Investigation of ZnFe2O4 spinel ferrite nanocrystalline screen-printed thick films for application in humidity sensing

Zinc ferrite nanocrystalline powder was obtained by solid state synthesis of starting zinc oxide and hematite nanopowders. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of nanocrystalline zinc-ferrite powder with a mixed spinel structure with small amounts of remaining zinc oxide and hematite as impurities. Thick film paste was formed and screen printed on test interdigitated PdAg electrodes on alumina substrate. Formation of a porous nanocrystalline structure was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and Hg porosimetry. Humidity sensing properties of zinc ferrite thick films were investigated by monitoring the change in impedance in the relative humidity interval 30%-90% in the frequency range 42 Hz-1 MHz at room temperature (25°C) and 50°C. At 42 Hz at both analyzed temperatures the impedance reduced ~46 times in the humidity range 30%-90%. The dominant influence of grain boundaries was confirmed by analysis of complex impedance with an equivalent circuit.     

Separation of Trimethyl Borate from a Liquid Mixture by Pervaporation

Four commercial polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes were applied to the pervaporation of an azeotropic mixture containing trimethyl borate, a precursor to boronic acids used in Suzuki couplings and a gaseous anti‐oxidant in solder flux or brazing. The degree of cross‐linking of the chains in the active layer played a crucial role in the membrane process using the membranes PERVAP 4155‐80, PERVAP 4155‐40 and PERVAP 4155‐30. PERVAP 4155‐30 reached the best results from all tested membranes; an impressive selectivity with fast permeation was also achieved with the PERVAP 4060 membrane. Methanol preferentially passed through PERVAP 4155‐30, but trimethyl borate was favorably pervaporated from the mixture by PERVAP 6040, due to the diverse affinities of the membranes.     

Nanocrystalline Zn2SnO4/SnO2: Crystal structure and humidity influence on complex impedance

Journal of Electroceramics - Nanocrystalline Zn2SnO4/SnO2 powder was obtained by a solid state reaction of ZnO and SnO2 nanopowders mixed in the molar ratio 1:1. The phase composition of the...