random distribution with diverse correlations in both seasons. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis revealed significant anthropogenic intrusions of Cd, Pb, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Zn and Na in the soils. Geoaccumulation indices and contamination factors indicated moderate to heavy contamination for Pb and Cd in the soils, while enrichment factor exhibited significant enrichment (EF > 5) of Cd, Pb, Ca, Co, Li, Mn and Zn by anthropogenic activities. Overall, on the average basis, considerable degree of contamination (C_deg > 16) was observed in both seasons, although it was higher in winter. Present metal levels were also compared with those reported from other areas around the world.     

Effect of temperature on structural, optical and photoluminescence properties of antimony (Sb) doped polycrystalline CuInS2 thin films prepared by spray pyrolysis

Copper indium disulphide (CuInS₂) is an absorber material for solar cell and photovoltaic applications. By suitably doping CuInS₂ thin films with dopants such as Zn, Cd, Na, Bi, Sn, N, P and As its structural, optical, photoluminescence properties and electrical conductivities could be controlled and modified. In this work, Sb (0.01 mole (M)) doped CuInS₂ thin films are grown in the temperature range 300-400 °C on heated glass substrates. It is observed that the film growth temperature, the ion ratio (Cu/In = 1.25) and Sb-doping affects the structural, optical and photoluminescence properties of sprayed CuInS₂ films.The XRD patterns confirm that the Sb-doping suppresses the growth of CuInS₂ polycrystalline thin films along (1 1 2) preferred plane and in other characteristic planes. The EDAX results confirm the presence of Cu, In, S and Sb. About 60% of light transmission occurs in the wavelength range 350-1100 nm. The absorption coefficient (α) is found to be in the order of 10⁵ cm⁻¹. The band gap energy increases as the temperature increases from 300-400 °C (1.35-1.40 eV). SEM photographs depict that large sized crystals of Sb-doped CuInS₂ (1 μm) are formed on the surface of the films. Well defined sharp blue and green band emissions are exhibited by Sb-doped CuInS₂ thin films. Defects-related photoluminescence emissions are discussed. These Sb-doped CuInS₂ thin films are prepared by the cost effective method of spray pyrolysis from the aqueous solutions of CuCl₂, InCl₃, SC(NH₂)₂ and SbCl₃ on heated glass substrates.     

Development of two-step etching approach for aluminium doped zinc oxide using a combination of standard HCl and NH4Cl etch steps

An etching method for ZnO:Al films deposited by radio-frequency sputtering is presented. The method is developed to achieve appropriate surface morphology for efficient light scattering. This etching method consists of a first step where the sample is dipped in standard diluted HCl (0.5 wt.%) for 40 s (the “standard Jülich” etch process) and a subsequent step where a NH₄Cl aqueous solution with concentrations ranging from 2 to 20 wt.% is used. The introduction of the second step leads to a slight modification of the surface feature shape and an increase in the surface roughness of up to around 37% in relation with that obtained using only the first step. High haze values are also obtained, reaching up to 93% at 550 nm and strong light scattering into angles above 50° at 632 nm. On the other hand, the resistivity of the textured films remains low enough for cell application, being ranged from 6 to 13 Ω/sqr depending on the NH₄Cl concentration used. Finally, in order to assess the role of the features obtained on the surface as effective light trapping, the textured films are applied as front contact in silicon thin film solar cells.     

Etching process optimization using NH4Cl aqueous solution to texture ZnO:Al films for efficient light trapping in flexible thin film solar cells

0.5 μm-thick aluminum-doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Al) films were deposited at 100 °C on polyethylene terephthalate substrates by Radio Frequency magnetron sputtering. The as-deposited films were compact and dense, showing grain sizes of 32.0 ± 6.4 nm and resistivities of (8.5 ± 0.7) × 10^− 4 Ω cm. The average transmittance in the visible wavelength range of the structure ZnO:Al/PET was around 77%. The capability of a novel two-step chemical etching using diluted NH₄Cl aqueous solution to achieve efficient textured surfaces for light trapping was analyzed. The results indicated that both the aqueous solution and the etching method resulted appropriated to obtain etched surfaces with a surface roughness of 32 ± 5 nm, haze factors at 500 nm of 9% and light scattering at angles up to 50°. To validate all these results, a commercially ITO coated PET substrate was used for comparison.     

Acidic leaching both of zinc and iron from basic oxygen furnace sludge

During the steel production in the basic oxygen furnace (BOF), approximately 7-15 kg of dust per tonne of produced steel is generated. This dust contains approximately 1.4-3.2% Zn and 54-70% Fe. Regarding the zinc content, the BOF dust is considered to be highly problematic, and therefore new technological processes for recycling dusts and sludge from metallurgical production are still searched for. In this study the hydrometallurgical processing of BOF sludge in the sulphuric acid solutions under atmospheric pressure and temperatures up to 100 °C is investigated on laboratory scale. The influence of sulphuric acid concentration, temperature, time and liquid to solid ratio (L:S) on the leaching process was studied. The main aim of this study was to determine optimal conditions when the maximum amount of zinc passes into the solution whilst iron remains in a solid residue.     

Study on the microstructure and dielectric properties of X9R ceramics based on BaTiO3

This paper investigated the microstructure and dielectric properties of BaTiO₃-Pb(Sn, Ti)O₃ system ceramics. The Curie point of BaTiO₃ is 130 °C. When the temperature is higher than 130 °C, the dielectric constant of BaTiO₃ drops severely according to Curie-Weiss law. Pb(Ti, Sn)O₃(PTS) was selected to compensate the dielectric constant doping of BaTiO₃ since it has high Curie temperature (Tc) point that is about 296 °C. The Curie temperature (Tc) point of BaTiO₃ was broadened and shifted to higher temperature because of the doping of PTS, so the temperature coefficient of capacitance (TCC) curves of the ceramics based on BaTiO₃ was flattened. When 2 wt% Pb(Ti_0.55Sn_0.45)O₃ was added, the sample showed super dielectric properties that the dielectric constant was >1750 at 25 °C, dielectric loss was lower than 2.0% and TCC was <±10% from −55 °C to 200 °C. Therefore the materials satisfied EIA X9R specifications.     

Influence of flue gas SO2 on the toxicity of heavy metals in municipal solid waste incinerator fly ash after accelerated carbonation stabilization

The influence of CO₂ content and SO₂ presence on the leaching toxicity of heavy metals in municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) fly ash was studied by examining the carbonation reaction of MSWI fly ash with different combinations of simulated incineration flue gases. Compared with raw ash, the leaching solution pH of carbonated ash decreased by almost 1 unit and the leaching concentrations of heavy metals were generally lower, with that of Pb decreasing from 19.45 mg/L (raw ash) to 4.08 mg/L (1# carbonated ash). The presence of SO₂ in the incineration flue gas increased the leaching concentrations of heavy metals from the fly ash to different extents after the carbonation stabilization reaction. The pH of the leaching solution was the main factor influencing the leaching concentrations of heavy metals. The increase in buffer capacity with the pH of carbonated ash caused an increase in heavy metal stability after the carbonation reaction. Accelerated carbonation stabilization of MSWI fly ash could reduce its long-term leaching concentrations (toxicity) of Cu, Pb, Se, and Zn. The leaching concentrations of heavy metals from carbonated ash also likely had better long-term stability than those from raw ash. The presence of SO₂ in the incineration flue gas increased the proportion of exchangeable state species of heavy metals; slightly increased the long-term leaching toxicity of Cu, Pb, Se, and Zn; and reduced the long-term stability of these metals in the fly ash after the carbonation reaction.     

High performance low temperature solution-processed zinc oxide thin film transistor

Amorphous zinc oxide thin films have been processed out of an aqueous solution applying a one step synthesis procedure. For this, zinc oxide containing crystalline water (ZnO⋅ × H₂O) is dissolved in aqueous ammonia (NH₃), making use of the higher solubility of ZnO⋅ × H₂O compared with the commonly used zinc oxide. Characteristically, as-produced layers have a thickness of below 10 nm. The films have been probed in standard thin film transistor devices, using silicon dioxide as dielectric layer. Keeping the maximum process temperature at 125 °C, a device mobility of 0.25 cm²V^− 1s^− 1 at an on/off ratio of 10⁶ was demonstrated. At an annealing temperature of 300 °C, the performance could be optimized up to a mobility of 0.8 cm²V^− 1s^− 1.     

Controllable growth of zinc oxide nanosheets and sunflower structures by anodization method

Large scale of ZnO nanosheets and sunflower structures were fabricated by anodization of zinc in (NH₄)₂SO₄ and NH₄Cl aqueous electrolytes. The products were characterized via scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and X-ray diffraction analysis. Results show that the sheets are about 20–50 μm in dimension and 20 nm in thickness. The sunflower microstructures are about 400–500 μm in dimension. The possible growth mechanism is suggested on the basis of experimental results.     

Effect of Cu dopant on microstructure and phase transformation of ZnTiO3 thin films prepared by radio frequency magnetron sputtering

Cu doped zinc titanate (ZnTiO₃) films were prepared using radio frequency magnetron sputtering. Subsequent annealing of the as-deposited films was performed at temperatures ranging from 600 to 900 °C. It was found that the as-deposited films were amorphous and contained 0.84 at.% Cu. This was further confirmed by the onset of crystallization that took place at annealing temperatures 600 °C. The phase transformation for the as-deposited films and annealed films was investigated in this study. The results showed that Zn₂Ti₃O₈, ZnTiO₃, and TiO₂ can coexist at 600 °C. When annealed at 700 °C, the results revealed that mainly the hexagonal ZnTiO₃ phase formed, accompanied by minority amounts of TiO₂ and Zn₂Ti₃O₈. Unlike pure zinc titanate films, this result showed that the Zn₂Ti₃O₈ phase can be stable at temperatures above 700 °C. Moreover, Cu addition in zinc titanate thin film could result in the decomposition of hexagonal (Zn,Cu) TiO₃ phase at 800 °C. When the Cu content was increased in zinc titanate thin films from 0.84 at.% to 2.12 at.%, there were only two phases; Zn₂Ti₃O₈ and ZnTiO₃, coexisting at temperatures between 700 and 800 °C. This result indicated that a greater presence of Cu dopants in zinc titanate thin films leads to the existence of the Zn₂Ti₃O₈ phase at higher temperatures.     

Resorption system with simultaneous heat and cold production

A resorption system with simultaneous cold and heat production was studied. The heat produced could be used for sanitary or process purposes, or to drive another heat-powered machine. The resorption reactors had MnCl₂ and NH₄Cl as reactant (which are impregnated in expanded graphite) and NH₃ as refrigerant. The combined coefficient of performance and amplification (COPA) of this system reached 1.3 when the cooling effect was produced at 0 °C and heating effect at 75 °C with the regeneration temperature of 140 °C. Its COP was 0.35 with a specific cooling power (SCP) of 1.12 MJ kg⁻¹ day⁻¹, and the heat sink in this case remained below the cooling temperature for more than 5 h. Because of the heat production at certain temperature level (from 70 °C to 80 °C) in this study, the released heat could be used to power a silica gel-water adsorption chiller and the overall COP of the combined system would increase dramatically.     

Study on inverse spinel zinc stannate, Zn2SnO4, as transparent conductive films deposited by rf magnetron sputtering

Inverse spinel zinc stannate (Zn₂SnO₄, ZTO) films were deposited onto fused quartz glass substrates heated at 800 °C by rf magnetron sputtering using a ceramic ZTO target (Zn:Sn = 2:1). H₂ flow ratios [H₂/(Ar + H₂)] were controlled from 0 to 30% during the depositions. ZTO films deposited at 800 °C possessed a polycrystalline inverse spinel structure. The lowest resistivity of 1.1 × 10^− 2 Ω cm was obtained for a ZTO film deposited at 20% H₂ flow ratio. The transmittance of the ZTO film was approximately 80% in the visible region.