Microstructure of TiO2 and ZnO Films Fabricated by the Sol-Gel Method

Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide films were fabricated by spin-on and dip-coating methods. Both types of films exhibited columnar grains when the single coating was thin, ∼10 nm. The columnar TiO₂ films were dense, as confirmed by their density values calculated from the refractive index and TEM results. The addition of Al cations into the ZnO suppressed grain growth, because Zn had a lower diffusivity in the doped films. The doped ZnO films had nearly the same electrical resistivity as that of the undoped films.     

Single molecular orientation switching of an endohedral metallofullerene

The single molecular orientation switching of the Tb@C82 endohedral metallofullerene has been studied by using low-temperature ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). An octanethiol self-assembled monolayer (SAM) was introduced between Tb@C82 and the Au111 substrate to control the thermal rotational states of Tb@C82. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) of Tb@C82 on an octanethiol SAM at 13 K demonstrated hysteresis including negative differential conductance (NDC). This observed hysteresis and NDC is interpreted in terms of a switching of the Tb@C82 molecular orientation caused by the interaction between its electric dipole moment and an external electric field.     

Intermolecular Interaction of [60]Fullerene with Tröger's Base Analogues

Tröger's base (TB, 1) and its analogues were synthesized and were subject to the titration experiments to evaluate their ability of supramolecular complexation with C₆₀. Results demonstrate clearly that the fluorene-based TB analogue (2) and the bioctylfluorene-based TB analogue (3) show 1:1 binding with C₆₀ to form the corresponding complexes while TB 1 does not. Titration experiments exhibited that the association constant (K_ass) of 3/C₆₀ (48.1 ± 7.9 M ^?1) was larger than that of 2/C₆₀ (13.7 ± 1.4 M ^?1)_. The formation of the 1:1 binding complexes 2/C₆₀ and 3/C₆₀ was also confirmed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Theoretical calculations suggest that 2 and 3 have appropriate cavities to embrace C₆₀. These findings indicate that not only the π/π interaction between the fluorene moieties and the C₆₀ surface but also the CH/π interaction between the octyl groups and the C₆₀ surface serve efficiently in the supramolecular complexation with C₆₀.     

Crystal growth and scintillation properties of Nd-doped Lu3Al5O12 single crystals with different Nd concentrations

Nd 0.1%, 0.5%, 1% and 3% doped Lu₃Al₅O₁₂ (Nd:LuAG) single crystals were grown in the nitrogen atmosphere by the micro-pulling down (μ-PD) method. The grown crystals had a single-phase confirmed by powder XRD analysis. In absorption spectra, some weak absorption lines due to Nd³⁺ 4f-4f transitions were observed and their intensity increased with the increase of Nd concentration. When excited by ²⁴¹Am α-ray, a broad emission peak due to defects in the host lattice at 320 nm and some sharp lines due to Nd³⁺ 4f-4f transitions at wavelength longer than 400 nm were observed. The decay time profiles of Nd:LuAG under γ-ray excitation were well approximated by two exponential function of 340-760 ns and 3-5 μs for each sample. By pulse height measurement using ¹³⁷Cs, Nd 0.5%:LuAG showed the highest light yield of 7600 ± 760 photons/MeV.     

The unique flow of polypropylene at the weld line behind an obstacle in injection molding

In this article, a weld line placed behind an obstacle in an injection‐molded plaque made of metallic mold‐in‐color polypropylene (PP) was investigated. A broad uneven glossy section was visually observed along the weld line after the v‐notch weld disappeared. Although disk‐shaped metallic pigments were oriented parallel to the wall according to laminar flow, the pigment particles at the weld behind the obstacle were ordered vertically at the center of the depth direction. In PP molded without pigment, a black line was observed at the same position in the metallic weld. Based on a measurement of the crystal structure, the black line was caused by the rapid cooling of molten PP. Elongational flow occurred along the weld line after the diminishing v‐notch weld. The unique flow ordered the pigments obliquely at the advancing flow front and disturbed the subsequent flow of hot PP which transferred heat to the crystallizing mass. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Colorectal Laterally Spreading Tumors by Computed Tomographic Colonography

To date, few reports focused primarily on detecting colorectal laterally spreading tumors (LSTs) have been published. The aim of this study was to determine the visibility of LSTs on computed tomographic colonography (CTC) compared with that on colonoscopy as a standard. We retrospectively reviewed and matched data on endoscopic and CTC reports in 157 patients (161 LSTs) who received a multidetector CT scan using contrast media immediately after total colonoscopy at the National Cancer Center Hospital in Tokyo, Japan, between December 2005 and August 2010. The results of the total colonoscopy were known at the time of the CTC procedure and reading. Of the 161 LSTs detected on colonoscopy, 138 were observed and matched by CTC (86%). Of the 91 granular type LSTs (LST-Gs), 88 (97%) were observed and matched, while of the 70 non-granular type LSTs (LST-NGs), 50 (71%) were observed and matched by CTC (p < 0.0001). CTC enabled observation of 73% (22/30) of 20–29 mm, 83% (35/42) of 30–39 mm, 88% (49/56) of 40–59 mm, and 97% (32/33) of ≥60 mm tumors. The rate of observed LSTs by CTC was 86% (97% of LST-G, 71% of LST-NG) of the LSTs found during total colonoscopy.     

Effect of CaO Addition on Compressive Deformation of Silicon Nitride Ceramic with Y‐Mg‐Si‐O‐N Glassy System

Creep behavior of Si₃N₄ polycrystals containing Y₂O₃‐MgO‐SiO₂ glass phase (with and without Calcium oxide [CaO] additive) was studied by compression tests between 1500 and 1700°C. We studied the effect of CaO additive on flow stress, microstructural evolutions, and thermal stability of the intergranular glass phase during deformation. While the addition of CaO did not affect grain size, the flow stress decreased with the amount of CaO. This result suggested that the addition of CaO reduced the viscosity of intergranular glass phase. The addition of CaO further improved the thermal stability of the glass phase by suppressing the evaporation at elevated temperatures.     

Incorporation of Dust Particles into a Growing Film During Silicon Dioxide Deposition from a TEOS/O2 Plasma

The effects of gas flow rate on particle formation and film deposition during the preparation of silica thin film using a TEOS/O₂ plasma were investigated. Particle formation and growth are suppressed with increasing gas flow rates. The film deposition rate increases with increasing gas flow rate, reaches a maximum value, and eventually decreases again. However, the uniformity of the film tends to degrade at high gas flow rates. At a high gas flow rate, some particles trapped in the sheath near the grounded electrode pass through the sheath to reach the substrate and are then embedded in the growing film. A self-consistent sheath model combined with particle force balance based on charge fluctuation was developed to explain these experimental findings qualitatively. The model reveals that charge fluctuation is a key factor for the particle to overcome the potential barrier of the negatively charged particles to pass through the sheath, eventually reaching the substrate. The model further shows that the probability of a particle being deposited on the substrate is higher for increased gas flow rates, which correctly predicts the experimentally observed trend.     

Substituent effects on thermal and photo‐alignment behavior of poly(ethylene imine)s carrying azobenzene side groups

A new class of liquid‐crystalline poly(ethylene imine)s (PEIs) having four differently substituted (? CN,? C₄H₉,? OCH₃ and? NO₂) azobenzene side‐chain groups attached through alkyl spacer groups were successfully synthesized using a solution polycondensation reaction. The synthesized polymers were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. The photochemical, thermo‐optical and photo‐orientational behavior of the polymers were investigated in detail. Spin‐coated films of PEIs with azobenzene groups having? C₄H₉,? OCH₃ and? NO₂ substituents showed out‐of‐plane molecular orientation on annealing. Except for the PEI with an azobenzene group having ? NO₂ substituent, all polymers exhibited good photoresponsive properties upon irradiation with UV and visible light. Films of PEIs with azobenzene side groups having? CN,? C₄H₉ and? OCH₃ substituents showed reversible alignment behavior from random state to out‐of‐plane and from out‐of‐plane to random state on annealing and on irradiation with UV and non‐polarized visible light. The reversibility of the molecular orientation of PEIs from random state to out‐of‐plane and from out‐of‐plane to random state greatly depended on the substituent attached to the azobenzene side‐chain group. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Photosensitized hydrogen evolution from water using a single-walled carbon nanotube/fullerodendron/SiO2 coaxial nanohybrid

A coaxial nanohybrid consisting of a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT), fullerodendron, and SiO(2) shows high-efficiency light-driven hydrogen evolution from water. Upon visible light irradiation, SWCNT/fullerodendron/SiO(2) coaxial nanohybrid shows hydrogen evolution activity in the presence of methyl viologen (MV(2+)), benzyldihydronicotinamide (BNAH), and a colloidal polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)-Pt.