Flower-shaped ZnO nanomaterials for low-temperature operations in NOX gas sensors

In this study, we synthesized nanostructured zinc oxide (ZnO) by using various concentrations (0–0.05 M) of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a surfactant to optimize its morphology for gas sensor applications. The optimization process was used to elucidate the morphology effects (rod-shaped and flower-shaped morphologies). The morphologies were investigated through scanning electron microscopy, in which the assembly of nanorods leading to a spherical microstructure with a CTAB concentration of 0.005 M was observed. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller isotherm measurements revealed a surface area of 7.928 g/m² for the flower-like morphology, which was relatively higher than those of other CTAB-assisted morphologies. Such morphological features were expected to contribute toward high-performance gas-sensing. The effect of morphology variation on the resistance of ZnO microstructures was used for gas measurements. Among the varied morphologies, a sample with a spherical flower-shaped morphology exhibited a very high response at low temperatures (~29 at 25 °C) toward NO_X gas (0.75 ppm) and a high selectivity toward NO_x among ammonia (NH₃), toluene (C₆H₅CH₃), carbon monoxide (CO), acetone (CH₃COCH₃), and ethanol (C₂H₅OH). Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy analyses unraveled the presence of a high density of oxygen vacancies in the sample, thereby suggesting a close link between the defective nature of the sample and the high response of the flower-like ZnO at low temperatures.     

Hydrothermally grown uniform TiO2 coatings on ZrO2 fibers and their infrared reflective and thermal conductive properties

Improving the infrared reflectivity of ZrO₂ polycrystalline fibers is of great benefit to its thermal applications. In the present research, we cast a highly uniform TiO₂ coating with a thickness ranging from dozens to hundreds of nanometers on ZrO₂ fibers by utilizing hydrothermal growth. The coating bonds tightly to the ZrO₂ fibers via Zr–O–Ti chemical linkages, and the thickness of the coating can be tailored by varying the hydrothermal growth time. The TiO₂ coating, acting as a sheath towards electromagnetic radiation, not only reflected light with wavelengths ranging from the visible region to the infrared region and up to 8 μm but also shielded the Raman signals of the ZrO₂ fibers. The present research provides an efficient way to cast controllable and uniform coatings on flexible fiber materials. The obtained ZrO₂ fibers coated with TiO₂ may have applications such as reinforcement for bulk ceramics, thermal barrier coatings, aerogels, etc., thus performing the dual functions of mechanical strengthening and thermal insulation.     

Facile synthesis of Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide hybrid nanocomposites with enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption properties

Herein, reduced graphene oxide/cobalt-zinc ferrite (RGO/Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄) hybrid nanocomposites were fabricated by a facile hydrothermal strategy. Results revealed that the contents of RGO could affect the micromorphology, electromagnetic parameters and electromagnetic wave absorption properties. As the contents of RGO increased in the as-synthesized hybrid nanocomposites, the dispersibility of the particles was improved. Meanwhile, numerously ferromagnetic Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ particles were evenly anchored on the wrinkled surfaces of flaky RGO. Besides, the obtained hybrid nanocomposites exhibited superior electromagnetic absorption in both X and Ku bands, which was achieved by adjusting the RGO contents and matching thicknesses. Significantly, when the content of RGO was 7.4 wt%, the binary nanocomposites showed the optimal reflection loss of -73.9 dB at a thickness of 2.2 mm and broadest effective absorption bandwidth of 6.0 GHz (12.0–18.0 GHz) at a thin thickness of merely 2.0 mm. The enhanced electromagnetic absorption performance was primarily attributed to the multiple polarization effects, improved conduction loss caused by electron migration, and magnetic loss derived from ferromagnetic Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles. Our results could provide inspiration for manufacturing graphene-based hybrid nanocomposites as high-efficient electromagnetic wave absorbers.     

水热合成勃姆石纳米棒及其改性复合膜

商用锂离子电池隔膜遭受高温时,会发生热收缩现象,通过涂覆无机颗粒对隔膜进行改性,可以有效地提高隔膜的热稳定性能,从而提高锂离子电池的安全性能,而勃姆石纳米棒具有耐热性好和弹性模量大等特点,适用于涂覆改性隔膜.本研究利用AlCl3和NaOH与NH4 OH混合沉淀剂,通过水热法制备了勃姆石纳米棒,并使用线棒涂布工艺制备了涂...     

Effect of processing on the antioxidant activity of millet grains

Millets are generally dehulled and subjected to a hydrothermal treatment before consumption, thus the hulls can be used as a potential source of antioxidants. Several millet grains, namely kodo, finger (Ravi), finger (local), proso, foxtail, little and pearl millet were studied. Antioxidant activities of phenolic extracts obtained from whole grains, as well as their corresponding dehulled and cooked grains and hulls were studied for their total phenolic content (TPC), radical scavenging capacity, and antioxidant activity in a β-carotene/linoleate emulsion. The phenolics present in whole grains were identified and quantified using HPLC and HPLC/MS and results were expressed as total for each of the phenolic groups. The TPC ranged from 2 to 112 μmol ferulic acid equivalents/g defatted meal. All varieties exhibited effective inhibition of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl, peroxyl and superoxide radicals. Dehulling and cooking affected the TPC and radical scavenging and antioxidant activities of the grains, depending on the variety. In general, the antioxidant activity of phenolic extracts was in the order of hull > whole grain > dehulled grain > cooked dehulled grain With the exception of the two finger millet varieties, hulls of other millet grains had high TPC, thus demonstrating their superior antioxidant activity. Hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonoids in whole grains were identified as contributors to the observed effects. Therefore, dehulling of grain and hydrothermal treatments affect the phenolic content and antioxidant potential of millet grains.     

The role of hydrothermal pathways in the evolution of the morphology of ZnO crystals

Understanding growth mechanisms usually leads to the successful preparation of a targeted microstructure. However, the large number of parameters that influence the shape and the size of nanostructures often make it difficult to predict the outcome. We investigated the growth of wurtzite-type ZnO by closely following such a multistage process. We associated the diverse morphology of the precipitated crystals, prepared under the same hydrothermal conditions, to the differences in the transient crystallization processes during the precipitation. By altering the pH of the suspension after the precipitation, we gain control over the resulting morphology of the ZnO and show how to grow identical crystallites with different shapes and crystal sizes. Here we report, for the first time, on how ZnO platelets grow in a certain Zn²⁺/OH⁻ ratio along the basal and one of the prismatic directions to form sphalerites with very high surface area. We also offer an explanation as to how sphere-like hierarchical structures composed of plate- or rod-like ZnO crystals form through self-assembly driven processes.     

Structural,optical and temperature dependent photoluminescence properties of Cr3+-activated LaGaO3 persistent phosphor for optical thermometry

Cr³⁺ doped LaGaO₃ phosphor was prepared by hydrothermal reaction method with post-annealing treatment. XRD pattern showed the pure orthorhombic phase of LaGaO₃ at an annealing temperature of 1000 °C. TEM image showed the particles in the range 40-120 nm. The bandgap energy and Urbach tail increased in the doped sample as compared to the undoped sample as estimated from UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectra. PL excitation spectra showed peaks in UV, blue and orange regions. The emission spectra showed broadband with peaks in the NIR region due to emission from ⁴T₂ and ²E states. The intermediate strength of the crystal field has been calculated from the estimated spectroscopic parameter. The average lifetime was found to be in the ms range. Afterglow decay was also recorded. From the low-temperature PL, the zero phonon line, stokes shift energy, vibrational energy and Huang-Rhys parameter were calculated. With rising the temperature, PL emission peak intensity and lifetime values decreased and FWHM increased because of increased numbers of electrons in ⁴T₂ state and increasing non-radiative transition. Temperature-dependent peak intensity ratios and lifetime values were utilized for temperature sensing applications in below room temperature and above room temperature. The results indicate the possibility of present phosphor to be used as optical nanothermometer.     

Interior-architectured ZnO nanostructure for enhanced electrical conductivity via stepwise fabrication process

Fabrication of ZnO nanostructure via direct patterning based on sol-gel process has advantages of low-cost, vacuum-free, and rapid process and producibility on flexible or non-uniform substrates. Recently, it has been applied in light-emitting devices and advanced nanopatterning. However, application as an electrically conducting layer processed at low temperature has been limited by its high resistivity due to interior structure. In this paper, we report interior-architecturing of sol-gel-based ZnO nanostructure for the enhanced electrical conductivity. Stepwise fabrication process combining the nanoimprint lithography (NIL) process with an additional growth process was newly applied. Changes in morphology, interior structure, and electrical characteristics of the fabricated ZnO nanolines were analyzed. It was shown that filling structural voids in ZnO nanolines with nanocrystalline ZnO contributed to reducing electrical resistivity. Both rigid and flexible substrates were adopted for the device implementation, and the robustness of ZnO nanostructure on flexible substrate was verified. Interior-architecturing of ZnO nanostructure lends itself well to the tunability of morphological, electrical, and optical characteristics of nanopatterned inorganic materials with the large-area, low-cost, and low-temperature producibility.     

1-D and 2-D lanthanide coordination polymers constructed from 4-sulfobenzoate and 1,10-phenanthroline

Two complexes {[Dy₂(4-SBA)₃(phen)₂(H₂O)₄] · 2H₂O}_n (1) and {[Eu₂(4-SBA)₃(phen)₂(H₂O)₂]}_n (2) (4-SBA = 4-sulfobenzoate, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) were synthesized and their structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. The 1 has a 1-D chain structure by bidentate and tridentate 4-SBA ligands as linkages and 3-D network was formed by strong hydrogen bonds. The 2 has a 2-D network structure by tridentate and tetradentate 4-SBA ligands as linkages. The luminescence properties and thermal stability of the two complexes were investigated.     

热水蒸煮大豆蛋白产品的功能性研究

研究了热水蒸煮时间对脱脂大豆粉、醇洗大豆浓缩蛋白、大豆分离蛋白的影响。热水蒸煮提高了浓缩蛋白和分离蛋白的起泡性和乳化性，对脱脂大豆粉的乳化性有所提高，但不能提高其起泡性。破坏胰岛素抑制剂和微生物的热水蒸煮对蛋白质的加工具有重要的意义。