Deposition of hydrogenated amorphous carbon films from CH4/Ar plasmas: Ar dilution effects

Hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) films were deposited, at room temperature, from a CH₄/Ar plasma produced by a radio frequency (r.f.) glow discharge system at 13.56 MHz, and different power values. Two different characterisation techniques, Raman and FTIR spectroscopies, have been used to investigate correlations between deposition conditions and properties of hydrogenated amorphous carbon films. The composition of the initial gaseous mixture and the r.f. power input are shown to affect significantly both mechanical and microstructural properties of deposited films. As the fraction of argon in the feed gas is increased, the deposition rate increases and the deposited film shows a higher friction coefficient, thus suggesting the production of a softer material. On the other hand, Raman measurements suggest the occurrence of a lower degree of structural order in the sp² lattice. Experimental findings are discussed in terms of the different chemical composition of the plasma.     

Novel approaches to developing carbon nanotube based polymer composites: fundamental studies and nanotech applications

The adsorption of several types of conducting polymers on carbon nanotubes is investigated by electrical transport measurements. We report the optoelectronic properties occurring in single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) conjugated polymer, poly(3-octylthiophene), composites. Al/polymer-nanotube composite/indium-tin oxide diodes show photovoltaic behavior proposing that the main reason for this increase is the photoinduced electron transfer at the polymer/nanotube interface. Interesting results were obtained in the case of poly(o-anisidine) (POAS)-multi-walled nanotubes (MWNTs) composites where the increment of monolayers results in a significant improvement of the specific conductivity. POAS-coated MWNTs thin films demonstrated their potentiality as a new class of materials for inorganic vapors detection for environmental applications.     

Formation of unzipped carbon nanotubes by CF4 plasma treatment

In this paper the evidence of the formation of short and unzipped single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNTs) through a facile and scalable plasma method is reported. The approach consists of a CF₄ RF plasma treatment of SWCNTs; transmission electron microscopy as well as atomic force microscopy showed the evidence of the attainment of unzipped SWCNTs chemical microanalysis has been used to demonstrate the fluorination of such nanostructures. The production of such nanostructured architectures may allow for their large scale integration into polymer based nanocomposites.     

Nanoindentation and scratch behaviour of Ni–P electroless coatings

ABSTRACT

In the present paper, the mechanical properties and the scratch failure mechanisms of Ni–P electroless coatings are described. The material microstructure was studied in as-deposited and annealed conditions through SEM and EDS analyses. Nanoindentation measurements on the coatings showed a remarkable hardening due to the crystallization and precipitation behaviour produced by annealing. The scratch tests, conducted by increasing the load during scratch, revealed the coating failure mechanisms in a broad range of applied stresses up to delamination.     

The carbon balance of Africa: synthesis of recent research studies

The African continent contributes one of the largest uncertainties to the global CO(2) budget, because very few long-term measurements are carried out in this region. The contribution of Africa to the global carbon cycle is characterized by its low fossil fuel emissions, a rapidly increasing population causing cropland expansion, and degradation and deforestation risk to extensive dryland and savannah ecosystems and to tropical forests in Central Africa. A synthesis of the carbon balance of African ecosystems is provided at different scales, including observations of land-atmosphere CO(2) flux and soil carbon and biomass carbon stocks. A review of the most recent estimates of the net long-term carbon balance of African ecosystems is provided, including losses from fire disturbance, based upon observations, giving a sink of the order of 0.2 Pg C yr(-1) with a large uncertainty around this number. By comparison, fossil fuel emissions are only of the order of 0.2 Pg C yr(-1) and land-use emissions are of the order of 0.24 Pg C yr(-1). The sources of year-to-year variations in the ecosystem carbon-balance are also discussed. Recommendations for the deployment of a coordinated carbon-monitoring system for African ecosystems are given.     

Error and Uncertainty Analysis of the Residual Stresses Computed by Using the Hole Drilling Method

Abstract: The hole‐drilling method is one of the most used techniques for the experimental analysis of the residual stresses in mechanical components. For both through‐thickness uniform and non‐uniform residual stress distributions, its application is standardised by the ASTM E837‐08. In accordance with the ASTM limitations, the analysis of uniform residual stresses, to which the present work deals with, leads in general to results with a maximum bias of about 10%. Unfortunately, in general the user does not have appropriate procedures to estimate the actual stress error; consequently, if one or more of the experimental influence parameters fall out of the corresponding standard limitations, the computed residual stresses have to be considered as qualitative results. In order to overcome such drawbacks as well as to permit in general the estimation of the stress uncertainty, in the present work the procedures for the correction of the effects of the main error sources and for the stress uncertainty estimation, are proposed. The practical application of such procedures is carried out by using a simple calculation code properly implemented in Matlab environment. Also, the use of this tool allows the user to highlight the relative error and the stress uncertainty contribution of each influence parameter.     

Chemical reversibility and stable low-potential NADH detection with nonconventional conducting polymer nanotubule modified glassy carbon electrodes

Studies of the oxidation of beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) at glassy carbon (GCEs) electrode surfaces, modified with nonconventional conducting polymer nanotubules, are reported. In contrast to the situation with conventional carbon electrodes, chemical reversibility of the NADH oxidation reaction was achieved by means of poly(1,2-diaminobenzene) conducting nanotubule coatings. A Delta E(p) of 425 mV (vs Ag/AgCl; pH 7.0) was observed. The NADH amperometric response of the conducting nanotubule modified GCEs was shown to be extremely stable, with 98% of the initial response remaining after 48 h of stirring in the presence of 1 x 10(-4) M NADH solutions (compared to 14% at the poly(1,2-diaminobenzene) modified GCEs). The nonconventional conducting polymer nanotubule-coated electrodes, when tested in amperometric mode for NADH electrochemical oxidation at an applied potential of 450 mV, showed a sensitivity of 99 nA/mM, an operational stability for 2 days, a storage stability of 2 weeks at 4 degrees C, a linearity from 5 x 10(-5) to 1 x 10(-3) M, and good NADH chemical reversibility, all of which make them useful tools for dehydrogenase enzyme probe assembly.     

An improved method for coronary sinus blood flow monitoring by intravascular Doppler technique

In order to obtain accurate measurements of coronary sinus blood flow (CSBF), a new catheter (7 French) with a radiopaque, flexible, and basket-shaped tip was developed for guiding a standard 3 Fr Doppler catheter in the coronary sinus (CS) in man. The radiopaque "basket" tip of the catheter allows the operator to stabilize the position of the Doppler transducer in the center of the CS and to accurately measure the CS internal diameter radiologically. CSBF was calculated as the product of CS cross-sectional area by mean CSBF velocity. Doppler-derived CSBF values at rest and during handgrip were compared with those obtained by the local thermodilution technique in 16 patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography. During handgrip, mean CSBF increased from 154+/-23 (rest) to 299+/-34 mL/min by the Doppler method and from 148+/-22 to 288+/-32 mL/min by the thermodilution technique. A good correlation (r = 0.86) between the CSBF values with the two techniques was observed. The authors conclude that the intravascular Doppler technique associated with the use of the basket guide catheter provides an accurate and simple tool for monitoring CSBF in patients.