Photothermal deflection measurement on heat transport in GaAs epitaxial layers

In this paper, we report the in-plane and cross-plane measurements of the thermal diffusivity of double epitaxial layers of n-type GaAs doped with various concentrations of Si and a p-type Be-doped GaAs layer grown on a GaAs substrate by the molecular beam epitaxial method, using the laser-induced nondestructive photothermal deflection technique. The thermal diffusivity value is evaluated from the slope of the graph of the phase of the photothermal deflection signal as a function of pump-probe offset. Analysis of the data shows that the cross-plane thermal diffusivity is less than that of the in-plane thermal diffusivity. It is also seen that the doping concentration has a great influence on the thermal diffusivity value. Measurement of p-type Be-doped samples shows that the nature of the dopant also influences the effective thermal diffusivity value. The results are interpreted in terms of a phonon-assisted heat transfer mechanism and the various scattering process involved in the propagation of phonons

Studies on the use of nano zinc oxide and modified silica in NR, CR and SBR

Department of Applied Chemistry, Cochin University of Science and Technology

Thermal Properties of Polytetrafluoroethylene/ Sr2Ce2Ti5O16 Polymer/Ceramic Composites

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites filled with Sr2Ce2Ti5O16 ceramic were prepared by a powder processing technique. The structures and microstructures of the composites were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that the ceramic filler had no effect on the melting point of the PTFE. The effect of the Sr2Ce2Ti5O16 ceramic content [0–0.6 volume fraction (vf)] on the thermal conductivity, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), specific heat capacity, and thermal diffusivity were investigated. As the vf of the Sr2Ce2Ti5O16 ceramic increased, the thermal conductivity of the specimen increased, and the CTE decreased. The thermal conductivity and thermal expansion of the PTFE/Sr2Ce2Ti5O16 composites were improved to 1.7 W m21 8C21 and 34 ppm/8C, respectively for 0.6 vf of the ceramics. The experimental thermal conductivity and CTE were compared with different theoretical models.

Growth and characterization of perovskite oxide ferroelectric thin films and its applications

Department of Physics, Cochin University of Science and Technology

Acidity/basicity, electron donor properties and catalytic activity of sulphate modified stannic oxide

The surface electron donor properties of sulphate modified stannic oxide have been determined from the adsorption of electron acceptors of various electron affinities on the oxide surface. The acid base properties of stannic oxide have been determined by titration method using Hammett indicators. Catalytic activities of the oxide for esterification of acetic acid using n-butanol.reduction of cyclohexanone in 2-propanol and oxidation of cyclohexanol with benzophenone have been studied. The data have been correlated with the surface electron donor properties of these oxides. The activity for reduction and oxidation decreases and that for esterification reaction increases on modification with sulphate ion. It has heen found that electron donating capacity decreased when stannic oxide was modified with sulphate ion.

Catalysis by sulphated tin oxide modified with some transition metal oxides

In the present work, we have tried to evaluate systematically the surface properties of sulphated tin oxide systems modified with three different transition metal oxides viz. iron oxide, tungsten oxide and molybdenum oxide. The catalytic activities of these systems are checked and compared by carrying out some industrially important reactions such as oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene and Friedel-Crafts reactions.

Electron donating properties and catalytic actiVity of cerium oxide and its mixed oxides with alumina

The electron donating properties of Ce02 and its mixed oxides with alumina have been determined from the studies of adsorption of electron acceptors of various electron affinities on the surface of these oxides. The catalytic activity of these oxides towards some reactions such as oxidation of alcohols and reduction of ketones have been Correlated with their surface electrondonor properties. The surface acidity/basicity of these oxides have also been determined by titration method using a set of Hammett indicators.

Basicity and electron donor properties of lanthanum oxide and its mixed oxides with alumina

The electron donating properties of La2O3 activated at 300, 500 and 800·C and its mixed oxides with alumina are reported from the studies on adsorption of electron acceptors of varying electron affinity on La203. The electron acceptors with their electron affinity values given in parenthesis are: 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (2.84 eV), 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-I,4-benzoquinone (2.40 eV) and p-dinitrobenzene(l.77eV). The basicity of the oxide has been determined by titration with n-butylamine and Ho.max values are reported. The limit of electron transfer from the oxide to the electron acceptor is between 2.40 and 1.77 eV. It is observed that La203 promotes the surface electron properties of alumina without changing its limit of electron transfer.

Catalytic activity of lanthanum oxide for the reduction of cyclohexanone

Lanthanum oxide, La2O3 has been found to be an effective catalyst for the liquid phase reduction of cyclohexanone. The catalytic activities of La2O3 activated at 300, 500 and 800·C and its mixed oxides with alumina for the reduction of cyclohexanone with 2-propanol have been determined and the data parallel that of the electron donating properties of the catalysts. The electron donating properties of the catalysts have been determined from the adsorption of electron acceptors of different electron affinities on the surface of these oxides.

Surface acidity/basicity and catalytic activity of Zr-Sm mixed oxide systems

The surface acidity and basicity of oxides of Sm and Zr and their mixed oxides have been determined using a set of Hammett indicators. The data have been correlated with the catalytic activity of these oxides towards the liquid phase reduction of cyclo-hexanone in 2-propanol.

Surface electron properties of yttrium oxide supported on alumina

Cochin University of Science and Technology

Studies on some supported transition metal complex and metal oxide catalysts for oxidation reactions

Zeolite encapsulated transition metal complexes have received wide attention as an effective heterogenized system that combines the tremendous activity of the metal complexes and the attractive features of the zeolite structure. Zeolite encapsulated complexes offer a bright future for attempts to replace homogeneous systems retaining its catalytic activity and minimizing the technical problems. especially for the partial oxidation of organic compounds. Studies on some zeolite encapsulated transition metal complexes are presented in this thesis. The ligands selected are technically important in a bio-mimetic or structural perspective. Attempts have been made in this study to investigate the composition, structure and stability of encapsulated complexes using available techniques. The catalytic activity of encapsulated complexes was evaluated for the oxidation of some organic compounds. The recycling ability of the catalyst as a result of the encapsulation was also studied.Our studies on Cu-Cr/Al2O3, a typical metal oxide catalyst. illustrate the use of design techniques to modify the properties of such conventional catalysts. The catalytic activity of this catalyst for the oxidation of carbon monoxide was measured. The effect of additives like Ce02 or Ti02 on the activity and stability of this system was also investigated. The additive is potent to improve the activity and stability ofthe catalyst so as to be more effective in commercial usage.

Characterization of Selected Photonic Materials and Systems Using Photoacoustic Technique

The photoacoustic investigations carried out on different photonic materials are presented in this thesis. Photonic materials selected for the investigation are tape cast ceramics, muItilayer dielectric coatings, organic dye doped PVA films and PMMA matrix doped with dye mixtures. The studies are performed by the measurement of photoacoustic signal generated as a result of modulated cw laser irradiation of samples. The gas-microphone scheme is employed for the detection of photoacoustic signal. The different measurements reported here reveal the adaptability and utility of the PA technique for the characterization of photonic materials.Ceramics find applications in the field of microelectronics industry. Tape cast ceramics are the building blocks of many electronic components and certain ceramic tapes are used as thermal barriers. The thermal parameters of these tapes will not be the same as that of thin films of the same materials. Parameters are influenced by the presence of foreign bodies in the matrix and the sample preparation technique. Measurements are done on ceramic tapes of Zirconia, Zirconia-Alumina combination, barium titanate, barium tin titanate, silicon carbide, lead zirconate titanateil'Z'T) and lead magnesium niobate titanate(PMNPT). Various configurations viz. heat reflection geometry and heat transmission geometry of the photoacoustic technique have been used for the evaluation of different thermal parameters of the sample. Heat reflection geometry of the PA cell has been used for the evaluation of thermal effusivity and heat transmission geometry has been made use of in the evaluation of thermal diffusivity. From the thermal diffusivity and thermal effusivity values, thermal conductivity is also calculated. The calculated values are nearly the same as the values reported for pure materials. This shows the feasibility of photoacoustic technique for the thermal characterization of ceramic tapes.Organic dyes find applications as holographic recording medium and as active media for laser operations. Knowledge of the photochemical stability of the material is essential if it has to be used tor any of these applications. Mixing one dye with another can change the properties of the resulting system. Through careful mixing of the dyes in appropriate proportions and incorporating them in polymer matrices, media of required stability can be prepared. Investigations are carried out on Rhodamine 6GRhodamine B mixture doped PMMA samples. Addition of RhB in small amounts is found to stabilize Rh6G against photodegradation and addition of Rh6G into RhB increases the photosensitivity of the latter. The PA technique has been successfully employed for the monitoring of dye mixture doped PMMA sample. The same technique has been used for the monitoring of photodegradation ofa laser dye, cresyl violet doped polyvinyl alcohol also.Another important application of photoacoustic technique is in nondestructive evaluation of layered samples. Depth profiling capability of PA technique has been used for the non-destructive testing of multilayer dielectric films, which are highly reflecting in the wavelength range selected for investigations. Eventhough calculation of thickness of the film is not possible, number of layers present in the system can be found out using PA technique. The phase plot has clear step like discontinuities, the number of which coincides with the number of layers present in the multilayer stack. This shows the sensitivity of PA signal phase to boundaries in a layered structure. This aspect of PA signal can be utilized in non-destructive depth profiling of reflecting samples and for the identification of defects in layered structures.