Studies on structural and electrical properties of sprayed SnO2 : Sb films

Thin films of antimony-doped tin oxide (SnO2:Sb) were prepared by spray pyrolysis using stannous chloride (SnCl2) and antimony trichloride (SbCl3) as precursors. The antimony doping was varied from 0 to 4 wt%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the surface morphology to be very smooth, yet grainy in nature. X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows films to have preferred orientation, which varies with the extent of antimony doping: undoped films prefer the (2 1 1) orientation, while the (3 0 1) orientation is preferred for doping levels of 0.5 and 1.0 wt%. For higher doping levels, the (2 0 0) orientation is preferred. This difference in preferred orientations is reflected in the SEM of the films. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) reveals that film roughness is not affected by antimony doping. The minimum sheet resistance (2.17 ohm/square) achieved in the present study is lower than values reported to date in SnO2:Sb films prepared from SnCl2 precursor. The Hall mobility of undoped SnO2 films was found to be 109.52 cm(2)/V s, which reduces to 2.55 cm(2)/ Vs for the films doped with 4 wt% of Sb. On the other hand, the carrier concentration, which is 1.23 x 10(19) cm(-3) in undoped films, increases to 2.89 x 10(21) cm(-3) for the films doped with 4 wt% of Sb. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The syntheses, characterizations, X-ray crystal structures and properties of Cu(I) complexes of a bis-bidentate schiff base ligand

Bis-bidentate Schiff base ligand L and its two mononuclear complexes [CuL(CH3CN)(2)]ClO4 (1)and [CuL(PPh3)(2)]ClO4 (2)have been prepared and thoroughly characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV-Vis, NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. In both the complexes the metal ion auxiliaries adopt tetrahedral coordination environment. Their reactivity, electrochemical and photophysical behavior have been studied. Complex 1 shows reversible Cu-II/I couple with potential 0.74 V versus Ag/AgCl in CH2Cl2. At room temperature L is weakly fluorescent in CH2Cl2, however in Cu(I)complexes 1 and 2 the emission in quenched. (C) 2009 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

Structure and optical properties of Cd-substituted ZnO (Zn1-xCdxO) nanostructures synthesized by the high-pressure solution route

We report the synthesis of Cd-substituted ZnO nanostructures (Zn1-xCdxO with x up to approximate to 0.09) by the high-pressure solution growth method. The synthesized nanostructures comprise nanocrystals that are both particles (similar to 10-15 nm) and rods which grow along the [002] direction as established by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Rietveld analysis of the XRD data shows a monotonic increase of the unit cell volume with the increase of Cd concentration. The optical absorption, as well as the photoluminescence (PL), shows a red shift on Cd substitution. The line width of the PL spectrum is related to the strain inhomogeneity and it peaks in the region where the CdO phase separates from the Zn1-xCdxO nanostructures. The time-resolved photoemission showed a long-lived (similar to 10 ns) component. We propose that the PL behaviour of the Zn1-xCdxO is dominated by strain in the sample with the red shift of the PL linked to the expansion of the unit cell volume on Cd substitution.

Low density polyethylene and grafted lignin polyblends using epoxy-functionalized compatibilizer: mechanical and thermal properties

Lignin was graft copolymerized with methyl methacrylate using manganic pyrophosphate as initiator. This modified lignin was then blended (up to 50 wt%) with low density polyethylene (LDPE) using a small quantity of poly[ethylene-co-(glycidyl methacrylate)] (PEGMA) compatibilizer. The mechanical properties of the blend were substantially improved by using modified lignin in contrast to untreated lignin. Differential scanning calorimetry studies showed loss of crystallinity of the LDPE phase owing to the interaction between the blend components. Thermogravimetric analysis showed higher thermal stability of modified lignin in the domain of blend processing. This suggested that there is scope for useful utilization of lignin, which could also lead to the development of eco-friendly products. (c) 2005 Society of Chemical Industry.

Correlation of thermodynamic properties of chloromethanes

A correlation for entropy and enthalpy based on the two-parameter law of corresponding states and the reference substance concept has been obtained. For 199 points tested, the over-all average absolute deviation and the maximum deviations in the calculated values of entropy with the available data are 0.74 and 7.20%. The corresponding deviations of enthalpy are 1.86 and 15.0%, respectively. A compressibility chart for chloromethanes has been made and shown to be superior to existing charts. For 102 points tested, the average absolute and maximum deviations in the compressibilities were 1.80 and 19.5%, respectively.

Dielectric, pyroelectric and ferroelectric properties of Bi4Ti2.98Nb0.01Ta0.01O12 ceramics

The electrical conductivity and electrical relaxation for ferroelectric Bi4Ti2.98Nb0.01Ta0.01O12 (BTNT) ceramics have been reported in the frequency range 0.1 Hz to 1 MHz and in the 300-550 degrees C temperature range. The electrical data was analyzed in the framework of the dielectric as well as the electric modulus formalisms. The bulk dc conductivity at various temperatures was extracted from the electrical relaxation data. The activation energy associated with the electrical relaxation determined from the electric modulus spectra was found to be 0.93 +/- 0.03 eV, close to that of the activation energy for dc conductivity (1.03 +/- 0.02 eV). It suggests that the movements of oxygen ions are responsible for both ionic conduction as well as the relaxation process. The pyroelectric coefficient was found to be 12 mu C m(-2) K-1 at room temperature which is higher than that of the reported value of pyroelectric coefficient for undoped Bi4Ti3O12 ceramics. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mineralogical changes and geotechnical properties of an expansive soil interacted with caustic solution

The type and amount of clay mineral plays an important role in the behaviour of fine-grained soils. Clay minerals are the primary source and moisture is often the external agent of swelling in soils. Also soils may exhibit increased/reduced swelling due to interaction with chemicals. Alkalis used in industrial operations are one such example. Concentrations of alkali and mineral type are the key factors in such interactions. The present paper reports the changes in the properties of an expansive Black Cotton soil containing a mixed layer mineral, rectorite upon interaction with high concentration caustic solutions. X-ray diffraction studies have shown that the rectorite present in the soil undergoes changes with increase in the concentration of alkali. Saponite gets transformed to nantronite. Small amount of kaolinitic mineral present in the soil also reacts with alkali producing some changes in its mineralogy. Many hydroxides are produced. Differential thermal analysis studies have been supportive of these changes. Consequent of these changes, the soil-specific surface increases, changes its Atterberg limits and free swell volume increases. The results have been supported by the characteristics and behaviour of samples contaminated in the field with alkali from an alumina extraction plant.

Optical, Field-Emission, and Antimicrobial Properties of ZnO Nanostructured Films Deposited at Room Temperature by Activated Reactive Evaporation

ZnO nanostructures were deposited on flexible polymer sheet and cotton fabrics at room temperature by activated reactive evaporation. Room-temperature photoluminescence spectrum of ZnO nanostructured film exhibited a week intrinsic UV emission and a strong broad yellow-orange visible emission. TEM and HRTEM studies show that the grown nanostructures are crystalline in nature and their growth direction was indentified to be along [002]. ZnO nanostructures grown on the copper-coated flexible polymer sheets exhibited stable field-emissio characteristics with a threshold voltage of 2.74 V/mu m (250 mu A) and a very large field enhancement factor (beta) of 23,213. Cotton fabric coated with ZnO nanostructures show an excellent antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (Gram positive), and similar to 73% reduction in the bacterial population is achieved compared to uncoated fabrics after 4 h in viability. Using a shadow mask technique, we also selectively deposited the nanostructures at room temperature on polymer substrates.

Indoleacetaldoxime hydro-lyase : II. Purification and properties

The purification and some properties of the enzyme indoleacetaldoxime hydrolyase (EC 4.2.1.29) from the fungus Gibberella fujikuroi, which dehydrates indoleacetaldoxime (IAOX) to indoleacetonitrile (IAN), are described. The enzyme activity in the fungus is present only under certain culture conditions. It is a soluble enzyme, has an optimum pH at 7, shows an energy of activation of —15,670 cal/mole, and has a Michaelis constant of 1.7 × 10−4 Image at 30 °. It appears to be specific for IAOX, and 1 mole of IAN is produced per mole of IAOX utilized. The enzyme is inhibited by a number of aldoximes of which phenylacetaldoxime (PAOX) is the most potent inhibitor. Inhibition by PAOX is competitive (Ki = 2.2 × 10−8 Image ). The enzyme is inhibited by SH reagents such as p-hydroxymercuribenzoate and N-ethylmaleimide, and by a number of SH compounds such as cysteine, β-mercaptoethanol, and 2,3-dimercaptopropanol (BAL). However, glutathione activates the enzyme. Metal chelating agents such as 8-OH-quinoline and diethyl dithiocarbamate inhibit the enzyme; the inhibition is partly reversed by ferric citrate. Ascorbic acid, and particularly dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), are good activators of the enzyme. Several other biological oxidants had either no action or had a slight effect. Potassium cyanide activates the enzyme at low concentration but inhibits at higher concentrations. Reduction of the enzyme with NaBH4 reduces activity, and the effect is partly reversed by pyridoxal phosphate and also by DHA. The above properties indicate that both an SH function and an oxidized function are required for activity.

Purification and properties of uridine hydrolase from mung-bean (Phaseolus radiatus) seedlings

The occurrence in plants of an enzyme system catalyzing the cleavage of uridine has been demonstrated. The enzyme from Phaseolus radiatus was purified about 132-fold with 24% recovery by a combination of procedures involving mild acid treatment, ammonium sulphate fractionation, negative adsorption on calcium phosphate gel and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The enzyme cleaves uridine to uracil and ribose in the absence of phosphate indicating that the mechanism of cleavage was hydrolytic rather than phosphorolytic. The enzyme is specific to uridine and does not act on other purine and pyrimidine compounds. The enzyme shows maximum activity at pH 7.4 and has a temperature optimum of 45 °. It does not require metal ions for activity. Inhibition of the enzyme by p-chloromercuribenzoate as well as N-ethylmaleimide and the reversal of p-chloromercuribenzoate inhibition by sulfhydryl agents indicate the probable involvement of readily oxidizable sulfhydryl groups in enzyme activity.

A novel sheet 4f-3d mixed-metal pyridine dicarboxylate: synthesis, structure, photophysical properties and its transformation to a perovskite oxide

The synthesis, characterization and photophysical properties of a 4f-3d mixed metal compound, Gd(H2O)(3)Co[C5N1H3-(COO)(2)](3), are described; the structure is unique, consisting of sheets with large pores ( ca. 7 angstrom diameter) in the sheets and transforms to a perovskite oxide at moderate temperatures.

Studies on the metabolism of o-aminophenol purification and properties of isophenoxazine synthase from Bauhenia monandra

An enzyme which catalyzes the oxidative conversion of o-aminophenol to 2-amino-3-H-isophenoxazin-3-one has been purified 396-fold by using standard fractionation procedures. The enzyme is specific for o-aminophenol and has pH and temperature optima at 6.2 and 40 °, respectively. It is insensitive to metal chelating agents but is inhibited by several reducing substances. There is no cofactor or metal ion requirement for the reaction. A competitive type of inhibition was observed with structural analogs such as anthranilic acid and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid. There are no free sulfhydryl groups in the enzyme, but preincubation of the enzyme with substrate or substrate analogs resulted in the liberation of titratable free sulfhydryl groups. The mechanism of biosynthesis of isophenoxazine ring is discussed.

Isolation and properties of catechol-cleaving yeasts from coir rets

A suitable method for the selective isolation of catechol-cleaving yeasts from coir rets has been worked out. The yeast strains, all belonging toDebaryomyces hansenii, were found to demand biotin as an essential vitamin. The organism has the ability to grow on catechol, phenol and some related compounds as sole source of carbon. It tolerates 0.4% catechol and 0.26% phenol. Evidence was obtained that the catechol-cleaving enzyme of the isolates is a pyrocatechase. Some properties of the cell-free catechol oxygenase are described.

Spectroscopic studies of the donor properties of triphenyl-amine, -phosphine, -arsine and -stibine interaction with iodine and phenol

The interaction of iodine with triphenylamine ,tripheny lphosphine, triphenylarsine and triphenystibine has been investigated by electronic spectroscopy. Transformation of the outer charge-transfer complexes to the inner complexes (quarternary salts) has been examined. The relations of the ionization potentials of the donors with the hvc.t have been discussed and various c.t. parameters have been estimated. Hydrogen bonding of these donors with phenol have been reported.