Studies on structural,dielectric and electrical properties of Dy<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Bi<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>FeO<Subscript>3</Subscript> solid solutions

The polycrystalline samples of Dy _x Bi_1−x FeO₃ (x = 1, 0.8, 0.6, 0.4 and 0.2) were synthesized by standard solid state reaction technique. The samples synthesized were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. Further the samples were characterized by infrared (IR) spectroscopic technique. The dielectric measurements were carried out as a function of frequency in the range 100 Hz to 1 MHz at room temperature. Also the dielectric measurements were carried out as a function of temperature at certain fixed frequencies. The ac and dc resistivity measurements were carried out using two probe method. Also temperature dependence of ac and dc resistivity was noted. These measurements suggest polaron conduction in the samples. Finally, the data from XRD, IR, dielectric measurements were correlated.     

Dissolution processes,hydrolysis and condensation reactions during geopolymer synthesis: Part I—Low Si/Al ratio systems

Initial geopolymeric reaction processes governing dissolution of solid aluminosilicate particles in alkali solutions have been investigated using conventional experimental techniques, and the data analysed by speciation predictions of the partial charge model (PCM). For metakaolin powders activated with 5.0 M NaOH, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra disclose the existence of monomeric [Al(OH)₄]⁻ species after two hours of dissolution, consistent with PCM predictions. However, no equivalent monomeric silicate species were observed for 5.0–10.0 M NaOH activator solutions characteristic of systems with nominal Si/Al ≤ 1. The apparent absence of monomeric silicate species suggest rapid condensation of silicate units with [Al(OH)₄]⁻ to generate aluminosilicate species, as indicated by the evolution of the shoulder at around −87 ppm in the ²⁹Si NMR spectra. Of the two possible stable silicate species [SiO₂(OH)₂]²⁻ and [SiO(OH)₃]⁻, the latter appears most likely to condense with [Al(OH)₄]⁻ to produce aluminosilicate oligomers, from which larger oligomers subsequently form through further condensation with [Al(OH)₄]⁻ leading to a gradual build up of aluminosilicate networks and a lowering of system alkalinity. This dissolution and hydrolysis sequence at the early stages of synthesis suggests a reaction path wholly consistent with predictions of the partial charge model.     

Point Contact Spectroscopy and Temperature Dependence of Resistivity of Metallic Sodium Tungsten Bronzes - Role of Optical Phonons

In this paper we report the results of electrical resistivity (1.5≤ T ≤ 300K) and point contact spectroscopy (PCS) measurements on single crystals of metallic sodium tungsten bronze with varying sodium content. We have shown that the electron-phonon coupling function as measured through PCS can explain quantitatively the large temperature dependence of resistivity ρ seen in these materials over the entire temperature range. The electron-phonon coupling function shows predominately large peaks for phonon frequency range of 30 meV ≤ ω ≤ 100 meV which match well with the calculated optical phonons for WO₆ octahedron. The integrated electron-phonon coupling constant λ from this data is ≈ 0.25-0.45, depending on the Na content. PACS numbers: 72.15.-v, 72.80.Ga     

The coating of cadmium compounds with copper compounds

Fine particles of cadmium carbonate (CdCO₃) were prepared by heating aqueous solutions containing dissolved urea and cadmium sulfate at 85°C for 1 h. Effect of the composition of the reactant mixture on the morphology of the precipitated particles was investigated. It was found that the cadmium sulfate content of the reactant mixture significantly affected the shape and size of the precipitated particles. At certain range of reactant mixture composition, cauliflower-shaped uniform particles were obtained. The later particles were coated with basic copper carbonate (Cu₂(OH)₂CO₃) by heating aqueous dispersions, containing CdCO₃ particles, copper (II) nitrate, and urea at 85°C for various periods of time with constant stirring. The coating process was found sensitive to the experimental conditions and in most of the trials; mixtures of the coated and coating precursor particles were obtained. As such, extensive optimizations were carried out and conditions were established for the production of uniformly coated particles.On calcination at 700°C for 1 h, the CdCO₃ particles converted into CdO, whereas the coated particles (CdCO_{3 (core)}/Cu₂(OH)₂CO_{3 (coating)} transformed into CdO_(core)/CuO_(coating)) without sintering. In the coated particles, the core and coating materials stayed mutually inert during the calcination reaction and independently converted into their respective oxides.All the calcined and uncalcined products were characterized by various physical and chemical methods.     

Structural characterisation of apatite coatings

The current, most frequently employed, commercial route to produce hydroxyapatite prosthetic coatings is plasma spraying. However, this has several important limitations especially for textured surfaces. Low temperature methods of coating fabrication such as cathodic electrodeposition are attractive alternatives. However, quantitative characterisation of the phase composition of thin electrodeposited coatings can be problematic. An X-ray diffraction method, which provides quantitative compositional information without reference to external or internal standards, is introduced and validated. The method can also be applied when Bragg peaks from the supporting substrate are apparent within the data and preferred orientation can be tolerated. This method has been used to examine in detail the microstructure of electrodeposited coatings which are compared directly with those formed by a commercial plasma spraying process.We show that, unlike the plasma sprayed coatings, the electrodeposited material consists of a single crystalline phase (hydroxyapatite) and a significantly reduced amorphous phase. The electrodeposited coatings also possess significantly more microstrain and a smaller crystallite size than the corresponding plasma sprayed material.     

Magnetic properties and thermal stability of CoFeNi-based amorphous films

CoNiFe-based amorphous films were magnetron-sputtered to investigate their structural and magnetic properties, including annealing-induced effects and interfacial influence from additional layers of Ta and Cu. The amorphous structure was confirmed by diffraction experiments. The magnetic measurements showed a well-defined uniaxial anisotropy in plane, arising possibly from atom oblique incidence effects competing with the stray field of the magnetron. The anisotropy could be influenced by using a Ta buffer layer, though the interfacial reaction gives rise to a dead layer. A coercive force H _c of 1–2 Oe and a magnetization of 680 emu/cm³ were measured at room temperature; properties which show promise for application in magnetotunneling junction devices. Thermal analyses showed a two-stage crystallization behavior, which started at 400°C and ended at about 600°C. The Curie temperature of the amorphous phase was estimated to be about 440°C.     

Modelling induction skull melting design modifications

Induction Skull Melting (ISM) is used for heating, melting, mixing and, possibly, evaporating reactive liquid metals at high temperatures when a minimum contact at solid walls is required. The numerical model presented here involves the complete time dependent process analysis based on the coupled electromagnetic, temperature and turbulent velocity fields during the melting and liquid shape changes. The simulation is validated against measurements of liquid metal height, temperature and heat losses in a commercial size ISM furnace. The often observed limiting temperature plateau for ever increasing electrical power input is explained by the turbulent convective heat losses. Various methods to increase the superheat within the liquid melt, the process energy efficiency and stability are proposed.