Effect of deposition temperature and Zn composition on structure,optical and electrical properties of CdO thin films

Cd_1?xZn_xO nanocrystallite films with doping concentrations varied from x?=?0.00–0.90 were synthesized through a simple chemical route of the spray pyrolysis process using 0.05M precursor solution. The suitable optimized temperatures for different compositions films were obtained by adjusting deposition temperatures from 693 to 723 K. It was found that structures, surface morphology, optical and electrical properties of the films can be altered by changing Zn contents in CdO deposits. The film composition from x?=?0 to 0.50 have shown cubic phase with (1 1 1) prominent plane and the composition x?=?0.90 shown wurtzite structure with (1 0 1) prominent plane. However, the composition varied from x?=?0.60 to 0.80, in the deposits which showed mixed structure of cubic and wurtzite. The crystallite size, dislocation density and microstrain have been evaluated using XRD data. Scanning electron microscope images have shown different surface morphologies for different Zn doped CdO films. The absorption edge was found to be a blue shift with the increase of Zn content, confirming that there is an increase in the optical band gap. Other optical parameters such as extinction coefficient, Urbach energy, and optical conductivity have estimated using absorption spectra. All films show n-type conductivity, and it decreases with increasing Zn content due to decreasing carrier concentration.     

Effect of mixing rate on the morphology of primary Al phase in the controlled diffusion solidification (CDS) process

Controlled diffusion solidification is a novel and promising process wherein near-net-shaped cast product of a desired Al wrought alloy is obtained by mixing two precursor alloys at specific individual composition, mass, and temperature each to obtain a non-dendritic morphology of the primary Al phase in the solidified microstructure. This study is devoted to quantify the effect of the rate of mixing of the two precursor alloys on the morphology of the primary Al phase in the cast component. The results show that the lower mixing rate with a higher mixing velocity is more favorable for the CDS process.     

Die soldering: Mechanism of the interface reaction between molten aluminum alloy and tool steel

Die soldering is the result when molten aluminum sticks to the surface of the die material and remains there after the ejection of the part; it results in considerable economic and production losses in the casting industry, and is a major quality detractor. In order to alleviate or mitigate die soldering, one must have a thorough understanding of the mechanism by which the aluminum sticks to the die material. A key question is whether the die soldering reaction is diffusion controlled or interface controlled. A set of diffusion couple experiments between molten aluminum alloy and the ferrous die was carried out. The results of the diffusion couple experiments showed that soldering is a diffusional process. When aluminum comes in contact with the ferrous die material, the iron and the aluminum atoms diffuse into each other resulting in the formation of a series of intermetallic phases over the die material. Initially iron and aluminum react with each other to form binary iron-aluminum intermetallic phases. Subsequently, these phases react with the molten aluminum to further form ternary iron-aluminum-silicon intermetallic phases. Iron and aluminum have a great affinity for each other and the root cause of die soldering is the high reaction kinetics, which exists between iron and aluminum. Once the initial binary and ternary intermetallic phase layers are formed over the die material, the aluminum sticks to the die due to the abnormally low thermal conductivity of the intermetallic phases, and due to favorable interface energies between the intermetallic layers and aluminum. The experimental details, the results of the interface reactions, and the analysis leading to the establishment of the mechanism giving rise to die soldering are reviewed discussed.     

Eutectic solidification of aluminum-silicon alloys

A mechanism that describes nucleation and growth as well as morphology modification by chemical additives of the eutectic phases in aluminum-silicon hypoeutectic alloys is presented. The mechanism is supported with results of nonequilibrium thermal analyses, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction, and elemental X-ray mapping, as well as results of high-temperature rheological measurements that are performed on alloy samples of precisely controlled chemistry.     

Yielding in Surfactant Suspension Pastes: Effect of Surfactant Type

In this work, we study the rheological properties and the yielding behavior of cleaning pastes containing surfactant and abrasive particles, for three different types of surfactants, namely linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS), alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS) and sodium lauryl ether sulfonate (SLES). All the pastes were observed to have soft solid-like consistency with their elastic modulus significantly greater than the viscous modulus. With around 36 volume percent of particulate matter, the high stiffness of the pastes suggests that particles form a space spanning network. Interestingly, when subjected to oscillatory shear deformation with increasing strain amplitude, the elastic modulus undergoes a decrease in two steps thereby showing a two-step yielding behavior. It is observed that the first yield stress does not show frequency dependence, and for LAS-containing paste was the largest followed by AOS- and SLES-containing pastes, respectively. The second yield stress, on the other hand, for all the three pastes is observed to increase with frequency. Careful assessment of the experimental data suggests that the first yielding event is due to rupture of the network which leads to formation of particulate aggregates. The second yielding event is attributed to breakage of aggregates. In both yielding phenomena, surfactants play an important role. Since, the phase behavior of surfactant in water determines the inter-particle interaction and network density, the nature of surfactant has a pivotal influence on both the yielding phenomena in surfactant suspension pastes used for cleaning purposes.     

Mission possible? The performance of prosocially motivated employees depends on manager trustworthiness.

The authors propose that in mission-driven organizations, prosocially motivated employees are more likely to perform effectively when trust cues enhance their perceptions of task significance. The authors develop and test a model linking prosocial motivation, trust cues, task significance, and performance across 3 studies of fundraisers using 3 different objective performance measures. In Study 1, perceiving managers as trustworthy strengthened the relationship between employees’ prosocial motivation and performance, measured in terms of calls made. This moderated relationship was mediated by employees’ perceptions of task significance. Study 2 replicated the interaction of manager trustworthiness and prosocial motivation in predicting a new measure of performance: dollars raised. It also revealed 3-way interactions between prosocial motivation, manager trustworthiness, and dispositional trust propensity, such that high trust propensity compensated for low manager trustworthiness to strengthen the association between employees’ prosocial motivation and performance. Study 3 replicated all of the previous mediation and moderation findings in predicting initiative taken by professional fundraisers. Implications for work motivation, work design, and trust in organizations are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dynamic internal gradients control and direct electric currents within nanostructured materials

Switchable nanomaterials--materials that can change their properties and/or function in response to external stimuli-have potential applications in electronics, sensing and catalysis. Previous efforts to develop such materials have predominately used molecular switches that can modulate their properties by means of conformational changes. Here, we show that electrical conductance through films of gold nanoparticles coated with a monolayer of charged ligands can be controlled by dynamic, long-range gradients of both mobile counterions surrounding the nanoparticles and conduction electrons on the nanoparticle cores. The internal gradients and the electric fields they create are easily reconfigurable, and can be set up in such a way that electric currents through the nanoparticles can be modulated, blocked or even deflected so that they only pass through select regions of the material. The nanoion/counterion hybrids combine the properties of electronic conductors with those of ionic gels/polymers, are easy to process by solution-casting and, by controlling the internal gradients, can be reconfigured into different electronic elements (current rectifiers, switches and diodes).