Hydrothermal synthesis of single crystallin strontium titanate nanocubes

Strontium titanate nanocubes with an average edge length of 150mm have been successfully synthesized from a simple hydrothermal system. Characterization techniques such as X-ray powder diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays were used to investigate the products. The results showed that as-prepared powders are pure SrTiO3 with cubic shape, which consists with the growth habit of its intrinsic crystal structure. These uniform nanocubes with high crystallinity will exhibit superior physical properties in the practical applications. Furthermore, during the experimental process, it has been found that the dilute acid washing process is very important to obtain high pure SrTiO3.

Gas sensing characteristics of Fe-doped tungsten oxide thin films

This study reports on the gas sensing characteristics of Fe-doped (10 at.%) tungsten oxide thin films of various thicknesses (100–500 nm) prepared by electron beam evaporation. The performance of these films in sensing four gases (H2, NH3, NO2 and N2O) in the concentration range 2–10,000 ppm at operating temperatures of 150–280 °C has been investigated. The results are compared with the sensing performance of a pure WO3 film of thickness 300 nm produced by the same method. Doping of the tungsten oxide film with 10 at.% Fe significantly increases the base conductance of the pure film but decreases the gas sensing response. The maximum response measured in this experiment, represented by the relative change in resistance when exposed to a gas, was ΔR/R = 375. This was the response amplitude measured in the presence of 5 ppm NO2 at an operating temperature of 250 °C using a 400 nm thick WO3:Fe film. This value is slightly lower than the corresponding result obtained using the pure WO3 film (ΔR/R = 450). However it was noted that the WO3:Fe sensor is highly selective to NO2, exhibiting a much higher response to NO2 compared to the other gases. The high performance of the sensors to NO2 was attributed to the small grain size and high porosity of the films, which was obtained through e-beam evaporation and post-deposition heat treatment of the films at 300 °C for 1 h in air.

Strontium-containing mesoporous bioactive glass scaffolds with improved osteogenic/cementogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament cells for periodontal tissue engineering

To achieve the ultimate goal of periodontal tissue engineering, it is of great importance to develop bioactive scaffolds which could stimulate the osteogenic/cementogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) for the favorable regeneration of alveolar bone, root cementum, and periodontal ligament. Strontium (Sr) and Sr-containing biomaterials have been found to induce osteoblast activity. However, there is no systematic report about the interaction between Sr or Sr-containing biomaterials and PDLCs for periodontal tissue engineering. The aims of this study were to prepare Sr-containing mesoporous bioactive glass (Sr-MBG) scaffolds and investigate whether the addition of Sr could stimulate the osteogenic/cementogenic differentiation of PDLCs in tissue engineering scaffold system. The composition, microstructure and mesopore properties (specific surface area, nano-pore volume and nano-pore distribution) of Sr-MBG scaffolds were characterized. The proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and osteogenesis/cementogenesis-related gene expression (ALP, Runx2, Col I, OPN and CEMP1) of PDLCs on different kinds of Sr-MBG scaffolds were systematically investigated. The results show that Sr plays an important role in influencing the mesoporous structure of MBG scaffolds in which high contents of Sr decreased the well-ordered mesopores as well as their surface area/pore volume. Sr2+ ions could be released from Sr-MBG scaffolds in a controlled way. The incorporation of Sr into MBG scaffolds has significantly stimulated ALP activity and osteogenesis/cementogenesis-related gene expression of PDLCs. Furthermore, Sr-MBG scaffolds in simulated body fluids environment still maintained excellent apatite-mineralization ability. The study suggests that the incorporation of Sr into MBG scaffolds is a viable way to stimulate the biological response of PDLCs. Sr-MBG scaffolds are a promising bioactive material for periodontal tissue engineering application.

Hydrogen spillover mechanism on a pd-doped mg surface as revealed by ab initio density functional calculation

The hydrogenation kinetics of Mg is slow, impeding its application for mobile hydrogen storage. We demonstrate by ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations that the reaction path can be greatly modified by adding transition metal catalysts. Contrasting with Ti doping, a Pd dopant will result in a very small activation barrier for both dissociation of molecular hydrogen and diffusion of atomic H on the Mg surface. This new computational finding supports for the first time by ab initio simulationthe proposed hydrogen spillover mechanism for rationalizing experimentally observed fast hydrogenation kinetics for Pd-capped Mg materials.

Hydrogen sensing properties of Pt/Lanthanum oxide- molybdenum oxide nanoplatelet/SiC based Schottky diode

An investigation of the electrical and hydrogen sensing properties of a novel Schottky diode based on a nanostructured lanthanum oxide-molybdenum oxide compound is presented herein. Molybdenum oxide (MoO3) nanoplatelets were grown on SiC substrates via thermal evaporation which was then subsequently coated with lanthanum oxide (La2O3) by RF sputtering. The current-voltage characteristics and hydrogen sensing performance (change in barrier height and sensitivity as well as the dynamic response) were examined from 25 to 300°C. At 180°C, a voltage shift of 2.23V was measured from the sensor while exposed to 1% hydrogen gas under a 100 μA constant reverse bias current. The results indicate that the presence of a La2O3 thin layer substantially improves the hydrogen sensitivity of the MoO3 nanoplatelets.

Ethanol sensitivity of thermally evaporated nanostructured WO3 thin films doped and implanted with Fe

Ethanol sensing performance of gas sensors made of Fe doped and Fe implanted nanostructured WO3 thin films prepared by a thermal evaporation technique was investigated. Three different types of nanostructured thin films, namely, pure WO3 thin films, iron-doped WO3 thin films by co-evaporation and Fe-implanted WO3 thin films have been synthesized. All the thin films have a film thickness of 300 nm. The physical, chemical and electronic properties of these films have been optimized by annealing heat treatment at 300ºC and 400ºC for 2 hours in air. Various analytical techniques were employed to characterize these films. Atomic Force Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy revealed a very small grain size of the order 5-10 nm in as-deposited WO3 films, and annealing at 300ºC or 400ºC did not result in any significant change in grain size. This study has demonstrated enhanced sensing properties of WO3 thin film sensors towards ethanol at lower operating temperature, which was achieved by optimizing the physical, chemical and electronic properties of the WO3 film through Fe doping and annealing.

Asymmetrically decorated, doped porous graphene as an effective membrane for hydrogen isotope separation

We propose a new route to hydrogen isotope separation which exploits the quantum sieving effect in the context of transmission through asymmetrically decorated, doped porous graphenes. Selectivities of D2 over H2 as well as rate constants are calculated based on ab initio interaction potentials for passage through pure and nitrogen functionalized porous graphene. One-sided dressing of the membrane with metal provides the critical asymmetry needed for an energetically favorable pathway.

The catalytic role of an isolated-Ti atom in the hydrogenation of Ti-doped Al(001) surface : An ab initio density functional theory calculation

Recent work [S. Chaudhuri, J.T. Muckerman, J. Phys. Chem. B 109 (2005) 6952] reported that two Ti-substituted atoms on an Al(0 0 1) surface can form a catalytically active site for the dissociation of H2, but the diffusion barrier of atomic H away from Ti site is as high as 1.57 eV. By using ab initio density functional calculations, we found that two hydrogen molecules can dissociate on isolated-Ti atom doped Al(0 0 1) surface with small activation barriers (0.21 and 0.235 eV for first and second H2, respectively). Additionally, the diffusion barrier of atomic H away from Ti site is also moderate (0.47 eV). These results contribute further towards understanding the improved kinetics observed in recycling of hydrogen with Ti-doped NaAlH4.

First-principle study of adsorption of hydrogen on ti-doped Mg(0001) surface

Ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations are performed to study the adsorption of H2 molecules on a Ti-doped Mg(0001) surface. We find that two hydrogen molecules are able to dissociate on top of the Ti atom with very small activation barriers (0.103 and 0.145 eV for the first and second H2 molecules, respectively). Additionally, a molecular adsorption state of H2 above the Ti atom is observed for the first time and is attributed to the polarization of the H2 molecule by the Ti cation. Our results parallel recent findings for H2 adsorption on Ti-doped carbon nanotubes or fullerenes. They provide new insight into the preliminary stages of hydrogen adsorption onto Ti-incorporated Mg surfaces.

Cobalt-doped cadmium selenide colloidal nanowires

Co2+-doped CdSe colloidal nanowires with tunable size and dopant concentration have been prepared by a solution–liquid–solid (SLS) approach for the first time. These doped nanowires exhibit anomalous photoluminescence temperature dependence in comparison with undoped nanowires.

A fourier-transform infrared study of CO2 and CO2/H2 interactions with caesium-doped copper catalysts

FTIR spectra are reported of CO2 and COi/Hi on a silica-supported caesium-doped copper catalyst. Adsorption of COj on a "caesium"/silica surface resulted in the formation of COj and complexed CO species. Exposure of CO2 to' a caesium-doped reduced copper catalyst produced not only these species but also two forms of adsorbed carboxylate giving bands at 1550, 1510, 1365 and 1345 cm"1. Reaction of carboxylate species with hydrogen at 388 K gave formate species on copper and caesium oxide in addition to methoxy groups associated with caesium oxide. Methoxy species were not detected on undoped copper catalyst suggesting that caesium may be a promoter for the methanol synthesis reaction. Methanol decomposition on a caesium-doped copper catalyst produced a small number of formate species on copper and caesium oxide. Methoxy groups on caesium oxide decomposed to CO and U.2, and subsequent reaction between CO and adsorbed oxygen resulted in carboxylate formation. Methoxy species located at interfacial sites appeared to exhibit unusual adsorption properties.

Melt-electrospun polycaprolactone-strontium substituted bioactive glass scaffolds for bone regeneration

Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a resorbable polymer used extensively in bone tissue engineering owing to good structural properties and processability. Strontium substituted bioactive glass (SrBG) has the ability to promote osteogenesis and may be incorporated into scaffolds intended for bone repair. Here we describe for the first time, the development of a PCL-SrBG composite scaffold incorporating 10% (weight) of SrBG particles into PCL bulk, produced by the technique of melt-electrospinning. We show that we are able to reproducibly manufacture composite scaffolds with an interconnected porous structure and, furthermore, these scaffolds were demonstrated to be non-cytotoxic in vitro. Ions present in the SrBG component were shown to dissolve into cell culture media and promoted precipitation of a calcium phosphate layer on the scaffold surface which in turn led to noticeably enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity in MC3T3-E1 cells compared to PLC-only scaffolds. These results suggest that melt-electrospun PCL-SrBG composite scaffolds show potential to become effective bone graft substitutes.

Hydrothermally formed functional niobium oxide doped tungsten nanorods

Nanorod forms of metal oxides is recognised as one of the most remarkable morphologies. Their structure and functionality have driven important advancements in a vast range of electronic devices and applications. In this work, we postulate a novel concept to explain how numerous localised surface states can be engineered into the bandgap of niobium oxide nanorods using tungsten. We discuss their contributions as local state surface charges for the modulation of a Schottky barrier height, relative dielectric constant and their respective conduction mechanisms. Their effect on the hydrogen gas molecule interactions mechanisms are also examined herein. We synthesised niobium tungsten oxide (Nb17W2O25) nanorods via a hydrothermal growth method and evaluated the Schottky barrier height, ideality factor, dielectric constant and trap energy level from the measured I-V vs temperature characteristics in the presence of air and hydrogen to show the validity of our postulations.

Multi-wall carbon nanotube coating of fluorine-doped tin oxide as an electrode surface modifier for polymer solar cells

A controlled layer of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) was grown directly on top of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass electrodes as a surface modifier for improving the performance of polymer solar cells. By using low-temperature chemical vapor deposition with short synthesis times, very short MWCNTs were grown, these uniformly decorating the FTO surface. The chemical vapor deposition parameters were carefully refined to balance the tube size and density, while minimizing the decrease in conductivity and light harvesting of the electrode. As created FTO/CNT electrodes were applied to bulk-heterojunction polymer solar cells, both in direct and inverted architecture. Thanks to the inclusion of MWCNT and the consequent nano-structuring of the electrode surface, we observe an increase in external quantum efficiency in the wavelength range from 550 to 650 nm. Overall, polymer solar cells realized with these FTO/CNT electrodes attain power conversion efficiency higher than 2%, outclassing reference cells based on standard FTO electrodes.

Electrocrystallization of phase I, CuTCNQ (TCNQ= 7, 7, 8, 8-tetracyanoquinodimethane), on indium tin oxide and boron-doped diamond electrodes

The electrochemical reduction of TCNQ to TCNQ•- in acetonitrile in the presence of [Cu(MeCN)4]+ has been undertaken at boron-doped diamond (BDD) and indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes. The nucleation and growth process at BDD is similar to that reported previously at metal electrodes. At an ITO electrode, the electrocrystallization of more strongly adhered, larger, branched, needle-shaped phase I CuTCNQ crystals is detected under potential step conditions and also when the potential is cycled over the potential range of 0.7 to −0.1 V versus Ag/AgCl (3 M KCl). Video imaging can be used at optically transparent ITO electrodes to monitor the growth stage of the very large branched crystals formed during the course of electrochemical experiments. Both in situ video imaging and ex situ X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) data are consistent with the nucleation of CuTCNQ taking place at a discrete number of preferred sites on the ITO surface. At BDD electrodes, ex situ optical images show that the preferential growth of CuTCNQ occurs at the more highly conducting boron-rich areas of the electrode, within which there are preferred sites for CuTCNQ formation.