Fabrication and Phase Transformation in Crystalline Nanoparticles of PbZrO3 Derived By Sol-Gel

In this research fabrication of crystalline PbZrO3 (PZ) nanoparticles and their phase transformation behavior is investigated. A novel sol-gel method was used for the synthesis of air-stable and precipitate-free diol-based sol of PZ, which was dried at 150 degrees C and then calcined at 300-700 degrees C for 1 h. The morphology, crystallinity and phase formation of as synthesized nanoparticles were studied by the selected-area electron diffraction (SAED), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DSC), and high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). The XRD, SAED, and TGA-DSC analyses confirmed the tetragonal lead rich zirconia phase (t-Z phase) and monoclinic zirconia phase (m-Z phase) as the intermediate phases during the calcinations process followed by crystallization of single orthorhombic PZ phase at about 700 degrees C. The average PZ particle size was observed about 20 nm as confirmed by TEM study. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis demonstrated that stoichiometric PbZrO3 was formed.

Dielectric anomaly in Li-doped zinc oxide thin films grown by sol-gel route

Sol-gel route was employed to grow polycrystalline thin films of Li-doped ZnO thin films (Zn1-xLixO, x=0.15). Polycrystalline films were obtained at a growth temperature of 400-500 degrees C. Ferroelectricity in Zn0.85Li0.15O was verified by examining the temperature variation of the real and imaginary parts of dielectric constant, and from the C-V measurements. The phase transition temperature was found to be 330 K. The room-temperature dielectric constant and dissipation factor were 15.5 and 0.09 respectively, at a frequency of 100 kHz. The films exhibited well-defined hysteresis loop, and the values of spontaneous polarization (P-s) and coercive field were 0.15 mu C/cm(2) and 20 kV/cm, respectively, confirming the presence of ferroelectricity.

Influence of surfactant and annealing temperature on optical properties of sol-gel derived nano-crystalline TiO2 thin films

Titanium dioxide thin films have been synthesized by sol-gel spin coating technique on glass and silicon substrates with and without surfactant polyethylene glycol (PEG). XRD and SEM results confirm the presence of nano-crystalline (anatase) phase at an annealing temperature of 300 degrees C. The influence of surfactant and annealing temperature on optical properties of TiO2 thin films has been studied. Optical constants and film thickness were estimated by Swanepoel's (envelope) method and by ellipsometric measurements in the visible spectral range. The optical transmittance and reflectance were found to decrease with an increase in PEG percentage. Refractive index of the films decreased and film thickness increased with the increase in percentage of surfactant. The refractive index of the un-doped TiO2 films was estimated at different annealing temperatures and it has increased with the increasing annealing temperature. The optical band gap of pure TiO2 films was estimated by Tauc's method at different annealing temperature. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Slim P‐E hysteresis loop and anomalous dielectric response in sol-gel derived antiferroelectric PbZrO3 thin films

Sol-gel derived PbZrO3 (PZ) thin films have been deposited on Pt(111)/Ti/SiO2/Si substrate and according to the pseudotetragonal symmetry of PZ, the relatively preferred (110)t oriented phase formation has been noticed. The room temperature P‐E hysteresis loops have been observed to be slim by nature. The slim hysteresis loops are attributed to the [110]t directional antiparallel lattice motion of Pb ions and by the directionality of the applied electric field. Pure PZ formation has been characterized by the dielectric phase transition at 235 °C and antiferroelectric P‐E hysteresis loops at room temperature. Dielectric response has been characterized within a frequency domain of 100 Hz–1 MHz at various temperatures ranging from 40 to 350 °C. Though frequency dispersion of dielectric behaves like a Maxwell–Wagner type of relaxation, ω2 dependency of ac conductivity indicates that there must be G‐C equivalent circuit dominance at high frequency. The presence of trap charges in PZ has been determined by Arrhenius plots of ac conductivity. The temperature dependent n (calculated from the universal power law of ac conductivity) values indicate an anomalous behavior of the trapped charges. This anomaly has been explained by strongly and weakly correlated potential wells of trapped charges and their behavior on thermal activation. The dominance of circuit∕circuits resembling Maxwell–Wagner type has been investigated by logarithmic Nyquist plots at various temperatures and it has been justified that the dielectric dispersion is not from the actual Maxwell–Wagner-type response.

La norme du corps hybride : Une éthique de la reconstruction et de l'amélioration du corps humain en chirurgie

Aujourd'hui, techniques et technologies interagissent avec le corps humain et donnent aux personnes la possibilité de reconstruire leur corps, mais aussi de l'améliorer et de l'augmenter. L'hybridation est un processus technologique visant à compenser les défaillances humaines. L'augmentation de la puissance d'être est exaltée (santé, sexualité, performance, jeunesse), pourtant son accès n'est pas pour tous. Ce livre propose de démêler les différentes représentations du corps hybride et les projets qui les sous-tendent.

Le Grand Tour Du reste de l’Europe jusqu’à la Laponie – et retour

Rencontre entre le Sud et le Nord Depuis des siècles, les pays méditerranéens ont entretenu des relations actives avec le Nord de l’Europe. Les regions du Nord ont été conquises et converties, manipulées et colonisées, mais aussi intégrées dans les réseaux commerciaux, scientifi ques, culturels et touristiques. Les voyageurs du Sud de l’Europe ont peu à peu découvert les regions plurielles du Nord de la Finlande, de la Suède, de la Norvège et de la presqu’île de Kola. L’attraction focntionnait aussi dans l’autre sens. Pour les gens du Nord, scientifi ques ou artistes, le Sud de l’Europe constituait une destination aussi exotique aue la Laponie pour ceux du Sud. Dans ce recueil, nous proposons dix points de vue sur ces échanges et réseaux entre la Sud et le Nord. Le premier chapitre présente Tornio, connue très tôt comme la porte de la Laponie, les premières relations scientifi ques entre le Nord et le Sud, ainsi que les exhibitions de Samis dans les métropoles européennes. Le deuxième chapitre propose une analyse des experiences et des impressions de voyageurs italiens, espagnols et français. Le dernier chapitre est consacré aux voyages d’artistes et écrivains fi nlandais en France, principalement à Paris. Ces rencontres entre le Sud et le Nord qui participèrent à la remise en cause, la relativisation et la construction des identities nationals et ethniques, permirent aussi de créer une conscience européenne commune.

Template-Assisted Sol-Gel Synthesis of Nanocrystalline BaTiO3

Nanocrystalline perovskite barium titanate with an average particle size less than similar to 10 nm is produced using sol-gel route involving ligand-assisted templating. BaTiO3 is obtained by the controlled hydrolysis and condensation reaction of barium acetate (Ba(CH3COO)(2)) with titanium tetra chloride (TiCl4) in the reverse micelles of dodecylamine (DDA) which is used as the template. Our attempts to produce mesoporous BaTiO3 have resulted in the formation of nanocrystalline BaTiO3. The synthesis of nanostructured BaTiO3 is carried out using the ligand-assisted templating approach which proceeds through the sol-gel route. Dodecylamine is used as the template. The sol-gel process in general presents inherent advantages because the nanostructure of the desired materials can be controlled together with their porous structure. Ligand-assisted templating approach involves the formation of covalent bond between the inorganic analogue and the template. Ba(CH3COO)(2) and TiCl4 are used as barium-source and titanium-source respectively. The reaction between Ba(CH3COO)(2) and TiCl4 is found to take place deliberately on the pre-assembled species which acts as the template or occurring with in them which in turn will lead to the generation of the desired nanoscale structure (nanopores or nanoparticles).

Sol-Gel Synthesis, characterization and optical properties of Tio2 thin films deposited on ITO/Glass substrates

TiO2 thin films have been deposited on glass and indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates by sol-gel technique. the influence of annealing temperature on the structural , morphological and optical properties has been examined. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results reveal the amorphous nature of the as-deposited film whereas the annealed films are found to be in the crystalline anatase phase. The surface morphology of the films at different annealing temperatures has been examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The in situ surface morphology of the as-deposited and annealed TiO2 films has also been examined by optical polaromicrograph (OPM). TiO2 films infatuated different structural and surface features with variation of annealing temperature. The optical studies on these films suggest their possible usage in sun-shielding applications.

Prospects for wind energy utilisation in Karnataka State

An examination of the data available at 22 meteorological stations in Karnataka State shows that wind velocities in the State as a whole are neither spectacularly high nor negligibly low. The highest winds (annual mean of around 13 km/hr) are experienced in parts of the northern maidan region of the State (Gulbarga, Raichur and Bidar districts) and in Bangalore. The winds are strongly seasonal: typically, the five monsoon months May-September account for about 80% of the annual wind energy flux. Although the data available are inadequate to make precise estimates, they indicate that the total wind energy potential of the State is about an order of magnitude higher than the current electrical energy consumption. The possible exploitation of wind energy for applications in rural areas therefore requires serious consideration, but it is argued that to be successful it is essential to formulate an integrated and carefully planned programme. The output of current windpumps needs to be increased; a doubling should be feasible by the design of suitable load-matching devices. The first cost has to be reduced by careful design, by the use of local materials and skills and by employing a labour-intensive technology. A consideration of the agricultural factors in the northern maidan region of the State shows that there is likely to be a strong need for mechanical assistance in supplemental and life-saving irrigation for the dry crops characteristic of the area. A technological target for a windmill that could find applications in this area would be one with a rotor diameter of about 10 m that can lift about 10,000 litres of water per hour in winds of 10 km/hr (2.8 m/s) hourly average speed and costs less than about Rs 10,000. Although no such windmills exist as of today, the authors believe that achievement of this target is feasible. An examination of various possible scenarios for the use of windmills in this area suggests that with a windpump costing about Rs 12,000, a three hectare farm growing two dry crops a year can expect an annual return of about 150% from an initial investment of about Rs 15,000. It is concluded that it should be highly worthwhile to undertake a coordinated programme for wind energy development that will include more detailed wind surveys in the northern maidan area (as well as some others, such as the Western Ghats), the development of suitable windmill designs and a study of their applications to agriculture as well as to other fields.

Effect of La modification on antiferroelectricity and dielectric phase transition in sol-gel grown PbZrO3 thin films

Antiferroelectricity of sol-gel grown pure and La modified PbZrO3 thin films, with a maximum extent of 6 mol%, has been characterized by temperature dependent P-E hysteresis loops within the applied electric field of 60 MV/m. It has been seen that on extent of La modification electric field induced phase transformation can be altered and at 40 degrees C its maximum value has been observed at +/- 38 MV/m on 6 mol% modifications whereas the minimum value is +/- 22 MV/m on 1 mol%. On La modification the variation of electric field induced phase transformations at 40 degrees C has been correlated with the temperature of ntiferroelectric phase condensation on cooling. The critical electric fields for saturated P-E hysteresis loops have been defined from field dependent maximum polarizations and their variations on La modification show a similar trend as found in their dielectric phase transition temperatures. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and Studies of Pb0.76Ca0.24TiO3 Nanoparticles Derived by Sol-Gel

Pb0.76Ca0.24TiO3 (PCT24) nanoparticles were synthesized by modified sal gel method and characterized by a number of experimental techniques such as X-ray diffraction, TGA-DTA, FTIR and transmission electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) investigations demonstrated that the postannealed (650 degrees C for 1 h) PCT24 nanoparticles have tetragonal perovskite crystal structure. TEM have been employed to characterize the morphology, structure and composition of the as prepared nanoparticles. Dielectric results indicates the evidence for relaxor type behavior while observed leaky ferroelectric loops may be because of the defects such as grain boundaries and the pores in the sample as the sample was not heated at higher temperature, to retain the nanosize dimension of the particles.

Effect of sintering on optical, structural and photoluminescence properties of ZnO thin films prepared by sol-gel process

Zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films have been deposited on glass substrates via sol-gel technique using zinc acetate dihydrate as precursor by spin coating of the sol at 2000 rpm. Effects of annealing temperature on optical, structural and photo luminescence properties of the deposited ZnO films have been investigated. The phase transition from amorphous to polycrystalline hexagonal wurtzite structure was observed at an annealing temperature of 400 degrees C. An average transmittance of 87% in the visible region has been obtained at room temperature. The optical transmittance has slightly increased with increase of annealing temperature. The band gap energy was estimated by Tauc's method and found to be 3.22 eV at room temperature. The optical band gap energy has decreased with increasing annealing temperature. The photoluminescence (PL) intensity increased with annealing temperature up to 200 degrees C and decreased at 300 degrees C. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.