Production and characterization of coaxial nanotube junctions and networks of CNx/CNT

Novel coaxial structures consisting of nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube (MWNTs-CNx) cores with external concentric shells of pure carbon were produced by the pyrolysis of toluene over Fe-coated MWNTs-CNx. These materials were thoroughly characterized by SEM, HRTEM, X-ray diffraction, and TGA; a possible growth scenario for their formation is also proposed. In addition, these coaxial structures were able to form 2D and 3D covalent networks that mainly exhibited T-, Y-, and on-type morphologies. The two-step technique presented here could be further developed to fully control the growth of these new coaxial structures, study of individual junctions, and it could be used to create periodic nanotube networks, in which the heterocable structure could find applications in nanoelectronics.     

A pilot plant technical assessment of an advanced in-duct desulphurisation process

In-duct sorbent injection (DSI) is a well-known, low-cost desulphurisation technology handicapped by its moderate SO(2) removal capacity. Fortunately, there are some technical options for increasing the desulphurisation efficiency without eliminating its inherent advantages. In this experimental study, several improvement design options like the recirculation of reactivated sorbent, the pre-collection of the fly ash and the use of seawater for humidification have been analysed using an extensive parametric testing programme. The effect of the main operating variables directly related to the desulphurisation efficiency has been also tested following a fractional factorial design. These variables were the Ca/S ratio, the approach to the adiabatic saturation temperature and the recirculation ratio of the partially converted sorbent. Other important questions like the use of a high-BET-area lime and the impact of the DSI process on an ESP have been also included in this experimental assessment.More than 50 experimental tests were carried out in a 3-MWe equivalent pilot plant to assess the different improvement options for in-duct sorbent injection. The results of this study allow us to extract practical conclusions about the devices, equipment and operating conditions as a function of the target SO(2) efficiency, and even enable us to provide an economic assessment. Using the proposed improvement options to process a flue gas with 400-1000ppm of SO(2) concentration, a 90% sulphur removal with a lime utilisation of 45% was achieved.     

单轴拉伸PLLA/PBS共混薄膜的包装特性研究

目的提高聚乳酸(PLLA)的韧性、强度及阻氧性能。方法采用双螺杆挤出流延线制备单轴拉伸PLLA/聚丁二酸丁二醇酯(PLLA/PBS)共混薄膜,用万能拉伸试验机、差示扫描量热分析仪(DSC)和透氧仪,对不同拉伸比例的PLLA/PBS共混薄膜的力学性能、热学性能和阻氧性进行了评估。结果随着拉伸比例的增大,PLLA/PBS共混薄膜屈服强度和弹性模量增大,断裂伸长率呈先增大后降低的趋势。随拉伸比例的增大,PLLA/PBS共混薄膜结晶速率明显提高,其阻氧性也得到一定的改善。结论通过单轴拉伸和与PBS共混提高了PLLA的韧性和强度,中等拉伸比例的PLLA/PBS共混薄膜的阻氧性相对较好。     

Interplay of wrinkles, strain, and lattice parameter in graphene on iridium

Following graphene growth by thermal decomposition of ethylene on Ir(111) at high temperatures we analyzed the strain state and the wrinkle formation kinetics as function of temperature. Using the moiré spot separation in a low energy electron diffraction pattern as a magnifying mechanism for the difference in the lattice parameters between Ir and graphene, we achieved an unrivaled relative precision of ±0.1 pm for the graphene lattice parameter. Our data reveals a characteristic hysteresis of the graphene lattice parameter that is explained by the interplay of reversible wrinkle formation and film strain. We show that graphene on Ir(111) always exhibits residual compressive strain at room temperature. Our results provide important guidelines for strategies to avoid wrinkling.     

Low cycle fatigue behavior of Ti6Al4V thermochemically nitrided for its use in hip prostheses

Titanium and its alloys have many attractive properties including high specific strength, low density, and excellent corrosion resistance. Besides, titanium and the Ti6Al4V alloy have long been recognized as materials with high biocompatibility. These properties have led to the use of these materials in biomedical applications. Despite these advantages, the lack of good wear resistance makes difficult the use of titanium and Ti6Al4V in some biomedical applications, like articulating components of prostheses. Some surface treatments are available in order to correct these problems, like thermal surface treatment by means of nitrogen gaseous diffusion at high temperature. Nitrogen enters into the material by diffusion, creating a surface layer of increased hardness. Low cycle fatigue behavior in air of Ti6Al4V alloy has been studied. Results show a reduction of low cycle fatigue life up to 10% compared to the not-treated material. Studies suggest it is not related to the titanium nitride surface layer, but to microstructural changes caused by the high temperature treatment.     

Recurrent fuzzy neural network control for piezoelectric ceramic linear ultrasonic motor drive

In this study, a recurrent fuzzy neural network (RFNN) controller is proposed to control a piezoelectric ceramic linear ultrasonic motor (LUSM) drive system to track periodic reference trajectories with robust control performance. First, the structure and operating principle of the LUSM are described in detail. Second, because the dynamic characteristics of the LUSM are nonlinear and the precise dynamic model is difficult to obtain, a RFNN is proposed to control the position of the moving table of the LUSM to achieve high precision position control with robustness. The back propagation algorithm is used to train the RFNN on-line. Moreover, to guarantee the convergence of tracking error for periodic commands tracking, analytical methods based on a discrete-type Lyapunov function are proposed to determine the varied learning rates of the RFNN. Then, the RFNN is implemented in a PC-based computer control system, and the LUSM is driven by a unipolar switching full bridge voltage source inverter using LC resonant technique. Finally, the effectiveness of the RFNN-controlled LUSM drive system is demonstrated by some experimental results. Accurate tracking response and superior dynamic performance can be obtained because of the powerful on-line learning capability of the RFNN controller. Furthermore, the RFNN control system is robust with regard to parameter variations and external disturbances     

Photocatalytic properties of nano-structured TiO2-carbon films obtained by means of electrophoretic deposition

Recent studies have shown that the light-absorption and photocatalytic efficiencies of TiO2 can be improved by coupling TiO2 nano-particles with nonmetallic dopants, such as carbon. In this paper, we describe the electrophoretic preparation of a novel TiO2-carbon nano-composite photocatalyst on a glass indium thin oxide (ITO) substrate. The objective is to take better advantage of the (e-/h+) pair generated by photoexcitation of semiconducting TiO2 particles. The transfer of electrons (e-) into adjacent carbon nano-particles promotes reduction of oxygen to produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) which, in the presence of iron ions, can subsequently form hydroxyl radicals (*OH) via the Fenton reaction. At the same time, *OH is formed from water by the (h+) holes in the TiO2. Thus, the *OH oxidant is produced by two routes. The efficiency of this photolytic-Fenton process was tested with a model organic compound, Orange-II (OG-II) azo dye, which is employed in the textile industry.     

Talbot effect with rough reflection gratings

The Talbot effect is analyzed when steel tape gratings are used. These gratings are made on a steel substrate, and, because of the manufacture process, both levels of the grating are rough with different roughness parameters. A theoretical analysis based on Fresnel regime, which considers the statistical properties of roughness, is developed. Analytical formulas that show a decreasing exponential dependence on the intensity in terms of the distance between the grating and the observation plane are obtained, and an experimental verification is also performed.     

Continuous simultaneous detection in mass spectrometry

In mass spectrometry, several advantages can be derived when multiple mass-to-charge values are detected simultaneously and continuously. One such advantage is an improved duty cycle, which leads to superior limits of detection, better precision, shorter analysis times, and reduced sample sizes. A second advantage is the ability to reduce correlated noise by taking the ratio of two or more simultaneously collected signals, enabling greatly enhanced isotope ratio data. A final advantage is the elimination of spectral skew, leading to more accurate transient signal analysis. Here, these advantages are demonstrated by means of a novel Faraday-strip array detector coupled to a Mattauch-Herzog mass spectrograph. The same system is used to monitor elemental fractionation phenomena in laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.     

Peroxidase catalytic cycle of MCM-41-entrapped microperoxidase-11 as a mechanism for phenol oxidation

The encapsulation of microperoxidases (MPs) into molecular sieves with controlled pore size, such as the mesoporous silica MCM-41, represents a nanotechnology strategy to control the catalytic properties of MPs and mimic the enzymatic activity of hemoproteins. In this work, the ferric microperoxidase-11 (MP-11), obtained from trypsin-catalyzed hydrolysis of horse-heart cytochrome c, was entrapped in MCM-41, thus resulting in a catalyst (Fe(III)MP11MCM41) with catalase and monooxygenase properties. The entrapment of MP-11 inside MCM-41 was confirmed by elemental analysis and UV-visible spectrum, with a red shift in the Soret band indicating that the heme group was in a hydrophobic microenvironment. Similarly to catalase, the catalyst Fe(III)MP11MCM41 exhibited specificity for hydrogen peroxide to be converted to a high-valence oxidized intermediate, Compound II. Also mimicking catalase, the cleavage of hydrogen peroxide by MP11MCM41 resulted in O2 production detected by a Clark electrode. Phenol was able to act as reducing agent of MP11MCM41 Compound II leading to the completion of a peroxidase cycle, as confirmed by UV-visible spectrometry and EPR measurements. The analysis of the reaction products by high performance liquid chromatogram coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) revealed 2,4-dihydroxyphenol as the product of phenol oxidation by MP11MCM41. Therefore, in addition to catalase activity, the catalyst MP11MCM41 also displayed monooxygenase properties, which was possible because the MP-11 heme iron promotes homolytic cleavage of the hydrogen peroxide generating hydroxyl radicals. With such characteristics, MCM-41-entrapped MP-11 is a promising catalyst for nanobiotechnological devices.