Investigation on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a cast Mg–6Zn–5Al–4RE alloy

Mg-6Zn-5Al-4RE (RE = Mischmetal, mass%) alloy was prepared by metal mould casting method. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the as-cast and heat-treated alloys were investigated

Effects of cerium on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–20Zn–8Al alloy

Mg-20Zn-8Al-xCe(x=0-2 wt.%) alloys were prepared by metal mould casting method, the effects of Ce on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloys were investigated. The results showed that the dendrite as well as gram size were refined by the addition of Ce, and the best refinement was obtained in 1.39% Ce containing alloy.

Gold Nanoparticle-based Colorimetric Sensor for pH Sensing

We present a newly designed colormetric sensor sensitive to pH value based on a gold nanocomposite composed of gold nanoparticles and pH-sensitive polymer{dodecylthioether end functionalized poly[2-(diethlamino) ethyl methacrylate], poly(DEAEMA)-DDT}. We have shown that this design can produce stable GNP precipitate under weakly basic condition(pH=7.5) and this precipitate can be dispersed in acidic solution(pH=4.0), due to the 2-(diethylamino) ethyl methacrylate protonated by H+.

One-step preparation of hybrid materials of polyacrylamide networks and gold nanoparticles

Hybrid materials of polyacrylamide networks and gold nanoparticles were prepared by directly heating an aqueous solution containing HAuCl4, acrylamide, N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide, and sodium sulfite (Na2SO3). Acrylamide, N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide, and Na2SO3 were used as monomers, crosslinking agent, and initiator, respectively.

The fragmentation of gold nanoparticles induced by small biomolecules

Spherical gold nanoparticles (3-5 nm) undergo a surprising fragmentation without extra energy imput and are converted into ultrasmall particles (less than 1.5 nm), which is a direct result of electron transfer between gold nanoparticles and cysteine.

Enhanced resonance light scattering based on biocatalytic growth of gold nanoparticles for biosensors design

The biocatalytic growth of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) has been employed in the design of new optical biosensors based on the enhanced resonance light scattering (RLS) signals. Both absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed Au-NP seeds could be effectively enlarged upon the reaction with H2O2, an important metabolite that could be generated by many biocatalytic reactions.

A sensitive NADH and glucose biosensor tuned by visible light based on thionine bridged carbon nanotubes and gold nanoparticles multilayer

A NADH and glucose biosensor based on thionine cross-linked multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) multilayer functionalized indium-doped tin oxide (ITO) electrode were presented in this paper. The effect of light irradiation on the enhancement of bioelectrocatalytic processes of the biocatalytic systems by the photovoltaic effect was investigated.

Facile electrochemical approach to fabricate hierarchical flowerlike gold micro structures: Electrodeposited superhydrophobic surface

A templateless, surfactantless, electrochemical approach is proposed to directly fabricate hierarchical flowerlike gold microstructures (HFGMs) on an indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate. The as-prepared HFGMs have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and cyclic voltammetry.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering from surfactant-free 3D gold nanowire networks substrates

A useful method for the fabrication of three-dimensional gold nanowire networks based on the chemical reduction of HAuCl4 with trisodium citrate was presented. The coverage of the 3D gold nanowire networks was tunable by altering precursor concentration. The as-prepared 3D gold nanowire networks could be used as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates and examined by 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) as a probe molecules.

Detection of neurotransmitters by a light scattering technique based on seed-mediated growth of gold nanoparticles

A simple light scattering detection method for neurotransmitters has been developed, based on the growth of gold nanoparticles. Neurotransmitters (dopamine, L-dopa, noradrenaline and adrenaline) can effectively function as active reducing agents for generating gold nanoparticles, which result in enhanced light scattering signals. The strong light scattering of gold nanoparticles then allows the quantitative detection of the neurotransmitters simply by using a common spectrofluorometer.

Ultrathin platinum-group metal coated hierarchical flowerlike gold microstructure: Electrochemical design and characterization

The deliberate tailoring of hierarchical flowerlike gold microstructure (HFGMs) at the ultrathin level is an ongoing challenge and could introduce opportunities for new fabrication and application in many fields. In this paper. a templateless, surfactantless, electrochemical strategy for fabrication of ultrathin platinum-group metal coated HFGMs is proposed. HFGMs were prepared by simple electrodeposition on an indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate.

Macroporous Pt modified glassy carbon electrode: preparation and electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation

Three-dimensional (3D) macroporous Pt (MPPt) with highly open porous walls has been successfully synthesized using the hydrogen bubble dynamic template synthesis and galvanic replacement reaction. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemical methods were adopted to characterize their structures and properties.

Platinum-coated gold nanoporous film surface: Electrodeposition and enhanced electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation

This report describes the preparation of Pt-nanoparticle-coated gold-nanoporous film (PGNF) on a gold substrate via a simple "green" approach. The gold electrode that has been anodized under a high potential of 5 V is reduced by freshly prepared ascorbic acid (AA) solution to obtain gold nanoporous film electrode. Then the Pt nanoparticle is grown on the electrode by cyclic voltammetry (CV).

Glass formation ability and mechanical properties of Ti40Cu40Zr10Ni10 alloy

Melt-spun ribbon and bulk samples in cylindrical rod form with diameter ranging from 2 mm to 4 mm of Ti40Cu40Zr10Ni10 alloy were prepared by melt-spinning technique and copper mould casting method, respectively. The microstructure, thermal stability and mechanical properties of the bulk samples were investigated. A completely glassy single phase is formed in the 2 mm rod sample. Increasing the diameter of the rod samples resulted in the formation of CuTi crystalline phase in the 3 mm and 4 mm rod samples.