Fabrication, thermal stability and mechanical properties of novel composite hardmetals obtained by solid-state reaction and hot-pressing sintering

A novel cemented carbides (W0.7Al0.3)C-0.65-Co with different cobalt contents were prepared by solid-state reaction and hot-pressing technique. Hot-pressing technique as a novel technique was performed to fabricate the bulk bodies of the hard alloys. The novel cemented carbides have superior mechanical properties compared with WC-Co. The density, operate cost of the novel material were lower than WC-Co system. The novel materials were easy to process nanoscale sintering and get the rounded particles in the bulk materials. There is almost no eta-phase in the (W0.7Al0.3)C-0.65-Co cemented carbides system although the carbon deficient get the astonished 35% value.

Nanostructured novel cemented hard alloy obtained by mechanical alloying and hot-pressing sintering and its applications

A novel cemented carbides (W0.8Al0.2)C-0.7-Co with different cobalt contents were prepared by mechanical alloying and hot-pressing technique. Hot-pressing technique as a common technique was performed to fabricate the bulk bodies of the hard alloys. The novel cemented carbides have superior mechanical properties compared with WC-Co. The density, operate cost of the novel material were much lower than WC-Co system. The novel materials were easy to process nanoscale sintering and get the rounded particles in the bulk materials.

Polyol-Mediated Synthesis of PbS Crystals: Shape Evolution and Growth Mechanism

An interesting shape evolution of. PbS crystals, that is, from cubes to (truncated) octahedra and finally to stable star-shaped multipods with six arms along the < 100 > directions is first realized via a facile polyol-mediated reaction between lead acetate and sulfur powder in the absence of surfactants. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) techniques were employed to characterize the samples. We elucidate the important parameters (including reaction temperature and sulfur sources) responsible for the shape-controlled synthesis of PbS crystals.

Facile Synthesis and Characterization of Single Crystalline Bi2S3 with Various Morphologies

Single crystalline Bi2S3 With various morphologies (wires, rods, and flowers) has been successfully prepared via a simple polyol solution process and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The morphologies of Bi2S3 crystals are highly dependent on the experimental parameters, including the reaction temperature, reactant ratio, sulfur source, and additive. The adjustment of these parameters can lead to an obvious shape evolution of products, and the growth mechanism has been proposed.

One-Step Synthesis and Luminescent Properties of Nanocrystalline YVO4:Eu3+ powders

In this paper, nanocrystalline YVO4:Eu3+ powders have been successfully synthesized via high-temperature solution-phase synthesis process. The nanocrystalline YVO4:Eu3+ particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UVNis absorption spectra and luminescence spectra, luminescence decay curve and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) respectively. The as-prepared nanocrystalline YVO4:Eu3+ particles are well crystallized with ellipsoidal morphology.

Epitaxy-Assisted Creation of PCBM Nanocrystals and Its Application in Constructing Optimized Morphology for Bulk-Heterojunction Polymer Solar Cells

PCBM (a C-60 derivative) is so far the most successful electron acceptor for bulk-heterojunction polymer photovoltaic (PV) cells. Here we present a novel method epitaxy-assisted creation of PCBM nanocrystals and their homogeneous distribution in the matrix using freshly cleaved mica sheet as the substrate. The highly matched epitaxy relationship between the unit cell of PCBM crystal and crystallographic (001) surface of mica induces abundant PCBM nuclei, which subsequently develop into nanoscale crystals with homogeneous dispersion in the composite film.

Avidin conjugation to up-conversion phosphor NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ by the oxidation of the oligosaccharide chains

NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles were successfully prepared by a polyol process using diethyleneglycol (DEG) as solvent. After being functionalized with SiO2-NH2 layer, these NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles can conjugate with activated avidin molecules (activated by the oxidation of the oligosaccharide chain). The as-formed NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles, NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles functionalized with amino groups, avidin conjugated amino-functionalized NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), UV/Vis absorption spectra, and up-conversion luminescence spectra, respectively.

Effects of fullerene solubility on the crystallization of poly(3-hexylthiophene) and performance of photovoltaic devices

The substantial crystallization suppression of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) in the untreated P3HT:C60 composite film prepared from o-dichlorobenzene (ODCB) solution has been revealed. Besides, the effective conjugation length of P3HT in this composite has been nearly maintained to that in the solution. The different crystallization behaviors of P3HT in its composites with C60 and [6,6]-phenyl C-61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) are mainly attributed to the relative solubility of C60 and PCBM with respect to P3HT in ODCB. The solution to overcome this disadvantage of chain conformation and crystallinity of P3HT in the composite with C60 is thus proposed and finalized by resorting to the addition of low volatile solvent with much higher solubility of C60 than P3HT into the main solvent used, so as P3HT can crystallize before C60 forms crystallites in the solution. The feasibility of this approach has been proven by the improved efficiency of devices based on composites of P3HT and the low cost C60 without resorting to post-treatments.

Synthesis of polycrystalline nanotubular Bi2Te3

Polycrystalline nanotubular Bi2Te3 could be prepared via a high-temperature solution process using nanoscale tellurium, decomposed from trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) extracted tellurium species (Te-TOPO), as sacrificial template. The formation of such tubular structure is believed to be the result of outward diffusion of Te during the alloying process. The electrical properties (Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity) of the polycrystalline nanotubular Bi2Te3 have been studied and the experimental results show that the electrical conductivity is approximately three orders of magnitude smaller than bulk bismuth telluride materials mainly due to the much larger resistance brought by the insufficient contact between the nanotubular structures.

Solvent Vapor-Induced Self Assembly and its Influence on Optoelectronic Conversion of Poly(3-hexylthiophene): Methanofullerene Bulk Heterojunction Photovoltaic Cells

Nanoscale-phase separation of electron donor/acceptor blends is crucial for efficient charge generation and collection in Polymer bulk heterojunction photovoltaic cells. We investigated solvent vapor annealing effect of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT)/methanofullerene (PCBM) blend oil its morphology and optoelectronic properties. The organic solvents of choice for the treatment have a major effect oil the morphology of P3HT/PCBM blend and the device performance. Ultraviolet-visible absorption spectro,;copy shows that specific solvent vapor annealing can induce P3HT self-assembling to form well-ordered structure; and hence, file absorption in the red region and the hole transport are enhanced. The solvent that has a poor Solubility to PCBM Would cause large PCBM Clusters and result in a rough blend film. By combining an appropriate solvent vapor treatment and post-thermal annealing of the devices, the power conversion efficiency is enhanced.

Controlled phase separation for efficient energy conversion in dye/polymer blend bulk heterojunction photovoltaic cells

Low-cost photovoltaic energy conversion using conjugated polymers has achieved great improvement due to the invention of organic bulk heterojunction. in which the nanoscale phase separation of electron donor and acceptor favors realizing efficient charge separation and collection. We investigated the polymer photovoltaic cells using N, N'-bis(1-ethylpropyl)-3,4,9,10-perylene bis(tetracarboxyl diimide)/poly(3-hexyl thiophene) blend as an active layer. It is found that processing conditions for the blend films have major effects on its morphology and hence the energy conversion efficiency of the resulting devices. By optimizing the processing conditions, the sizes of donor/acceptor phase separation can be adjusted for realizing efficient charge separation and collection. The overall energy conversion efficiency of the photovoltaic cell processed with optimized conditions increases by nearly 40% compared to the normally spin-coated and annealed cell.

Avidin conjugation to up-conversion phosphor NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ by the oxidation of the oligosaccharide chains

NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles were successfully prepared by a polyol process using diethyleneglycol (DEG) as solvent. After being functionalized with SiO2-NH2 layer, these NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles can conjugate with activated avidin molecules (activated by the oxidation of the oligosaccharide chain). The as-formed NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles, NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles functionalized with amino groups, avidin conjugated amino-functionalized NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), UV/Vis absorption spectra, and up-conversion luminescence spectra, respectively. The biofunctionalization of the NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles has less effect on their luminescence properties, i.e., they still show the up-conversion emission (from Er3+, with S-4(3/2) -> I-4(15/2) at similar to 540 nm and F-4(9/2) -> I-4(15/2) at similar to 653 nm), indicative of the great potential for these NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles to be used as fluorescence probes for biological system.

Size-tailored synthesis and luminescent properties of one-dimensional Gd2O3 : Eu3+ nanorods and microrods

Nearly monodisperse and well-defined one-dimensional (1D) Gd2O3:Eu3+ nanorods and microrods were successfully prepared through a large-scale and facile hydrothermal method followed by a subsequent heat treatment process, without using any catalyst or template. X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), photoluminescence (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the samples. The size of the Gd2O3:Eu3+ rods could be modulated from micro- to nanoscale with the increase of pH value using ammonia solution. The as-formed product via the hydrothermal process, Gd(OH)(3):Eu3+, could transform to cubic Gd2O3:Eu3+ with the same morphology and a slight shrinking in size after a postannealing process.

Core Crosslinking of Biodegradable Block Copolymer Micelles Based on Poly(ester carbonate)

A biodegradable amphiphilic block copolymer, PEG-b-P(LA-co-MAC), was used to prepare spherical micelles consisting of a hydrophobic P(LA-co-MAC) core and a hydrophilic PEG shell. To improve their stability, the micelles were crosslinked by radical polymerization of the double bonds in the hydrophobic blocks. The crosslinked micelles had similar sizes and a narrow size distribution compared to their uncrosslinked precursor. The improved stability of the crosslinked micelles was confirmed by measurements of the CMC and a thermodynamic investigation. These micelles can internalize into Hela cells in vitro as demonstrated by inverted fluorescence microscopy and CLSM. These stabilized nanoscale micelles have potential use in biomedical applications such as drug delivery and disease diagnosis.

Facile synthesis of polyaniline nanofibers using pseudo-high dilution technique

A new approach for the synthesis of polyaniline nanofibers under pseudo-high dilute conditions in aqueous system has been developed. High yield nanoscale polyaniline fibers with 18-110 nm in diameter are readily prepared by a high aniline concentration 0.4 M oxidation polymerization using ammonium persulfate (APS) as an oxidant in the presence of hydrochloric acid (HCl), perchloric acid (HClO4), (1S)-(+)-10-camphorsulfonic acid (CSA), acidic phosphate PAEG120 (PA120) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) as the dopants. The novel pathway always produces polyaniline nanofibers of tunable diameters, high conductivity (from 10(0) to 10(1) S/cm) and crystallinity.