Optical parameter studies of thermally evaporated As-Se-Sn glassy system

The optical properties of As₃₀Se_70-xSn_x with (x = 0, 1, 2 and 3 at Sn %) thin films have been investigated. The films used in these studies were thermally evaporated. The structural characterization revealed that the as-deposited films were amorphous in nature. The spectral and optical parameters have been investigated using spectrophotometric measurements of transmittance in the wavelength range (200–1100 nm). The optical constants were determined from the interference maxima and minima using the Swanepole method. The dispersion of the refractive index is discussed in terms of the single-oscillator Wemple-Didomenico model. The optical-absorption edge and the optical band gap are calculated from the absorption coefficient values using the non direct transition model proposed by Tauc’s extrapolation procedure. The relation between the optical gap and chemical composition in As-Se-Sn glassy system is discussed in terms of the average heat of atomization H_s and the average coordination number N_c.     

Electrical conductivity and dielectric properties of cadmium thiogallate CdGa<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>4</Subscript> thin films

Cadmium thiogallate CdGa₂S₄ thin films were prepared using a conventional thermal evaporation technique. The dark electrical resistivity calculations were carried out at different elevated temperatures in the range 303–423 K and in thickness range 235–457 nm. The ac conductivity and dielectric properties of CdGa₂S₄ film with thickness 457 nm has been studied as a function of temperature in the range from 303 to 383 K and in frequency range from 174 Hz to 1.4 MHz. The experimental results indicate that σ_ac(ω) is proportional to ω ^s and s ranges from 0.674 to 0.804. It was found that s increases by increasing temperature. The results obtained are discussed in terms of the non overlapping small polaron tunneling model. The dielectric constant (ε′) and dielectric loss (ε″) were found to be decreased by increasing frequency and increased by increasing temperature. The maximum barrier height (W _m) was estimated from the analysis of the dielectric loss (ε″) according to Giuntini’s equation. Its value for the as-deposited films was found to be 0.294 eV.     

The role of some compounds on extraction of chromium(VI) by amine extractants

The extraction of hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), from hydrochloric acid aqueous solution using Aliquat 336 and Alamine 336 extractants was performed under different experimental conditions. The data clarify that one molecule of amine extractants shares with approximately one molecule of HCl to extract two molecules of Cr(VI) from 1M HCl aqueous solutions. The extraction is an exothermic process and possesses enthalpy change values of -41.02 and -28.08 kJ mol(-1) for the extraction by Aliquat 336 and Alamine 336, respectively. The presence of potassium chloride greatly increases the extraction of Cr(VI) by amine extractants while the addition of some phenolic compounds such as phenol, dichlorophenol, o-nitrophenol and beta-naphthol decreases this extraction under the same experimental conditions.     

Crystallization study of reverse osmosis desalination scales at low salinity with and without inhibitor

Crystallization study of calcium sulfate dihydrate was studied under conditions of scales formation using pure chemicals and at low salinity. Calcium chloride and sodium sulfate were mixed in deionized water, and the conductivity of the reaction mixture was measured at different time periods to determine the induction time of gypsum crystal formation. Induction time was measured under different high supersaturation ratios (SRs) ranging from 5.9 to 7.0. Using crystallization equations that relate induction times with SRs, the free energy barrier and critical nuclei radius were calculated with and without the addition of a scale inhibitor (tri-sodium phosphate, TSP). The nucleation rates at SR of 5.9 are 7.6 × 10²⁶ nuclei/cm³ · s and 2.3 × 10²⁶ nuclei/cm³ · s with and without TSP addition, respectively. The surface energy increases with TSP compared to the baseline (without TSP). Numbers of molecules required for the formation of stable nucleus are calculated to be from 15 to 22 molecules depending on supersaturation ratios and presence or absence of TSP.     

Optical properties of vanadium thin films

The optical constants of vanadium thin films of different thicknesses were determined in the spectral range of 2.5 to 8.5 m. These optical constants were used to evaluate some microcharacteristics of vanadium thin films such as the free charge concentration, the relaxation time, the static conductivity, the electron velocity at the Fermi surface, the mean free path and the specularity parameter.The determination of the microcharacteristics were carried out in conjunction with Drude's theory of free charge carriers as well as with anomalous skin effect theory.     

Structural and optical properties of Cd x Zn(1 − x)Te thin films

Seven Cd _x Zn_{(1 ? x} Te solid solutions with x = 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9 and 1.0 were synthesized by fusing stoichiometric amounts of CdTe and ZnTe constituents in silica tubes. Each composition was used in the preparation of a group of thin films of different thicknesses. Structural investigation of the obtained films indicates they have a polycrystalline structure with predominant diffraction lines corresponding to (111) (220) and (311) reflecting planes, which can be attributed to the characteristics of growth with the (111) plane. The optical constants (the refractive index n, the absorption index k, and the absorption coefficient α) of Cd _x Zn_{(1 \s -x)} Te thin films were determined in the spectral range 500–2000 nm. At certain wavelengths it was found that the refractive index, n, increases with increasing molar fraction, x. It was also found that plots of α² (hv) and α^1/2 (hv) yield straight lines, corresponding to direct and indirect allowed transitions respectively obeying the following two equations: $$\begin{gathered} E_g^d = 1.583 + 0.277x + 0.197x^2 \hfill \\ E_g^{ind} = 1.281 + 0.111x + 0.302x^2 \hfill \\ \end{gathered}$$