Effect of In concentration in the starting solution on the structural and electrical properties of ZnO films prepared by the pyrosol process at 450 degrees C

Undoped and indium-doped Zinc oxide (ZnO) solid films were deposited by the pyrosol process at 450 degrees C on glass substrates From solutions where In/Zn ratio was 2, 5, and 10 at.%. Electrical measurements performed at room temperature show that the addition of indium changes the resistance of the films. The resistivities of doped films are less than non-doped ZnO films by one to two orders of magnitude depending on the dopant concentration in the solution. Preferential orientation of the films with the c-axis perpendicular to the substrate was detected by X-ray diffraction and polarized extended X-ray absorption fine structures measurements at the Zn K edge. This orientation depends on the indium concentration in the starting solution. The most textured films were obtained for solutions where In/Zn ratio was 2 and 5 at.%. When In/Zn = 10 at.%, the films had a nearly random orientation of crystallites. Evidence of the incorporation of indium in the ZnO lattice was obtained from extended X-ray absorption fine structures at the In and Zn K edges. The structural analysis of the least resistive film (Zn/In = 5 at.%) shows that In substitutes Zn in the wurtzite structure. (C) 2000 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Molecular characterization of hemoglobin alpha-D chains from Geochelone carbonaria and Geochelone denticulata land turtles

In order to help elucidate the evolution of alpha-globins, the complete cDNA and amino acid sequences of Geochelone carbonaria and Geochelone denticulata land turtles alpha-D chains have been described. In G. carbonaria, the cDNA is 539 bp with ATG start codon located at position 46, TGA stop codon at position 469 and AATAAA polyadenylation signal at position 520. In G. denticulata, the cDNA is 536 bp with ATG start codon located at position 46, TGA stop codon at position 469 and AATAAA polyadenylation signal at position 517. Both cDNAs codify 141 amino acid residues, differing from each other in only four amino acid residues. When comparing with human Hb alpha-chain, alterations in important regions can be noted: alpha110 Ala-Gly, alpha114 Pro-Gly, alpha117 Phe-Tyr and alpha122 His-Gln. There is a high homology between the amino acids of these turtles when compared with chicken alpha-D chains, progressively decreasing when compared with human, crocodile, snake, frog and fish alpha-chains. Phylogenetic analysis of alpha-D chains shows that those of turtles are closer to those of birds than to snakes and lizards. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Use of impedance spectroscopy in the study of the effect of Cr concentration on the electrical properties of SnO2-based ceramics

This paper reports a study of influence of Cr concentration on the electrical properties and microstructure of SnO2-based powders doped with Mn and Nb, prepared by an organic route (Pechini method). All the samples were compacted into discs and sintered at 1300 degrees C for 3h, resulting in ceramics with relative density varying between 78% and 98%. The powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. Impedance spectroscopy characterization indicated that the conductivity decreases as Cr concentration increases, probably due to Cr segregation at grain boundaries, which reduces grain size, increasing the number of resistive boundaries.

Influence of fluid concentration on freezing point depression and thermal conductivity of frozen orange juice

The freezing point depression (FPD) of orange juice at different concentrations was measured by using a simple apparatus. Results showed that the initial freezing point decreased approximately 90% with the increase of juice concentration between 46degrees and 66degrees Brix (water content respectively between 52.8 and 32.8% w/w). The thermal conductivity of orange juice as a function of fluid concentration was also investigated by using a coaxial dual-cylinder apparatus. Below the freezing point, the thermal conductivity was strongly affected by both the orange juice concentration and temperature. Simple equations in terms of water content and temperature could be adjusted to experimental data of FPD and thermal conductivity.