Electrical Resistance and Seebeck Coefficient in PbTe Nanowires

We address a physics-based simplified analytical formulation of the diffusive electrical resistance ( (Omega)) and Seebeck coefficient () in a PbTe nanowire dominated by acoustic phonon scattering under the presence of a low static longitudinal electric field. The use of a second-order nonparabolic electron energy band structure involving a geometry-dependent band gap has been selected in principle to demonstrate that the electron mean free path (MFP) in such a system can reach as low as about 8 nm at room temperature for a 10-nm-wide PbTe nanowire. This is followed by the formulation of the carrier back-scattering coefficient for determination of (Omega) and as functions of wire dimensions, temperature, and the field, respectively. The present analytical formulation agrees well with the available experimental data and may find extensive use in determination of various electrothermal transport phenomena in PbTe-based one-dimensional electron devices.

Transition metal oxide loaded MCM catalysts for photocatalytic degradation of dyes

Transition metal oxide (TiO2, Pe(2)O(3), CoO) loaded MCM-41 and MCM-48 were synthesized by a two-step surfactant-based process. Nanoporous, high surface area compounds were obtained after calcination of the compounds. The catalysts were characterized by SEM, XRD, XPS, UV-vis and BET surface area analysis. The catalysts showed high activity for the photocatalytic degradation of both anionic and cationic dyes. The degradation of the dyes was described using Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics and the associated rate parameters were determined.

Reactive Interdiffusion: A Method for Making Composition Graded Metal-ceramic Composites

Presented is a new method for making composition graded metal-ceramic composites using reactive inter-diffusion between a metal and a complex ceramic. Composition variation in both metal and ceramic phases with distance along the direction of diffusion is achieved. The design criteria for developing such composites are discussed. The system should exhibit extensive solid solubility in both metallic and ceramic phases, a defined gradation in the stabilities of the oxides, and mobility of electrons or holes in the oxide solid solution. The complex ceramic used for making the composite should be polycrystalline with sufficient porosity to accommodate the volume expansion caused by alloy precipitation. An inert atmosphere to prevent oxidation and high processing temperature to facilitate diffusive transport are required. The process is illustrated using the reaction couples Fe-NiTiO3, Fe-(Mg,Co)TiO3 and Fe-(Ni,Co)TiO3.

Layer-by-Layer Self-Assembled Metal-Ion- (Ag-, Co-, Ni-, and Pd-) Doped TiO2 Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterisation, and Visible Light Degradation of Rhodamine B

Metal-ion- (Ag, Co, Ni and Pd) doped titania nanocatalysts were successfully deposited on glass slides by layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly technique using a poly(styrene sulfonate sodium salt) (PSS) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) polyelectrolyte system. Solid diffuse reflectance (SDR) studies showed a linear increase in absorbance at 416 nm with increase in the number of m-TiO2 thin films. The LbL assembled thin films were tested for their photocatalytic activity through the degradation of Rhodamine B under visible-light illumination. From the scanning electron microscope (SEM), the thin films had a porous morphology and the atomic force microscope (AFM) studies showed ``rough'' surfaces. The porous and rough surface morphology resulted in high surface areas hence the high photocatalytic degradation (up to 97% over a 6.5 h irradiation period) using visible-light observed. Increasing the number of multilayers deposited on the glass slides resulted in increased film thickness and an increased rate of photodegradation due to increase in the availability of more nanocatalysts (more sites for photodegradation). The LbL assembled thin films had strong adhesion properties which made them highly stable thus displaying the same efficiencies after five (5) reusability cycles.

Efficient generation and guiding of megaampere relativistic electron current by silicon nanowires

We demonstrate 30 times enhanced flux of relativistic electrons by a silicon nanowire coated target excited by 30 fs, 800 nm laser pulses at an intensity of 3 x 10(18) W cm(-2). A measurement of the megaampere electron current via induced megagauss magnetic field supports the enhancement feature observed in the electron energy spectrum. The relativistic electrons generated at the front of nanowire coated surface are shown to travel efficiently over 500 mu m in the insulating substrate. The enhanced hot electron temperature is explained using a simple model and is supported by recent simulations. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4729010]

Influence of Bottom Bubbling Rate on Formation of Metal Emulsion in Al-Cu Alloy and Molten Salt System

In steel refining process, an increase of interfacial area between the metal and slag through the metal droplets emulsified into the slag, so-called ``metal emulsion'', is one prevailing view for improving the reaction rate. The formation of metal emulsion was experimentally evaluated using Al-Cu alloy as metal phase and chloride salt as slag phase under the bottom bubbling condition. Samples were collected from the center of the salt phase in the container. Large number of metal droplets were separated from the salt by dissolving it into water. The number, surface area, and weight of the droplets increased with the gas flow rate and have local maximum values. The formation and sedimentation rates of metal droplets were estimated using a mathematical model. The formation rate increased with the gas flow rate and has a local maximum value as a function of gas flow rate, while the sedimentation rate is independent of the gas flow rate under the bottom bubbling condition. Three types of formation mode of metal emulsion, which occurred by the rupture of metal film around the bubble, were observed using high speed camera. During the process, an elongated column covered with metal film was observed with the increasing gas flow rate. This elongated column sometimes reached to the top surface of the salt phase. In this case, it is considered that fine droplets were not formed and in consequence, the weight of metal emulsion decreased at higher gas flow rate.

Electromechanical dynamics and optimization of pectoral fin-based ionic polymer-metal composite underwater propulsor

Ionic polymer-metal composites are soft artificial muscle-like bending actuators, which can work efficiently in wet environments such as water. Therefore, there is significant motivation for research on the development and design analysis of ionic polymer-metal composite based biomimetic underwater propulsion systems. Among aquatic animals, fishes are efficient swimmers with advantages such as high maneuverability, high cruising speed, noiseless propulsion, and efficient stabilization. Fish swimming mechanisms provide biomimetic inspiration for underwater propulsor design. Fish locomotion can be broadly classified into body and/or caudal fin propulsion and median and/or paired pectoral fin propulsion. In this article, the paired pectoral fin-based oscillatory propulsion using ionic polymer-metal composite for aquatic propulsor applications is studied. Beam theory and the concept of hydrodynamic function are used to describe the interaction between the beam and water. Furthermore, a quasi-steady blade element model that accounts for unsteady phenomena such as added mass effects, dynamic stall, and the cumulative Wagner effect is used to obtain hydrodynamic performance of the ionic polymer-metal composite propulsor. Dynamic characteristics of ionic polymer-metal composite fin are analyzed using numerical simulations. It is shown that the use of optimization methods can lead to significant improvement in performance of the ionic polymer-metal composite fin.

Effect of ``dipolar-biasing'' on the tunability of tunneling magnetoresistance in transition metal oxide systems

We observe an unusual tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) phenomenon in a composite of La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 with CoFe2O4 where the TMR versus applied magnetic field loop suggests a ``negative coercive field.'' Tracing its origin back to a ``dipolar-biasing'' of La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 by CoFe2O4, we show that the TMR of even a single composite can be tuned continuously so that the resistance peak or the highest sensitivity of the TMR can be positioned anywhere on the magnetic field axis with a suitable magnetic history of the sample. This phenomenon of an unprecedented tunability of the TMR should be present in general in all such composites. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics.http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4731206]

Mechanical properties of ZnS nanowires and thin films: Microscopic origin of the dependence on size and growth direction

Mechanical properties of ZnS nanowires and thin films are studied as a function of size and growth direction using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. Using the stress-strain relationship we extract Young's moduli of nanowires and thin films at room temperature. Our results show that Young's modulus of 0001] nanowires has strong size dependence. On the other hand, 01 (1) over bar0] nanowires do not exhibit a strong size dependence of Young's modulus in the size range we have investigated. We provide a microscopic understanding of this behavior on the basis of bond stretching and contraction due to the rearrangement of atoms in the surface layers. The ultimate tensile strengths of the nanowires do not show much size dependence. To investigate the mechanical behavior of ZnS in two dimensions, we calculate Young's modulus of thin films under tensile strain along the 0001] direction. Young's modulus of thin films converges to the bulk value more rapidly than that of the 0001] nanowire.

Strain induced phase transition in CdSe nanowires: Effect of size and temperature

Using all-atom molecular dynamics simulation, we have studied the effect of size and temperature on the strain induced phase transition of wurtzite CdSe nanowires. The wurtzite structure transforms into a five-fold coordinated structure under uniaxial strain along the c axis. Our results show that lower temperature and smaller size of the nanowires stabilize the five-fold coordinated phase which is not a stable structure in bulk CdSe. High reversibility of this transformation with a very small heat loss will make these nanowires suitable for building efficient nanodevices. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4734990]

Modeling of Ascending/Descending Velocity of Metal Droplet Emulsified in Pb-Salt System

Metal-slag emulsion is an important process to enhance the reaction rate between the two phases; thus, it improves the heat and mass transfer of the process significantly. Various experimental studies have been carried out, and some system specific relations have been proposed by various investigators. A unified, theoretical study is lacking to model this complex phenomenon. Therefore, two simple models based on fundamental laws for metal droplet velocity (both ascending and descending) and bubble velocity, as well as its position at any instant of time, have been proposed. Analytical solutions have been obtained for the developed equations. Analytical solutions have been verified for the droplet velocity, traveling time, and size distribution in slag phase by performing high-temperature experiments in a Pb-salt system and comparing the obtained data with theory. The proposed model has also been verified with published experimental data for various liquid systems with a wide range of physical properties. A good agreement has been found between the analytical solution and the experimental and published data in all cases.

Self-Assembly and Catalytic Activity of Metal Nanoparticles Immobilized in Polymer Membrane Prepared via Layer-by-Layer Approach

Densely packed nanoparticles distributed in a stable and robust thin film is a highly preferred system for utilizing the various applications of nanoparticles. Here, we report covalent bond mediated layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembled thin films of nanoparticles embedded in polymer membrane. Polymer with complementary functional group is utilized for fabrication of thin film via covalent bonding. UV-visible spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to monitor the growth of LbL thin film. Subsequently, the composite thin film is used for catalysis of an organic electron transfer reaction of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol by sodium borohydride. The catalytic activity of these composite films is assayed multiple times, proving its applicability as a catalyst. The kinetic data obtained by monitoring reduction of p-nitrophenol suggest that the reaction rates are directly related to the sizes of the nanoparticle and porosity of the membrane.

Vapor-liquid-solid growth of Si nanowires: A kinetic analysis

A steady state kinetic model has been developed for the vapor-liquid-solid growth of Si whiskers or nanowires from liquid catalyst droplets. The steady state is defined as one in which the net injection rate of Si into the droplet is equal to the ejection rate due to wire growth. Expressions that represent specific mechanisms of injection and ejection of Si atoms from the liquid catalyst droplet have been used and their relative importance has been discussed. The analysis shows that evaporation and reverse reaction rates need to be invoked, apart from just surface cracking of the precursor, in order to make the growth rate radius dependent. When these pathways can be neglected, the growth rate become radius independent and can be used to determine the activation energies for the rate limiting step of heterogeneous precursor decomposition. The ejection rates depend on the mechanism of wire growth at the liquid-solid interface or the liquid-solid-vapor triple phase boundary. It is shown that when wire growth is by nucleation and motion of ledges, a radius dependence of growth rate does not just come from the Gibbs-Thompson effect on supersaturation in the liquid, but also from the dependence of the actual area or length available for nucleation. Growth rates have been calculated using the framework of equations developed and compared with experimental results. The agreement in trends is found to be excellent. The same framework of equations has also been used to account for the diverse pressure and temperature dependence of growth rates reported in the literature. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.

Threshold voltage modeling under size quantization for ultra-thin silicon double-gate metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor

We report on the threshold voltage modeling of ultra-thin (1 nm-5 nm) silicon body double-gate (DG) MOSFETs using self-consistent Poisson-Schrodinger solver (SCHRED). We define the threshold voltage (V th) of symmetric DG MOSFETs as the gate voltage at which the center potential (Φ c) saturates to Φ c (s a t), and analyze the effects of oxide thickness (t ox) and substrate doping (N A) variations on V th. The validity of this definition is demonstrated by comparing the results with the charge transition (from weak to strong inversion) based model using SCHRED simulations. In addition, it is also shown that the proposed V t h definition, electrically corresponds to a condition where the inversion layer capacitance (C i n v) is equal to the oxide capacitance (C o x) across a wide-range of substrate doping densities. A capacitance based analytical model based on the criteria C i n v C o x is proposed to compute Φ c (s a t), while accounting for band-gap widening. This is validated through comparisons with the Poisson-Schrodinger solution. Further, we show that at the threshold voltage condition, the electron distribution (n(x)) along the depth (x) of the silicon film makes a transition from a strong single peak at the center of the silicon film to the onset of a symmetric double-peak away from the center of the silicon film. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.