Electrical properties of vacuum evaporated PbSnS3 thin films

Electrical conduction of evaporated PbSnS₃ films of thickness ranging between 0.1 and 2.0 μm were studied by measuring the dc current in both parallel (planar) and transverse (cross plane) directions to the substrate surface. Conduction mechanisms relevant to various regions of the current-voltage characteristics are discussed. The obtained film conductivities were of the order 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature and increased exponentially with increasing temperature. No consistent modification of the conductivity values and nature were observed when the films are doped with CdCl₂, PbCl₂ and CuI impurities. While planar conductivity activation energies were constant with voltage and increased slightly with deposition temperature, the cross plane values were found to depend on both voltage and film deposition temperature.     

Ultra-dense hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) structures on thin silicon nitride membranes

Ultra-dense nanometer-scale gratings (20 nm pitch) on thin silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) membrane substrates using hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) resist have been fabricated. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) were performed to evaluate the pattern quality of the HSQ gratings. The results are compared with HSQ gratings fabricated on silicon substrates.     

Chemical composition of shell and flesh of three prawn samples from Lagos lagoon

The protein, ash, fibre and individual mineral ion contents of three species of prawn taken from the Lagos lagoon were determined. The median liveweights of Macrobrachium vollenhovenii (Herklots), Palaemon species A (Powell) and Penaeus notialis were respectively, 25.52 g (shell + head 16.76 g; flesh 9.26 g), 3.15 g (shell + head 1.71 g; flesh 1.44 g) and 5.11 g (shell + head 2.14 g; flesh 2.96 g). All (shell + head) samples had high protein, ash and fibre contents but only the protein content was high in the flesh, which had low or undetectable quantities of fibre. The fat and carbohydrates contents were generally low. In M vollenhovenii the (shell + head) was a better source of Mg, Zn, Cu and K than the flesh, which was a better source of Ca, Ni, P, Fe, Co and Na. In P species A the (shell + head) was a better source of Ca, Mg, P, Cu, Co, Na and K than the flesh (higher in Zn and Ni). In P notialis the (shell + head) was the better source of Ca, Zn, P, Fe and Co and the flesh the better source of Mg, Ni, Fe, Na and K. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Geochemical investigation of trace elements in crude oils from two different depobelts in the Niger Delta basin,Nigeria

The concentrations of trace elements in crude oil samples from the Northern and Central swamps depobelts in the Niger Delta basin were investigated using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The origin, source facies, and depositional environment of organic matter that produced the oils were determined based on the trace elements concentrations. The concentrations of the trace elements (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and V) ranged from 0.04 to 5.71 ppm. Iron is the most abundant element in the samples while Cr has the least concentration. The results from trace metal geochemistry showed that the Niger Delta oils were derived predominantly from terrestrial organic matter deposited in the oxic depositional environment. The concentrations and ratios of nickel and vanadium grouped the oils into two distinct families reflecting the depobelt the oils belong. This observation indicates that the source rocks in the two depobelts were formed from organic matter of different source facies.