A.c. conductivity studies on the silver molybdo-arsenate glassy system

A new quaternary fast-ion conducting silver molybdo-arsenate [Agl-Ag₂O-(MoO₃ + As₂O₅)] (SMA) glassy system has been prepared using the melt-quenching technique for various dopant salt (Agl) concentrations by fixing the formers (MoO₃ + As₂O₅) composition and the modifier (Ag₂O) to formers (M/F) ratio. The prepared compounds were characterized by X-ray diffraction. The impedance measurements were made on different Agl compositions of the SMA glasses as a function of frequency (6.5 Hz–65 kHz) and temperature (303–343 K), using the Solatron frequency-response analyser (model 1250). The bulk conductivity and the appropriate physical model (equivalent circuit) of the SMA glass were obtained from the impedance analysis. The a.c. conductivity was calculated for different Agl compositions of SMA glasses at various temperatures and the obtained a.c. conductivity results were analysed using Jonscher's Universal Law. The conduction mechanism for the highest conducting SMA glassy compound has been explained using the diffusion path model.     

Ionic mass transfer measurements in the case of submerged multijets impinging on to a flat surface

In the case of submerged multijets impinging on to a flat surface, the limiting current densities were measured at microelectrodes, fixed flush with the target surface using diffusion controlled electrode reactions (i.e. reduction of ferricyanide ion). The height of the multijet distributor from the target surface (Y) was varied from 5 to 9 cm. The numbers of holes of the distributor (N) studied were 76 and 141. The variation of mass transfer data with radial distance reveals the existence of two different regions, i.e. the impingement region and the wall jet region. The mass transfer rate increased with increase in Y in the impingement region. The effect of Y is negligible in the wall jet region. Decrease in N decreases the mass transfer rate in both the regions. The data are correlated separately for the two regions.     

Magnetic and mössbauer studies on ductile Fe-Cr-Co permanent magnet alloys

Iron-chromium-cobalt alloys possess attractive magnetic properties combined with good formability and hence are identified as technologically important magnetic materials. Alloys with compositions Fe-28·9 Cr-15·6 Co and Fe-28·4 Cr-20·1Co (weight percent) have been studied. Heat-treatment parameters during thermomagnetic treatment viz temperature, time and external magnetic field were optimized with reference to magnetic properties. The fully treated anisotropic alloys develop remanence=11·5–12·0 kilo Gauss, coercivity=600–650 Oersted and energy product=4–4·5 million Gauss Oersted. Electron microscopic and Mössbauer spectroscopic techniques were used to identify the original and transformed phases. During the various stages of the development of the alloy, the changes in mechanical hardness were correlated with magnetic hardness.     

Biosorption of chromium onto Erythrina Variegata Orientalis leaf powder

The biosorption of chromium from an aqueous solution onto Erythrina Variegata Orientalis leaf powder was investigated in batch operations. The equilibrium agitation time was 180 min. The extent of chromium biosorption increased from 74.2% to 86.4% with decrease in biosorbent size from 150 to 45 μm for a dosage of 30 g/L. The biosorption decreased from 99.1 (0.45 mg/g) to 45.5% (1.64 mg/g) with an increase in chromium initial concentration (C _o ) from 22.5 to 180 mg/L. The extent of biosorption was maximum at pH=3. The experimental data were well explained by Langmuir and Redlich-Peterson isotherm models. The biosorption data followed second-order kinetics with a rate constant of 0.078 g/mg-min for 50 g/L of 45 μm size biosorbent. The biosorption was exothermic and feasible. The biosorption was tending towards irreversibility with increasing temperature.     

Effect of various additives on morphology and corrosion behavior of ceramic coatings developed on AZ31 magnesium alloy by plasma electrolytic oxidation

Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) coatings were developed on AZ31 magnesium alloy using alkaline silicate with KOH as a base electrolyte system, and with the addition of sodium aluminate, sodium tetra borate, potassium titanium fluoride, tri sodium ortho phosphate and urea as additives. The phase composition and surface morphology of these multi-phase coatings were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The corrosion behavior of the coated samples was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. The results showed that the anions namely, SiO₃^2?, AlO₂^?, B₄O₇^2?, F^? and PO₄^3?, effectively participated in the coating formation influencing its chemical composition and surface morphology and thereby corrosion resistance. The mechanism of corrosion process of each coating was explained in detail with the help of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) analysis and equivalent circuit modeling. It was observed that the sample treated by PEO in the electrolyte solution containing sodium tetra borate as an additive showed higher corrosion resistance which could be attributed to its morphological characteristics.     

Fabrication of corrosion resistant, bioactive and antibacterial silver substituted hydroxyapatite/titania composite coating on Cp Ti

The present work is aimed at developing a bioactive, corrosion resistant and anti bacterial nanostructured silver substituted hydroxyapatite/titania (AgHA/TiO₂) composite coating in a single step on commercially pure titanium (Cp Ti) by plasma electrolytic processing (PEP) technique. For this purpose 2.5 wt% silver substituted hydroxyapatite (AgHA) nanoparticles were prepared by microwave processing technique and were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods. The as-synthesized AgHA particles with particle length ranging from 60 to 70 nm and width ranging from 15 to 20 nm were used for the subsequent development of coating on Cp Ti. The PEP treated Cp Ti showed both titania and AgHA in its coating and exhibited an improved corrosion resistance in 7.4 pH simulated body fluid (SBF) and 4.5 pH osteoclast bioresorbable conditions compared to untreated Cp Ti. The in vitro bioactivity test conducted under Kokubo SBF conditions indicated an enhanced apatite forming ability of PEP treated Cp Ti surface compared to that of the untreated Cp Ti. The Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method or antibiotic sensitivity test conducted with the test organisms of Escherichia coli (E. coli) for 24 h showed a significant zone of inhibition for PEP treated Cp Ti compared to untreated Cp Ti.     

Sol–gel mediated surface modification of nanocrystalline NiFe2O4 spinel powders with amorphous SiO2

Surface modification of nanocrystalline NiFe₂O₄ spinel particles with amorphous SiO₂ by the sol–gel process at 350 °C was demonstrated. Amorphous phase of the SiO₂ layer was evaluated by X-ray diffraction technique. Structural coordination of the pristine and SiO₂ coated NiFe₂O₄ particles as investigated by employing FTIR analysis. Thickness of the SiO₂ layer was investigated through transmission electron microscopy and it was identified to be ～10–23 nm over nanocrystalline NiFe₂O₄ particles. The magnetic behavior of pristine and surface modified NiFe₂O₄ particles were investigated using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Magnetic studies showed the retention of magnetic property of surface modified NiFe₂O₄ particles with the reduced saturation magnetization and coercivity compared to the pristine NiFe₂O₄ particles, which is respectively due to the lower fraction of the magnetic component and the formation of interfacial structure.     

Influence of Combined Addition of Boron and Strontium on High-Temperature Wear Behavior of A356 Alloy

In the present study, the effect of the combined addition of boron (B) and strontium (Sr) on the high-temperature dry sliding wear behavior of A356 alloy has been investigated using a pin-on-disc wear testing machine attached with a furnace. During wear studies, the effect of alloy composition, normal pressure, sliding speed, and sliding distance on A356 alloy at four temperatures, namely, room temperature and 100, 200, and 300°C, have been investigated. Further, the cast alloys and worn surfaces of A356 alloy with and without B and Sr were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) microanalysis. Results indicate that the combined addition of B and Sr to A356 alloy has led to improvements in wear properties. This is due to a change in microstructure, improvement in mechanical properties, and the formation of an oxide layer between the mating surfaces during the sliding wear process.     

Optimum stand density of Leucaena leucocephala for wood production in Andhra Pradesh, Southern India

Leucaena leucocephala is widely used as raw material for the manufacture of paper and packaging material and in biomass based power plants in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Southern India. Experiments were conducted to study the affect of tree density on the growth, biomass partitioning and wood productivity. Six treatments 1 × 1 m, 1.3 × 1.3 m, 3 × 0.75 m, 3 × 1 m, 5 × 0.8 m and 3 × 2 m corresponding to a tree density of 10,000, 6666, 4444, 3333, 2500 and 1666 were evaluated with leucaena variety K636. At 51 months after planting, spacings significantly influenced tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH), number of branches and biomass partitioning. Wider tree rows resulted in greater tree height and diameter growth resulting in higher per plant productivity. At harvest, 70% of trees in 3 × 2 m attained a diameter of more than 7.5 cm, while 35% of the trees attained the same DBH in 1 × 1 m spacing. Increased spacing levels decreased the relative amount of growth allocated to the bole of the tree. Marketable biomass yield was highest with 1 × 1 m spacing. Spacing of 3 × 0.75 m produced marketable biomass comparable to that of 1 × 1 m and greater proportion of stems with more than 5 cm diameter. Leucaena can be grown at 3 × 0.75 m spacing either for pulpwood or fuelwood depending on the prevailing market prices and demand.     

Alternating Current Conduction and Impedance Spectroscopy Analysis on Pulsed Excimer Laser Ablated (Pb,La)TiO 3 Thin Films

Lanthanum doped lead titanate (PLT) thin films were identified as the most potential candidates for the pyroelectric and memory applications. PLT thin films were deposited on Pt coated Si by excimer laser ablation technique. The polarization behavior of PLT thin films has been studied over a temperature range of 300 K to 550 K. A universal power law relation was brought into picture to explain the frequency dependence of ac conductivity. At higher frequency region ac conductivity of PLT thin films become temperature independent. The temperature dependence of ac conductivity and the relaxation time is analyzed in detail. The activation energy obtained from the ac conductivity was attributed to the shallow trap controlled space charge conduction in the bulk of the sample. The impedance analysis for PLT thin films were also performed to get insight of the microscopic parameters, like grain, grain boundary, and film-electrode interface etc. The imaginary component of impedance Z" exhibited different peak maxima at different temperatures. Different types of mechanisms were analyzed in detail to explain the dielectric relaxation behavior in the PLT thin films.