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At least 1,783 records · Page 99

Fabrication of flower-like Ni{sub 3}(NO{sub 3}){sub 2}(OH){sub 4} and their electrochemical properties evaluation

Graphical abstract: Ni{sub 3}(NO{sub 3}){sub 2}(OH){sub 4} nano-flakes materials, which have a flower-like structure, were successfully synthesized by a facile solvothermal method without adding any surfactant. The as-prepared Ni{sub 3}(NO{sub 3}){sub 2}(OH){sub 4} possesses a maximum specific capacitance of 2212.5 F g{sup −1} at the current density of 5 mA, suggesting its potential application in electrode material for secondary batteries and electrochemical capacitors. Highlights: ► Flower-like Ni{sub 3}(NO{sub 3}){sub 2}(OH){sub 4} materials were fabricated in a simple method. ► High specific capacitance of 2212.5 F g{sup −1} has been achieved. ► For the first time the effects of concentration and temperature on its specific capacitance has been studied. -- Abstract: Flower-like Ni{sub 3}(NO{sub 3}){sub 2}(OH){sub 4} was successfully synthesized by a facile solvothermal method. The microstructure and surface morphology of prepared Ni{sub 3}(NO{sub 3}){sub 2}(OH){sub 4} were physically characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The electrochemical properties studies were carried out using cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronopotentiometry technology and AC impedance spectroscopy, respectively. The results indicate that the flower-like structure has a profound impact on electrode performance at high discharge capacitance. A maximum specific capacitance of 2212.5 F g{sup −1} at the current density of 5 mA could be achieved, suggesting its potential application in electrode material for secondary batteries and electrochemical capacitors. Furthermore, the effects of Ni(NO{sub 3}){sub 2}·6H{sub 2}O concentration and temperature on the microstructure and specific capacitance of prepared Ni{sub 3}(NO{sub 3}){sub 2}(OH){sub 4} have also been systematically studied. The results show that flower-like structure can be formed when the concentration is appropriate, while the temperature has just little effect on its electrochemical properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Facile fabrication and characterization of amino-functionalized Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} cluster@SiO{sub 2} core/shell nanocomposite spheres

Highlights: ► A method developed for the preparation of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} clusters@SiO{sub 2} nanocomposites. ► This method permits production of core/shell nanomaterials with high yields. ► Resultant superparamagnetic particles are monodisperse with high magnetizations. - Abstract: We developed a modified straightforward method for the fabrication of uniformly sized silica-coated magnetite clusters core/shell type nanocomposite particles. Proposed simple one-step processing method permits quick production of materials in high yield. The structural, surface, and magnetic characteristics of the nanocomposite particles were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR). The sphere-shaped particles almost have the average diameter of 120 nm, with a magnetic cluster core of 80 ± 15 nm, and a silica shell of 25 ± 10 nm thickness. The particles are superparamagnetic and present strong magnetization (18 emu/g) due to the fact that they possess core of the magnetic clusters. Subsequently, the silica surface of core/shell particles was amino-functionalized via N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (EDS). Findings of the present work highlight the potential for using amino-functionalized magnetic silica core/shell nanocomposite particles in biological applications since they possess useful magnetic properties and proper structure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Controlled fabrication and tunable photoluminescence properties of Mn{sup 2+} doped graphene–ZnO composite

Highlights: • Graphene–ZnO composites were synthesized by a mixed solvothermal method. • ZnO quantum dots are distributed uniformly on the graphene sheets. • A possible hypothesis is raised for the influence of graphene oxide on the nucleation of ZnO. • Mn{sup 2+} doped graphene–ZnO composites were fabricated and the emission spectra can be tuned by doping. - Abstract: Graphene–ZnO composites (G–ZnO) with controlled morphology and photoluminescence property were synthesized by a mixed solvothermal method. Mixed solvent were composed by dimethyl sulfoxide and ethylene glycol. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and photoluminescence spectra were used to characterize G–ZnO. Graphene as a substrate can help the distribution and the dispersity of ZnO, and a possible model of the interaction between graphene oxide and ZnO particles is proposed. At the same time, graphene also reduce the size of ZnO particles to about 5 nm. Furthermore, Mn{sup 2+} ions dopes G–ZnO successfully by the mixed solvothermal synthesis and the doping of Mn{sup 2+} makes G–ZnO shift red from 465 nm to 548 nm and 554 nm in the emission spectrum. The changes of the emission spectrum by the adding of Mn{sup 2+} make G–ZnO have tunable photoluminescence spectrum which is desirable for practical applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Fabrication of nanoplate-like g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/Bi{sub 12}TiO{sub 20} heterojunction with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

Highlights: • G-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/Bi{sub 12}TiO{sub 20} heterojunction was fabricated by a hydrothermal-annealing method. • Heterojunction structure accelerates the separation of photo-generated carriers. • Match in energy band renders the heterojunction excellent photocatalytic activity. • Rhodamine B can be mostly degraded by the heterojunction in 5 h under visible light. - Abstract: In recent years, the high-efficient visible-light-driven photocatalyst has become a research focus to realize the large-scale application of semiconductor photocatalysis. Herein, a novel nanoplate-like g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/Bi{sub 12}TiO{sub 20} (CN/BTO) heterojunction was prepared by a facile hydrothermal-annealing method for visible-light photocatalysis, and its morphology, structure and optical property were characterized systematically. The characterization results verify that the C−O bond exists between g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} and BTO, thus confirming the formation of CN−BTO heterojunction. Furthermore, the CN/BTO heterojunctions display much higher photocatalytic performance for Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation than pure BTO and g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} under visible light irradiation. Among them, the CN/BTO-3 sample with 60 wt% of g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} exhibits the highest photocatalytic activity. The excellent photocatalytic activity can be primarily attributed to the energy band match and the heterojunction that can accelerate the migration and separation of photo-generated charge carriers. This kind of nanoplate-like CN/BTO heterojunction may find potential applications in numerous fields related to environment and energy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Low cost and facile fabrication of broadband laser power meter based on reduced graphene oxide film

Highlights: • The reduced graphene oxide film is used to fabricate the low cost laser powermeter. • The photoresponse of the device is explored in the visible to near-infrared range. • The photoresponse of the device is linearly related to the irradiated laser power. • The photoelectric current of the device does not depend on the laser spot size. - Abstract: Here, we have demonstrated a new type of broadband reduced graphene oxide-based laser power meter in simple and low cost method. The broadband photosensitivity of the device is confirmed by photocurrent measurements at different incident laser wavelengths of 405, 532, 635 and 808 nm. It is shown that its photocurrent increases linearly with increasing the power of the laser beam. Also, it is observed that the photocurrent behavior of the device does not depend upon the size of the laser spot. It should be noted that the reduced graphene oxide power meter is the thermal detection device. Therefore, the response of the sample in the vacuum is greatly enhanced in compared to the environmental air. Cooling system can also decrease the time required for the establishment of thermal equilibrium and thus reduce the response time of the power meter. These results open up exciting opportunities for developing broadband photodetectors.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

In-situ fabrication of 3D flower-like NH4NiPO4 on Ni foam without nickel salts added for high sensitive nonenzymatic glucose detection

Highlights: • The 3D-flowerlike NH{sub 4}NiPO{sub 4} grown directly on the Ni foam without nickel salts added. • The 3D-flowerlike NH{sub 4}NiPO{sub 4} assembled by sheet-like crystals (stacked by nanoflakes). • The NH{sub 4}NiPO{sub 4/}Ni foam exhibited a low detection limit of 0.015 μM. • The electrode showed high sensitivity (6135 and 2205 μA mM{sup −1} cm{sup -2}). - Abstract: The 3D flower-like NH{sub 4}NiPO{sub 4} was successfully fabricated on nickel foam via one-step hydrothermal route without nickel salts added. In our design, nickel ions were originated from the acid corrosion of nickel foam, which decreased the concentration of nickel ion in the solution and effectively control the environmental pollution. The 3D flowers-like NH{sub 4}NiPO{sub 4} was arranged on the Ni foam, and the 3D flower-like structures were assembled by sheet-like crystals with an average thickness of 380 nm. Furthermore, the sheet-like crystals are also stacked by many layers of nanoflakes. The 3D flower-like NH{sub 4}NiPO{sub 4} modified Ni foam can be used as a binder-free electrode for non-enzymatic glucose detection. And the electrode exhibits excellent electrochemical properties with high sensitivity (6135 μA mM{sup −1} Cm{sup -2} and 2205 μA mM{sup −1} Cm{sup −2}), wide linear range (covered from 0.001–1 mM and 2–5 mM) and a low detection limit of 0.015 (3S/N) at an applied bias of 0.5 V vs. Ag/AgCl.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Fabrication of RGO-Fe3O4 Hybrid Functionalized with Ag3PO4 as photocatalyst for degradation of Rhodamime B under Visible Light Irradiation

Highlights: • The RFA-Cs, RGO-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} and Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4} were successfully fabricated by a facile and effective electrostatic self-assembly method. • The RFA-Cs exhibited excellent efficiency on degradation of RhB in short time 2 min nearly 100% without sacrificial reagent. • The RFA-Cs is useful to reduce the recombination rate. • The RFA-Cs has provided a better photocatalytic efficiency without leaving behind any hazardous. - Abstract: RGO-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}-Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4} composite (RFA-Cs) photocatalyst was prepared by a facile and effective electrostatic self-assembly method for photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. The prepared composites were fully characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction meter (XRD), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The RFA-Cs exhibit extremely high photocatalytic activity and better re-usability. The photocatalytic conversion of RhB reaches as high as 100% after 2 min of light irradiation. A possible photocatalytic degradation and charge separation mechanism were suggested based on the PL spectra and the active species trapping experiments.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effects of surface treatments on ABS mechanical properties from fused filament fabrication

This paper examines the influence of surface treatments on the mechanical properties of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) samples printed by fused filament fabrication (FFF). Prior efforts have applied brushing, painting, solvent dipping, infiltration, and vapor smoothing as post-processing surface treatments to improve the mechanical properties of FFF components. Additionally, because FFF can produce components with undesirable surface roughness, mechanical abrasion, epoxy coating, and acetone treatment may increase tensile strength by decreasing stress concentrations. Ridged surface texture may provide desirable tribological or handling properties. Based on these opportunities, this paper investigates abrasive media blasting, epoxy coating, acetone immersion, and ridged texturing surface treatments on the tensile strength and other mechanical properties of FFF ABS samples. ASTM D638-14 Type-I samples were printed, treated on all sample sides, and tested. From tensile tests, the elastic modulus, tensile strength, and fracture strain for both the untreated and treated ABS samples were calculated. For each sample, the surface finish and fracture macromorphology were observed with optical microscopy and the roughness values for the surface finish were calculated from profilometer data. Furthermore, samples were submerged in water and weighed periodically to measure mass changes due to water absorption. From surface profilometry and optical miscopy data, mechanical media blasting, epoxy coating, and immersion in all concentrations of acetone decreased surface roughness. Overall, on average, grit blasting with large beads and epoxy coating led to 2.6% and 1.2% increases in tensile strength, respectively; immersion in 40% acetone led to a 1.9% increase in tensile strength while treatment in 60% and 80% acetone decreased tensile strength by 4.9% and 1.9%, respectively. The study concludes that only grit blasting with large beads, immersion in 60% acetone, and the ridged texture significantly affected the tensile strength.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Structure-Property Relationships of Inorganically Surface-Modified Zeolite Molecular Sieves for Nanocomposite Membrane Fabrication

A multiscale experimental study of the structural, compositional, and morphological characteristics of aluminosilicate (LTA) and pure-silica (MFI) zeolite materials surface-modified with MgO{sub x}H{sub y} nanostructures is presented. These characteristics are correlated with the suitability of such materials in the fabrication of LTA/Matrimid mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) for CO{sub 2}/CH{sub 4} separations. The four functionalization methods studied in this work produce surface nanostructures that may appear superficially similar under SEM observation but in fact differ considerably in shape, size, surface coverage, surface area/roughness, degree of attachment to the zeolite surface, and degree of zeolite pore blocking. The evaluation of these characteristics by a combination of TEM, HRTEM, N{sub 2} physisorption, multiscale compositional analysis (XPS, EDX, and ICP-AES elemental analysis), and diffraction (ED and XRD) allows improved understanding of the origin of disparate gas permeation properties observed in MMMs made with four types of surface-modified zeolite LTA materials, as well as a rational selection of the method expected to result in the best enhancement of the desired properties (in the present case, CO{sub 2}/CH{sub 4} selectivity increase without sacrificing permeability). A method based on ion exchange of the LTA with Mg{sup 2+}, followed by base-induced precipitation and growth of MgOxHy nanostructures, deemed 'ion exchange functionalization' here, offers modified particles with the best overall characteristics resulting in the most effective MMMs. LTA/Matrimid MMMs containing ion exchange functionalized particles had a considerably higher CO{sub 2}/CH{sub 4} selectivity (40) than could be obtained with the other functionalization techniques (30), while maintaining a CO{sub 2} permeability of 10 barrers. A parallel study on pure silica MFI surface nanostructures is also presented to compare and contrast with the zeolite LTA case.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Impact of Pore Fluid Chemistry on Fine-Grained Sediment Fabric and Compressibility

Fines, defined here as grains or particles, less than 75µm in diameter, exist nearly ubiquitously in natural sediment, even those classified as coarse. Macroscopic sediment properties, such as compressibility, which relates applied effective stress to the resulting sediment deformation, depend on the fabric of fines. Unlike coarse grains, fines have sizes and masses small enough to be more strongly influenced by electrical interparticle forces than by gravity. These electrical forces acting through pore fluids are influenced by pore-fluid chemistry changes. Macroscopic property dependence on pore-fluid chemistry must be accounted for in sediment studies involving subsurface flow and sediment stability analyses, as well as in engineered flow situations such as groundwater pollutant remediation, hydrocarbon migration or other energy resource extraction applications. This study demonstrates how the liquid-limit-based electrical sensitivity index can be used to predict sediment compressibility changes due to pore-fluid chemistry changes. Laboratory tests of electrical sensitivity, sedimentation and compressibility illustrate mechanisms linking micro- and macro-scale processes for selected pure, endmember fines. In conclusion, a specific application considered here is methane extraction via depressurization of gas hydrate-bearing sediment, which causes a dramatic pore-water salinity drop concurrent with sediment being compressed by the imposed effective stress increase.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Permeability Evolution and Frictional Stability of Fabricated Fractures With Specified Roughness

Roughness is widely observed on natural fractures, and its impact on the potential for induced seismicity and associated fluid migration in the subsurface remains unclear. Here we perform fracture shearing and fluid flow experiments on artificially fabricated fractures with specified roughness to investigate the role of fracture roughness on frictional properties and permeability evolution. Given the experimental conditions, we observe that rough fractures show high roughness ratio S q /L w and return higher frictional strength due to the presence of cohesive interlocking asperities. Rough fracture surfaces show velocity strengthening behavior in the initial shearing stage, which may evolve to velocity neutral and velocity weakening at greater displacements—suggesting a dynamic weakening that rough fractures become less stable with shearing. The surface roughness exerts a dominant control on permeability evolution over the entire shearing history. Permeability declines monotonically by about 2 orders of magnitude for smooth fractures. For high roughness fractures, the permeabilities evolve episodically due to cycled compaction and dilation during shearing. With a slip distance of 6 to 8 mm, permeability of the rough surface may enhance up to an order of magnitude, but significant permeability reduction may also occur for rough samples when asperities are highly worn with gouge clogging flow paths. However, there is no obvious correlation between permeability evolution and frictional behavior for rough fracture samples when fractures are subject to sudden sliding velocity changes.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Intercalation as a versatile tool for fabrication, property tuning, and phase transitions in 2D materials

Recent advances in two-dimensional (2D) materials have led to the renewed interest in intercalation as a powerful fabrication and processing tool. Intercalation is an effective method of modifying the interlayer interactions, doping 2D materials, modifying their electronic structure or even converting them into starkly different new structures or phases. Herein, we discuss different methods of intercalation and provide a comprehensive review of various roles and applications of intercalation in next-generation energy storage, optoelectronics, thermoelectrics, catalysis, etc. The recent progress in intercalation effects on crystal structure and structural phase transitions, including the emergence of quantum phases are also reviewed.

2D materials↗

Materials self-assembly and fabrication in confined spaces

Molecular assemblies have been mainly researched in open spaces for long time. However, recent researches have revealed that there are many interesting aspects remained in self-assemblies in confined spaces. Molecular association within nanospaces such as mesoporous materials provide unusual phenomena based on highly restricted molecular motions. Current research endeavors in materials science and technology are focused on developing either new class of materials or materials with novel/multiple functionalities which is often achived via molecular assembly in confined spaces. Template synthesis and guided assemblies are distinguishable examples for molecular assembly in confined spaces. So far, different aspects of molecular confinements are discussed separately. In this review, the focus is specifically to bring some potential developments in various aspects of confined spaces for molecular self-assembly under one roof. We arrange the sections in this review based on the nature of the confinements; accordingly the topological/geometrical confinements, chemical and biological confinements, and confinements within thin film, respectively. Following these sections, molecular confinements for practical applications are shortly described in order to show connections of these scientific aspects with possible practical uses. One of the most important facts is that the self-assembly in confined spaces stands at meeting points of top-down and bottom-up fabrications, which would be an ultimate key to push the limits of nanotechnology and nanoscience.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Large-Area Zone Plate Fabrication with Optical Lithography

Zone plates as condenser optics for x-ray microscopes offer simple optical designs for both illumination and spectral resolution when used as a linear monochromator. However, due to the long write times for electron beam lithography, both the availability and the size of zone plates for condensers have been limited. Since the resolution provided by the linear monochromator scales almost linearly with the diameter of the zone plate, the full potential for zone plate monochromators as illumination systems for x-ray microscopes has not been achieved. For example, the 10-mm-diameter zone plate has demonstrated a spectral resolution of E/{Delta}E = 700[1], but with a 26-mm-diameter zone plate, the calculated spectral resolution is higher than E/{Delta}E = 3000. These large-area zone plates are possible to fabricate with the leading edge semiconductor lithography tools such as those available at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering at the University at Albany. One of the lithography tools available is the ASML TWINSCAN XT: 1950i with 37-nm resolution [2]. A single 300-mm wafer can contain more than 60 fields, each with a large area condenser, and the throughput of the tool can be more than one wafer every minute.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Hard X-ray Fourier Transform Holography Using a Reference Scatterer Fabricated by Electron-Beam-Assisted Chemical-Vapor Deposition

We present a fabrication method for a reference source that is efficient when used for lensless Fourier transform holography. This method produces a reference source that yields high spatial resolution and enhanced signal-to-noise ratio in a Fourier-transformed real-space image, and is particularly useful for Fourier transform holography experiments in the hard x-ray region.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Fabrication of large-area ultra-thin single crystal silicon membranes

Perfectly, crystalline, 55 nm thick silicon membranes have been fabricated over several square millimeters and used to observe transmission ion channeling patterns showing the early evolution of the axially channeled beam angular distribution for small tilts away from the [011] axis. The reduced multiple scattering through such thin layers allows fine angular structure produced by the highly non-equilibrium transverse momentum distribution of the channeled beam during its initial propagation in the crystal to be resolved. The membrane crystallinity and flatness were measured by using proton channeling measurements and the surface roughness of 0.4 nm using atomic force microscopy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Fabrication and Characteristics of Pentacene/Vanadium Pentoxide Field-Effect Transistors

Organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) were fabricated using pentacene thin layer, and the effects of inserted Lewis-acid thin layers on electrical properties were investigated. The OFETs have active layers of pentacene and vanadium pentoxide (V{sub 2}O{sub 5}) as a Lewis-acid layer. Typical source-drain current (I{sub DS}) vs. source-drain voltage (V{sub DS}) curves were observed under negative gate voltages (V{sub G}S) application, and the shift of the threshold voltage for FET driving (V{sub t}) to positive side was also observed by V{sub 2}O{sub 5} layer insertion, that is, -2.5 V for device with V{sub 2}O{sub 5} layer and -5.7 V for device without V{sub 2}O{sub 5} layer. It was thought that charge transfer (CT) complexes which were formed at the interface between pentacene and V{sub 2}O{sub 5} layer were dissociated by the applied gate voltage, and the generated holes seem to contribute to drain current and the apparent V{sub t} improvement.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Design and fabrication of a superconducting magnet for an 18 GHz electron cyclotron resonance ion/photon source NFRI-ECRIPS

A superconducting magnet was designed and fabricated for an 18 GHz ECR ion/photon source, which will be installed at National Fusion Research Institute (NFRI) in South Korea. The magnetic system consists of a set of four superconducting coils for axial mirror field and 36 pieces of permanent magnets for hexapolar field. The superconducting coils with a cryocooler (1.5 W - 4.2 K) allow one to reach peak mirror fields of 2.2 T in the injection and those of 1.5 T in the extraction regions on the source axis, and the resultant hexapolar field gives 1.35 T on the plasma chamber wall. The unbalanced magnetic force between the coils and surrounding yoke has been minimized to 16 ton by a coil arrangement and their electrical connection, and then was successfully suspended by 12 strong thermal insulating supports made of large numbers of carbon fibers. In order to block radiative thermal losses, multilayer thermal insulations are covered on the coil windings as well as 40-K aluminum thermal shield. Also new schemes of quench detection and safety system (coil divisions, quench detection coils, and heaters) were employed. For impregnation of the windings a special epoxy has been selected and treated to have a higher breaking strength and a higher thermal conductivity, which enables the superconductors to be uniformly and rapidly cooled down or heated during a quench.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗