Synthesis of nano-sized PbSe from octeno-1,2,3-selenadiazole

Reaction between trioctylphosphine selenide (TOPSe), generated from an organo-selenium compound, i.e. octeno-1,2,3-selenadiazole in tri-octylphosphine (TOP), and lead acetate has resulted formation of PbSe nano-crystals (cubes). TOPSe generated from the current method is first of its kind approach and is a novel concept. Characteristic absorption bands between 1.8-2.1 μm in near infra-red spectrum (NIR) are observed from sonicated PbSe crystals. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern revealed rock-salt crystal structure of PbSe with crystallite size of less than 10 nm. Observations made by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed well-defined particles of the cubical crystals. XPS analysis showed that nano-crystals of PbSe were prone to air-oxidation due to ‘not-so-efficient’ capping.     

Preparation and optical properties of indium tin oxide/epoxy nanocomposites with polyglycidyl methacrylate grafted nanoparticles

Visibly highly transparent indium tin oxide (ITO)/epoxy nanocomposites were prepared by dispersing polyglycidyl methacrylate (PGMA) grafted ITO nanoparticles into a commercial epoxy resin. The oleic acid stabilized, highly crystalline, and near monodisperse ITO nanoparticles were synthesized via a nonaqueous synthetic route with multigram batch quantities. An azido-phosphate ligand was synthesized and used to exchange with oleic acid on the ITO surface. The azide terminal group allows for the grafting of epoxy resin compatible PGMA polymer chains via Cu(I) catalyzed alkyne-azide "click" chemistry. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation shows that PGMA grafted ITO particles were homogeneously dispersed within the epoxy matrix. Optical properties of ITO/epoxy nanocomposites with different ITO concentrations were studied with an ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared (UV-vis-NIR) spectrometer. All the ITO/epoxy nanocomposites show more than 90% optical transparency in the visible light range and absorption of UV light from 300 to 400 nm. In the near-infrared region, ITO/epoxy nanocomposites demonstrate low transmittance and the infrared (IR) transmission cutoff wavelength of the composites shifts toward the lower wavelength with increased ITO concentration. The ITO/epoxy nanocomposites were applied onto both glass and plastic substrates as visibly transparent and UV/IR opaque optical coatings.     

Membrane bioreactors for water reclamation.

Singapore has been using dual membrane technology (MF/UF RO) to produce high-grade water (NEWater) from secondary treated sewage. Membrane bioreactor (MBR) has very high potential and will lead to the further improvement of the productivity and quality of high-grade water. This study was focused on the technical feasibility of MBR system for water reclamation in Singapore, making a comparison between various membrane systems available and to get operational experience in terms of membrane cleaning and other issues. Three MBR plants were built at Bedok Water Reclamation Plant with a design flow of 300 m3/day each. They were commissioned in March 2003. Three different types of submerged membranes were tested. They are Membrane A, plate sheet membrane with pore size of 0.4 microm; Membrane B, hollow fibre membrane with pore size of 0.4 microm; and Membrane C, hollow fibre membrane with pore size of 0.035 microm. The permeate quality of all the three MBR Systems were found equivalent to or better than that of the conventional tertiary treatment by ultrafiltration. MBR permeate TOC was about 2 mg/l lower than UF permeate TOC. GC-MS, GC-ECD and HPLC scan results show that trace organic contaminants in MBR permeate and UF permeate were in the same range. MBR power consumption can be less than 1 kwh/m3. Gel layer or dynamic membrane generated on the submerged membrane surface played an important role for the lower MBR permeate TOC than the supernatant TOC in the membrane tank. Intensive chemical cleaning can temporarily remove this layer. During normal operation conditions, the formation of dynamic membrane may need one day to obtain the steady low TOC levels in MBR permeate.     

Rhodium-catalysed reduction of vanadium pentoxide and tungsten trioxide by hydrogen

Hydrogen reduction of V₂O₅ and WO₃ catalysed by rhodium, both in the pure form and supported on kieselguhr, has been studied. The products obtained at 300°C have been identified as VO₂ and H_xWO₃. In situ electrical resistivity measurements on V₂O₅ pellets, both pure and admixed with the catalyst, show an anomalous resistance increase with temperature, perhaps arising from chemisorption and spillover of hydrogen from rhodium.     

Measurements of OH mole fraction and temperature up to 20 kHz by using a diode-laser-based UV absorption sensor

Diode-laser-based sum-frequency generation of ultraviolet (UV) radiation at 313.5 nm was utilized for high-speed absorption measurements of OH mole fraction and temperature at rates up to 20 kHz. Sensor performance was characterized over a wide range of operating conditions in a 25.4 mm path-length, steady, C2H4-air diffusion flame through comparisons with coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS), planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF), and a two-dimensional numerical simulation with detailed chemical kinetics. Experimental uncertainties of 5% and 11% were achieved for measured temperatures and OH mole fractions, respectively, with standard deviations of < 3% at 20 kHz and an OH detection limit of < 1 part per million in a 1 m path length. After validation in a steady flame, high-speed diode-laser-based measurements of OH mole fraction and temperature were demonstrated for the first time in the unsteady exhaust of a liquid-fueled, swirl-stabilized combustor. Typical agreement of approximately 5% was achieved with CARS temperature measurements at various fuel/air ratios, and sensor precision was sufficient to capture oscillations of temperature and OH mole fraction for potential use with multiparameter control strategies in combustors of practical interest.     

The effect of laminating factors on the thermal properties of unfired multilayer glass-ceramic and alumina substrates

This paper presents experimental data on heat capacities and thermal conductivities of two ceramic tapes measured using standard ASTM methods. The two ceramic tapes were prepared using alumina and a glass ceramic of aluminum-magnesium silicate with poly(vinyl butyral) binder, and laminated at pressures of 208E5 to 620E5 Pa at two laminating temperatures and times. The measured properties showed that laminating pressures have a greater effect, and that thermal conductivities are affected more than heat capacities. Empirical models have been developed to fit the experimental data. A correlation is developed to express the density of laminated green sheets in terms of the laminating variables—time, temperature, and pressure.