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

Macrocyclic molecular square complex of zinc(II) self-assembled with a carbohydrazone ligand

A novel N4O coordination mode offers carbohydrazone ligands as a building block for interesting frameworks through self-assembly. Bridging mode of oxygen of bis(2-benzoylpyridine ketone) carbohydrazone (H2L) with metal centers facilitates the formation of the macrocyclic molecular square [Zn(HL)]4(BF4)4 · 10H2O, offers wide range of applications for carbohydrazones.

Photoacoustic spectrum of samarium phthalocyanine powder

Photoacoustic spectrum of samarium phthalocyanine powder is recorded and compared with previously reported UV–vis absorption spectra of the same dissolved in different liquid and solid host media. The Davidov splitting of Q band is observed in the PA spectrum but the two bands are overlapped considerably and the shorter wavelength band is more intense and dominating one in the powder spectrum.

Synthesis and Characterisation of Zinc Gallate Based Phosphors for Thin Film Electroluminescent Devices

Department of Physics, Cochin University of Science and Technology

Magnetic field-induced cluster formation and variation of magneto-optical signals in zinc-substituted ferrofluids

Fine magnetic particles (size≅100 Å) belonging to the series ZnxFe1−xFe2O4 were synthesized by cold co-precipitation methods and their structural properties were evaluated using X-ray diffraction. Magnetization studies have been carried out using vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) showing near-zero loss loop characteristics. Ferrofluids were then prepared employing these fine magnetic powders using oleic acid as surfactant and kerosene as carrier liquid by modifying the usually reported synthesis technique in order to induce anisotropy and enhance the magneto-optical signals. Liquid thin films of these fluids were prepared and field-induced laser transmission through these films was studied. The transmitted light intensity decreases at the centre with applied magnetic field in a linear fashion when subjected to low magnetic fields and saturate at higher fields. This is in accordance with the saturation in cluster formation. The pattern exhibited by these films in the presence of different magnetic fields was observed with the help of a CCD camera and was recorded photographically.

Spectral dependence of third order nonlinear optical susceptibility of zinc phthalocyanine

Wavelength dependence of saturable absorption (SA) and reverse saturable absorption (RSA) of zinc phthalocyanine was studied using 10 Hz, 8 ns pulses from a tunable laser, in the wavelength range of 520–686 nm, which includes the rising edge of the Q band in the electronic absorption spectrum. The nonlinear response is wavelength dependent and switching from RSA to SA has been observed as the excitation wavelength changes from the low absorption window region to higher absorption regime near the Q band. The SA again changes back to RSA when we further move over to the infrared region. Values of the imaginary part of third order susceptibility are calculated for various wavelengths in this range. This study is important in identifying the spectral range over which the nonlinear material acts as RSA based optical limiter.

Spectral dependence of third order nonlinear optical susceptibility of zinc phthalocyanine

Wavelength dependence of saturable absorption (SA) and reverse saturable absorption (RSA) of zinc phthalocyanine was studied using 10 Hz, 8 ns pulses from a tunable laser, in the wavelength range of 520–686 nm, which includes the rising edge of the Q band in the electronic absorption spectrum. The nonlinear response is wavelength dependent and switching from RSA to SA has been observed as the excitation wavelength changes from the low absorption window region to higher absorption regime near the Q band. The SA again changes back to RSA when we further move over to the infrared region. Values of the imaginary part of third order susceptibility are calculated for various wavelengths in this range. This study is important in identifying the spectral range over which the nonlinear material acts as RSA based optical limiter.

HRTEM assessment of Wurtzite and Zinc-Blende phases in GaAs nanowires for optoelectronic devices

Màster en Nanociència i Nanotecnologia. Curs 2007-2008. Directors: Francesca Peiró i Martínez and Jordi Arbiol i Cobos

Loading dependence similarities on the cure time and mechanical properties of rubber ferrite composites containing nickel zinc ferrite

Composite magnetic materials have the unique advantage of property modification for tailoring devices for various applications. Rubber ferrite composites (RFCs) prepared by incorporating ferrites in rubber matrixes have the advantage of easy mouldability and flexibility. RFCs containing various loadings of nickel zinc ferrite (NZF) (Ni1 xZnxFe2O4) in a natural rubber matrix have been prepared. The cure characteristics and the mechanical properties of these composites were evaluated. The effect of loading on the cure characteristics and tensile properties were also evaluated. It is found that the loading dependence on the cure time and mechanical properties exhibit an identical pattern.

Impact of zinc substitution on the structural and magnetic properties of chemically derived nanosized manganese zinc mixed ferrites

Mn1-xZnxFe2O4 nanoparticles (x=0-1) were synthesized by wet chemical co-precipitation techniques. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy were effectively utilized to investigate the different structural parameters. The elemental analysis was conducted using energy-dispersive spectrum and inductively coupled plasma analysis. The magnetic properties such as magnetization and coercivity were measured using vibrating sample magnetometer. The observed magnetization values of the nanoparticles were found to be lower compared to the bulk counterpart. The magnetization showed a gradual decrease with zinc substitution except for a small increase from x=0.2 to 0.3. The Curie temperature was found to be enhanced in the case of ferrites in the nanoregime. The variation in lattice constant, reduced magnetization values, variation of magnetization with zinc substitution, the presence of a net magnetic moment for the zinc ferrite and the enhancement in Curie temperature in Mn1-xZnxFe2O4 all provide evidence to the existence of a metastable cation distribution together with possible surface effects at the nanoregime.

Effect of mechanical milling on the structural, magnetic and dielectric properties of coprecipitated ultrafine zinc ferrite

Nanosized ZnFe2O4 particles containing traces of a-Fe2O3 by intent were produced by low temperature chemical coprecipitation methods. These particles were subjected to high-energy ball milling. These were then characterised using X-ray diffraction, magnetisation and dielectric studies. The effect of milling on zinc ferrite particles have been studied with a view to ascertaining the anomalous behaviour of these materials in the nanoregime. X-ray diffraction and magnetisation studies carried out show that these particles are associated with strains and it is the surface effects that contribute to the magnetisation. Hematite percentage, probably due to decomposition of zinc ferrite, increases with milling. Dielectric behaviour of these particles is due to interfacial polarisation as proposed by Koops. Also the defects caused by the milling produce traps in the surface layer contributes to dielectric permittivity via spin polarised electron tunnelling between grains. The ionic mechanism is enhanced in dielectrics with the rise in temperature which results in the increase of dielectric permittivity with temperature.

Fabrication and the study of zinc sulphide based electroluminescent devices

This thesis contains the author's work in preparing efficient EL phosphors, the details of fabrication of low voltage operated thin film EL (TFEL) devices and DC TFEL devices. Some of the important work presented here are related to the white light emitting ZnS:Cu,Pr,Cl phosphor which can be colour tuned by changing the excitation frequency, observation of energy transfer from Cu/Ag ions to rare earth ions in ZnS:(Cu/Ag), RE,Cl phosphors, development of TFEL device which can be operated below 50V, optimization of the device parameters for long life, high brightness in terms of the active and insulating layer thicknesses, observation of dependence of threshold voltage for the onset of emission on frequency of excitation when a novel dielectric Eu2O3 film was used as insulator and the devices with multicolor emission using ZnS doped with rare earth as active layer. Characterization based on other devices based on ZnS:Sm, ZnS:Pr, ZnS:Dy and their emission characteristics are also illustrated

Studies on electroluminescence using Powder and thin film devices

The subject of electroluminescence has currently acquired great importance because of its potential applications in display systems of a wide variety. A large number of scientists working in commercial, governmental as well as academic institutions all over the world are at present engaged in the intense effort to develop new and efficient phosphor materials and electroluminescent devices. This thesis presents the work carried out by the author in this field during the past few years. The studies discussed in this thesis are mostly confined to the development of some new phosphor materials, their uses in powder and thin film electroluminescent devices and to their electrical and spectral characteristics. Care has been taken to bring' out the physics involved in all the above aspects of the phenomenon

An investigation on the effects of Ag addition in the powder — in tube processing of long multifilamentary (Bi,Pb) - 2223/Ag superconducting tapes

It is important that long superconducting tape must have desired strain tolerance (less reduction of Jc with applied strains) and stress tolerance (less reduction of JC in applied stresses) for its use as coils and magnets. Ag addition to the BPSCCO system has many advantages with its physical and chemical inertness to the system, reduces the processing temperature, and promotes the grain growth, grain alignment and connectivity. All these not only enhance the critical current density of the tapes but also improve the mechanical properties. But the published results show very much scattering on the type of Ag additive to be selected, method of addition and its optimum percentage. Also there are some negative reports in this regard. The present work has been undertaken to study the effect of silver addition in different forms (Ag powder, Ag2O, AgNO3) on the superconducting and mechanical properties of (Bi,Pb)-2223/Ag tapes and to find out a suitable form of Ag additive and its optimum percentage to have better superconducting and mechanical properties. Also it is the aim of the present work is to optimise the process parameters needed to prepare (Bi,Pb)-2223/Ag multifilamentary tapes of length ~ 12 m in solenoid and pancake coil forms with good critical current density and homogeneity of J C along the length of the tapes.